Welcome to my blog about my LOVE for God's Raw Living food. Please join me on my journey towards health and wellness. I truly believe that pure natural raw living food is the doorway to a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
September 4, 2009
Labor Day will be here in 2 days. My family and I will be going over to my Mom and Dad’s for lunch, swimming and good times. My father is in town for a few weeks from California, so we like to spend as much time with him as possible. My mom loved the lemon macaroon pie when I made it a while ago, so I figured I would make the key lime tartlets. Instead of the Tartlets, I am making a 9 inch pie like M.K. suggests in his book. I know all of the family will love it.
Crust ingredients:
2 1/4 cups cashews
2 T maple syrup (I used agave instead)
1 T coconut oil
1 pinch of salt
1 T date paste
Oh my goodness, the flavor was so delicious even before dehydration. I could taste of hint of the coconut. It was creamy and slightly sweet. It melted in my mouth. I didn’t feel bad about eating it at all, I ran and biked today, so ahhh no guilt here.
It will make a perfect addition to all the food that will be there on Monday. I am trying to figure out what I will make on Monday to bring to the picnic. It’s going to be a beautiful day. I miss my father so much when he is away. I will post some pics on Monday!
My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.
Posted 16 years ago at 9:20 pm. Add a comment
September 4, 2009
Well, I can’t believe how bad this recipe was:( I’m sorry Matthew, but this was far too salty for me. I figured it would be, by looking at the ingredients. I thought that maybe the proportions and the ingredients together were going to make it good or else M.K. wouldn’t have put it into his book. But man, I was disappointed. Really this was the first time in a little over 2 months. Needless to say, I won’t be making this again.
I did make more pizzas today for my friend Debby. She is going away to Ohio and wanted to take them with her. They should be done by Sunday. I hope she enjoys them.
Now I’m off to studying. I have 3 tests next week. I’m reaching for As.
“Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men’s clothes.”
Posted 16 years ago at 10:10 pm. Add a comment
September 3, 2009
I have been searching for a great breakfast to eat in exchange for eggs. It’s been over 2 years since I’ve had eggs. I used to eat them almost every morning. Egg white omelets with veggies, I used to love tomatoes, spinach, red pepper, garlic and sometimes, broccoli. The tofu scrambler was absolutely amazing. Reminiscent of the egg white omelets. Oh my, I can’t wait until breakfast time when I get all the veggies. I am going to warm them in the dehydrator for a few hours and have a feast. I can’t wait. I will do that on Saturday.
I love finding foods that remind me of foods that I used to love. I don’t miss eggs at all, but it was a great breakfast back when I ate animal products. I know Jason will love it too.
The tofu came out beautifully. It was solid in about 2 hours, but I didn’t use it until tonight. I was able to just pick it up off of the plastic. I do love plastic wrap, except the waste part:( I do try to recycle when I can.
I used half of the tofu recipe to make the tofu scrambler. I cut it in half and placed the tofu onto a plate. I cut the tofu into several pieces to prepare for mashing. I found a clear dish and added the tofu then mashed the tofu.
This recipe only took approximately 3 minutes. I threw the nutritional yeast and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, and turmeric into the bowl. Stirred it up and Kabammm it was done. I tried it first, I was pleasantly surprised I called Christian right away to have him try it. He liked it. Then of course I wanted Sabby to try it and he liked it too. He put ketchup on it and liked it that way too. It has a light cheesy flavor and a nice salty flavor from the Bragg’s. The color of it is appealing, as well.
As you can see we liked it. Christian is not very camera friendly. He doesn’t stick around for photos. I will get one when I can:)
Tofu Scrambler ingredients:
nutritional yeast
black pepper
nama shoyu (I used Bragg’s Liquid Aminos)
recipe of tofu
turmeric
While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
Posted 16 years ago at 8:05 pm. Add a comment
September 2, 2009
I just returned from Anatomy. It was a great class. I felt more confident tonight. Jason has helped me so much. I am so blessed to have a tutor as handsome and charming as my hubby:)
I made the silken tofu recipe tonight. Christian is going to be very surprised when I tell him that it’s finally done. Last night I had to soak the Irish Moss.
I made raw carrageenan first, which will make the tofu firm (it has to refrigerate for at least 2 hours). Raw Carrageenan is equal parts soaked Irish Moss and water, blended in Vitamix. I put the water and Irish Moss into the vitamix. At first, it sounded like it had rocks in it. I knew I washed it really well, and I have made the carrageenan before, so I let the Vitamix run for about 2 minutes. At first it had a watery consistency then it started to thicken and when I finished it, it resembled pudding. I didn’t try it the first time I made it and I really didn’t want to try it this time. Jason tried it first, the good sport that he is, and he said it tasted neutral. Eww the smell is not very nice at all. I ended up trying it. The flavor is bland, really not much flavor at all. It is similar to the smell when you jump into a chlorinated pool. Don’t let this gross you out though. The tofu will be better than the GMO soybean variety.
There are several recipes that call for the tofu in M.K.’s recipe books. I will see what Christian will want to try. I might be able to use the tofu for at least 2 recipes.
Silken Tofu ingredients:
cashews, soaked for 1-2 hours
1/2 cup thai coconut
raw carrageenan (soaked Irish Moss and equal amount water, blended)
water
sea salt
I lined a small glass pan with plastic wrap, so it will be easier to take tofu out of the pan. All ingredients were blended in the Vitamix together. Again, the blending took longer than most of the recipes I’ve been doing. I had to stop the blender and tamper it without the lid on. It finally started to blend smoothly. I always compare it to a river running. If it flows it is ready. When it was ready, I poured the mixture into the pan. I probably should’ve used an 8×8 pan, but I only have a 7xll. It came out thinner than I wanted but that’s okay, it is an easy recipe. I love raw food prep. *NOTE*Caution* NEVER put a glass pan on a hot stove. It will shatter!!
This project is challenging at times. I really just want to go to sleep but I have to stay true to it. Most days it is easy but sometimes I am so ready for bed but I still have to make the recipe. I don’t mind much. I feel like I skimp on writing more on my blog. I really am learning so much about myself doing this. It seems like I fill my days up so much, and feel like I can’t fit anything else in, but I can. I can do anything!
I love raw and living food. I want the world to love it too!
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.
Posted 16 years ago at 11:32 pm. Add a comment
September 1, 2009
I decided tonight that I would start writing the date on my entries. I have not been writing down the dates when I make the recipes. I mark the date I completed the recipe in my books, but sometimes I fail to write the date. I am learning how to be organized with this project. I still have to soak my irish moss for my recipe tomorrow for tofu. I went to Raw Spirit and while I was there, I was most intrigued by the food made by Quintessance. I had the best raw bagel there made with sprouted kamut bread. Ahh wish I had that now. Well, on the last day I was there I saw they were selling mock tofu, it was made with irish moss and cashews. M.K. has a recipe for tofu so I am going to make it. Christian has been waiting for this recipe since I started.
Quintessance was the best food I had at Raw Spirit. I met the chef/owner of Quintessance. Chef Dan, he is a very talented chef, too. It was fun asking him questions about the food. I am going to buy the recipe off of his website so I can make the sprouted kamut bread. I know my kids will eat it and love it.
Tonight’s dinner worked out perfect! Jason and I got home at the same time and we had dinner together. I even turned on the Italian music. We had about 20 minutes to spare and it went quick but there is nothing like a delicious rawesome meal with the ONE you love.
The gnocchi was not very pretty, but it was delicious. The pizza and this meal are now Jason and my favorites. We enjoyed the raw asparagus with the red pepper sauce.
Red Pepper Sauce ingredients:
cashews
red pepper dehydrated, 12 hours
1/4 cup coconut meat
red pepper
olive oil (I used water)
salt
black pepper ( I omitted)
lemon juice
cayenne pepper
This sauce was just as easy as 1,2,3. I threw all ingredients into the blender and it was done in no more than 5 minutes. I am very serious. The average time I spend on most fillings, or sauces is 5 minutes. It came out very creamy and thick. I believe that because the red peppers were dehydrated it gives this dish a pleasant red pepper flavor without making it too watery. Jason loved, loved, loved this recipe. He wanted to keep eating more but his belly told him otherwise.
Asparagus
1/2 bunch asparagus
olive oil
salt
Asparagus was simple. I cut the spears into about an inch slanted cut. Then marinated in olive oil and salt. Dehydrated for a short time. We really didn’t want them dehydrated, so I decided to take them out. The recipe only calls for dehydration time to be 30-45 minutes. We enjoyed them just raw.
Parmesan
recipe from parmesan shards made earlier in latter part of August
Gnocchi
I dehydrated this too long according to the directions, they didn’t get hard but they were drier than I would have liked them to be. The recipe said to only dehydrate for 3 hours and I did it for 12 hours. If I were to do it by my own rules I would do it again the same way I did it last night and today. With the exception of the appearance. But when I make them again, I will make it M.K.’s way (after all he is the TRUE Chef!). I didn’t get home until 4, so by that time it was too late. I did try to get home, but work and studying kept me longer than I expected. Life happens.
This recipe really was EXCELLENT!!
I have been so busy today. I am still going to study. It is 11 pm and I have been up since 5:30 am. It is such a life saver eating raw and living foods. I really feel so good that I just keep doing the things I need to do and I don’t have the feeling exhaustion, like many people do. I never want to have fatigue. I would say that all people that want to fulfill their dreams, should incorporate at least 80% fresh fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds, and seaweeds to their diet. MOST OF ALL, A CONNECTION WITH GOD! Then they can work hard on making their dreams come true.
I AM MAKING IT HAPPEN!
Posted 16 years ago at 11:13 pm. Add a comment
I just got back from Anatomy class. It was not very good for the first half of it. I thought my assignment was due on Wednesday and everyone else turned it in before class tonight. I couldn’t believe it. I was so stressed out trying to finish the lab assignment and trying to take notes for the class at the same time. After lecture was over some students told him they didn’t do it because he said it was due on Wednesday. I was relieved. I will finish it tomorrow. I am really behind because I went away for the weekend. It was worth it though. I will remember my weekend and probably won’t remember the struggling I did tonight in class. I tend to remember all the exciting things in my life and not the challenging times of school. At least not the details of the hard times. I will always remember this trip to Raw Spirit though.
I decided to make the gnocchi tonight. Jason really loves gnocchi. When we first started dating and the first couple of years of our marriage, he would eat gnocchi once a week at least. A whole box of it. Now he doesn’t buy it. I figured I would make my wonderful hubby happy. It has a red pepper sauce, that goes with it. I have to dehydrate the pepper for 12 hours so I did that tonight. This recipe will be perfect with candle light and romantic Italian music;)
I feel like I need to have a romantic dinner with him. I was gone for 2 days but yet I missed him so much. I am hoping tomorrow we can eat together while the kids are at school. If not, we can all have a family dinner.
Gnocchi ingredients
jicama, cashews, sea salt, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, cashew flour, arugula
I chopped jicama before putting it into the food processor. I blended it until it had the consistency of rice. The directions say to strain it. I didn’t because it looked dry enough. I guess it was a mistake, I should’ve tried it even though I thought it looked dry enough. The other ingredients were thrown into the blender with the jicama and blended until it was pasty. It blended very well, probably too well. The gnocchi came out very wet. I had to add 4 times the amount of cashew flour in order to just form the gnocchi onto the parchment paper. By the directions I am assuming they are too wet, because it states that I am supposed to “roll” the gnocchi on the tray to get the appearance of gnocchi. If I were to put the gnocchi on the sheet without my parchment paper, I would have a mess. I scooped the gnocchi out with a baby spoon that my children used while they were really small. It brought back so many memories of them being so little. They are growing so quickly. Christian will be a teenager this year. Pardon the mom moment.
They do resemble gnocchi and they taste incredible. I am sure they will taste 10 times better tomorrow, enjoying them with my favorite man.
Posted 16 years ago at 11:28 pm. Add a comment
I am back from my little vacation to my Paradise. Raw Spirit Festival in Maryland. What a fantastic time. Very Enlightening for me. I stayed true to my project, I did two recipes. Jason bought me a personal blender or else I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I brought almonds, and my nut milk bag. I bought strawberries, bananas, raspberries, and mangoes from a grocery store called Giant. On Friday, I put a reminder in my phone to soak the nuts before going to sleep, so I could make almond milk the next day. I have been using my phone for the alarms and reminders for the many things I do each day. I have so much going on these days, school, homework, assignments due, recipes, work, the kids meetings and school projects. It is a handy tool to have around. On Saturday morning, I took out the blender and made almond milk. I only made 1 cup, which uses 1/4 cup almonds. The blender worked! I never trust any blenders but the Vita-mix or Blend-tec. But this little blender worked like a charm for my vacation. I am pleased. After I made the milk I threw in srawberries and bananas into the blender and made a beautiful smoothie for Destiny, D’Adjoa, and I to share. Nothing like a raw smoothie before going to a festival filled with raw people, food and seminars. Smoothies are the best to share with loved ones. I wanted it to be sweeter but they thought it was perfect. I drank some of it then I figured I should add in some Spirulina and Macro Greens. Oh boy that was not such a good idea, the Spirulina stuck to the sides of the blender, I spent 10 minutes cleaning it out. It took me longer to clean out the blender than it took for the nut milk and smoothie to be made. I learned my lesson, do not put 3 T of greens and spirulina into the blender with very little smoothie.
I do love smoothies:)
Day #36
I saved the almond milk from day #35 for the Mango and Raspberry smoothie. I stored it in a coconut oil container that I brought. The refrigerator was too cold and the almond milk froze. I couldn’t get it out and we were leaving to Raw Spirit soon. I expected to make a quick smoothie and then go. But God had other plans. I didn’t shower yet so what I did was took the container into the bathroom shower and took a long hot shower. When I was done the almond milk was melted enough off of the sides for me to be able to take it out in chunks. The blender couldn’t handle the ice milk. It took me probably about 15 minutes to get the almond milk and fruit to blend. I put all of it in at once, then ended up taking it out and only doing a little at a time. It was like chunky sorbet. After poking and prodding the smoothie, it finally started flowing. It was funny but I started to lose my cool at about the 11th minute. It worked though. We all tried it then we added Spirulina and Macro Greens. It was delicious. I brought the Vanilla-Almond Granola and we put that on top of the smoothie. It was the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time. I usually have a green smoothie in the morning, this was a most welcomed change. I will repeat this again. We all loved it.
Posted 16 years ago at 10:03 pm. Add a comment
I am leaving for Raw Spirit. I made Almond Milk. It is really the creamiest I’ve ever had. I added Lucuma powder in it too. I am waiting for Jason to drink it with me. He is at the bank. What an issue he is having there. It’s been a crazy morning. I am not even packed yet. I am on the phone with Marsha right now getting directions. SO EXCITED! It will be such an invigorating trip, it will definitely help me become centered. I am learning to forgive and move on from my past that sometimes haunts me. Nothing major in my life has happened but there are issues that I do struggle with. I know this seems like a different side of me but I am seeking guidance from my Lord on this trip and I wish to find forgiveness of others and myself. This article is really worth reading if you do struggle with the issue of overeating and emotional eating. Which those of you that know me, know that I do this. Destiny sent it last night. Phillip McClusky will be there at Raw Spirit. It will be an honor to hear him speak. The article is Emotional Release
I will post pictures when I get back:)
Ingredients:
1 cup almonds
4 cups water
2 T extra virgin coconut oil
1 t lecithin
1/4 agave
1 t vanilla
1 pinch of salt
Posted 16 years, 1 month ago at 9:02 am. Add a comment
I am preparing for my trip to Maryland, and I am trying to figure out what to make while I’m there. Jason is going to Walmart to buy a mini blender. I am trying to make my recipe prep for my vacation, simple, and delicious. I am going to make almond milk on Saturday and a smoothie on Sunday. I may not be able to write on my blog, but I will write each day, then post on Monday. I can’t wait until this weekend. It is going to be packed with sacred exercise, seminars, demonstrations and Rawesome friends.
I made the frozen goji berry souffle’. They look great! I would love to make a chocolate sauce to put on top of them. When I get back I will make a chocolate sauce. Again, this recipe was very easy to make. The goji berries were soaked for 15 minutes, then I blended them up with the soaking water. I strained them, then added them to the Vita-mix with other ingredients.
Ingredients:
goji berries
cashews, soaked
agave
water
vanilla extract
lemon juice
sea salt
coconut oil
I covered souffle cups with Saran Wrap and poured the mixture in. I put them in the freezer with plastic wrap over them. They will stay there until I get home.
On to more packing for Raw Spirit.
“The journey not the arrival matters.” — T. S. Eliot
Posted 16 years, 1 month ago at 8:08 pm. Add a comment
This is the start of my second month. I have learned more than 30 recipes and have loved most of them. I just made the Raspberry Vanilla-Almond Granola tonight. I absolutely loved it when I made it back in July, so I decided I would make it again for Raw Spirit this weekend:) I need to have my sweet fix while I’m away. I am sure they will have amazing food there, but I always like to bring my own food with me. I guess it makes me feel like I’m in my element. For my daily project I did the tomato sauce, the recipe is at the bottom of this entry. I included the recipes for this amazing pizza so if you want to make it for your family instead of ordering pizza this weekend, you will have a fantastic recipe to substitute what many people get on a Friday night.
Tonight, I was thinking about how the project has really been extremely beneficial for me and my family. My boys are trying more healthy foods. Christian really is loving the caramel that I made a few days ago. He came home from school today and went right into the freezer and got some caramel out. He loves it “to fix his sweet tooth.” While he ate that, he watched me put the cheese and sauce on the pizza. He asked if he could decorate it. I know that I am supposed to be doing this project, but I feel that he is part of me so it counts. I can not say no to my son who is wanting to be involved with my passion. He did such a great job. I am always so proud.
Christian didn’t try the pizza but he sure made it look so beautiful for me. He really enjoyed topping th pizza. He picked the basil himself from our plants, then he wanted to add orange pepper. He got out a knife and cutting board and started cutting the orange pepper just the way it looks in the photo. He took his time putting the peppers in the exact location he desired. Then I had some little romaine leaves so he used those in the middle of the pizza. He still wasn’t done, so he added some tomatoes on top. AAhh mouth watering. I took some to Destiny, Jason, Rich and Sarah, and Debby (my new found raw food friend, she is killing cancer). Jason tried it first and Sabby kept taking it from him. That says alot because Sabby was at Papa Johns and he wanted my raw yummy pizza instead of regular pizza. (Jason works there, until he is done with Nursing). Destiny loved it too. Rich and Sarah texted me and said that it was delicious. I love sharing raw food with people that appreciate it. It is very rewarding to me. I will make this pizza over and over again.
Sauce
1 1/3 cups seeded and chopped tomatoes
1 1/3 cups sun-dried tomatoes
1/3 cup soaking water
1/3 t sea salt
Black pepper ( I omitted)
1/4 t dried basil
1/4 t dried oregano
1 T and 1 t fresh oregano ( I used 1/4 t more of dry)
1 t agave
This was so easy to make. Like most of the recipes. I love making live food. It really is such a cinch. I was thinking about it tonight. The human mind is capable of more than we think, I would think that I would be overwhelmed with all that I’m doing but yet my drive, and my rock(my hubby) and my Creator keep me centered and focused. I continue to strive for the Best Day Ever and setting goals for the day and accomplishing them. I will continue on this path. It is in my heart and soul to do what I’m doing (going to school for Dietetics, working the best job I’ve ever had with my work family, mothering and nurturing my children, loving my committed husband even in times of trial, and continue sharing and teaching the benefits of raw and living food). It looks like it is easy when it’s written, but there really is so much more to it. I am very blessed to have this life and I’m grateful. Goodnight.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.-Mark Twain
I love this, it describes my life right now. I am doing the things I want to do because I want to and I don’t want to live my life with regrets!
Posted 16 years, 1 month ago at 11:22 pm. Add a comment
Living Rawesome 
