Living Rawesome

Day #161 Sesame Brittle pg. 124 entertaining in the raw

January 2, 2010

I just got back from a day in Orlando with my hubby. We had such an awesome day. We went to a cleansing class. A woman and Chef Olive gave a presentation on cleansing. I really enjoyed the information. We learned the importance of bowel movements, cleansing, and skin brushing. I have been wanting to attend Chef Olive’s pot lucks and seminars and I finally made it today! Praise God. I have already fulfilled one of my New Year goals(attending at least one of her gatherings). She is doing a 21 day Challenge and will be doing classes on Sundays at 3pm at Whole Foods on Turkey Lake. If you are interested go to Meetup.com and look for Central Florida Raw Food Meetup. I am going to try to attend as many as possible. She is a wealth of knowledge, she has humor and she is a blast to listen to. I am so grateful I was able to go.
After the seminar I went with Marsha, Tom, Gayle, Jason and a new friend Georgia to Cafe 118.

The food was of course delicious. The restaurant is based on Matthew Kenney’s recipes. The staff was pleasant, environment is warming, and the meals were delicious. We all ordered either the Spinach Lasagna or Chile Relenos.

The chile relenos makes me want to make the recipe tomorrow! It was perfect for my tastebuds. I am grateful I chose this meal. It was exactly what I needed.
Of course we had the brilliant desserts. Jason and I shared the Hazel nut torte. What a great choice.

I enjoyed the time with friends and great food.

I was not eager to get home, I loved the entire day, and starting tomorrow it is lonely days without my hubby. He is returning to nursing school and work. Kids go back to school on Wednesday and I am eager to start school again on Thursday. I am really anxious to start learning again!

Before I left today I made the sesame brittle. I was going to do the pear sauce to make the raviolis, but I decided that I am going to wait and make them for the Potluck this month. I didn’t have the right color sesame seeds for this recipe. I probably should have waited to make these because the presentation is not very pretty. I have had this page dog eared for many weeks so I was anxious to do it. Black sesame seeds and brown flax is probably the worst to use together. They are in the dehydrator. I haven’t tried them. Quite honestly I am supposed to flip them over off of the teflex sheet but I am really afraid to look at them, but I guess I have to.

Brittle Ingredients
sesame seeds
flax seeds, ground
maple syrup
sea salt

In the recipe book the brittle almost looks transparent, mine however does not! If the flavor is good I will probably try to do this with lighter colors.

Dehydration time is 24 hours, flipped after 12 hours. This recipe goes with ginger date flan with mint syrup and shaved pear. I found out how enjoyable pears are. In fact I just ate one and it was perfect!

I am getting sleepy so I am going to lay down. My boys are on the way home from their adventures in the snow. So I am waiting for them to arrive. My father took them to North Carolina so they could see snow and go sledding. What an awesome Grandpa! Thank you Dad:)

My day was unbelievable and I hope that my wish comes true that I get to be involved with Chef Olive’s Challenge. There is so much to learn. I always want to improve myself and I believe that through cleansing and raw food and of course and most importantly through God I can be the person I am designed to be according to HIS plan.

Goodnight!

“He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.”
Arabian Proverb

Day #160 Ricotta pg. 150 entertaining in the raw

January 1, 2010

Wow, that is the first time I wrote the new year. I just got home from work and I made my cheese earlier. Here is the recipe:

Ricotta Ingredients
cashews
lemon juice
water
olive oil
salt
nutritional yeast

All ingredients went into food processor for about 3 minutes. I stored it in the refrigerator until tomorrow. I fell asleep last night with my wraps in the dehydrator, so I woke up early this morning and I ran to the dehydrator. I was so mad, but I opened it up and found out that my wraps were perfect! I am going to watch the Gator game with my hubby, it’s the last Gator game for Tim Tebow. He has been waiting all week to watch it.

I am looking forward to tomorrow’s meal and the cleansing class I am scheduled to go to.

Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing.
Matt Biondi

Day #159 Immunity pg. 22 everyday raw and Spinach and Beet Ravioli pg. 150 entertaining in the raw

December 31, 2009

Well, it will be the year 2010 in less than 3 hours. All day I have been thinking about all the wonderful things that have happened this year. So many great things have happened it’s hard to recap it in just a few words.
One of the most exciting things is the Raw Food Gatherings that I started. What’s even better from that are the most amazing people that I have met through them. I connected with so many people that are like minded and excited about the Raw Food Lifestyle. I have made some of the greatest friends that I have ever known.
I started this project 6 months ago and it has brought me a new understanding about my love for food. I have a deeper love for the food prep and know that raw food is a doorway to so much more than just the nutrients. I have a deeper spiritual awareness and a deeper appreciation of my earthly body than I have never known. I switched churches this year and found a place that I can feel at peace with myself and it will house the Raw Food Gatherings that our group will have. It was difficult leaving a church that I loved so much but in turn I found a place that I feel is very unique just like myself:)
I have lost friends but have gained a deeper understanding of what friendship is and what I expect from others as friends.
I attended Raw Spirit Festival in Maryland with 2 wonderful people (D’Adjoa and Destiny) that I met this year. We also met the other half of our raw food friends from Gainesville there too (Marsha, Theresa, Steve, Jackie, and Ruth).
I feel the year, 2010, will be so much better and I am looking forward to the next 6 months of my project. I plan on staying as raw as possible. I plan on learning to sew, learning to play guitar, meditating more, loving myself more, in turn, giving love to others. I want to remain open to new friendships and embrace the people I meet. I have been holding back for so many months. I think I needed time to embrace my life and realize what I have. For this time I am very grateful.
Happy New Year Everyone!

Tonight I decided to make the Immunity smoothie and the raviolis. Jason wanted to drink the coconut water but I decided to make him the immunity smoothie to share with Cathy, my sister. It turned out delicious.
Immunity Ingredients
1 1/2 cups frozen banana
1 packet frozen Acai (I used Sambazon)
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 cups coconut water
1 t vanilla
1 pinch of salt

Cathy and Jason enjoying my smoothie. I love when people eat my food.

I also made the raviolis. These turned out so beautiful. I love the bright colors. I feel like I painted tonight with all these vibrant colors.

These are the beet raviolis going into the dehydrator

These are the spinach raviolis going into the dehydrator

Beet and Spinach Raviolis Ingredients
2 cups chopped coconut meat
2 T spinach juice
1/4 t salt
2 T beet juice

Blend half the coconut with spinach juice and half the salt in Vita-mix until very smooth. Spread very thin on dehydrator Teflex sheets and dehydrate 3-4 hours. Repeat the process with the beet version using beet juice instead of spinach juice. Remove from the Teflex sheets and trim edges. Cut into 9 squares to fill with cheese.

I am going to enjoy the rest of my night with my sister and my fam. Christian is not here:( He is at his friends house. I know he wanted to go so I let him. I know he will have fun with his friends. It’s a blue moon tonight. And it won’t happen for another 19 years. I am listening to Sabby play rock band. He is playing the drums and has the microphone in his shirt. It’s so funny. After he is done playing, I am going outside. Enjoy your night!

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Blue Moon, guide us through the shades of darkness as we welcome 2010 under your brilliant light.”

Day #158 Best Smoothie pg. 32

December 30, 2009

Ingredients
frozen pineapple chunks
young coconut meat
agave
mint leaves
coconut water
vanilla
sea salt

Christian, Jason and I tried this delicious smoothie. This is my favorite so far. I would like to make it for a hot day sitting by the ocean. It makes me want to hear the Pina Colada song. That is such a fun song. I had visions of sitting on a sandy beach with a cool breeze laying there with my absolutely gorgeous husband!

We will one day….

For now, we are off to Palatka to go to the Garden Ravines. It’s going to be a beautiful day!
I love spending time with the fam, there is only one week left until we all go back to school! It went too quick!

love builds up the broken wall
and straightens the crooked path.
love keeps the stars in the firmament
and imposes rhythm on the ocean tides
each of us is created of it
and i suspect
each of us was created for it”–Maya Angelou

Day #157 The Blue Green pg. 22 everyday raw

December 29, 2009

After having last night’s smoothie, I decided I would make another smoothie today. I tried a sip and Jason finished it. We both enjoyed it very much. It was perfect for an after workout snack. Coconut water is always so hydrating for us. I used Bio Greens for the blue-green algae. I did have spirulina lost in my refrigerator somewhere, so I decided to use Bio Greens. Bio Greens seems to really work best for both of us. The last few times I have had spirulina, it made me feel weird.

The Blue Green Ingredients
young coconut meat
extra virgin coconut oil
blue green algae
agave
fresh mint
coconut water
vanilla
sea salt

All ingredients were blended in the Vita-mix.

I ate completely raw today (except my toasted carob). I feel so good, after a session at the gym and a bike ride with the fam. Feeling clean is better than any feeling on earth. I feel unstoppable when I eat God’s food ONLY! Thank you Lord for showing me the way, and allowing me to follow what my body needs and not what my old habits want. Through this last year I really have been listening to my body, but sometimes ignoring it. Ignoring what I hear only ends in devastation of weight gain and depression. Raw food has been a door way to health for me (emotionally, physically, and spiritually), which I am very grateful.

Now I’m going to rest and watch a movie, 9 with the kids, our plan is to leave in the morning and go to Palatka. There is a beautiful park there. I am praying the weather will be nice for all of us. I have been wanting to take the boys to this place for years. I will let you know how it goes.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Albert Einstein

Day #156 Mint Cacao Cooler pg. 30 everyday raw

December 28, 2009

Mint is my favorite flavor right now, even over chocolate or carob! Chocolate mint always reminds me of the winter season. I couldn’t pass this recipe up considering the 3 coconuts in my refrigerator waiting to be used. I bought a case of them, hoping I would finally get to my coconut wraps that I have been wanting to make. I still have that dynamic recipe to do. I think it will be delicious but I am hesitant to make it because of the many steps.

Mint Cacao Cooler Ingredients

1/2 cup young coconut meat
1/4 cup agave
1/2 vanilla bean scraped
1/4 cup cacao powder
2 cups almond milk
10 fresh mint leaves

All ingredients were placed in a Vita-mix. It makes 2 smoothies or 4 small dessert size drinks.

It is going to freeze tonight, so I should go find my cat outside so she doesn’t freeze, maybe now she will understand that it is cold and it is time to come in. She dislikes the indoors so much. I think because she was a stray kitten. I like to believe that it is in her genes. She is the ruler of the neighborhood. The funny thing about it, is our neighbors have a band named Bad Kitty and they named their boat BAD KITTY, so it is on the side of the boat. Well, they are selling it now, so they have it out front and our cat has adopted it as it’s home. I love to see her peak over the side and the letters are screaming BAD KITTY right underneath her. Priceless. I still have to get a photo.

“In a cat’s eye, all things belong to cats.” – English proverb

I just came across this old photo of my dad and David Wolfe. I was actually annoyed that my recipe photos were stored in the wrong file, and then I found this pic! I found out that DW was going to be at an opening of a juice cafe in San Diego, so I told my dad. My dad does so much for me, he showed up to the opening to get a photo. This might be the best picture of my dad that I own! You gotta love his dedication to me and making me smile! I love you DAD!

Carob Pie with Goji Coconut Almond Crust

December 28, 2009

There are unlimited amount of pies that I have made but this pie filling is by far my ultimate favorite. I love the sweetness of bananas and carob together. Carob is naturally sweet, therefore when I make this pie at home I prefer to use the sweetness of bananas, and carob with a kiss of sweetness with my all time favorite STEVIA.

Many raw food friends prefer the taste of carob over the cacao powder. I personally do love carob, but who really can resist chocolate! I know of two people, little Emma, and my friend Susan. Susan absolutely refuses to eat it, she says it tastes like an ash tray. Cacao has never reminded me of an ash tray, but I respect her opinion. Carob is great, but I have never been able to find it raw. So I used toasted carob in this, but I did put one tablespoon of cacao powder, just to have that cacao love:).

Carob is low in calories, can improve indigestion, does not have cholesterol, it is an antioxidant, and many people that are caffeine intolerant usually use carob for that chocolate flavor without theobromine or caffeine.

This pie is has a limited amount of nuts like many of the desserts. Using coconut or flax makes it less fattening compared to all the nuts that are usually used in many desserts. The goji berries in the crust also pack more antioxidants and quality protein into this amazing treat.

Goji Coconut Almond Crust Ingredients
1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened (you can make your own in the dehydrator then shred in food processor)
1/2 cup almonds, soaked and dehydrated
1/2 cup goji berries, soaked for 15-60 minutes

Carob Pie Filling Ingredients
1 cup cashews, soaked for 1 hour
3 bananas
1/4-1/2 cup water (can use agave instead for added sweetness)
3 T carob powder
1 T cacao powder
a dash of liquid stevia

Pie Crust Instructions: Place coconut, soaked gojis, and almonds into the food processor. Pulse until it is combined and red. Place in a plastic lined pie plate, you can dehydrate this crust for 24-48 hours or freeze it then add pie filling.

Pie Filling Instructions: After soaking and straining and rinsing off cashews, add them to Vita-mix or Blend-Tec, then add remaining ingredients and blend. Pour into crust.

Nutritional Info for 6 servings:
Calories-313
Fat- 18g
Carbohydrates-39g
Fiber-6g
Sugars-10.4g
Protein-7.2g
Daily Percentages included over 10% of minerals. All information obtained from Sparkrecipes.
Vitamin B-6-25%, Vitamin C-11%, Vitamin E-13%, Copper-44%, Iron-15%, Magnesium-31%, Phosphorus-21%, Riboflavin-12%, Zinc-13%

“Carob works on the principle that, when mixed with the right combination of fats and sugar, it can duplicate chocolate in color and texture. Of course, the same can be said of dirt.” Sandra Boynton
Love this quote, it makes me wonder if she prefers carob or chocolate.

Day #155 Lime Sauce pg. 72 entertaining in the raw

December 27, 2009

Lime Sauce Ingredients

goji berries
agave
lime juice
lime zest

My cannelonis didn’t turn out so beautiful, but I did manage to remove them from the dowel rods. That is a step above what I have done in the past. The thumbprint cookies turned out nice and I took them to the Kwanzaa celebration today. I also took the Christmas cookies. Now they are gone and I don’t have to eat them:)

I don’t know what recipe I will do tomorrow, but I am thinking the mint chocolate smoothie. I am loving mint right now.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. ~Mohammed Ali

Day #154 Cumin Flatbread pg. 50 everyday raw

December 26, 2009

Today was a very long day. Days always seem to be longer after holidays or a busy week. I read half of my new book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I have never read it before, so I asked for it for Christmas. I heard an interview with David Wolfe and he said that the Lion mentions how it is peculiar that humans eat cooked food. After hearing the interview I decided that I wanted to read the book. I read the Lion’s quote today in Chapter VII. I probably would’ve overlooked it, had I not heard about it. I am enjoying my days off from working. I am getting used to relaxing days again. Although, I did work tonight.

I am rather tired, so I will make this entry short.

I made the cumin flatbread. It was simple to make. I used ground flax seed and placed it in a bowl and put all other ingredients into the food processor. When the other ingredients were smooth, I added them to the flax. I made 2 dehydrator trays full, which turned out to be 15 pieces. Althought the recipe says it will make 2 dozen pieces, I only made 15, because I like my breads larger.

I love cumin and I can’t wait to try this bread on Monday. I will turn the bread over and remove the teflex sheet tomorrow morning and dehydrate 24 more hours.

Cumin Flatbread Ingredients
flax meal
dried basil
yellow squash
walnuts, soaked (8 hours)
cumin
olive oil
shallot
nutritional yeast
agave
sea salt
black pepper

“If you wish,” said the Lion, “I will go into the forest and kill a deer for you. You can roast it by the fire, since your tastes are so peculiar that you prefer cooked food, and then you will have a very good breakfast.”-The Cowardly Lion in the Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum