Elixir Wellness: Raw Food 101 & The Uncook Book Review.

Healing the body through naturopathic nutrition and natural remedies is what we strive for at Elixir. We are incredibly passionate about eating a nutritionally balanced diet with lots of colourful vegetables, lean protein and fresh organic produce. Living a healthy lifestyle with a clean diet and lots of exercise is the ultimate gift you can give to your body everyday to help fight illness and disease.

You may have noticed, but we make a lot of ‘raw’ desserts in our kitchen, and you are probably wondering why. Let us show you the benefits of raw food and how you can incorporate it into your lifestyle.

What is RAW food?

“Raw foods are foods that have not been heated above 48℃, even within the processes of drying, dehydrating and high-speed blending” - Tanya Maher.

Our bodies have to work super hard to digest our food, which is why it is important that we chew our food properly and feed our gut the right things. Raw fruits and vegetables are extremely high in vitamins, minerals and fibre. However, when cooking these foods at high temperatures a lot of their wonderful goodness can be destroyed. By eating living, enzyme rich, uncooked plant based foods you are nourishing the digestive system with the nutrients it needs for optimum bodily functions. Some people choose to follow a strict raw food diet, where yes, they do not consume any cooked foods. On the other hand, some people may choose to simply incorporate more raw foods into their diet and be more mindful when cooking foods. For example, blanching and steaming vegetables rather than boiling or frying them.

We think that spreading the knowledge of eating raw foods is really beneficial for everybody. Raw meals are easy to make as well as being so delicious and nutritionally balanced. What is even more amazing, is that they contain no refined sugar, dairy, gluten or any animal products. This means they are suitable for vegan’s and cater for a wider audience because they are free from all the main problematic and inflammatory food groups.

Some of the glorious benefits of eating more raw foods:

• Promotes growth of thick, strong and silky hair.

• Promotes clear and radiant skin.

• Maintains strong, healthy bones and nails.

• Bundles of energy and better sleep.

• Promotes an alkaline ph in the body, which may help ward off illness and disease.

• Supports a healthy digestive system.

• Balances hormones.

• Promotes healing.

• Anti-inflammatory.

If you haven’t heard of her already, we would like to introduce to you the much loved Tanya Maher, a nutritionist, health coach, recent mother and entrepreneur, owning the most beautiful superfood cafes in London as well as being the the author of ‘The Uncook Book’. Tanya discovered the world of raw food to cure herself from a plethora of illnesses. She explains her background, the struggles she had and how this new approach to food saved her life. This book is “The essential guide to a raw food lifestyle”, which includes all the fundamentals to understand raw food to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need if adopting this lifestyle. It is a truly bright and fascinating book, you feel so refreshed and clean just looking at the photography! Tanya has put together an informative 101 which covers all the raw foodie basics and how to stock up on the right foods. Most excitingly, you have in your hands the most delightful range of easy recipes including main meals, snacks, desserts, juices and smoothies. Just flicking through the pages radiates so much positive energy, making you feel instantly inspired, uplifted and ready to UNCOOK!

“Uncooking is getting back to the basics, celebrating your health and rediscovering your youth via the freshest, cleanest, most nutritious plant-based whole foods".

You can buy Tanya’s Uncook book HERE.

ELIXIR’S FAVOURITE RAW FOOD KITCHEN STAPLES

When we make raw desserts, there are certain ingredients we can’t go without!

• Coconut oil - a HEALTHY fat and a great butter alternative which also gives raw cakes and energy balls a soft and creamy texture.

• Medjool dates - the stickiest, most delicious refined sugar alternative, full of fibre and also helps bind ingredients together.

• Superfoods - nutritionally dense foods which brings recipes alive, such as spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, bee pollen, acai, goji berries, hemp seeds, baobab, maca and many many more.

• Cacao products - cacao powder, nibs, paste and butter are key for making anything chocolatey.

• Nuts & seeds - cashew nuts, almonds, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, the list goes on.

• Of course, fresh organic fruits and vegetables!

If you would like to ask the team more questions about about starting a healthier lifestyle, incorporating superfoods into your diet and taking the appropriate supplements for you, we would be delighted to help you. Every Wednesday is WELLNESS WEDNESDAY, where you can call us on 01926 311107 to book a FREE 1 to 1, 15 minute slot for personalised naturopathic advice with one of the team members! Claire, Elaine, Rachel and Olivia are all extremely dedicated foodies and passionate about health and wellbeing. We look forward to to talking to you!

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