This week’s blog

Well, I’ve been enjoying my new collection of raw books. I try to read a few pages in each one. Some of the books truly grab my attention with the information they have to offer. While others are just beautiful to look at, with all the fabulous and delicious looking recipes – I can’t wait to try them!

My son Brad and I did make it to the Recreation Center three times over the week. We went Monday, Wednesday, and then again on Friday. We had planned to go today, but were actually a little tired from staying up late last night. Each time we went we walked at least 1.25 miles around the track, lifted weights (resistance equipment), and also completed stretches. On Wednesday I took my first yoga class. It was yoga fitness – and it was hard. I was able to hang in there for the first half hour, but then had to stop. My back started to hurt, so that’s a sign I’m over doing it. However, I did go and do stretches, and walk a bit more around the track, since I couldn’t finish the class.

Not only did I work out with my son those three days, I also rode the recumbent bike at home on Tuesday and Thursday, and then again on Friday after we returned home from the Rec Center. That’s a lot for me too. I even went swimming for a bit yesterday. I had planned to go today, but I have been busy writing and researching. Who knows, maybe I’ll go later in the afternoon…we’ll see.

I finally got paid for the art job I did a couple of months ago – perfect timing too! I need it to pay for my son’s marching band camp and uniform this month. School is just around the corner again! Boy does time ever go so fast! Anyway, I used some of the money to purchase my new juicer. I decided on Jack LaLanne's JFPJ-B Power Juicer Juicing Machine. It’s great! Now I can start planning to do a “juice feast”…I hope. I’m still trying to psyche myself out to do it. I don’t know what’s really holding me back. I practically do nothing but drink my meals anyway on a daily basis.

I have to tell you, I’ve been a little discouraged this week. Even though I don’t feel or look like I have – I have gained back at least 5 of my lost pounds. I’m so bummed. I can’t help but think it’s caused from the few cheats I have succumbed to over the past couple of months. Even though I don’t cave-in regularly – I must do so enough to warrant the weight gain. I really need to watch myself. Then I think that maybe it’s from working out more lately or from hormones lately. Regardless, I need to watch myself. I also know I have been eating a few more raw bars than usual. I need to cut back on that too. That’s a lot of nuts and good fats...I may have to start my daily raw food journal again to keep better track of my eating behaviors.

I can’t wait for July 12th. I’m taking my first raw food preparation class. I have signed up for Kristine Suzanne’s raw chocolate class at Whole Foods. I know it’s going to be a blast! Plus Kristine is a very warm and personable individual. I can’t wait to meet her in person!

Although I’m not posting a smoothie recipe today, I am posting a very simple, colorful, and flavorful juice recipe that I made in my new juicer; and, I’m posting a yummy mocha dessert. So enjoy!

Orange, Carrot, Ginger Juice:

4-5 large oranges (peeled and cut)
3-4 medium carrots (tailed and leaves removed)
1 inch knob of fresh ginger

Place all ingredients in the juicer, and juice away! This juice is very colorful, and refreshing. Try it over ice, or in a smoothie, or at juicer temperature…it’s all good!

Cacao-Nut Cupcakes with Mocha-Coco Pudding Topping:

For cupcakes:
2 cups raw almonds
1 ½ cups pitted dates
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ - ½ cup organic dried coconut flakes
1 scoop raw cacao powder (approximately 2-3 T)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until combine. Press mixture into cupcake molds. Refrigerate up to one hour before serving with topping.

For pudding topping:
Flesh from 2 young Thai coconuts
2 scoops cacao powder (approximately 4-5 T)
1 scoop mesquite powder (approximately 2-3 T)
1 scoop lucuma powder (approximately 2-3 T)
3 T agave nectar
1 dropper chocolate flavored SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia
2 tsp organic coffee extract
1 T cold pressed coconut oil
dash organic ground cinnamon
¼ - ½ cup or more fresh Thai coconut water

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Mix well until silky smooth. Serve as pudding or topping on a raw cupcake, such as the Cacao-Nut Cupcake. Very yummo!

Well, that’s it for today. I’ll have to find some more time later in the week to tell you more about the books I’ve been reading.

Until next time! Peace!

- Debbie :)

Lots to blog about!

New sites to visit, with E-books to try
I recently discovered this great raw website, The Art of Raw Food and Healthy Living, ”Tried, Tasted, Served”. The site is very elegant, with beautiful photographs, and just packed with information. The site offers several informative E-books, recipes included. So, I chose to purchase “Chop to Impress”. This E-book is all about preparing gourmet style raw food, without using a dehydrator, or any other real fancy equipment. Just basic chopping skills and fresh produce, and spices is all you need. The recipes are incredible! I can’t wait to download the next E-book from this site.

My raw chocolate desires…
I’m not sure if I told you that I recently purchased the book Naked Chocolate: The Astonishing Truth About the World's Greatest Food Being the true choco-holic I am, anything centered around the word chocolate gets my attention!

I love the layout of this book. David and Shazzie have presented a very colorful, informative, and fun view of the history of “chocolate”, and all that it has to offer, both in health, wealth, and well-being. It’s the kind of book you can skip through various chapters if you want, and not get lost. However, I encourage you to read from beginning to end, so you don’t miss a thing. The book also offers some absolutely, out-of-site, tasty raw chocolate recipes you don’t want to miss! There’s nothing boring about this book in the least, and it delivers all the “chocolate” bliss you should expect!

Obviously this book has got me thinking, and dreaming about raw chocolate. I’ve really been craving it lately – but not just any chocolate. I’ve been craving “raw” chocolate (or raw cacao). I’m especially craving raw truffles. So, for the past couple of weeks I have been snacking on Uli Mani’s raw truffles. They are so delicious – I mean really good! You can either buy them online, which is what I originally did months ago. Or, you can buy them at Whole Foods Market. There are several different types to choose from, and all of them are great. My favorite is the Goji Berry truffles, and the Hemp truffles. But, now I’m not so sure, since I tried a new and exciting Mayan truffle – very hot and spicy – but oh so chocolatey!

Since I’ve been on this kick, I have been searching on my own for the perfect raw chocolate truffle recipe, in order to create my own. There are many delicious versions out there, and all are simple to make. So, as I always do, I studied all the varieties, and I’m creating my own as we speak. I’ll let you know how it comes out.

More books to read…
As you may be aware, I have been buying a lot of “raw” books lately. There are so many good ones to choose from, that I have started collecting them. Well, I’m kind of reading about four books at one time. Besides book Naked Chocolate: The Astonishing Truth About the World's Greatest Food, I also purchased Eating For Beauty

I love reading anything that David Wolfe produces, and this book is no exception. The layout and format of David’s works are always pleasing, and interesting. In this book, there are plenty of beautiful pictures, and informative explanations of the various methods of beautifying one’s self through fresh raw foods. There is no doubt that raw food is the ticket to bother inner and outer beauty. It doesn’t take that long to discover this when first transitioning to raw foods from the S.A.D. way of life – and David’s book definitely shows you how. I’ve just begun reading, but there’s no chance for disappointment with this read.

In between reading the two David Wolf books, and Raw Food Life Force Energy: Enter a Totally New Stratosphere of Weight Loss, Beauty, and Health, I’m also reading another new one that I just can’t put down, 12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Dependency on Cooked Food.

If you truly want good reading that hits home, and inspires you to make the change from S.A.D. to raw – this is the book to read. Victoria Boutenko’s writing is fantastic. It’s been hard to put this book down. I truly could relate to so much of what she writes about when it came to her family’s experience and the reason for their transition and transformation. Plus she presents great life examples that truly make you think about what it is we are doing to our bodies – it’s incredible!

I want to provide you with some type of summary review, but I’m not ready yet to share my notes. It’s the kind of book, that after you get through all the reading, you want to go back and read it again, just to make serious notes about the information you read, and the steps that you need to take for your own transition and transformation. There’s definitely more for me to write on this one. I’ll get back to you. In the meantime, if you can’t wait for me, then please do, pick up a copy of this book. You won’t be sorry you did!

Plans to take Yoga at the Rec Center
Now that my son Brad had his cast removed from his arm, we have decided to start going to the local Recreation Center three times a week to exercise and take a yoga class. I’m happy to say that the Rec Center is actually offering two types of yoga, once being Kundalini Yoga, which is supposed to be very good for people who suffer with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, like my son and I do. I’m hoping that by going to the Rec Center regularly, the two of us with both get into tip-top shape, and I’m hoping that my son will incorporate more of a raw-food lifestyle too. He already enjoys green and fruit smoothies with me, just as his dad does. I’m just hoping to move him over to a higher percentage of raw. He’s already 14 ½ years old – so healthy living is even more important to help him transition to a healthy adult! And it’s great for me, and he makes good company too. Tomorrow will be our official first time going. Just so you know, I already ride the recumbant bike at home three times a week for at least 20 minutes at full speed. I also do various back and leg exercises, and occasionally some weights. But I could definitely use a lot more “breathing” type exercises, and toning too. This will be a good thing for sure!

Great way to keep your produce fresh!
Have you tried the green produce bags? They really work! The first time I heard about these great bags was from one of the associates at Whole Foods. These bags can save you $$$ on most of your fresh raw produce for up to two weeks or more. At least that’s my experience with them. It’s the greatest invention. Especially if you have to travel far for fresh, organic, raw produce like I do. There are two brands that I know of, which price wise and quality wise seem about the same, Debbie Meyer Green Bags, and Evert-Fresh Green Bags. I’ve used both.

Natural Desert Gels
I have suffered from chronic back problems for many years. Part of my healing is finding other methods of “pain management”, besides taking pain pills. Next to raw foods, massage, exercise and chiropractic methods, I also use a great natural pain relieving gel, produced by Sonoran Desert Lotions - called Natural Muscle Relief. This stuff really works too! I know the manufacturer of this product personally, and I was one of the first people to ever test this product during it’s creation, and I can honestly say it has made all the difference in my back health! And the wonderful thing about these Natural Desert Gels is they are all chemical, Paraben, dye and fragrance free – meaning they are all natural! If you are interested, check out their website at http://www.sonoranbotanicalsllc.com/.

SweetLeaf Sweetener’s, Jim May on local TV
SweetLeaf Sweetener, owner and creator, Jim May was recently on the local NBC network television program, Sonoran Living to talk about the new GRAS approved SweetLeaf Sweetener. The only sweetener made with stevia, a naturally sweet plant that is 30 times sweeter than sugar, calorie-free, zero glycemic index, carb-free, and all-natural, making it the perfect alternative for diabetics, and individuals looking for a healthier sugar substitute. To see the interview, and learn more about this product, visit this Sonoran Living.

Smoothie recipes
Yes, I created a few more yummy smoothies to share. Enjoy!

So Cold and Refresh-een!:
1 ½ cups sliced frozen organic peaches (peeled and stoned)
1 ½ cups sliced frozen organic mango (peeled and stoned)
1 ½ cups dark frozen organic cherries (stemmed and seeded)
2 small bananas (peeled)
1 T hemp seed
1 scoop raw protein
1 scoop Green SuperFood powder
2 cups almond nut mylk (or any other nut mylk desired)
2 handfuls spinach
1/3 cucumber (peeled and cut)
3-4 sprigs mint (chopped fine)
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
plenty of purified ice cubes, and enough purified water to cover.

Place all ingredients in the blender and puree until very smooth and cold. Serves about 2-4 full cold and fresh glasses of green smoothie!



Veggie-Stone Smoothie:
2 celery stalks (cut)
1 handful parsley
1 handful spinach
1 scoop Green SuperFood powder
1 scoop raw protein
1 T raw honey
2 small bananas (peeled)
2 nectarines (stoned and cut)
2 peaches (stoned and cut)
2 cups dark cherries (stemmed and pitted)
½ cup frozen organic mango chunks
8-10 purified ice cubes, and enough purified water to cover

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and puree and mix on high until very smooth and cold. Makes about 4 full glasses.


I also made some other goodies too.


Well, that’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed my blog. Until next time!

Peace!
- Debbie

Enjoying raw food and raw "reads"

Well, this week has been "raw bliss" for me. I have truly enjoyed making all kinds of yummy raw meals, from shakes to smoothies, salads to pates, deserts and crackers, to just eating a piece of raw fruit, or chomping on a nice ripe veggie. It's been a terrific week for this! I have had full support from my family, friends and co-workers as it relates to my raw food needs, that it's made it all the more enjoyable!

I do plan to share quite a few recipes with you today, but before I get started I wanted to tell you a little bit about the book I'm reading, and the great things I'm learning from it. As you may recall I am currently reading Natalia Rose's book "Raw Food Life Force Energy".



So far, the objective of this book is to educate individuals on the purpose, importance, benefits, and dynamics of the Life Force Energy that is inside all of us, and how to make it thrive. A lot of the information I have read before, but obviously have overlooked, or have forgotten over the years. Now that I truly am living my commitment to a more raw food lifestyle, I seem to be more drawn and observant to all this wonderful information. I'm a better sponge now!

Anyway, Natalia writes about the importance of cleansing the digestive tract, as well as your entire body through various methods, such as detoxification, skin brushing, colonics, and of course proper diet (not a diet, as in a temporary thing - but a change in the way you think and eat your food, and what you eat). She writes about how eating food containing "Life Force Energy" not only helps to feed your own personal Life Force Energy, but it also helps to push out the buildup within you that drains your "Life Force Energy".

Natalia clearly states, "Life Force Energy is what does the work of healing and beautifying." Obviously, foods that are high in "Life Force Energy" would be "Raw" and organic fresh foods. She writes about the different levels of Life Force Energy that different food types fall under. Everything from fresh veggies and fruits, to nuts and seeds, and even fleshy foods such as meat and fish.

The principal that Natalia also refers to that I totally agree with is, that "...we attract the same energetic pattern as that which we vibrate." In other words, if we are energetic, healthy, clean inside and out, we are going to attract the same types of beings, making us more successful, happy, healthy people. However, if we are filled with low energy, and putrefied buildup, we will feel unhealthy, unhappy, complaining, and therefore attract those negative energies to us (without even meaning to). So it's really important to keep a lot of positive energy flowing at all times!

Natalia covers a great deal in her book about body cleansing. "The root of most illness is stagnation of the body's pathways and impaction of waste matter in its cells and tissues." I totally agree with that statement. It was because of this internal impaction of waste inside my digestive tract and in my cells that caused me to finally take control of my life and start working on changing my food habits. I still have a long way to go, but I can honestly tell you that I am 100 times healthier and happier than I was before August 2007. Turning to a raw food lifestyle has truly changed my life. Through this journey I have truly started seeing myself from the inside and out, and now I'm truly on the path of successful healthy healing!

I obviously have a lot more to read, but so far I am truly into this book. I really think that you should pick up a copy of this book for yourself and read it (if you haven't already). It's great!

Now on to the recipes I promised. I want you to know that many of the recipes I share with you, although somewhat original, for the most part they have all been inspired by other great raw foodies - probably like yourself, that share their recipes on all the marvelous raw food websites, like http://www.goneraw.com/, or on personal blogs. Thank you for sharing! Now for the food...

This smoothie was so nice and refreshing, and simple to make. I could have this again and again...

Peaches and cream banana smoothie:3 peaches, seeded and chopped 2 small bananas, peeled and chopped handful of fresh cherries, pitted 1 T raw honey 2 tsp. Psyllium Husk enough Almond Nut Mylk to cover ingredients in the blender 4-6 ice cubes blend well and serve. Makes 1-2 tall glasses, that’s satisfying and delicious.

I was craving a combination of spring rolls, and raw fish, so I decided to create my idea of a raw spicy fish roll or wrap (you decide). I have to tell you, this was a very big hit at work the other day. Only one lady objected to it, because of the seaweed. Everything was so impressed by the flavors. One lady ate four wraps - she thought it was so good! I find it refreshing to serve the wraps with avocado, and a handful of corn chips to scoop up the wrap stragglers.

Spicy Asian Fish Wraps:

1 med carrot, finely chopped1/3 cucumber, peeled and finely chopped½ red bell pepper, seeded, and finely-chopped big handful of parsley, finely chopped (you can use cilantro too, with a little lemon juice)corn from 1 raw corn cob1-2 handfuls of micro herbs with dandelion and arugula (or any other type of herb greens)handful of herb flax-chia crackers, finely crumbled (or any other type of seed grounded fine)equal parts of Nama Shoyu and Bragg’s Amino Acids (enough to marinade with)a splash or two of rice wine vinegar several drizzles of Avage nectar (or 1 or 2 packets of Stevia)dash or two of garlic powder, cayenne pepper, sea salt, shake or two of Dulse powder, and red pepper flakes1 cup of Wakame, and kelp flakes soaked well and drained4-6 leaves or more of romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce (you can substitute with any other big green leaf) Mix carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, parsley, and corn together, add the Nama Shoyu, Bragg’s, rice wine vinegar, and agave, garlic powder, sea salt, Dulse powder, cayenne, and pepper flakes. Mix well. Add the soaked Wakame and kelp, as well as the crumbled flax-chia crackers. Mix well again. Add the micro herbs and toss lightly. Serve on lettuce leaves, rolled up tight like an “egg roll” or “spring roll”. Serve with Nama Shoyu, or chili sauce for a spicier flair. Makes about 4-6 rolls.


Now that the summer is upon us, I've been craving ice cream like crazy. So, I decided to make my favorite vanilla ice cream from a recipe that I got from Heidi and Justin Ohlander, and a chocolate ice cream made with bananas (recipe to follow). And of course, you always need a topping, so I made a delicious and easy raspberry sauce (see below).

Raw Chocolate Banana Ice Cream:

3 frozen peeled bananas
2 scoops (about 3-4 T) raw cacao powder
2 T Agave nectar
2 tsp. vanilla
3-4 drops chocolate flavored SweetLeaf liquid Stevia

Place in food processor and blend well. Freeze for 1-2 hours. Remix in food processor, place back into container and freeze.

Raspberry Sauce:

1 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1/4 cup soaked dates
2 squirts of Agave nectar

Place in food processor and blend well. Store in a squeeze bottle container in the fridge. Drizzle sauce over ice cream, salad, or your favorite fruit. Great flavor!


If you've been reading my blogs lately, you know that I recently purchased a bunch of exotic fruits to try. One of them being the Star Fruit. Well, I searched for recipes using the Star fruit, and only found one on http://www.goneraw.com/. However, I thought it was a little plain, so I jazzed it up just a bit - and it came out super yummy! My son, and husband loved it too! Here's the recipe:

Shooting Star Smoothie:

1 Star Fruit (slice a piece or two to garnish with)
1 peeled and seeded pear
1 peeled and seeded apple
1 small ripe banana
3/4-1 cup almond nut mylk
4-6 purified ice cubes
a little water (if needed)

Place all ingredients (except garnish) in a blender. Puree on high. Mix well, and serve in your favorite glasses. Garnish with extra slices of Star fruit. Makes about 2-4 servings. This is a very refreshing and filling drink. Enjoy!


Oh another smoothie that I recently had was just a simple and refreshing shake-like concoction. I call it the Coconut-Goji Berry shake. Here's the recipe.

Coconut-Goji Berry Shake:

Meat and milk of 1 fresh young Thai Coconut
1 cup fresh strawberries
2 T Agave nectar
1/4 cup Goji berries
4-6 cubes of purified ice

Place all ingredients in the blender, and puree until well blended. Makes about 2-4 delicious and energizing shakes!

For my final recipe for this blog entry, I decided to share the absolutely fabulous mock crab pate recipe that I modified slightly from the original made by Alissa Cohen, that I found (once again) on http://www.goneraw.com/. It's really great! I shared some with the ladies at work, and they loved it. Even the one that didn't care for seaweed. Give it try!

Raw Mock Crab Pate:
(adopted from Alissa Cohen's recipe)

1 cup ground almonds
1 cup ground cashews
2 stalks celery
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped parsley (fresh)
1 T dried dill
2 tsp Bragg's Amino Acids
1 tsp Kelp granules
1 tsp Dulse granules
1/4 cup fresh lemon
dash or two of Cayenne pepper
dash sea salt

Place ingredients in a food processor and mix very well (about 2-4 minutes). Serve as a raw pate, or make patties and dehydrate them to make yummy mock "crab" cakes. I prefer it as a flavorful raw pate, served on top of Romaine lettuce leaves, with a few drops of Chili sauce - Yummo! Oh, and it tastes great on flax-chia crackers too!


One last dish to talk about. Tonight for dinner I had the most amazing Strawberry Salad, with Mango Sauce. I found the recipe on http://www.goneraw.com/. Try it sometime. It's simple and very delicious!

Well that's it for me - for now. Hope you enjoyed this blog. Feel free to comment or drop me a line. Until next time, have a fabulous weekend!

- Debbie :)