Living Rawesome

Day #136 Apricot “Yogurt” Cake and Sweet Cream pg. 136 entertaining in the raw

December 8, 2009

Happy Birthday to my gorgeous mother!! And those of you that read yesterday’s entry, well, I did get the dehydrator for her and she cried..Yes tears of joy. I love it when she cries. In a fun kind of way. She understands me. I just love to buy her things that I know she really will appreciate. If she cries I know she does! She probably knew what was coming to her, I mentioned that I wanted to get her a dehydrator at our Thanksgiving gathering. I bought her flax, Braggs, and an onion and of course the recipe for Theresa’s famous onion flax crackers.

Today was an unusually busy day. I imagined that I wouldn’t be that busy but somehow my day flew past. I did manage to pick up my organic cashews:) I ordered them 2 weeks ago and kept forgetting to go get them. I rode with Sabby to school and then I planned on coming home to clean but I opted to go to my perfect place in the park to read between my 3 trees. Of course it was my Wayne Dyer book. I learned so much today about myself and my surroundings and relationships. One quote that I really loved today was, “Thy peace is the essence of the universe. It is God at work, at play, and everywhere in between. It is infinite love. There is no anger, fear, greed, malice, or envy. There is a vast ocean of peace always available when one comes to know “thy peace”. In this place problems do not exist. In his book Dyer explains in 7 chapters how to live the prayer of Saint Frances of Assisi. The first of the 7 is “Lord make me an instrument of thy peace”. It is exciting for me to read this book because he is writing about things I have known but the way he presents the ideas in his book draws me back to the peace I do feel when I am nearest and in most need of God!

It was a beautiful day for biking and the gym was also a real treat. I decided that I am going to switch up my routine. I was just getting started in the gym about 1 1/2 months ago. Now I have been steady going so I figure I will begin to do my circuit training. To me this is definitely the most fun!!

Well, enough about my day, I will get to the recipe. I knew I wanted to make this, but today I realized that apricots are out of season, and I thought, “Where am I going to get them?” I called Walmart right away, but I was quickly put on hold and nobody came to the phone in the produce department. I hung up and called back. I didn’t want to make a trip there if they didn’t have them. Once again I was put on hold for what seemed even longer. I was in a hurry so I hung up and called Publix. I love Publix. I don’t know why I didn’t call there first. They helped in 3 minutes and even told me when they came in and how much they were by the pound. I picked them up after Sabby’s guitar lesson and came home and soaked all the ingredients that needed to be soaked. Once the ingredients were ready I threw them in the blender. I did get somewhat creative, but once again, my decorating is not comparable to MK’s expertise. One day I will get there:)
I did have fun with it. I still need to buy a piping bag and some spatulas. I can’t believe I am into this project so far without so many of the proper tools for the kitchen. I used a cheap ziploc bag to decorate with the sweet cream. But I have to say, it was fun to decorate. I do need some tips though. I am learning.

Apricot Cake Ingredients
cashews
coconut meat
dried apricots
fresh apricots
agave
coconut oil
salt
vanilla
vanilla bean
juice of a lime
garam masala

I was interested to see how the garam masala would taste in this recipe. I absolutely love it. There is a hint of the flavor, not overpowering like chili. It is subtle and light. The dried Turkish apricots are so delicious. At one time I was addicted to them. I would eat so many of them a day, now I am fond of them but I prefer not to eat too many dried fruits. They dehydrate me, but they are delicious!

Sweet Cream Ingredients
cashews
coconut meat
vanilla
salt
agave

The cake and the cream are in the refrigerator now. I did plan on bringing it for the party, but I got started too late on it. I did bring over the citrus tart and my mom, dad and sister liked it. I am going to bring some apricot cake to friends tomorrow. I haven’t seen too many people the last couple of days, because I have been studying and really have been reaching to Higher Heights within myself. I really do feel like I am on a spiritual vacation. I am loving it. How could I not? I make the best food ever, and I have time to enjoy the outdoors, which I missed so much while I was working more hours. Most of all I recognize all the gifts that God has placed in my life. I may be missing some, but I will appreciate them all when I am destined to appreciate. IT IS ALL IN DIVINE ORDER!

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life