Sunday 17 June 2007

My Thoughts One Month In...

It seems I've developed a *sensitive gut, which is really ironic, considering the 'traffic' in there before. Now that I'm eating a "high-raw" diet, (adding steamed food at dinner only), if I stray at all from my current 'routine', my body lets me know I've put a wrench in the spokes. I've had a couple occurrences of this in this past week, and I consider them lessons learned.

I enjoyed an afternoon coffee with my neighbour, and while it was wonderful at the time, it left me with a case of...wait for it...wait for it....diarrhea... and even though this was at 2 pm, a sleepless night to boot. So I think adding a second cup in the day is not a good idea for me. Gee, ya think?

And I have a question: when you dehydrate your food, are most of the recipes nut-based? It seems that way when I look through raw 'un'-cook books. The reason I'm asking is that after eating a dehydrated 'bun', I got a decent case of indigestion. I've never had sensitivities to nuts and seeds before, but I never really ate much of them, either. It made me question whether or not to get a dehydrator, like I've been thinking I really want. I recently read that it's best to just keep it simple...'peel-a-banana-eat-a-salad-add-some-flax' simple. So I need more information there before throwing a wad of cash in that direction.

Yesterday, I found a spiral slicer, a mini version of the saladaco. I was eager to create a 'zughetti', as this has become my favorite meal, *but I need more practice time with this little thing...adjust the blades or something... because it almost juiced my zucchini and the 'noodles' were so angel-hair that they were a soggy and tangled ball of mush. Um... yum? NOT.

Overall and other than that.....

...I've felt very well. I feel emotionally calm and balanced. Eating this way gives me such a steady energy that keeps me going right up until bedtime, which is now anywhere between 9:30 and midnight. I get up anywhere between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

I used to go to bed reluctantly around 2 or 3 a.m. and have patchy sleep and feel lousy until noon.

And when I look back at my life before, my cravings were constant and uncontrollable. I was craving everything...sweets, junk foods, beer, pot, packaged "convenience" foods, smoked meats, steaks, chips, cake...you name it...always wanting more of everything...and having it never be enough. Feeling so bloated, asthmatic, suffering joint pain, headaches, high blood pressure, having skin breakouts, being moody and depressed, hopeless, and miserable to be around. (I'm starting to sound like that old joke about the dog named Lucky...)

I really wonder, when I read that, what on earth was so hard to let go of? All I thought about was how crappy I felt, and all I wanted was to feel good. I spent months trying to visualize and remember how I was before: health-conscious and aware, and taking good care of myself, staying away from chemicals in my life, from laundry soap to not wearing nail polish, to eating only organic produce, eating mostly raw.

But for some reason I was hangin' on the gate for 5 months there. I'm so glad I finally took the first steps...now I'm off and running. Having a sensitive gut is a small price to pay to feel so much better in every area. It might even be a temporary thing of transition. That would be nice!

Meantime, onward!

*UPDATE: The sensitive gut was transitional; just part of being new at eating high-raw*

*UPDATE: The spiral slicer works fine. It was me. UPDATED AGAIN: No, it was the spiral slicer! Check out the one I shoulda had all along...

My Thoughts One Month In...

It seems I've developed a *sensitive gut, which is really ironic, considering the 'traffic' in there before. Now that I'm eating a "high-raw" diet, (adding steamed food at dinner only), if I stray at all from my current 'routine', my body lets me know I've put a wrench in the spokes. I've had a couple occurrences of this in this past week, and I consider them lessons learned.

I enjoyed an afternoon coffee with my neighbour, and while it was wonderful at the time, it left me with a case of...wait for it...wait for it....diarrhea... and even though this was at 2 pm, a sleepless night to boot. So I think adding a second cup in the day is not a good idea for me. Gee, ya think?

And I have a question: when you dehydrate your food, are most of the recipes nut-based? It seems that way when I look through raw 'un'-cook books. The reason I'm asking is that after eating a dehydrated 'bun', I got a decent case of indigestion. I've never had sensitivities to nuts and seeds before, but I never really ate much of them, either. It made me question whether or not to get a dehydrator, like I've been thinking I really want. I recently read that it's best to just keep it simple...'peel-a-banana-eat-a-salad-add-some-flax' simple. So I need more information there before throwing a wad of cash in that direction.

Yesterday, I found a spiral slicer, a mini version of the saladaco. I was eager to create a 'zughetti', as this has become my favorite meal, *but I need more practice time with this little thing...adjust the blades or something... because it almost juiced my zucchini and the 'noodles' were so angel-hair that they were a soggy and tangled ball of mush. Um... yum? NOT.

Overall and other than that.....

...I've felt very well. I feel emotionally calm and balanced. Eating this way gives me such a steady energy that keeps me going right up until bedtime, which is now anywhere between 9:30 and midnight. I get up anywhere between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

I used to go to bed reluctantly around 2 or 3 a.m. and have patchy sleep and feel lousy until noon.

And when I look back at my life before, my cravings were constant and uncontrollable. I was craving everything...sweets, junk foods, beer, pot, packaged "convenience" foods, smoked meats, steaks, chips, cake...you name it...always wanting more of everything...and having it never be enough. Feeling so bloated, asthmatic, suffering joint pain, headaches, high blood pressure, having skin breakouts, being moody and depressed, hopeless, and miserable to be around. (I'm starting to sound like that old joke about the dog named Lucky...)

I really wonder, when I read that, what on earth was so hard to let go of? All I thought about was how crappy I felt, and all I wanted was to feel good. I spent months trying to visualize and remember how I was before: health-conscious and aware, and taking good care of myself, staying away from chemicals in my life, from laundry soap to not wearing nail polish, to eating only organic produce, eating mostly raw.

But for some reason I was hangin' on the gate for 5 months there. I'm so glad I finally took the first steps...now I'm off and running. Having a sensitive gut is a small price to pay to feel so much better in every area. It might even be a temporary thing of transition. That would be nice!

Meantime, onward!

*UPDATE: The sensitive gut was transitional; just part of being new at eating high-raw*

*UPDATE: The spiral slicer works fine. It was me. UPDATED AGAIN: No, it was the spiral slicer! Check out the one I shoulda had all along...

Monday 11 June 2007

Another week of Yum

I enjoyed a little shopping trip to The Kitchen Corner, in Kitsilano (1955 West 4th )this week. Oddly, later the same day, I spotted a second location on the Drive! (1684 Commercial) I fell in love with this crazy kitchen place! 2 floors of narrow, overcrowded aisles, stock piled floor-to-ceiling, thousands of things.

I bought a little gem, (pictured) this apple corer/slicer for under $3 and when I got it home I was like a kid, making 'flowers' out of all my apples! This thing delights my inner rawker! And it'll make my green juice and smoothies so much more efficient. (that's the adult in me.) I also picked up a lime green salad bowl that looks so summery with salad in it, it makes me happy, too.

I've become used to noting down what I've eaten during the day...I know it is obsessive as hell, but I admit, as I manoeuvre my way through the beginnings of eating raw --yes, I've done it before, but I'm diving in deeper this time--I am learning a lot and it's far less confusing for this old fart. It also helps me keep track of my new routine, which I am loving. (And loving it is everything, isn't it?!)

My mood has been calm, and my energy lasts all day and into evening.
I've enjoyed a couple meals out this week, and made it work at the time. . . though my skin went through a rough patch, literally.
After Wed's meal out, within the hour I developed a raised, sort of itchy, tender spot on my face, and my cheeks were extremely red. You can imagine my pride at the little art opening I was attending. Ah, very funny. In any case, it cleared after a few days. I've been reading a lot about how our bodies pass things as we detox, and I chalk this up to that.
On another note, my neighbour Janice did say, "Hey! Lookin' skinny there..." when I was out in the backyard...so something's happening!
So... here's this past week's food entries... with last week's caveat:
Please note: This week of food is not my recommendation to you, it is merely a record of my own eating last week.
Add to this week's menu the fact that I drink water throughout the day. *Lemon water gets the stomach ready for the day's digestion - just squeeze the juice of 1/4 lemon into room-temperature water...the rest of my water intake isn't at all fancy, lol.
I also enjoy my cup of coffee every morning, right after my lemon water. Ain't giving that up any time soon. :)
At the end of this post, there are links to some of the more mysterious foods :)

Oh and want to add: I know what this looks like! This looks like I'm eating like a dang rabbit, but trust me, I eat when I'm hungry, and l feel RAWKIN'! Nutrient-density is where it's at, Baby!
...without further ado...
Monday, June 04, 2007

  • Lemon water
  • coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, spinach, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit salad with kiwi, nectarine, strawberry, and grapefruit

Afternoon:
  • Spinach salad with carrot, orange pepper, tomato with Bragg’s vinaigrette
  • Plate of cauliflower, carrot, orange pepper, with hummus (didn’t match, nice try)
Evening:
  • Steamed lemon-dill salmon with steamed red cabbage, hot red pepper, and yam
Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit smoothie with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and salba
Afternoon:
  • Greek salad at Bert’s Restaurant
Evening:
  • Steamed halibut and steamed spinach
  • Raw curried cauliflower dish
  • Red pepper and cucumber
  • 2 slices sprouted grain sesame bread with maca spread -oooh maca spread
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit smoothie with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and salba

Afternoon:
  • Veggie stew at Dessert’s Vegetarian restaurant
Evening:
  • Giant salad with romaine, tomatoes, cukes, shredded carrot, shredded beet, garlic oil and apple cider vinegar dressing
Thursday, June 07, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:

Evening:
  • Steamed salmon with steamed green pepper, carnival squash, red chard, spinach, carrots
  • Salad with romaine, carrots, celery, tomato, and cuke with garlic o&acv dressing
  • Square (ok 3 big rows!) of 70% dark G&B chocolate

Friday, June 8, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:

  • Fruit smoothie, with green apple, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi
  • Bit of leftover curried cauliflower dish
  • 2 chard wraps with beets, tomato, almond butter, broccoli sprouts, pea shoots

Evening:
  • sole, with steamed red pepper, and broccoli
Saturday, June 9, 2007

Morning:

  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • banana
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:
  • Chopped veggie salad with celery, dandelion greens, yellow pepper, pea shoots, broccoli sprouts, etc
Evening:
  • Steamed chicken, with steamed carnival and butternut squash
Sunday, June 10, 2007

Morning:

  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • banana
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit smoothie with bananas, strawberries, blueberries, plum and salba
Afternoon:

  • 2 marinated chard wraps with orange pepper, tomato, pea shoots, avocado, and spinach
  • homemade miso
  • large spinach salad, with orange pepper, cuke, tomato, garlic o&acv
Evening:
  • Wasn’t hungry, felt ok about that, and went to bed
I do my oil pulling between my lemon water and my Green Lemonade, and if I have coffee, I do that after lemon water, and before oil pulling. (still with me?) Lemon water's always first.
I leave a good hour or more after Green Lemonade before eating any fruit, including smoothies.
*Some of these Mystery Ingredients explained:
Green Lemonade
maca? ...what the *#!% is maca? ...Damn hippies...
Raw Glow soup
dandelion greens
flax seeds
sprouted grain tortilla
hummus
eggplant dish
Blended Spinach Apple soup
salba
dulse
Green & Black's
apple cider vinegar
hemp oil
tabbouleh
oil pulling

Another week of Yum

I enjoyed a little shopping trip to The Kitchen Corner, in Kitsilano (1955 West 4th )this week. Oddly, later the same day, I spotted a second location on the Drive! (1684 Commercial) I fell in love with this crazy kitchen place! 2 floors of narrow, overcrowded aisles, stock piled floor-to-ceiling, thousands of things.

I bought a little gem, (pictured) this apple corer/slicer for under $3 and when I got it home I was like a kid, making 'flowers' out of all my apples! This thing delights my inner rawker! And it'll make my green juice and smoothies so much more efficient. (that's the adult in me.) I also picked up a lime green salad bowl that looks so summery with salad in it, it makes me happy, too.

I've become used to noting down what I've eaten during the day...I know it is obsessive as hell, but I admit, as I manoeuvre my way through the beginnings of eating raw --yes, I've done it before, but I'm diving in deeper this time--I am learning a lot and it's far less confusing for this old fart. It also helps me keep track of my new routine, which I am loving. (And loving it is everything, isn't it?!)

My mood has been calm, and my energy lasts all day and into evening.
I've enjoyed a couple meals out this week, and made it work at the time. . . though my skin went through a rough patch, literally.
After Wed's meal out, within the hour I developed a raised, sort of itchy, tender spot on my face, and my cheeks were extremely red. You can imagine my pride at the little art opening I was attending. Ah, very funny. In any case, it cleared after a few days. I've been reading a lot about how our bodies pass things as we detox, and I chalk this up to that.
On another note, my neighbour Janice did say, "Hey! Lookin' skinny there..." when I was out in the backyard...so something's happening!
So... here's this past week's food entries... with last week's caveat:
Please note: This week of food is not my recommendation to you, it is merely a record of my own eating last week.
Add to this week's menu the fact that I drink water throughout the day. *Lemon water gets the stomach ready for the day's digestion - just squeeze the juice of 1/4 lemon into room-temperature water...the rest of my water intake isn't at all fancy, lol.
I also enjoy my cup of coffee every morning, right after my lemon water. Ain't giving that up any time soon. :)
At the end of this post, there are links to some of the more mysterious foods :)

Oh and want to add: I know what this looks like! This looks like I'm eating like a dang rabbit, but trust me, I eat when I'm hungry, and l feel RAWKIN'! Nutrient-density is where it's at, Baby!
...without further ado...
Monday, June 04, 2007

  • Lemon water
  • coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, spinach, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit salad with kiwi, nectarine, strawberry, and grapefruit

Afternoon:
  • Spinach salad with carrot, orange pepper, tomato with Bragg’s vinaigrette
  • Plate of cauliflower, carrot, orange pepper, with hummus (didn’t match, nice try)
Evening:
  • Steamed lemon-dill salmon with steamed red cabbage, hot red pepper, and yam
Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit smoothie with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and salba
Afternoon:
  • Greek salad at Bert’s Restaurant
Evening:
  • Steamed halibut and steamed spinach
  • Raw curried cauliflower dish
  • Red pepper and cucumber
  • 2 slices sprouted grain sesame bread with maca spread -oooh maca spread
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit smoothie with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and salba

Afternoon:
  • Veggie stew at Dessert’s Vegetarian restaurant
Evening:
  • Giant salad with romaine, tomatoes, cukes, shredded carrot, shredded beet, garlic oil and apple cider vinegar dressing
Thursday, June 07, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:

Evening:
  • Steamed salmon with steamed green pepper, carnival squash, red chard, spinach, carrots
  • Salad with romaine, carrots, celery, tomato, and cuke with garlic o&acv dressing
  • Square (ok 3 big rows!) of 70% dark G&B chocolate

Friday, June 8, 2007

Morning:
  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:

  • Fruit smoothie, with green apple, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi
  • Bit of leftover curried cauliflower dish
  • 2 chard wraps with beets, tomato, almond butter, broccoli sprouts, pea shoots

Evening:
  • sole, with steamed red pepper, and broccoli
Saturday, June 9, 2007

Morning:

  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • banana
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:
  • Chopped veggie salad with celery, dandelion greens, yellow pepper, pea shoots, broccoli sprouts, etc
Evening:
  • Steamed chicken, with steamed carnival and butternut squash
Sunday, June 10, 2007

Morning:

  • Lemon water
  • Coffee
  • banana
  • Green Lemonade with romaine, kale, lemon, apples, and maca
  • Fruit smoothie with bananas, strawberries, blueberries, plum and salba
Afternoon:

  • 2 marinated chard wraps with orange pepper, tomato, pea shoots, avocado, and spinach
  • homemade miso
  • large spinach salad, with orange pepper, cuke, tomato, garlic o&acv
Evening:
  • Wasn’t hungry, felt ok about that, and went to bed
I do my oil pulling between my lemon water and my Green Lemonade, and if I have coffee, I do that after lemon water, and before oil pulling. (still with me?) Lemon water's always first.
I leave a good hour or more after Green Lemonade before eating any fruit, including smoothies.
*Some of these Mystery Ingredients explained:
Green Lemonade
maca? ...what the *#!% is maca? ...Damn hippies...
Raw Glow soup
dandelion greens
flax seeds
sprouted grain tortilla
hummus
eggplant dish
Blended Spinach Apple soup
salba
dulse
Green & Black's
apple cider vinegar
hemp oil
tabbouleh
oil pulling

Friday 8 June 2007

Before Pic and 1 Month Raw Pic



See all photo updates here
My "before" pic is SO MISERABLE, it would be embarrassing if I wasn't changing so fast!


In my "before" world, I was drinking too much beer, and I was thoroughly depressed, and as you can see by my eyes, I was joyless. My skin was coarse, saggy, and inflamed, age-spotted and blemished.

My "1 Month Raw" pic is SO HOPEFUL, and speaks loudly of how a lifestyle change changes everything! My skin is clear and firm and my age-spot, which is associated with an over-burdened liver, has faded to nothing, as have any blemishes. My inner "1 Month Raw" world is filled with joy, discovery, hope, and bright eyes.


Tune in for photo updates. Don't you think these speak for themselves?


All the money in the world couldn't get me to take a backward step now. I feel so great about my life decision! The camera doesn't lie, it tells the radical truth.


Before Pic and 1 Month Raw Pic



See all photo updates here
My "before" pic is SO MISERABLE, it would be embarrassing if I wasn't changing so fast!


In my "before" world, I was drinking too much beer, and I was thoroughly depressed, and as you can see by my eyes, I was joyless. My skin was coarse, saggy, and inflamed, age-spotted and blemished.

My "1 Month Raw" pic is SO HOPEFUL, and speaks loudly of how a lifestyle change changes everything! My skin is clear and firm and my age-spot, which is associated with an over-burdened liver, has faded to nothing, as have any blemishes. My inner "1 Month Raw" world is filled with joy, discovery, hope, and bright eyes.


Tune in for photo updates. Don't you think these speak for themselves?


All the money in the world couldn't get me to take a backward step now. I feel so great about my life decision! The camera doesn't lie, it tells the radical truth.


Well Yeeeehaaaaa!

I had a powerful awakening yesterday! My raw world opened up! I went to Eternal Abundance, (1025 Commercial Drive, @ Napier) an organic grocer with The Truffle Cafe at the back, featuring some wonderful raw dishes. I'd heard of it, but this was my first experience there. Not only was the produce excellent and far, far cheaper than where I've been shopping, but...

...I ate zucghetti!!

It was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! It is raw 'spaghetti' made with spiralized zucchini and for sauce, some wonderful dehydrated sesame concoction. I know I'm not selling it here with this description, but trust me it was HEAVEN! It tasted just like spaghetti sauce would! Yes, it was served cold, but this did not detract from the dish at all. I was so excited that I phoned my partner to tell him how great it was, and I'd try to save him some if I could control myself...(I couldn't, we'll have to get more...heheh)

Like anyone researching raw foods, I'd read people exclaim this or that to be delicious, but honestly...I had thought it might be anywhere from a reasonable facsimile to an acquired taste, based on a 'clean' vegan palette, but this far exceeded my expectations of what a raw version of a cooked dish would be like. I got so excited because eating it and having this realization really, really made this raw lifestyle completely viable long term. It's really not all about salads! It opened up the possibilities of a whole other world of delicious foods. Now I *really* want a dehydrator!!!

Well Yeeeehaaaaa!

I had a powerful awakening yesterday! My raw world opened up! I went to Eternal Abundance, (1025 Commercial Drive, @ Napier) an organic grocer with The Truffle Cafe at the back, featuring some wonderful raw dishes. I'd heard of it, but this was my first experience there. Not only was the produce excellent and far, far cheaper than where I've been shopping, but...

...I ate zucghetti!!

It was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! It is raw 'spaghetti' made with spiralized zucchini and for sauce, some wonderful dehydrated sesame concoction. I know I'm not selling it here with this description, but trust me it was HEAVEN! It tasted just like spaghetti sauce would! Yes, it was served cold, but this did not detract from the dish at all. I was so excited that I phoned my partner to tell him how great it was, and I'd try to save him some if I could control myself...(I couldn't, we'll have to get more...heheh)

Like anyone researching raw foods, I'd read people exclaim this or that to be delicious, but honestly...I had thought it might be anywhere from a reasonable facsimile to an acquired taste, based on a 'clean' vegan palette, but this far exceeded my expectations of what a raw version of a cooked dish would be like. I got so excited because eating it and having this realization really, really made this raw lifestyle completely viable long term. It's really not all about salads! It opened up the possibilities of a whole other world of delicious foods. Now I *really* want a dehydrator!!!

Monday 4 June 2007

One Week of Food

For over 3 weeks, my partner and I have been investing in ourselves. Instead of beer and other party favors, we made a strong decision to give ourselves a shakeup, and put that money entirely on taking the best care of ourselves we possibly could. Better a shakeup than a wake up.

*Please note: This week of food is not my recommendation to you, it is merely a record of my own eating last week.

Add to this week's menu the fact that I drink water throughout the day. *Lemon water gets the stomach ready for the day's digestion - just squeeze the juice of 1/4 lemon into room-temperature water...the rest of my water intake isn't at all fancy, lol. I also enjoy my cup of coffee every morning, right after my lemon water. Ain't giving that up any time soon. :)

At the end of this post, there are links to some of the more mysterious foods :)


Monday, May 28, 2007

Morning:
· *Lemon water
· Green Lemonade (with romaine, kale, parsley, apple, lemon and maca)
· Fruit smoothie (banana, apricot, strawberries, and blueberries)

Afternoon:
· Blended Raw Glow soup with dandelion greens, parsley, romaine, apple, lemon, ginger, avocado, and flax seeds
· Sprouted grain tortilla with homemade hummus
· Chard wrap (marinated in sea salt and lemon, wrapping hummus, red pepper and cucumber)

Evening:
· Dinner Eggplant Paprikash with hummus
· Coffee, distilled water


Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Morning:
· Lemon water
· Green juice with romaine, kale, dandelion greens, parsley, apple, lemon, maca
· Fruit smoothie (banana, peach, apricot, blueberries, strawberries)
· Coffee, distilled water

Afternoon:
· Spinach Apple soup sprinkled with salba and dulse
· Collard wrap (marinated in sea salt and lemon, wrapping green pepper, almond butter, and cucumber)
· Grated carrot and beet salad with lemon

Late Afternoon:
· a honeydew melon

Evening:
· Spinach salad with carrots, red cabbage, green pepper
· Steamed sole and onions and yams


Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Morning:

· Lemon water
· Green juice, with romaine, kale, apples, lemon, and maca
· Coffee, distilled water
· Fruit smoothie, with pineapple, banana, kiwi, strawberries, and flax

Afternoon:
· Salad with romaine, dandelion greens, parsley, tomato, cucumber, green pepper

Evening:
· Chicken in carrot-ginger curry
· Steamed baby broccoli, zucchini, and onions
· Dessert small Green & Black's 70% Dark Chocolate

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Morning:
· Lemon water
· Coffee
· Green juice, with romaine, dandelion greens, celery, apple, lemon, and maca
· ½ a cantaloupe

Afternoon:
· Fruit smoothie, with apple, kiwi, banana, strawberries, blueberries
· Small handful of raw pumpkin seeds (blech! got a rancid one, am so done with these!)

Evening:
· Salad with romaine, beet greens, collards, with tomato, cuke, green onions, pea shoots, avocado, with garlic apple cider vinegar and olive oil
· Steamed salmon with steamed spinach and zucchini


Friday, June 01, 2007

Morning:

· Lemon water
· Bowl of mixed fruit: banana, nectarine, strawberry, kiwi, with hemp oil
· Coffee
· Green Lemonade with romaine, celery, spinach, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:
· Giant salad, with romaine, cuke, tomato, broccoli sprouts, avocado, with garlic, olive oil and acv dressing

Evening:
· Take out Indian food: butter chicken and spinach sag, large salad I made *felt the take out food…we both did, felt under par into the next day...noticing the difference already...good sign :)


Saturday, June 02, 2007

Morning:

· Lemon water
· Coffee
· Green Lemonade with romaine, celery, spinach, dandelion greens, lemon, apples, and maca
· Fruit smoothie with apple, banana, strawberries, peach, blueberries, with hemp seed oil

Afternoon:
· Collard wrap with almond butter, red pepper, and cucumber
· Another Green Lemonade

Evening:
· 2 collard wraps in sprouted grain tortillas, with home made hummus and salad (spinach, tomato, and cauliflower)
· a little vegetable curry pate

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Morning:

· water
· coffee
· Green Lemonade with romaine, celery, spinach, lemon, apples, and maca
· Fruit smoothie with Green Lemonade pulp and banana, strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, with hemp oil

Afternoon:
· Pure, organic cranberry juice

Evening:
· Spinach salad with crumbled cauliflower, tomato, cucumber, raw beet, flax seed, with garlic o&acv dressing
· Fruit smoothie with apple, banana, strawberries, peach, blueberries, with hemp oil
· Curry veg pate, hummus, and sprouted grain bread
· Dinner out at a vegetarian restaurant: ate tabbouleh salad, carrot/ginger/spinach power juice

I do my oil pulling between my lemon water and my Green Lemonade, and if I have coffee, I do that after lemon water, and before oil pulling. (still with me?) Lemon water's always first. I leave a good hour or more after Green Lemonade before eating any fruit, including smoothies.


*Some of these Mystery Ingredients explained:


maca? ...what the *#!% is maca? ...Damn hippies...
dandelion greens,
flax seeds
sprouted grain tortilla
hummus
eggplant dish
Blended Spinach Apple soup,
salba
dulse
Green & Black's
apple cider vinegar
hemp oil
tabbouleh
oil pulling



Yes, it was expensive, as we are at the beginning of this,and are
re-stocking the kitchen. We both feel so light, energetic, clean, and clear eating this way. And I never could stand cooking, but I've got a real love affair going with creating fresh food meals...go figure! The use of kitchen tools like a manual food chopper, a food processer, a blender, and a juicer make this way of eathing efficent and rather fun. So far, I've not had to use my asthma inhaler at all, (down from up to 4x's daily), I've not had any headaches (down from at least one a week), my mood has been calm and content (I've been known to dabble in 'all over the place', lol), my skin has cleared up, and my eyes are sparkling. And the maca definitely boosts libido, Baby. I feel GREAT! Without pre-packaged foods in my kitchen, I don't have chemicals or sugar in my diet. I create meals that have more ingredients, all fresh, and I'm using only nutrient-dense foods, so I am not feeling hungry all day like I do when I eat junk food. More about nutrient density here.

One Week of Food

For over 3 weeks, my partner and I have been investing in ourselves. Instead of beer and other party favors, we made a strong decision to give ourselves a shakeup, and put that money entirely on taking the best care of ourselves we possibly could. Better a shakeup than a wake up.

*Please note: This week of food is not my recommendation to you, it is merely a record of my own eating last week.

Add to this week's menu the fact that I drink water throughout the day. *Lemon water gets the stomach ready for the day's digestion - just squeeze the juice of 1/4 lemon into room-temperature water...the rest of my water intake isn't at all fancy, lol. I also enjoy my cup of coffee every morning, right after my lemon water. Ain't giving that up any time soon. :)

At the end of this post, there are links to some of the more mysterious foods :)


Monday, May 28, 2007

Morning:
· *Lemon water
· Green Lemonade (with romaine, kale, parsley, apple, lemon and maca)
· Fruit smoothie (banana, apricot, strawberries, and blueberries)

Afternoon:
· Blended Raw Glow soup with dandelion greens, parsley, romaine, apple, lemon, ginger, avocado, and flax seeds
· Sprouted grain tortilla with homemade hummus
· Chard wrap (marinated in sea salt and lemon, wrapping hummus, red pepper and cucumber)

Evening:
· Dinner Eggplant Paprikash with hummus
· Coffee, distilled water


Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Morning:
· Lemon water
· Green juice with romaine, kale, dandelion greens, parsley, apple, lemon, maca
· Fruit smoothie (banana, peach, apricot, blueberries, strawberries)
· Coffee, distilled water

Afternoon:
· Spinach Apple soup sprinkled with salba and dulse
· Collard wrap (marinated in sea salt and lemon, wrapping green pepper, almond butter, and cucumber)
· Grated carrot and beet salad with lemon

Late Afternoon:
· a honeydew melon

Evening:
· Spinach salad with carrots, red cabbage, green pepper
· Steamed sole and onions and yams


Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Morning:

· Lemon water
· Green juice, with romaine, kale, apples, lemon, and maca
· Coffee, distilled water
· Fruit smoothie, with pineapple, banana, kiwi, strawberries, and flax

Afternoon:
· Salad with romaine, dandelion greens, parsley, tomato, cucumber, green pepper

Evening:
· Chicken in carrot-ginger curry
· Steamed baby broccoli, zucchini, and onions
· Dessert small Green & Black's 70% Dark Chocolate

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Morning:
· Lemon water
· Coffee
· Green juice, with romaine, dandelion greens, celery, apple, lemon, and maca
· ½ a cantaloupe

Afternoon:
· Fruit smoothie, with apple, kiwi, banana, strawberries, blueberries
· Small handful of raw pumpkin seeds (blech! got a rancid one, am so done with these!)

Evening:
· Salad with romaine, beet greens, collards, with tomato, cuke, green onions, pea shoots, avocado, with garlic apple cider vinegar and olive oil
· Steamed salmon with steamed spinach and zucchini


Friday, June 01, 2007

Morning:

· Lemon water
· Bowl of mixed fruit: banana, nectarine, strawberry, kiwi, with hemp oil
· Coffee
· Green Lemonade with romaine, celery, spinach, lemon, apples, and maca

Afternoon:
· Giant salad, with romaine, cuke, tomato, broccoli sprouts, avocado, with garlic, olive oil and acv dressing

Evening:
· Take out Indian food: butter chicken and spinach sag, large salad I made *felt the take out food…we both did, felt under par into the next day...noticing the difference already...good sign :)


Saturday, June 02, 2007

Morning:

· Lemon water
· Coffee
· Green Lemonade with romaine, celery, spinach, dandelion greens, lemon, apples, and maca
· Fruit smoothie with apple, banana, strawberries, peach, blueberries, with hemp seed oil

Afternoon:
· Collard wrap with almond butter, red pepper, and cucumber
· Another Green Lemonade

Evening:
· 2 collard wraps in sprouted grain tortillas, with home made hummus and salad (spinach, tomato, and cauliflower)
· a little vegetable curry pate

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Morning:

· water
· coffee
· Green Lemonade with romaine, celery, spinach, lemon, apples, and maca
· Fruit smoothie with Green Lemonade pulp and banana, strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, with hemp oil

Afternoon:
· Pure, organic cranberry juice

Evening:
· Spinach salad with crumbled cauliflower, tomato, cucumber, raw beet, flax seed, with garlic o&acv dressing
· Fruit smoothie with apple, banana, strawberries, peach, blueberries, with hemp oil
· Curry veg pate, hummus, and sprouted grain bread
· Dinner out at a vegetarian restaurant: ate tabbouleh salad, carrot/ginger/spinach power juice

I do my oil pulling between my lemon water and my Green Lemonade, and if I have coffee, I do that after lemon water, and before oil pulling. (still with me?) Lemon water's always first. I leave a good hour or more after Green Lemonade before eating any fruit, including smoothies.


*Some of these Mystery Ingredients explained:


maca? ...what the *#!% is maca? ...Damn hippies...
dandelion greens,
flax seeds
sprouted grain tortilla
hummus
eggplant dish
Blended Spinach Apple soup,
salba
dulse
Green & Black's
apple cider vinegar
hemp oil
tabbouleh
oil pulling



Yes, it was expensive, as we are at the beginning of this,and are
re-stocking the kitchen. We both feel so light, energetic, clean, and clear eating this way. And I never could stand cooking, but I've got a real love affair going with creating fresh food meals...go figure! The use of kitchen tools like a manual food chopper, a food processer, a blender, and a juicer make this way of eathing efficent and rather fun. So far, I've not had to use my asthma inhaler at all, (down from up to 4x's daily), I've not had any headaches (down from at least one a week), my mood has been calm and content (I've been known to dabble in 'all over the place', lol), my skin has cleared up, and my eyes are sparkling. And the maca definitely boosts libido, Baby. I feel GREAT! Without pre-packaged foods in my kitchen, I don't have chemicals or sugar in my diet. I create meals that have more ingredients, all fresh, and I'm using only nutrient-dense foods, so I am not feeling hungry all day like I do when I eat junk food. More about nutrient density here.

Sunday 3 June 2007

Mung Beans, Wtf?

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Wasn't crazy about the 'MAY CONTAIN SMALL STONES part!

Well...I've put money in dumber places than Mung Beans. And for $3.69, the party was ON!

I've heard of them, and I'm sure I've had them in cooked soup or something, but I didn't recognize these pretty little green circles in the bag at all. So I bought 'em. It says on the sticker to soak them overnight, so that's what I'm going to do. If they are big styrofoam dinosaurs in the morning, I'm gonna re-think this thing.


Oh, er... hehe... I know these... Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

I've only heard them called bean sprouts all my life, never 'mung'. Hm.


I hear my village calling in the distance...I'm sorry, you're missing ... what?












These aren't just soaked over night...these are past that, these have sprouted. (The light is comin' on, Folks!)

Mung Beans, Wtf?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Wasn't crazy about the 'MAY CONTAIN SMALL STONES part!

Well...I've put money in dumber places than Mung Beans. And for $3.69, the party was ON!

I've heard of them, and I'm sure I've had them in cooked soup or something, but I didn't recognize these pretty little green circles in the bag at all. So I bought 'em. It says on the sticker to soak them overnight, so that's what I'm going to do. If they are big styrofoam dinosaurs in the morning, I'm gonna re-think this thing.


Oh, er... hehe... I know these... Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

I've only heard them called bean sprouts all my life, never 'mung'. Hm.


I hear my village calling in the distance...I'm sorry, you're missing ... what?












These aren't just soaked over night...these are past that, these have sprouted. (The light is comin' on, Folks!)

Sprouted Grain Tortilla wrap...mmmm

Is this not gorgeous? Last night, I made a spinach salad with crumbled cauliflower, red pepper, and tomato, and topped it with Bragg's Organic Vinaigrette dressing and let me say it was YUM!

I then took a sprouted grain tortilla, a collard leaf marinated in Himalayan salt and a bit of lemon, and placed it inside. I spread homemade hummus on it and loaded some salad into it, folded the tortilla sides in, and rolled it like a burrito.... SO GOOD!!

Sprouted Grain Tortilla wrap...mmmm

Is this not gorgeous? Last night, I made a spinach salad with crumbled cauliflower, red pepper, and tomato, and topped it with Bragg's Organic Vinaigrette dressing and let me say it was YUM!

I then took a sprouted grain tortilla, a collard leaf marinated in Himalayan salt and a bit of lemon, and placed it inside. I spread homemade hummus on it and loaded some salad into it, folded the tortilla sides in, and rolled it like a burrito.... SO GOOD!!

Saturday 2 June 2007

From acorns great oaks grow

For some, it takes more than a few tries to fully wrap your head around this way of eating. I was eating this way last year, then slowly my old foods started slipping back in. Then the beer, oh great.

Just when I couldn't feel worse, something in me took a different turn, and I resolved to clean myself up. It felt so natural to return to the way of eating that made my body thrive.

The fact that you can't un-know what you know, makes the departure from eating well and going back to a party lifestyle kinda no fun anyway.

Did you know that the acronym for the Standard American Diet is S.A.D.? Well, I find that really fits. This recent perspective on just how poorly I can feel eating processed foods is "fresh" in my mind, and there is really no comparison to how delightfully light and sparkly I feel eating this way. But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself. Here are some tips I'm learning as I go. If you have some that help you, please email me and I'll add them.
  • Start slowly. Instead of taking foods away, for a while, just add a couple things.
  • Focus on improving one meal at a time for the first month or so, starting with breakfast. Just adding some berries on your cereal and eating a banana with your meal is a good start!
  • Going 100% too quickly (as in, all of a sudden) is a very dangerous idea! This can lead to gastro-intestinal problems (ok, in plain English: really bad constipation and even auto-intoxication!)
  • Being 100% raw is not the goal. Being the healthiest you can be so you can live a Rawkin' life, filled with vibrant energy, is.
  • Think 'bright colors' when you select your produce, as this ensures you ingest all the healthy phytochemicals your body loves!
  • The right kitchen tool for the job is key for efficiency and calm
  • Shop the outside aisles of the grocery store...the fresh stuff is on the perimeter, the junk is in those middle aisles.
  • Focus on everything you can have
  • Loosen up and have whatever you want, just become aware of how it makes you feel.
  • Farmers Markets and food co-ops are a good way to find fresh produce. Shop & compare.
  • Don't get hung up, just make the best choices you can at the time
  • Don't lose your sense of humour!

From acorns great oaks grow

For some, it takes more than a few tries to fully wrap your head around this way of eating. I was eating this way last year, then slowly my old foods started slipping back in. Then the beer, oh great.

Just when I couldn't feel worse, something in me took a different turn, and I resolved to clean myself up. It felt so natural to return to the way of eating that made my body thrive.

The fact that you can't un-know what you know, makes the departure from eating well and going back to a party lifestyle kinda no fun anyway.

Did you know that the acronym for the Standard American Diet is S.A.D.? Well, I find that really fits. This recent perspective on just how poorly I can feel eating processed foods is "fresh" in my mind, and there is really no comparison to how delightfully light and sparkly I feel eating this way. But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself. Here are some tips I'm learning as I go. If you have some that help you, please email me and I'll add them.
  • Start slowly. Instead of taking foods away, for a while, just add a couple things.
  • Focus on improving one meal at a time for the first month or so, starting with breakfast. Just adding some berries on your cereal and eating a banana with your meal is a good start!
  • Going 100% too quickly (as in, all of a sudden) is a very dangerous idea! This can lead to gastro-intestinal problems (ok, in plain English: really bad constipation and even auto-intoxication!)
  • Being 100% raw is not the goal. Being the healthiest you can be so you can live a Rawkin' life, filled with vibrant energy, is.
  • Think 'bright colors' when you select your produce, as this ensures you ingest all the healthy phytochemicals your body loves!
  • The right kitchen tool for the job is key for efficiency and calm
  • Shop the outside aisles of the grocery store...the fresh stuff is on the perimeter, the junk is in those middle aisles.
  • Focus on everything you can have
  • Loosen up and have whatever you want, just become aware of how it makes you feel.
  • Farmers Markets and food co-ops are a good way to find fresh produce. Shop & compare.
  • Don't get hung up, just make the best choices you can at the time
  • Don't lose your sense of humour!

Early Bird Gets the Peace

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this is not my backyard, but it IS peaceful....
Since eating a mostly raw diet, I've been feeling really well. For the past couple weeks I've been naturally waking up at 5 a.m. Previously unheard of, so don't think I didn't see the face you just made! ;)

And I don't mean up and groggy, I mean up and at'em. Calm and content, it feels really natural, like, Ok, sleep time's over, time to transition into the day.

I had a particularly lovely hour this morning, when I decided to go out to my backyard tent and listen to the birds. It was so easy to be grateful in this quiet time. The gratitudes effortlessly flowed out of my pen, and my breath was deep and calm.

My own little slice of heaven, all to myself as the neighbourhood slept.

My cat Ruby joined me and I delighted in watching her scamper about in the dewy grass, chasing things I surely couldn't see.

Life is good.

Early Bird Gets the Peace

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
this is not my backyard, but it IS peaceful....
Since eating a mostly raw diet, I've been feeling really well. For the past couple weeks I've been naturally waking up at 5 a.m. Previously unheard of, so don't think I didn't see the face you just made! ;)

And I don't mean up and groggy, I mean up and at'em. Calm and content, it feels really natural, like, Ok, sleep time's over, time to transition into the day.

I had a particularly lovely hour this morning, when I decided to go out to my backyard tent and listen to the birds. It was so easy to be grateful in this quiet time. The gratitudes effortlessly flowed out of my pen, and my breath was deep and calm.

My own little slice of heaven, all to myself as the neighbourhood slept.

My cat Ruby joined me and I delighted in watching her scamper about in the dewy grass, chasing things I surely couldn't see.

Life is good.

Friday 1 June 2007

Natural Health & Beauty Tips

For Trouble Falling Asleep:

Drink a glass of room temperature water, then put a pinch of unrefined *salt on the tip of your tongue and let it dissolve. Don't touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth, since it could irritate.
-Dr. Timothy Brantley, author of 'The Cure'
*natural crystallized salt like Himalayan. Do not use table salt...it's a whole different animal

*For a Migraine:


  • Same 'salt on tongue' advice as above, but using cold water

**For a Cleansing Drink that Helps Circulation:
  • lemon
  • water
  • pinch cayenne
  • small bit of grated ginger
Drink up, Buttercup!



~ Don't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat! ~


Apple Cider Vinegar & Egg Shampoo
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 oz mineral water
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Using a whisk, whip up these ingredients then massage into the scalp. Rinse with warm water. Because of the egg content, the use of warm water is essential.
Egg & Castor Oil Conditioner...this is great stuff!!

  • 2 egg yolks (Option: use a whole egg, with a little lemon juice whisked in, as this will add incredible shine, removing previous product buildup.)
  • 2 tablespoons of cold pressed castor oil (don't let this intimidate you, it's easy to get at a healthy grocer and it's not your Grandma's castor oil...cold pressed = odorless and tasteless...not that you're eating it)
  • Beat with a whisk, slather onto your hair, then rinse after 15 minutes.
For long, thick, or curly hair, adjust the numbers. I tripled it! My hair is extremely thick and pretty long, and though it moisturized deeply, using this made it air-dry really quickly, and the texture has remained soft and silky. Less tangles, too! I won't be going back to putting sweet-smelling, big-brand-name chemical soups on my head again any time soon.
Refreshing Face Mask:
I so enjoyed laying in my deep claw-foot tub the other day with my salad on my head (aforementioned concoctions) and this cooling and stimulating mask on my face.
SO SIMPLE:
Plain yogurt
juice of 1/3 orange.
Mix these together, slather it on your face, wait about 10 minutes (it doesn't harden) and wash off. Your skin will glow pink from the citrus stimulation and be refreshed and soft! Your complexion will glow!
Enjoy!









***My Big Fat Disclaimer: 'Rawkin' is doing what she feels is best for herself, and acknowledges that we are all different, and what works for her, may not be your thing. Rawkin' has no insight into why she is referring to herself in the third person. Please see your health professional before making any radical lifestyle or dietary changes. But feel free to wash your hair with egg and wear yogurt on your face.






Natural Health & Beauty Tips

For Trouble Falling Asleep:

Drink a glass of room temperature water, then put a pinch of unrefined *salt on the tip of your tongue and let it dissolve. Don't touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth, since it could irritate.
-Dr. Timothy Brantley, author of 'The Cure'
*natural crystallized salt like Himalayan. Do not use table salt...it's a whole different animal

*For a Migraine:


  • Same 'salt on tongue' advice as above, but using cold water

**For a Cleansing Drink that Helps Circulation:
  • lemon
  • water
  • pinch cayenne
  • small bit of grated ginger
Drink up, Buttercup!



~ Don't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat! ~


Apple Cider Vinegar & Egg Shampoo
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 oz mineral water
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Using a whisk, whip up these ingredients then massage into the scalp. Rinse with warm water. Because of the egg content, the use of warm water is essential.
Egg & Castor Oil Conditioner...this is great stuff!!

  • 2 egg yolks (Option: use a whole egg, with a little lemon juice whisked in, as this will add incredible shine, removing previous product buildup.)
  • 2 tablespoons of cold pressed castor oil (don't let this intimidate you, it's easy to get at a healthy grocer and it's not your Grandma's castor oil...cold pressed = odorless and tasteless...not that you're eating it)
  • Beat with a whisk, slather onto your hair, then rinse after 15 minutes.
For long, thick, or curly hair, adjust the numbers. I tripled it! My hair is extremely thick and pretty long, and though it moisturized deeply, using this made it air-dry really quickly, and the texture has remained soft and silky. Less tangles, too! I won't be going back to putting sweet-smelling, big-brand-name chemical soups on my head again any time soon.
Refreshing Face Mask:
I so enjoyed laying in my deep claw-foot tub the other day with my salad on my head (aforementioned concoctions) and this cooling and stimulating mask on my face.
SO SIMPLE:
Plain yogurt
juice of 1/3 orange.
Mix these together, slather it on your face, wait about 10 minutes (it doesn't harden) and wash off. Your skin will glow pink from the citrus stimulation and be refreshed and soft! Your complexion will glow!
Enjoy!









***My Big Fat Disclaimer: 'Rawkin' is doing what she feels is best for herself, and acknowledges that we are all different, and what works for her, may not be your thing. Rawkin' has no insight into why she is referring to herself in the third person. Please see your health professional before making any radical lifestyle or dietary changes. But feel free to wash your hair with egg and wear yogurt on your face.






Kale and Avocado Salad Video

This video comes courtesy of Karen Knowler, a Raw Food Coach from England. I haven't made the salad yet, but it really appeals to me! If you get to it before me, lemme know whatcha think!

Kale and Avocado Salad Video

This video comes courtesy of Karen Knowler, a Raw Food Coach from England. I haven't made the salad yet, but it really appeals to me! If you get to it before me, lemme know whatcha think!

Raw Blender Soup Recipes


Here are some examples of easy blender soups, and they taste delicious! Well, to me, anyway. I know we're all different! These are eaten cold, poured straight outta the blender...YUM!



Raw Glow Soup (pictured above)
  • 1 large apple (or 2 small)
  • small piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
  • water to thin to desired consistency
  • 2 handfuls of green leafies (eg. spinach, dandelion leaves, romaine, etc.)
  • a squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1/2 an avocado, if you enjoy a creamier texture (I do!)
  • Add a little red pepper heart for fun - done by trimming the top of a pepper and carving with a sharp knife. Watch your fingers!

Start by blending the apples, ginger, and water in your blender or food processor. Add in everything else. Enjoy!
(Yep, it's that simple!)
Cut up your green leafies and say NO to blender burnout!


Cucumber Tomato Surprise - from Elaina Love's recipes
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • 1 small cucumber peeled in stripes and chopped (seeds removed if big)
  • 1 large avocado cut into cubes
  • 1 half of a lemon or lime squeezed
  • 1 half to 1 tsp. Himalayan Salt Crystals
  • 1 Tbs. of olive oil (optional for a richer flavor)
Mix everything together and enjoy!


Spinach Apple Soup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 apple, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 avocado, chopped
  • dash of Himalayan salt
Place the water and apples in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add the spinach and blend.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Keeps for 3 days in a sealed container in the fridge.


I'll keep adding to this section as I unearth more recipes....

Raw Blender Soup Recipes


Here are some examples of easy blender soups, and they taste delicious! Well, to me, anyway. I know we're all different! These are eaten cold, poured straight outta the blender...YUM!



Raw Glow Soup (pictured above)
  • 1 large apple (or 2 small)
  • small piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
  • water to thin to desired consistency
  • 2 handfuls of green leafies (eg. spinach, dandelion leaves, romaine, etc.)
  • a squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1/2 an avocado, if you enjoy a creamier texture (I do!)
  • Add a little red pepper heart for fun - done by trimming the top of a pepper and carving with a sharp knife. Watch your fingers!

Start by blending the apples, ginger, and water in your blender or food processor. Add in everything else. Enjoy!
(Yep, it's that simple!)
Cut up your green leafies and say NO to blender burnout!


Cucumber Tomato Surprise - from Elaina Love's recipes
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • 1 small cucumber peeled in stripes and chopped (seeds removed if big)
  • 1 large avocado cut into cubes
  • 1 half of a lemon or lime squeezed
  • 1 half to 1 tsp. Himalayan Salt Crystals
  • 1 Tbs. of olive oil (optional for a richer flavor)
Mix everything together and enjoy!


Spinach Apple Soup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 apple, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 avocado, chopped
  • dash of Himalayan salt
Place the water and apples in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add the spinach and blend.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Keeps for 3 days in a sealed container in the fridge.


I'll keep adding to this section as I unearth more recipes....

Broccolini! My New Best Friend!

A variety of vegetable that is a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale. It has an appearance similar to asparagus or gai lan, with smaller broccoli buds on top. Eaten raw, it is a tender, less fibrous stalk, that is crunchy and flavorful. This vegetable can be used in the same manner as traditional broccoli, served in salads or as an appetizer with a dip. However, it is very adaptable to stir fried vegetable dishes, or sautéed in olive oil to provide a deliciously flavored vegetable complement to a meal. It is also known as baby broccoli.

Bought this for the first time the other night, and I flipped at how tender and delicious it was!! GO FOR IT!!!

Broccolini! My New Best Friend!

A variety of vegetable that is a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale. It has an appearance similar to asparagus or gai lan, with smaller broccoli buds on top. Eaten raw, it is a tender, less fibrous stalk, that is crunchy and flavorful. This vegetable can be used in the same manner as traditional broccoli, served in salads or as an appetizer with a dip. However, it is very adaptable to stir fried vegetable dishes, or sautéed in olive oil to provide a deliciously flavored vegetable complement to a meal. It is also known as baby broccoli.

Bought this for the first time the other night, and I flipped at how tender and delicious it was!! GO FOR IT!!!

Goin' Raw, Baby!

I'm enjoying eating a mostly raw diet lately, about 80-90%...essentially, 'raw until dinner', to quote Natalia Rose. I've made a life-choice to quit drinking, and to clean up my diet. I'm just embarking on my 3rd week of health-consciousness.

I already notice some beautiful changes.

  • My skin has cleared up and my complexion is healthy-looking.
  • I'm already feeling the evidence of weight loss, which is welcomed after putting on a bunch of weight this winter. I'm loading up on organic fruit and vegetables and making them the mainstay of my eating. In the evening, I eat a steamed dinner. I feel so well eating this way.
A "typical" day might look like this:

  • I start the day drinking a glass of water with lemon, which gets the stomach ready for its upcoming digestive duties


  • I admit, while not raw, I do enjoy my morning cuppa coffee!


  • then I do oil pulling, a very odd-sounding but effective therapy.


  • Next, I make a green juice, called Green Lemonade. This delicious recipe can be found in Natalia Rose's book, The Raw Food Detox Diet.

  • Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
    All the goodies for a healthy green juice.
Green Lemonade Recipe:
  • 1 head romaine lettuce
  • handful of dark leafies (5-6 leaves) either spinach, kale, collards, celery, dandelion greens, etc)
  • 1 whole lemon - peel, seeds, and all
  • 2 fuji apples, cored...no pips

    Juice and drink up right away. This drink is addictive. I start every morning with it and it feels so good.


This usually sustains me until early afternoon, because I also drink water, even though the water content in the Green Lemonade is high. There are various views on what kind of water is best and my choice is distilled.


Some days I choose a fruit smoothie with flaxseeds, and some days I eat the fruit whole. The odd day, I pass on fruit and jump into vegetables, making raw soups in my blender, creating gorgeous salads, and sometimes, collard wraps stuffed with homemade hummus, or almond butter, then loaded with veggies. YUM!

(What on earth is a raw soup? Do you mean to tell me you're eating this stuff cold?? YEP!! There are tons of savoury and delicious raw soups, made in your blender! Some taste cool and refreshing and some 'taste hot', depending on spices. DELISH!)


Dinner is usually steamed fish and veggies, and a salad. Often I enjoy sprouted grain bread with it. Overall, this way of eating, at least the way I'm doing it, includes lots of fresh organic produce, some seeds, nuts, and sprouted grain, legumes, seaweed like dulce and nori, water, and once I get a dehydrator, I'll be making all kinds of things!

I may look radical in writing, but a lot of things led me to this lifestyle and it's all been a really logical path. I'm 43, have 2 sons, 15 & 18, and I'm an artist after years of being a singer and songwriter. I have songs in three films, and a cd. I live with my partner of 14 years, and we have a gorgeous English Mastiff pup, 20 months old, named Gracie and a young cat named Ruby.

Life is good

Goin' Raw, Baby!

I'm enjoying eating a mostly raw diet lately, about 80-90%...essentially, 'raw until dinner', to quote Natalia Rose. I've made a life-choice to quit drinking, and to clean up my diet. I'm just embarking on my 3rd week of health-consciousness.

I already notice some beautiful changes.

  • My skin has cleared up and my complexion is healthy-looking.
  • I'm already feeling the evidence of weight loss, which is welcomed after putting on a bunch of weight this winter. I'm loading up on organic fruit and vegetables and making them the mainstay of my eating. In the evening, I eat a steamed dinner. I feel so well eating this way.
A "typical" day might look like this:

  • I start the day drinking a glass of water with lemon, which gets the stomach ready for its upcoming digestive duties


  • I admit, while not raw, I do enjoy my morning cuppa coffee!


  • then I do oil pulling, a very odd-sounding but effective therapy.


  • Next, I make a green juice, called Green Lemonade. This delicious recipe can be found in Natalia Rose's book, The Raw Food Detox Diet.

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    All the goodies for a healthy green juice.
Green Lemonade Recipe:
  • 1 head romaine lettuce
  • handful of dark leafies (5-6 leaves) either spinach, kale, collards, celery, dandelion greens, etc)
  • 1 whole lemon - peel, seeds, and all
  • 2 fuji apples, cored...no pips

    Juice and drink up right away. This drink is addictive. I start every morning with it and it feels so good.


This usually sustains me until early afternoon, because I also drink water, even though the water content in the Green Lemonade is high. There are various views on what kind of water is best and my choice is distilled.


Some days I choose a fruit smoothie with flaxseeds, and some days I eat the fruit whole. The odd day, I pass on fruit and jump into vegetables, making raw soups in my blender, creating gorgeous salads, and sometimes, collard wraps stuffed with homemade hummus, or almond butter, then loaded with veggies. YUM!

(What on earth is a raw soup? Do you mean to tell me you're eating this stuff cold?? YEP!! There are tons of savoury and delicious raw soups, made in your blender! Some taste cool and refreshing and some 'taste hot', depending on spices. DELISH!)


Dinner is usually steamed fish and veggies, and a salad. Often I enjoy sprouted grain bread with it. Overall, this way of eating, at least the way I'm doing it, includes lots of fresh organic produce, some seeds, nuts, and sprouted grain, legumes, seaweed like dulce and nori, water, and once I get a dehydrator, I'll be making all kinds of things!

I may look radical in writing, but a lot of things led me to this lifestyle and it's all been a really logical path. I'm 43, have 2 sons, 15 & 18, and I'm an artist after years of being a singer and songwriter. I have songs in three films, and a cd. I live with my partner of 14 years, and we have a gorgeous English Mastiff pup, 20 months old, named Gracie and a young cat named Ruby.

Life is good
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