raw chicago...

this weekend i visited one of my fav raw places, Raw twice...

the thing i love the most about Raw is that besides the food being so delicious, it is owned by some fabulous folks.

the raw sampler...

joe and i spent quite a bit of time talking to the co-owner Carole.  she is so interesting and open and interested in others.

check out the story of how Raw came to be and if you are in chicago you MUST go to the Chicago French Market and check them out.

raw meal on the streets...

because i don't have a completely set schedule, i am always ripping and running to and fro and that can be really challenging when you are eating raw.

one solution that i am employing early on, until i can get my routine and food set up, is i am going to use Raw Meal, which is a meal replacement product.

i am going this route mainly because carrying a container of liquid with me is ten times easier than anything else, and things have to be easy right now.

it is definitely an acquired taste... very "earthy" (LOL). i mixed it with coconut water but i am going to play with it and mix it up until i find the right combo for my taste buds satisfaction.

but guzzling it yesterday, i can already vouch for all the claims that it fills ya up and keeps hunger at bay and that is really important, so that i am not reaching for the veggie burgers still in the freezer....

back on the raw tip!

it's been such a long time coming but today marks my return to raw eating.

i don't have a percentage in mind but i am doing a detox that consists of only raw foods, veggies, nuts, etc. to get the ball rolling.

to start me off, i had room temperature lemon water upon rising, which is said to help with liver function and create a beneficial alkaline state in your body.

joe also treated me to lunch at Karyn's Raw to give me a jump start (will post more about that soon).

and lastly to get me going, i ordered this book that i saw while at Karyn's.

flipping thru it, i was really attracted to the simplicity of the recipes because honestly, i do not want to spend a lot of time preparing my meals and i also know that having to do so would set me up for a setback, so i am giving it a go.

i am of course also devouring my girl Susan's Rawmazing site, which is chock full of recipes and raw knowledge.