Kind Love

Hello Longevity Seekers!

How are you today?  Long Living? Living Long?

The week is easing into SUNSHINE and I am easing into the week pretty nicely.  What about you?  What is the weather like today?

Have you meditated? Visualized?  Even just 5 min – Do it!  It will help immensely!

This Weekend in L.A…

SATURDAY

My taste testers kids were in town this weekend!

One of them – the youngest – performed at the California Metal Fest!

Pretty cool for a kid that is only 14 years old!  EXTREMELY cool to be a ROCK STAR at 14! GO IZZY!

What made it even better was his older brother graced us with the pleasure of spending the night!

This is always nice!  I get to cook veggie food for kids and feed a wonderful appetite – healthfully and mindfully!

Ever since these kids were born my taste tester made sure to put instruments in their hands.  They both seem to be quite successful at keeping music in their lives.  Positive things, positive things!

We have made plenty of “Late Night Craigslist missions” for these guys!  I am happy to see that it is all paying off! Drum pedals, amps, bass cases, etc.  you name it – we have probably gotten it!

Growing up with a supportive parent is one of THE KEY TO SUCCESS! Don’t you think?

So that was Saturday and when Sunday arrived it was time for him to go!  Always seems – just a blink of an eye and the kids are gone…but we will see them soon.  I am hoping they will come and experience a race with us!

Although I planned on attending the Claremont Red Cross 10k – that thought was quickly out of my mind once I saw the rain! Heavy Rains!

Since I didn’t attend the race it gave me the opportunity to cook for “Nitro Roc” one last time.

SUNDAY

RAW Smoothie attack!!!

Here is my RAW date strawberry banana RAINY SUNDAY smoothie prior to blending!

2 bananas

2 tbl RAW almond butter

8 dates

6 strawberries

1 bottle OXYGIZER water

Directions: Blend ALL INGREDIENTS until smooth!

Why OXYGIZER?

OXYGIZER improves measurably performance during periods of high physical stress and the resulting regeneration phase. Univ. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Marktl (Head of Science at the Institute of Medical Physiology at Vienna University) and his research team have completed their scientific ergometry tests. Using a randomised double-blind study, these tests have proven the effective infl uence and effect of OXYGIZER on the body’s performance capability.

Additionally, Sunday was the Los Angeles Marathon!

CHEERS ETHIOPIA!

Ethiopia dominated the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday!

WINNERS

Men’s Division

Markos Geneti ran the 26.2 miles in 2hrs 6mins 35 seconds!

Coming in shortly after Geneti was Nicholas Kamakaya in 2hrs 9min 26sec!

Womens Division

Buzunesh Deba ran the marathon in 2hrs 26mins 34 secs.

Coming in shortly after Deba was Amy Hastings from the USA.  This was her debut in the marathon. She completed the marathon in 2hrs 27min 3sec!

Great going ladies! YOU RULE!

Those are CRAZY times! The male winner also broke the LA Marathon record!

There were a total of 19,626 finishers on Sunday.  11,896 were men and 7,730 were women.

UPDATE MARCH 24, 2011: 19866 Finishers – 12045 M / 7821 F

Exciting stuff!

Depending on the weather I may run a 10k Sunday.  We’ll see.  I will monitor the weather and figure it out by Saturday evening.

Stay tuned for more Musical Meditations, Race Reviews and Recipes!

I thought I would leave you with this image…

 

Kind Love ~ Love Kind!

Love and Light!

Namaste!

10k Grunion Run + A RAW Refresca :)

Greetings from the Garden of

Veg888 Love & Kindness!

Hello Longevity Seekers!

As promised here I am with another race tale, a RAW food Recipe & a REVIEW

THE RACE

The 10k Grunion Run adventure began Saturday March 12 with a drive that would last  1 1/2 hrs! The drive on Saturday was nice and easy.  A bit slow.  My taste tester and I left about 10 am and arrived in Dana Point at about 11:20-ish.  I had NO IDEA it would take us that long to get there, but we needed to register and pick up our bibs for Sunday.

Since the drive took about an hour and a half on Saturday and the race was at 7am Sunday – I knew we had to be out of the house no later than 5:15 am.

We left and began our drive.  Sunday, as you all know, was the first day of the time change! Whew!  We woke up at 4:20 am and did our usual ritual before a race.  Took the Yoga mat out and stretched, had our kick start elixr in the a.m. and played our “Spirit of the Marathon” DVD.

My taste tester is usually the one who pops in the DVD before the races and usually has a small area set up for me to WAKE UP!  Thank Goodness for the love and understanding a 10 yr relationship can bring you! Whew!

It was still quite dark when we left. As we drove to the race, my taste tester had to use the bathroom.  As we pulled into a parking lot we saw a small bunny go prancing by.  He was so cute with his little cotton tail and brown coat.  I thought to myself, maybe this is a sign we would do this race quickly…

This was the second 10k challenge!  The 10k Pepperdine race had taught me that I needed hydration during a longer run.  I also didn’t like holding the bottle throughout the race.  Again, the benefits of a 10 yr relationship - by mile 4 to the FINISH LINE my taste tester held my bottle for me!  Yeah!

Since I wasn’t totally convinced he would stick with me this race, I wanted a hydration belt.  So what does someone do when they need reviews and info about any one subject?  Go online and research the hydration belts that are out there!

A REVIEW

I found a hydration belt that seemed to suit what I wanted by a company called AMPHIPOD.

I was introduced to this company by my sister and her new husband around X-mas time, when they gifted me a this really cool pouch I could carry my keys, ID and phone in while I run.  It clipped right onto my waist band. The really cool part about the product was that it didn’t bounce around AT ALL!  I figured since it was a good product and all of the reviews stated their belt was the best.  So I thought  I would try their hydration belt.

The belt itself was quite cool.  Initially it was difficult to put the bottle back into the clip and I struggled a bit while I ran, but mid race I moved the bottle to the front and it was ALL smooth sailing after that.  The next 10k race I run, I think I will try one of those bottles that has a grip on it.

What about you readers???  Do you have any thoughts or insights about this???

I filled the bottles with 10 pH water and was sooo happy I did!  Whew! I got thirsty.  I ended up leaving one of the bottles in the car and took one for the run.

Each bottle holds 10 oz of liquid.

The day before I drank a 1/2 gallon of the 10 pH water, had a spirulina shake, a really delicious Chia Drink and ate VERY LIGHTLY.  Veggies mostly.

Here is the Chia Drink

Mamma Chia

A close up…

Arriving at the Race…

We arrived at the beach about 6:00 am.  It was still dark and there was a very calm vibration in the air.  Most of the people running the 10k were in their 30 years plus.  VERY COOL!

Walking toward the Start Line!

THE COURSE

This was a fast – mostly FLAT course.  I really enjoyed this run and would like to do it next year. The course was clearly marked.

Miles 1-4 were nice and easy.  I didn’t really hit my “warm up level” until about mile 5.  I did however enjoy the fact that we ended up running more than a 10k!  We ran a total of 6.56 miles.  I felt as though I could have run another 3 miles!  As to if I really could have – well I will have to try that at another time! (15k here I come!)

Mile 5

The ocean was so CALM.  This was the first time in a little while that I stopped and took a picture during the race.  At this point I saw I was a bit over an hour.

Sorry for the blurry picture…

I wanted to finish the 10k at 1hr 15min or no more than my last 10k -

I ended up finishing the 10k in the same amount of time, however once I looked down at my Garmin it read 6.56 miles instead of 6.2 miles.  That brought my pace to a 12 min 11 sec mile.  Faster than the Pepperdine which was a 13 min 54 sec mile.  I’ll keep working and working and working!

RAW FOOD

After the race I had a wonderful Date and RAW Cocoa shake! YUM!

For the next 4 hours I wanted nothing but ALKALINE foods in my system! I figured it was a FABULOUS recovery method!

I made a Mineral Rich Crust Pizza with Avocado and Jalepeno Hummus! Served it with salad and little tomatoes!

Mineral Rich Crusts…

Topped with Avocado and Hummus…

And finally…

We drank a lot of water and went to bed pretty early!!!

TODAY

I made my first CHIA drink to enjoy.  This miracle seed is said to help with staying hydrated AND endurance.  How could I not drink this wonderful SUPERFOOD???

CHIA REFRESCA

CHIA STRAWBERRY DRINK

1 cup Chia Gel(*)

7-12 Strawberries

Directions:  Place strawberries in blender and blend.  Pour into a mason jar and/or container with a lid.  Shake and Pour!

(*) To make Chia Gel – 2 TBS + 1 CUP WATER = Allow to soak overnight.

*PLEASE NOTE:  You can add agave, date sugar, stevia or any other natural sweetner if you wish.  I liked it au natural*

Thanks for reading!

Love & Light!

Namaste!

What are your favorite flavors of life?

Hello Longevity Seekers!

I hope you are all well!

The Vernal/Spring Equinox is upon us!  We are about to enjoy a BEAUTIFUL FULL MOON – March 19/20, 2011!

As for me I am hoping to begin a parasite cleanse a few days prior.  Why? Well a few reasons…

1) It is advisable to begin any type of parasite cleanse a few days prior to the full moon when the parasites are busy mating. YUCK!  You can read more of this information HERE.

2) This FULL MOON will be one of the most powerful full moons!  We haven’t seen the moon this close to the earth in 18 years & there is sure to be some sort of natural reaction to this moon cycle.  I am hoping nothing to disastrous for the rest of the world.  At least no more than what has already occurred around the world.

3) I am hoping this next cleanse will help me soar to a better overall higher level in my life.  I hope it will help my running, my mind and overall well being.

Last weekend (March 5, 2011) I ran the Mardi Gras Madness 5k – Valencia, CA.  Better time!! Whoo Hoo!  I will just keep working and working and working!

Here we are at the FINISH LINE!

Before and after the race THIS TIME I drank 2 date shakes with RAW cacao, raw dates, raw almond butter, bananas, and strawberries!

I also thought about a few various tricks to go keep my mind focused during the run and time went by FAST!!!

There were a few hills and it was a fast course!

I hope to make it to the finish line THIS WEEKEND – Grunion Run 10k  - before 1 hr and 10 minutes.

First –  Let’s start with these wonderful STRAWBERRIES a customer gave me!! The NATURAL gifts just keep on comin! LOVE IT!

Check out how BIG they are!!! YUM!

I had my taste tester put one in each hand so you could tell how wonderful these were!

Deliciousness BELOW!

NEAPOLITAN RAW SMOOTHIE

Servings 2

8 Dates

2 tbs RAW Almond Butter

2 Bananas

4 Strawberries

1/4 cup RAW CACAO POWDER

2  cups – 10 pH water

Directions: Blend until smooth!

Tasted just like Neapolitan Ice Cream that had melted!

Over the weekend (March 13, 2011) I will be running the Grunion Run in Dana Point!  This will be the farthest I have driven for a race.  My taste tester and I will have about a 1hr 20 min drive!  I am sure it will be beautiful!

The race will be at 7am and thus far the earliest a we have ever experienced!

Try the smoothie recipe!  It was yummy!!!!

Thanks for reading!

Namaste!

THANKS TO THE UNIVERSE & LAST CALL!!

LAST CALL FOR THE FREE DVD/BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!

ALL ENTRIES NEED TO BE BEFORE MIDNIGHT!!!!

I WILL POST THE WINNER!!

CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL POSTING HERE!

Yesterday (Sunday), was a really beautiful day!! Since Sundays are usually my laundry day, I decided I would keep it low key as far as food was concerned.  I made a smoothie to keep me sustained throughout the day.

Strawberry-Coconut Smoothie ~ 2 servings

1 cup sliced frozon strawberries

2 frozen Bananas

1 tbs. RAW Almond Butter

1 Fuji Apple

1 Handful Arugula

1 tbs. RAW coconut

Preparation: Blend in high speed blender with Fresh Thai Coconut Water until smooth.

*This beautiful glass was made by my friend WILL.  He makes amazing glass blown goblets!!!  All of the Ceramic bowls on this blog are made by my wonderful Ceramic Artist – Joe Botello!! Thanks to both of them for the beautiful artwork they have blessed me with!!!

AND BEFORE I FORGET…

A BIG Thank YOU to the  universe!!!!

For the past 6 weeks I have been enjoying fruit and vegetable gifts from the area.  Customers have been bringing me all kinds of different produce.  I must have gotton about 24 Lemons, a bunch of grapefruits, and some really sweet oranges!!!  I have even experienced some wonderful STRAWBERRIES!!!

Today I was given the biggest avocados I have ever eaten!  I will post a picture of them tomorrow! They were so beautiful!

I took a walk to get some excercise and enjoy the sun for a few moments.

On my walk I was blessed to see this magnificent creature!

Just when I thought there wasn’t anything more stunning at that moment in time, I looked back as saw this…

Isn’t he magnificent?  He was so proud!  I usually hear the peacocks at night as I am pulling into the driveway, while I am laying in bed before I go to sleep and in the morning when they are just waking!

Here is a young male trailing behind..

I would also like to thank YOU!  Thank you for stopping by my blog!  I will continue to post recipes and information regarding vegan, vegetarian and RAW food!!!  Also, NEW stuff coming your way in May!!!  More RAFFLES! More Giveaways!  and Much more information!

LIVE IN LIGHT and LOVE!

Namaste!

READERS NOTE:

Here is a great article with some nice information about ASPARAGUS!!! Great info and in sync with my blog!!!

Strawberry-Arugula Salad ~ REWIND ~

While going about my usual internet search daily, I came across a recipe featured on the SAVEUR magazine website.  I usually get an update from the Magazine each week.  I saw a beautiful picture of this salad.  I looked and the recipe and knew this would be a wonderful addition to the mix!!!  Organic Strawberries have been so beautiful lately!!!

The original recipe had ricotta cheese, sugar and other such ingredients and thought REWIND!!!~ And a new recipe for a  RAW ORGANIC VEGAN version was made!

ARUGULA STRAWBERRY SALAD

Serves 2

3 cups fresh Arugula

1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

3/4 cup fresh raspberries

Zest of 1 Lemon

Juice of 3 Lemons

1 1/2 cup cashews, soaked

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

Preparation: Wash and slice strawberries, wash raspberries and set aside to dry.  Place cashews in the Food Processor with the “S” blade.  Process for a bit, add the juice of 2 lemons and half of the zest of the lemon.  Process again.  Add purified water a little at a time unitl smooth.  Once smooth, seperate into (2) bowls.  (I saved the other half to make some cashew nut cheese…more on this tomorrow!):)  Once seperated put the rest of the lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg in the bowl you will be using for the dressing. Mix.  Plate salad and put a dollop of the dressing on top.  Enjoy!

Washed Strawberries and Raspberries…

Soaking the cashews…

Cashews in the Food Processor with lemon juice…

Processed and ready to mix in the nutmeg and cinnamon…

The Dressing ready and on top of the salad…

After I washed the berries I picked four of the best strawberries for our dessert!

RAW CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES

Turn on the Dehydrator to 90 – 100 degrees

Take coconut butter (oil)

Melt Coconut Oil in Dehydrator

Add equal amounts of raw cacao powder to the melted coconut oil

Add 1 /2 tbsp raw agave syrup

Add 1/2 tbsp Maple Syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 washed strawberries ready to dip…

I dipped each of these strawberries into the chocolate mixture

I continued to dip these strawberries 7 more times.  I put them in the fridge and waited 20 mins between each dipping.

And finally … Dipped 8 times!!

Note:  You will need to have a non-stick surface (parchmant paper) between dips.  I myself learned this the hard way.  However, I will more chocolate experiences based on this wonderful treat!

Thanks for visiting!

Namaste!

READERS NOTE:

KOMBUCHA

Yeah! Kombucha in the news again.  You can read that article here. Do you like kombucha?  Comment. Join the raffle and have a choice between the Eating for Beauty Book by David Wolf -or-SUPERCHARGE ME!

HEALING YOURSELF WITH DELICIOUS FOOD

This was a great article I found.  You can read it here. I am inspired daily by all of you out there that are curious to find a healthier, happier way to live.  Beauty comes in so many forms.  In people, in moments, in our cats (pets), in the beauty of the earth – vegetables, fruits, the ocean, the sky!! A healthy change in our lifestyle everyday is the best movement toward your goal!

Strawberries Wild!!!

In the past I have made a RAW STRAWBERRY DESSERT which you can see here…

The universe gave me love and brought me these Beautiful Strawberries today!!!  I am going to do a few things with these wonderful Fruits!!!

Some smoothies, a raw dessert, and Raw Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!!! MMMMMmmmmm!!!  I really would like to work with raw chocolate.  In terms of making RAW candy…Stay tuned.  I’ve got Raw Cacao nibs, Raw Chocolate powder, and some RAW Cocoa Butter so let’s see what I can do! Can’t wait to get home tonight!!!

I will soak some cashews this evening and really work at the dessert section of this experience as well as a DIVINE SMOOTHIE Section on my blog!!!

Nutrition and History Facts about the wonderful STRAWBERRY!!!

DID YOU KNOW…Strawberries have a history that goes back over 2,200 years. Strawberries grew wild in Italy as long ago as 234 B.C. and were discovered in Virginia by the first Europeans when their ships landed there in 1588.

Early settlers in Massachusetts enjoyed eating strawberries grown by local American Indians who cultivated strawberries as early as 1643. After 1860 strawberries were widely grown in many parts of the country.

Strawberries have been grown in California since the early 1900’s. Today, over 25,000 acres of strawberries are planted each year in California and the state produces over 80% of the strawberries grown in the United States. On average, each acre produces about 21 tons of strawberries and the state produces one billion pounds of strawberries a year!

Nutrition Facts – Rounding out the roster of beneficial vitamins and minerals of note are B2, B5, B6, vitamin K, copper, and magnesium. Strawberries also contain omega fatty acids. All of this goodness is available to you at a cost of 45 calories for about seven medium strawberries. And not only that, but the fiber in strawberries, about 12% of your RDA per serving, helps your body absorb nutrients, inhibits the production of cholesterol in your liver, and helps stabilize your blood glucose.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE GIVEAWAY!!!  You can see the prize and the rules here!

READERS NOTE:

Becoming Raw: The Essential Guide to Raw Vegan Diets (Paperback) – Written by two internationally renowned dietitians and bestselling authors to help readers design a raw or mainly raw vegan diet that is nutritionally safe and adequate. Find science -based answers to the tough questions on raw diets: How do you get adequate B12, iron, and calcium? Are raw diets too high in fat? Do enzymes in raw foods really contribute to human health? Does cooking destroy nutrients or is it necessary for food safety? Can cancer and other chronic diseases be prevented by eating a raw vegan diet?

HURRAH FOR RAW

This is a great article you can read here! This article is complete with some great recipes!!!)

Thanks for stopping by!

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!)