Saving on gas and electric, and sticks

One guy a billion years ago rubbed two sticks together and created fire. Ever since, his discovery has been right next to the wheel in terms of importance to the human population.

But the Raw Food movement thinks healthier eating is all about ditching fire and the whole notion of cooking. According to Gabriel Cousen's Conscious Eating, cooked food loses 80% of its natural energy. Eating food raw means that you'll consume all important live enzymes and detoxify your system that is probably full of putrefied meats and environmental toxins.

Sounds insane to most of us, but in an effort to eat less processed food I can see how raw food is the least processed of all. And maybe while we're at it we can learn a new kitchen trick or two. Even if you don't have a dehydrator or juicer there are raw food recipes you can try. Alissa Cohen's new raw food restaurant, Grezzo, has recently opened in Boston's North End. Here's a simple recipe from her website:

Mock Salmon Pate
2 cups walnuts
2 stalks celery
1 large red bell pepper
1 large scallion
½ -1 teaspoon sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Serving suggestions: This can be served on a plate as is, over a salad, rolled up in a green leaf or spread on crackers.