LIVE FOOD, as it is used here, refers to plant-based (vegetarian) foods purchased unheated and unprocessed and prepared entirely at low temperatures (less than 105°F).  According to advocates of Live Food, contend this method of preparation insures vastly more available and unaltered nutrition than its cooked counterpart.  The term "Raw Food" is often used synonymously with Live Food," and the term "Living Foods" (i.e.: sprouted or germinated) is encompassed by these terms.

• Get an “Un-cookbook” or two while you’re at the natural grocery store
• Stock up on Organic ingredients – Fruits & Veggies, Dried Fruit, Herbs & Spices, Oils & Condiments, Raw Nuts, Seeds, Beans & Grainberries.
• Equip your kitchen Knife & Cutting Board, Mixing Bowls, Measuring Spoons & Measuring Cups, Spatula Strainer (Sieve), Funnel, Mason Jars, a decent Blender. what you need to keep leftovers extra prepped ingredients contained.

Stage 2 – Making the Leap
Once you have decided that you are committed to learning and implementing all of what Live Foods have to offer, there are a few key elements to a Living Foods Kitchen

• A Food Processor – This is a staple in the raw foods kitchen. You can pay from $5.00 at a yard sale up to $150.00 (or much more) new. I haven’t found that much difference in the two. Make sure whatever you get has shredding and thin-slicing capabilities.
• A Good Blender – A good blender can run $400.00 or more and is worth every penny.
• A Juicer – If you want all of what Live Food has to offer, a (good) juicer is key. Pasteurized juices are prepared at very high temperatures, so they are not part of a raw food diet. A “masticating” or grinding juicer will serve you best in the Live Food kitchen.
• A Quality Dehydrator – A high-quality front-loading food dehydrator (with a thermostat that will accommodate 105°F) is a must in the raw kitchen as dried foods have a much longer shelf-life, and generally don’t have to be refrigerated. A very high-quality dehydrator typically runs $200.00 or so, and is very much worth the investment.