Snowed In but Salad Out? 5 Genius Ways to Stick to Your Raw Vegan Diet During NYC’s Big Freeze!

1. Indoor Herb Gardening

 When a snowstorm hits and getting fresh herbs is difficult, growing your own herbs indoors solves the problem of adding fresh flavors to your raw vegan dishes.

 Start a small indoor herb garden. Herbs like basil, parsley, and mint are easy to grow in small pots on windowsills.

You’ll have a fresh supply of herbs right at your fingertips, ensuring your meals are always flavorful and nutritious.

How to get started: 

1. Choose a sunny windowsill for your herb garden.
2. Start with pre-grown herb plants from a local nursery.
3. Water regularly, but don’t overwater – herbs like well-drained soil.

I’m a big fan of growing my own greens, and I do it all using a Tower Garden. It’s this super cool hydroponic gardening system. Here’s how it works: you fill the tower with water, add some minerals, and that’s pretty much it! It’s got its own lighting and watering system that runs on a schedule. Before you know it, you’ve got greens, herbs, and a bunch of other stuff right there, ready to use. It’s super convenient, saves trips to the supermarket, and let’s not forget how affordable the seeds are. It’s almost like a ‘set it and forget it’ kind of deal.

2. Bulk-Buying Non-Perishables

 The uncertainty of produce availability during snowstorms can disrupt a raw vegan diet. Having non-perishables on hand ensures you’re never without essentials.

Stock up on raw vegan non-perishables like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

You’ll always have the key ingredients to whip up nutritious meals, even when fresh produce is scarce.

How to get started:

1. Purchase nuts and seeds in bulk.
2. Store dried fruits and nuts in airtight containers to extend their shelf life.
3. Experiment with different combinations to create varied and interesting dishes.

Using non-perishables like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, you can create a variety of delicious and nutritious raw vegan meals. Here are 10 meal ideas:

1. Nut and Seed Granola: Combine various nuts and seeds with dried fruits and a drizzle of date syrup. Dehydrate or air dry to create a crunchy granola. Serve with almond milk (can be made with almonds and water) or as a yogurt topping.
2. Raw Energy Bars: Blend dates, nuts, seeds, and your choice of dried fruit in a food processor. Press the mixture into a tray, chill, and then cut into bars for a quick, energy-boosting snack.
3. Fruit and Nut Parfait: Layer your favorite dried fruits with homemade nut cream (blend soaked cashews with a sweetener and water) and top with a sprinkle of seeds for a parfait.
4. Seed Butter Spread: Process seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds into a butter. Use as a spread on raw crackers or with fruit slices.
5. Raw Vegan Trail Mix: Mix a variety of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for a simple and portable snack.
6. Stuffed Dates: Pit dates and stuff them with nut butter or a mixture of chopped nuts and seeds for a sweet and satisfying treat.
7. Raw Seed Crackers: Blend soaked flaxseeds or chia seeds with nuts, seasonings, and a bit of water; spread thinly on a dehydrator sheet, and dehydrate until crisp.
8. Nut-Based ‘Cheese’ Dip: Blend soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, garlic, and seasonings to make a creamy ‘cheese’ dip. Serve with vegetable sticks or raw crackers.
9. Dried Fruit Compote: Soak a mix of dried fruits until plump and serve with a sprinkle of crushed nuts and seeds on top.
10. Raw Vegan Smoothie Bowl: Blend a base of bananas or avocados with a little water or plant-based milk. Top with chopped nuts, seeds, and small pieces of dried fruit.

These ideas not only utilize non-perishables but also ensure that you are getting a good mix of proteins, healthy fats, and sugars, all essential in a balanced raw vegan diet.

3. Subscription Box Services

 Difficulty in accessing fresh produce during a snowstorm can be a major hurdle.

 Sign up for a subscription box service that delivers fresh, organic produce to your doorstep.

 You’ll receive a steady supply of fresh produce, ensuring your diet remains rich in essential nutrients and variety.

How to get started:

1. Research and choose a subscription service that focuses on organic, local produce.
2. Schedule deliveries in anticipation of bad weather.
3. Try different services to find which one best suits your preferences.

In New York City, there are several services similar to Instacart that offer fresh produce delivery, often focusing on organic and locally-sourced options. These services can be especially helpful during adverse weather conditions. Here are some alternatives you might consider:

• Farm to People: This service offers locally-sourced, artisanal, and organic produce. They have a variety of boxes to choose from and also provide other grocery items.
• Local Roots NYC: Specializing in local produce, Local Roots NYC operates a subscription-based model where you can get fresh, seasonal produce from local farms delivered to you or pick up from designated locations.
• Misfits Market: Misfits Market delivers organic fruits and vegetables that might look a little unconventional but are perfectly fresh and edible. They focus on reducing food waste and offer their produce at discounted prices.
• FreshDirect: While a bit more mainstream, FreshDirect offers a wide variety of fresh produce, organic options, and other grocery items. They are known for quality and have flexible delivery options.
• Greenmarket Co.: Operated by GrowNYC, Greenmarket Co. provides a wide range of locally-sourced produce, with an emphasis on supporting local farmers and sustainable practices.
• Imperfect Foods: Similar to Misfits Market, they focus on delivering produce that might not meet the aesthetic standards of regular supermarkets but is still fresh and nutritious.
• Hungryroot: While primarily a meal kit service, Hungryroot also offers a good selection of fresh produce and grocery items, with an emphasis on healthy, organic foods.
• CSA Boxes (Community Supported Agriculture): Many local farms offer CSA boxes in NYC. You subscribe to receive a box of seasonal produce each week directly from local farms.
  
  Finding a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in New York City can be done through a few key resources:
• Local Harvest Website: Visit the Local Harvest website (localharvest.org) and use their search tool to find CSA programs near you. This site is a comprehensive resource for finding local food, including CSAs.
• GrowNYC: Check out GrowNYC (https://www.grownyc.org/), which is a great resource for finding local farmers’ markets and CSA programs in New York City. They provide a list of CSA programs along with locations and contact information.
• Farmigo (https://www.farmigo.com/) is an online platform where you can find and join a CSA. It allows you to search for CSAs based on your location.
• Just Food: Just Food (https://www.justfood.org/) is a non-profit organization that connects New Yorkers to local farms and food. They offer a CSA locator to help you find local CSA programs.
• Social Media and Community Boards: Often, local CSA groups will advertise or have a presence on social media platforms or local community boards. Searching these platforms for “CSA in NYC” can yield current options and community experiences.
• Word of Mouth: Ask friends, family, or colleagues who are interested in local and sustainable food. Personal recommendations can often lead to the discovery of great local CSAs.
• Farmers’ Markets: Visit local farmers’ markets and speak directly with the farmers. Many of them either run their own CSA programs or can recommend one.

4. Sprouting Seeds and Legumes

 Limited access to fresh greens can be a nutritional setback.

 Sprout seeds and legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and alfalfa at home.

 Sprouts are nutrient-dense, and sprouting at home ensures a continuous supply of fresh greens.

How to get started:

1. 1. Purchase quality seeds and legumes for sprouting.
   2. Use a sprouting jar or a simple setup with a bowl and strainer.
   3. Rinse sprouts regularly to prevent mold and promote growth.

5. Meal Prepping in Advance

Preparing fresh meals daily can be tough due to weather conditions like snowstorms. That’s why it’s a good idea to prepare and store multiple raw vegan meals in advance, like raw soups. You can gently warm the raw soups in a dehydrator when you’re ready to eat. By doing this, you’ll have a variety of nutritious, ready-to-eat raw vegan meals at your disposal. This will minimize the need to prepare food during the storm and ensure you stay on track with your diet.

How to get started:

1. 1. Create a Range of Raw Soups: Experiment with different ingredients like tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, and herbs to make various raw soups. Blend the ingredients and store them in the refrigerator.
   2. Use Proper Storage Techniques: Store your prepped meals in airtight containers to maintain freshness. For soups, use jars or containers that are suitable for both storage and serving.
   3. Label Meals with Dates: Keep track of when you prepared the meals by labeling them with dates. This ensures you consume them while they are still fresh and at their best quality.

Eating a clean, healthy, and delicious raw vegan diet is completely achievable, no matter what the weather throws our way. But why navigate these challenges alone? Join us for the 21-Day New Year Meal Prep Challenge and become part of a community that’s dedicated to thriving on a raw vegan diet all year round.

In this challenge, you’ll learn not only how to prepare delectable raw vegan meals that suit every season but also how to maintain a nutritious and satisfying diet, come rain, shine, or snowstorm. Whether you’re new to raw veganism or looking to reinvigorate your existing routine, this challenge is your gateway to a healthier, more vibrant you, regardless of the weather.

Don’t let the winter chill or a surprise snowstorm derail your health goals. Click here to sign up for the 21-Day New Year Meal Prep Challenge and start your journey to eating clean, healthy, and irresistibly delicious raw foods any time of year!