Living Rawesome

Days #12 and 13 The Raw Food Muscle Fitness Challenge

September 13, 2010

I didn’t keep track of all of my food yesterday because I had a little party with the Raw Ladies. I did ride my bike for an hour and I drank some smoothies, then had a big feast with lots of raw yummies. The ladies are so talented. I didn’t take photos, but I am waiting for Marsha to send me them. They surprised my for my birthday with cake and presents. It was a “Magnificent” day:)

Day #13 Food Choices:
Green Smoothie with spinach, raspberries, coconut water, and apples
Sunny burgers from Ani Phyo’s book
After the gym:
Bananas with kale and acai
Nectarine
Mock Salmon inside of a half of a red pepper
Buckwheat cereal with carob and Garden of Life Protein
Mung beans with vinegar and garlic
Store bought hummus with carrots and celery and AB
Dessert: Here is where I ruined my eating:(
Shredded coconut with carob, honey and coconut oil
Calories: 2500
Day #13 Workout:
All exercises were 3 sets
Smith Machine Squats 15 reps 10 lbs superset with 15 Pulldowns with 80 lbs.
Partial Squats on Smith Machine 15 reps with 5 lbs superset 20 reps of rows with 20 lbs
Leg Press with 10 lbs 25 reps superset with underhand pulldowns with 80 lbs.
Leg Extension with 60 lbs for 20 reps superset with Split Squats with 10 lb dumbbells
Front bar squats for 3 sets for 15 reps superset with 1 set step ups on bench(I was not feeling good by this time).
*Early morning bike ride for 45 minutes

One thing is for sure…I am dedicated to the gym. The eating part has always been difficult for me. But I feel like I am making progress by dedicating my time to the gym and not slacking there.

“Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals.”~Aristotle

Day #336 Cacao Mole pg. 88 entertaining in the raw

June 26, 2010

Today is the first step of the meal I will bring to the R.L.P.L (Raw Ladies Pot Luck).  I have made a recipe similar to this before but it was in Everyday Raw.  I didn’t have the Cornhusks, so I used lettuce leaves, but I found corn husks this time:).  Yippy!

Cacao Mole Ingredients
chipotle chiles
red onion
garlic
sunflower seeds
almond butter
raisins
olive oil
water
agave
cumin coriander
salt
cayenne
cacao powder

Blended in Vita-mix.

I will finish the rest of this recipe tomorrow.

I just got home from the gym and I am wiped out! It was the hardest arm workout since I started back at the gym. I LOVE it!  Next, I am heading to my parent’s house to visit, then shopping! I have so much to do:).

Anyone who believes the competitive spirit in America is dead has never been in a supermarket when the cashier opens another checkout line.
— Ann Landers

Day #290 Yellow Squash Pasta, Creamy Saffron Broth and Wild Fennel pg. 107 entertaining in the raw

May 9, 2010

Happy Mother’s Day!

It’s been a great day! I spent the day, reading, hanging with my family and going to one of my favorite places, the gym! Yes, I said it, I love the gym again. I am feeling so good, I don’t want to stop! It is my addiction that I have forgotten for too many years. I am glad to be back doing something for me and improving my body and most of all my heart and mind. It feels so good to have the blood pumping rapidly through my arteries and veins!

I decided that it was time to make this recipe, since I started the bread crumbs a couple days ago. The mixture of ingredients is a nice blend. I was surprised how well all the flavors tasted. I don’t usually like fennel with other ingredients. I love to just cut the bulb up and eat slices of it. The texture is similar to celery but with a licorice flavor. It is refreshing. The combination of these ingredients definitely stimulates your taste buds.

Pasta Ingredients
yellow squash (I used zucchini)
fennel
pine nut parmesan (I still had some left from pg. 38)
cherry tomatoes
green olives
pine nuts
white raisins (soaked for 2 hours in water, *note* I didn’t use wine)

Broth Ingredients
water
saffron
cashews, soaked 1-2 hours
salt
olive oil
salt and pepper
lemon juice
agave

Pasta-I mixed all ingredients together in a bowl.

Broth-Combined water with saffron and placed in the dehydrator for 2 hours to infuse. Added to the other ingredients and blended until smooth.

I tossed pasta with broth and bread crumbs. Pour remainin broth in the serving bowl, added pasta and garnished with so much parmesan, I love that stuff, and bread crumbs.

Another light and refreshing meal to add to the list of delicious meals!

“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love.”~Mildred B. Vermont

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 #49 Creamy Sesame Dressing pg. 84 everyday raw

September 12, 2009

Today was a relaxing day. I was supposed to go to Gainesville but because of my hospital trip last night, I wasn’t able to go:( They cancelled and hopefully we will reschedule this month. I spent the day running errands, and homework. The new produce market opened and I went to buy some veggies. It is spacious and appealing. Very nice colors and comfortable. I bought many veggies and came home to clean a little, then off to my parent’s. Christian and Sabby played with their friend and cousin. We had a fire down by the lake. The fire and the breeze from the lake really helped me calm down and get my head clear after studying Chemistry all day. Gosh, I do love it!

I came home and I was so hungry for a salad. I decided to make this creamy sesame dressing. It was so delicious. I will be addicted to this for at least a few weeks. Sitting here now I would love to make more, but I’m not hungry:) I have cut fruit and agave out of my diet. Ahhh my head is clear and I feel stable in my energy levels. If I eat too much fruit I feel like I could eat everything in sight. This dressing is definitely one of my favorites.

Creamy Sesame Dressing ingredients
nama shoyu (I used Braggs Liquid Aminos)
tahini
sesame oil
agave ( I substituted stevia)
apple cider vinegar
ginger
olive oil
lime juice

It has a hint of peanut butter flavor. I really enjoyed my dinner tonight (a huge salad, with creamy sesame dressing and tomato slices with the red pepper sauce from my gnocchi recipe). Yummy!!

I am trying to form new habits. Working with food has been so challenging for me because I have an increasing desire to eat all of the time. I know it seems silly, but it really is a bad habit I have formed over these last few years. I am working on switching my old habits with new ones. Starting with overcoming emotional eating and my addiction to sugar. I will conquer!

“Good habits result from resisting temptation.” Indian Proverb
“Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.”Anonymous
“We are what we think; as we desire so do we become! By our thoughts, desires, and habits, we either ascend to the full divine dignity of our nature, or we descend to suffer and learn.”
J. Todd Ferrier
“Divide each difficulty into as many parts as necessary to resolve it.” Rene Descartes

Day #48 Portabello Steaks pg. 102 everyday raw

September 11, 2009

What a night!! I was ready to come home and make a different recipe, but my son, Christian, went to a school dance tonight, and was walking backwards in the dark and fell and broke his arm. We just got back from the hospital. What a night, we were there for almost 4 hours. It is way past my bedtime, but I had to squeeze my recipe in for the day. Jason will finally get his ‘steak and potatoes’ dinner. He really isn’t the type of man that has to have this type of meal, but he will enjoy it, I am sure.

This was very simple to make. Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, black pepper and a portabello mushroom. I soaked it in this dressing, now it is in the dehydrator. It will be done in the morning. It says 1-2 hours, but these mushrooms were so thick. I think it will be perfect. Maybe he will have it for breakfast.

I still can’t believe Christian’s arm is broken. Even though we were in the waiting room for a long time and the ER room, we still had fun. Both of the boys are so funny, and Jason was able to leave work to go with us! Thank you Lord. Everything came out fine and he has a splint to wear. As long as he is careful and doesn’t fall on it again, it should heal quickly.

Technically it is a new day, but I haven’t gone to sleep yet, so I think this still counts that I did my recipe of the day. That is commitment. My son broke his arm but I still finish the day with the recipe. Yummy I can’t wait to try it.

“Mother’s of Boys work from Son up to Son down.”-Author Unknown

Green Smoothie Challenge and Going Raw 8-1-09

My plan is to drink at least a quart of Green Smoothie a day for the next 30 days. I was so inspired by Theresa’s story that I decided that I would embark another endeavor. There really is absolutely no reason to continue eating cooked food. I am making Matthew Kenney’s recipes and I work where there is FRESH PRODUCE. I believe that I will have the support with Jason, Sarah and D’ to be there if I get weak:(. I felt so fantastic yesterday. I felt full but light. I drank 3 quarts my first day, July 31. I am sure my body was craving it. I felt clear in my head too. I miss eating mostly raw. I lost my way for a little. It just takes some enthusiastic energy to get me on the path again. I figure my 30 days will be ending when I go to Raw Spirit Festival. I am sure the Raw Spirit will keep me charged for at least another 30 days.I will keep you posted on my successes with Green Smoothies. I am going to purchase the Boutenko’s new book.
Cheers! I am off to drink my greens for my breakfast.

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:)

David Wolfe’s Superfood Booksigning and Brunch

This was the best day I had had in the longest time.  I had been waiting since October 2008 to see David Wolfe when he was in Sarasota, Florida at Veggie Magic. I missed him when he was there .  I heard that he was going to be in Winter Park promoting his new book Superfoods.  I was very anxious to get my hands on the new book and to hear him speak.  He never misses a beat when it comes to answering questions.  He can get anyone fired up about Raw food.  As soon as I heard that he was going to make another Central Florida appearance,  I placed a flyer about the seminar in Rutabagas in hopes that we could get a group of people together and go see MY FAVORITE RAW FOODIST OF ALL TIME!!

Kay, d’Adjoa, Veggie Girl (ME), Jason, Jackie, Kathy, Rich and Sarah all decided to go.  I was so excited to have my friends with me to see this unforgettable seminar.

When we got there, everyone was in line to get the pre-release of his new book Superfoods. Of course, there were samples of Sunfood’s goji berries, cacao, cashews, and many of David Wolfe’s books. I only wanted to get his new book and the DVD Food Matters.  I was so excited when I saw it was there. I was going to buy it online, but it was there and I didn’t have to wait to buy it. I’ve watched it 4 times now.

Here I am waiting for D.W.! All of us grabbed the third row. I wanted to sit in the front but we wouldn’t all fit:(  The seats we had were great anyway.  As I was sitting there, I couldn’t believe I was seeing him again. I am always watching youtube videos, but it is no comparison to the real thing.

David Wolfe talked about all the superfoods that can enhance our health. Cacao, Goji Berries, Maca, Marine Phytoplankton which he passed around for the audience to try.  The night was so amazing. The event lasted about 3 hours for the seminar, book signing, and question and answer session. I love to listen to him. I bet he loves to teach as much as all of us loved listening to him. I will always remember the awesome time we all had, it will go in my box of memories labeled “BEST SEMINARS EVER!”

Oh my gosh!! I have a key to my future...

Finally got a photo with DW:)

Jason, Kay, Jackie, Sarah, Kathy, Me and David Wolfe

The next day I went to the brunch question and answer session with David Wolfe.  The brunch was hosted by Natural Awakenings with a meal prepared by Chef Olive.  She is truly talented. We started off with chocolate mint water.  It was very appropriate, I thought, because of David Wolfe being a chocolatier.  The meal was a perfect brunch choice…Squash Pancakes from Matthew Kenney’s new book.  She made a hot sauce to go with the whole meal.    I would love to have another meal by Chef Olive.  It is such a joy eating food that is prepared with love.

David Wolfe was staying in Titusville and he was running late, so we ate before he arrived.  He spoke about more than just superfoods.  He touched on economic issues, health awareness, and I was so lucky to ask him a question that I’ve been wondering for years.  I asked him why I have ridges in my nails.  He called me up to look at my nails and said that I have a sulphor and silica deficiency.  He requested that I try horsetail which I have tried in the past and got very sick with flu-like symptoms.  He told me not to do that and try other things like bamboo sap, nettle tea, MSM, and oat straw.  I have been doing bamboo and still waiting for results.  I am willing to wait.   I have had the problem since giving birth to my first son almost 13 years ago.  Fortunately, my son, Christian,  got to go with me.  He also enjoyed David Wolfe.  Christian always laughs at the way David Wolfe tells stories.  We both had such a memorable day.  What a way to spend time with my son!!