Hi! This is a work-in-progress page that’s doubling as 1) a place to curate the select few products I actually believe in and use, since I get occasional emails asking for my recommendations on stuff (which then sit in my inbox, unanswered, for five months); and 2) a way to keep Raw Food SOS financially afloat beyond donations, as some of these products have affiliate links. If you hate me and want to not support this blog ever, you can Google the product name instead of clicking the URLs on this page. You can also send me a picture of yourself laughing maniacally while flipping off the camera and setting a $100 bill on fire, which I will cherish forever, especially each April when I discover how much I owe in taxes.

Everything here is something I’ve used regularly at some point in the past or present (“future” will be added once my time machine reaches completion) and feel, based on both research and experience, is legitimately beneficial. Without further ado!

Awesome Fish

It’s no secret that I like sashimi. A lot. It was the food that first unvegetarianized me, and we continue to share a very special relationship, in which I open my mouth and the fish goes inside. Even though I live in a highly sushi-accessible town now (hi Portland!), I’ve also survived in landlocked cities where the only raw seafood within a twenty-mile radius was at PetCo. In those tragic situations, internet shopping saved my butt (to the relief of goldfish owners everywhere):

Vital Choice Wild Salmon Eggs

These are amazeballs. As in literal small, globular balls of amaze. These are the fish eggs that launched a thousand ships. When I was in my hotel room finishing my PowerPoint for the 2014 Wise Traditions conference, my boyfriend fetched me a little dixie cup of salmon roe from the vendors downstairs, because I was starving and apparently too inept to feed myself. I went from being cranky and nervous to having blissful serenity and x-ray vision. At least 75% of the previous sentence is true. Then the Vital Choice vendors gave me a 2.2 pound tub of their wild fish roe to take home, which, apart from the gift of life, was probably the best present I’ve ever received. Also, save some monies: You can get 10% off your first purchase by using the code VCAFINT during checkout.

For Your Toofers

Activated Charcoal

Hands-down the safest, cheapest, and easiest way to get stains off your teeth and turn them super super white. Seriously. This is the brand I use, but pretty much any activated charcoal will work. Get some capsules, follow the advice on Crunchy Betty’s website, and then put sunglasses on your cat and significant other because you will soon be blinding them with your radiant smile.

Vital Proteins Collagen or Collagen Peptides

I got some complementary tubs of this stuff at a Wise Traditions conference and am thoroughly impressed. It’s made from 100% pasture-raised, grass-fed beef from Brazil, and is meticulously tested for microbes and heavy metals (important, since some sources of collagen can be contaminated with lead and other nasties).

I highly, highly recommend supplementing with collagen if you have joint or tendon issues, want more supple skin, or have a meat-heavy diet but don’t eat much bone broth as a source of glycine. These two Vital Proteins products are pretty similar, but the “Collagen Protein” will get Jello-esque in cold water, so it’s better for stirring into hot beverages or using for stuff like gummy snacks. The “Collagen Peptides” dissolves like a champ in ALL OF THE THINGS and is faster digesting. Neither one has much of a taste.

SAVE THE MONIES: The Vital Proteins website ships all orders for free; Amazon only ships for free if you’re spending more $35 (unless you have Amazon Prime, in which case keep being your awesome free-two-day-shipment-receiving self).