Living Rawesome

Day #54 Marinated Tomato Salad and Basil Oil pg. 38 entertaining in the raw

September 17, 2009

To show love to my wonderful and romantic husband, I decided to get somewhat romantic. I made him this Italian flared dish. He loves Italian food. I went to the store today and bought heirloom tomatoes for this dish. The recipe calls for red, yellow and green cherry tomatoes, but I figured I would use heirloom tomatoes that were similar colors. It turned out more beautiful than I expected. Before Sebastian got home I decided to make it. I took more photos than I have the last couple of recipes. I finally got the new camera figured out. The camera is really Sebastian’s but I am using it until we figure out which camera we want to purchase. I picked out the most beautiful tomatoes that I could and made this dish with lots of love.

I cut them up into small slices then put them all into the bowl to be mixed with the olive oil. Before serving, I poured the basil oil onto the tomatoes, and sprinkled the “Parmesan” cheese onto the salad.
I loved the aromatic scent of the basil oil.


Tomato Salad ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T agave
salt
pepper
1 1/2 pounds of halved red, yellow, and green cherry tomatoes

Parmesan was made on 8/23/09

Basil Oil Ingredients
1 bunch of oil (I used about 1/2 packed cup of basil)
1 cup of oil
Mixed in Vitamix.

Jason enjoyed his salad. I served it to him at Papa Johns. He was working here in Inverness so he was close to us. I love it, now that he works closer to home. I took the kids and my books to Papa Johns tonight to do homework. I did homework from 6 until 10:30 tonight. It’s been a long day. It’s Thursday, so I was off from work but I had school today. It’s my longer lab day. I needed to get most of my lab homework done tonight, so I don’t have to worry about those this weekend. I’m going to read about Tissues this weekend for Anatomy and study for my first test in Chemistry. I am really amazed at how I am understanding all of it. I am grateful for Jason’s support. If he was not helping me, I’d be pulling my hair out, or winding it into dreads. The latter sounds alot better. Maybe one day I will do it. But for now, I like to run a brush through it.

I am off to bed it’s 11:00pm, I have been up since 5:45am. I am sugar free still, I feel incredible. I felt stable all day. To be successful, I must have food prepared. This project helps me so much with all the great raw food lying around the house. Of course, I can’t have the agave laden food or fruit, but I can give that stuff away. It is delicious but makes me CRAZY. I am feeling much cleaner everyday that goes by. This morning I woke up and realized I’m in a better mood and not waking Jason up, telling him, I ate too much yesterday, or crying about how sick I feel. He must love that I’m not waking him up with complaints about how I want to change the way I eat. I know raw food is the way for me, but when I eat the pies and fruit it seems to send me down a spiral, where I don’t desire to be. I desire to be the best of ME!

Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.

Day #53 Basil Wrappers pg. 82 entertaining in the raw

September 16, 2009

I made the red pepper wrappers two days ago and I already ate them before my recipe was complete. I have to make them again. They were so delicious. I ate them with lettuce, tomato, purple onion and avocado two days ago. Then I ate the rest today.

I enjoyed my meal so much that day the only thing missing was my Jason! He seems to be gone all the time lately, it gets very lonely. If you can see I divided the meal up for 2 people. I had 2 of everything, just in case he came home. He didn’t but I sent him a photo on his phone. We are very fortunate that we can send pics and text messages back and forth. I feel like that is our main communication these days. It is very difficult with both of us working and both in school. It was hard before when he was the only one in school. Now with both of us in school, we literally have to squeeze time for eachother into our busy schedule. I am hoping that we can have a raw meal together this weekend.
The basil wrappers look dark green and not very appetizing. I know they will turn out fantastic, though. I just hope I don’t eat these before I finish the whole meal. I am soaking the almonds tonight, so the meal should be ready tomorrow.
Basil wrappers ingredients
4 cups thai coconut meat
1 cup basil
1/2 t sea salt

These were easy to make. I put the ingredients in the Vitamix and poured it out onto the parchment paper. I smoothed it out into a square about 10 inches by 10 inches. It is in the dehydrator right now, it will be done tomorrow.

I am having serious issues with the cameras lately. My regular camera broke last night at the Gainesville Potluck, so I had to use my cell phone. The pictures didn’t turn out as beautiful as I would’ve liked. I can’t wait to buy a new camera. Then my pics will be 10 times better:) I used my son’s camera for these photos.

Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some-Robert Fulghum

Day #52 Chocolate Pieces pg. 134 everyday raw

September 15, 2009

I just finished my homework for tomorrow night’s Anatomy class. I am in a hurry to go to the Gainesville Potluck. I had to do my recipe in a short time. I made delicious chocolate pieces made with

Ingredients
2 cups coconut oil, melted
6 cups cacao powder
1 3/4 cups of agave

I am now out of agave and coconut oil. I ordered a whole case of agave this month. There was a sale so I received a deal I couldn’t pass up. I will have to order a mammoth size coconut oil, too.

I didn’t try the chocolate pieces. I am so proud of myself. I am hungry but not for the sugar laden food. I know it’s not processed but I am staying away from all of it. I hope Theresa brings her cheese sticks, I am in the mood for them. I have to leave, but the recipe was very easy to make. Added all ingredients into the blender and revved it up and it was done in no time at all. This is enough chocolate to last a few months I am sure. Unless Sabby really likes it. Which I hope he does. I spread out the mixture on a parchment lined pan and stuck it in the freezer.

My red pepper wrappers turned out so delicious, I had half the recipe for my lunch today. What a filling and nutritious lunch. I will definitely make them again. I just thought of something, I am going to have more:)

TTFN

Day #51 Sweet Pepper Wrappers pg. 82 entertaining in the raw

September 14, 2009

I just got out of Anatomy. I got my test score back. I got an A! I’m so excited. I was nervous about getting the grade. Many people were dreading getting their grades back. The test was tough, it was 166 questions, but he only counted 150. I was worried but I conquered it!! Now on to the next 2 chapters, Tissues and Integumentary System.

Well, I am going to report what last nights project tasted like. The foie gras, in my book, was the worst thing I’ve made yet. It reminded me of liver pate. I didn’t like it at all. I haven’t eaten liver since I was probably 8 or 9 years old. Ugh. I will never make this again. I don’t really like to make food that resembles meat this much. I had to take a picture of it before I threw it out. I did taste it by itself and then on the flat bread. It was terrible both ways. If you really like liver pate, you will love this. It reminded me of meat so much it really grossed me out. I feel bad saying this, but I have to be honest.

The flat bread was delicious. I would make this again, but I would add basil and some spices. The sun-dried tomatoes were delicious and chewy. The bread tasted sweet, because of the walnuts. It was easy to make. I love going into the dehydrator and pulling my goodies out of there after a whole day at work. It’s nice to come home and have food to eat. It really helps when I am trying to eat mostly raw food.

Tonight I made sweet pepper wrappers. I have made something similar to these before. Cherie Soria has a recipe in her book The Raw Revolution. They were very good. I used to make about 12 at a time. They are low in calories, because they are made with zucchini and red peppers, and they are perfect for sandwiches.
M.K. recipe is a bit more fattening because of the coconut meat, but I am sure they will have a sweeter flavor than the other wraps I usually make. I put all ingredients into the vitamix and poured it out onto the parchment paper. This didn’t take long, maybe 5 minutes. This will be done in 5 hours. It is in the dehydrator now.

Sweet Pepper Wrappers ingredients
coconut meat
red peppers
salt
beet juice

I am very tired, it’s only 10 pm. I’ve been up since 5 am and I need to study. I need strength, I am going to pray and God will lead me to do what I should do tonight. I am very grateful that I passed my test with an A, and had an awesome day. I finished another day of my project, sometimes I feel like I can’t do anymore but I just do and when I’m done at the end of the day, it feels like I’ve conquered again! I will continue.
One may go a long way after one is tired. ~French Proverb

Day #50 Portobello “foie gras” on Sun-Dried Tomato Flatbread

September 13, 2009

Well another day without fruit or agave. My mood and energy were great again today. I even did the stair stepper for 45 minutes. It feels great to clean my body out. I am not craving any cereal, granola, or any sweet things. One day at a time. I will take things one day at a time. I went to work tonight, so I could catch up on making food for the deli. I made a new recipe. I named it Mediterranean Pate. It is sunflower seeds with sun-dried tomato and basil. I think it’s very good. I am going to try to sell it this week. I love to make new things each week. My job is great because it allows me to be creative.

As for my project, I made two interesting recipes. The sun-dried tomato flat bread is not so different but the portabello “foie gras” is the strangest thing I’ve made since I started this project. I didn’t even know what “foie gras” was until Jason asked if it was fattened goose. So he looked it up. It is liver of a duck or goose that has been force fed corn according to French law. I can’t believe that this is actually a delicacy in France. People know that the animals are force fed and they still think it’s great!?! I don’t understand why someone would want to eat that. I wouldn’t. I have never had goose or duck of any sort. I won’t be able to tell if this tastes similar to duck/goose or foie gras, but I will let you know how it tastes. I am going to try it tomorrow. It is hardening in the refrigerator now. The sun-dried tomato flat bread was easy to make. I know this will taste delicious.

Ingredients:
Foie Gras
portabello mushrooms, brushed with olive oil, salt and pepper, and it has to be dehydrated for 2 hours
1 cup olive oil
irish moss carrageenan
salt

Flat bread
1 cup flax meal
1/2 cup well-chopped sundried tomatoes
1 1/2 cups walnuts, soaked 8-10 hours
2 yellow squash, chopped
1 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 t chili powder

I will have an excellent dinner tomorrow night, before anatomy. I finally get the results from my test tomorrow night. I can’t wait!

I am off to bed:) to sweet dreams!

Day #47 Almond-Lavender Pie filling pg. 207 entertaining in the raw

September 10, 2009

Okay, I officially ate my fill of the granola, I’ve been eating it for days and I am no longer going to eat it. I think it is delicious, but tomorrow I’m officially giving all of it away!! Oh boy, why is it so good?? After eating the granola, I had some of the filling for the almond-lavender pie. Do I have a death wish?? Well, tomorrow is a new day.

It has been a long day, I miss my hubby, I feel sick from too much sugar and fat, and I am tired. I am ready for my bed. I did have a great day at Chemistry, we made hydrogen and it was actually fun. I thought that I was going to catch on fire. But I survived! Chemistry is an adventure every time I go to class. I would much rather play with water than fire, but I do have to admit, I feel like the mad scientist. I really am understanding it, and that makes me feel extra special. LOL

Ingredients for Almond-Lavender pie filling

cashews
lemon juice
agave
coconut oil
water
vanilla extract
nutritional yeast
sea salt
vanilla bean
almond extract
chopped lavender ( I used dry), I found the difference in measurements. This is a great sight about the Lovely Lavender

This pie turned out smooth with a light, airy, lavender almond taste. The flavors are light. I wish it had a hint more Lavender. I tasted almond extract, which I don’t mind, on most days, but today was an overload. I do love that flavor, but after tonight I think I’m done with it for a while. After all, it is in the Almond Vanilla Granola too. Yes I’ll be having nightmares about Almond Extract. This pie is listed under my definition of elegance. I wish I could find some Lavender flowers to decorate this beautiful pie, for Saturday’s Potluck. This is the kind of pie you could serve at a wedding or baby shower. It reminds me of purity, innocence, gratitude and love. My photographer was not present tonight so I don’t have a photo. I will get one soon, hopefully with Lavender flowers. I know everyone will like it on Saturday.

Beatrix Potter wrote, “It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is ‘soporific’” I think it does quite the opposite. I wonder what effect of eating too much granola would be?? Probably gorged!
CURSE GRANOLA. So good but too much of a good thing is not the best!! I’m going to sleep it off and I hope whomever gets this granola, is cautious and doesn’t overindulge.

Day #46 Rosemary-Garlic Mashed Potatoes pg. 100 everyday raw

09-09-09

I normally don’t write the date like that but I had to today!! I am celebrating the one and only day of nines that I will see in my lifetime. September (9th month), 9th day, year 2009. I love the small things in life that I can appreciate.

I took my first anatomy exam tonight. It was approximately 165 questions. I studied hard for it so I am hoping for an A. I always strive for As. I will find out on Monday, so it will be a long weekend waiting for the results. It’s definitely not the first time I have waited for test results over a long weekend, and I am sure it will not be the last. I have learned to have patience over the years. I am sure it will be a great grade. So I am not going to worry about it. I did the best that I could.

Jason is studying for an exam tomorrow. Poor guy, he hasn’t slept much at all in the last 3 days. I’m sure this weekend we will be sleeping in. His first day off is on Sunday. He is such a strong person, he inspires me to do better at everything I do. He is my inspiration and my Guardian Angel.

He was working so hard tonight I decided to make something yummy for him. Neither of us are fans of jicama, but I have to admit this was the first jicama meal I liked! It is very creamy and with a hint of rosemary. It reminds me of a entree on the menu at an elegant restaurant. Of course this was so simple to make. I love preparing raw food. I know that I always say that, but the simplicity is absolutely amazing. It looks gourmet in 5 minutes. Jason really liked these mashed potatoes.

Recipe
4 cups jicama (process in food processor until fine)
2 cups cashews, soaked 1-2 hours
1 t sea salt
1-2 t fresh rosemary
1 t minced garlic
2 t nutritional yeast flakes
black pepper to taste (I omitted)

Add all ingredients into the Vita-mix and whip up the best raw mashed potatoes you ever could imagine.

OH MY GOSH, I FORGOT THE GARLIC!! duh. Well I’m sure it would taste 10 times better, I love garlic, I can’t believe I forgot it. Well, let me rephrase that, I wish that I hadn’t forgotten the garlic. It really doesn’t surprise me that I forgot something. Welp, next time, I will be sure to put it in.

Day #45 Coconut-Macaroon Crust for Almond-Lavender Pie pg. 207 entertaining in the raw

September 8, 2009

Today went GREAT!! I am staying in Chemistry. I really love my teacher, and I think it’s going to be great. The quiz wasn’t as bad I thought, and the stuff that she told us we were going to be quizzed on, well, I guess it was a misunderstanding. So I am Happy again:).

I went for a run tonight. It felt so amazing, I feel so powerful when I run. I forgot how much I missed it. I got some great songs on Itunes and ran and ran. I love music. Most of my days are surrounded by music. I am very fortunate to be able to listen to music all day at work and MY choice too. AAAhhh life is worth living. I am going to continue to work out and run. I got away from it for too long. I had other interests that no longer exist, thanks to God and many prayers. I became lazy and didn’t think about what too much food was doing to my body. One downfall to this project is the food, I love to eat it. I know, it sounds ridiculous to say the downfall is the food, since that is really what it’s all about, but REALLY, too much food, raw or not, is definitely not good. I love to give the food away, so that is what I am going to do. It gives me more satisfaction to please others with my raw yummies:) Tonight, I went to my sister’s house and gave her some goodies. I really have so much raw food in my house, I can afford to give some out. So if you are reading this, and would like to go to Rutabaga’s and try some, please come, I will be handing stuff out. Not everyday, but I am hoping to start bringing stuff to work. I am gaining too much weight, this is too much food for just me. My family does eat some, but they don’t love it as much as I do.

Tonight I made the macaroon crust, it is in the dehydrator. I am going to dehydrate it for several days, I love the crispy crust. I am going to fill it with Lavender and Almond cream. I can’t wait. I love lavender tea, so it will be very nice to have it in a pie. If it is done by Saturday I will bring it to the potluck at Theresa’s house.
Macaroon Crust ingredients:
shredded coconut
cashew flour
salt
maple syrup ( I used agave)
coconut oil
date paste

I browse facebook alot and I came across this quote, it is so appropriate for me and my life. I am committed to many things and sometimes it does get overwhelming. This made my day:

“Don’t spend your energy on your commitment, draw your energy from it.” – Donald O. Haughey, co-founder of Creative Health Institute

Day #44 Strawberry Sorbet pg. 134 everyday raw

September 7, 2009

Today I celebrated Labor Day. I worked! I didn’t think I would be there as long as I was, but I had to make so many things. It was a great day. I worked from 7-4. The day flew by. It was sad because I didn’t get to see my kids that much, and Christian is getting sick. They were at my parents all day. I did get to hang out there a little. It really wasn’t my plan to be at work so long. I will have to make up a picnic day with my family soon. My dad leaves to Cali, on Monday. I am only going into work for one hour tomorrow, then I have my Chemistry Quiz. I will see how that goes. I hope it goes well, so I don’t become frustrated.
I decided to make the strawberry sorbet. I know Sabby will love it. This recipe is very similar to the strawberry jam I made a few months ago. Sabby loved it. He is always asking me to make more. I made the sorbet and it is in the refrigerator for now until tomorrow when we make it into frozen sorbet with the ice cream maker. I have had the ice cream maker for over a year, and I never use it, so tomorrow we will put it to use. It will be fun.
Strawberry Sorbet Ingredients:
fresh strawberries
agave
vanilla bean
This was so simple. I threw all the ingredients into the blender and then ran it through a strainer. I stored it in one of our recycled spaghetti jars. I love these jars. I use them for everything. Drinking, storing, and even mixing. It feels so good to recycle.

Day #43 Keylime Tartlets Filling pg. 124 everyday raw

September 6, 2009

Today has been a day of ups and downs. I have felt very emotional. I am concerned about my Chemistry class. We are going to be tested on a chapter that I haven’t read yet and I really don’t think that we should be tested on it. I am considering dropping the class. It has gotten off to a rocky start. I think it will be an easy class, but I also think that we are being rushed to learn many chapters in a short period of time. Our original teacher didn’t show up for the first 3 classes. On the fourth day it was announced that we have a new teacher. I am not sure how I really am feeling about this class, but I will try my hardest on Tuesday, then I’ll let you know. Anatomy is going great. I have an exam on Wednesday, so needless to say, I have been studying all weekend. Thank you Lord for the holiday weekend. I still have to go into work tomorrow, the deli case is really empty. I will be working my tail off tomorrow. I will still go over to my parents house for a picnic, but I will just get there a little late.
I made the filling for the keylime pie today. It came out so much thicker than the lemon macaroon. The pie crust was not all the way dehydrated, so I couldn’t take it off the plastic. I like the filling, but the lemon is definitely my favorite. I think that there should be more lime juice in it. The thickness was really unexpected. I was hoping to decorate the pie, but the consistency reminded me of play-doh. Hardly like pie filling. Maybe I did something wrong. I wanted to make the design like M.K. did in his book, but not with this pie:(. One day I’ll get it right. The last time I made the lemon macaroon, I was in a rush to finish it, so I didn’t decorate it. Tonight I was in the mood to be creative, to ease my stress, but I couldn’t. Today is just one of those days. Maybe my negative energy went into the pie. When I mess up raw food, especially desserts I don’t even want to serve them. Sad I know, but I feel like it really isn’t good enough to serve. I am sure they won’t notice that it isn’t the best pie I’ve ever made, IT DEFINITELY ISN’T THE WORST, EITHER.
I am shooting for a great reaction tomorrow, when everyone tries it. If not I know someone else who may like it.

I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday. ~Author Unknown