Shannon Marie of Rawdorable

Heather Pace of Sweetly Raw

1. What brought you to raw food, what’s the story there?

I first learned about raw food, while watching an interview with Juliano on the Style Network.

I was already vegan at the time, so of course, it caught my attention. I couldn’t believe how creative he could be with raw fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. Having an art background myself (as well as years of playing around in the kitchen with my family), I was so ready to dive in and try it. I bought his uncookbook the very next day.

At the age of 14 I read the book Fit For Life, and turned vegan over night! I stumbled upon a raw restaurant when I was 16 and was in awe. I kept my cooked vegan lifestyle, but went to a raw retreat in California for one month when I was 18 and decided I wanted to eat this way permanently… this didn’t last long as I returned home to a cold Canadian winter and lacked support. With a passion for food preparation I graduated from Culinary School with the intention of bringing healthy food ideas to people. Since then I have gone from 100% raw to low raw (remaining on a mostly vegan diet), and everything in between, but for the past 3 years I’ve remained mostly raw.

2. What is your favorite raw dessert?

Raw cupcakes, but I’m sure you could figure that one out. Sometimes they’re rich and decadent, and other times I lighten them up a bit. There’s just something about that cute little shape.

Oooh, that’s a toughy! Usually it’s whatever dessert I’m eating in the moment… BUT, I suppose my 3 overall faves are: Strawberry lime mousse cake (from my ebook Just Desserts), my chocolate caramel turtles, and ice cream sundaes!

3. Outside of raw desserts, what does your diet look like on an average day?

Although I mainly post recipes for satisfying my sweet tooth, the rest of my diet is fresher and more fitness-inspired. I am a huge fan of Brendan Brazier and his “Thrive” approach. The first thing I have in the morning is just water, followed by some fruit. I get my workout in after that, and recharge with a huge green smoothie.

Lunch is usually a salad and/or raw pudding (I’ve been eating a lot of blended things now that there’s a baby in the house again). Sometimes I do have a raw cupcake at that time. I also graze throughout the day on fresh produce, raw energy bars, homemade trail mix and smoothies.

As for dinner, that’s when I tend to eat more veggies. I love huge salads, zucchetti (spriralized zucchini to look like pasta), wrap sandwiches (using collards, romaine or nori for the “wrap”), raw soups (especially the ones with a variety of textures) … the list goes on, but I will admit to sometimes having lightly steamed veggies or a sweet potato from time to time. I also occasionally consume Ezekiel products, as well as cooked pseudograins like buckwheat and quinoa.

Don’t forget dessert; I never do. I’m so bad about ending the day with a piece of fruit (bad food combining, I know, but it somehow works for me). I also enjoy a good piece of raw chocolate, as long as it’s not too close to bedtime.

LOL, it’s true I eat a lot of dessert!

I start my day with a large mug of hot water/lemon juice, and then I drink fresh grapefruit or green juice.

Lunch is either a superfood smoothie or green soup, and dinner is usually a salad: greens, veggies, nori, spirulina, avocado based dressing.

Dessert is whatever I have on hand that day, or a pudding – frozen berries, banana, superfoods, nuts. Raw chocolate (with gojis/mulberries/nuts) is my snack of choice – I always keep some in my purse, and around the house!

4. What has been the most life changing aspect of eating more raw food for you?

I have so much more energy than before I went raw. It helps me keep up with the little ones around here. Being a busy mom really requires a lot of energy :-)

I feel as though raw food allows easy access to my “higher self” because it is so light, and vibrates at a high level. I experience greater mental clarity, inner peace, energy, and intuition.

5. If you had to give someone who was just starting out advice about raw food, what would it be?

I advise to start out slow. Don’t be afraid to “test the waters” first. If you change too many things at once, you might be more likely to quit the first time you “fall off the wagon.” Nobody’s perfect, so don’t stress yourself out trying to be.

Baby steps! Don’t worry about being “perfect” – you may have the intention of eating 100% raw immediately, but if you happen to fall back into some cooked food, forgive yourself and jump right back on the wagon. Make one change per week that is do-able for you – maybe start by having a green smoothie for breakfast, or replace your afternoon snack with a healthy raw version!

6. To you, what is the meaning or purpose of life?

I think we’re all still trying to figure that one out. I do know that it is meant to be lived to the fullest. Learn from your experiences and enjoy every moment.

Big/good question! I believe that I am a spiritual Being who’s purpose in this life is to learn and grow from all experiences that I create. I feel I am here to live out my passions, speak my truth, and inspire others to live a life they are passionate about too!

7. Tell me about your latest project and how people can get their hands on it.

I finally fulfilled my dreams of putting out a raw cupcake book, in electronic form (maybe one day it will be sold as a hard copy, but right now I’m saving some trees). “The Little Rawdorable Cupcake Book That Could” e-book can be purchased on my site at Rawdorable. I also have some raw cupcake-inspired shirts at my Cafe Press online shop, where I hope to add more designs soon. I’d even love to add an Etsy store in the near future.

I am SO excited about my new dessert project! The Moonie Pie Challenge is the chance for bloggers to get their creative juices flowing. I’ve created three (vanilla, mint, banana) delicious moonies: silky smooth cream, wrapped in a dense cacao nut cake, encased in rich dark chocolate. Participants make one of the three moonies (with two ingredient changes of their choice), and blog about it. I will judge the creations and then do a moonie pie swap with the winner, who will receive each of my pies. Here’s more information on how to enter and get a copy of the recipes.

8. If you could summarize your evolution and success with raw food, what one word would you use?

Happy :-)

Acceptance