Well I thought it was winter!

I'm still 90% raw and loving it. I think it's just getting used to a new way of thinking about food and food preparation. My husband is really into it now and only eating about 25% cooked foods. I don't think I will ever go back to the old way of eating...........well maybe a bit when I'm in the UK over christmas with my mom - as it will be difficult to be raw when it's so cold there. But I'm not sure what I will do until I am there.
Over the weekend and today it seems as if summer has come back again. It's so warm that I have both the front door and back doors open at 9am. Just when I thought winter was here. It's a bit confusing for the body.
Here is a new recipe I created yesterday. When using almonds try to find ones that are organic and have not been pasteurized, as they are not fully raw if they have been and much of the nutrient value is compromised.



Curried Almond Dip

Recipe By : Chef Shobhan
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:05
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups almonds soaked overnight -- strained
1 clove garlic -- chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/4 cup olive oil -- unrefined
1/8 teaspoon african bird pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon salt
water

Blend all the ingredients together and then add some water to make it a consistency you like.

Taste and add more spice if required.

Serve with sliced cucumber, carrots or flax crackers



NOTES : Almonds are the healthiest nut with high levels of calcium, manganese, magnesium and many other nutrients. Almonds are known as a great blood alkalizer.

Winter Warming

Well, I've decided to add a little cooked food to my diet now that it's getting into winter. I am staying about 90% raw. It all seems normal to me now and I am getting pretty good and making large amounts of food on my free days, so that when I am busy I can still eat raw.
Today I am giving you a recipe for a winter warming squash stew. You can tweak any way you want and change around the veggies if you want to.


Winter Squash Stew with Almonds and Sesame

Recipe By : Chef Shobhan
Serving Size : 8 Preparation time 0.30 minutes


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 medium winter squash (kabocha or butternut) -- peeled and cubed
2 medium onions -- chopped
3 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1/2 large caulflower
8 ounces mushrooms -- sliced
1/2 cup corn -- fresh or frozen
1/2 cup peas -- fresh or frozed
1 ounce almonds -- chopped or ground to your liking
3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Chop the onions and garlic and place in a large cooking pot with 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil. Saute for 5 minutes then add the spices. Stir and cook for about 1 minute then add the squash. Then add 6 cups of vegetable stock or water.

Bring the water to the boil and then add the mushrooms. Cook for another twenty minutes or so, until the squash is tender. Then add the corn, peas, almonds and sesame seeds. Cook for another 5 minutes. Then add 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste. Adjust the spicing to your taste and serve. You can serve over a brown rice or quinoa or just on its own.

Description:
"Warming Winter Stew"

NOTES : Winter squash is good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium and Magnesium, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese. So nourish yourself this winter with this warming stew.

Still Raw!!

Well, it's been six weeks now and now being raw just seems normal. I don't have any cravings for things like bread or meat - which I really thought I would. The skin on my hands where I had the rash has grown back baby soft and beautiful. Mind you, now I have a small blemish on my right cheek that has been there for about two weeks, which now seems to be going away as I've been putting wheat grass juice on it for the last two days. That treatment was recommended by Miguel and Cafe Gratitude. My husband is almost totally raw now too and he's really getting into it! I'm so surprised as I really never thought he would be into it. One of the things that we both noticed is that..........your shit really doesn't stink anymore. So we don't just think it, it is a fact..........try it and you'll see.
Here is a recipe for my coconut shake. This is what we drink first thing in the morning after the lemon juice and cayenne pepper drink and it is by far my favorite shake ever!



Shobhan's Creamy Coconut Delight Shake

Recipe By : Chef Shobhan
Serving Size : 2 Preparation Time :0:05


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 young coconut
1/2 banana
1 tablespoon spirulina
1 tablespoon chlorella
2 tablespoons maca
2 tablespoons cacao nibs
2 tablespoons raw hemp protein powder

Cut the top off the coconut and drain the water into your blender. Then cut open the coconut with a meat cleaver or something equally strong and scoop out the meat of the coconut and put it in the blender.

Add all the rest of the ingredients plus at least eight ounces of pure water or almond milk and blend until very smooth.

If this is too thick add more water. Drink and enjoy!

"Delicious high protein morning shake"


NOTES : All of these ingredients are superfoods. Chlorella is very high in protein and cholorphyll, it also helps the body detoxify from heavy metals such as cadmium (which is found in cigarette paper and also receipts) and mercury.
Spirulina is high in amino acids and contains many vitamins and minerals essential for us everyday.
Maca is helpful in balancing both male and female hormones and is great for memory and energy.