It’s true. I ate 100 % raw. Nothing was cooked. For 30 days and then some. I felt incredible! Had more energy than ever.

This was back in 2011, the year I realized how happy I was around food. I dove into every raw food cookbook I could find. I made zucchini pasta, cashew “ricotta” cheese, walnut fudge… and of course, pieced together the dynamite recipe for my raw chocolate truffles. I couldn’t get enough. Heck, I founded my business on my love of these living foods.

It was all good.

And then the snow started to fall. And I started to sneeze. And the heat in my little North End apartment couldn’t mask the chill in my bones.

I didn’t want another smoothie, another juice. I didn’t want kale salad or mint gazpacho… but eggs and bacon (mhmm), beans and potatoes (keep em’ comin’).

My body screamed for something, anything that was simply…warm. Listen, my love for raw food runs deep, but there are moments (lots of moments) during a New England winter when it just won’t do.

In the next couple weeks I’ll share my favorite winter recipes, simple and warm, to keep your body feeling clean and your spirit feeling cozy.

Lentil + Sweet Potato Stew

1. Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced large onion, with 1 tsp each of ground cumin and turmeric. Cook, stirring for about 6 minutes. Add 4 mincedgarlic cloves (and chopped carrot and celery if you’d like). Add 2 diced sweet potatoes and continue to stir.

2. Add 1.5 cups lentils and 6 cups water (or organic veggie broth). Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender (about 30 – 40 minutes). Add one chopped red pepperfor the last couple minutes of cooking (no need to cook it to death!). Oh, and you can obviously add kale (you can always add kale) right after you turn off the flame – the remaining heat will do the wilting.  Top with fresh cilantro and you’ve got yourself a bowl of the very best comfort food.

Simple enough, no? Now get cookin’!