A storm is a brewin'

The frenzy of the hurricane has got everyone running to the stores, including me. Good excuse to stock up on goodies! I'm going to make a big pot of soup that I can re-heat on stovetop if the power goes. Most likely will be making pizza too as long as the oven is working. My dehydrator came yesterday so I am trying to get some use out if it before the power goes out. I had the biggest smile on face when I saw it sitting on my front doorstep!! I made Garden Burgers and kale chips first time around. They were so fragrant while baking and made my house smell realllly good. I took the Sun Burger recipe I posted a few weeks ago but added garlic powder to the mix. I also added extra veggies so it would be really chunky & sprinkled with nice color. These were so easy make. I always save my carrot pulp when I juice now. You can even place in freezer bags and defrost for later use. Fresh is always best but since I live a busy life, frozen does just fine for me.

I placed the burger on a Curry Pure Wrap with lettuce, tomato and tahini.  Came out great! Just like my besties did when she made them for me. The outside turned this beautifully crispy crust and the inside was a perfect slightly dense, not-too-soft consistency. So excited I have 6 more to eat!  

I have been wanting to try to make a salt and vinegar chip. I used to love to eat the potato version almost every other day and needed to try to replicate that taste. These were super easy to make and so delicious! It was really hard for me to not eat the entire tray.



Salt & Vinegar Kale Chips

• Kale, cut into bite size pieces
• Nutritional Yeast
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Dulse Flakes
• Lemon Pepper
• Olive Oil
• Greek Seasoning or any salt seasoning of your choice
• pinch of Himalayan Pink sea salt, or any salt

You really want to have equal parts olive oil to vinegar, just a splash or two will do, enough to coat. The seasonings balance out the sourness of the vinegar. Cook in dehydrator at 115 for a few hours or until crispy. If you don't have a dehydrator you can cook in oven at 250 for 15- 20 minutes or until crispy.


*Tip: I have decided to save all my previous containers of Kale Chips to store my homemade ones in. The silica gel packet that comes in these store bought containers I think is key to keeping them crispy because they absorb any moisture. You can actually buy them to use in your own containers/jars for your chips.  Here are some listings on ebay.






As suggested by my friend Lauren I got an organic probiotic drink at Whole Foods today by Kevita. Their packaging design and colors are very eye-catching. I love when a drink and its container is pretty, as well as tasty! The coconut flavor was like coconut soda heaven. What a treat to have something so good for you also please your taste-buds. I was so thirsty and this was hydrating & quenched my thirst right away. I kinda downed it a little too fast! I now want to try all the flavors they sell. My mouth is watering at the looks of this flavor, Strawberry Acai.

I call this my Hurricane Pasta Salad. I wanted something cold to easily pull out of fridge and eat during the storm in case power is out.

• Brown rice pasta, TJ's brand
• halved cherry tomatoes
• chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• artichoke hearts, frozen from TJ's
• diced celery
• diced green pepper
• sliced green olives
• kalamata olive tapenade from TJ's
• fresh oregano
• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar (Bragg's)
• salt and pepper
• garlic powder

Paid Thai with Kelp Noodles

makes 1 1/2 cups of sauce

1/4 cup almond butter

1/2 cup of coconut oil

2 tbls Tamari or Nama Shoyu

1/4 cup lemon juice

3/4 cup water

drizzle of sesame oil

1 package of *Kelp Noodles

Blend or whisk in bowl. Pour over kelp noodles and serve with favorite spiraled veggies on top. I added zucchini :) You can top with fresh basil, sliced cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, red pepper, whatever you like. 

*To prepare Kelp noodles, they need to be softened by soaking. In a bowl cover Kelp noodles with water and juice of half of lemon. Let sit for 30 minutes or until desired firmness has been reached. 

I absolutely loved these noodles. So clever! The consistency was slightly chewy, soft and very adaptable to any sauce you want to put on top. 

I went to Quintessence in NYC! As I walked into this teeny tiny restaurant the whiff of raw goodness captured me as I stepped through the door. It smelled so clean and fresh! I was so excited to make it there finally and cannot wait to go back. 

O.M.G. I cannot even begin to describe to you how delicious this raw bagel was. One of those items where while I was eating it, I was wondering how it could be raw. The bagel is a thin round chewy, very bagel-like consistency, kamut bread. Its topped with "cream cheese" that tastes exactly like the real thing. I got the scallion flavor. Consistency was just like dairy cream cheese but better...silkier and smoother. it was dripping off the kamut bagel with each bite. Even the tomato was so beautifully red and tasty. I was licking my fingers. I also got a green juice...it was ok. I didn't taste the apples and lemons that I asked for so it was definitely a very green tasting juice! All the while I still drank it and I'm sure my body loved it. 

Everyone stay safe while Irene makes her way through!

xo

My Wish List

I compiled a list today of things that interest me or that I want to buy. For years I have been dedicated to finding the right supplements and figuring out what actions I can take to bring health to my daily regime. It can be overwhelming to figure out what works best for your body. Its best to add one supplement at a time to be able to differentiate how your body reacts from one addition to the next. I learned the hard way of surprising my body with a whole concoction of herbs and supplements at one time. It can place your insides on overdrive! My mind seems to be the thing always in overdrive, especially when I am hunting for the next best thing to feed my body. If you are in a position like me, where you are on a journey to find your best health, the wealth of knowledge and literature out there is over-stimulating. Once you start seeing names of brands over and over again popping up on different blogs, websites and in stores, you kind of get a feel for what's popular amongst the masses of people in the Vegan/Raw world.

I feel I have a good sense of what my body needs, now its just a matter of finding a way to feed it what it wants. I feel I am on a sound nutritional path as far as diet goes but I am not too sure how well my body is absorbing nutrients from foods and thats where supplements come to play. I do have to remember a good amount of my terminal illeum was removed, a central area in which nutrients are absorbed. I have a good chance of being deficient in zinc, B-12, potassium, magnesium and other vitamins that are absorbed in the re-sected sections of intestine. 

Here is one thing at the top of my list to introduce to my body next:

              Chlorella

It is a high protein algae that contains high amounts of magnesium and chlorophyll, a super detoxifier. Its best for pulling heavy metals out of our system. It is also a fibrous material which greatly augments healthy digestion and overall digestive track health, as well as strengthening the immune system response. A clean bloodstream, with an abundance of red blood cells to carry oxygen, is necessary to a strong natural defense system. Chlorella's cleansing action on the bowel and other elimination channels, as well as its protection of the liver, helps keep the blood clean. Clean blood insures that metabolic wastes are efficiently carried away from the tissues.

Chlorella gets its name from the high amount of chlorophyl it possesses.  Since chlorella has such a high chlorophyll content, people find chronic bad breath is often eliminated in just a few days on chlorella. Foul smelling stools are also greatly improved and chlorophyll has been attributed to relieving constipation. It has naturally occuring enzymes in it too, which is an added bonus. 

       Chlorella Benefits:

• Increases vital energy and metabolism 
• Rejuvenates your digestive system 
• Slows down aging and promotes healthy longevity 
• Strenghthens the immune system and helps guard against illness 
• Detoxifies and purifies the body including the removal of heavy metals. 
• Promotes healthy cell growth and repair 
• Has been know to relieve Fibromyalgia 
• Balances the body's pH levels 
• Normalizes blood pressure and blood sugar 
• Encourages production of Interferon(for defense against cancer) 
• Normalizes blood pressure and blood sugar

Food Diaries:

I am on a pizza kick! This one was spinach. broccoli, fresh garlic and tomatoes topped with lots of basil. 

I made another big pot of Healing Lemon Lentil Soup. I added carrots this time, yellow squash along with mixed greens and zucchini. Instead of White Miso I bought this great product by South River Chickpea Miso. It was a great addition to this soup. I feel my iron could be low because I have been very tired lately and Lentils are a great source of natural Iron.

I bought a new brand of veggie burger called Asherah's Gourmet. I made a few different versions. First pic is the burger only defrosted and reheated in microwave and topped with cheeze hummus, sprouts, lettuce and tomato on a rice wrap.

I also cooked in a little olive oil in saute pan and topped with tahini and cheeze and tomato.

Lastly I made it into a quesadilla. Flattened the cooked burger on a rice wrap and topped with cheeze and got it crispy in a pan with olive oil. 

While I really enjoy the taste of these, its the consistency that I am not fond of. While the outside gets a little crispy when you cook on stovetop, the inside is still very soft. You can easily shape the patty into any form you like, maybe squishing it down to thinner patties may do the trick. I really love the ingredients though. Quinoa and vegetables make for a nutritionally dense organic veggie burger full of protein. I absolutely love the slight sweetness of the sweet potato against the chunks of red bell pepper. I will definitely be playing around with this burger a little more and adding it alongside my other favorite - Sunshine Burgers!

I have been juicing every morning and I changed up my ingredients a little. I've been indulging in carrot, spinach, kale, apple, cucumber celery and ginger. Look at this piece of ginger I received in my produce box last week!

Speaking of ginger, I absolutely love Ciara's Kombucha. Not only is it made locally and has a great success story behind it, I think its the best tasting one I have tried. Its mild and not too effervescent.  I enjoyed a Ginger flavor the other day and it was oh so delicious. 

Ginger and Circulation

• stimulates circulation
• may help prevent heart attacks
• has natural blood thinning properties
• lowers blood cholesterol levels
• cleanses and stimulates blood
• prevents internal blood clots
• may prevent TIA’s (mini strokes)
• therapeutic properties for hypertension

Ginger and Digestion

• cleanses colon
• reduces colon spasms and cramps
• helps clear gas
• relieves indigestion
• excellent for nausea, vomiting and motion sickness
• stimulates production of digestive juices
• helps bowel disorders

Ginger and other Body Systems

• lungs: helps with respiratory problems, eases asthma symptoms
• helps eliminate hot flashes
• relieves headaches
• promotes menstrual regularity
• helps with morning sickness
• helps reduce inflammation of arthritis
• supports kidney health
• topical gingerol provides protection against UVB-induced skin disorders
• reduces the severity of post chemotherapy nausea

Ginger and its Nutrients

• high in potassium
• manganese which builds resistance to disease, protects lining of heart, blood vessels and urinary passages
• silicon which promotes healthy skin, hair, teeth and nails
• helps assimilate calcium
• also contains Vit. A, C, E, B-complex, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, calcium, beta-carotene

High Vibe

I thought I heard angels chanting when I opened the doors to this store. I was on a hunt to find a place that carried Kelp Noodles as I've have been wanting to try them for a little while now. Low and behold a few long walked blocks from my office in NYC, I came to High Vibe. Not only did they have everything you could ever want, but the lady who worked there and the owner, Dagger were incredibly knowledgeable and so friendly. Prices were typical for raw food but the selection is what I was impressed with the most. Every piece of literature and cookbook regarding raw food you could ever want, supplements, drinks, fresh desserts from local raw restaurants, snacks, imported frozen Thai coconut water, cooking equipment...you name it. I was really in heaven.

I bought a teeny tiny loaf of bread for $10. It can fit in the palm of my hand its so little. I have to admit though, I think its worth trying. It tastes just like Rye bread by Rayo del Sol. Its actually quite amazing. Although its tiny, I believe only a couple pieces will fill me up in one sitting so it should last me through the week. The cheese is by Dr-Cow and it was a cashew and brazil nut flavor. It has a pro-biotic added to it which helps in adding that little tang to make it taste like the real thing. I enjoyed this a lot on top of the rye!

I also got this heavenly mint chocolate pie by Hail Merry. Oh my gosh! This was so velvety smooth and delicious. I am always craving chocolate and I haven't found this type of satisfaction in anything I've had before this. I'm still trying to figure it how this is Raw. It definitely is a miracle tart. This too is about the size of my hand, but that little slice did me well. This too will last me a few days. Well. Maybe. Hopefully?

Definitely need to try more of this brand!








Rawnola was something I was excited to try. It looked really yummy in the bag. Don't get me wrong, it is delicious but more coco-nutty then I expected.  I was hoping for more vanilla flavor I guess. I will try it with almond milk and maybe it will change my thoughts.

I also have been dying to try Rawtella. I used to love Nutella and was pretty thrilled to find out there was a raw version. I got the $3 sample jar in Coffee flavor. Will let you know how it is when I try it!

Here are the Kelp Noodles. They are by Sea Tangle and were $6 a bag. I will post the results after I make a meal with them...so excited to try them!

 

Last but not least I am going to treat myself soon to a nice detoxing bath. Ingredients: natural mineral salt from ancient sea beds, sodium bicarbonate, bentonite clay, and powdered ginger. All ingredients to make you sweat! Love the feeling I get after a hot detox bath.

Good news to those who can't get to the actual High Vibe store. They sell everything and more online at highvibe.com

Have you guys ever heard of Zana? Its a synergistic LIVING probiotic drink formula.

They let me sample this at the store. . It is expensive...a month supply is around $60. I tried the Bio flavor, a beautifully beet color red, which tastes like liquid kraut. Sounds bad, but honestly, it was good! She says people with digestion issues love how their tummy feels after being on this for a little bit. Its ranks high in the raw food world as something very healthy to add to your daily regimen. I already take a strong pro-biotic and eat kraut everyday so I will not running out to spend this money quite yet, but its on my list of things to get NEXT for sure!! They have a Turmeric flavor thats good for anti-inflammatory and also a ginger juice (below).

Take a look here for info explaining more about it.

Out with the Old, In with the New...

Out with the white flour and processed sugar and in came the healthy nuts and seeds. This is a sign of change right here.

So I went a little wild on buying new products for myself this past weekend. (hey, it was payday!) I've been wanting to try these RAW vitamins by Garden of Life. The guy who started up the company has Crohn's and has several books published. I'm sure you have heard of Jordan Rubin, but if not he's definitely worth taking a look at. I have always had such success with their products and have been excited to try the new line called Vitamin Code. I was thrilled to see that Vitamin Shoppe was having a 50% sale on the women's daily vitamin so I figured I'd try it. While I was at it, I also picked up their enzymes too.

I also tried raw wraps made of coconut, called Pure Wraps. They were really yummy. I had the curry flavor. It was the exact consistency of a fruit roll-up, but thinner, really light, flexible and perfect to wrap my salad in for my car ride home. They were not cheap for a package of four, but what raw food is cheap? I will definitely be ordering more of these.

I also got these. Coconut Manna seemed a little more different then the Coconut Oil I already have...this is more like a butter or spread. I'm going to put this in my smoothies and desserts. I mixed in with a little agave nectar and put it over my fruit bowl I had one morning. It made it a tropical coconut bowl of heaven!

I  had a very exciting trip Friday night to the well anticipated Good Karma Cafe. I live ten minutes away and I need to ask why I haven't been here any sooner!?  I was in heaven. I completely forgot to take a picture before we dove into these so the presentation is a little messy but you get the hint. 

Live Nachos.  Corn Chips with "sour cream", guacamole, salsa, Mexican sunflower crumble and a beautifully vibrant salad underneath.

Whole Lot of Love: buckwheat and flax bread piled high with seasonal veggies, crunchy kale chips and topped with sunflower herbed cheese. Sooo good. 

My bestie got Seitan Cheesteak which she says was amaaaaazing. 

 My Love Bowl, filled to the brim with Tempeh brown rice, black beans, and kale topped with a Creamy Peanut Sauce. I couldn't even get through half of this. It was rich, delicious and oh so filling. 

We both got the Live Lemonade. (Lemons, Apple & Ginger) Seriously, even this was worth raving about. 

I cannot wait to go back!

Tonight I will be posting reviews on more stuff I bought over the weekend and some of the things I was working on in the kitchen. 

Stay tuned. 

Color my world with Fruits & Veggies!

I think one thing that gets me so excited now is the color that surrounds me with all my fresh produce and pure foods that I am eating. With a design background, I always had a passion for color. I would try to achieve bright hues on paper and was so attracted to how color interacted with each other in my prints. I wasn't aware until I changed my eating habits, how colorful the fresh food world is. Its quite amazing to me how a natural element can produce shades so vibrant and attractive to the eye. Cooked fruits and veggies lose their brilliance, a sign of losing the nutrients that make them what they are. I think when you are so used to the Standard American Diet, you don't take notice to these things as much. Since eating clean, I've noticed all my senses became more sensitive- taste, sight, and smell.  My taste-buds have changed dramatically and I now appreciate the simplicity of eating something like a nectarine. I no longer crave things the way I did. If I'm craving sweet, a carrot or sweet potato or piece of fruit completely fulfills that craving rather then a cupcake, cookie, or candy bar (empty and non-nutritious calories). I am more sensitive to sodium now too. I limit my intake almost completely. In the past, I would salt up everything and anything! Its amazing when I look back and picture the large amounts of sodium, sugar, meats and fried & processed foods I would consume. No wonder my inflammation was always out of control. The most amazing part is, every doctor all my life told me to stay FAR away from every food I have listed below.  And guess what? I listened to them.  Its a whole new ball-game now folks...It's veggie paradise in my belly and my world is more colorful because of it!!

Below is just some info I've gathered about the color spectrum of fruit and veggies. Hope you find it helpful in choosing your next meals.

Red: These fruits and veggies carry a powerful antioxidant called Lycopene.  Lycopene can help to fight heart disease, some cancers (especially prostate cancer) and aging. Beets are considered an excellent blood purifier. Anthocyanins in strawberries, raspberries, red grapes and other fruits and vegetables act as powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage.

Some examples of the red group include:

• Yellow apples
• Apricots
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Grapefruit
• Lemons
• Mangoes
• Nectarines
• Oranges
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Yellow peppers
• Persimmons
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Rutabagas
• Yellow summer or winter squash
• Sweet corn
• Sweet potatoes
• Tangerines
• Yellow tomatoes
• Yellow watermelon

Green: This one is essential. Green fruits and vegetables are colored by natural plant pigment called chlorophyll. They are also full of phytochemicals that keep your body healthy. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale and turnips are loaded with folate, minerals, and fiber. Folate, or folic acid, is important for developing red blood cells and protecting against colon cancer. Some members of the green group, including spinach and other dark leafy greens, green peppers, peas, cucumber and celery, contain lutein, helpful to the eyes in preventing age-related macular degeneration.

Some examples of the green group include:

• Green apples
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Green cabbage
• Cucumbers
• Green grapes
• Honeydew melon
• Kiwi
• Lettuce
• Limes
• Green onions
• Peas
• Green pepper
• Spinach
• Zucchini

Orange/Yellow: these are usually colored by natural plant pigments called carotenoids.  Beta-carotene in sweet potatoes, pumpkins and carrots is converted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. Scientists have also reported that carotenoid-rich foods can help reduce risk of cancer, heart disease and can improve immune system function. 

Some examples of the orange/yellow group include:

• Yellow apples
• Apricots
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Grapefruit
• Lemons
• Mangoes
• Nectarines
• Oranges
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Yellow peppers
• Persimmons
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Rutabagas
• Yellow summer or winter squash
• Sweet corn
• Sweet potatoes
• Tangerines
• Yellow tomatoes
• Yellow watermelon

Blue and Purple: High in flavanoids, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Flavonoids are another form of antioxidants that fortify your cellular walls, protecting them from oxygen radicals that cause problems inter cellular and even DNA problems. Anthocyanins, the pigment responsible for these blue hues can help the body fight off harmful carcinogens. Blueberries are super packed with Vitamin C, Folic Acid, and high in Fiber and Potassium. Eating more blueberries is linked with improved memory function and healthy aging.

These are some examples of the blue/purple group:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Eggplant
• Figs
• Juneberries
• Plums
• Prunes
• Purple grapes
• Raisins

White: White fruits and vegetables are colored by pigments called anthoxanthins. They contain health-promoting chemicals such as allicin, which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and may help reduce risk of stomach cancer and heart disease. Allicin may also to help to increase the body's ability to fight infection. Some members of the white group, such as bananas and potatoes, are good sources of the mineral potassium. Even cauliflower has a powerful phytochemical in it that may inhibit cancer growth. Jicama, a well-known vegetable in the raw world, has high amounts of Vitamin C.

Some examples of the white group include:

• Bananas
• Cauliflower
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Jicama
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Potatoes
• Turnips

Eat a rainbow today!

Here is a nice website that allows you to sort through Raw recipes by fruit or veggie.

My appetite is back!

For some reason I wasn't getting the typical Prednisone munchies this past round trip on the steroids. I think I can thank my diet for that. When you only eat pure foods, you get satisfied with less and my body wasn't having the severe cravings for junk food like it used to. Another thing I noticed, is that I didn't get moon-face for the first time in my life. It could very well be because I eliminated salt from my diet. Maybe not, but thats my theory and I'm sticking to it.

So back to my appetite and some of the things I ate today:

 

Always start my day with GREEN JUICE. Its a power house of nutrients that kick starts my body for the day. Kale, Cucumber, Spinach, Lettuce, Celery, Apple & Lemon.

Lunch was marinated kale, sprouts, spinach, and raw kraut. With sprinkle of curry and tahini dressing.

I made another pot of soup with zucchini, carrots, greens, squash, brown rice pasta in a nice lemon garlic broth.

I have been craving pizza like crazy and knew I wanted to make my own at home tonight. I made the trip to Whole Foods to search for a gluten free, vegan crust. That means no dairy, no eggs or even soy. Hard to find! Luckily I found this beauty. The ingredients: Brown rice & potato. Thats it. 

It was everything I dreamed it to be. In fact, I ate the whole thing!

I bought Whole Foods pizza sauce, Daiya Mozzarella style cheese, sliced garlic, tomatoes, broccoli and fresh basil. I had pizza in under 15 minutes. By the way, Daiya is AMAZING. Melts and tastes so similar to the real thing. And it has no soy! Love this stuff. 

The crust was a little chewy in the center but the outer crust was super crispy. Definitely will be my go-to crust for now on. Super yummy!

For dessert I had some strawberries and Raw Cookies I picked up at Whole Foods...they were surprisingly really good! Definitely a keeper in my pantry.