As I said in my last post, I don't think I will ever go back to the way I used to eat. I am feeling good and craving salads!! Even though I've been working with whole food nutrition for a while now, I never used to crave salads, but I certainly do now. I find a salad so fulfilling. Also what I think is very interesting is that I don't crave other foods at all.
Here is a recipe for absolutely divine Almond Milk.
Almond Milk
Recipe By : Chef Shobhan
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:10
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 1/2 cups raw unpasturized organic almonds -- soaked overnight
7 cups pure filtered water
2 dates
2 drops stevia
Strain almonds and rinse them after soaking. Place in blender with 7 cups water and blend until smooth.
Using a nut milk bag,(you can buy one online) or a dish cloth strain the almonds and squeeze out all the milk. Set the pulp aside for future use - you can freeze it.
Place the milk back in the blender and add in the dates and stevia. Blend again till smooth.
Chill and use as you would cows milk. This milk tastes better!!
Description:
"Creamy and delicious cows milk substitute"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTES : Almonds are the most nutrient dense nut. They are very high in calcium and many other minerals. The milk alkalizes your blood.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
30 Days Raw and decided to STAY RAW!!!
Yes, I like it so much that I'm staying raw!! And my man has decided that he wants to try it too! I must say I was very surprised and infact, I thought he was actually making fun of me when he first said it! I said "yeah right" and he said "no I'm serious, I want to try raw".
My rash went away.........thanks goodness, it was awful, but only lasted about a week. Now my hands are very dry and the skin is peeling off, but at least the rash is gone. In general I am feeling much better. One of the things that I have noticed is that the skin on my face feels very soft. Much softer than before raw. Usually I had to exfoliate once a week as my skin was often feeling kind of scaley. I haven't noticed any wrinkles going away yet - but I'm hoping they will get less defined.
My body aches have pretty much gone and in general I feel very positive and inspired!! I'm very excited about this new way of preparing food and am experimenting all the time. Today I am making the Cafe Gratitude Lemon Merengue Pie!! I know it's gonna be great. I really don't want to post other people's recipes on here, so please bear with me while I develop my own.
My rash went away.........thanks goodness, it was awful, but only lasted about a week. Now my hands are very dry and the skin is peeling off, but at least the rash is gone. In general I am feeling much better. One of the things that I have noticed is that the skin on my face feels very soft. Much softer than before raw. Usually I had to exfoliate once a week as my skin was often feeling kind of scaley. I haven't noticed any wrinkles going away yet - but I'm hoping they will get less defined.
My body aches have pretty much gone and in general I feel very positive and inspired!! I'm very excited about this new way of preparing food and am experimenting all the time. Today I am making the Cafe Gratitude Lemon Merengue Pie!! I know it's gonna be great. I really don't want to post other people's recipes on here, so please bear with me while I develop my own.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Twenty Days Into Raw Food
Well, the first 10 days were certainly the easiest, because the detox began after 10 days. As I mentioned before, the detox started with streaming eyes and nose, but the new symptoms are a burning rash on my hands and feet which has moved around to now encompass my wrists and right elbow. It is very unpleasant and wakes me up every night in the middle of the night. I have to get out of bed and either run a hot bath or just run my hands under the hot tap to calm the burning!! Yes it sounds horrible and it is! But it will be worth it. I am getting years of accumulated toxins out of my body. They have been hiding in my muscles and joints. I have to say that the rest of my body feels so much better. Not sure if I mentioned the motivation for the raw food diet, but if I didn't, it was because I was feeling 90 years old......my body was aching, all my muscles felt sore and I had tendonitis in my right achilles tendon and my left knee joint felt very painful. These aches and pains have almost totally disappeared. There is a little pain left in my achilles tendon, but aside from that and my horrible rash, I am feeling amazing and infact better than I have for a looong time. So the raw food is working. Its doing its job and cleaning out my body. I highly recommend it to anyone who is in pain or has health issues. So on that note here is a wonderful Cafe Gratitude inspired Marinated Kale Salad recipe.
Marinated Kale Salad
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:30
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 bunch kale -- destemmed shredded
1 cup shiitake mushroom -- sliced thin marinated in 2 tablespoons of nama shoyu and the juice of a lemon
1/4 cup arame -- soaked for 15 minutes
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup juilienned cucumber
1/4 cup olives -- halved and pitted
Marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons nama shoyu
2 1/2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 jalapeno -- cut into tiny pieces
Put the kale in a large bowl and add 1 teaspoon on high quality salt. Massage the salt into the kale for about 2 minutes or until the kale has wilted. Then add the juice of 1 lemon and massage that into the kale.
Take the shiitake mushrooms out of the marinade of lemon and shoyu and add to the kale, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix together.
Add the marinade to the kale mixture. Allow to sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Description:
"Delicious Kaleness"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTES : Kale is a superfood. It contains more absorbable calcium than any dairy product. You can eat this salad as a meal by itself and feel totally nourished. You will be surprised at how satified you will be from just eating a cup of this!
Marinated Kale Salad
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:30
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 bunch kale -- destemmed shredded
1 cup shiitake mushroom -- sliced thin marinated in 2 tablespoons of nama shoyu and the juice of a lemon
1/4 cup arame -- soaked for 15 minutes
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup juilienned cucumber
1/4 cup olives -- halved and pitted
Marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons nama shoyu
2 1/2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 jalapeno -- cut into tiny pieces
Put the kale in a large bowl and add 1 teaspoon on high quality salt. Massage the salt into the kale for about 2 minutes or until the kale has wilted. Then add the juice of 1 lemon and massage that into the kale.
Take the shiitake mushrooms out of the marinade of lemon and shoyu and add to the kale, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix together.
Add the marinade to the kale mixture. Allow to sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Description:
"Delicious Kaleness"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTES : Kale is a superfood. It contains more absorbable calcium than any dairy product. You can eat this salad as a meal by itself and feel totally nourished. You will be surprised at how satified you will be from just eating a cup of this!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thirteen days so far
Well, the first 10 days were a breeze, but now I am starting to crave meat. I think it will pass. I have to say that I am feeling pretty good, but I think I'm detoxing as I have a slight cold, but it's not like a normal cold. It started with a soar throat for one day and then changed into something like a minor cold. So for the last 4 days I haven't been feeling 100%, but before that I was feeling really great. I can't imagine that I wouldn't have some detox symptoms, I think they were just delayed as they didn't happen right at the beginning. My eyes look really clear and my aches an pains are less noticable. I've also been taking a teaspoon of turmeric in 1/2 cup of water twice a day to clear up any inflammation in the body and I think this is really helping too.
One thing to note is that it's quite easy to eat too much sugar on a raw food diet. One day I found myself having my wake up shake (which I'm pretty sure is posted somewhere on this blog, if not I will post it soon) and then I made a cafe Gratitude "Raw Porridge" which consists of a whole coconut with the water and meat blended, then you put it in the food processor and add 1 apple unpeeled but chopped, a cup of pecans soaked overnight and 6 - 8 strawberries, which I must say is simply divine. Then I found myself eating a banana with macadamia nut butter the next time I got hungry and started to feel like all I'd eaten all day was fruit. So I have to be careful to plan my meals, and make sure I eat salads so that doesn't happen. Then I made some almond hummus and a tapenade all from the Cafe Gratitude recipe book, so that I have some extra things on hand to add to a salad.
Today I weighed myself for the first time since I started the diet and I've lost about seven pounds! I wasn't doing it to lose weight, but I felt I needed to lose about five pounds. So that's an added benefit of a raw food diet.
Anyway, I'll post some recipes soon, I just wanted to let you all know how I was doing on this experiment.
The others who were going to do it with me haven't all started yet, so when we have something on video I'll post it.
I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy.
Remember, your health is your most important asset - if you don't have your health you really don't have anything.
One thing to note is that it's quite easy to eat too much sugar on a raw food diet. One day I found myself having my wake up shake (which I'm pretty sure is posted somewhere on this blog, if not I will post it soon) and then I made a cafe Gratitude "Raw Porridge" which consists of a whole coconut with the water and meat blended, then you put it in the food processor and add 1 apple unpeeled but chopped, a cup of pecans soaked overnight and 6 - 8 strawberries, which I must say is simply divine. Then I found myself eating a banana with macadamia nut butter the next time I got hungry and started to feel like all I'd eaten all day was fruit. So I have to be careful to plan my meals, and make sure I eat salads so that doesn't happen. Then I made some almond hummus and a tapenade all from the Cafe Gratitude recipe book, so that I have some extra things on hand to add to a salad.
Today I weighed myself for the first time since I started the diet and I've lost about seven pounds! I wasn't doing it to lose weight, but I felt I needed to lose about five pounds. So that's an added benefit of a raw food diet.
Anyway, I'll post some recipes soon, I just wanted to let you all know how I was doing on this experiment.
The others who were going to do it with me haven't all started yet, so when we have something on video I'll post it.
I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy.
Remember, your health is your most important asset - if you don't have your health you really don't have anything.
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