Raw Energy

By: Stephanie Tourles

Retail Value: $16.95

Disclaimer: Mama Buzz and reviewers received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

Melissa J’s Thoughts:

This book is perfect for my family! Absolutely perfect!  We have been trying to move into a more natural, raw way of eating but have really struggled because we are a family that tends to eat little meals all day long, instead of a few big meals. I was running out of snack ideas – - until I received Raw Energy by Stephanie Tourles.

I immediately tried the Frozen Banana Sundae Bites for my 2 year old daughter. While I am not a fan of bananas, she is. What a hit those were!  They are definitely on the snack list now, not only for her, but also my daycare kids that I attempt to feed healthy foods to while they are in my home.

Second on the list was Almond-Raisin Cocoa Bites–only I used chopped dates instead of raisins, liking the taste of dates much better. Oh yum! Need a chocolate fix!? This is the way to get it in a healthy way!

Next on my agenda is the Pecan-Pick-Me-Up Bites. . .

This is a book that already has bent pages from all the flipping to and fro I’ve done in it. It is one of the best resources ever for those just beginning the raw food lifestyle. Raw eating is not easy–but this book helps it be less of a struggle because of the yummy snack ideas in it.

The book sections include:

Raw Snack Basics

Raw Snack Pantry and Kitchen Essentials

Raw Snack Prep 101: Learning How to Uncook

Super-Satisfying Raw Nut Milks, Shakes, Smoothies, and Frozen Fruit Creams

Fit and Fabulous Fruit and Vegetable Juices

The Snacks that Keep You Going: Energizer Bars, Balls,a nd Bites

Powerhouse Nut, Seed, and Fruit Blends

Raw Cereals and Delectable Fruit Parfaits

Vegetable Jolt: Crispy Chips, Zippy Dips, and Scrumptious Spreads

Chillin’: Fresh Cold Fruit and Vegetable Soups

Raw Confections: No guilt, Nutrient Packed Candy and Cookies

Suggest Reading, Resources, and Index

For those who are questioning the whole raw food thing, this is the book to buy. Not only will the recipes be a delicious introduction to the raw lifestyle, Sheri also does a great job explaining why we should eat raw and giving a basic course on how to achieve it.

For those who have been partitally raw diet, this book will move them even further into the raw lifestyle realm, simply because it broadens the horizons on different recipe ideas.

For those immersed in a total raw diet, they will want this book to add to their repertoire of already existing snack ideas and recipes.

This is a book that everyone who longs to eat healthier, especially when it comes to snacking—even if they are not 100% sold on raw eating—is going to want to purchase. It is money very well spent. After all, you can’t put a price tag on a healthy body!

Mel’s Thoughts:

Raw Energy, by Stephanie Tourles, is a book with 124 Raw Food Recipes for Energy Bars, Smoothies, and Other Snacks to Supercharge Your Body.  Stephanie Tourles is actually a licensed holistic esthetician who has worked in this field for over 20 years.

Here is a peek at what Raw Energy contains:

• Raw Snack Basics
• Raw Snack Pantry & Kitchen Equipment Essentials
• Raw Snack Prep 101: Learning How to “Uncook”
• Super-Satisfying Raw Nut Milks, Shakes, Smoothies, and Frozen Fruit Creams
• Fit and Fabulous Fruit and Vegetable Juices
• The Snacks That Keep You Going: Energizer Bars, Balls, and Bites
• Powerhouse Nut, Seed, and Fruit Blends
• Raw Cereals and Delectable Fruit Parfaits
• Vegetable Jolt: Crispy Chips, Zippy Dips, and Scrumptious Spreads
• Chillin’ Fresh, Cold Fruit and Vegetable Soups
• Raw Confections: No-Guilt, Nutrient-Packed Candy and Cookies

This book is basically a powerhouse manual that’s easy to reference and have on hand when trying to figure out how to eat healthier.  I was especially excited to review this book because sometimes in our house, snacks can get quite boring.  I try to keep them on the healthy side, but it’s not always easy.  Now I have something I can reference for some easy, quick fixes.

Not only does this book give recipes, but it teaches the reader about raw foods and how they work to help the body.  Every ingredient used throughout the recipes is described in The Raw Snack Pantry chapter.  For example, did you know that home-grown tomatoes, one of my favorites, have “twice the amount of Vitamin C” as most tomatoes you can get in your local grocery store?  Throughout the first few chapters are informational boxes that give out extra, handy facts that might help, as well.  I was honestly afraid that the recipes in this book would be like most organic recipe books and have expensive ingredients that can only be found in a health food store.  I was pleasantly surprised, however, as quite a few of the recipes call for things I can get right at my local grocery store.  Most of the ingredients are fresh fruits and veggies.  There are a few pieces of equipment you might need to get, such as a juicer, a nut milk bag, a citrus reamer, etc.  Most of the equipment you should already have on hand, though.    Here are just a few of the recipes:

• Peach Perfection Smoothie
• Banana-Chocolate Chip Frozen Fruit Cream
• Vegetable Brain Blast
• Morning Power Shot
• Post-Workout Replenisher
• Get-Up-and-Go Apple-Walnut Bars
• Cinnamon Maple Cashews
• Summer Harvest Berry Trail Mix
• Mighty Maine Blueberry Muesli
• Texas Tango Salsa
• Basic Fruit Jam
• Chocolate Turtles

…and many, many more.  In the back of the book are suggested reading materials, as well as other resources.  We are planning a garden for this summer, so I’m hoping to incorporate some of the things we grow into making some of these healthy snacks.  You can purchase Raw Energy from Storey Publishing for $16.95.  It’s definitely a great manual to have on hand, especially if you are new to real, healthy eating.