*Rawkin' Raw Vegan*

Talkin’ Raw with Angela Elliott, Author of Alive in Five

02 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

• You can eat all the raw desserts you want and they are guilt free. False! I starting eating way too many raw desserts and ended up gaining 20 pounds and I am a 100% raw foodist.

• Salt is bad for you. False! Salt is absolutely necessary in our diet, because it keeps your body’s water in balance, which keeps you from getting dehydrated.

• Raw food is more expensive than a conventional diet. False! Vegetables, fruits, greens, nuts, and seeds are actually much cheaper than SAD and in the long run, you will save on medical bills and prescription drugs.

• It’s fabulously quick, how can you beat 5 minutes?
• All the recipes are delicious, easy and fun to make!
• It might list in the beginning of the book equipment to buy, but I have actually made most of the recipes in my book with nothing but a blender, knife, and  cutting board.
• A group of 100 people at Wholefoods actually saw me prepare my famous lasagna in 5 minutes, so it can be done, even though it says in the book, it will take you longer. The crowd was amazed!

• Keep a full pantry, fridge, and a bowl with nuts or seeds soaking.
• You can open a few Thai young coconuts and store the meat in plastic baggies in the freezer until you are ready to use them.You can bottle the coconut water and freeze that too.

Do all your books feature nut-free recipes? Alive in Five, has over 51 nut-free recipes! There are a few nut-free recipes in my other books as well.

What are 5 easy ways SAD eaters can harness the power of raw foods today?

1. Increase your intake of fresh salads and start juicing.
2. The best thing to take when adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet is HCI (hydrochloric acid) to help break down cellulose fibers.
3. Everyone should take enzymes with their meals and probiotics daily to build a healthy digestive system and strengthen your immune system.
4. Make sure to up your water intake.
5. Exercise!  It makes all the difference in the world.

BIO: Angela’s credentials are: •Medical and Master Herbalist •Classical homeopath •Nutritionist •Paramedical Aesthetician •Herbal Skin Therapist •Certified gourmet chef •Chinese Reflexologist •Jin Shin Juitsu Practitioner •Reiki Master •Polarity Practitioner •Teacher of Reflexology, Reiki, Polarity, Herbology and Jin Shin •Holistic Health Practitioner •Holistic Animal Therapist

Angela Elliott is an Arizona native. She was raised by a world-renowned physicist/ chemist and a gourmet French chef/writer whose occupations enabled frequent travel abroad and instilled in the young Angela a life-long fascination with various cultures. Angela lived in different countries, attended school in two of the countries, and spoke Swedish and Dutch fluently.

Angela endeared herself to her lively Irish grandfather, a storyteller of some notoriety, and was encouraged to share her blossoming imagination with her peers. A passion for the arts was inspired by Angela’s grandfather and mother, and instilled in her a lifelong love of literature and writing.

Angela has contributed to various publications, including Vegnews Magazine, Vegetar- ian Baby and Child Magazine, and has taught gourmet classes, holistic classes, lectured, and on occasion toured with Lou Corona, a nationally recognized proponent of living food.

Talkin’ Raw: Steps I’ve taken to go green..Toxins in everyday products. Can you imagine!

24 Aug 2010 2 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

I joined a CSA!

A few years ago,  I had no idea that:

• The FDA doesn’t regulate cosmetics or personal care products.
• The cosmetics I put on my face were toxic.
• The deodorant I used had aluminum in it.
• The food I ate was filled with chemicals and pesticides.
• The conventional household cleaners I used were filled with harmful chemicals.
• The dangers of plastics, non-stick cookware, aspartame, and the list goes on.
• Lots of items on the store shelves are NOT safe for me or the environment.

Okay, so the first half of my life I’ve been living in a toxic world!

TIP: I’ve relied on iherb.com, an online store selling over 10,000 items -many brand name natural & organic products to help me go green. With super low shipping, discounted prices, and extremely fast delivery, this site provides me with my personal care items, green cleaning products, superfoods and more- that I cannot get locally. Get $5 off your first time iherb.com order when you use my coupon code CEL445.

I’m hopeful that my chemical footprint will be less visible for the 2nd half of my life.

It does take self-discipline to keep your wallet closed until you are sure that what you are buying is healthy for you, your family, and the environment. You vote with your dollars. Living simply makes sense.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Why buy 10 toxic products to clean your house when just 2 natural products will work even better? (These products effect you, your family and your pets!)

• Why slather your face & body with 10 chemical filled personal care items daily when-a few organic or natural products would treat you like the queen you should be?

• Why eat unhealthy when eating healthy is readily available?

Here are some specific steps I’ve taken (see below) to continue my lifelong green journey. Maybe this list will inspire you to make some changes in your own life.

Be sure to post a comment and share your story!

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
DEODORANT: Did you know most deodorants on the store shelves feature aluminum as one of the main ingredients? YES! Read this article to find out the dangers of Aluminum in Deodorant I’ve since replaced conventional deodorant with a straight DIY baking soda paste OR I use Home Health Herbal Magic.

TOOTHPASTE: Replaced conventional toothpaste with straight

DIY baking soda paste or I’ll use fluoride-free & SLS-free Xyliwhite Toothpaste.

• Why I will not use conventional toothpaste
• Dangers of Flouride

LOTIONS, OILS AND BUTTER: I find that being raw vegan, I need NO face moisturizer.  But when I was on the SAD diet, I often used Hand-crafted All Natural Creations Shea Butter Lotion for the face. Pure Unrefined African Shea Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Kiss My Face C’s The Day Moisturizer for body moisturizers. For hand and face moisturizer at bedtime: Certified Organic Jojoba Oil or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

PERFUME: Did you know most perfumes are filled with toxic chemicals? Did you know these toxic chemicals can be a health risk to those who wear it, the air around them, and those in their household? YES! Read this article to learn more.

I avoid perfume and limit the products I use that list fragrance as an ingredient. Instead, I use 100% Natural Vanilla on my pulse points when I want to wear a hint of vanilla. This blend is pre-diluted with jojoba oil so it’s ready to use. I enjoy the delicious light aroma and health benefits from wearing natural vanilla oil.

What is so bad about Fragrance?
Are you willing to risk your health for a spritz of perfume?

BAR SOAP: Replaced traditional bar soap (i.e. harmful perfumes, artificial additives, dyes, chemicals) with Fragrance-Free Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Bar soap.

HAND SOAP:
Replaced anti-bacterial soap with Dr. Bronner’s Hemp Almond Castile Soap.
Why? Read about the health risks of using Antibacterial Soap

FACE CLEANSER: Replaced traditional face cleanser with Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil .
Yes, the same stuff you use in your kitchen!

MAKEUP REMOVER: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. EVOO is a major multi-tasker:)

EXFOLIATOR: Replaced store-bought exfoliator with homemade recipe of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil & finely ground cornmeal.

SHAMPOO: Replaced brand name shampoo with SLS-FREE Giovanni Magnetic Energizing Shampoo . Why? “The vast majority of these products (brand name shampoos) contain toxic chemical compounds like MIT that contribute to cancer, liver disorders and neurological diseases.”-SOURCE: http://www.naturalnews.com/003210.html.

• Dangers of SLS

COSMETICS
Before I buy any cosmetics or personal care products, I first check the ingredients and the safety rating on the Skin Deep database here: www.cosmeticsdatabase.org.

Read my interview with Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry here: Author Interview: Stacy Malkan: Not Just A Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of The Beauty Industry

I signed the petition to congress for safe cosmetics, will you?
Click here to petition to congress for safe cosmetics
MASCARA: Replaced mainstream mascara with mercury-free natural Real Purity Mascara. This is the “purest” mascara on the market today.

EYE PENCIL LINER: Replaced conventional eye liner with Honeybee Gardens Joba Colors eye liner.
My interview with President/CEO of Honeybee Gardens.

LIPSTICK: I’m a lip balm girl 99.9% of the time these days but when I do want a splash of color on occasion, I wear a hand-crafted Nature’s Brilliance By Sue Shea Butter Lipstick. These are super moisturizing and come in variety of fun colors.

LIP BALM: Since I started making my own lip balm, I’ll never go back to store-bought balms!

LIP GLOSS: I make my own DIY gloss which consists of EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil) and Jojoba Oil.

NAIL POLISH: Replaced toxic nail polish with Honeybee Gardens WaterColors Nail Enamel. This is a water based non-toxic, odorless, and eco-friendly polish. Yes, odorless!

NAIL POLISH REMOVER: Replaced conventional remover with safer no-smell Odorless Nail Polish Remover.

FOOD, DRINK & GUM:
I eat & drink organic whenever I can. Why? Click here to learn the benefits of eating organic
“Chemical pesticides or herbicides to control weeds and pests find their way into our bloodstream through our water and food supply, in the air we breathe and by being absorbed through our skin.”-Source http://www.sprig.com/7_Everyday_Environmental_Causes_of_Breast_Cancer/page/2

TABLE SALT: I no longer use conventional table salt. Instead I use sea salt.

The consequences of consuming table salt

OILS: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

A NOTE ABOUT SODA–>Not only does soda contain aspartame, the so-called sweet poison but it contains other harmful components. Knowing this, I cannot sit down and enjoy a soda.
Instead, I will continue to enjoy my water flavoring it up with a slice of lime or lemon.
Health benefits of lime
Health benefits of lemon

GUM: I’ve been a major gum chewer all my life so I was determined to find a healthy replacement than what is found on the store shelves. I found aspartame-free Spry Gum which is naturally sweetened with Xylitol. Read this article to find out the health risks of aspartame.

LAUNDRY
Replaced traditional detergent with SOAP NUTS/Laundry Berries…

Why?
“When we clean our clothing with chlorinated laundry detergent and bleach, inhalation can irritate or damage the lungs and upper airway. Your healthy alternative is to launder your clothes in baking soda or natural detergent. Brighten those whites with borax or non-chlorine bleach. When you stick to the natural stuff, you will not only get truly clean clothes but also help save the environment from degradation.”--SOURCE: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/7141/clean-clothes-and-the-toxins-they-hide/

More about laundry detergent:
source: http://www.sprig.com/7_Everyday_Environmental_Causes_of_Breast_Cancer/page/2
“A class of chemicals called alkylphenols make these products create suds and stabilize the other ingredients. The problem with these chemicals (such as nonoxynol, octoxynol, or nonylphenol ethoxylate) is not only is direct contact risky, but they aren’t biodegradable so they can be found in your drinking water and in the air. The danger: A 1994 study published in the medical journal Endocrinology found that these chemicals actually mimic your body’s natural estrogen in the body so they can stimulate cell or tumor growth.”
CLOTH BAGS:
I created a one-of-a-kind Take A Walk On The Green Side Tote Bag that I take with me when I shop. Makes a great gift or treat yourself to one.

KITCHEN

COOKWARE–>>Replaced non-stick cookware with stainless steel. Why? Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, the chemical name for the coating on non-stick cookware can be toxic to humans.

POPCORN-Replaced microwave popcorn with stainless steel stove-top popper for my SAD family eaters-> Why? A chemical coating used in microwave popcorn bags breaks down when heated into a substance called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA). The EPA has identified PFOA as a “likely carcinogen.”

PLASTICS-> Replaced plastic storage containers with Pyrex glass storage sets
Why? Source:http://www.sprig.com/7_Everyday_Environmental_Causes_of_Breast_Cancer
“Bisphenol-A, a chemical used to make plastic stable but also leaches out of the plastic and into the food or drinks you ingest. The danger: “Sustained exposure over time can effect your estrogen system to disrupt your normal hormone function of your breast cells to possibly feed and promote cancer,” says Janet Gray, Ph.D., director of the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center at Vassar College.”
SPORTS BOTTLES–>Replaced plastic sports bottles with stainless steel bottles. Why? Plastic bottles contain a number of chemicals, some of which are unhealthy. Use Code 2468 to receive 8% off your order here.

CANNED FOODS-> Limiting my canned food intake. Why? Many canned foods are lined with a plastic coating made from BPA, which can leach into the food. BPA (bisphenol-A,) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical.

CLEANING SOLUTIONS
“Rid your home of toxic chemicals. They harm adults as well as children. There’s more to the danger than ingesting poisons: your skin absorbs them, and your lungs inhale the fumes. Your liver and fat cells store them.“–SOURCE:

http://www.non-toxic.info/

DISH SOAP:
Dish soap =Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid.
Automatic dishwasher detergent= Seventh Generation Dishwasher Gel.
My fave dish towels = Flour Sack Towels.

DUSTING FURNITURE:
Instead of using Pledge, simply dust with a slightly damp (or dry) reusable microfiber wonder cloth. However, if you feel you can’t live without a dusting solution, use this HOMEMADE SOLUTION>> 1/4 cup lemon juice mixed with tbs. of olive oil. NOTE: If you have leftover solution, store it in the fridge.

WINDOW CLEANER:
HOMEMADE SOLUTION->>Mix 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar. Store in a spray bottle.

TOILET BOWL:
HOMEMADE SOLUTION>>baking soda. Simply scrub with baking soda. OR for stain removal, use 1/4 cup borax and let sit for 30 minutes- then scrub and flush.

I want to hear from my readers! Be sure to post a comment to let me know what YOU are doing in your life. How are you going green? What products or homemade recipes have you found that you love?

Dave Maskin wrote:

• The one big thing we’ve done is to change out our regular light bulbs for compact fluorescent ones.
• Also, completely unplugging cable boxes and TVs when not in use, as well as computers and modems.

Hans Chung wrote:

• I went green by starting my own company to help other people and companies go green while saving money or driving revenue.

• We let you plant a tree for $1. Consumers can send them to each other or companies can use them as rewards.

Taylor Ellwood wrote:

• We’ve changed our lights to flourescent bulbs
• Started composting
• Even making sure not to throw out a paper bag we use to collect paper for recycling…

Susan Shwartz PhD wrote:

• I buy mostly fresh foods with as little packaging as I can manage.
• I turn off all lights that I am not using.
• My apartment is cooler.
• I watch water consumption.
• Although I use plastic bags, I recycle them.
• I repair, rather than throw out, and buy most clothes on e-Bay.
• I do not own a car.

• Recycle
• Changed out lights to LEDS
• Down to one car and plan our shopping drives better
• Composting
• Green roof and siding ( Started not complete )
• Turned off room lights when not in use

Beate Bouwman wrote:

What Do I Eat on a RAWkin’ Diet?

23 Aug 2010 2 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

RAWkin’ Fruit AVo Bowl

“Every decision you make – every decision – is not a decision about what to do. It’s a decision about Who You Are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do.” –-Neale Donald Walsch

I’m often asked what I eat on a RAWkin’ diet. I keep it super simple (K.I.S.S.) In the morning, I usually start off with either some lime or lemon water (ultimate body detoxifier and cleanser) and then a 32 -48 oz smoothie filled will greens, fruits, and superfoods, mid to late morning.

Throughout the day, I incorporate items I already have in my fridge and pantry. I may have another blended meal from the Vitamix or throw together a massive (serving bowl size!)green salad, fruit bowl or wraps. Sometimes I’ll do mono meals, especially if I’m on the road.  RAWkin’ ice cream in the evening before bed is not unusual, and let’s not forget homemade sweet treats! I eat when I’m hungry, no set times.

For this Rawkin’ Fruit Avo Bowl,  I sliced up some strawberries and a few small organic apples.  In food processor: I added 1 avocado and 3 overly ripe bananas. Processed well. Added avo mixture to bowl of apples and strawberries. Stirred up. Sprinkled some chia seeds. If you wanted to sweeten, you could add a few chopped dates and raw walnuts for crunch.

What do you eat?

Post your comments below!

Question of the Day: Carob or Chocolate? Carob Banana Crispies

20 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Carob Banana Crispies

Oh how I love carob!

How about you? Question of the day: Carob or Chocolate? Post your comment below!

According to herbalist.com, the carob tree, also known as St.John’s Bread, originated in the Mediterranean region. Carob powder is made from the seed pods (grinding up the pods w/the seeds removed). Unlike chocolate-it contains no caffeine and is high in fiber. It also contains a number of nutrients including A, B, B2, B3 and D.

Is carob powder raw? Living And Raw Foods writes that most carob that has been labeled “raw” has been heated to 118 degrees. Raw carob can be found at The Raw Food World store.

More reasons to love carob:

• antioxidant, antiviral and antiseptic
• improves digestion
• low in fat
• great for treating diarrhea
• source of protein, calcium, and potassium

Carob Banana Crispies Recipe

Ingredients:

Kitchen Tools: Food Processor & Dehydrator

• 1 1/2 cups Buckwheat groats, soaked overnight
• 2-3 ripe Bananas
• 2-3 TBS Carob Powder
• Pure Maple Syrup, to taste
• Unsweetened Coconut Flakes, optional, as much as you’d like
• Sea Salt

How to: Drain and rinse buckwheat groats well and put them in a large bowl.  Set aside.

Throw in your food processor: bananas, carob powder, syrup, and salt. Process well. Add the mixture to the buckwheat groats. Stir in the coconut flakes. Mix well.

Spread mixture evenly on Teflex sheets. Dehydrate at 104 degrees for 4 hours. Flip mixture & move it around, dehydrate for 4 more hours or until your desired crispiness, checking on occasionally.

Question of the day: Carob or Chocolate?

Post your comment below!

Talkin’ Raw with Local Artisan: NipNaps By Lauri

19 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Lauri at the Weston Farmer’s Market

How did I discover the Weston market? My hubby’s business is across the street. Every office building should be so lucky to have fresh produce nearby:)

NipNaps by Lauri

Q&A by Celeste Resch

BIO: Growing up Lauri always had pets.  She and her husband  brought a house 10 minutes from town. They call it their healing place.  They have a large vegetable garden, an herb garden, and plots of flowers, berries and of course catnip. To them, it’s a little piece of Eden.

Visit Lauri’s online store here!

How were you inspired to start creating custom designed cat pillows?

CAT HAIR!… I had a dilemma. I had just redone our bedroom and had a chocolate colored comforter on the bed. My cats loved to sleep on the bed and left very visible hair all over.

I had extra fabric from a bed skirt I had made and decided to make something for the cats to lay on. I had to think about why the cats would want to be on a pillow and remembered how much Zach loved his catnip. So the first Nina was created.

Tell us about growing your own organic catnip.

I started with two plants for my cats.  My cats enjoyed the fresh catnip in summer and fall, but I was still buying it the rest of the year.  I had started an herb garden and started processing it myself, for seasonings and teas. So I started processing the catnip also.

I now have a dozen plants that I harvest 4 to 6 times a year. We have great soil for catnip, sandy, well drained. I love that my catnip is organic; I know what my cats are ingesting.

I don’t believe in using any chemicals in my gardens. When I process any of my herbs I do it the old fashion way.  My husband redid a closet for me, that get nice air flow has a bar for hanging the plants, and shelves for storage.  I pick the leaves by hand and sometimes use a mortar and postal to crush it.

Catnip is an herb, a member of the mint family. Do you harvest it for human uses as well?

Yes, I do. I use it for tea, it is very relaxing. It is one of my daughter’s favorites, I keep her well supplied.

What is the silliest thing you’ve seen a cat do when they discover your pillows?

There was this elderly lady who had seen an article in  the local paper about NipNaps and wanted to order a pillow for her 18 year old cat. She expressed concern that her Rosie had never had catnip and was worried about how she would react.

I delivered the pillow. I set it on the floor and this tiny,boney,big eyed cat slowly approached it,  she walked around it sniffing, eyeing it up. She then fell onto it on her back and rolled and rolled on it. When I left, she was stretched out on it like a little princess. Looking very pleased with herself.

How often do you have to change the catnip?

I add to it, every 4 to weeks.  Or when ever the cats seem to lose interest in it.

Talk to me about Zach. Nip Naps came about because of him?

Zach or Zachariah was my special love. He was a handsome, charcoal gray with a white throat.  Zach was a very verbal cat who always let us knows when something was wrong.  He would run to us talking, turn around and lead us to what he wanted us to see, complaining all the way.  Most of the time it was an empty food or water dish.  He was very insistent with my husband when the litter boxes needed changing.  We use to tease him at times, following him and saying ‘what is it Lassie? Did Timmy fall down the well?” he would just give us a very indignant look, and continue to lead us to the problem.

My mother in-law stayed with us before she died, she was very sick and weak. We were afraid of her falling.  Zach would sit outside her bedroom door and wait for it to open, follow her to the bathroom door and wait again. He wouldn’t do his own thing until she was safely seated on the couch!. Zach worried over and proteted those he loved.

Zach was a lap cat and spent a lot of time sleeping there. But if we were doing something in the house he had a hard time settling down.  The pillow was a way to gibe him something soft to lay on when we were busy or gone. Zach died of Kinney failure 2 months ago, and is greatly missed.

You mentioned you have 3 cats. Did they smell your NipNaps from afar and appear on your doorstep one day?

It didn’t happen quite that way, though they do each have their own pillows.  We have Linus an 18 lbs. gentle giant. Linus was born on our bed when we were sleeping, and was the only kitten of Cleo.  (Cleo kept getting out of the house and wanted to be outdoors. She in now at a farm).  Charlie came to us about 3 weeks before we lost Zach. He is a play, vocal, energetic little boy. We got him from a friend who inherited a pregnant cat.  The there is Snickers. Greg brought him home form his brothers barn. His mother had abandoned him. Another female took him on but she had her own older kittens, who didn’t like sharing the milk.  Both Linus and Charlie baby Snickers, and have taught him to get into all kinds of trouble.

Have the cats ever scratch or bite through the pillows to get to the catnip?

Not that I’m aware of.  I do have some inquiries about dogs using them. My only concern is the fabric.  Dogs are known to chew, and the pillows could be destroyed.

Do your pillows have any effect on dogs?

I do have some inquiries about dogs using them. My only concern is the fabric.  Dogs are known to chew, and the pillows could be destroyed.

How much catnip do you put in the pillow? I use about 2 tablespoons.

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Simplifying My Life, How About YOU? Mini Pizzettes With Pizza Cheese

16 Aug 2010 1 Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Mini Pizzettes-so simple, yet so beautiful and delish.

Pizza Cheese

Living a raw lifestyle is so more than just about food! For me personally, RAWness encompasses all of my being. My physical environment as well as my internal compass. RAw= Simple Living. Fewer complications! Freedom! Empowerment!

Getting back to the basics. Saying yes to the simple life and no to the chaos of a life (everyday consumerism) filled with stress, busy chaos, overflowing material things,  consumer addictions & people obligations.

As a nation, we are addicted to material things. We are addicted to processed foods. We are addicted to saying “yes” to our family and friends. We are addicted to Facebook, our cellphones, computers, TV. We are addicted to conforming to society’s “normalcy”. We are addicted to the chaos that encompasses much of our being.

Addictions abound everywhere around us. When we think of addictions, we think of drugs or alcohol. But as we know, addictions of all kinds surround us daily.

People daily are discovering this life of craziness just isn’t working. There has to be a better way of life. And there is!

Natural News explains that “voluntary simplicity covers a wide range of habits and lifestyles.” They list a few steps for you to get started on a path of voluntary simplicity.

The list includes: de-cluttering (your closets), stop automatically upgrading everything (TV, cellphone, car), lighten your schedule (give yourself space in your day), give the gift of time not stuff (instead of gifts for birthdays and holidays, agree with family and friends to spend more time together), cut down on negative media, and lastly, find new ways to treat yourself (instead of spending your money on “stuff”, consider spending it on individuals providing quality services (wellness retreat, massage therapist).

Here are just a few ways I’m simplifying my life.

• Becoming self-sufficient. Replaced store-bought personal care items & household cleaners with DIY items.
• Replaced processed foods with whole foods, thus reducing my environmental footprint.
• Welcoming every day with GRATITUDE & love.
• Sleep walking is no longer an option! Trying to live MORE in the present moment.
• Making it a priority to gift my soul by attending a RAW potluck monthly.
• Supporting sustainable agriculture. Buying organic when possible, joined CSA and shopping at farmer’s markets.
• Incorporating a tree-free home (replaced paper napkins with cloth, cloth bags replaced paper, etc.)
• Learning to follow my bliss & staying true to my heart. This may mean saying “no” more frequently (people obligations, material things) and saying “yes” to things that matter most.
• Saying “yes” to fitness activities of all kinds including one of my faves->ZUMBA!
• Spending time in nature daily.
• Embracing own path to happiness, not blindly following society’s “status quo”.
• Used sustainable eco-friendly raw materials for household updates.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Buying used or borrowing when possible. (Freecycle, Craigslist, eBay, thrift stores, garage sales, friends).
• Frequently taking stock [re-visiting my goals and priorities list].
• Taking charge of my own health (body, mind, spirit) & the health of our environment by eating a healthy raw plant-based diet.
• Non-renewing newspapers and select magazines.
• De-cluttering closets & cupboards on a regular basis/donating items to thrift stores and local food pantry.
• Getting clear about how I want to budget my time, energy and money.
• Being committed to voluntary simplicity.  Knowing that with self-discipline, commitment, dedication and education, we can all make daily choices that will provide us with the best quality of life.
• Local artisan items or local services for gifts.

Mini Pizzettes Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cashews, soaked for 2 hours or more
• 2 lemons, juiced
• sea salt
• sun-dried tomatoes, chopped small, however many you’d like
• baby spinach leaves
• cucumbers
• Cherry Tomatoes

How To: Rinse and drain cashews. Throw in food processor. Process until ground well. Add the salt and lemon juice. Add the sun-dried tomatoes. Process well.  Scrape the sides of your processor. Drizzle some water in. Keep doing this until the “cheese” reaches the consistency you’d like. Slice cucumbers.  Spread the pizza cheese on the cucumber slices and next layer with a baby spinach leaf and 1/2 of cherry tomato. Enjoy!

Dehydrator in Overdrive!!

12 Aug 2010 2 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Blueberry Blast Granola Bars

Free Spirit Italian Crispies

Get Happy Goji Squares

Perfect raw harmony…the blueberry blast granola bars match my countertops!

Granola bars in the D

Sassy Sweet Potato Chips & Kid-Approved Applelicious Slices

Mango Tango Tropical Fruit Roll-ups

Not Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Bars

~D filled with goodies~

Better Than Popcorn Kale Chips

I’m ALIVE Grawnola

Flax Seed CRAWckers

GRAWnola in D

I loooove gRAWnola!!

Corn Chips & Guacamole

Glass mason jars come in real handy…

Banana Crepes

My dear friend kindly allowed me to take her 9-Tray Excalibur Dehydrator for a test drive. I”m over the moon thrilled.  It’s been running 24/7.  Thank you, Peggy!

According to David Wolfe (the raw authority~) , he explains in his book, [The Sunfood Diet Success System], “the dehydration of food below 104 degrees Fahrenheit does keep most enzymes intact.” David Wolfe also states that the nutritional properties of foods are degraded by the process of cooking. Heating converts foods into foreign substances…”

Okay so guess what just arrived on my doorstep…on my 16th wedding anniversary, no less!  A 9-tray dehydrator from Vermont Fiddle Heads. Yay!

Vermont Fiddle Heads Shop & Raw Cafe

If you haven’t already read my interview with the owner of Vermont Fiddle Heads, Linda Wooliever, click here.

Time to fill the D..may the creative dehydrating juices continue to flow!

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What have you made in your dehydrator lately?

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Yoga Anyone? Sun Salutation Apple Pie

08 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Sun Salutation Apple Pie

Look closely->the apple slice in the center is doing the “Mountain Pose” surrounded by stick poses.

Yoga anyone ? According to Better Mind, Sun Salutation (series of 12 yoga poses) has multiple mental and physical benefits. In only ten minutes you can achieve a low impact workout that combines both Resistance Training (e.g. weight lifting) and Cardiovascular (“Cardio”) Training.

Better Mind goes on to list body benefits. Here are just a few:

• Stretches and tones your muscles keeping them supple and flexible.
• Clears your elimination channels helping your body rid itself of toxins. This is especially good in the morning after many hours of lack of movement during sleep (the lymphatic system eliminates toxins through movement).

And mental benefits too!

• Increase your mental focus and concentration
• Increase the quantity of “good mood” neurotransmitters
• Increase mind to body coordination

Want to try some poses?  Check out this Sun Salutation video.

*****************************************************************

Apple Pie Recipe: Check  Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People, for the Apple Pie recipe. I added the name “Sun Salutation Apple Pie” for the purpose of this blog posting. Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People is a wonderful book to have in your personal un-cook library!

Tell me about your yoga experiences!

Post your comments below.

Happy August 1st! Time for Reflection…

01 Aug 2010 4 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Happy August 1st!  How is your whole-person journey going?

It’s fun to reflect on where we started, where we are at, and where we want to go.  Going on my 6th month High RAW and excited to discover new things daily.  I’m grateful for the lifelong process.

It’s a constant re-evaluation of our fitness routines, how to best heal our mind, body and soul,  relationships, nutrition, stress factors, quiet time.  It’s a delicate balancing act.

How about you?  What are your health & lifestyle goals? Post your comments below!

RAwmazing Carob Mousse Strawberry Delight

23 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Carob Mousse Strawberry Delight

Get a large spoon. Scoop up some delight pie and drop in a fun dessert goblet.  RAWmmmmazing-melt-in-your-mouth. Rich and decadent!

Recipe adapted from Raw Food Author & Chef Jennifer Cornbleet

Walnut Crust Recipe

Add 2 cups walnuts to your food processor. Process until fine. Add 1 cup organic raisins and a little sea salt to your processor. Process until small fine chunks. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of a glass pie plate with your hands. Note it will not be like a traditional crust going up the sides, this one will just cover the bottom of your pie plate. Put in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries Recipe

What I used:

• 1/4 cup dates, soaked for 30 minutes and cut up in small pieces
• 1/4 cup organic maple syrup (not raw)
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/4 cup plus 2 TB carob powder
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 lb or less fresh strawberries, sliced thin, garnish
• 2 kiwis, sliced thin, optional, garnish

How to: Process all (except for strawberries & kiwi) in your food processor until smooth and creamy. Resist the urge to eat the whole thing. Take the crust out of the freezer. Drop the mousse mixture into the crust and spread evenly. Freeze for a few hours and then garnish with the strawberries and kiwi immediately before serving. Serve in fun dessert goblets.  Store in fridge.

Talkin’ Raw with Linda Wooliever: Vermont Fiddle Heads

17 Jul 2010 5 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Vermont Fiddle Heads Shop & Raw Cafe

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Q&A by Celeste Resch

Vermont Fiddle Heads

Owner, Linda Wooliever & Celeste

Take a peak into Linda’s shop now!

Raw staples in your diet: I always have to have various nuts/seeds on hand. That is a given. Never know when the urge to make some great spread, cheeze, pudding, dessert, nut milk, pate, sauce will happen! SEAWEED, spirulina, coconut aminos/miso, coconut oil, lemon juice, flax seeds, hemp seeds, raw tahini, greens greens and more greens, sprouts, bananas, avocados & dates (avos are not really a staple but damn, they should be!) Honestly, all the bulk foods I have in the shop are my staples – that’s why they are there.

Mom & I had the opportunity to enjoy our first raw burger with eggplant “bacon”. Yummy!

Your fave nut butter? This week I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Living Tree’s raw brazil nut butter. OMG, it is super hella delicious. I received it as a sample and I totally have to carry it in the shop. It’s amazing!

To top off the meal, the Violet Cheese Cake hit the spot! MMmmm!

To sign up to receive Linda’s weekly newsletter, sign up here.

Your thoughts on dehydrated foods. I think dehydrated foods are great if you are finding yourself having cravings for the cooked foods you are trying to avoid. Raw breads, crackers are great to have on hand, particularly for people who are constantly hungry during their transitioning into raw foods. I think the more living foods you eat, the more you will naturally want to have hydrating foods vs. dehydrated foods in your diet. It’s easy to feel the difference after you eat a dehydrated meal vs. a really fresh meal full of juiciness.  I personally enjoy having hydrating foods the longer I’ve been eating this fresh, whole foods (mostly raw) vegan diet. But when I was first starting out, I felt like I needed the heavier, gourmet foods to help me feel satisfied (in my emotions mainly) but also in my belly.

My advice for you or anyone is to eat whatever you are eating with gratitude and joy, as the prayer being realized that it is. See how you feel immediately after you eat. See how you feel an hour after you eat. If you feel great, your body is telling you to “please repeat that!” – if your body feels crappy, your body is telling you to make some adjustments. Tune in to your body’s wisdom and less on the input from the so called gurus out there. And please note! Your body is continually changing and growing so what works for you today will be different to what works for you in a month or year from now. So climb on board and enjoy the ride! This is a journey. And a magical one at that.

I couldn’t resist a nut milk/sprouting bag that they handmade at the store.

The one I picked out was in the shape of Vermont. How clever!

Learn more about the history of their nut milk bag business here.

Raw foods you’ve excluded from your diet since you started and why. Good question! I’m sure you can tell that I’ve excluded a lot of dehydrated foods from my diet since I started. I’ve found that I started feeling very similarly after having dehydrated foods like I did when I ate a majority of cooked foods. Kinda tired after eating. Also feeling thirsty after a heavy meal. When I changed to having big salads with other items on and even sometimes had a cup of brown rice or cooked beans on top, my body really responded favorably. The way that I eat now is WAY way different than when I started. But it was all necessary and good. I don’t regret a thing. And this isn’t to say that I don’t eat them anymore. I love having one of my BLTs every now and then but I don’t need to make the big heavy enchiladas and burgers and meatloafs and calzone things anymore. That’s just overkill. But  piece of onion bread with sprouts and a lovely spread with a bit of kim chi is fan-ditty-tastic.

If I had a choice between eating a sandwich with some raw bread over eating a sandwich in a piece of lettuce, kale or collards, I’d take the greens. A meal doesn’t feel like a meal unless there are greens involved! Everything else is just filler (or a snack)!

Lastly, the longer I check in with my body for it’s wisdom, the less stimulants I want. I used to be a 1-2 cup/day coffee drinker. Even while raw, I still drank coffee (went down to 1 cup/day). I let my body tell me when it was time to drop it (vs my mind nagging me that I “should” do it.) I switched to raw cacao and really got hooked on it. There are still times when I love a good bit of raw chocolate but all I’m saying is I don’t need it or want it like I used to. I’m sure this will develop as I go here. It’s really a fun experiment – eat something delicious and see how you feel.

GET THE RAWKIN’ SCOOP! Sign up to receive all the future Talkin’ Raw interviews as well as recipes posted here on Rawkin’ Raw Vegan’s blog by visiting the E-Mail Subscription page which appears at the top right hand column on this page!

How is your RAWKIN’ lifestyle going?

Be sure to post a comment below!

Celeste’s Free Spirit Beegan Balls

17 Jul 2010 2 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Celeste’s Free Spirit Beegan Balls

I just love these little balls of beegan (vegans who consume bee products) goodness! Ate “about” 5 lastnight while making them. Afterall, they are only bite-size treats. That’s the hazard of making raw treats. By the time you are finished making them and ready to shove them in the freezer, you are down to only a few cookies! I’m telling you–double or triple the batches. It’s that simple.

These came about because I wanted something sweet. I created them from what I already had, including the local raw honey I just scored at the farmer’s market.

Have you read the book, The China Study? Don’t delay! Everyone should own this book. It’s that important.

Celeste’s Raw Beegan Cookie Recipe

Serves-makes about 15-19 small balls

• 1 cup raw whole almonds
• 1/2 cup raw locally produced honey
• 1/2 cup organic raisins
• 2 TB organic extra virgin coconut oil, should be soft

HOW TO:

Process almonds in food processor until chunky. Add rest of the ingredients until fine. Roll them in balls and place in mini muffin tin OR simply on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Place in freezer for 20-30 minutes, it doesn’t take them long to get hard. Take them out and throw them in a covered container OR ziplock bag and place back in the freezer or in the fridge (they may get too soft in fridge). If you do store them in the freezer, take them out a little before you want to eat them so they aren’t super hard. Mmmmmmm!

Celeste’s Fresh Pesto Pasta

14 Jul 2010 4 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Celeste’s Fresh Pesto Pasta

This is one of the easiest and tastiest raw dishes to throw together in a flash.  It’s so fresh! Serve this to your SAD friends and family and after they’ve eaten a whole bowl, ask them what they think the noodles are made from. Tell them it’s your secret.

You can make this pesto with or without nuts.

Celeste’s Fresh Pesto Pasta Recipe

Servings: 1-2

Tools: Food Processor & Julienne Peeler

• 2 large zucchinis, using a julienne peeler-make them into “pasta” noodles
• handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 bunch fresh basil, washed, chopped up fine
• 1/2 cup walnuts**
• lemon juice
• garlic clove
• organic extra virgin olive oil
• sprinkle of Celtic Salt or Real Salt

**If you’d prefer a nut-free pesto, simply replace the nuts with some sprouts. Otherwise, you can leave both the nuts and sprouts out.

HOW TO: Make your zucchini “pasta noodles”. You do this by using your julienne peeler. Put all in a large bowl.  If you are making a nut pesto, add your walnuts to your food processor. Process until fine. Add the prepared basil, lemon juice, garlic clove, and drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil. Process well. Drop the “pesto” onto the zucchini noodles. With your hands, massage the pesto onto the noodles well so they are all covered. Halve your tomatoes.  Throw them in the bowl with your noodles.  Mix well. Voila!  Either let it chill in fridge for a little while OR dig in immediately. If you want to make a nut-free pesto: Simply leave out the nuts and replace with sprouts (still grinding them in the food processor like you would with the nuts) OR if you don’t have sprouts, simply process the basil, lemon juice, garlic, EVOO, salt, and drop over the noodles. Add the tomatoes.

How is your spirit? RAW Sunshine Carrot Salad

05 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Raw Sunshine Carrot Salad

A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing.

–Maya Angelou

How is your spirit? This is my 5th month eating raw vegan and my spirit is overflowing in simple abundance!

What personal benefits have I experienced from a raw  lifestyle?

• whole person transformation
• self-sufficiency-going back to basics-living simply & more holistically
• taking my health into my own hands has been freeing, liberating, and empowering
• increased energy level
• Learning the truth about health, nutrition and wellness {not accepting the status quo}
• SOLE eating (Sustainable, Organic, Local, Ethical)
• Creating beauty from the inside out (eat pure foods = pure insides = pure outsides)
• Body gets hydrated (water) through food (veggies, fruits, smoothies).
• living more authentically & consciously in all areas of lifestyle
• clarity of the digestion process
• discovering the body can heal itself with the right nutrition
• non-existent PMS
• no need for over the counter or prescriptive drugs for everyday illnesses
• getting vitamins and minerals from whole foods instead of numerous supplements capsules
• migraine-free
• Less gray hair since going raw. No need to color hair!
• feeling of calm (learn how the foods you eat DO effect your well being here.)
• less sleep necessary
• better digestion
• natural weight loss
• stronger immune system
• optimal health and rejuvenation
• strength & endurance improved rapidly with exercise

RAW Sunshine Carrot Salad Recipe

Recipe adapted from Living & Raw Foods

• organic carrots, sliced into  noodles with julienne peeler
• handful of organic raisins
• 1 organic apple, chopped

Dressing:

• organic wheat-free Tamari
• 1 organic apple, cored and chopped small
• organic carrot
• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• sprinkle of cayenne pepper, optional
• water to thin (add at end, as necessary)

How to: Prepare salad ingredients and put in a bowl. Put the almonds in your food processor and process until fine. Add rest of ingredients. Drizzle dressing over salad. Mix well until everything is coated well.  Place all salad in a bowl lined with cabbage. Cover and put in the fridge to chill for a bit before serving.

Cauliflower Popcorn & Smashed Potatoes

02 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Sweet Popcorn with “Butter Topping”

Spicy  Raw Girl Popcorn

Smashed Potatoes garnished with dill weed

Sprouted Radish Mashed Potatoes

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that often gets overlooked.  This white flowering white head of beautiful produce awaits your discovery! In addition to the many health benefits of cruciferous veggies,  the many enzymes found in cauliflower help with the detoxifying process, according to WH Foods.

Here are some fun easy recipes to help you incorporate cauliflower into your summer plans.

Cauliflower popcorn is a healthy treat to take along a road trip, camping, beach, or simply enjoy some during a nature walk.  Or consider a bowl of smashed potatoes while camping.

This is my 5th month raw vegan so I’m always looking for easily transportable goodies to take along wherever I go.  I love eating close to nature-I wouldn’t have it any other way!  How about you? Where is your food journey taking you?

Cauliflower Popcorn with “Buttered Topping” Recipe

Ingredients:

• cauliflower, chopped up in large chunks
• 1/2 cup raw almond butter (or experiment w/whatever nut butter you have)
• 1 TBS organic pure maple syrup
• pinch of Real Salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 TBS freshly squeezed lemon juice

How to: Chop up cauliflower. Put in a large bowl. Throw the rest of the ingredients in your food processor. Process well.  Drizzle this “butter topping” mixture onto your cauliflower “popcorn”. Mix well so all cauliflower is covered with the “butter”. Eat right away or store in fridge. TO TAKE ALONG CAMPING: Put in a covered container or in zip lock bags and store in cooler.

Spicy Cauliflower Popcorn Recipe

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower, chopped up in large chunks
• drizzle of EVOO (Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• Paprika, Chili Powder, Cayenne Pepper-equal parts mixed in small bowl (or less cayenne pepper if you don’t like it really spicy)–just enough mixture to sprinkle on the cauliflower.

How to: Chop up cauliflower. Put in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, mix the spices together. Drizzle EVOO on the cauliflower–while mixing up-just enough to catch the spices as you sprinkle on the spice mix. Eat right away or put in covered container & store in the fridge.

Smashed Cauliflower Potatoes

There are many variations to make cauliflower potatoes. If you have a head of cauliflower, you can experiment with the rest of the ingredients. Use what you already have in your pantry. The beauty of raw is to play around to create your own version.

Tool used: Food processor

Ingredients:

• Head of cauliflower, cut up in chunks
• clove of garlic, minced (i add more garlic -i love garlic)
• sprinkle of sea salt
• pinch of dried dill weed (or fresh dill), garnish
• splash of EVOO (organic extra virgin olive oil)
• nut butter (I use almond butter but experiment w/whatever nut butter you have-<tsp or TBS to make the potatoes creamy)
• water added when necessary to make creamy

How to: Add the chunks of cauliflower to your processor first. Whirl until tiny chunks. Start adding the rest of the ingredients. With a spatula, scraping the side of your processor often. Add the garlic. Add the sea salt, EVOO and water, as needed to make it creamy and to YOUR taste. Add the nut butter, if you have it. Process until creamy. Garnish with dill weed. Eat immediately or store in fridge in covered container.

Sprouted Radish Mashed Potatoes RECIPE-Note: Radish sprouts have a KICK to them! Pick up some radish sprout seeds at your local health food store. To sprout radish seeds–follow the instructions here. Then follow the recipe above for Smashed Potatoes (leave out the garlic-or use less garlic>I kept the garlic in and it had major KICK which I loved but some would not). Once you have made the Smashed Potatoes, add a handful (or less) of the radish sprouts. Mix and stir the sprouts well into the “potatoes”. Good & spicy!

Raw Images: Scenes from Vermont

28 Jun 2010 2 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

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I just spent 2 weeks in Vermont visiting my family.

Here are a few pics from the trip. Enjoy!

If I can get a once-a-year slalom water ski run in, I’m happy!

Granola bars dehydrating..

Preparing nori rolls…

Can never have enough raw goodies!

Neigh!

Think Pink Watermelon Splash

18 Jun 2010 1 Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

This is my fave drink. It’s so yummy and filling.

What I used:

• watermelon juice & bits of watermelon (see photo below)
• few cubes of ice
• vita-mix

How to: Throw watermelon, juice and ice in high-speed blender. Pour in a glass with more ice (optional) and enjoy!

Sinus Congestion? Immune Boosting Soup Bowl & Neti Pot

06 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

I woke up this morning with sinus congestion so instead of my usual green smoothie, I was on a mission to create a warm immune boosting soup.  This immediately cleared up my nasal passages!

I also picked up this neti pot which seems to help. Will probably be incorporating it into my morning routine as well as in the evening before bed on a daily basis. You don’t need to be suffering a cold or sinus congestion to benefit.

About the Neti Pot: According to the product description, “Neti is one of the six purification techniques undertaken prior to the practice of yoga texts known as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita. Some yoga teachers consider it valuable in cleansing the energy channels and balancing the right and left hemispheres to create radiant, energetic health and wellness, which is the foundation upon which true yoga practice can come to fruition. It is gentle and effective technique of nasal irritation and is widely recommended by health practitioners worldwide as a wonderful way to improve your overall feeling of well-being and maintain radiant, vibrant health.”

Are warmed foods considered raw? If the food isn’t cooked above 104 degrees F according to David Wolfe, it’s still considered raw (the enzymes are destroyed by heat when heated above). I rarely warm foods on the stove (my vita-mix usually does the warming) but for soups that aren’t all pureed, gently warming on the stove is where it’s at.

Broth Recipe

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 lemon, freshly squeezed
• 3 stalks organic celery, chopped up
• 1 organic carrot, chopped up
• pinch of organic dried oregano
• pinch of organic curry
• pinch of organic cayenne pepper
• 1 fresh clove garlic
• 1-2 TBS organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2-4 tsp Bragg organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Soup Recipe

• 2 zucchini, made into noodles with julienne peeler
• 1 carrot diced (or julienned)
• pinch of organic dulse flakes (dried sea vegetables), optional
• handful of organic baby spinach leaves

How To: Throw all the broth ingredients into a vita-mix. Process well. Pour broth into sauce pot. Prepare the zucchinis, carrots and baby spinach. Add them to the broth on the stove & slowly heat until warm (to 118F).  Pour soup in bowls and sprinkle dulse flakes on top. Eat immediately.

RAW Dreamy Creamy Cherry Soup: Cherry Pitter Wanted!

03 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Cherries are now in season. Yay!  I can’t resist passing them by.  This soup is creamy dreamy delish.

Seven reasons to choose cherries. 1) Vitamin C 2) abundance of antioxidants 3) iron 4) fiber 5) beta carotene 6) magnesium 7) and potassium.  Six reasons to love cashews-1) they are rich in protein 2) high in fiber 3)  monounsaturated fats 4)  magnesium 5)  copper and 6) antioxidants.

Upon pitting the cherries first with a knife and then trying a melon baller (both methods time consuming & messy/juicy), there’s no question I need to invest in a cherry pitter! Anyone else out there share the same excitement over kitchen tools as I do?

Raw Cold Cherry Soup Recipe

What I used:

Recipe adapted from Raw Epicurean

Tools used: food processor

• 16 oz fresh cherries
• 2 TB freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 cup raw cashew cream (see recipe below)
• water, optional, as needed only

How to:

1. Wash cherries. Remove stems. Use a cherry pitter (or cut cherry in half with knife and w/fingers get pit out-OR use a melon baller to de-pit). Throw pitted cherries in a high powered blender.
2. Make the cashew cream (see recipe below). Add it to the blender along with all the other ingredients. Process well.
3. Chill for 1-2 hours before serving. Mmm!

Raw Cashew Cream

Cashew Cream Recipe

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 3/4 – 1 cup water
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1-2 dates, chopped, optional

Blend all in a food processor until creamy.

Celeste’s RAW Living Zucchini Alfredo

31 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Celeste’s Raw Zucchini Alfredo

The combination of Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, will throw an amazing savory party in your mouth!

Zucchini Pasta Recipe

Tools used:

• Krups Coffee Grinder
• 10-Cup Hamilton Beach Food Processor
• Kuhn Rikon Julienne Peeler
  

Serving size–Depending on how many servings you’d like, you can adjust the amount of zucchini and squash. The Alfredo Sauce will be plenty for a very large bowl of noodles. If you have leftover Alfredo Sauce, you can use it for a salad dressing or wrap spread.

• zucchinis, using a julienne peeler-make into thin noodles
• yellow squash, julienned, optional (you can choose to use all zucchini)
• few fresh organic basil leaves, chopped fine
• handful of organic cherry tomatoes, halved
• handful of pitted Kalamata Olives, halved
• handful of Sun-Dried Tomatoes, cut in small pieces
• Roma tomatoes, garnish

Alfredo Sauce Recipe

• 1 cup raw cashews, ground to fine powder in coffee grinder
• 1/2 lemon, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 cup water (add at end)
• 2 tsp Organic Wheat-Free KOY Tamari Soy Sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp Real Salt
  

Instructions:

Alfredo Sauce: Grind raw cashews in coffee grinder to fine powder.

Add cashew powder to food processor. Add rest of Alfredo Sauce ingredients to processor. Process well.  Chill the sauce for a few hours or make it a day or two ahead of time & keep it covered in refrigerator.

Zucchini Pasta: Using a julienne peeler (see below), peel zucchinis and squash into noodles. Halve tomatoes and olives. Throw in with noodles. Chop up basil leaves. Add to noodles. Stir in Alfredo Sauce.  Mix well.  Chill for a few hours or make in the morning, chill all day, and serve in the evening so the flavors can blend.

Haphazard 3 C’s Salad (Cuke, Carrot, Cauliflower)

30 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

June 2010.  This is month 4 of eating high RAW. Preparing and eating living raw foods is the BEST gift!

I opened my fridge. I grabbed a carrot, a cuke, and some cauliflower. I reached for my julienne peeler. This 3 C’s salad was then created. Topped with a spicy, albeit unique dressing that I threw together haphazardly.

3 C’s Salad Recipe

Tools Needed:

• Julienne Peeler (or veggie peeler)
• Small food processor

Salad ingredients:

• cuke, julienned to make noodle strips
• carrot, julienned to make noodle strips
• cauliflower, small pieces (make “feta-cheese like” crumbles for the top of your salad)

Dressing:

• 3 Roma tomatoes, cut up
• drizzle of Red Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 handful of Raw Sunflower Seeds (sprout if you have time)
• Large squirt of Spicy Brown Mustard

How to: Prepare salad in a large bowl. Process all dressing ingredients in small food processor. Pour dressing over salad.

Homemade RAW Almond Butter

25 May 2010 1 Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Almond Butter

Processing almonds to make nut butter. Stopping midway to scrape the sides…

I’m an almond butter fanatic! I usually have a mason jar full in the fridge to incorporate in dressings, smoothies, dips & spreads throughout the week.

Almond butter is a great source of protein, iron, calcium and fiber. In addition, potassium, magnesium and Vitamin E.

What I use:

Tool: 10-cup food processor

• 1 pound bag of raw whole almonds
• 1 TBS (or more) organic EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• pinch of Real Salt
  

Instructions: Put almonds in your food processor. Process for about 8-10 minutes or longer- stopping to scrape sides with a spatula often.  While the processor is going, drizzle some EVOO and salt in the processor. Process until smooth. Store in a glass mason jar with lid in your fridge.

RAW Almond Strawberry Kiss Bowl

25 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

This is seriously yummy. Makes a great breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner! I make it in the evening and let it chill overnight. If you are going camping, make a large batch and bring it along.

Raw Fruit Bowl recipe

Handful of each:

• organic dates, chopped small
• organic raisins
• 1 large organic apple, chopped into bite size pieces
• walnuts
• strawberries, sliced
• whole strawberries, garnish

Dressing:

• 2-3 TBS of homemade raw almond butter
• 1 tsp Spicery Shoppe Almond Flavoring, optional, or use pure vanilla extract
• 2 tsp chia seeds, optional
• 1-2 tsp organic extra virgin coconut oil

Instructions: Blend all dressing ingredients in food processor and mix in with fruit bowl, coating all fruit bowl ingredients. Chill overnight.

RAW Homemade Tahini

23 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Raw Tahini

Tahini, which is ground sesame paste, is a staple in the raw food diet and is used to make hummus, dressings, desserts, soups, spreads for lettuce wraps, and dips. It’s a great source of calcium, protein, iron, B vitamins and minerals.

Most store-bought tahini has been made using roasted (not raw) sesame seeds. I enjoy making my own fresh tahini to by-pass all the packaging, labeling, and roasted seeds.

You can simply make raw tahini by whirling 1 cup of soaked seeds with 1/2 cup of water or use the recipe below.

What I used:

• 1 cup raw (untoasted) hulled sesame seeds, soaked in water (enough to cover them plus a little more) for 2 hours and rinsed (buy in bulk from your local natural food store)
• freshly squeezed lemon
• organic EVOO ( extra virgin olive oil), as needed

What I did: After I soaked the sesame seeds, I drained the water and rinsed them under running water one last time. I then put the seeds and the rest of the ingredients in a food processor and whirled well.

Voila, you have tahini! Store in glass mason jar and use within a few days.

Celeste’s Rawkin Granola Bars (Dehydrator-Free)

17 May 2010 2 Comments

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Celeste’s Rawkin Granola Bars

I created this treat using my absolute favorite superfoods.  Enjoy it for breakfast or use it as a natural energy booster in the afternoon. Mmm!

As soon as I pick up a dehydrator, these are the first bars I’m going to try! Let me know how they turn out if you make them in a dehydrator.

What I used:

Makes about 13 standard-size granola bars

• 1 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (not raw)
• 1 cup raw almond butter
• 1 cup certified organic pure maple syrup (not raw)
• touch of pure vanilla extract
• 2 TB Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• 2 TB Chia Seeds
• handful of organic red seedless raisins
• Goji berries, garnish
• sesame seeds, garnish

What I did: Threw everything except for the last 2 ingredients into the food processor. Mixed well.

Lined a large cookie sheet with parchment paper (see photo below). Dropped all  granola mix onto parchment paper and spread out in a square. Garnished with sesame seeds and goji berries. Put in the freezer overnight.

The next morning, took a pizza cutter to make granola bar size treats.

Wrapped each individually in wax paper (hurry, they will get soft quick and this process can be a little messy) and put them in a zip lock bag in the freezer. Store them in the freezer. YUM!

RAW Zucchini Pasta w/ Marinara Sauce

16 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

One word. FRESH! Straight from the garden “spaghetti”.  Use zucchini to make raw pasta noodles. [Oh how I love my Kuhn Rikon Julienne Peeler] Top it with a delicious marinara sauce.  Yum!

Raw Zucchini Pasta

• 2-4 zucchinis
• olives, halved, optional
• Tool I used: Julienne Peeler

What to do: Using a julienne peeler, make  “pasta noodles” out of the zucchini.  Stir in the marinara sauce below.  Mix well so all the noodles are covered with marinara.  Toss in the olives, optional. Garnish with additional dried basil. Do a taste test. If you want it to have more kick, sprinkle a little more cayenne pepper.

NOTE: Add the marinara sauce immediately before serving.

RAW Marinara Sauce

Recipe adapted from Jennifer Cornbleet , author of Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People. See her Marinara video here.

What I used:

2 servings

• package of sun dried tomatoes, soaked for 2 hours
• 2-3 Roma tomatoes, sliced up
• 1-2 red peppers, sliced up
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• dried oregano
• dried basil
• pinch of sea salt
• freshly ground peppercorn, to taste
• pinch of cayenne pepper (if you like a kick)

What to do: Throw everything in a food processor. Toss and mix well with the zucchini pasta.  If you have leftover marinara sauce, store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

RAW Cabbage Wrap with Teriyaki Sauce

14 May 2010 1 Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Wraps are RAWmazing! You can’t just eat one…Enjoy for lunch, dinner, or snack.  Wrap combinations are truly endless. Experiment with various veggies (or fruit), spreads, and dips. Prepare a beautiful plate of wraps to bring to your next gathering. They will disappear quickly.

Wrap template:

• Wrap–collard green leaves, purple cabbage, bok choy, kale, romaine lettuce leaves, spinach.
• Spread-Hummus, Guacamole, Almond Butter, thick dressing, pate, raw stuffing, homemade salsa.
• Filling–Veggies of your choice (or make a fruit salsa wrap like the one listed on the bottom of this Raw Food Health site.)  For the above purple cabbage wrap, I used cukes cut in matchsticks, carrots-julienned, fresh herbs (italian parsley). Use veggies of your choice and consider adding some chia, hemp or flax seeds or chopped nuts.
• Toothpicks -if bringing wraps to a potluck, secure each with a toothpick.

How to make the wrap: To make the perfect collard green wrap, check out this Renegade Health video.

Raw Teriyaki Sauce

• 1/3 cup Tamari
• 1/3 cup pure organic maple syrup
• sprinkle of ginger
• sprinkle of garlic powder

Mix all and use it as wrap dip.

Raw Beet & Apple Salad

09 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Rockin' Raw Vegan in Uncategorized

Beets and apples, what an absolute tasty combination!

According to WHFoods, beets contain powerful nutrient compounds that help protect against heart disease, birth defects and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.

What I used:

Original Recipe adapted from Mac & Cheese

• beets, washed, peeled and cut into matchsticks
• 2 apples, peeled, cut into matchsticks
• 3 tbs lemon juice
• 3 tbs balsamic vinegar
• 5 tbs EVOO (or less), optional
• sea salt and freshly ground peppercorn

What I did:

Prepared the beets and apples. Placed in a large bowl.  In a separate small bowl, combined the lemon juice, vinegar, EVOO, sea salt and pepper.  Drizzled the dressing over the apple and beet mixture.