In the Spirit of Gathering

Apparently, the word 'potluck' originated in 1592, a time when explorers were making first contact with the native people on newly discovered continents who used the word potlatch.

According to Concord Magazine in the colonial years you sometimes ate as follows "potluck - what was available, not knowing for sure what you might receive." Had you visited a home or tavern 225 years ago and the cook not had the chance to prepare a proper meal, you would have eaten whatever was in the oven pot... taken a chance... taken pot luck." How much better we are today to have raw food potlucks. We are breaking into new territory and the more people exploring the new improved version of "potluck" the better.

What is a raw potluck? According to one unofficial source it is a smorgasbord of systemic succulence and dynamic delicacies! Having been to lots of them I can only concur. And there are so many benefits besides the opportunity to eat good tasting food that is actually healthy. Just the ideas of what can actually be made from raw plant based foods is amazing. The creativity of the food preparations is inspiring.

Raw food potlucks are great for introducing new people to the raw food culture, good for keeping those in transition to better eating habits on track, a good place for people to socialize, network, share ideas, and contribute to making society a better place in which to live. To inform about the benefits of a raw, unprocessed plant-based diet and offer support as people make healthy choices in that direction.

We know that working together pragmatically we can significantly advance the raw food potluck phenomena by helping potlucks become a widespread occurrence, this can even be considered a call to action. There are so many unfortunate people that just don't know about the benefits of raw food yet. Let's help show them a better way. Is not helping others a help to all, including those of us who already know?  I believe we are moving into a prime time to turn many onto the benefits of raw food through the action of "potlucks".

Yours for health,
Stephen Cochrane

Guidelines for starting a Potluck

Here are some guidelines a regular Potluck group in the US has put forward. It's quite strict about what's raw and what's not, this is not so necessary in the beginning when the idea is to just get going. Mostly Raw would be a good place to start.

Taken from the Potluck Society of British Columbia.

The following recommendations are made in consideration of general raw food, vegan, and vegetarian dietary guidelines.

What to bring:

- A raw-vegan dish to generously serve 6 or more people, salt free, preferably organic. If there are two of you, bring enough to serve 12 or two different dishes.

Raw food includes: fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts & seeds, raw nut butters, "live" sauerkraut, sprouted grains, or other seeds.
Please do not bring food processed by heat or chemicals, containing dairy, honey, animal products. As a guide, use nothing from a box, can, or bottle. See potluck guidelines for more detailed information if this is your first potluck or you'd like to refresh your memory.

Please also bring:
- Serving utensil(s) for your dish
- Plate(s), napkin(s), and utensils for yourself
- A mat or blanket to sit on
- Water and cup for yourself if desired
- An ingredients label. Also label what is organic.

• Please use organic ingredients to the fullest extent practicable.
• A raw-vegan dish contains no animal products and no cooked ingredients.
• Vegan means no animal products such as dairy, eggs, honey, and fish.
• Please refrain from bringing any food that has been genetically modified.
• Please provide a quick list of ingredients and indicate what is (and isn't) organic. In addition to helping all of us make informed food choices, such a list is a great tool to stimulate conversation about wonderful food.
• Please be sure that all fruits and vegetables have been properly washed and are ready to be enjoyed as is.
• Should an item contain nuts and/or seeds, please label whether or not it was soaked.
• Please ensure that any cut or prepared food is properly refrigerated prior to the potluck. Once a fruit or vegetable is cut, enzymes begin to break the item down and bacteria starts to grow. The results vary from mild toxicity (which may not be noticed but affects the health of the body) to extreme food poisoning.
• If you are bringing fruit, we especially welcome seasonal, locally grown & organic or at least pesticide-free fruit that have been picked when ripe. Sometimes such fruit can be found at Farmer's markets.
• We do not advocate the abundant use of spices. And please, add no salt.
• Citrus can provide a great alternative to vinegar.
• Raw ingredients have not been cooked at all; specifically they have not been subjected to the heat of cooking, which is generally considered to be above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Food and beverages that have been pasteurized are not raw.
• Even many nuts and grains are not raw due to heat during processing, although any seed that can sprout is raw. Almost all packaged foods are not raw, including frozen vegetables. Rarely raw are oil, vinegar, spices, and other seasonings. Neither pasteurized nor canned foods are raw. Most bottled items have been heat pasteurized when bottled. Tofu, and for that matter virtually all soy-derived products, have been cooked and highly processed. Please be sure to not use such ingredients for the potluck. Remember that maple syrup is usually boiled.
• If you use oils, cold-pressed oils, extra-virgin olive oil and flax oil, are preferred. Remember, most commercial oils are heated.
• Nama Shoyu and Bragg Liquid Aminos are not raw.

  
   

LIVING FOOD FOR AFRICA                  Email:  angie  at   livingfoodforafrica.com