Living Rawesome

Paradise on Earth

Beet Ravioli with Ginger Dressing

Beet Raviolis

4 small beets, thinly sliced on mandolin, marinated in 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 T lemon juice, 1 t salt
Small dollop of Rawcotta Cheeze on one beet slice and place another beet slice on top.  Spoon dressing onto each ravioli.

Rawcotta Cheeze

3 cup raw pine nuts
3 cup cashews
3/4 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup Braggs Liquid Aminos
3 Tbs garlic pressed
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Soak nuts about 12 hours and rinse well.  Add all ingredients and blend until creamy.

Dressing
1 T ginger powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 small carrot, sliced
1 T mellow white miso, unpasturized
1/2 c extra virgin olive oil
3 T flax oil
1 lemon, juiced

Place all in blender and blend until smooth.

Beet Raviolis can be served room temperature or dehydrated for 1 hour to serve warm.  Enjoy:)

Drum Circle

Sunday was one of the best days of my life. I finally played a drum in an actual drum circle.  I know that it seems silly but ever since I used to go the Rainbow Gatherings when I was a kid,  I have always wanted to play.  Well, d’Adjoa made it possible.  When I walked into d’s  house for the first time, it was so serene and my eyes went directly to her drums, which, she later informed me are called Djembes, pronounced Jim Bay.   She let me tap on the djembe with her that day.  When we were playing,  we started talking about how long she has been playing.  She then informed me that there is a local drum circle right here in Citrus County.  I was stoked and even more excited that it was on Mother’s Day:)   The circles happen every second Sunday of the month.

Many people brought their own drums, but the drum circle coordinators let the visitors borrow some instruments.  Everyone was very friendly and open to all the newcomers.  D’ loaned me her drum and Jason and I took turns.  I was intimidated at first, but the beats were easy to replicate.  I just followed the lead of the more experienced drummers.  It was so much fun.  Three hours felt like one.

We were really meant to go to the circle that night.  Christian’s substitute teacher was the founder of the drum circle.  He was told 2 days before in his band class that there is a drum circle.  Funny how things keep coming around once you’re open to it.

Jason is a natural at everything! He looks so content and laid back.  I love this man.  I can’t wait to get some drums so he can play and I can dance.  That is our deal.  He plays, I dance!  Our all time favorite.

On this night  I thought about how my life has changed since I entered the workforce and how a lifestyle of  raw and living foods entering my body has caused the world to seem different and open to me.  All things are possible and my dreams can come true.  I feel like I’m finally living.  My emotions are not deadened by pesticide laden dead foods.  My motto for my life has changed.  Now I know that these are David Wolfe’s words but I do try to have the “Best Day Ever!”  My greatest strength is the love that I give and receive.  I no longer surround myself with negativity.  I search for positive people and places.  I feel like I am more in touch physically, emotionally and spiritually to myself and my creator.

I can’t wait for the next circle.  I’m hoping all of you get to experience a beautiful peaceful night on the beach.

Kayaking

What an awesome Sunday it was to go to Crystal River.  We rented kayaks and went to the 3 sisters springs.  Sarah and I had been talking for so long about going kayaking and we finally made a point to go after Jackie suggested we go.  The weather was sunny and breezy.  So we met at the kayak rental and began our journey.

It wasn’t too crowded either, even though it is getting to be the season for many people to see the beauty of Citrus County.  Glad we could all finally go.  Christian and I went together and Jason went with Sabby. Jackie had her own.  Rich and Sarah brought their own.

The ride to the spring was with covered trees and shaded.  It was a serene trip with Christian.

We followed eachother until we got to the 3 sisters.  There are signs everywhere for saving the 3 sisters springs.  Three sisters is privately owned and endangered of being sold to a commercial developer.  Efforts are being made to buy the land so it can continue as a wildlife refuge.  You can find out more at www.savethreesisters.com

In case you want to rent kayaks here is the number.  LOL.

The water is so beautiful.  Jackie was loving it.  Christian and I rode around the springs while everyone else was in the water.  Then I finally got in.  I never go in the water because it’s always too cold for me.  The last time I went swimming we went swimming with the  manatees and I was so cold and I was chillin for 3 days after.  But this time was different and so serene and invigorating.

Everyone had to stand on the fallen tree in the water. Doesn’t it look like a giant pool.

We stayed at the spring for about 2 hours.   Then we went for a short ride out to the river but everyone was ready to go home.  The only one that wore sunscreen was Jackie.  It was a great day and next time we will wear sunscreen.

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!!

Parsnip Sushi

Raw Parsnip Sushi

Jason and I went to The Present Moment in St. Augustine, Florida for the first time in 2008. We fell in love with the sushi and I told him, “I want to make this at home.” So the very next day we bought parsnips and tried to come up with a recipe of our own and we invented this.  He seems to make it a little different each time depending on what we have at home but it ALWAYS tastes THE BEST EVER!! He always sprinkles it with love, of course:)

Jason’s Raw Vegan Parsip Sushi

1 pound or 3 large parsnips, peeled and chopped into one inch pieces

1 T Tahini

1 T Braggs Liquid Aminos

1 T sweet white miso

1 T lemon juice

2 cloves of pressed garlic

1 inch piece of ginger, minced

1/4 t wasabi powder

1/4 t mustard powder

Process all ingredients in food processor until it is similar to the texture and size of white rice.  When it is ready place 1/2 cup “rice” mixture  onto raw nori sheet on your sushi rolling mat.  Place vegetables of your choice evenly on to the “rice”.

Then roll tightly until you have about an inch of nori left. Moisten the one inch flap with water. Then finish rolling.

Potluck 3-23-09

Here is our second potluck!! We couldn’t believe how big it got.  We had a guest speaker named Steven Dick who had melanoma cancer and healed himself through raw vegan foods and cleansing.  He is a humble man and so eager to share his testimony.  Many friends from Rutabagas classes and customers came to the potluck.  Word traveled fast about the “veggie club” as some would call it. There was a wide range of people from novices to pros.

Kay and I preparing for the potluck

Kay is always guiding me with her expertise in party planning, what a gem she is!

Me, Kay and Sarah

Kay doing her "thang" look at her little grass sprouts

Nicely done

Some of the first guests Pam, me "Veggie Girl", Sarah, Johanna, Kay, Pam's guest, Kathy

zucchini rollups, Kay's tacos

Teriyaki kabobs, Mock Tuna, Tomato Salad, Raw and Living Chili, Apple Salad

Everyone was anxious to eat. What great choices we had that night.

Steven telling his courageous testimony. What an inspiration you are Steven. Behind every great man is an even greater lady. In Steven’s case he had support from his wife and mother in law.

Thank you Steven!!

The Group

Raw Potluck 2-24-09

Sarah and I had been doing Raw Food Classes at the store for almost a year so we decided to finally start a Raw Food Potluck. More and more people have been showing an interest in Raw Food, so we decided it would be fun if everyone made their favorite dish and brought it for an evening of good food, good friends, and good times:)

Here are pictures of our first of many raw potlucks:

I will add links to recipes as I get them:)

The Supporting Cast

Kay, Sarah and Me

Sarah and I working on Neopolitan Graham Crackers

Flat Neopolitan Graham Crackers were so much fun to make:)

Stacked Neopolitan Graham Crackers

My son trying the raw yumminess

The kids loved the icing (all flavors)

Joan and Kay making it look beautiful!

Jackie who is new to raw she is enthusiastic and ready to make her cheeze for the pizza

Go Jackie go!

Yummy carob frosting for the crackers. I think everyone played a part in the Neopolitan Graham Crackers

We all had so much fun preparing for the potluck, hard to believe that it could be more fun the next day!  I am so blessed to have so many loving people in my life.

Cucumber and Tomato salad, Pineapple Gazpacho, and Coleslaw

Broccoli Salad by Kay

Onion Bread and Sunflower Sour Cream by Sarah

The First Group

My Raw Life!

My name is Angela. I have always had a passion for nutrition and healthy living. My journey for the cleanest, most beautiful way to live has brought me to raw food. I love the way that eating raw makes me feel and I love to hear how eating raw has transformed the lives of others.

I have been dreaming of creating a blog that allows me to share my Raw food journey with others. I hope that I can use this blog to learn as well as help others to learn about the beauty of living Raw. I will be working on adding links to important Raw and Green living information. My passion is preparing Raw vegan meals so a large part of this site will be dedicated to Raw recipes.

Peace and love,

Angela
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