The quest begins for great naked food...

From childhood I have been enchanted by the alchemy of tastes that can be concocted over the stove, and by my teen years I had fallen in love with the whole ritual of dining, especially in fine restaurants. I eventually worked as a waiter and captain in a few of the country's best restaurants--The Ryland Inn, Gotham Bar & Grill, Union Square Cafe--and loved to attempt to duplicate, in my coarse fashion, the creations that I served to guests in these special places. I enjoyed cooking for my own pleasure and for the satisfaction of pleasing others, and especially appreciated foods from exotic parts of the world. Nothing formal or fussy (no chef, I)--just the love of good eating.

Also from childhood, I've had a passionate interest in matters of health & healing, particularly from a mind-body, metaphysical perspective; perhaps there's another blog on that topic. But in that vein, over the years I tried all sorts of dietary approaches, including cooked-food vegetarianism several times, which I never felt resulted in glowing health for my constitution. Eventually, I settled into a lifestyle of cooking highest quality, certified organic ingredients, with lots of fresh fish and berries.

But then I reached a crossroads where the most important thing to me became renewal and rejuvenation, and establishing MASSIVE health and vitality in myself... and this is what led to my switching to a raw diet.

So, my culinary adventuring starts anew as I get to explore the amazing "zing" of raw foods on the palate, and to learn how to combine & prepare them in ways I've never experienced before. Numerous times I have been bowled over by the simplest discovery. For example, who knew that steel-cut oatmeal soaked overnight could be eaten raw, and that, mixed with some homemade nut-milk, soaked pecans & macademias, a few raisins and dried cherries, and a dash of vanilla, is far more delicious than the cooked variety? I have also discovered the amazing properties of raw chocolate--we always knew that in our hearts, didn't we?--and the fabulousness of young coconuts.

All my new favorites and staples will find their way here. I hope others find them useful. And along the way, I'll be sharing the journey on a more personal level at my other blog, This Raw Life. Come by and share your comments. There's a whole world of bare-naked, uncooked cuisine to discover, and what's the point of doing it all alone!?