Living Rawesome

Day #192 Wrappers and Tofu pg. 230 entertaining in the raw

February 2, 2010

I made the wrappers and tofu today. We will not be able to eat it tonight, because it is too late. Tomorrow, I am planning on making the vegetable filling. It has been a very busy day, but I wanted to get these 2 recipes done. I really am living to try this beautiful meal. I am hoping I can make it as picture perfect as the book.

Wrappers Ingredients
2 cups flax meal
2 cups chopped yellow squash
1 cup coconut meat
2 T fresh lemon juice
4 cups water
1/4 cup agave
1 t sea salt
1 t ground coriander
1 t ground cumin
2 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally

Blend all ingredients except scallions in a Vita-mix until smooth; stir in scallions. Spread thinly into 6-7 inch rounds on dehydrator Tefelx sheets. Dehydrate for 5-6 hours until dry but pliable.

Tofu Ingredients
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup fresh young Thai coconut meat
1/2 cup raw carageenan
1/4 cup water
1/4 t sea salt
1 1/2 t ancho chile powder
1/4 t cayenne
1/4 cup cilantro

Line bottom and sides of a small pan or square container with plastic wrap. Blend all ingredients except cilantro in Vita-mix until completely smooth; stir in cilantro Pour into lined pan (tofu should be about 1 1/2 inches thick), cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate about 2 hours,transfer onto a cutting board and cut into 2 inch pieces.

We all love Asian food, so I am guessing this will be one of our favorites.

Spring rolls, so named because they are typically eaten during Chinese festivals in the spring, are normally filled with crispy vegetables and sometimes cabbage or mushrooms. They are not always vegetartian, but quite often are-Matthew Kenney

Day #191 Complete Raspberry Sundae pg. 96 and Chipotle Chili Sauce and Sweet Tamarind Fondue pg. 230 entertaining in the raw

February 1, 2010

THE SUNDAE MASTERPIECE! This is the best way to end your work day…

Jason came home from school (hospital) and this was sitting at the table. Christian was in his room and came out to greet him and looked at the sundae, he said “Wow can I have some?” Well, Jason got to eat about 4 bites and Christian decided he wanted the entire sundae! He loved it. He kept humming and saying “mmmm”.
So Jason ended up making something else! I had some earlier today. This was a much needed snack, after yoga, walking and cleaning. It was actually my breakfast/brunch.

Raspberry Sauce Ingredients
1/4 cup agave
2 cups raspberries, divided

Blend all ingredients in Vita-mix until smooth.

Whenever I thumb through the pages of these books I always get different feelings about what I am in the mood to make. I usually decide that day and most of the time I have the ingredients on hand. I was fortunate enough to have the ingredients for the following recipes.

Chile Sauce Ingredients
3/4 t chipotle chile powder
2 cups cashews, soaked 1-2 hours
1/4 t salt
1/4 cup nama shoyu
1/4 cup plus 1 T water

Blend ingredients in Vita-mix until smooth.

Sweet Tamarind Fondue Ingredients
1 cup dried tamarind paste (I used tamarind concentrate)
1/2 cup agave
3 T lime juice
1/4 cup coconut water
2 T water
1/2 t salt

All ingredients are blended in the Vita-mix and then if you use tamarind paste, it is strained through a chinois.

Jason loved the chili sauce, he had it with cut up carrots while he was studying.

These lovely sauces go with flax, squash and coconut meat wrappers, carrots, cabbage and mushroom filling and cashew tofu. Tomorrow’s plan is to make the wraps and then hopefully do the complete meal, unless we do something different for dinner. Only tomorrow will tell.

Goodnight Everyone, I am going to study some more. My A&P test is in one week, next Tuesday. Then Thursday school is closed. It will be a much needed break. One week away from the test is about the time I really start to get focused. I will be studying and only sticking around the library and the house. Of course I also have to do The Quest, but that will be needed!

I CREATE MY REALITY WITH MY THOUGHTS.
You create your thoughts, your thoughts create your intentions, and your intentions create your reality.-Wayne Dyer

Day #190 Vanilla Ice Cream pg. 96 entertaining in the raw

January 31, 2009

Well, this is the last day of January and 2010 is proving to be a productive and bright year! All of my classes are going well. These include Anatomy and Physiology 2, The Quest, and also committing to The Four Agreement class. The first Citrus County Raw Vegan Gathering went great. I just received the final email about Jackie and Gideon Graff coming to Lecanto Florida. I am so excited! The Citrus County Raw Vegan Gathering is hosting them on February 23! If you are interested there will be info on their website or you can email me.

I just went to Chef Olive’s class in Orlando and I am more excited about Raw Foods again! Funny the way it is, it seems I can’t get any more fired up about the living foods and then I experience even more to draw me in! If you haven’t seen Chef Olive, GO! It was wonderful! She covered Dehydration, and Fermentation. She is a wealth of knowledge and an awesome, lively, fun, loving spirit. I will definitely go again!

Another reason to celebrate is the 6th month anniversary of my MK project! I am in awe that I continue to do this project! I love preparing raw food, more than I really love doing anything else!

Tomorrow is the first day of the Fitness In Citrus challenge. This is a challenge that measures our activity levels. The idea is to get up and get moving. The more exercise we do, the more points we get. The idea is to get into better physical condition and have fun! Of course everyone has different reasons why they are doing it. My reasons are numerous, but most of all just another challenge to put on myself. I think I am challenging myself to see how much I can really do. Our team is named, “The Real Deal”! and I am the team captain:) It’s going to be a great 5 weeks.

Today I made the vanilla ice cream, and it is delicious. I did try some with the syrup when I got home and that didn’t turn out so good, the ice cream was delicious, but I just wanted more and more. Oh well, not going to beat myself up. My body will do that tomorrow. It is all a process, the only process I really want. I would rather not put processed food in my body, but sometimes I choose to, probably from all the years of conditioning. I am becoming my more radiant me!

My family hasn’t tried the sundae yet, because we were not here all day. I am waiting to make the raspberries syrup. Tomorrow I guess, I will.

Ice Cream Ingredients
cashews
coconut meat
vanilla bean
sea salt
agave
coconut oil

Blend all ingredients in Vita-mix until smooth. Put mixture in ice cream maker and follow instructions.

Well, time to house clean, it’s 9:15 pm. Hope I can get it all done, I am running on low. I am tired and ready for bed but I need to study tomorrow, so I need to do the cleaning now, so I am not anxious to do it tomorrow. I have been up since 6 and I really am exhausted, but NOPE I will do what needs to be done:)

Goodnight!

BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.-One of the 4 Agreements

Day #189 Walnuts pg. 96 entertaining in the raw

January 30, 2010

I am getting ready for work, so I decided to make my recipe. I still haven’t received my Maple Powder, so I wasn’t able to put it into this recipe.

Walnut Ingredients

2 cups walnuts, soaked and then dehydrated, after the other ingredients are added to them
1/4 cup maple powder
1/4 cup maple syrup(I used 1/3 cup)
1 t vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1/2 T cinnamon

Mix nuts with all ingredients and dehydrate for 48 hours.

I am looking forward to seeing my family enjoying this scrumptious dessert!

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”-Jesus Christ

Day #188 Chocolate Anise Syrup and Walnut Soaking pg. 96 entertaining in the raw

January 29, 2010

I was flipping through the pages of entertaining, not knowing what to make and I came across this recipe. It sounds fantastic for the weekend. I know all of my family will love this. The walnuts have to be soaked first then I will prepare them tomorrow. Today, I worked on the syrup. I am wondering why the syrup is called anise syrup, because the only flavoring in it is hazelnut extract. It sounds delicious. I didn’t try any. So the walnuts will be made tomorrow, and Sunday the raspberry syrup and ice cream will be made.

Syrup Ingredients
1/2 cup plus 2 T raw agave
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 t vanilla extract
1/4 t sea salt
1 cup plus 2 T cocoa powder
3/4 t hazelnut extract

All ingredients were blended in the Vita-mix until smooth. MMMm I love the smell of coconut and chocolate:)

The weekend is here and I am trying to figure out how I am going to fit everything into my schedule like I want to. I have homework, exercise, bill paying, classes and work to do. I was going to go in tonight, but I decided against that unless Jason agrees to keeping the boys at Papa Johns. ???? Everything will work out just how it is supposed to.

MY INNER BEING IS SERENE AND PEACEFUL.
Happiness, fulfillment, and purpose in life are all inner concepts. If you don’t have inner peace and serenity, then you have nothing.

Day #187 Mango Wraps-Complete Recipe pg. 94 everyday raw

January 28, 2010

I just finished an hour and half of hoola hooping:) Sabby and I were Rawkin! It just arrived in the mail today. I have been wanting one since Raw Spirit in Maryland. We took turns picking out songs to listen to and hoola hoop to. I haven’t had so much fun with the kids for a while! The hoop is colorful and fun! Love Hooping Harmony! The hoop might be the greatest thing I have bought myself in a long time. I did just buy an aromatherapy necklace from our guest speaker, and I absolutely love it too. I put peppermint oil inside of it. I swear by it, it really lifts my mood! It is a blown glass ornament on a string. It is really beautiful!

I made the complete recipe of the mango wraps for Jason. He should be home soon. I know he will love them. They really turned out perfect! The wraps didn’t get too hard. They are easy to roll. I had to make the creamy thai dressing for it, which I have already made, on 9/28. Isn’t that interesting, it was exactly 4 months ago.

Assembly
4 mango wrappers
4 romaine leaves
1 cup julienned young coconut meat
1 cup julienned carrots
1 cup julienned peppers
1/4 cup fresh mint
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/2 cup Creamy Thai Dressing (recipe pg. 86)

Creamy Thai Dressing Ingredients
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 t chili flakes
1 t sea salt
1/4 chopped cashews

All ingredients are blended.

TAKE NO OFFENSE
That which offends you only weakens you. Being offended creates the same destructive energy that offended you in the first place—so transcend your ego and stay in peace.-Wayne Dyer

Day #186 Mango Wraps pg. 94 everyday raw

January 27, 2010

Ok so I didn’t write my 6 month review and I didn’t make the recipe I planned. I just finished the mango wraps and I feel like I am rushing to get this entry in. I just rushed home from work so I could get this done before 12am. I have been extremely busy all day and I just got time to finish the recipe. I have made these before and I loved them. I made them for one of the potlucks that we had.

Tomorrow I am going to write my review of my last 6 months on this project. I know I said I was going to write it today, I am disappointed in myself that I didn’t write it. I am anxious to do the overview. I don’t want to rush it, so I am going to wait until tomorrow.

Mango Wraps Ingredients
Mango
young coconut meat
cayenne
salt
cilantro

I placed all the ingredients into the Vita-mix, except the cilantro. I blended it until it was smooth. I spread it on a teflex sheet. I am going to dehydrate for 4 hours, I am sure that I will wake up in the middle of the night like I normally do to take them out. I don’t think they will be done until the morning. Well, only time will tell.

I am tired and ready for bed.

Goodnight. Tomorrow’s lunch will be more than delicious!

I RELEASE ALL FEELINGS OF WORRY AND GUILT.
Throughout life, the two most futile emotions are guilt for what has been done and worry about what might be done.

Day #185 Pine Nut Filling pg. 26 entertaining in the raw

January 26, 2010

Well today is officially my 6th month anniversary for this project! I am going to celebrate at the Gathering tonight! I am bringing 6 recipes I have made from this project! Funny, how that worked out, I am bringing 6 recipes, I guess in honor of the months I have slaved over the hot “dehydrator”! Just kidding! This has really been one of the most remarkable and memorable things I have done. I have not missed a day yet!

I made the pine nut filling for the recipe that I will continue to make tomorrow:) Tomorrow, I am going to write about the top recipes that I have made in the last 6 months. Time is short, but I wanted to get this in for today.

Filling Ingredients
pine nuts
lemon juice
salt
nutritional yeast
scallions

All ingredients were blended in Vita-mix.

Off to the Raw Food Gathering I go!!!

LOVING OTHERS STARTS WITH LOVING MYSELF.
If you don’t love yourself, nobody else will. Not only that—you won’t be good at loving anyone else. Loving starts with the self.-Wayne Dyer

Day #184 Sauce for Spinach and Beet Ravioli pg. 150 entertaining in the raw

January 25, 2009

After thinking about what to do with this recipe I decided to not use the wine sauce for the raviolis. I know that I will be serving this to many people that would like to stay clear away from alcohol. I substituted fresh white grape juice for the white wine. I know that the last time I used wine I felt funny after using it. I just have never been able to handle wine. I did try this sauce and it tastes delicious. The blend of pears, grapes and agave is divine. I am sure the sauce with wine would be a beautiful blend if wine was one of my favorite flavors, however, it is not. I figured white grape juice would be the closest thing to white wine.

I am guessing that all wine connoisseurs are shaking their heads, because I think white grape juice would be acceptable in place of wine. I have always wanted to learn more about wine, but honestly I really don’t have room for it in my life right now. I always feel strange when I do drink it, so I like to learn about things that I can benefit.

Needless to say I feel bad that I didn’t follow the recipe exactly. I haven’t exactly followed all of the recipes to a T. For example, I have replaced agave for maple syrup in numerous recipes. But I feel bad about this one for some reason. Anyway, the dressing is really good.

Sauce Ingredients
2 1/2 apples, peeled cored, and chopped
1/4 t salt
1/4 cup raw agave
1/2 cup white wine (I replaced it with white grape juice)

I blended all ingredients in the Vitamix and placed it in a glass jar until tomorrow’s potluck.

It feels so good to be done with this recipe. I wanted to complete this for many weeks. Now I can share it with all my friends tomorrow.

I LOOK FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE WITHIN MYSELF.
If you want to find a deeper meaning in your life, you can’t find it in the opinions or the beliefs that have been handed to you. You have to go to that place within yourself.-Wayne Dyer

Day #183 Hot Fudge pg. 128 everyday raw

January 24, 2010

I had to look on my website to see if I made this recipe already. It seems as if I did, but it is not marked in my book as finished. I usually write the date that I made the recipe or I write done. I chose this for simplicity and the children love chocolate. Christian is actually hooked on almond milk, banana, and raw cacao. Like I said, I think he really changed alot from seeing David Wolfe’s lecture!

Hot Fudge Ingredients
agave
raw cacao powder
carob powder
vanilla extract
sea salt
coconut oil (I had to use cacao butter)

All ingredients were blended in Vita-mix.

I am looking forward to this week. The Gathering is on Tuesday. I am hoping that it will be successful! I miss seeing everyone. It will be exhilarating to see everyone. It always gets me charged up to eat raw!

I worked today, did some cardio and I did yoga. Yoga was needed. I love to feel the curves of my body. It makes me more in touch with my temple. I also asked Jason to order a hoola hoop for me. He ordered it last night, before I went to sleep. I can’t wait to play with it. Jason also ordered me herbs from MountainRoseHerbs.com. I ordered Nettle, Spearmint, Red Clover and Comfrey Tea. These were all recommended on Susun Weed’s website. I just borrowed one of her books from the library, but it is for pregnancy. I am sure I will learn something from it. Now I am going to do my homework and do some reading for A&P 2.

Goodnight!

I FORGIVE MYSELF, AND THEN I MOVE ON.
You can sit there forever, lamenting about how bad you’ve been, feeling guilty until you die, and not one tiny slice of that guilt will do anything to change a single thing in the past.