This one is easy-breezy, the kids enjoyed putting almonds into dates.
Lanna has asked if I would briefly speak on my Juice Feasting. I am actually blogging about it on Inspiration:Life. The catch is I'm keeping it private for now, until I get a good footing. I promise, I will open it in the next month or two. For now, I'm settling in for a long haul so there is no rush by any means.
Since we are on the subject of juices, let's for the fun of it add Recipe #4 Green Lemonade by John Larsen, p. 147. A juice containing kale, lemon, celery and apples. It is very, very tasty, but for as many apples that are used (10 large) it should be called Green Apple Juice.
I made two quarts, thinking I was going to enjoyed all by my lonesome, but as you see, my daughter Donavan finished off a quart by herself.
Since my last Juice Feast ended in March 08, I felt as if I were on a downward spiral into the abyss. I have been riddled with guilt for giving myself the wonderful gift of Juice Feasting and (becoming healthy) only to have pissed it away.
For two years I was sad, lost and confused. I was reaching for some joy in the form of pizza, Sangria and cigarettes. I haven’t been able to rid myself of that sinking feeling you get when you are trapped in quicksand. That is, until now, until I created David Wolfe’s Avocado Burritos.
Ok, before you send me to the loony bin, let me explain. It wasn’t that the recipe itself is spectacular, sorry Mr. Wolfe, it’s isn’t. It’s just guacamole. This recipe re-ignited my passion for preparing raw foods and to sharing the things I discover with you. Who would have thought the uncomplicated ingredients of avocados, jalapenos and tomatoes wrapped in lettuce leaves would cause me to smile and find a spark of happiness in my heart.
The aroma of the produce as I mashed away, the enthusiasm I received styling the dish, the gratification of taking a picture and the waterworks that fell as I wrote these words. I finally feel like I belong somewhere, even if it’s confined to a blog. I am absolutely, completely, utterly fine with that.
All this was as much of a shock as orange juice in this recipe. Who would have thought to replace traditional lime with orange? I guess that‘s why he is who he is. Different, neither good nor bad, just different. Well, thank you all the same, David Wolfe.
"….Do you think you'll be starting at the beginning of the book and working through every page, or jumping around it?”
Thank you Angelique for your comment and feel free to call me Hopalong Cassidy because I am jumping all over the place…sort of.
The best course of action methinks would be to start with what I feel are the easiest recipes. The criteria is those using minimal ingredients, equipment and time. Start off loosey goosey, you know?
The complex recipes will come to pass, just not right out the gate. Some recipes build upon each other, for example Rejuvelac is made before a nut cheese. And let’s not forget the fun part of creating raw foods (wink, wink) the soaking and sprouting and dehydrating. I will tell you now, those recipes are not happening anytime soon.
I will try to let you know what’s coming up ahead of time so you can follow along and prepare the recipes yourself.
Starting with the Rejuvelac on page 9 and traveling onward my count was 375 recipes, (if you count something different, please share.) So if my calculations don’t fail me, that’s about 7-8 recipes per week to make a finish within the next year.
THE DOWNSIDE: because of copyrighting laws I won’t be able to print most of the recipes, so if you don’t have the book you might be out of luck.
ON THE UPSIDE: I will provide lots of photos. Yeah!
Let’s begin.
On next week’s menu (in no posting particular order):
1. Ants on a Log by Karie Clingo (p. 110) 2. Broccoli, Kale and Celery Juice by Vita Mix (p. 139) 3. Avocado Burritos by David Wolfe (p. 208) 4. Green Lemonade by John Larsen (p. 147) 5. Ranch Dip or Dressing by Elaina Love (p. 276) 6. Fast Avocado Salad by Stephen Arlin (p. 61) 7. Raw Candy by David Wolfe (p. 295)
Man on the Raw and I first went raw on February 16, 2004, it was a Valentine Day’s gift to ourselves. We went to Barnes and Noble in Aurora, Colorado and were determined to find an eating program we could do together. The first two raw books we bought were David Wolfe’s “Nature’s First Law: The Raw Food Diet” and “The Complete Book of Raw Food.” I have been blessed to begin my raw food adventure with my husband.
No matter how far one or both of us may stray off the raw path, we both know the importance of getting back on track and finding some sort of balance in our lives. I realize that we may be the exception and not the rule. Many people who embrace raw foods do so alone, and in the beginning, it can be a very isolating experience. Friends and family don’t understand the weird new “diet” you are on and can’t seem to understand why a slab of cow is bad for your health. It can be hard going it alone.
Thank heavens for Raw Food online communities.
I have been exploring raw foods for six years and even now I embrace community. I am a member at Give it to Me Raw, Global Juice Feast, Juicefeasting.com, Daily Raw Inspiration and most recently Raw Food Rehab. I observe for the most part, reading the forums, sharing my photos and commenting whenever a topic moves me and I can add something constructive to the conversation. Raw communities are a wonderful place to share your raw triumphs, tribulations and everything in between. I encourage you, if you haven’t already, join community.
I am a huge fan of author and owner of RAWvolution and Euphoria Loves Rawvolution, Matt Amsden. On Tuesday he will share his “10 Thoughts” and Wednesday his recipes, from the Complete Book of Raw Food Endeavor, make an appearance.
On Friday, I review the ebook “Me Raw: You Cooked,” the story of Emma MacDougall’s raw journey and how it affected her relationship with her (then) fiancée, Rod. The first of its kind, the book focuses raw foodies and their non-raw partners, providing insightful guidance, tips and recipes along the way. Also, one lucky reader will have a chance to win the book.
To get the week started here is a brief list of online communities where you can communicate with others interested in the raw food lifestyle.
Raw Food Rehab Global Juice Feast Juicefeasting.com Living and Raw Foods Daily Raw Inspiration Give It To Me Raw Gone Raw Raw Food Talk Raw Food Lifestyle VegSource.com
Can you think of more opportunities (support groups, rawlucks, etc.) or online sites where raw foodies can converse?
