Rawkathon, website updates, personal achievements

Wow! I just finished watching/listening to the first night of the Rawkathon. Let me tell you what, it was absolutely fantasmo! I can't wait for tomorrow night's next set of interviews. I love listening to Mike Adams. That man has so much good stuff to say, and really makes you think! I was so glued to my computer when he was being interviewed. Then I got to hear Gabriel Cousens - another great Raw Inspiration! I'm telling you, I really got a lot out of this program! So many more to go!!!

If you haven't signed up for it, you need to do it right away! Seriously, you don't want to miss any more!!! It's worth your time, and it's FREE!!!





So, while I've been listening/watching, I've also been working very hard on updating my Raw-Riffic Food site, that I started over a year ago. I finally realized that I need to start focusing as much time as possible on doing the things that give me most pleasure, peace of mind, and have the most impact on my life and others. So, that's my deal...I spent most of today updating the Resource tab of the site. I literally spent about 5 hours on this. I know, wow! LOL...when you get the chance check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks...



On another note, you probably noticed that I recently released my first eBook called "Raw-Riffic Food's 101 Super-Charged Juices, Shakes & Smoothies...more than just a raw recipe book". Well, this is an endeavor that I've been working on for several months - and I'm happy to say that it's done, and I think I did a pretty darn good job. The book is colorful, informative, resourceful, and packed with 101 super-charged recipes! I think you will enjoy it! At least I hope you would! If you're interested, you can link here to purchase a copy, it's only $14.95 for the PDF eBook. Don't forget, that means you will need Adobe Reader to view the book. If you do take advantage, please send me your comments on what you think about it. I love feedback!


So, on another note, we are getting close to the end of Bunny's Raw-Fu 100-day challenge. Since starting the challenge I have lost more weight, and have stayed 100% vegan, and about 95% or more raw - I feel great! I'm down to 152 lbs., which means I have lost over 30 pounds since I went raw last year! Yeah!!! I can't wait to start the next challenge!



I know I haven't listed any recipes lately, and that I'm away from my blog more than I'm blogging - but the truth is I've been very busy with work, my son's school activities (band mom), and working on the book. Plus, we, like many Americans, have directly suffered from the hardships of our economy, so I've been dealing with that. But I'm hopeful and certain that we will get through this...just a matter of patience, faith, and action!

Well, it's late, and I need to get to bed a little early tonight. I've got a big week ahead! I will do my best to blog again real soon!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week!

Peace!

- Debbie

Once again, it's been a while

I realize it’s been a long while again since I blogged. All I can say is the usual, “I’ve been super busy with this and that!” And I have! I just feel silly using the same excuse over and over again. Anyway, to get started, I thought I’d share a couple of things with you. First off, on August 14th, I celebrated my one year anniversary of changing to a high raw food diet! Yippee! Secondly, I’m proud to say, that since I joined the Raw Fu 100-day Raw Fu Challenge, I have been consistently 95-98.9% raw the entire 30 days so far…with only one day of falling off the wagon (back in the beginning). I paid dearly for that day with major stomach sickness…I’ve been too scared to screw up again (lol)!

Seriously though, when your body finally adapts to a new way of living, it’s very hard on it to change back. And truthfully, when you see how you feel and glow, why would you want to go back. Memories are great…but you can make new memories with this new way of living and being.

Plus over the past few months my family has been enjoying more and more drinking green smoothies with me on a daily basis, and eating healthier all the time. It’s fabulous!

I’ve kept up with the exercise and yoga, even with my super busy schedule. I really love yoga; I think it’s truly making a difference for me. Even with my chronic back issues, I feel better and better, and I haven’t had to have any pain meds. In fact, I’ve only had about 2 pain meds over the past 2-3 months. Again, to me, it’s a miracle. Those times when I feel physically hurt by my back, I’m able to work through with a lot more ease, and no “drugs.” It’s major, I mean really major for me! I’m a completely different person than I was a couple of years ago. The other great thing is I have more energy, and drive then I have had in a long time. I’ve always been a peppy person, but I was becoming sluggish…Now I feel younger than I did a few years ago. I feel “high” sometimes, but I don’t need alcohol or food stimulants to make me feel that way. I know it’s the green juice!!! I mean it!

Green Juices and Green Smoothies is where it’s at! If you want to feel great, if you want to feel charged, if you want to feel euphoric, you need to DRINK YOUR GREENS!!! Even my husband and son have noticed a considerable change in their own health since they have been drinking their daily greens! My husband’s favorite green smoothie tastes like a malt to him. The smoothie consists of spinach, dark cherries, mango, hemp seeds, Green SuperFood powder (or you could use Chlorella or Spirulina), a little dried coconut, bee pollen, raw protein powder, Goji berries, banana, peppermint flavored liquid SweetLeaf Stevia, water and ice. Sometimes we add kale or parsley to it too. The darker the greens and the more cherries, the yummier!!! He loves it! My favorite is still the simple green romaine or spinach, with parsley and mango…Sometimes I’ll throw in a banana too to make it thicker!

I’m still creating recipes here and there, and experimenting with existing ones. I also have been reading quite a bit…several books at one time as always. Someday soon (when I have more time) I’ll write some more reviews on the books I’ve been reading. Well, I just thought I’d check in and say “Hi” to everyone, and let you know I’m still around. I recommend that you check out the Raw Fu site if you haven’t already, also visit Raw Food Right Now – lots of great new things happening over there! And, drop a line sometime.

Before I go, here are a couple of recipes I wanted to share with you. Enjoy!

My Miso Soup:
Base:
hemp seeds, miso paste, raw almond mylk, Nama Shoyu, ginger, sea salt, cayenne, chili pepper flakes, cold pressed sesame oil, purified water.

Add-ins:
Mushrooms, spinach, red bell pepper, raw corn kernels, green onions, minced garlic, parsley, and dulse flakes

...it was very yummy! I think you could even add slices of avocado if you wanted.



Portobello Sandwich:
Relish: raw corn kernels from one cob, 1/2 a red bell pepper finely chopped, 1/2 a zucchini finely chopped, and 1 avocado peeled, stoned and finely chopped. (Blended all the ingredients, and added a touch of sea salt, and garlic powder)

Prepare Portobello by scraping and washing it clean, and then add to the dehydrator for about 1 hour - it's still firm, but a little tenderer.

Spread your favorite raw nut cheese over the Romaine lettuce leaves. I used Sunflower nut cheese. Add the mushroom and then a good heaping serving of the relish. Top with slices of tomato, topped with another romaine lettuce leaf with nut spread too.

Very yummy! Enjoy!



Here are some other goodies I’ve “uncooked” up lately! What do you think?



Till next time…keep it raw, and have fun! Peace!

- Debbie

Day 3, my 100-day Raw Fu Challenge...

Well, today marks the 3rd day of the 100-day raw food challenge through Raw Fu, hosted by a very special lady, "Bunny" Betsy Berry. For the most part I have been doing very well to keep it 98-100% raw all three days. The only set back I have had is that I have been suffering from a lot of detox issues.

It actually started on Friday evening, so I'm not sure if it's related to anything specific -- but possibly it could be I have caught a bug...or it could be nerves, or bad food combining. I honestly don't know. Anyway, Friday I suffered from great stomach pains, constipation, indigestion, and bloating. I still went ahead and rode the recumbent bike, and did some yoga. I should not have had anything else to eat, but I went ahead and had my usual evening green smoothie. That added more physical grief. And to make matters worse, my chronic back and joint pains were giving me a hard time as well. But I refused to take any pain meds, since I was suffering from such digestive issues. I decided to drink some detox tea, and a wedge of lemon, and later went to bed. All night I tossed and turned, moaning, and so forth.

When I woke up Saturday morning I was still in pain, urinating frequently, but no real bowel movements. This is frustrating to me, since I had finally conquered these issues upon changing to a raw lifestyle. I could barely move too. My joints were terribly sore, and my overall feeling of well being was lost. I felt like I had the flu, but without any cold symptoms. It was awful. I couldn't eat anything, nor drink anything. Even water triggered more bloating and discomfort. I could barely get around, but I went ahead and did our shopping, and took care of my usual Saturday errands. When I went to pick my son up from Band Camp, I was still feeling bad. It was sad, cause his return came across anti climatic - which was not all the case. But he understood. I did manage to have 2 smoothies on Saturday. Both were made with just mango and spinach. I also managed to have two bananas, and water. Still no real bowel movements. I went to bed earlier than I usually do for a Saturday and slept in till late this morning.

Today I feel much better, and had much more energy. I made the usual breakfast smoothie, and had a couple of chia crackers. Then for a late lunch I had a green smoothie, and a couple of celery sticks with raw almond butter and a touch of honey. Plus plenty of water. All was well, and joint pain was barely noticeable -- except for the back (still not as bad). Only problem is, by the this evening as I write to you now, I'm feeling a bit bloated again. Still no bowel movements to speak of. So, I just had a cup of detox/smooth move tea. I'm hoping that helps me feel much better tomorrow. Normally it does.

I'm beginning to think that my IBS, and spastic colon are inflamed due to the amount of stress I have been under lately. It must be that, cause I really don't think I'm doing anything different with my food. Well, one thing is for sure, during this 100-day challenge I'm starting off cleaner than ever, so it may be a blessing in disguise. So for now, I'll just deal with the detoxing issues, and hope that the stomach gets free soon! I'll write more later.

Have a fabulous evening, and a terrific day tomorrow, and a blessed week!

Peace! - Debbie