VITA-MIX BLENDER

This is THE most important piece of equipment to have in your arsenal. I personally use it the most and enjoy every minute of it. Yes, it’s a bit pricey but the value you get from it is hundred times over. This super powerful machine will do everything for you: green smoothies, blended soups, dips, dressings, sauces, shakes, and ice-creams from frozen fruit and berries. It can double as a food processor if used on low speed.

As a raw foodist, this will be the most used machine in your kitchen. I’ve heard people say they started with cheaper models but they all burned out and these folks eventually ended up getting a Vita-Mix after spending hundreds of dollars on other blenders. So, be smart – don’t waste your money and may the Vita-Mix be your first purchase. You will be happy you did it.

To see a demonstration and learn more about this amazing blender, please visit
Vita-Mix Official Site

FOOD PROCESSOR

I personally recommend Cuisinart brand, but you can use whichever processor you want. Get at least a 7-cup food processor to accommodate your future raw needs and make sure it has a pulse button. A food processor is easy to use and can be used to prepare sauces, pates, pizza bases, cakes, guacamole, deserts and more – it will save you time in the kitchen and make it more enjoyable.

There are many food processors on the market to accommodate your needs and your budget. Do your research but make sure you buy the best that your budget can afford (but don’t go crazy and buy a $1000 piece).

JUICER

There are many juicers of the market that vary in price, options, and quality. However, from a raw foodist’s perspective a top quality juicer is a must. Over the years I have used different juicers, from hand juicers to centrifugal. However, my latest and final choice became a twin-gear juicer. There are several manufacturers of twin-gear juicers on the market, the biggest names being Green Star, Champion and Omega.

However, my juicer of choice is Green Star. I use it daily and find the quality of juice it makes outstanding. The twin-gear process allows you to get the most juice out of a produce, so the pulp that comes out is almost dry. Also, because the twin-gear method uses low motor speeds and a masticating technique, your juice doesn’t heat up (as it does in centrifugal models) and therefore doesn’t lose its vitamins, minerals and enzymes in the process and your juice also stays fresh longer, up to several hours without losing its benefits. Green Star Juicer allows you to juice green leafy vegetables and wheatgrass without clogging up the system, which most juicers can’t do. You can make fruit and vegetable juices, wheatgrass juice, nut butters, and ice-creams with this amazing piece of equipment. On days when I don’t make a green smoothie for my breakfast, I make a vegetable juice and I can tell you that adding these juices to my diet made a huge difference. Green and vegetable juices are a must for people in need of a cleanse or those having health issues.

Learn more about a Green Star Juicer.

To find excellent books on juicing please visit my Book Store.

DEHYDRATOR

It is an oven-shaped piece of equipment that gently dries food out – at a recommended temperature of 118F, at which life-giving enzymes are not damaged by the food preparation process. It keeps the food “live” but gives it a cooked taste and texture. My personal favorite (and most raw food restaurants use this brand too) is Excalibur, 9-tray model. Excalibur dehydrator uses the fan method, where warm air is generated within the machine and the fan at the rear distributes it throughout the unit. This machine has a temperature control and a timer built in (note that not all models have timers).
Excalibur models also come with special Paraflexx sheets (optional but recommended) that allow you to put soft and juicy items on trays without having them run through and mess the dehydrator’s floor. These sheets are re-usable and will last you a long time.

The dehydrator comes in two versions: 5 tray and 9 tray. I recommend getting a 9-tray because many people go for a cheaper 5-tray model only to discover than when they get into dehydrating they run out of space quickly and have to wait for one batch of food to dry before making another. Avoid this mistake and opt for a 9-tray model from the start.

To learn more please visit Excalibur Official Website

WATER IONZER

After you have taken care of your raw food kitchen needs, it’s time to turn your attention to the quality of water you drink. If you are still drinking tap water, stop it now: that water is contaminated with harmful chemicals, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, and God knows what else. What to learn more? Click Here.

And if you are buying bottled water and paying for something that is free, will you pay for your air next? Buying bottled water doesn’t contribute to your health, but it does contribute to fat corporate pockets and to further destruction of environment and your health. Click here to read an article that may clarify things for you.

A Water Ionizer is a wonderful invention that has been on the market for over 20 years but only recently started getting popularity. There are numerous companies on the market and their prices range from $850 to over $4000. Honestly, I think paying $4000 for a water ionizer is crazy but if you have some spare cash lying around – be my guest. However, for regular folks like you and me there are cheaper and sometimes better options available.

My absolute personal favorite is the water ionizer created and manufactured by Peter Goodgold of WaterWorks4U. I first met Peter at the Raw Food Expo in NYC and I was blown away from his knowledge, expertise, and his undeniable passion for pure water, water ionization and alkalinity and health benefits it promotes. Having experienced numerous health benefits from drinking alkalized and ionized water himself, he dedicated years to studying the quality of water and the effects it can have on one’s health. Peter created a machine that met all the requirements he considered necessary for a water ionizer and he made it affordable and easy to use. You really get the best bang for your buck! Peter personally uses his ionizer every day, even travels with it, and he looks terrific for his age (which I will not reveal here but take my word for it). I spoke to other water ionizer companies that were present at the expo but none were as passionate and as knowledgeable on the subject as Peter Goodgold and their machines were twice and three times as expensive without showing much of a difference in features. I personally use many of Peter’s products, including a water ionizer, and every day feel grateful that I was lucky to meet him.

In today’s polluted world, we have no guarantees about the quality of water we drink daily. And bottled water is even worse, having no regulations over its quality and manufacturing standards. Most of the bottled water is highly acidic and damaging to our bodies that need to maintain an alkaline environment for optimum health. A water ionizer not only purifies your tap water but also charges it with negative ions to make it highly alkalized. Drinking ionized water will promote your wellness and combined with a balanced raw food diet will bring you health benefits you never dreamt of.

What to learn more? Click here

The above products (except for Water Ionizer) are available at my online store.