Day for three raw meals

Health Connections will host three Raw for a Day meals on the Peninsula on Wednesday, September 1, to celebrate the first day of Spring.

"Spring is the perfect time to include more raw food in our diets for improved health, and it's a good way to shed surplus winter weight," Health Connections organiser Ms Shirley Hotchkiss said.

"So everyone is invited to join us for a raw food meal.

"We will hold a breakfast picnic from 8am to 10am at Lions Park in Woy Woy and a lunch picnic between 12pm and 2pm at Vernon Park, on corner of Haynes Ave and Ryans Rd, Umina.

"For any of the events, people are invited to bring a raw food dish to share that doesn't contain sugar or animal products.

"Or they could just bring their own raw food picnic.

"They would also need to bring the usual picnic gear of plates, mugs, cutlery, chairs or a picnic rug.

"The shared evening meal will be held from 5pm to 7pm at the Woy Woy CWA hall.

"As well as a raw food dish to share, I ask people to bring picnic gear to reduce washing up and garbage, and a gold coin donation to cover hall hire."

Ms Hotchkiss said Health Connections was also encouraging people to get involved by hosting a Raw for a Day party.

"Families, community groups and businesses could get involved by organising their own raw food meals or events," Ms Hotchkiss said.

"Supermarkets could offer raw food demonstrations and tasting of green smoothies or raw dips.

"Clubs, hospitals and restaurants could offer raw food dishes to patrons.

"Workers could have a shared raw food lunch, and families could have a raw food meal at home.

"So they can have more raw food regularly, school children could plant a raw food garden, or grow sprouts in jars on the bench.

"And anyone can join the Peninsula Environment Group food network so they can buy locally-grown organic produce at wholesale prices."

Ms Hotchkiss said there were plenty of raw food recipe ideas on internet sites, but simple dishes of fresh fruit, or raw dips and salads with vegetables and leafy greens are delicious and easy to prepare.

"People can ring me with any questions, and to let me know if they're coming to the evening meal, so we can arrange enough chairs and tables," Ms Hotchkiss said.

For more information, contact shirley@openwindows.com or call 4341 9301.

Press release, 12 Aug 2010 Shirley Hotchkiss, Health Connections