Hi all
Regarding cleanses.. I have a bit of 'down time' coming up over the Christmas/New Years break. Apart form being able to really focus on increasing my raw and making a few lifestyle changes, I am going to use the time to do a bit of a cleanse. I have read on this site and in books that lymphatic drainage massage and saunas are great while you are cleansing.
Anyone else wnat to suggest some other things to incorporate into your cleanse to make it more effective?
Thanks!

Thanks Leer... they sound great.. Am receiving a food processor for Christmas so I can already picture myself giving those a whirl on Boxing Day!

Face painting sounds fantastic sheryl. Why should the kids get all the fun? You'll need to take some glitter to add to the effect as well.
Enjoy your trip!

Does anyone have any recommendations for raw food recipes to wow the family and friends when they come over for a bit of Christmas cheer? Especially little treats...

Anyone want to share any magical moments they have planned over the merry season?
Mine include lots of time at the beach (hopefull watching the sunrise if I get there early enough) and lots of fun surrounded by the nephews and neices on Christmas day. There's nothing like seeing the world through the eyes of children. Lots of wonder!

Why thank you Neet, I think it sounds perfect.. see u all there..

Reading of everyone's stranded island fruits just made my day. Fruit, poetry, beautiful imagery... gorgeous! Thanks! I think I'm with the mangoes...

Thanks so much for the advice everyone. Am discovering lots about myself as I venture towards a raw life, positive and negative things. Positive = how beautiful fruit is, I wonder why on earth I ever baked it to make it 'better'. Negative = my savoury, salty cravings - far more emotional than physical I am sure.
Lime juice is a great suggestion, am really loving my limes. 
Thanks so much for all the inspiration!

Great question Jen.. as an avid reader of these forums (and now actually having a bit of a chat myself) I've often wondered what people get up to!
Learning more about raw, it's great to see the diversity in those who have adopted the lifestyle.
I do a couple of different things - I work for my church as a youth worker (have a social work background), am currently finishing my uni degree correspondence and as with Janita, also work as a make up artist, freelance & for a local salon. It's a great creative outlet.
What about yourself? Am assuming the username is literal?
Tara.

Does anyone know where to source raw soy sauce? I've read about it in raw recipes.. I think it also has another name (which escapes me at the momemt!)
Thanks!

As the party season is upon us, just wondering what everyone's favourite healthy drink is, especially to take to or serve at parties???

I am relatively new-ish to raw (although had been heading that way for a while) and have always beeen a passionate cook. So for me, concocting different dips, vegetable pastas, pestos, unusual salad combos, smoothies etc is making the transition a lot easier for me as cooking had always been my way to express myself creatively and de-stress at the end of the day. However I know for most people cooking can actually cause stress! So, although my current menu may not be quite the kind of raw diet I eventually settle on, experimenting with food prep is helping me stay raw!
I'm not missing scrubbing those saucepans every night though! 

Hi Jen
If you haven't already, might be worth lookinginto Fountainhead retreat in Queensland.. Their newsletter was what really got me thinking about raw in the first place.. I've noticed that they have month long reatreats that include juice fasts.. not sure what the prices are like.
Tara..

Thanks everyone for your advice, such a great time of year to be increasing fruit intake, so much yummy stuff out there...
Tara x

Hi all

I am very new to raw and enjoying the journey of discovery. My husband is very open to it all and is happy to eat mostly raw. However, he is a very lean guy and loses weight easily, is very active. I am conscious that our move to raw is causing him to lose weight, which isn't a good thing. Am trying to keep nuts, avocado, flaxseed oil etc in his meals but he still seems to be losing weight.
I have a lot to learn regarding combining foods and eating balanced and am doing a bit of reading on all this but any tips in the meantime would be much appreciated.

Tara..