Reflections, reaching out, and raw food

Hope everyone is doing well. It's getting closer and closer to Christmas. I'm not even ready for it. We still haven't put our decorations up - which is unusual for us. Normally the lights and decorations both inside the house and outside the house would be up right after Thanksgiving. But this year has been different for us. Hopefully this weekend we will get our holiday act together!

My son will be celebrating his 15th birthday next week on the 16th. I just can't believe it! Time goes way too fast. I can remember when he was just a toddler - like it was yesterday! I'm so proud of him too! He is and always has been a great kid! Very smart and cute too!



My husband will be celebrating his 46th birthday next week also. His birthday is the day after my son's. It's been a tough couple of years for him - and for us. But we are working through it. We have been together a long time now - just shy of 17 years, married 15 of those...wow! I really feel that this year is going to end with many new and wonderful opportunities that will take us into the new year with a great big positive and prosperous bang! I know we need it! It's been tough - really tough these last couple of years - especially this year! Whooo!

However, with all the obstacles over the year, I have had a major transition and transformation in my life - I discovered RAW FOOD! I'm serious about it too! It has changed my life. I actually found in August of 2007. But it has really gotten me in the most positive way over the last 7 months! I'm certain that changing my lifestyle has done nothing but great things for me both physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. I'm truly grateful for that! I even think it has saved my family relations in many ways too! I'm super grateful for that too!

No matter how tough times have been lately, I keep thinking about all the things I'm grateful for. I may not have the money or sometimes the time to do the things I'd like to share with others - especially those I care about. But I do try hard to let them know they are always in my thoughts, and prayers, and that I wish nothing but positive energy and love for them.

I have a special person in my "raw cyberspace" life that I consider a mentor and a friend. She is a young, talented, beautiful, and giving person, who needs our help. I'm talking about Heidi Ohlander of Raw Food Right Now. You can learn more about Heidi and her need for your support by reading her blog, "Heidi's Smile Back." Please help out and support Heidi's project by donating to the Heidi Smile Fund. You can find out more about it by visiting Raw Food Right Now. Thank you!

On another note, I have been spending some extra time on the Raw Fu site, enjoying many of the beautiful food photographs and trying out the recipes. I recently prepared a recipe that was shared by fellow Raw Fu member Rubarb, and a recipe by fellow Raw Fu member Linda. Both recipes were fantastic! Here's how they turned out. If you'd like the recipes you'll have to join us at the Raw Fu site. We are currently involved in a 40-day mini raw food challenge that is about half way over...but you are still welcome to join any time and be apart of a great raw food community! We all love it there, and we love the hostess - Beth "Bunny" Berry! She is definitely fun!!!



Tonight I made a delicious - you guessed it - kale salad! Today's salad was made with beautiful red kale, nice fresh organic asparagus, organic mini heirloom tomatoes, all marinated with a nice tangy mustard sauce, and served with a side of sliced organic avocado. Yum-yum!


For lunch I ate a delicious mixed seaweed salad, with EVOO, apples, and avocado. Very yummy and very filling!


Well, that's it for tonight. I'll try to write more before the end of the week! Have a great one!

Peace!

- Debbie :)