Well, August is just about wrapping up (already!) and I have done really, really well with going 100% raw.


Initially, I felt the panic around what I was going to do for dinner, since I found during my ‘raw ‘til dinner’ months, that I was always looking forward to that meal!


I just couldn't picture much beyond salads and cold soups, and as good as those are, I don’t believe that this would be a realistic way for me to eat long term. I'm one of those people who eats a lot and has a very hearty appetite for variety! Breakfast and lunch were one thing, but dinner?



This made me stretch my brain almost as much as back when I'd first heard about eating 'raw', when I couldn’t picture what on earth a raw pizza would be like, or raw lasagna… you mean, cold dough? Uncooked noodles? blech! Of course, I learned how wrong a girl could be.

Anyway, I had my doubts. While finding out about dehydrated foods really opened my mind up, I still didn't have a dehydrator. But, I went for it anyway, and deciding to go 100% threw me full-on into the next part of the learning curve… soaking, sprouting, preparing the dips and salsas and wraps that were 'to live for', as I've been hearing lately!


I had no idea such a world of flavor awaited me! My boyfriend and I have enjoyed the best meals ever! He is SO SOLD on eating raw. Way, way back in the beginning, back when I poked at raw food information with a long stick, so to speak, I thought that the foods would be an acquired taste, ultimately only good if you already had a clean palette...and you were starving, lol...BOY was I WRONG!!!


My dehydrator arrived today :) and this evening's 100% raw dinner is... spaghetti pie! Tomorrow morning when I awake, there will be some delicious onion bread waitin' for me!

I love this thing!

As long as I don't forget to eat a fresh salad with my evening meal, I think 100% is gonna work out fine! ;)

Well, August is just about wrapping up (already!) and I have done really, really well with going 100% raw.


Initially, I felt the panic around what I was going to do for dinner, since I found during my ‘raw ‘til dinner’ months, that I was always looking forward to that meal!


I just couldn't picture much beyond salads and cold soups, and as good as those are, I don’t believe that this would be a realistic way for me to eat long term. I'm one of those people who eats a lot and has a very hearty appetite for variety! Breakfast and lunch were one thing, but dinner?



This made me stretch my brain almost as much as back when I'd first heard about eating 'raw', when I couldn’t picture what on earth a raw pizza would be like, or raw lasagna… you mean, cold dough? Uncooked noodles? blech! Of course, I learned how wrong a girl could be.

Anyway, I had my doubts. While finding out about dehydrated foods really opened my mind up, I still didn't have a dehydrator. But, I went for it anyway, and deciding to go 100% threw me full-on into the next part of the learning curve… soaking, sprouting, preparing the dips and salsas and wraps that were 'to live for', as I've been hearing lately!


I had no idea such a world of flavor awaited me! My boyfriend and I have enjoyed the best meals ever! He is SO SOLD on eating raw. Way, way back in the beginning, back when I poked at raw food information with a long stick, so to speak, I thought that the foods would be an acquired taste, ultimately only good if you already had a clean palette...and you were starving, lol...BOY was I WRONG!!!


My dehydrator arrived today :) and this evening's 100% raw dinner is... spaghetti pie! Tomorrow morning when I awake, there will be some delicious onion bread waitin' for me!

I love this thing!

As long as I don't forget to eat a fresh salad with my evening meal, I think 100% is gonna work out fine! ;)

Gorilla Food (review)

You've heard me rave on about Gorilla Food, a little living foods take-away place in downtown Vancouver. Well... I'm pleased to note that others are finding out how great this place is... Here's a little write up in this month's Shared Vision magazine. (this is a local, alternative, health-oriented mag found free all over town.)

Vancourites, here's Gorilla Food's website, including their downloadable menu. They're open Mon-Fri, 11-6.

photo: Bruce Skipper

Written by Shared Vision's Trish Kelly
If you’re downtown running errands and hankering for a good smoothie, don’t blink. If you do, you may miss the takeaway window called Gorilla Food at 422 Richards (at Hastings).

Located outside what was once an antique mall, Gorilla is a small establishment with a big agenda.

Owner Aaron Ash sees the window service as the first step in a plan to provide raw, organic, and locally sourced prepared meals, catering, and home delivery to the enlightened Vancouverite. It’s ambitious, but it’s obvious he means it.

My hefty 16-ounce Hempnotik Almond Shake was served in a biodegradable container made from sugar fibres.

More substantial offerings include a rotating menu of soup, wraps, lasagna, and pizza.

*********************************************************************************

Ok, it's me again, Rawkin'... ;) I can't say enough about this place and the delicious foods they serve up. Aaron's been so friendly and encouraging, even if our entire acquaintance plays out through a little cut out window. I just love knowing this guy is in the raw foods community. Great vibe, and I really see his vision taking off, and ya know, I want to support that anyway I can. Telling you all about it is my little contribution.

Gorilla Food (review)

You've heard me rave on about Gorilla Food, a little living foods take-away place in downtown Vancouver. Well... I'm pleased to note that others are finding out how great this place is... Here's a little write up in this month's Shared Vision magazine. (this is a local, alternative, health-oriented mag found free all over town.)

Vancourites, here's Gorilla Food's website, including their downloadable menu. They're open Mon-Fri, 11-6.

photo: Bruce Skipper

Written by Shared Vision's Trish Kelly
If you’re downtown running errands and hankering for a good smoothie, don’t blink. If you do, you may miss the takeaway window called Gorilla Food at 422 Richards (at Hastings).

Located outside what was once an antique mall, Gorilla is a small establishment with a big agenda.

Owner Aaron Ash sees the window service as the first step in a plan to provide raw, organic, and locally sourced prepared meals, catering, and home delivery to the enlightened Vancouverite. It’s ambitious, but it’s obvious he means it.

My hefty 16-ounce Hempnotik Almond Shake was served in a biodegradable container made from sugar fibres.

More substantial offerings include a rotating menu of soup, wraps, lasagna, and pizza.

*********************************************************************************

Ok, it's me again, Rawkin'... ;) I can't say enough about this place and the delicious foods they serve up. Aaron's been so friendly and encouraging, even if our entire acquaintance plays out through a little cut out window. I just love knowing this guy is in the raw foods community. Great vibe, and I really see his vision taking off, and ya know, I want to support that anyway I can. Telling you all about it is my little contribution.

I did it! I did it! They sprouted! :)

Wow, this morning, I feel like a kid at Christmas! A big weird one, but still!!

Wouldya lookit these little sproutees??

I found this GREAT site that helped me big time. I started this with no prior knowledge of soaking/sprouting, and a couple days later, I'm staring incredulously at these gorgeous little things that actually DID what they were supposed to do! (That said, my chick peas are still just sittin' there, but I'm a patient woman. *cough*)

These aren't just cute... they are super-nutritious and I've tried the mung beans already and they are incredibly fresh and delicious.

It's easier to do this than I thought. I don't know why, but in my head, I had made this out to be complicated and intimidating. In fact, it's easy-peasy. Laughably.

Steps:

1. Get dried, organic beans and seeds from the health store. I read that a busy health store is your best bet, since their seeds perhaps have a higher turn-over and haven't been sitting around for years. (Though they do have an admirable shelf life.)

2. Go to the sproutpeople website and type in what type of bean/seed you bought, and there will likely be an information page on it, telling you exactly what to do!

3. Walla!

See their humble beginnings here :)

I did it! I did it! They sprouted! :)

Wow, this morning, I feel like a kid at Christmas! A big weird one, but still!!

Wouldya lookit these little sproutees??

I found this GREAT site that helped me big time. I started this with no prior knowledge of soaking/sprouting, and a couple days later, I'm staring incredulously at these gorgeous little things that actually DID what they were supposed to do! (That said, my chick peas are still just sittin' there, but I'm a patient woman. *cough*)

These aren't just cute... they are super-nutritious and I've tried the mung beans already and they are incredibly fresh and delicious.

It's easier to do this than I thought. I don't know why, but in my head, I had made this out to be complicated and intimidating. In fact, it's easy-peasy. Laughably.

Steps:

1. Get dried, organic beans and seeds from the health store. I read that a busy health store is your best bet, since their seeds perhaps have a higher turn-over and haven't been sitting around for years. (Though they do have an admirable shelf life.)

2. Go to the sproutpeople website and type in what type of bean/seed you bought, and there will likely be an information page on it, telling you exactly what to do!

3. Walla!

See their humble beginnings here :)

Soakin' ma Nuts... lalala...

Aw, man, I sure hope I'm doing this right. In anticipation of my forthcoming dehydrator (COME FORTH, already!!) I've been looking at recipes that I want to make. A lot of them need preparation by soaking nuts and seeds ahead of time.

I've been going to the dollar store a few blocks away and buying these great big glass jars. They come with plastic lids but I put mesh and a rubber band over the mouth instead.

Last night, I soaked buckwheat groats. I have no idea what these are but they appear in two upcoming recipes so I thought it would be best if I started them. I also soaked sunflower kernels and they are already stored in the fridge.

This morning, I started three more jars (pictured). In one jar, I've got organic chick peas, in another, some mixed salad sprouts seeds, and in the third, mung beans. I finally got to the mung beans!

There's lots of online info, like this little chart, and I've received some great advice from forum buddies, but I'm still kinda confused about some stuff.

Mostly about storage. Once the nuts or seeds are soaked and/or sprouted, I know they need drainage for a while. My question is, once everything is soaked, do these get stored in a jar of water or a dry jar? I assume dry, since each nut/seed has a certain soaking time limit. I will ask around and do more research but in the meantime, if you have an answer, I'd love to know! :)

Here goes nuttin'...

VIEW UPDATE HERE

Soakin' ma Nuts... lalala...

Aw, man, I sure hope I'm doing this right. In anticipation of my forthcoming dehydrator (COME FORTH, already!!) I've been looking at recipes that I want to make. A lot of them need preparation by soaking nuts and seeds ahead of time.

I've been going to the dollar store a few blocks away and buying these great big glass jars. They come with plastic lids but I put mesh and a rubber band over the mouth instead.

Last night, I soaked buckwheat groats. I have no idea what these are but they appear in two upcoming recipes so I thought it would be best if I started them. I also soaked sunflower kernels and they are already stored in the fridge.

This morning, I started three more jars (pictured). In one jar, I've got organic chick peas, in another, some mixed salad sprouts seeds, and in the third, mung beans. I finally got to the mung beans!

There's lots of online info, like this little chart, and I've received some great advice from forum buddies, but I'm still kinda confused about some stuff.

Mostly about storage. Once the nuts or seeds are soaked and/or sprouted, I know they need drainage for a while. My question is, once everything is soaked, do these get stored in a jar of water or a dry jar? I assume dry, since each nut/seed has a certain soaking time limit. I will ask around and do more research but in the meantime, if you have an answer, I'd love to know! :)

Here goes nuttin'...

VIEW UPDATE HERE

When Health Nuts go Camping

What a riot! This is our 2nd camping weekend away since we returned from our 3-week camping roadtrip from Vancouver to Ontario in late July. We loaded the cooler with a tub of salad, 3 tubs of various wrap fillings that I'd made and frozen this past week, some avocados, sprouted grain tortillas and bread, some fruit, 2 large jars of Green Smoothies, a bunch of water, and returned to the gorgeous spot we found a couple weeks ago.

We set up a large tarp in the trees, knowing it was to be a rainy weekend.

Ah, I just love this...


One morning our fellow camper came up to our site, holding out her swollen, mystery-bug-bitten hand and asked if we had any antihistamine. I didn't, and in that moment, I realized that even though I don't use 'medicine' per se, I should be taking these camping trips with more in my bag than ecchinacea. So, I offered her what I did have, aloe vera juice (it's more like a clear gel) and she rubbed it on and off she went. I saw her later and it had taken much of the itch and burn out of it. But the incident made me think that it would be smart to stock up on a natural medicine bag...lessee...some arnica, some tea tree oil... what else? (Tell me?)
This is my favorite spot in all the world:

Enjoying a green smoothie (that thing weighed a ton!)

My Darlin' enjoying his own version of a health nut breakfast

Gracie enjoying yet another version

My progress report shot (taken August 19, 2007, 3 months to the day since I quit drinking, and since I started back on the raw food lifestyle.)
~ I've lost 40 lbs!!! ~

When Health Nuts go Camping

What a riot! This is our 2nd camping weekend away since we returned from our 3-week camping roadtrip from Vancouver to Ontario in late July. We loaded the cooler with a tub of salad, 3 tubs of various wrap fillings that I'd made and frozen this past week, some avocados, sprouted grain tortillas and bread, some fruit, 2 large jars of Green Smoothies, a bunch of water, and returned to the gorgeous spot we found a couple weeks ago.

We set up a large tarp in the trees, knowing it was to be a rainy weekend.

Ah, I just love this...


One morning our fellow camper came up to our site, holding out her swollen, mystery-bug-bitten hand and asked if we had any antihistamine. I didn't, and in that moment, I realized that even though I don't use 'medicine' per se, I should be taking these camping trips with more in my bag than ecchinacea. So, I offered her what I did have, aloe vera juice (it's more like a clear gel) and she rubbed it on and off she went. I saw her later and it had taken much of the itch and burn out of it. But the incident made me think that it would be smart to stock up on a natural medicine bag...lessee...some arnica, some tea tree oil... what else? (Tell me?)
This is my favorite spot in all the world:

Enjoying a green smoothie (that thing weighed a ton!)

My Darlin' enjoying his own version of a health nut breakfast

Gracie enjoying yet another version

My progress report shot (taken August 19, 2007, 3 months to the day since I quit drinking, and since I started back on the raw food lifestyle.)
~ I've lost 40 lbs!!! ~

FEATURE: Skin Brushing

I've been skin brushing for several weeks now. I find it to be quite a loving thing to do to myself! Afterwards, I feel invigorated and my skin feels alive! It's wonderful for detox!

Here's a great article to start with.

Below are the instructions I've been following, taken from this informative site.

1. Using your right hand, gently slide the brush along your right jaw line starting from your earlobe to the underside of your chin 7 times.

2. Place the brush at the hairline on your neck and gently pull around the right side of your neck to the Adam's apple 7 times.

3. Hold the brush with your right hand at the bottom of your neck (where it joins the top of your back) and bring it around your neck to the right and down along your right collar bone and end up between your collar bones 7 times.

4. Stroke your breastbone in a circular fashion to stimulate the thymus gland 7 times.

5. Carefully brush the breast in a circular motion 7 times.

6. Repeat the above steps for your left side holding the brush with your left hand.

7. To stimulate the pituitary gland, hold the brush on the back of your head near the base of your neck and rock the brush up and down, then side to side, both sides 14 times.

8. Hold the brush in your left armpit with your right hand and rotate it counter clockwise 7 times, then clockwise 7 times.

9. Repeat on your right armpit with your left hand.

10. Brush upward 7 times from your upper right thigh to your right armpit.

11. Repeat process on your left side. Women may need to hold their breast out of the way with their free hand.

12. Brush back and forth over your belly button and around your waistline 14 times (like passing a basketball behind your back).

13. Brush in a circular motion over your belly-button, counter-clockwise 7 times then clockwise 7 times.

14. Finish brushing the front of your body in any direction starting at the bottom and brushing all the way up 14 times. Very little pressure needs to be applied to the genitals and women's breasts because the skin is sensitive and will redden if irritated.

15. Brush up and down your spine from the base of your neck and down as far as you can 14 times.

16. Finish your upper back by stroking it around toward your sides.

17. Brush your spine from tailbone up as high as you can reach 14 times, holding the brush with two hands or with the detachable wooden handle.

18. Finish your lower back by stroking it around toward your sides.

19. Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart.

20. Hold the brush in the right groin with both hands and rotate it 7 times counter-clockwise, then 7 times clockwise.

21. Repeat with the left groin.

22. Brush from right knee to right hip 7 times.

23. Work all the way around your leg continuing to brush upwards (towards the heart).

24. Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart.

25. Brush around your right ankle 7 times.

26. Brush back and forth over the top of your right foot from toes to ankle.

27. Brush across your right toes on top and underneath 7 times.

28. Brush the bottom of your right foot heel to toe 7 times.

29. Now do the same with for the left foot, leg and thigh.

30. Brush upward from right elbow to your armpit and shoulder 7 times.

31. Brush from your right wrist to the elbow in the same manner 7 times.

32. Repeat steps on your left arm.

33. Lightly brush the webbing (or junction) between your left thumb and index or pointer finger on the palm side 14 times, then on the non-palm side 14 times.

34. Brush your left palm from wrist to fingertips and back 7 times.

35. Brush the back of your left hand the same way 7 times.

36. Brush each left hand finger individually back and forth 7 times on the areas that have not been brushed yet. Repeat the steps for your right hand.

Written out, this seems far more complicated than it actually is, trust me.

Where I used to stop and read after each section, I now only need to glance at the paper (I've copied it out) when it comes to whether I stroke wrist to fingertips or the other way around, and I also constantly confuse ankle to toes or is it toes to ankle.

It actually takes only a few moments to do once you're used to it, and you'll notice that it carries an obvious sequence. Have patience and keep at it, as you will notice benefits after about a month.

FEATURE: Skin Brushing

I've been skin brushing for several weeks now. I find it to be quite a loving thing to do to myself! Afterwards, I feel invigorated and my skin feels alive! It's wonderful for detox!

Here's a great article to start with.

Below are the instructions I've been following, taken from this informative site.

1. Using your right hand, gently slide the brush along your right jaw line starting from your earlobe to the underside of your chin 7 times.

2. Place the brush at the hairline on your neck and gently pull around the right side of your neck to the Adam's apple 7 times.

3. Hold the brush with your right hand at the bottom of your neck (where it joins the top of your back) and bring it around your neck to the right and down along your right collar bone and end up between your collar bones 7 times.

4. Stroke your breastbone in a circular fashion to stimulate the thymus gland 7 times.

5. Carefully brush the breast in a circular motion 7 times.

6. Repeat the above steps for your left side holding the brush with your left hand.

7. To stimulate the pituitary gland, hold the brush on the back of your head near the base of your neck and rock the brush up and down, then side to side, both sides 14 times.

8. Hold the brush in your left armpit with your right hand and rotate it counter clockwise 7 times, then clockwise 7 times.

9. Repeat on your right armpit with your left hand.

10. Brush upward 7 times from your upper right thigh to your right armpit.

11. Repeat process on your left side. Women may need to hold their breast out of the way with their free hand.

12. Brush back and forth over your belly button and around your waistline 14 times (like passing a basketball behind your back).

13. Brush in a circular motion over your belly-button, counter-clockwise 7 times then clockwise 7 times.

14. Finish brushing the front of your body in any direction starting at the bottom and brushing all the way up 14 times. Very little pressure needs to be applied to the genitals and women's breasts because the skin is sensitive and will redden if irritated.

15. Brush up and down your spine from the base of your neck and down as far as you can 14 times.

16. Finish your upper back by stroking it around toward your sides.

17. Brush your spine from tailbone up as high as you can reach 14 times, holding the brush with two hands or with the detachable wooden handle.

18. Finish your lower back by stroking it around toward your sides.

19. Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart.

20. Hold the brush in the right groin with both hands and rotate it 7 times counter-clockwise, then 7 times clockwise.

21. Repeat with the left groin.

22. Brush from right knee to right hip 7 times.

23. Work all the way around your leg continuing to brush upwards (towards the heart).

24. Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart.

25. Brush around your right ankle 7 times.

26. Brush back and forth over the top of your right foot from toes to ankle.

27. Brush across your right toes on top and underneath 7 times.

28. Brush the bottom of your right foot heel to toe 7 times.

29. Now do the same with for the left foot, leg and thigh.

30. Brush upward from right elbow to your armpit and shoulder 7 times.

31. Brush from your right wrist to the elbow in the same manner 7 times.

32. Repeat steps on your left arm.

33. Lightly brush the webbing (or junction) between your left thumb and index or pointer finger on the palm side 14 times, then on the non-palm side 14 times.

34. Brush your left palm from wrist to fingertips and back 7 times.

35. Brush the back of your left hand the same way 7 times.

36. Brush each left hand finger individually back and forth 7 times on the areas that have not been brushed yet. Repeat the steps for your right hand.

Written out, this seems far more complicated than it actually is, trust me.

Where I used to stop and read after each section, I now only need to glance at the paper (I've copied it out) when it comes to whether I stroke wrist to fingertips or the other way around, and I also constantly confuse ankle to toes or is it toes to ankle.

It actually takes only a few moments to do once you're used to it, and you'll notice that it carries an obvious sequence. Have patience and keep at it, as you will notice benefits after about a month.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) with Aila

I've had nothing but success with Emotional Freedom Technique, taught to me while on my recent roadtrip. With EFT, I've been able to remove blocks and hang-ups. This lady is a lovely teacher. Enjoy letting go...

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) with Aila

I've had nothing but success with Emotional Freedom Technique, taught to me while on my recent roadtrip. With EFT, I've been able to remove blocks and hang-ups. This lady is a lovely teacher. Enjoy letting go...

B12

Of all the benefits I've been noticing about being 100% raw (weight loss, feeling 'light' yet full, no cravings for S.A.D. foods, excellent skin, etc)...one thing that I've noticed that didn't sit well with me was sudden forgetfulness.

Spacing out in traffic has been a constant one lately. If I hear "Hey, where ya goin'?" one more time...why I...um...huh?

I have heard of symptoms of detox happening when one goes all raw, and I've experienced some myself on high raw, so I did a search on what might be ailing me. I have a streak of hypochondria so I was *really* hoping to find something raw-detox-related, because the alternatives are medically bleak.

I even developed a theory. Recently, I've been practicing EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and I've banished some fears and niggly what-nots.

(note to self: tap out hypochondria)

So I figured, hey, since I'm not anxiety-driven in traffic anymore, pardon the pun, I'm off in la-la-land thinking of other stuff, and missing turns, etc. This is good, right?

But it was nagging at me, since some of the older women in my family have headed towards memory loss.

My search turned up something that saved the day, namely this:

*"Since we obtain vitamin B12 only from animal foods in our diet, deficiencies tend to develop among strict vegetarians..."

Up until August, I've been eating fish and chicken in my diet, and now that I've been 100% raw, I have of course excluded this. Therefore, it makes sense to me that the missing puzzle piece is B12.

So I got in my car and drove to Caper's and got myself a box of NOW Instant Energy B12, got back home, and downed a glass.

I'll update if I remember. LOL

*From this brief Dr. Andrew Weil article. For a longer, more raw-foodist-related article, read: The Importance of B12 by Dr. Gabriel Cousens.

B12

Of all the benefits I've been noticing about being 100% raw (weight loss, feeling 'light' yet full, no cravings for S.A.D. foods, excellent skin, etc)...one thing that I've noticed that didn't sit well with me was sudden forgetfulness.

Spacing out in traffic has been a constant one lately. If I hear "Hey, where ya goin'?" one more time...why I...um...huh?

I have heard of symptoms of detox happening when one goes all raw, and I've experienced some myself on high raw, so I did a search on what might be ailing me. I have a streak of hypochondria so I was *really* hoping to find something raw-detox-related, because the alternatives are medically bleak.

I even developed a theory. Recently, I've been practicing EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and I've banished some fears and niggly what-nots.

(note to self: tap out hypochondria)

So I figured, hey, since I'm not anxiety-driven in traffic anymore, pardon the pun, I'm off in la-la-land thinking of other stuff, and missing turns, etc. This is good, right?

But it was nagging at me, since some of the older women in my family have headed towards memory loss.

My search turned up something that saved the day, namely this:

*"Since we obtain vitamin B12 only from animal foods in our diet, deficiencies tend to develop among strict vegetarians..."

Up until August, I've been eating fish and chicken in my diet, and now that I've been 100% raw, I have of course excluded this. Therefore, it makes sense to me that the missing puzzle piece is B12.

So I got in my car and drove to Caper's and got myself a box of NOW Instant Energy B12, got back home, and downed a glass.

I'll update if I remember. LOL

*From this brief Dr. Andrew Weil article. For a longer, more raw-foodist-related article, read: The Importance of B12 by Dr. Gabriel Cousens.

Green Smoothies

I've recently been turned on to Green Smoothies. Up until now, I've been juicing a daily recipe called Green Lemonade, from Natalia Rose's Raw Detox Diet. It's a blend of romaine, kale (or similar green), lemon, and apples. While I am certainly keeping this delicious juice in my arsenal (now that sounds funny to me) I have been feeling like switching it up some. Enter Green Smoothies.

This morning's version (pictured) included: two fistfuls of greens: romaine, mustard greens, and spinach...1 banana...1apple...small handful of frozen blueberries...small handful of fresh strawberries...add 2 oz aloe vera and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Usually, I would add maca but I have to run and get some more. I use frozen blueberries since it makes the smoothie cold.

Steps:

1. Stick it in a blender

2. You're done!

I'm sipping this DELICIOUS concoction as I type this. Try some! It's uber nutritious and tastes like a thawed-out fruit-cicle.

~YUM~

Note: Teeny little tip that will save you a few swear words:
Rinse your blender, the lid, and your glass RIGHT AWAY!

Green Smoothies

I've recently been turned on to Green Smoothies. Up until now, I've been juicing a daily recipe called Green Lemonade, from Natalia Rose's Raw Detox Diet. It's a blend of romaine, kale (or similar green), lemon, and apples. While I am certainly keeping this delicious juice in my arsenal (now that sounds funny to me) I have been feeling like switching it up some. Enter Green Smoothies.

This morning's version (pictured) included: two fistfuls of greens: romaine, mustard greens, and spinach...1 banana...1apple...small handful of frozen blueberries...small handful of fresh strawberries...add 2 oz aloe vera and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Usually, I would add maca but I have to run and get some more. I use frozen blueberries since it makes the smoothie cold.

Steps:

1. Stick it in a blender

2. You're done!

I'm sipping this DELICIOUS concoction as I type this. Try some! It's uber nutritious and tastes like a thawed-out fruit-cicle.

~YUM~

Note: Teeny little tip that will save you a few swear words:
Rinse your blender, the lid, and your glass RIGHT AWAY!

Pick a Peck o' Peppers

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a wonderful recipe! Your mouth will come alive...as alive as the foods you're eating! My uncooking weekend adventure continues...

Pepper Pot

Note: where the recipe says

~2 kg diced vegetables~

I used:
zucchini

celery

red pepper

banana peppers

Pepper Pot is an American Indian dish that originated in Guyana, where it is a national dish. It is also eaten in Antigua. This version is a very loose one.
Ingredients

1 cup mushrooms

1 cup whole almonds or other nuts/seeds

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 onion, chopped

4 scallions, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 fresh hot chili pepper, seeded (adjust amount according to how hot you like your food)or 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (adjust according to your taste)

3 large tomatoes, diced

1-2 tablespoons dried thyme (taste as you add on)

1 kg diced vegetables

2 tablespoons lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together. Serve at room temperature or warmed by the dehydrator.

I have been eating this stuff all day! My boyfriend didn't make 'THE FACE' when he ate it, so I asked, "What's wrong?"

He couldn't put his finger on it, but it wasn't there for him.

I think it's there and back so I grilled him (haha) and I'm sure he just wanted me to go away so he said,

"Well, what are the spices?"

So I named them and he said, "That's it. Too much thyme."

Whatever!

I'm eating it like it's candy!!

For dinner, I loaded my plate up with green leafies, avocado, tomato, sour cream, and pepper pot and I enjoyed the HELL out of it!! :D

Yep, that's sour cream on there, that pink stuff! That's not just the photo, that's the actual color.

But theirs isn't pink, wtf?

hmmm.....

Pick a Peck o' Peppers

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a wonderful recipe! Your mouth will come alive...as alive as the foods you're eating! My uncooking weekend adventure continues...

Pepper Pot

Note: where the recipe says

~2 kg diced vegetables~

I used:
zucchini

celery

red pepper

banana peppers

Pepper Pot is an American Indian dish that originated in Guyana, where it is a national dish. It is also eaten in Antigua. This version is a very loose one.
Ingredients

1 cup mushrooms

1 cup whole almonds or other nuts/seeds

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 onion, chopped

4 scallions, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 fresh hot chili pepper, seeded (adjust amount according to how hot you like your food)or 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (adjust according to your taste)

3 large tomatoes, diced

1-2 tablespoons dried thyme (taste as you add on)

1 kg diced vegetables

2 tablespoons lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together. Serve at room temperature or warmed by the dehydrator.

I have been eating this stuff all day! My boyfriend didn't make 'THE FACE' when he ate it, so I asked, "What's wrong?"

He couldn't put his finger on it, but it wasn't there for him.

I think it's there and back so I grilled him (haha) and I'm sure he just wanted me to go away so he said,

"Well, what are the spices?"

So I named them and he said, "That's it. Too much thyme."

Whatever!

I'm eating it like it's candy!!

For dinner, I loaded my plate up with green leafies, avocado, tomato, sour cream, and pepper pot and I enjoyed the HELL out of it!! :D

Yep, that's sour cream on there, that pink stuff! That's not just the photo, that's the actual color.

But theirs isn't pink, wtf?

hmmm.....

Un-Cookin' Up a Storm!

Yay! I have spent this fine Saturday afternoon whippin' up all sorts of yummies in my kitchen! This, from a confirmed NON-cook. My boyfriend is in shock, I tell ya. But he's lovin' the trend.

He's been telling everyone that he's been eating the best meals he's ever had in his life! WOW, that's deep stuff.

I should back up a bit, to last night... I made this recipe called 'eggless egg salad'. The clove of garlic I used was freakishly huge, and this came out tasting 'hotter' than intended but MAN does it make a terrific dip/sauce. I dipped slices of zucchini & green pepper in it last night, and so did my company, to rave reviews.

Okay, back to today... I made some of last week's chili again because I haven't been able to stop thinking about how dang tasty it was.

So my boyfriend makes a sandwich for lunch today, using sprouted grain bread, and filling it with sliced avocado, the eggless egg salad "dip" and some of the chili. He was moaning and closing his eyes, and I've known him long enough now to know that's a good sign. haha!

Thennnnnn.... it was fajita time! And as I type this, my nuts are soaking (ahem) so that in an hour, I can make 'The Best Sour Cream in the World'. (It seriously IS.)

You'd think I was expecting more company, but really, I'm just happily amusing myself as I prepare this evening's meal. Did I mention I used to hate cooking? What's happening to meeeee?

Oh, geez, I almost forgot... I also made a batch of 'marinated broccoli' to eat tomorrow. It's got to sit in the fridge overnight. I've gone mad. Mad, I tell you. (And I couldn't be happier.)

I can't, for the life of me, recall where I got the recipe from, so I'll repost it here... if it's yours, please claim it, with my apologies!

Marinated Broccoli
Ingredients:
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp water
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups broccoli florets
2 tbsp red bell pepper, minced

Directions:
Mix the oil with the water, garlic, vinegar, black pepper, lemon juice, and salt. In a large salad bowl with a tight-fitting lid, toss the oil mixture with the broccoli and red peppers. Refrigerate and let marinate all day or overnight, tossing the mixture several times before eating.

Un-Cookin' Up a Storm!

Yay! I have spent this fine Saturday afternoon whippin' up all sorts of yummies in my kitchen! This, from a confirmed NON-cook. My boyfriend is in shock, I tell ya. But he's lovin' the trend.

He's been telling everyone that he's been eating the best meals he's ever had in his life! WOW, that's deep stuff.

I should back up a bit, to last night... I made this recipe called 'eggless egg salad'. The clove of garlic I used was freakishly huge, and this came out tasting 'hotter' than intended but MAN does it make a terrific dip/sauce. I dipped slices of zucchini & green pepper in it last night, and so did my company, to rave reviews.

Okay, back to today... I made some of last week's chili again because I haven't been able to stop thinking about how dang tasty it was.

So my boyfriend makes a sandwich for lunch today, using sprouted grain bread, and filling it with sliced avocado, the eggless egg salad "dip" and some of the chili. He was moaning and closing his eyes, and I've known him long enough now to know that's a good sign. haha!

Thennnnnn.... it was fajita time! And as I type this, my nuts are soaking (ahem) so that in an hour, I can make 'The Best Sour Cream in the World'. (It seriously IS.)

You'd think I was expecting more company, but really, I'm just happily amusing myself as I prepare this evening's meal. Did I mention I used to hate cooking? What's happening to meeeee?

Oh, geez, I almost forgot... I also made a batch of 'marinated broccoli' to eat tomorrow. It's got to sit in the fridge overnight. I've gone mad. Mad, I tell you. (And I couldn't be happier.)

I can't, for the life of me, recall where I got the recipe from, so I'll repost it here... if it's yours, please claim it, with my apologies!

Marinated Broccoli
Ingredients:
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp water
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups broccoli florets
2 tbsp red bell pepper, minced

Directions:
Mix the oil with the water, garlic, vinegar, black pepper, lemon juice, and salt. In a large salad bowl with a tight-fitting lid, toss the oil mixture with the broccoli and red peppers. Refrigerate and let marinate all day or overnight, tossing the mixture several times before eating.

Who's An Excited Girl, Then?

Looky what I just ordered!!

Vroom Vroom!

Er...what the hell is it?

Who's An Excited Girl, Then?

Looky what I just ordered!!

Vroom Vroom!

Er...what the hell is it?

Yet Another Delicious Dinner

large bowl: romaine, spinach, chopped tomato, avocado

round bowl: raw taco mixture, small bowl: chopped banana peppers

Ok, I am seriously becoming addicted to putting together amazing meals, and even more addicted to the stunning (and stunned) reactions I get from my partner. Stunning, because the recipes I'm preparing these days are just heavenly, and stunned, because before I went raw, I hated all things cooking related, and he did all our cooking. But un-cooking, look out.

(I am getting some serious hugs these days!) ;)

Anyhow, I found this recipe today on a great site called Gone Raw. This one caught my eye because my partner loves Taco Salads and what can be done cooked can be done even better raw, so I thought I'd go for it. Here's the recipe. Note: To suit our tastes, I sprinkled some pepper flakes and natural, organic Southwestern seasoning called 'Los Chilaros' to add more heat

El-Yummo!

Yet Another Delicious Dinner

large bowl: romaine, spinach, chopped tomato, avocado

round bowl: raw taco mixture, small bowl: chopped banana peppers

Ok, I am seriously becoming addicted to putting together amazing meals, and even more addicted to the stunning (and stunned) reactions I get from my partner. Stunning, because the recipes I'm preparing these days are just heavenly, and stunned, because before I went raw, I hated all things cooking related, and he did all our cooking. But un-cooking, look out.

(I am getting some serious hugs these days!) ;)

Anyhow, I found this recipe today on a great site called Gone Raw. This one caught my eye because my partner loves Taco Salads and what can be done cooked can be done even better raw, so I thought I'd go for it. Here's the recipe. Note: To suit our tastes, I sprinkled some pepper flakes and natural, organic Southwestern seasoning called 'Los Chilaros' to add more heat

El-Yummo!

LIS-SAN EL QUA-THI

(OVER ZUCCHINI 'NOODLES')

I don't know how to pronounce it, but lemme tell ya, this was DELISH!! I couldn't stay out of it as I was spiralizing my zucchinis. I'm on a roll this week...I'm so relieved that going all raw doesn't mean carrot sticks and 'rabbit food'...cause, you know, how would that really work out in the long run?

This recipe is from Iraq and it is divine!! It calls for the use of a food processor, and it is simple. It says to stuff the mixture into long thin slices of zucchini, and that was good...then I spiralized a zucchini and made noodles and realized that the stuffing could be stirred in as 'sauce'...albeit stiff sauce. But did I mention it was TASTY?? My partner Steve is rushing home right now to try some ;) I told him to git home for dinner because it was so good! :)

Here's the recipe... enjoy! (I know what it looks like, but it's good, really!!)