There are a few blogs that I look at Daily (no pun intended!). One of them is called the Daily Raw Cafe!
For the next 2 days Terilynn will have a multitude of Giveaways you may find interesting!!!
Go to her website and try your luck at some of these wonderful RAW Giveaways!!! 
http://www.thedailyrawcafe.com/
GOOD LUCK!
Namaste!
Have you ever seen a commercial for this product? The Chia Pet???
I used to think about how ridiculous this seemed when I was younger. Especially when I would see one for Mr. T., Barabara Bush, Saddam, and other such people. Of course there were animals as well…
As silly as it seemed at the time, I found out I should have taken it a bit more seriously.
A bit of History before we begin…
An Ancient Food Source Recently Rediscovered. Chia seeds have been a staple food source for the American Native people for centuries (long before the Chia Pet hit the market). Aztec warriors would eat chia during hunting trips, and the Indians of the Southwest would eat only chia seed mixed with water as they ran from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean to trade products.
This brings us back to the Chia Pet! Chia seeds are too sticky for conventional sprouting jars (remember all the talk about chia gel), but sprout very easily when spread out on earthenware. Thus the Chia Pet was born in Mexico in the CHIApas region (Chiapas was named after the chia seed and means “Water of Chia”). The Mexicans have long made earthenware in the shapes of Chia Pets, and yes, you can eat the sprouts that grow on the Chia Pet. They taste like watercress (but better), and are full of vitamins and minerals, just like the seeds.
IDEA: Much like flax, the chia seed begins to gel up. This seemed like the perfect addition to fresh fruit to make a RAW JAM/JELLY type of food. I would like to plan a BRUNCH based on a few of the newest foods I have been experiencing on the RAW FOOD SIDE OF LIFE!
Chia is easy to digest, has very little taste but one of Nature’s most nutritous foods. They are high in protein, minerals and enzymes, fiber and calcium.
Both the Chia seed and oil naturally contain more than 60% Omega-3 fatty acid, this is the highest percentage of Omega-3 of any commercially available source. The body converts Omega-3 from chia into EPA and DHA. Chia has no odor, doesn’t go rancid, easy to store, easy to use, has very little flavor/taste and is not contaminated with pesticides, chemicals or heavy metals.
High in Protein Chia seed is a complete source of dietary protein, providing all the essential amino acids. Compared to other seeds and grains, chia seed provides the highest source of protein, between 19 to 23 percent protein by weight. One of the unique qualities of the chia seed is its ability to absorb more than nine times its volume in water or other liquid. This ability can prolong hydration and retain electrolytes in body fluids, especially during exertion or exercise. Normal fluid retention ensures electrolyte dispersion across cell membranes, maintains fluid balances, and aids normal cellular function.
Chia seed produces a thick mucilage in water, absorbing up to 30 times its weight in water. This soluble fiber cleans the intestines by binging and transporting debris from the intestinal walls so that it can be eliminated efficiently and regularly. A daily dose of chia seed provides an excellent fiber source and most people notice a different in less than a week.
Chia contains the usual Vitamin C, ferulates and Vitamin E but the real secret is the Cinnamic acids that guard the omega-3 oils from oxidation. This is why chia is a stable product for years! With no gluten, virtually no sodium, nor reported allergic reactions, grown without pesticides or toxicants. Chia has a high energy to weight ratio (more than wheat, corn, rice or oats) that makes it a favorite choice of long distance runners and other athletics .
Chia seed contains large amounts of B vitamins and calcium. By volume, one ounce of chia contains two percent B-2 (riboflavin), 13 percent niacin, and 29 percent thiamin, and trace amounts of all B vitamins. In roughly two ounces of chia (100 grams), there are 600 milligrams of calcium, contrasted with 120 milligrams of calcium in the same amount of milk. That’s five times as much calcium than milk!
Chia also contains boron, which is needed for bones. With much of the nation’s soil boron depleted, we simply are not getting enough boron in our daily diets. Boron is needed to aid the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus in bones and for muscle growth. Boron also can increase the levels of natural estrogen.A Dieter’s Dream! The gel-forming property of chia seed tends to slow digestion and sustain balanced blood sugar levels, which can be helpful in preventing or controlling diabetes. Whole, water-soaked chia seeds can be easily digested and absorbed. This results in rapid transport of chia nutrients to the tissues for use by the cells. Chia also facilitates the growth and regeneration of tissue during pregnancy and lactation, and aids the regeneration of muscles for conditioning athletes and bodybuilders. For the dieter, this means feeling full with no more peaks and valleys in blood sugar levels.
The fastest and easiest way to take chia seed is to add one tablespoon chia seed into an eight-ounce glass of water or juice, stir to break up any lumps, let sit about five minutes, stir again, and then drink. You can also use it to make a versatile gel, which can be added to jams, jellies, peanut butter, milkshakes, nut spreads, smoothies, hot or cold cereals, yogurts, mustard, catsup, tartar sauce, barbecue sauces, etc. as a fat replacer, for energy and endurance, or for added great taste.
Here’s how to make the gel, which has a slightly nutty flavor:
Put nine parts water in a seal able plastic container. Slowly pour one part seed into the water, then mix with a wire whisk or fork. This process will avoid any clumping of the seed. Wait a few minutes and stir again to break up any clumps, let stand ten minutes, and stir again. Store up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Add the gel, between 50 to 70 percent by volume, to any of the above-mentioned foods, mix well, and taste. You will notice a very smooth texture, with the integrity of the flavor intact, but you have added 50 to 70 percent more volume to your food and have displaced calories and fat by incorporating an ingredient that is ninety percent water!
Chia gel causes a slow release of carbohydrates and an equally slow converting of carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar) for energy. The outer layer of chia seeds is rich in mucilloid-soluble fiber, intended to keep the seeds from drying out in desert air. When chia seeds are mixed with water or stomach juices, a gel forms that creates a physical barrier between the carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down. The carbohydrates are digested eventually, but at a slow and uniform rate. There is no insulin surge or spike needed to lower the blood sugar level after eating chia.
RECIPES FOR YOU TO TRY!!!
These were ALL found on the Gone Raw Website!!! The link is located to the right under the BLOGROLL!
1) Blueberry Strawberry Chia Pie with Almond/Hemp Crust which you can see here. I will try to make this sometime this evening or over the weekend and post the picture and the process!
2) Vanilla Soft Serve – Here is the link
3) The Purple People Healer. I thought this was a great one! Here it is!
So there you have it folks! Some info for ya!
Thanks for STOPPING BY!!!
Namaste!
*Chia For Health
It has been quite sometime since I posted anything…
My days have been filled with the usualy fast pace of life and reading.
The three books I have been reading are: Juice Fasting and Detoxification by Steve Meyerowitz, The Sprouting Book by Ann Wigmore, The Hippocrates Diet by Ann Wigmore
This is the first book I read. It is an easy read with lots of information regarding the why? what? when? how? questions about Detoxing your body.
The book is informative and offers guidelines for those who ordinarily wouln’t know what to do. A Great Book for First timers.
I appreciated that the book went into Water Fasting, Juice Fasting, Detoxification, Weight Loss, Drink Recipes, Healing Crisis, Organs of Elimination, Excercises, and Coming off the Fast. These are usually areas that are unknown unless you read this book or one similar that would really go into what is happening before, during and after.
If you have about a day or two free then I would suggest this book. I was able to ger through most of it in one sitting, but since life has so many responsibilities I had to finish it the next day.
I figured this was the best one to start with since I am planning, and have been planning another cleanse. It is almost time for another parasite clease as well. Usually every 6 months they should be done -or- if there was significant travel then you should do one every three months.
BOOK #2
This book was written by the late Ann Wigmore. There was a plethora of information regarding the effects of Live Sprouts on the body.
For instance, Did you know Potassium is noted as the “Youth Mineral”? Potassium helps the body maintain smooth tight skin. It also helps maintain the proper alkalinity of the blood. Almond, Sesame, sunflower, mung, and cow pea sprouts supply more potassium than many other fruits and vegetables.
Alfalfa, fenugreek, lentil, adzuki, and mung sprouts are good sources of iron needed for red blood cell formation and the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the cells.
Alfalfa sprouts and sprouted pumkin seeds are high in zinc. Zinc is essential for the synthesis of protein, liver function and in the healing of cuts and wounds.
When hemoglobin molecules circulate in the bloodstream, they carry oxygen to the cells throughout the body. What is most like hemoglobin? Chlorophyll! That’s right. A combo of Celery, Spinach and Parsley is great for our bodies. (P.S. Just like Coconut Water is like our blood Plasma!;) Isn’t nature beautiful!)
Toxicity of blood, which is the cause of most illnesses like cancer is reduced in every case.
Antioxidants such as vitamins A,C, and E prevent the oxidation of fats in the blood, threby inhibiting the formation of free radicals in the body. Vitamin C prevents free radicals from being formed and keeps Vitamin A and E from being destoyed.
Since food enzymes abound in sprouts, they are our best bet against againg! The more cooked food we consume-the less enzymes we intake-therefore the quicker we age! 
(NO THANK YOU!!!)
Lastly, Enyme rich foods like sprouts, fresh fruits, veggies and their juices are the most important factors in slowing the aging clock!!!
Although an extremly interesting book with tons of knowledge, I could have done without the animal testing citations!! It seemed sad to think about the monkeys that were given certain foods to attain clogged arteries, only to be given sprouts to help their predicament. Of course I don’t think Ann Wigmore conducted the study, I still felt sad for the animals…
This book was a great read and perfect for those interested in beginning to SPROUT!!!
This was quite a book. It explains all of the necessary food for optimum health. It also goes into the complete system used at the Hippocrates Optimal Health institute as well as break down each food and why it is good for you and your body.
I think if you read this book, you may not need to read “The Sprouting Book”. Just my opinion!
Again there were citations of studies done on animals. Not my fave as far as reasons to believe the facts, but still helpful and informative!! I noted this above as well.
There are only a few days left for the GIVEAWAY!!! You can see that information here.
Don’t forget to enter and learn to leave less of a footprint on this earth we live on!!!
Namaste!
Hello All! I just wanted to remind everyone about the FREE DVD GIVEAWAY going on through the month of MAY.
I haven’t posted this week at all! Sorry! Took some time off for my birthday and meditation.
I send you all love, tranquility and lots of kindness to flow into your lives!!!
This DVD is about a No coffee, no elevators and no toilet paper — it’s not easy being No Impact Man, the guy who tried to live a pre-industrial lifestyle for a year in Manhattan. It’s even harder being the semi-supportive wife, which is what generates most of the electricity in this entertaining documentary.
Namaste!
Well Readers…I finally decided to try KELP NOODLES. The package says their RAW, but I am a little skeptical about that fact…
Anyway, I decied to make a Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto for the Kelp Noodles. More than anything I wanted 1) to know what they tasted like and 2) I didn’t want to attach any one countries cuisine to the noodle until I had tasted the noodle.
Initially these noodles are kind of chewy and crunchy in a strange sort of way. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. The more they soak in whatever sauce you use, they begin to be much more like a glass noodle found in Asian Cuisine.
So here is the package of the noodles…
Here are the noodles after I rinsed them…
Since the noodles looked a bit like a Glass Noodle I borrowed the cilantro from Thai food flavors + Borrowed the Pesto / Herb Paste type of sauce from Italian Food + and a bit of Mexican with the Serrano Chili and Pumpkin Seeds = Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto.
1 Bunch Cilantro
1 Serrano Chili
Juice of 1 Lime
Juice of 1 Lemon
2 Cloves Garlic
8 Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
1/4 cup olive oil
1 splash toasted sesame seed oil
1 Handful of Black Sesame Seeds,
Preparation: Halve Cherry Tomatoes and set aside. Place all ingredients, (except Black Sesame Seeds) into Food Processor and process until you have a nice fragrant paste. Mix into noodles and add the Black Sesame Seeds. Serve on two plates and garnish with Tomatoes.
Here is the finished plate!
I added a salad on the side. I used the sauce you see around the noodles as the dressing.
Notes: I don’t know that I will buy these noodles ever again. However the next time I make this type of Pesto, I will use a Zucchini Noodle instead.
Sunflower
The sunflower sprouts have filled the jar. I needed to give them more space and have moved 3/4 of the jar into a colander, and left the 1/4 of the jar filled with Sunflower sprouts .
Here is the Colander filled with the other sunflower sprouts…
The next morning this is what the Sunflower sprouts looked in the jar…
And the Colander…
Radish
Lot’s more little green leaves!! Yeah! This is so exciting!!! Darker green as well. The jar is at 3/4 of the way full! Wow! There are some that are a really pretty red/magenta type of color. Can you see them? Those must be the China Rose Radish Seeds.
The next morning this is what the radish sprouts looked like! These are almost ready to eat!!!
Peas
These tails are about 2″ at this point. The first set of leaves are forming and barely beginning to turn green.
Look at the incredible Green color that emerged in the morning!! The second set of leaves are emerging! This is wild stuff!
I will update the sprout pictures as they grow. Tonight when I arrive home the Radish will be ready to eat. I admit I sampled a taste and they were SPIIIICY! YUM! LOVE IT!
Thanks for reading!
Namaste!
This year all of the usual festivities for Cinco de Mayo were pretty much non-exsistent. Usually people are making a big deal about the Beers and Taco Special, Margaritas and Chips, Guacamole & Salsa. Not this year. Maybe it is the economy, maybe it is the political issues occuring in society in regards to Mexico, who knows.
So, I thought – I will celebrate it in a very “Quantum” fashion…
quan·tum (-t
)
So I came up with the Quantuam “Cinco” Salsa a la Guaca! giggle..giggle!
Before I give you the recipe, I will tell you a little about the genesis of this recipe, besides being silly on Cico de Mayo.
In Los Angeles you can find a Mexican Restaurant, Taco Stand (Taqueria), Taco Truck, and even a Taco Cart all over the city. Probably in closer proximity to each other than a McDonalds is. There are loads of different places to have Mexican Food.
There is a place called CIRO’S. This was the first time I had a chunky guacamole. It was much more like a heavenly bowl of chunky avocado soup! Since then, I make a chunky style of my own. Definitly Natural, Definitly Tasty and Definitly KICK ASS! 
Servings 2
1 Serrano Chile
1 Yellow Chili
3 Tomatillos
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 cup Cilantro
2 tbs. Mint
8 Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
2 Avocados, cubed
Preparation: Cube the Avocado and Halve the Cherry Tomatoes last. Add all of the other ingredients to the Food Processor and process until chunky. Be careful not to make it smooth!! Add the chuncks of Avocado and the cherry tomatoes.
Sunflower Sprouts
The first 1/4 of the jar was filled with the soaked sunflower seeds. At this point the growth of the sprouts has reached 1/2. They are starting to show a small root structure now! I also read that you can eat these sprouts at any point of the process. To wait for the greens stage the sprout must be 4″ tall.
The next morning the Sunflower Sprouts looked like this…
Approx. 1 1/2 inches higher in the jar than the night before!!! This is so exciting. I find myself thinking about my sprouts when I am at my store.
Radish Sprouts
Green Tops are showing now! Little leaves. These seeds are part of a general group called Brassica seeds. There are many different types. I will be covering them as time passes. Initially I put 2 T of seeds in the jar. The jar is filled about 1/3 of the way.
The next morning this is what the Radish sprouts looked like…
More Leaves!! More Sprouts! More Life!!!
Now these guys are awesome!!! They have tremendously long tails and the jar is filled about 1″ higher than the peas were when this process first started.
And in the morning even Cooler!!! Check out these peas!!!
The jar is almost full of pea sprouts at this point! The jar was filled 3/4 of the way by morning! Love and Life is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Thanks for reading! Join the GIVEAWAY! Learn about being low impact on this wonderful earth!
Since the weather has been heating up here in Los Angeles there are so many signs of life!!
Cactus Blooms…
Even some wonderful birds living in the back lot of my store!! They have a baby bird learning to fly.
Here is one of the parents. Can you see them on the corner of the lattice?…
And here is the baby. It’s hidden within the Morning Glory. Can you see it?…
And of course my wonderful sprouts!!!
Sprout Update – 040410 – First Rinse
Last night I rinsed the sprouts right away!! All of them showed signifigant growth!
The Radish seeds were begining to show their tails!!!
The Peas Sprouts as well!!! Blurry, I know but you can get the idea, right? Can you see the little tail???
And the Sunflower sprouts!! I am so EXCITED about these!!! If I could sing a beautiful chorus, I would!! These make me feel so happy! All of the white you see are the sprouts busting out of the black seed! L-I-F-E!!
Here is the pack I started with. The Avocados in the background are in the soup I made below!
Sprout Update – 050510 – Second Rinse – (Morning )
Here are the Radish sprouts in just 12 hours from the first pix! Total of 24 hours at this point!!
Here are the pea sprouts! So exciting! In just 12 hours look how much these have grown!
The same with these wonderful little guys!!! Sunflowers seeds and sprouts!!! LOVE IT!
I was blessed with some DIVINE Avocados! A customer brought them into the store the other day. I was so pleased!!! I put them in a paper bag immediately and they were ready a few days later…
Last night I used those avocados to make a creamy soup that would not only be cooling to the body, but refreshing to the mind.
2 Ripe Avocados, cubed
1 peeled cucumber, deseeded and cubed
Juice of 1 Lemon
Juice of 2 Limes
Juice of 1 orange
2 tbs. Fresh Mint
1/2 cup Fresh Cilantro, tightly packed
1/2 cup RAW Pumpkin Seeds
1/2 cup water
1 splash Sesame Seed oil
2 tbs Olive Oil
Preparation: Place the avocado, cucumber and RAW pumpkin seeds into the Food Processor and process. While it is processing, add the lemon juice, lime juice and orange juice. Open the Food processor and scrape the sides down. Add the cilantro, mint and sesame oil. Process again. I added the water a little at a time, just until the soup was smooth.
8 Cherry Tomatos, cut in half
Kernals from 1 ear of Corn
1 tbs. Mint, cut into strips (chiffonade style)
1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped
Preparation: Mix all ingredients together and add to the top of the soup as a garnish!
Here is Bowl #1…
Bowl #2
After dinner the soup felt really good in my stomach. All I was missing was some LIVE crackers. I would like to make some Kale Crackers I think. Maybe some sun dried tomato black olive crackers… Hmmmm..
Stay tuned…
And for the next giveway! A DVD called NO IMPACT MAN
I used this image since it describes a little of what this Documentary is about. It changed my view of packaging, and various other issues I hadn’t really thought about. I’m not saying he had the perfect equation, I think he should’ve gone raw, but I think you should see it! I am giving this away since loving the earth is one of the main reasons I am a Vegan Vegetarian Raw Yogini. (Though I admit, I need to work on the Yogini part LOTS MORE!! – Patience Patience there will time for EVERYTHING!
1) Send me a recipe – (I am still waiting for someone to send me a recipe to try and feature…Come on! Send me a recipe!!!!)
2) Comment on any blog posting after May 1, 2010. The last day to enter the raffle is May 30, 2010 @ Midnight.
3)Subscribe to this blog!!!
That’s it! Simple!
Thank you for reading!!
I thought I would leave you with a picture of the Master of RELAXATION!
Live in Light and Love!!
Namaste!
I have been meditating about life and all of it’s angles. Sprouts growing in my kitchen, little birds learning to fly in my backyard, the life of the veggies I eat during a RAW meal, ETC.
Sprouts Update#1 – 050410
I soaked sunflower, radish, and peas for 8+ hours. Did their first rinse at about 10 am. Tonight I will rinse them. I am excited to see what they have done, if anything…
The Quinoa was a really fast sprout! From what I read so is the Radish Sprout. It is a blend of Daikon and China Rose from Sprout People. Since I would like to sprout the sunflower seed for it’s greens, I have 10+ days to go. I will definitly need to begin a rotation of growing the sprouts and various types.
I will update with pix tomorrow!!!
Live Soups and Live sprouts with Live crackers sounds delicious!!! Especially since the heat has begun to rise here in Los Angeles. Seems like the perfect time to make some FIREWATER!!! (Stay tuned…)
I thought this was a great story to read before meditation. I hope you all take the time to Meditate or Recharge or Pray or just be still and alone for at least 10 minutes during the day. Inhale and Exhale. Rethink, Reorganize what is going on throughout your day. Just take the time to really be grounded in your spirit and in your life. It can only help us and those around us!
Once upon a time, before the sea existed, there was nobody living here, except Shiva and Shakti. Shakti is the most beautiful of all goddesses, and Shiva is her husband and lover. They love each other so much that even a short moment of separation is terrible for them. They are like wetness that is never separate from water, sweetness that is never separate from sugar, and warmth that is never separate from sunlight.
Once, Shiva went away to Mt. Kailash, to live as a hermit for awhile, and Shakti was not allowed to go with him. She stayed alone, below in the mountains, and felt very sad. Her longing for Shiva was so strong that she didn’t know what to do with herself. Everything around her seemed to be boring and purposeless, and she felt very restless. Shakti is inseparable from Siva – just as heat from fire, light from the sun, night from the sky, or a reflection from the mirror.
So, Shakti went around to all the Gods to ask for advice, but they couldn’t help her. When she was most desperate, she even went to Yama (the God of death); but he refused to see her, as she was not on his list of expected visitors.
Finally, she went to Indra (God of rain) and told him about her difficulties. He listened, and then said: You will meet Shiva again. In the meantime, you must practice Sadhana; this will serve two purposes. First, it will help you to progress spiritually, and will decrease the time you have to live without Shiva. You will also feel a certain inner contact with him, as he is practicing Sadhana, also. Secondly, your restlessness will disappear. The practice is to meditate on Om, the beginning-less sound. This practice will take you very far on the spiritual path. Just sit down for meditation, close your eyes, and repeat Om loudly, every time you exhale.
So, when the evening came, Shakti sat down in Padmasana and started repeating Om loudly. She found so much peace in this simple practice that it was impossible for her to stop. She sat in deep meditation for days, months, and years. Very heavy rains poured down on Shakti, but her meditation was so deep that she didn’t notice it at all. In a short time, the ground around her was covered with water. Soon, the water level had reached her waist. It rained and rained, and still Shakti didn’t notice anything. Finally, her whole body was covered with water, but her meditation was unbroken. She was still repeating, Om, Om, Om…
This is the sound of the sea, even today. At the bottom of the ocean, Shakti is still sitting deep in meditation, repeating her mantra. Every time she breathes in, the waves go back; every time she breathes out, they come forward again. So Om, the mystical eternal sound we hear in the ocean, is the voice of God. And so the ocean will go on roaring Om, Om, Om… until Shiva and Shakti are united again. And the sea is the best storyteller in the world. Just listen. You can learn everything from it, for everything is the sound of Om. This is the word which is powerful in silence.
See you tomorrow! I will post the next Raffle Giveaway tomorrow as well!!!
Thanks for reading!
Namaste!
