Living Rawesome

Day #197 Panna Cotta pg. 100 entertaining in the raw

February 7, 2010

Still no Jicamas! This recipe smells so good though, probably even better, because I am trying to not eat any sugar. I have been on a downward spiral, ever since I ate Ezekial Bread! I don’t know why, but I am fine to have one piece then the next day I have like 4, then before I know it I am on a sugar binge, and breaking into my kids cereal. So for the last 2 days I have been cleaning out again. Hopefully this time, I have finally learned that bread and sugars are not good for me. I read an interesting article on the Huffingtonpost site. It was about foods that you should avoid to keep cancer away. The food of course that stuck out for me was, SUGAR. The more I read about sugar, I realize the havoc it can have on the human body. I did have a few strawberries today, but no agave, bread, or other fruit. So I am feeling better than the last few days.

This recipe is fairly easy to make. The longest part of it was peeling the cacao beans and chopping them up. I bought pistachios from work tonight and had to crack them and chop those up too. Which wasn’t too difficult, just more time consuming.

All ingredients except pistachios and cacao nibs were placed in the Vita-mix. After it was smooth, I poured the mixture into a bowl and added the nibs and pistachios to the bowl. I lined 4 dessert cups with plastic wrap and poured in the batter. They are in the freezer now.

I am still dehydrating the wafers from last night. They are still sticky. Maybe they will when I take them out because of the coconut oil.

Hopefully tomorrow I will find jicama, so I can finish my meal from 2 days ago. I am also going to make the chocolate sauce tomorrow. Then this dessert will be complete.

Tomorrow is my last day to study for my Cardiovascular test. I am quite nervous about it. I have been studying but I still feel like I need 3 more days. I have tomorrow, and Jason is off, so maybe we can study together.

I need to get to the gym tomorrow too. Neither one of us made it as much as we would’ve like to this week. Too busy!

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu

Day #196 Marshmallow Whip and Vanilla Wafers pg. 100 entertaining in the raw

February 6, 2010

I COULDN’T GET ANY JICAMA! So I couldn’t finish my recipe from yesterday:(. I decided to make this lovely dessert for my family. While I was making it, Christian asked me to make the vanilla ice cream sundae that I made a few days ago. I told him to make it. I showed him how to melt the coconut oil and how to soak the cashews. He thought it would be ready right now, so he was kind of disappointed. I am sure he won’t be once he makes it.

This recipe looks so delicious. I love mint ice cream. It’s actually called panna cotta. According to Wikipedia, Panna cotta is “an Italian dessert made by simmering together cream, milk and sugar, mixing this with gelatin, and letting it cool until set. An Italian expression which literally means “cooked cream”, it generally refers to a creamy, set dessert from the Northern Italian region of Piemonte. It is eaten all over Italy where it is served with wild berries, caramel, chocolate sauce or fruit coulis.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panna_cotta). The photo in entertaining looks so decadent! Anyone who loves mint ice cream, I imagine, will love this. Everytime I see the photo, I want mine to turn out just as delicious looking. Most of the time the flavor makes up for the appearance. I am working on it though!

Wafer Ingredients
3 cups fine cashew flour
1 3/4 cups almond flour
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup maple syrup
4 t vanilla extract
4 vanilla beans , scraped
1 1/2 t sea salt
lemon juice
1/2 t cinnamon

I mixed all ingredients into a small bowl with a spoon. It blended extremely well, then I smoothed it on a Teflex sheet. I placed it in the dehydrator for 5 hours. I took it upon myself to try to put the lines where the cuts will be. After 5 hours the directions specify to cut the wafers then, so I am sure I will do it again. They smell delicious!

Marshmallow Whip
cashews
coconut meat
agave
coconut oil
water
vanilla extract
sea salt
marshmallow extract (Thanks to my Dad:)

Blended all ingredients in Vita-mix until very smooth. I am chilling in freezer for 3-4 hours then I will whip in blender.

This a going to be perfect to serve to my fam!

Day #195 Portobello “Meatballs” pg. 216 entertaining in the raw

February 5, 2010

It’s meatballs tonight! Jason and I had a discussion about how he doesn’t eat enough healthy and living food. I told him I promise that I will try to make him more meals. He does eat what I make but he really eats alot of pizza at Papa Johns. He makes it with no cheese or meat, but to have that day after day, I think that it is really making his joints ache and he feels a state of unhealthiness:( . We both were doing very good for a while, I would make green smoothies and more salads, but lately I haven’t. I do make them for me, but I always feel like I burden him about eating healthier. Besides, he looks amazing. I don’t like telling him what to eat when I don’t eat the way I should. I want him to stay well, stress from work, nursing school and just life is taking a toll on him, physically and mentally. I can’t wait until he is finished with school:) So my new goal is to make him healthy food. I want my husband around forever! I need to take care of him.

Tonight I made the portobello meatballs, I have made another recipe like these before, but not with jicama on them. They have to dehydrate until they are solid on the outside and somewhat moist on the inside. The last time I made them I didn’t even finish the entire recipe because I ate them all, so maybe I will finish that one too with these meatballs.

Portobello Meatballs Ingredients
4 portobello mushrooms
1/2 cup olive oil
sea salt to taste
black pepper to taste
2 T fresh thyme
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup walnuts, soaked for 8 hours

I chopped the mushrooms and tossed the olive oil and spices and lemon juice. After the meatballs were covered with the oil, lemon juice and spices I put them into the dehydrator for 45 minutes. I processed the walnuts and garlic together then I added the mushroom mixture. I tried to follow the directions of just chopping the mushrooms and not processing them, but I wasn’t able to form balls. I added all the ingredients to the food processor, then I was able to roll the mixture into balls. I am dehydrating them until they become firm on the outside and moist on the inside.

I am having my first glass of Nettle Tea. I am only drinking a small amount, I am always concerned when I try anything new, especially herbs. I got really sick one time off of Horsetail. They were pills, not leaves, but it made me feel like I had the flu. I have been hearing and reading how great Nettle Tea is, so I bought some and now I have the honor of drinking it! Hope it works for me. I have been reading Susun Weed’s books. She mentions the Nettle Tea in most of her books, she explained in one of them that it can be used everyday. I also bought Spearmint, so I am going to try that next. In her book she explains that the best way to take the herbs is trying one thing at a time, so if you have an intolerance you will know what it is. I chose to start with the Nettles. I started 5 minutes ago and I am still fine:) I will let you know if anything goes wrong. I hope not. I am so excited about making infusions. I feel like a medicine woman in my own kitchen. I do have to say, the Nettle tea is not the best tasting, I prefer, a slightly sweet tea. I am drinking it plain. It would probably taste better with Stevia. I love Stevia!

BE INFINITELY PATIENT
Being infinitely patient means having an absolute knowing that you’re in vibrational harmony with the all-creating force that intended you here. You know that everything will happen at just the right time, at just the right place, with just the right people. Dr. Wayne Dyer

This is such a great inspirational quote. I have been wondering where I am really going in my life. The only thing I am really sure of is that I really do love Anatomy and I am excited to do Dietetics. I love preparing raw food. Everything else has me in question. I asked God today to please speak to me and tell me what I should do. I am still listening. I haven’t sat in the silence yet, so I will hear the answer when I choose to REALLY LISTEN! I love it when I find out in my dreams. Until then, I guess I am waiting.

Good night!

Day #194 Spicy Mango Salsa pg. 216 entertaining in the raw

February 4, 2010

This picture looks so appetizing in the book. The little balls looked so inviting. I am making this recipe with alot of love for my hubby;-). I decided to make the salsa tonight. I wanted to work on the portobello meatballs but I needed to soak walnuts, so I am doing it now. I was surprised that this salsa is made in the Vita-mix. I think it’s more like a sauce. I fell in love with Tamarind from our last recipe. I call it “ours” because Jason loved it! So when I realized there is Tamarind in this I NEEDED to make it!

Mango Salsa Ingredients
1 cup mango, diced
1 red chile, seeded and diced
2 T fresh lime juice
2 T chopped cilantro
pinch salt
1 T raw agave
1 T tamarind paste
water

All ingredients go into Vita-mix, I didn’t add water, I didn’t feel like it needed it.

Tomorrow I will serve this to my LOVE!

Today was a very stressful day for me:( For no particular reason, I just felt really down and stressed. Probably has something to do with that bread stuff:( Any way, I am not going to beat myself up for eating it. But honestly my choices have not been good for the last few days. Sprouts are ready, so they will save me:) I love those little dudes!

I am studying for my cardiovascular test that is on Tuesday. I almost have the blood tracing down:) It’s not too bad if I keep writing it over and over. I can’t wait to study with Jason, it is always the best studying session ever!

BE KIND
Treat yourself and others with kindness when you eat, exercise, play, work, love, and everything else. When you think, feel, and act kindly, you hasten your ability to connect to the power of intention.-Wayne Dyer

Day #193 Spicy “Fried” Spring Rolls with Sweet Tamarind Fondue pg. 230 entertaining in the raw

February 3, 2010

Jason’s favorite yet!! I made this for him tonight. I finished the filling and took it up to his work. I folded the wraps and ripped them a few times. I attempted to put the scallions around them and many of them were not long enough, then when I made them long enough, they ripped. I don’t know how MK and his team do the scallion tying but when I go to his school, I will find out:) I was getting frustrated, but I know that not everything will come easy. I do need lessons in making the meals presentable to the public. My hubby will eat anything and love it, if I make it, but I really wouldn’t have served this at a restaurant, nor most of the stuff I have been making. The appearance is so important, but I know that it is the best food ever!!

This meal is definitely worth making again. I wouldn’t make it without the tamarind fondue. I actually rolled tomatoes, and spinach with the sauce and tamarind sauce before I served it to him. I really loved it. I was only going to have one, but my taste buds overpowered me again! They seem to be winning alot lately against my better judgement.

Raw food is so enjoyable to me I feel like I want to eat all the time. I have been out of sprouts and I have been craving sugar and fat! Sugar is my poison ‘x’ ! One day I will be able to say I have control now:)

Until then, I know there is a lesson in everything I go through!

Filling Ingredients
carrots
scallion
cabbage
mushrooms
salt
black pepper
olive oil

I folded all ingredients together, then added chile sauce to mixture.

I just got home from work, and I am super tired, but I want to hoola hoop for a few minutes. I have been doing great for Fitness in Citrus. I did 2 hours of exercise today! Not bad! Yoga is my fave right now:) The fast paced walking with my dogs feels like old times. They are the best walking partners!

There is a voice in the Universe urging us to remember our purpose for being on this great Earth. This is the voice of inspiration, which is within each and every one of us.-Dr. Wayne Dyer

Day #192 Wrappers and Tofu pg. 230 entertaining in the raw

February 2, 2010

I made the wrappers and tofu today. We will not be able to eat it tonight, because it is too late. Tomorrow, I am planning on making the vegetable filling. It has been a very busy day, but I wanted to get these 2 recipes done. I really am living to try this beautiful meal. I am hoping I can make it as picture perfect as the book.

Wrappers Ingredients
2 cups flax meal
2 cups chopped yellow squash
1 cup coconut meat
2 T fresh lemon juice
4 cups water
1/4 cup agave
1 t sea salt
1 t ground coriander
1 t ground cumin
2 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally

Blend all ingredients except scallions in a Vita-mix until smooth; stir in scallions. Spread thinly into 6-7 inch rounds on dehydrator Tefelx sheets. Dehydrate for 5-6 hours until dry but pliable.

Tofu Ingredients
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup fresh young Thai coconut meat
1/2 cup raw carageenan
1/4 cup water
1/4 t sea salt
1 1/2 t ancho chile powder
1/4 t cayenne
1/4 cup cilantro

Line bottom and sides of a small pan or square container with plastic wrap. Blend all ingredients except cilantro in Vita-mix until completely smooth; stir in cilantro Pour into lined pan (tofu should be about 1 1/2 inches thick), cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate about 2 hours,transfer onto a cutting board and cut into 2 inch pieces.

We all love Asian food, so I am guessing this will be one of our favorites.

Spring rolls, so named because they are typically eaten during Chinese festivals in the spring, are normally filled with crispy vegetables and sometimes cabbage or mushrooms. They are not always vegetartian, but quite often are-Matthew Kenney

Day #191 Complete Raspberry Sundae pg. 96 and Chipotle Chili Sauce and Sweet Tamarind Fondue pg. 230 entertaining in the raw

February 1, 2010

THE SUNDAE MASTERPIECE! This is the best way to end your work day…

Jason came home from school (hospital) and this was sitting at the table. Christian was in his room and came out to greet him and looked at the sundae, he said “Wow can I have some?” Well, Jason got to eat about 4 bites and Christian decided he wanted the entire sundae! He loved it. He kept humming and saying “mmmm”.
So Jason ended up making something else! I had some earlier today. This was a much needed snack, after yoga, walking and cleaning. It was actually my breakfast/brunch.

Raspberry Sauce Ingredients
1/4 cup agave
2 cups raspberries, divided

Blend all ingredients in Vita-mix until smooth.

Whenever I thumb through the pages of these books I always get different feelings about what I am in the mood to make. I usually decide that day and most of the time I have the ingredients on hand. I was fortunate enough to have the ingredients for the following recipes.

Chile Sauce Ingredients
3/4 t chipotle chile powder
2 cups cashews, soaked 1-2 hours
1/4 t salt
1/4 cup nama shoyu
1/4 cup plus 1 T water

Blend ingredients in Vita-mix until smooth.

Sweet Tamarind Fondue Ingredients
1 cup dried tamarind paste (I used tamarind concentrate)
1/2 cup agave
3 T lime juice
1/4 cup coconut water
2 T water
1/2 t salt

All ingredients are blended in the Vita-mix and then if you use tamarind paste, it is strained through a chinois.

Jason loved the chili sauce, he had it with cut up carrots while he was studying.

These lovely sauces go with flax, squash and coconut meat wrappers, carrots, cabbage and mushroom filling and cashew tofu. Tomorrow’s plan is to make the wraps and then hopefully do the complete meal, unless we do something different for dinner. Only tomorrow will tell.

Goodnight Everyone, I am going to study some more. My A&P test is in one week, next Tuesday. Then Thursday school is closed. It will be a much needed break. One week away from the test is about the time I really start to get focused. I will be studying and only sticking around the library and the house. Of course I also have to do The Quest, but that will be needed!

I CREATE MY REALITY WITH MY THOUGHTS.
You create your thoughts, your thoughts create your intentions, and your intentions create your reality.-Wayne Dyer