Living Rawesome

Day#9 Lemon Macaroon Cheesecake Tarlet (crust) pg. 120 everyday raw

Just got home from the gym. I had to hurry and make this crust. I can’t believe I haven’t made a yummy raw dessert. I love to make desserts. I make them at work and I figured Monday would be the best day to start making this delicious crust. It has shredded coconut, cashew flour, sea salt, maple syrup (I used agave), coconut oil, and date paste. The cashew flour was just ground cashews in the food processor. It actually worked better in the food processor than in the Vitamix. I have never been able to make cashew flour like I do with almond flour. Almond flour is the pulp that is left over after making raw almond milk. Sarah and I tried to make cashew milk and strain the cashew pulp for one of our classes. We didn’t have any pulp left. I mixed all of the ingredients in the bowl, I normally mix all ingredients in the food processor, but I tried to follow instructions accordingly. I still haven’t bought any maple syrup. I just can’t bring myself to buy it. I am going to purchase some tomorrow. Also, I didn’t have a tartlet pan, which I will be purchasing soon. I was supposed to line the pan with plastic, but instead I used a glass pie plate. The directions call for dehydration for 24-48 hours, I didn’t want my yummy crust sitting on plastic at 115 degrees. I want the recipes to come out just like they are supposed to, but there are some exceptions. Jason tried it and he said it was the best raw macaroon crust he has ever had. He was kidding, he has never had raw macaroon crust. Nevertheless, he loved it. Can’t wait to eat the tartlet on Thursday.

Green Smoothies and Bar-b-que Crisps sandwiches

Jason and I are staying faithful to our choice to do green smoothies everyday. We started our morning off together with a green smoothie. Mine was one banana, 6 cups of romaine and 5 strawberries. He had 2 apples, 6 cups of romaine lettuce and one banana. I am so fortunate to have my husband do this with me. It makes it so easy and we draw closer to one another through raw food. He is very supportive of it and wants to see the changes in himself.
I ate some bar-b-que crisps with squash and tomatoes. Absolutely hit the spot for lunch. I followed those by a green smoothie later on. Different recipe. It had kale, blueberries, peaches and banana. I crave greens. I love them. I can’t believe how many cups of greens I am consuming. I guess my body needs them.
I love eating raw food. I feel alive and most of all peaceful and creative. I need to eat healthy so I can accomplish all the things I want to do. Thank you my lovely Creator for allowing me the opportunities you do and finding the way to optimum health so I can do your will on EARTH. I am going to make more crisps. Sleep well my friends:)

Day #8 Baked Macaroni and Cheese everyday raw pg. 98

On the way to church today I let the kids thumb through my two books. I told them to pick out anything they would agree to eat tonight. I wanted to have an all raw family dinner. I want my boys to be included in this project as well. I know it’s going to work. It’s been so exciting, they are actually going into the dehydrator on their own and eating the granola, blueberry pancakes and bar-b-que crisps. They were actually fighting over the last 2 bar-b-que crisps. I don’t want them fighting but it’s great to see they like them that much. It caused Christian to make the crisps again. He made the almonds, oats, and flax into flour. He mixed all of the ingredients for the crackers. Now we will do the sauce next.
The boys both picked out baked macaroni and cheese. I am so grateful that I had all of the ingredients that I needed to make this wonderful and filling meal. This is what I call comfort food.
The recipe calls for:
cashews, lemon juice, water, olive oil, sea salt, nutritional yeast flakes, shallot, chili powder, cayenne and turmeric. The noodles are yellow squash.
The dressing was very easy to make. I put all ingredients into the vita mix and 10 seconds later I had a divine cheese. Jason helped me with the noodles. We were going to use the saladacco but we decided to use the shredder of the food processor. We used about 10 cups of yellow squash and poured the cheese on top. I mixed it all together and it had a gooey consistency much like Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese. The kind where you squeeze the fake cheese out of the silver bag. It was tasty when it was fresh, but after 1 1/2 hours in the dehydrator the flavors mingled well and it tasted more comforting for my children. I will make this meal again. Next time I will make a raw ketchup for Sabby. He loves his mac-n-cheese with ketchup. I mentioned it at dinner and he wanted me to make it then or let him use Annie’s Ketchup. I told him no we have to stick with our goal of at least 3 raw meals a week:) So if any of you know a great no fail kid recipe for raw ketchup send it my way:)
We are all picking out what we want this week. I will have to do my shopping trip tomorrow. I am excited. I am doing week 2! This is truly an amazing experience for myself and my family. I know we will all learn so much from it.

Green Smoothie Challenge 8-2-09 Combinations for Green Smoothies

I received an email from my friend who got this info from Victoria Boutenko website.
GREEN SMOOTHIE MUST HAVE INFORMATION:
from Victoria Boutenko – RawFoodFamily Website

The KALE Family: Any variety of Kale or Dandelion Greens, Plus Apple or Mango or Pear, and Banana(berries or kiwi)

The SPINACH Family: Spinach, Plus Apple or Peach or Mango or Kiwi, and Banana & a squeeze of lemon(berries or cherries or figs)

The COLLARD Family: Collards, Plus Blueberries or Peaches or Cranberries, Peaches or Pear, and Banana.

The ORANGE Family: Arugula or Celery or Swiss Chard, plus Orange or Mango, and Banana(Strawberries, Peaches or Pineapple)

The SPROUT Family: Romaine or Clover Sprouts, plus Apple or Pear, and Strawverries or Kiwi, and Banana

The HERB Family: Parsley or Cilantro, apple or Mango, Banana(Strawberries, Pineapple)

Day #7 Blueberry Pancakes pg. 56 everyday raw

These pancakes are sooooo delicious. They really taste like Aunt Jemima’s pancake batter, but 1000x better. No guilt in eating these at all:) It is late but I decided to eat some of the batter. Jason and I couldn’t believe it. I know all of the recipes have been to LIVE for, but this one hits that warm feeling in my heart. Before I went vegan I used to have pancakes every morning. I thought when I went vegan I would miss them. I would make them with egg whites, and oatmeal. I would put blueberries on top. It was really a ritual for me. I would place my fork on the right side of my plate and my knife on the left side of my plate. I would have 2 pancakes and cut them up and take small bites. I would practice conscious eating even though I had never heard of Gabriel Cousens. I guess I just felt like I didn’t want it to end. Now I have found a replacement. It should only take 24-48 hours to make them perfect to eat. I am sure I will try my ritual again. I am sure this will not be the last time I make them. I can’t wait for the boys to try them and of course my friends.
Ingredients: fresh blueberries, bananas, pine nuts, pecans, water, agave, maple syrup, vanilla bean(scraped), sea salt.

Green Smoothie Challenge and Going Raw 8-1-09

My plan is to drink at least a quart of Green Smoothie a day for the next 30 days. I was so inspired by Theresa’s story that I decided that I would embark another endeavor. There really is absolutely no reason to continue eating cooked food. I am making Matthew Kenney’s recipes and I work where there is FRESH PRODUCE. I believe that I will have the support with Jason, Sarah and D’ to be there if I get weak:(. I felt so fantastic yesterday. I felt full but light. I drank 3 quarts my first day, July 31. I am sure my body was craving it. I felt clear in my head too. I miss eating mostly raw. I lost my way for a little. It just takes some enthusiastic energy to get me on the path again. I figure my 30 days will be ending when I go to Raw Spirit Festival. I am sure the Raw Spirit will keep me charged for at least another 30 days.I will keep you posted on my successes with Green Smoothies. I am going to purchase the Boutenko’s new book.
Cheers! I am off to drink my greens for my breakfast.

Raw Gathering 7-30-09

The July Potluck went as planned! We had conversation, great food (as always:), and 2 demonstrations. Theresa brought a video by Victoria Boutenko. The video was very informative about the Boutenko’s Raw Transformation Testimony and Green Smoothies. As of July 1 Theresa went 100% raw. She is such an inspiration to me. She does a quart and a half of green smoothies a day. She inspired some of us to take a challenge and do them for 30 days. Sarah, D’Adjoa, and I are challenging ourselves to do it everyday. I know Teresa is interested too. These gatherings are so important to success in this lifestyle, for me. It is fun to catch up and see what everyone has done this last month. The Gainesville Potluck Group came. Gayle, Marsha, Theresa, and Joanne. Gayle may not be coming to our potlucks regularly anymore:( she may be moving to Tampa. I hope she stays connected. She has a Ayurvedic Doctor and I would love to hear all of her stories and successes having an Ayurvedic Doctor. Marsha is always on top of new information. The Boutenko’s are coming out with 2 new books. Green Smoothie Revolution: The Radical Leap Toward Natural Health (Paperback) and Raw Family Signature Dishes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Essential Live-Food Recipes (Paperback). I have read all of the Boutenko’s books. I admire Victoria, she is a researcher by nature. When she comes across a problem she finds the answer, because she knows there is an underlying reason for the problem. As in the case with her son’s Diabetes Type 1. Raw Family: A True Story of Awakening (Paperback) explains the whole story. It is so inspiring. I would encourage everyone to read it. Joanne looked beautiful as always. She is staying strong and winning against cancer:) I pray for you, Joanne, as I do everyone else.
We had two new people come this time. Sarah and Ruth. It was great to see them. The were our very first students to come to our Raw Food Class, when we did it out of our home. It was great to see they are still interested in healthy living. They brought delicious Strawberry Shortcake and Broccoli and Cranberry Salad. I do not have the recipes:( Hopefully in the near future they will send it to me. Everyone loved the shortcake. Even the kids:)
After the movie we did the demonstration of D’Adjoa’s Ginger Brew.

Everyone loved it. I felt like it was New Year’s Eve and I was drinking champagne. The kick that the ginger gives, feels like carbonation. This is a fantastic drink.
I demonstrated Matthew Kenney’s Raspberry Vanilla-Almond Granola.

Marsha was concerned about taking the almonds skins off because of a poison. They were soaked but she always pops the skins off as my friend, Joan does. I have never read anything about taking the skins off. She did some research and Brigitte Mars says there are tannins. Marsha is still going to “pop” her skins off. I also did some research and wrote several people on Facebook. Including Raw Chefs and Raw Educators (Raw Radiance, Jenna Norwood, and Elaina Love). They all said it is not necessary. I am still waiting for a response from Paul Nison. I love the taste of skinless almonds, but my time is always limited. I usually just keep the skins on after soaking. There are few recipes I remove the skins for.
The night was filled with love and inspiration.
I have to say my favorite dish in presentation was Teresa’s Blueberry and Fig Salad. It truly looked like something out of a magazine or book. My photography doesn’t do it justice.

All of the meals were delicious. Of course, I went for the desserts:)
Thanks everyone for coming. I love you ALL:)
Another website to look up HealthRanger and NaturalNews

Food

Gayle's Apple Pie

Theresa's Marinara Sauce for the Cheeze Sticks

Sarah's Rawcotta Cheeze Stuffed Zucchini