Living Rawesome

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

Raw Gathering 5-28-09

I had a blast at the last gathering. It was great to see all of you again.  For those of you that were not at previous gatherings, we were blessed by you being a part of this special time together.  We had so many lovely recipes.

It was a different time and day of the week but I think it worked out great.  Thank you to all who attended. I’m so honored to share this journey with all of you:)

Me, Jackie, Kay, Sarah and Erica

Kay making the Beet Raviolis

Mommy making up the gift for Dr. Schramm, he loves pistachio treats from Rutabaga’s Etc.

Erica, and Sarah making Dill Cream Cheese Nori.  One of my faves of the night.

Here if D’Adjoa giving the ingredients for the wonderful Curry Plantain salad.

Kay, Marsha and Gayle giving the recipes for what they brought.  Destiny, Sarah, Emma, Theresa, Sue, Judy, Pam getting their raw meal.  All smiles:)

Emma, Destiny, Johanna, Angela, Sebastian

D and Theresa

Me and my Man:)

Potluck 3-23-09

Here is our second potluck!! We couldn’t believe how big it got.  We had a guest speaker named Steven Dick who had melanoma cancer and healed himself through raw vegan foods and cleansing.  He is a humble man and so eager to share his testimony.  Many friends from Rutabagas classes and customers came to the potluck.  Word traveled fast about the “veggie club” as some would call it. There was a wide range of people from novices to pros.

Kay and I preparing for the potluck

Kay is always guiding me with her expertise in party planning, what a gem she is!

Me, Kay and Sarah

Kay doing her "thang" look at her little grass sprouts

Nicely done

Some of the first guests Pam, me "Veggie Girl", Sarah, Johanna, Kay, Pam's guest, Kathy

zucchini rollups, Kay's tacos

Teriyaki kabobs, Mock Tuna, Tomato Salad, Raw and Living Chili, Apple Salad

Everyone was anxious to eat. What great choices we had that night.

Steven telling his courageous testimony. What an inspiration you are Steven. Behind every great man is an even greater lady. In Steven’s case he had support from his wife and mother in law.

Thank you Steven!!

The Group

Raw Potluck 2-24-09

Sarah and I had been doing Raw Food Classes at the store for almost a year so we decided to finally start a Raw Food Potluck. More and more people have been showing an interest in Raw Food, so we decided it would be fun if everyone made their favorite dish and brought it for an evening of good food, good friends, and good times:)

Here are pictures of our first of many raw potlucks:

I will add links to recipes as I get them:)

The Supporting Cast

Kay, Sarah and Me

Sarah and I working on Neopolitan Graham Crackers

Flat Neopolitan Graham Crackers were so much fun to make:)

Stacked Neopolitan Graham Crackers

My son trying the raw yumminess

The kids loved the icing (all flavors)

Joan and Kay making it look beautiful!

Jackie who is new to raw she is enthusiastic and ready to make her cheeze for the pizza

Go Jackie go!

Yummy carob frosting for the crackers. I think everyone played a part in the Neopolitan Graham Crackers

We all had so much fun preparing for the potluck, hard to believe that it could be more fun the next day!  I am so blessed to have so many loving people in my life.

Cucumber and Tomato salad, Pineapple Gazpacho, and Coleslaw

Broccoli Salad by Kay

Onion Bread and Sunflower Sour Cream by Sarah

The First Group