Kitchen Equipment Fear!

Ok, so I purchased this amazing raw dessert recipe e-book...filled with beautiful ideas.

Of course I had to run right out and buy the special removable bottom, tart pan with the fluted edge. Now I have the tools, the ingredients and I am scared to try the recipe!

Crazy, I know...but it definitely stems from not wanting to fail...and old tape in my head.

If I am not sure I can do it well...why try at all?
So my new pan is sitting there...and the recipe book is sitting there...and my family has no raw, healthy dessert!

I thought maybe writing about it would help...and it did. It made me laugh.

Look for a post sometime in the near future...good or bad...of a fluted, raw, living dessert!

I Didn't Know it was Possible!

I have NEVER liked bell peppers!

I don't like the way they taste or smell.
In fact, it is sort of a standard statement from me when ordering in a restaurant ..."no onions or peppers, please"...just automatically.

So you can imagine my utter surprise when I fell completely in love with a recipe that has peppers as one of it's main ingredients!

Shocking.

I actually like it so much I took a break halfway through writing this blog post to go whip up a batch...can you say compulsive? It was worth it...and it was only my second time making it so I guess it was important to confirm that I did indeed love it and that it wasn't some initial fluke.

I can definitely say...I love it.

I stumbled upon the recipe online, a few nights ago. It intrigued me because I haven't been able to eat dairy products for almost a year due to newly discovered, mild food allergies.

It is called "Cheezy Hemp Nacho Sauce" and you would NEVER, EVER know that it has no dairy and is actually a raw-vegan recipe.

We dipped chips in it, poured it over rice and my son had it with chicken...at different meals. He actually packed it in his lunch himself!

Click the link below to see a short video on how easy it is to make this and to get the recipe...

http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-make-cheezy-hemp-nacho-sauce-raw.html

The wonderful creator of this recipe is Kristen Suzanne, a Raw vegan chef, author and teacher. You can visit her website for more information. http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/
Check out her books too...amazing, live, healthy, positive ideas!

Enjoy!
And please let me know what you think about this...

Sharing Information

I am not a food expert...

I didn't go to school to study nutrition
I am not a scientist
and I am not a doctor

I am your sister, mother, neighbor, friend, co-worker, girlfriend, wife...
No different.

So the information I share is from my experiences. It is not intended to be used as medical fact. What works for me, might be lethal for you.

What I have done on my journey is gather information that interested me and then followed my own path. I have experimented and studied, asked questions and consulted my own doctors. I am happy to share some of my findings, thoughts, feelings and tips...

Please take what you need and leave the rest...

Raw-ish Brownies

A new treat we made to share with friends...no wheat, no eggs, no dairy, no peanuts.
Got a big "thumbs up"!

I think this is a great recipe to start out with...tastes amazing and begins introducing you to the wonderful world of "raw foods". I can't remember which book some of this came out of..so I apologize that I can't give an accurate reference.

* 2 cups pecans (or any nuts you like)
* 2 cups dates pitted and soaked in water for 5-10 min.
* 2/3 cup raw cacao powder (available at Whole Foods or health foods stores)
* 2 tsp vanilla extract
* pinch of sea salt

Blend dates in a food processor or high speed blender till a paste.
Separately grind nuts in a blender or chopper. Mix all ingredients in a bowl with your hands and press in a glass pan. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to set up.
When set, cut into squares, remove from pan and place on a platter, top with the frosting below and drizzle with the chocolate syrup below.

The chocolate syrup turns into a shell when refrigerated! yum

Frosting:
“Pamela’s Products” Vanilla Frosting Mix (available at natural food stores or Whole Foods)
I use Earth Balance in place of the butter to eliminate the dairy.
Just follow the package directions.

Chocolate Sauce:
½ cup Raw Cacao Powder (available at Whole Foods or health foods stores)
¼ cup Coconut Oil
¼ cup Agave syrup
mix by hand in a small bowl till smooth
* great on any dessert!

* Note: I did non create these individual recipes but I did combine them to make these yummy treats.

For the Love of Veggies...

Believe it or not, this picture excites me.

Yea, I know it sounds weird...fruit and veggies...exciting?

I have always had an odd relationship with food...which I am sure I will write more about in the future...But, I never really had the same excitement as most people over food...unless it was something unhealthy and in big quantities...like desserts or cheese.

Over the last 7 years my relationship with food has changed and evolved into something that seems more closely aligned with my true self. This journey is something I feel I want to start sharing here in hopes of helping or inspiring others to listen to their bodies and to find their right life path.

For me and my family it has been small steps, simple changes and lots of fun and learning.

stay tuned...

Creative in the Kitchen

I would not classify myself as an avid cook but over the last several years I have found a style of “un-cooking” that has fueled my fire…so to speak.

My husband and I have been exploring, learning, enjoying, savoring…raw foods and juicing.
We have even gotten out kids involved in this healthy journey.

Anyway, I had taken some pictures recently of a juicing session and thought I would share them here as I think (for me) being creative spills into every area of my life…including food.

Throughout my entire career I cannot count how many times I have had someone say to me “I am just not creative” or “I can’t even draw a straight line”…etc…

But I want to remind you that you don’t have to be a painter, artist, sculptor or designer to be considered creative. Maybe you’re a great baker or maybe you design clever games to play with your children or maybe it’s as simple as making a killer raw juice…or “greenie” as we call it.

It doesn’t really matter what it is you do as long as you allow your creative voice to be heard…the creative voice I believe is every one of us.