Don't forget to eat your breakfast!

I am telling this to myself. Today as I ran to the next place I needed to be, I realized that I had not eaten a thing and my cell said it was close to 2 pm. Thank goodness I had a loose avocado in my car from last nights shopping trip and my crazy driving, which caused it to fall out of the grocery bag.

I just finished juicing oranges and some carrots to mix together in the morning just in case I forget again! Today I met with the sweetest couple, which were visiting from the UK. I can not wait to visit England!(after Paris) We chatted up health, Raw food eating and life in general, I get so excited when someone shares a passion for Health and Living! I am already excited for their next stay when I can share some new recipes with them!
I have been asked 4 times this week "How does one eat Raw? Where do you start?" So to clear the air, I am not 100% Raw. I am close to 85%, and some days 100% but I believe some things are just meant to be eaten cooked! Take brown rice for instance, I have tried soaking that stuff for hours on end, it just does not get soft nor does it taste good to me. Raw means living food in its natural state, not heated above 105*. I have also heard 118* is still alive, But I like to keep on the safe side. It is after 105* that the enzymes in food begin to die, then turning it to cooked food( dead food). Where does one begin? I would say that each person needs to do what is good for their own body, I choose to eat all Raw until dinner, then I enjoy a small portion of wild fish, salad, brown rice, organic chicken, the list can go on. I feel better when I choose to eat this way and my body has the entire evening to just relax and digest what it has consumed.
Tonight I made some Raw oat meal cookies, I had some leftover dried cranberries and dried apple slices and mixed them in the batter as well and they are even better than before! I will do this from now on. Feel free to omit the items you may not have on hand and just have fun with them!


OAT MEAL FRUIT COOKIES:
1 cup raw oats
1 teas sea salt
1/3 cup cocoa nibs
1 T cinnamon
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 cup raw almond butter
1/3 cup maple syrup
10 chopped dates

pulse in food processor
then toss in bowl and add

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup dried coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup dried chopped apples
roll into small balls and Enjoy! store in fridge for about a week!

These are a few of my favorite things

Back pack packed...Check
Raw Taco's made for Lunch tomorrow...Check
A big bowl of Double Chocolate Gelato with a cherry on top after studying so hard...Check
Not feeling guilty cuz it was only 8pm and all fruit no sugar...Check

These Taco's are some of my Mom's Favorite. She requested them often, that is until she got a food processor of her own.
I like that you can make the Raw Taco meat long before you are going to eat it, and then its so fast and easy to grab when your in a hurry.
I use to make a great taco shell made from ground raw corn, red peppers and spices that were then dehydrated and cut into circles. I now enjoy just wrapping it all in a collard green or Romain shell as I did tonight.
I always make a Homemade Raw Salsa, feel free to make your favorite or I included what I did tonight as it is very fresh and yummy!

Raw Taco's
Raw Meat:
2 cups walnuts (or pecans if allergy)
2 teas cumin
1 Tablespoon corriander
1 teas Paprika
2 Tablespoons chopped red onion
1 Table spoon Nama shou (or Tamari)

Process Nuts in food processor then add remaining ingredients. Set asside

For Salsa:
chop all in small pieces and mix well
1 Tomato
1 mango
2 Kiwi
I green pepper
1 red pepper
1/2 cup cilantro
2 avocado's
2 Jalapeno's
1 lime juiced
1/2 onion
salt and pepper
Assemble Taco's and Enjoy, Some people Like Raw cheese on it as well so feel free to try both ways!
ENJOY!!!!


Raw Chocolate Gelato Sunday
5 cups Raw coconut meat
1 banana
1 cup Raw Cocoa (or 1/2 cup cocoa nibs)
1/2 Vanilla bean (or vanilla)
3/4 cup Maple syrup
1/2 cup agave
3/4 cup coconut water/milk
1 cup coconut oil ( liquify in dehydrator at 90*)
pinch of sea salt (Celtic is my fav)

Blend well and then put in ice cream maker, top with Raw syrup (1/2 cup coconut oil, 1 cup maple, 3/4 cup cocoa powder)and fruit of your choice.
Enjoy!

Give Me Energy, Give Me Green

Last night I set my alarm the same way I do every night, with 10 snooze hits before I actually have to get out of bed. I have never been an early riser. If I had my way I would sleep in 'til 9 every morning. In the Morning I need to bump up my brain power. As I pulled the cilantro out of the fridge, the kitchen was filled with the best aroma of Green! Also known as Coriander and Chinese Parsley, Cilantro is one of my favorite herbs! Great in salsa but even better in this smoothie. First time I had this smoothie I was at a raw food pot luck and picked up this tiny dixie cup up, half full. What a Tease! Cilantro is also a great aid in Digestion, and rich in Vita C. Throw in an orange and a lime and you might just have a prevention for the common cold.

Green drink
1 peeled valencia orange
2 peeled key limes
1/2 cup cilantro (just the leaves)
1/4 avacado
1/4 cup coconut water (or purified water)
1 T agave
Blend well then add one cup of Ice if you like...Yum
Enjoy!

Dessert first please...

I am SO SO Nervous about starting school tomorrow. I know people do it every day and they are fine, but I am a home schooled shut in with no concept of self discipline and time management all of which is on the line here to succeed! "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" That's all I have to say! God, can you also please stop the rain long enough so I can find my classes easy??? Ok So I served the Girls The green tea Ice cream tonight and they loved it, however they then begged me for chocolate sundays so maybe tomorrow? Green tea and chocolate? I don't know.

Green Tea Ice cream
1 cup cashews, soaked over night
2 cup fresh coconut meat
3/4 cup coconut milk
1 cup agave
2 T matcha-green tea powder
2 T vanilla
pinch sea salt
1/4 cup coconut oil
Blend well chill for about 3 hrs then process in ice cream maker. ENJOY

A friend of mine asked me to make her all time fav (Raw Lasagna)so she could have some healthy lunches while at work, so I whipped them up today and saved some for dinner, SO SO YUMMY! I don't like that its called Lasagna, It taste nothing of the Italian typical sort, and to compare it is so Much better. It should be called Yummy Garden layers, or Juicy Vegi stack. With the cooking of typical lasagna, that Fresh garlic,Juicy ripe tomatoes, and Sweet smelling Basil is all cooked to dead and the flavors are so lost. I don't like to kill things maybe that's why I enjoy Raw food so much, plus its like new art every meal.....hehe
I tried 3 different Raw Lasagnas and with all the critiquing I've done I found my Fav grouping....
Yummy Garden Layers:
Noodles:
Thinly slice zucchini into ling strips and place in bowl, toss with 1T olive oil
Ricotta cheese:
2 cups macadamia nuts, soaked 5 hr
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 Table spoons nutritional yeast
1 Teas sea salt
food process till smooth set aside

Tomato sauce:
1 cup sun dried tomatoes soaked for 1 hr
1/4 red onion chopped
1 small roma tomato
1/4 cup olive oil
3 T balsamic vinegar
3 T hemp seeds
3 dates chopped
pinch sea salt
dash of pepper
4 garlic cloves minced
food process well set aside

Pesto:
1 cup Pistachio's
2 cups fresh basil
1/4 cup olive oil
sea salt and pepper to taste

to assemble you will also need extra roma tomatoes about 4 sliced thin.
Layer starting with a row of zucchini,ricotta,tomato sauce,pesto and tomato's then repeat..ENJOY! the flavors are so rich I like to serve with a salad mix no dressing!

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

Jackfruit. I had never heard of such a thing until last night. While running into the Lao Market to grab my case of ordered coconuts, I noticed quite a strange looking fruit sitting on the counter. The owners just Love when I come in as I'm like a little child in a candy store, giddy and full of questions. When I asked about it, she described it to me and said it was $7.99 for one piece, but when I hesitated she said it was half off for me as she wanted me to try it and come back and tell her what I thought. I took it to the Fam's house and we all shared in this new fun fruit. I would describe it as a cross between a mango and a pineapple, very sweet and sticky. So if you get a chance try it out sometime it is quite an experience!


Yummy
So how does one have a special drink and still have it healthy and Raw?
I shall Share.
I grabbed Sarma's new book "Living Raw Food: and found a yummy treat for tonight!
This Martini is nothing like I've ever had (which is not too many) and so much better!

Strawberry Martini
2 cups frozen strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple
1 cup namazake (Raw sake)
1/2 cup coconut water
1/4 cup agave
Blend well and garnish with more fresh fruit!
Enjoy!

Now Before I go, I have just one more YUMMY DISH! I have not had one person not like this dish, even tonight over dinner my dad begged me to bring him some tomorrow which I shall do. This is one of the easiest and yummiest simple lunches, you can put this over a salad, or on some yummy brown rice bread for the kido's lunches! I am always praised when I remember to make this the night before school! This is from the RAWVOLUTION book here goes:

Mock Tuna Salad:
3 cups soaked raw sunflower seeds ground in food processor
4 stalks chopped celery
5 green onions chopped
1/4 cup dill
mix together in large bowl

For the dressing
1 1/2 cup coconut water
6 gloves minced garlic
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 T sea salt
2 1/2 cup Raw macadamia nuts
1/2 cup stone ground mustard
Blend all well in vita mix and toss with salad mix.
ENJOY!

You put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up

There is Nothing more satisfying after a hard workout, as this tropical smoothie. My taste buds were dancing as I contemplated sharing the second smoothie with my husband.If you haven't already taken your shower for the day and you use fresh papaya for this smoothie (instead of fresh frozen) don't toss out that papaya flesh just yet....that is seriously an awesome exfoliant for the skin, gently rub the inside of the fruit on your skin and rinse with warm water. It contains Vitamin C and E and enzymes to smooth complexion. During the winter I've even taken it into the shower for my legs, Papayas are just amazing.
So here goes:

A little bit of Paradise
1 cup papaya
1 cup mango
1 cup pineapple
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 banana
2 fresh kiwi
2 1/2 cups coconut water
Juice of 2 key limes
1 T honey
1 T coconut oil

Blend well in the blender and enjoy.
This makes 2 nice size smoothies

Let Them Eat Cake....

Oh My Ouchie Back! Thank you Miss Amy Culp for sharing this wonderful trainer who is killing me (not softly) daily! on another note YAY ....So I have been throwing away all this yummy Almond meal from when I make milk...That is until last night. I was reading in one of my books how they use it as a flour base for Raw cookies. So I went in the Kitchen at 10 pm (when my brain works best) and began creating a kinda cookie/ brownie...I love chocolate so I made it more like a fudge.....then It was kinda heavy so I came up with a frosting similar to one I have tried before with a cashew base! This came out divine! I got the Privilege of sharing it with my friend miss Angelina, who said she liked it so maybe it was good! hee hee I still think I will add more berries next time on top to level it out! But it was still pretty good! My lil Aurora (5yr) ate a whole piece and begged for more, "maybe for breakfast hunny" Hope you like it!

Raspberries and chocolate:
Blend together in blender:
1 c walnuts soaked over night and rinsed
1 cup pecans soaked over night and rinsed
1 cup coconut water
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup Agave
2 teas Vanilla
1 pinch sea salt

In a separate bowl combine:
2 cups almond flour
2 T espresso powder
1 cup cocoa powder

mix wet ingredients in with dry and mix well then add 1/2 cup coconut oil...blend well form into pan ad base or on cookie sheet if making cookies.

For The Raspberry Frosting:
2 cups soaked cashews
2 cups coconut meat
2 cups raspberries
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 cup agave
mix well then add
1/2 cup coconut oil
blend well
Chill slightly before spreading so it is firmer to work with!
ENJOY!!!!!!

Egg Nog Bad....Fruit Smoothie Good....

Egg Nog, That's How Eli described it when He first tried this smoothie I created. Still One of the best starts to a morning, this can be made a variety of ways.Do not add ice if Your going for the Egg Nog feeling, Kinda Creamy. If your in need of some protein, Add about 10 Macadamia nuts while blending. And Just leave it the same if you want that yummy Iced Chai flavor!
Blended Chai:
4 Frozen organic bananas
1 1/2 cup almond milk
3 T Honey
1 Teas alcohol free Vanilla
1 Teas Cinnamon
1 Teas ginger
1 Teas Nutmeg

Blend well in Blender until smooth then add One cup chopped ice and blend quickly leaving slushy like texture, SO SO yum!



For Dinner we went with something quite Easy and Great for leftovers, Raw Marinara And Zucchini noodles. A couple of colds are trying to sneak in the house so I wanted to scare them off with some Fresh Raw Garlic ;o)
You can use a blender for the sauce but I prefer the food processor.

Marinara And Zucchini:

First Julienne about 6 zucchini
Toss with 1 T cold press olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and cover and set aside
This will be ready when your sauce is done.

Marinara:
3 ripe med size tomatoes
1 cup sun dried tomatoes
2 cup fresh basil
4 T balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup cold press olive oil
1/4 red onion chopped
2 T hemp seeds
1 Jalapeno chopped (optional)
4 chopped dates
pinch sea salt
pinch or oregano
pinch pepper
process in food chopper till blended and enjoy with your noodles and a side salad.

Enjoy!

Chocolatey Goodness

These are the Easiest lil treats to make and only takes a few moments. If Ever I crave something really sweet, not just fruit sweet, really Dangerous chocolate bar/cake kinda sweet,these lil treats always come to my aid. You will find these in my fridge more often than not anytime of the year, as they do not require a seasonal fruit or vegi. The Kids love them as well!

Chocolate Macaroons:
4 cups organic dried coconut flakes
1 cup Raw cocoa powder
1 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup agave
3/4 cup coconut butter
pinch of sea salt

In a large mixing bowl mix together coconut and cocoa powder. A wooden spoon works best.
Add remaining ingredients and make sure to blend well so no chunks of coconut butter remain.
Use an ice cream scoop or just your hands and form in to little balls. Place in the fridge for 1/2 hr and enjoy...sometimes I just leave a little in the bowl and grab a spoon and enjoy! This just may become one of your favorite little indulgences and you won't feel guilty grabbing another ;o) these will store for a week or even a bit more in the fridge in an air tight container!
ENJOY!

Vegi Wraps

To...Tired...To...Write...Just kidding! Ok SO this Recipe is for Mary..So sorry I did not get this to you sooner....This is one of my all time fav's. Maybe its because it it packed full of a variety of healthy vegi's ever so satisfying and totally delicious? I seriously don't think I could ever get tired of these wraps. The Key, however,is to take the time to prep all the Vegi's before making the wraps. One of the best parts is not one vegetable over powers another, or fruit for that matter. Today as Eli and I sat at the table prepping our fruits and Vegi's to be wrapped, Eli said "Hey maybe you should take pictures in the process so people can see the sizes we cut and tools we use." Sitting there at noon, in My pink flannel Pj's with no makeup on and my hair all tousled in a bun, I looked at our kitchen table which now had about 6 paper plates spread across in an disorderly fashion. Each plate had its own slaughtered vegi and its remains to be thrown just left on the extra table space. At that moment I chose to spare myself the embarrassment of how I un-cook when I am not preparing for guest.
To Julienne the carrots,zucchini and such I use a tool from Target that looks like a potato peeler with teeth, cost about $4 but you can use a mandolin if you have one.

Vegi Wraps:
One package Rice wraps (they will be dry and fragile)
One mango sliced thin
one bunch cilantro
about 4 carrots Julienne cut
2 apples Julienne cut
2 Cucumbers sliced thin ( I scrape out the seeds)
half red onion sliced thin
2 zucchini Julienne cut
small head Cabbage thinly sliced
2 avocado's sliced
sprouts

(whatever else you wanna put in or omit is fun, Lettuce,bell peppers,etc)
For the dip: about 1/2 cup maple syrup + 2-4 T nama shou test to taste, and 3 garlic cloves pressed
mix together
To make wraps slightly wet each side of one rice paper and lay on flat surface, a cutting board works great, fill middle with vegi's and wrap like a burrito.
ENJOY~

Puddin' day and night

So... This morning I woke up Craving a coconut again! So Thankful I had already made extra Raw chocolate pudding, full electrolytes and antioxidants. Did you know coconut water is the highest form of electrolytes know to man....That's better than any High fructose corn syrup drink on the market (don't be fooled friends that is NOT a natural ingredient) and it takes 9 months for that perfect rain drop to filter all the way up that tall tree in through all that husk and then perfectly protected in the nut. Thats some purified drinking water let me tell ya! I remember my very first coconut to this day. One Hot day in Fiji, a friend of mine with her huge machete (normal for fijians to just carry these on them for the sugar cane of course) sliced the top of a coconut off and handed it to me to enjoy, it was so sweet and to my surprise cold! Yep it was its own lil cooler..so refreshing! So today I share one of this lifes simple yet yummy and healthy treats, Chocolate pudding:

Raw Chocolate pudding

3 cups coconut meat (if you live in Redding the Asian Mkt on 273 has the best price @ $1.59 a piece
3/4 cup fresh coconut water
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup agave nectar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 T vanilla
pinch of sea salt
2 T coconut oil

blend all ingriedients well until smooth, I heart my Vita mix but if you don't watch it it may just heat up on ya so be careful!
let that sit in the fridge just an hr and then enjoy! You don't have to put the oil in if you don't have it on hand and its still yummy! Oh my fav is with berries or a banana!

ENJOY!!!!

Ps. I almost forgot...Almond Butter
Well I usually don't make my own , I pick it up Raw if I can get a good price on it, but off the top of my head I would usually take a cup of soaked and rinsed almonds, blend them really well in the food processor, I tried the blender first,this did not work! after its all chopped up nice I add a pinch of sea salt, 1 T coconut oil, a pinch of cinnamon and about 2 T agave....and blend well...if it doesn't taste perfect add more stuff ;o) like agave hehe you can dry the nuts first if you'd rather i just like mine more creamy and I like my water!
Love you friends Keep up the feedback and requests and I will try new fun stuff soon!

Firsties

So here Goes! I am was inspired by a Friend tonight to Blog ! While reading her fun recipes it dawned on me, People are always asking for my Raw recipes, why not share an easy way! hehe so Here goes! When I try something SPECTACULAR and my taste buds freak out but there is no one to share in my delight, I will simply post and you can try for yourself. I know how hard it is to try something new and not know how it will come out, especially after you had to order that special $25 per ounce spice and the whole thing tasted like poo so it all goes to waste! Ok Ok I've Never done such a thing, well maybe just once , Never again! So to start something Easy off the top of my mind since I have another batch of almonds soaking I will share easy nut milk!

Almond Milk: Or any nuts you like cashew and macadamia Nuts are wonderful as well
1 cup nuts soaked in 2 cups purified water 8-10 hrs. then rinsed well..I always just do this before bed so they are ready by morning
4 cups purified water
2 T Agave
1 T Vanilla
1 Teas Cinnamon
pinch of sea salt

Blend nuts and water in blender well then strain through cheese cloth or nut milk bag (approx $8 and is so easy to clean no mess)
Rinse blender and then add remaining ingredients to strained milk.
Enjoy!
So so yum and a healthy alternative