Living Rawesome

Day #115 Pumpkin Flan with Crust pg. 78 entertaining in the raw

November 17, 2009

I finished my recipe early today. It’s only 9:30 am. Normally I am making the recipe at the end of my day. Last night it was 10:30 pm. I went to bed around 11:30 and woke up today at 4 am. I was writing recipes and notes for tonight’s gathering. It will be great to see everyone again. I haven’t seen so many of them for about 2 months. We will be in a new place with a fantastic guest speaker, Nuris Lemire, she is doing a presentation titled Digging Your Grave with Your Fork.

I made the filling for the pie. I am making it a bit different than the directions specify. I wanted to be somewhat different. My plan is to cut the filling into tiny squares and stick a piece of crust on top. My crust didn’t come out as crumbly as the directions said. I think sub-consciously I didn’t want it to crumble. I wanted to make ice cream sandwiches for Sabby and Christian. They loved them a few potlucks ago. This time I am making them with pumpkin filling. I know Christian will love them. He likes pumpkin ice cream. I saved a little in a small bowl and it’s in the freezer. It is too runny to put on the cookies. So when it hardens a little I will be able to form the ice cream sandwiches. I cut the cookies into square shapes. They look better as circles but I don’t want to waste any:)

If I could only find my camera. I have a iphone but I don’t know how to put pics on my computer. I know I am computer illiterate sometimes.

This recipe was more time consuming. I had to juice carrots and soak cashews. My coconut oil was hard so I had to melt it in the dehydrator. The pie filling is freezing right now and when it is done, I will still have to cut up the pieces. I am hoping it will turn out as I imagine it will.

Now I have to get started on the chili. Ahhh so delicious!

Pumpkin Filling Ingredients
3 cups cashews, soaked 2-3 hours
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup agave syrup
1 cup coconut oil
1 ¼ cup carrot juice
1 t vanilla
½ t salt
¼ vanilla bean, scraped
3 t ground cinnamon
3 t ground nutmeg
Blend all ingredients in a Vita-mix until very smooth. Pour into plastic-lined ramekins and freeze. I used a 9×13 in pan lined with plastic.

**I will post pics when I can.

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.”-Jim Davis

Day #114 Avocado Salsa pg. 40 entertaining in the raw

November 16, 2009

I am super tired tonight. I was going to make the pumpkin flan BUT I didn’t. I was gone all day at Sarah’s house to see her new little critters. She bought her kids, sugar gliders, they are so adorable. The one kept biting me though, so I decided that they are cuter a few feet away.
The weather was beautiful today. I did get a chance to read my book today, I love my new reading spot. Behind the library. It is quiet and I feel like I am in the woods, but I am not far away from more books and a restroom:) I am known now to carry my backpack where ever I go and I have a good book in it and a blanket. I love my life…it’s PEACEFUL! I practiced patience several times today and actually succeeded. I know that I am close to my source in me and around me, so I rest assured that HE is taking care of me!

I got a 97% on my Anatomy test, so that really made my night complete! Ahhh now I can focus on the next test.

Tomorrow night is the potluck and I am more than ready. I am making Chili, Hummus, and Pumpkin Flan. Can’t wait to have chili again. I love that stuff.

This salsa sounds perfect. It goes with a gazpacho and I am hopeful I can find all the ingredients. I have never made anything with tomatillos, I do think they sell them at Sweetbay here in town, although they are not organic. I also will need golden tomatoes, and lemon cucumbers. I believe it is the wrong time of year, but I will find the ingredients, I must focus on the things I DO want instead of what I DON’T. This salsa goes on top of the gazpacho.

Avocado Salsa Ingredients

avocado
cilantro
jalapeno
lime juice
salt and pepper

I am waiting until tomorrow to try it. On a beautiful salad sounds perfect. I am not making the gazpacho tomorrow. Hopefully the next day I will have all ingredients together to make the complete meal. There are so many days that I have intentions to make things then I end up making something else. One thing that is the most important is that I am succeeding at making at least one recipe a day! Life shows no limits:)

I have misplaced my camera for several days, so I am hoping to find it for tomorrow’s potluck and the rest of this month’s pictures.

“Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.” Denis Waitley

Day #113 Roasted Pepper Hummus with Lime pg. 77 everyday raw

November 15, 2009

Today was a fun day of preparing food at Rutabaga’s. I made many things. Every time I go into work I realize how fortunate I am to have such an awesome job!

I decided to make this hummus for the gathering on Tuesday. It is oh so yummy! Our guest speaker does not like hummus made from beans so I made it in honor of her. I found a really cute serving plate with a space for a dip or sauce that I want to buy. I have to go tomorrow or it will be too late. It is a fall colored plate that is either sunflowers or daisies. Either way it is perfect.

I made this recipe slightly different because I didn’t have macadamia nuts. They are so hard to find around here. Organic is very hard to come by so I used cashews. It turned out superb!

Ingredients

2 cups seeded and chopped red bell pepper
2 cups cashews, soaked 1-2 hours
1 cup macadamia nuts, soaked 1-2 hours (I used cashews)
1/2 cup lime juice
3 T olive oil
1/2 cup raw tahini
1 t sea salt
1 1/4 cup water

I dehydrated the peppers last night and took them out tonight. I threw everything in the Vita-mix and bammm it was done. The flavor is so rich. I love it! Another knock out recipe. I think hummus is okay made with beans. I do enjoy D’Adjoa’s recipe with sprouted chick peas the most. This recipe is my favorite by far for a bean-less hummus. It will be interesting to hear what everyone else thinks on Tuesday night.

I watched some of Food Inc. last night. I became discouraged last night listening to a mother that was interviewed on the movie. She was explaining her reasons why she buys her children McDonald’s instead of making dinner. She said she doesn’t have time and it is too expensive to make dinner. I really think that eating raw food and preparing it is really cost effective. Raw food prep is so easy. I wondered to myself…what is she buying that she doesn’t need? And how could she squeeze in at least 20 minutes to prepare food every night? I think many people are so accustomed to buying cigarettes and sodas and extra junk food and extra expenditures that if they cut the bad habits out and formed healthy habits, I think the purchases would really be similar in cost. I understand many people don’t have alot of money to spend, but I think that a family can cut costs somewhere to better their lives nutritionally. I also think that we are so accustomed to getting things quick ie. fast food that we just think it is too time consuming to cook or prepare anything. I am not judging the lady on the movie or any other person but it is sad that many people don’t know of other options (co-ops, sprouts, neighborhood gardens, wild foods). I think having one prepared meal together as a family is important, it’s an excellent time to catch up on eachother’s lives without interruptions. I don’t do this everyday but we do try to do it most days of the week.

Speaking of wild foods I am going on a medicinal plant walk at the beginning of December. It should be very educational.

Well, Jason just got home and now I get a foot bath:) Ahhh Paradise!

The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge-BERTRAND RUSSELL

Day #112 Roasted Red Peppers pg. 77 entertaining in the raw

November 14, 2009

Happy Birthday to my lovely Sister, Cathy!!

Today is my official 3 year anniversary going vegan. I have been vegan before, but since I started again, this is my 3rd year. It seems longer because I have learned so much about nutrition, and myself through my journey. The most wonderful thing is that I realize that I am always changing, and I will forever be learning.

Tonight I decided to “roast” the raw food way, DEHYDRATE!! This is to make the red pepper hummus for the potluck.

2 cups of red peppers are dehydrating as I type this.

Today has been a very busy day. I woke up at 5:30 am and did lab homework for 3 hours. Then went to the gym to work out. I love working out again! I have been going consistently for a month now:) I want to stay active, it makes me feel even more alive.

Sebastian had his first soccer game of the season. His team did so well, I am always proud of him. He made several goals, but his whole team worked together and I really think he has grown so much. It’s great to see him talking to his teammates and assisting each other instead of fighting over the ball.

I went to get my hair done tonight. I had some lowlights and highlights put in it. I don’t go very often, but I do enjoy getting it done. Holly does my hair and she is so easy to talk to. I think it is very important to enjoy the company of someone you will be spending 2 to 3 hours with. It is a long time to sit. This is one reason why I don’t go often.

After getting my hair done I went to the movie, A Christmas Carol, with Jim Carrey. I love this story. No matter how it is done I always appreciate the lesson in this story.

I hear in the background the music to Food, Inc. We received it in the mail today from Netflix. Now I am going to lay down and watch it. I have waited months to see it!

Today was such an awesome fun filled day! Goodnight!

“Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have – so spend it wisely”-Kay Wisely

Day #111 Crust for Frozen Pumpkin Flan pg. 78 entertaining in the raw

November 13, 2009

I went to Reiki today, thank you once again Susan. I woke up early this morning around 1 am. Stayed awake a few hours and I made notes for the raw food gathering on Tuesday night. I decided tonight that I would make the crust for pumpkin flan. I think it’s perfect for this time of the year. I will make it for the gathering.

Crust ingredients
2 1/2 cups cashew flour
1 3/4 cups oat flour
1/4 cup water
3/4 maple syrup (I used agave)
1 T vanilla
1 1/2 t sea salt
1 T ground cinnamon
2 t ground nutmeg

MMMmm the ingredients sound so fantastic together, but I didn’t try them. I will wait for the end product:)

I received the oil my father ordered, it is the Lorann oil (marshmallow flavor), so now I can make the s’more recipes. Sebastian loves these. Gosh it seems like he is the only one that really likes the food. Christian does try it, but Sabby is the one who seems to be crazy about it. Christian enjoyed the s’mores last time I made them, they just like the crackers alone but I also made them into ice cream sandwiches. I sent a batch to his school and the kids loved them. I haven’t made the cream yet with the marshmallow oil. We went to Cafe 118 and had the s’more there. They are seriously the best dessert that I bought at a restaurant!

I was looking on 105 degrees facebook last night and their desserts look amazing. Everyone should check out their sight. They are so talented.

I am off to do my nightly run around. I am taking Christian to his friends house and then going to my parents to study and Sabby can play with his cousin. I finally will do my homework that is due on Monday and it is coming up quickly. I will find out my test grade. Hope I did great! Everyday that goes by the more excited I get about Dietetics. It is my true desire!

“I saw few die of hunger; of eating, a hundred thousand.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Day #110 Chocolate-Cherry Smoothie pg. 26 everyday raw

November 12, 2009

Today was a great day. I went for 2 bike rides. Sabby decided that he wanted to ride his bike to school. So I brought him to school then I sat by the lake and read Wayne Dyer. The wind was blowing, and it was such a relaxing place to read. When it was time to leave I returned home and made a beaded bead and the fliers for Unity for the info about our potlucks. Then I rode my bike to the library and attended a seminar about how to keep your brain active. The presenter gave tactics and exercises you can do to keep your brain sharp. We also received some handouts about nutrition. It was a pretty interesting presentation. I always enjoy learning. When the seminar was over Jason met me at the library and we rode to get Sabby at school. We had to hurry home to get ready for his soccer practice. We had a so much happen today I couldn’t wait to get home and eat. I was in the mood for the chocolate cherry smoothie. I was only going to have a little bit but I ended up eating half of it.

Chocolate-Cherry Smoothie Ingredients

cherries
bananas
cacao nibs
coconut water
agave
vanilla
sea salt

I couldn’t stop eating it. This recipe was so delicious. I love smoothies. Especially with bananas.

I will make this recipe again! It was a great dessert.

Day # 109 Thai Cucumber Salad pg. 232 entertaining in the raw

November  11, 2009

I just made Jason a beautiful  thai salad, even though he is not here to enjoy it.  It is a quick unique salad.  He doesn’t care too much for cucumbers but I know he will like this salad.  I took the skins off, so they won’t taste too bad to him.  I love cucumbers.

Salad

1/4 cup roughly chopped basil

2 medium cucumbers, quartered lenghtwise and thinly sliced

1 head butter lettuce, torn into small pieces

1 yellow bell pepper, julienned

1 t salt

1/4 cup mint leaves

Dressing

3/4 cup sesame oil

1/2 cup nama shoyu

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice

1 T maple syrup

3 thai chiles (I used 3 t red chile flakes)

1/4 cup cashew butter

Water to thin

Garnish

1/3 cup chopped cashews

2 T sesame oil

1/4 cup diced red pepper

Can’t wait until he gets home. I am sure he will eat the rest of the lasagna and this wonderful salad. We had the torta today for lunch and he loved it:)

Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other-FELIX ADLER

Day #108 Tomato Torta with Pesto and Macadamia Ricotta pg. 106

November 10, 2009

Tonight was the night for the entire recipe. I made the Tomato-Ginger Sauce to complete the entire recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked at least 1 hour
1/2 roma tomato
1/4 shallot
1 T lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 t agave
1 t sea salt
1/4 cup ginger juice
pinch of hot pepper flakes ( I omitted)

I made this recipe in the Vitamix. It came out very smooth and delicious. Sun-dried tomato sauces are always very thick but filling on zuke spaghetti, or lasagna. We didn’t eat it tonight, we were too full from our big lunch we ate after the gym. Tomorrow it will be made for us and we can eat it as is, or pop it in the dehydrator.

The ricotta and the pesto were both very thick from being in the refrigerator. I would suggest if you are going to make it do it all in one day. It will be easier to spread. I just separated the cheese with my fingers, it did get softer from the warmth of my hands. I don’t mind the consistency. Ricotta is pretty thick anyway.

I keep eating the truffles. I think Sebastian and I are going to eat all of them. They are so delicious. Just what I need for my afternoon sweet fix.

“It’s so beautifully arranged on the plate — you know someone’s fingers have been all over it.” — Julia Childs

Day #107 Macadamia Ricotta pg. 106 everyday raw

November 9, 2009

I just got home from my 4th test in Anatomy on the Muscles. I hope I did great, I won’t know until next Monday. I am excited I get a full week off from class. I am going to enjoy my week, even though I do have homework. My next test is the last day of class, ONLY ONE TEST LEFT!!
I woke up this morning at 3am and started studying. I don’t know why but I couldn’t sleep. So then I studied for about 3 hours then fell asleep this afternoon. Needless to say, I was stressed about this test. I always want to do the best that I can, sometimes I overdue it. That’s just me.

I made the mac ricotta tonight. Tomorrow is the torta. Jason and I have off together, so it will be fun to have truffles and the torta. Can’t wait:)

Macadamia Ricotta Ingredients

1 3/4 cups macadamia nuts, soaked for 2 hours
2 T lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 t sea salt
1 t nutritional yeast flakes

All items go into food processor for 5 minutes.

Can’t wait to post the lovely dinner tomorrow!

Goodnight. I am slipping into bed for well deserved sleep. God Bless!
The idle man does not know what it is to enjoy rest.–Albert Einstein

Day #106 Ginger-Miso Dressing pg. 83 everyday raw

November 8, 2009

Citrus County Raw Vegan Potluck is finally starting again and we have a new location. Unity of Citrus. I am really excited! I miss gathering with friends and loved ones. I need the support just as much as other people do:) I know I talked to several people today that can’t wait for it to start again. Nuris Lemire is going to speak about nutrition, toxins and how to change lifestyle throught diet. I am excited. This is a rescheduled event. We cancelled last month’s potluck due to a sickness. I am praying all stays constant this month and allows us all to meet and enjoy the food and fellowship.
I worked all day today, except for a short break during the day to go to church (a much needed break). I made alot of food, so when I got home I felt drained and exhausted. Mainly stressed about my test. I am sure I will do fine, I am just always hard on myself and I don’t let myself rest until it is over. Tomorrow is the big day so I am anxious but excited.
I decided to make ginger-miso dressing tonight. I decided to make it after viewing M.K.’s facebook. He said it is one of his favorite dressings and I can see why! It reminds me of D’s ginger brew, with a hint of sesame oil.
Ginger-Miso Dressing Ingredients
1/2 cup miso
1/3 cup agave
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/4 cups chopped ginger

Mmmm, I feel a gigantic salad is in order. I bet scallions, mung beans, carrots, red and yellow peppers and some chopped almonds would go perfectly with this dressing. Now I already know what I will be eating tomorrow. I love salads. I am really finding out that I really do like simple foods such as, blended salad, salad, sprouts, and of course sweet desserts. I LOVE THIS LIFESTYLE! Anything goes, as long as you listen to your body and feed it what it needs.

The mind’s first step to self-awareness must be through the body-George Sheehan