Book Review

Living in the Raw Desserts

By Rose Lee Calabrok
Review by Cynthia Mosher

Contemplating a raw diet, I was encouraged to know that raw desserts not only existed but there is actually a cookbook for them. Living in the Raw Desserts provides 127 pages of information, recipes for Cakes, candies, cookies and bars, dessert breads, frozen treats, puddings, mousses and pies. A raw foods diet is certainly not holding you back from indulging your sweet tooth for luscious desserts!

Rose Lee Calabro, the author, is raw foodist of eleven years so she certainly has the experience of the diet under her belt. She came to a raw foods diet after a host of health issues including gall stones, gout, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and cancer. Her switch to raw has helped her regain her health and lose a lot of weight in the process. This book is a reflection of her advocacy of a raw foods diet, her love for desserts, and her desire to present healthy sweets for children.

The recipes contain no wheat, sugar, dairy, or eggs so they are not only vegan, they are good for those on a gluten-free diet. The mainstay ingredients are raw fruits, nuts and seeds. The nuts and seeds are soaked and sprouted for more nutritional benefits.

Equipment needed for these recipes include a blender, a dehydrator, a food processor, and a juicer. The dehydrator is probably the one thing you may not have. Though it is ideal for someone eating a raw foods diet to have a dehydrator, many of the recipes in this book do not require it so do not let your lack of having one hinder you from this book.

My first indulgence was the Blueberry Cheesecake. I was skeptical, to say the least. A crust of pecans, dates and cinnamon didn't quite sound right. And cheesecake made from almonds, dates lemon juice, and vanilla and almond extract seemed far from my idea of a cheesecake. But oh my. What a wonderful cheesecake it is! With the blueberry topping it is aq dessert I would not hesitate to serve to anyone, whether a friend for coffee or a lavish dinner party.

Flipping through the pages I landed on the Cherry Truffles. Ground nuts and dates with vanilla, are formed into balls, a dried cherry sunk into the heart of each, then rolled in shredded coconut. You can leave a part of the cherry peeking out for a more enticing presentation. These not only taste great but they look so nice on a platter to serve to guests.

My children are frozen dessert lovers so that was my next try - Strawberry Mousse. This dessert uses coconut pulp and coconut water in addition to dates and nuts. And of course strawberries. We loved the creaminess and found the dates to give just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the strawberries. The coconut flavor was present but delivered the necessary creaminess, allowing the three flavors to blend well. I barely noticed the nuts. Overall, it was a treat my kids enjoyed and give the "make it again!" thumbs up for.

I'm not a big pie lover but for those who are you have a chapter that includes pumpkin, key lime, lemon cream, and a variety of other creams. There's also a Pina Colada Pie, an Apple Pie and even a Mud Pie.

What about cakes? How about German Mock Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake, and Strawberry Torte? There are several spice cakes and tortes as well as Exotic Brazilian Cake and a simple Lemon Cake too.

I am a cookie and bar lover so Fudge Brownies Supreme were a must to try. I find it very close in taste and texture to a deeply rich and very soft, chewy brownie. I prefer cocoa to carob though so I'll have to find out why Rose uses carob in most of her chocolatey desserts. Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies use soaked oat groats. Perhaps this is tolerated by those on a gluten-free diet? I have no problem with oats and my family loves oatmeal cookies

Living in the Raw Desserts is a treasure of nutritional sweetness that makes you feel right about what you are serving your family and friends. We can move beyond so many traditional ingredients that are inferior and present real goodness in everything we eat. It is possible. And delicious at the same time. This is definitely a book you want to add to your collection and a way of eating you want to consider. If you're considering going raw be sure to check out Calabro's other books Living in the Raw: Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle and Living in the Raw Gourmet.

Buy Living in the Raw Desserts Now!

Cynthia Mosher is the Editor of VegFamily, the Magazine for Vegan Family Living. She blogs at WAHM Daily where she shares information and advice about working from home and internet marketing.

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