Gift This: Choosing Raw by Gena Hamshaw

Happy December!

‘Tis the season for giving and receiving and I thought this month I would share a few gift-giving ideas – in the form of vegan cookbooks by some of my favorite people, as well as other compassionate giving ideas –  to help you find the perfect present for the vegan, vegetarian, or veg-curious person in your life.

I’m kicking Gift This off with the cookbook Choosing Raw: Making Raw Foods Part of the Way You Eat,

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a fantastic book by Gena Hamshaw.

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PHOTO: Jeff Skierik

I found Gena’s blog shortly after going vegan. I saw a link to one of her recipes on Twitter, followed it, and fell into blog-crush mode. She has a super-nonsense approach to eating, cooking, and veganism. We ultimately met in person (at the first Vida Vegan Con vegan blogger conference) and became friends in “real life”  – she’s one of my best friends, actually – and it was wonderful to see her approach to raw foods blossom into this gorgeous book. In it, you will find recipes like these:

Cashew Banana Yogurt

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Heat-free Lentil and Walnut Tacos

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Zucchini Pasta with Quinoa Meatless Balls

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Raw Blueberry Cheesecake

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RECIPE PHOTOS: Hannah Kaminsky

Gena’s approach is to share simple ways to incorporate vegan and raw foods into our busy lives. Gena is a not a raw foodie, rather she’s a “raw food enthusiast,” and that’s one of the reasons I adore this book. I have zero desire to follow a raw diet. I’m interested in raw foods, though. When living in New York I took a raw food class at the Natural Gourmet Institute and distinctly remember the instructor suggesting it’s not about being 100%, 80% or even 50% raw. It is about finding ways to incorporate raw foods into all meals. Gena’s book helps me do just that.

Other recipes in the book include:

• Peachy Keen Smoothie
• Chocolate Raw-nola
• Easy Berry Breakfast Pizza
• Hummus Kale Chips
• Nori and Pumpkin Seed Cigars
• Creamy Basil and Ginger Noodles
• Apricot Quinoa and Mint Salad
• Raw Corn Chowder

So, if you’re making a list, and checking it twice, Gift This! Gift Choosing Raw.

4 thoughts on “Gift This: Choosing Raw by Gena Hamshaw”

  1. I love this book! And I love Gena! I’m actually planning to use her meal plans in the book for my annual January raw food “cleanse/detox.” I love that she incorporates leftovers into her meal plans!!

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