Raw Energy, a MamaBuzz Review

I am always on the search to help me feed my family healther foods, foods that they will actually eat, and foods that are gluten free, casein free, soy free, etc etc etc. I figured I'd find a few recipes in a recipe book using raw foods.

Stephanie Tourles brings us, "Raw Energy, 124 Raw Food Recipes for Energy Bars, Smoothies, and Other Snacks to Supercharge Your Body".
List price is $16.95.

I expected that the book would be recipes only. I was incorrect. The recipes do not begin until Chapter 4, on page 94 of a 272 page book.

Tourles gives me an education in all things raw food, starting with the basics, the pantry and kitchen equipment, and raw food prep. Then she launches into the recipes, beginning with nut milks, shakes, smoothies and frozen fruit creams; fruit and veggie juices; energizer bars, balls and bites; nut seed and fruit blends; raw cereals and parfaits; veggie chips, dips and spreads; cold fruit and veggie soups; candy and cookies. Suggested reading, resources and an index finish the book.

I didn't expect nuts to be in so many recipes. We can't use nuts or sunflower products here, nor pineapple, in addition to being GFCFSF. We're watching oxalates, too, which eliminate some more choices. Are there recipes I can use? Absolutely! However, the majority of the recipes use a nut or nut milk, so families with nut allergies may not find a wealth of recipes to use, although there are a few. (I wonder if I use rice milk instead of nut milk in the frozen goodies if I ruin the raw food value?)

Honey Melon Pear Soup - when I find the ingredients in season - look foward to trying that one. Raspberry Ricky Soup sounds tasty, too, and I can make it with no substitutions.

Tourles has me considering the purchase of a food dehydrator. I wonder if I could borrow one to try the recipes for dried zucchini and sweet potato chips?

Tourles has me curious about using bee pollen. She uses it in some of her recipes. I never thought to try that. I'm guessing heating bee pollen would ruin it's raw food value, so I wouldn't cook/bake with it.

I'm always thrilled to find new recipes to try, recipes that everyone in the family can eat. Thanks to Raw Energy, I have a few new recipes to introduce at home. :)

FYI: Tourles blogs here; she has a fan page on facebook.

I was given a copy of Raw Energy to review for MamaBuzz. I received no compensation for my review. I am not required to provide a positive review.