Day 15 of 30 – 15 to go!

I am officially 1/2 way through my cleanse!  Yeah!  

As noted I haven’t been enjoying my smoothies.  However, I am going to try the opposite side of the spectrum.  I am going to make some smoothies with vegetable juices and nut milk now.  Maybe the problem had been me trying to add fruit to sweeten. I suppose that will be next weeks task.

Today, I brought lots of fruit.  I have been really good at using what I buy until it is all gone.  I am very happy about that.  If I’m cooking with heat, I usually have left overs.  And then the left overs go bad. On goes the cycle of waste.  BUT with the RAW food diet, I know the exact amount I am going to need.  I haven’t thrown anything away and thus far, I haven’t wasted anything.  Great for the planet! Great for the home! Great all around!

Last night I decided to try my hand at a sort of casserole, use the buckwheat I had sprouted and use some of the nuts I have had soaking.

BUCKWHEAT CEREAL

The recipe for the cereal is in the Matthew Kenny & Sarma book called RAW FOOD REAL WORLD.  I made both the coco cereal and the cinnamon cereal.

Cocoa Buckwheat Cereal & Cinammon Buckwheat Cereal before the Dehydrator….

DINNER

Zucchini Pasta Casserole

I had made pesto earlier in the week and wanted to do something with it.  I figured I would attempt to be creative with the zucchini pasta again since it was so good.  I also had some cashews soaking and spinach in the fridge.

Spinach Cashew Pesto

1/2 cup premade pesto (Recipe here)

1 1/2 cup spinach

1 cup cashews, soaked

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup water

Preparation: Place cashews in the food processor.  Process until creamy.  Add all other ingredients except water.  Process a few times until you see a bright green color.   If it is too thick add the water a little at a time.

Marinated Mushrooms

15 Cremini Mushrooms

1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice of 1 Lemon

3 Garlic cloves

2 T. Oregano (Fresh)

Preparation: Place all liquid ingredients in a good sized bowl.  Slice mushrooms and add to bowl.  Mix up and allow to marinate for 1 hr or more.

To put casserole together:

1. Place zucchini on a teleflex sheet.  (I spiralized 3 Good sized zucchinis)

2. Form a flat mount on sheet.  Roughly 8 x 10 sized square.

3. Scoop the Spinach Cashew Pesto onto the zucchini noodles.  Spread the pesto all around the top.

4. Add marinated mushrooms.

5. Place in the Dehydrator at 115 degrees for 1 hr to 1 1/2 hours.  Just until warm.

So that was my culinary adventure for the evening.  The cereal should be ready by the time I get home.  I also have a sundried tomato crust in the Dehydrator.  I will update those pictures tomorrow!

Update: Very positive feelings.  Happy to be alive! Thankful for all the wonderful food! Health, Spirit, Life!

Namaste!

Day 11 of 30 – 19 to go!

Good day everybody!   I hope you are okay.  Whatever is going on in your life that is a bit difficult at the moment.  It will be okay.  The ups and downs of life don’t feel good, but it is what molds us into who we are! Just continue to preservere on your path and you will end up alright.

There were wonderful organic strawberries available at the market last night.  I was happy to see them.  It had been awhile since I had seen strawberries.  I would like to maintain green smoothies on a daily basis now.  I have felt a difference in my teeth.  They feel solid and strong.  Not that they felt week before, I just feel an improvement.  It’s also a really good habit to have in case you feel hungry for a little something through out the day.  A liquid healthy snack if you will.  It cuts out munching on crap.  Chips, candy, whatever the vice…french fries, fried zucchini, etc..

In front of my store I see people walking up the street all day long with the above mentioned list.  The worst is the HOT Cheetos and the Red or Blue Colored Drinks, All the crap that is sold at the liquor store.  The little kids eating this way bothers me the most.  Their little bodies.  I would like to manifest enough energy to open a place and bring health to this area.  But before I go there, I must begin within.  It begins with me.  Which brings us to this experience I am in presently.

Here is today’s smoothie.  Maybe not the most wonderful color, but definitly a tasty one!

Day 11 Smoothie

1 Bunch Spinach

1 Banana

1 T Almond Butter

1 Big Handful Blueberries

1/4 cup coconut meat

12 Big & Juicy Organic Strawberries

Oxygen Water.

Blend fruit with enough water to make smooth.  Slowly add spinach and blend until desired consistency.  CAUTION: DON’T PUT TO MUCH WATER!

DINNER

Last night I broke out the blade for the food processor that shreds.  I shredded potatoes and zucchini (seperately).  I found a recipe on Gone Raw for Potatoes and then another recipe on another blog called Vegan Raw Food, and I thought I would try out the Cheesy Zucchini recipe.  You can look at this blog by clicking onto the name or by going to the blogroll on this page.  I will give you a review of the dishes I found tomorrow.

I have managed to eat all of the food prepared on Sunday throughout the week.  After preparing the food I will be eating this evening, I made my version of a Taco Salad since I still had some tortilla chips left.

The zucchini is in the Dehydrator and is supposed to be in there for 4-5 hours.  I will update tomorrow how it tastes today.  I allowed the zucchni to marinated in the ingredients over night so let’s see how it goes.  As mentioned before I made a recipe for some raw potatoes.  The recipe called for the potatoes to marinate in Apple Cider Vinegar for 12 hours or more.  Those potatoes are still marinating.  They’ll be ready tonight as well.  After that they’re supposed to be in the Dehydrator for a little over 2 hours.

Here is a picture of the salsa I made last night.  I went for a Chile Verde version this time.  It turned out really good.  I mixed it with my avocado and made a guacamole topping for the salad.  It was really good.  My boyfriend was really quiet while he was eating, which is usually a sign that he is jamming on his food happily.

Salsa Verde

4 Tomatillos – (Paper husk removed)

1 big serrano chile or 2 small one

1/4 of a white onion

Juice of 1 lime

1 Handful Cilantro

Preparation:  Place all ingredients in the food processor and pulse a few times until it is broken down and still chunky.  Take caution not to puree.

Here is the plate I had…

Pretty tasty if I do say so myself! I think I will try to make a bowl out of the tortilla mixture in the future.  I am quite excited about the possibilities that are there culinary wise!

Namaste!

Update: My voice is back and now I have a pesky cough.  I am going to try and make a cough syrup this evening and see if it works! (RAW OF COURSE!)

Day 3 of 30 – 27 to go

I really enjoyed the surprise smoothies I had to intake yesterday.  It was a Mint Cooler and an Avocado Citrus Smoothie.  I got up too late to make enough smoothies as planned.  I had two more than expected!

Mint Cucumber Cooler (Above)

Handful Mint

1 large Cucumber

1 Fiji Apple

Splash of Agave

Ice

Avocado Citrus Smoothie

1 Avocado

1 whole orange

1 tbl Agave Syrup

Add enough oxygen water* to desired consistency

Needless to say I am hungry.  I will have a big Kale Salad when I get home.  I will also try my hand at making pizza crusts with Nut Cheese and Basil Pesto.  Tamales, Corn Chips and Fresh Salsa RAW stylie as well.  I will update with pics later.

Since it is New Years Eve the above listed projects will be easy since I will be closing the store a bit early.

Lemon Squeeze

1 lemon

½ inch fresh ginger

1 mango

1 banana

1 tablespoon maca powder

1 tablespoon hemp seed

1 handful of cilantro

Coconut water or plain water

Add water until desired consistency is reached.

Oxygen Water is a water I found a few years back when I was doing some research on the effects of oxygen in the body.  I usually purchase the water from Whole Foods.  It is a brand called Hi Ho and I really like it.  The bottles are glass and you can get it for about $7.99 a 6 pack.  I go through the water pretty quickly.  You can find the link to the company here.

I use this in the smoothies since it seems as though it would be the closest to pure “healthy” water I can find.  Most water comes in plastic bottles and I would like to keep as much plastic out of my experience as much as possible.

UPDATE: I began writing this entry the evening before.  When I woke up on Day 3 I had a terrible headache!  I had it through the morning and I just kept drinking water.  As the day progressed I began feeling nausea.  It was horrible.  Luckily I was able to close the shop early since it was New Years Eve and business was slow.  Whew!  I lost it a few times! Including my delicious smoothie!

I got home about 5:30 and slept until about 9:45 pm.  I was pleased that I had a bit of an appetite when I woke up.

I had a salad and a Kombucha Toast to the New Year !  Although my head was a lot better, I still had a faint headache and felt the need to rest and be in a dark room.  I meditated a bit on cleansing and went to bed shortly there after.

Happy New Year! Lot’s More to come!

Namaste!

Day 2 of 30 – 28 to go!

These are the smoothies I am going to prepare for tomorrow.  Today I have tried the recipes on the previous day’s posting.

I plan on having 4 – 5 smoothies a day and then having 1 raw meal a day.  Today’s meal is the Thai soup and tomorrow is the Kale Yummo Salad.  This recipe is here.

Kale Orange Smoothie
1 bunch dino kale
2 oranges
6 strawberries
1 cup of grapes

Kale-Strawberry-Peach (Unable to make since there are no peaches in season.  I thought I would leave this recipe anyway.
1 bunch green kale
1 pint strawberries
3 small peaches
2 cups water

Peach-Spinach (Unable to make since there are no peaches in season.  I thought I would leave this recipe anyway.
6 peaches
2 handfuls of spinach leaves
2 cups water

Apple-Kale-Lemon
4 apples
½ lemon juice
5 leaves of kale
2 cups water

Pear-Kale-Mint
4 ripe pears
5 leaves of kale
½ bunch of mint
2 cups water

Strawberry-Banana-Romaine
1 cup strawberries
2 bananas
½ bunch romaine
2 cups water

These recipes are from the website green diva mom.

My body is sore from the Sun Salutations kick off yesterday, but I will do them again today.  I think I am also going to put together an evening series of yoga poses so I can relax in the evening.  The other person who was going to do the cleanse has backed out.

A few pains that I have are: my left knee, my feet, my right ankle feels like it wants to pop or crack like a knuckle sometimes, itchy eyes in the evening before bed and a small rash on my neck.

I have two businesses and end up on my feet a lot.  I think I will need to make a complete career change on one end.  I will never give up my cooking and yoga however.  That is the primary business I have had since I was 22.

Well I will update with pictures and information tomorrow.  Just a lot of gurgling in my stomach for now.

Day 1 of 30 – 29 to go !

9 Sun Salutations!

12 postures each set!

108 Asanas!

This morning I did my own yoga mala to begin this cleanse in a spiritual and fundamentally healing way!  The heat this series of poses brings to the body is amazing.  It had been a few days since I had practiced, but I must say it left me quite positive!  I have had a smile on my face since!

Smoothies made with fresh fruit and greens will be a prevalent part of my routine throughout the day.  I have one other person partaking in the cleanse.  I couldn’t get anyone else to do the cleanse since New Year’s Eve is just around the corner.  All the partying you know!

Note:

These are the recipes I will begin the cleanse with.  I will also be making my own capsules of Wormwood and Clove.  Each set of pills will be made in 3 – 5 day intervals.  I will also make a list of “ailments” as well as a diary of what I feel from beginning to end.

Thai Soup

Sergei Boutenko
2 cucumbers
1 large avocado
1 lime, juiced
3 cloves garlic
6 leaves curly kale, stems removed
½ teaspoon dried turmeric powder
½ inch fresh gingerroot
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Coco-Tango

Sergei Boutenko
Thai coconut, meat and water
5 leaves kale, stems removed
2 nectarines
2 peaches
1 mango
Yields 2 quarts

Party in Your Mouth Green Smoothie

Sergei Boutenko
1 small pineapple, cored
1 large mango, peeled
½ head romaine lettuce
½ inch fresh ginger root
Yields 2 quarts

Morning Zing Smoothie

Unfortunatley there were no peaches at the HFS (Health Food Store) So I will have to go to the market in the a.m.)

Victoria Boutenko
4:½ bunch dandelion greens
2 stalks celery
½ inch fresh gingerroot
2 peaches
½ pineapple
Yields 2 quarts

Parsley Passion Smoothie

Sergei Boutenko
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 cucumber, peeled
1 Fuji apple
1 ripe banana
1–2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

This cleanse will also allow me to prepare to make yogurt from Thai coconuts! Exciting!  I will then use this yogurt in my smoothies to add the good bacteria I will need as well.  I will also be able to kick on the dehydrator!  Here I come my beautiful 9 tray Excalibur!  Raw Pizza and more smoothies to come tomorrow.

Pictures will be updated tomorrow.

For more smoothies and information on the Boutenko Family, please go to the following link —->http://www.rawfamily.com/

Food – Fun & Progress

Digestion!

It has been quite a bit of time since I have updated my cooking side of life.  For the past few weeks I have been stuffing acorn squash, making all kinds of soups and really concentrating on updating my kitchen.  I need to have everything organized.  The unfortunate part is I have a really bad habit of running out of time.  I am so busy all of the time.

Do you remember the ride at Disneyland – Mr. Toads wild adventure?  From the moment the ride begins you are at a fast pace, dodging everything from people to produce.  There is a horn honking and the car is jerking all around in an attempt to get what he needs to get done – DONE!  That is me.  From the moment my eyes open in the a.m I am going going going.  That is pretty difficult for someone who would like no more that to take 2 hrs to eat one meal or for someone who loves cat naps.  Ahhh! But alas no naps for the veggie kitty!

Anyway, I have updated this post with some pictures and some recipes.  I hope you all enjoy!

Harvest Stuffed Squash

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

3 acorn squash

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1 cup wild rice soaked

1 cup cooked brown rice/buckwheat

1 cup fresh spinach

1/4 cup fresh cranberries/dried cranberries

1/4 cup dried apricots – soaked for 1 hour

1 tbl thyme

1 tbl sage

1 tbl chopped garlic

2 tomatoes chopped

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Preparation:

Cut 3 Acorn Squash in Half.  Use a Melon Baller to remove seeds and clean out squash.  Place acorn squash in a baking dish.  Fill dish with water 1 inch deep.  One oven is Preheated bake for 30 minutes.

Place all other ingredients listed – except breadcrumbs and mix in a large bowl.  Once the acorn squash has baked for 30 minutes – Remove from the oven.  Using a fork, turn acorn squash over and fill the cavities with the filling.  Return Squash back to the oven and bake another 20 minutes.  Sprinkle the squash with bread crumbs.  Return to stove and bake for another 15 minute.  Tops should be slightly browned.

Enjoy!

Potassium Enriched Soup

Potassium Rich Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups purified Water

1 Bunch Beets

1 Bunch Beet Greens

1 Brown Onion

2 Carrots

1 Bunch Kale

1/4 seaweed

Preparation:

Put 4 cups of Purified water in a large saurcepan.  Place at lowest temperature possible.  Chop Beets, Onions & Carrots.  Place in Saucepan.  Take Beet greens and kale tear into pieces and place in saucepan.  Allow to simmer at low temperature for 1 hour.  Add seaweed and simmer for another 20 minutes.

Note:This soup has all of the organic minerals and organic salt that our body needs.  For people with limited energy after a sickness (even an operation or heart attack) or people with diabetes, cancer or stomach problems, this soup will provide an increase in energy.