Raw Mom Summit

Tera Warner has been at it again! Thanks to her great idea and Shannon Leone's interviewing skills, The Raw Mom Summit was born.

Now whether you are a mom or not, a lot of the topics being discussed look very inspiring! I know for a fact that a lot of raw vegan women have a carnivore for a husband. There is help for you in these interviews, too! Ever wonder if you can or should raise your children raw. Well, there are experts galore just waiting to ease your mind! Are you worried about the fate of the bees, wonder about sustainable living, wonder what can be done? Check out some of these inspiring guests and their topics!

I could tell you all about it, but the fact is ... they created a really cool website to do just that!!! [LOL] So click on that banner at the top to find out all the juicy details and find out who participated in this great event ... and how you can join in on the fun, too!

OH ... did I mention that

IT'S FREE

for a limited time!!!

BIG BESSY NEWS!

The Raw Divas have been busy updating the Body Enlightenment System to include more GREENS and special guests! But you will have to click the link to find out all the RAW, juicy details!!! [grin]

BUT HURRY!
YOU'VE ONLY GOT UNTIL NOON (That's Eastern Standard Time) ON OCTOBER 25, 2008 TO SIGN UP FOR THE MOST EXCITING BODY ENLIGHTENMENT SYSTEM TO DATE AND TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND AS A NEW MEMBER OF THE RAW DIVAS!

Cravings and Emotional Eating

The Raw Divas very own Cravings Diva, Angela Stokes has been featured on CNN! If you haven't seen it already, check out the segment here:



To learn amazing and effective tips from Angela Stokes and The Raw Divas on dealing with YOUR cravings and emotional eating check out The Raw Diva's Guide to Cravings and Emotional Eating. Amazing program, amazing value. Click Here!

You will also receive, FREE as part of the program, Angela's wonderful e-book "Raw Emotions"!!!

Green Smoothie Smiles

I bet a bunch of you have been wondering where the heck I have been, and what ever happened to my blogging abilities. Well, I have to tell you ... it's been a bit difficult to come up with the energy to blog when I have just finished a whole day perched in front of my computer as the Customer Service Diva and The Powder Room Queen for The Raw Divas! [grin]

Today is the last day of the LIVE version of The Green Smoothie Queen 3 Day Challenge! (We are going automated next, so you can take it whenever you want, just like The 7 Day Diva Detox!) I was making my morning smoothie and I put the lid of the blender down on the counter so that I could pour my concoction into my Green Smoothie Jug, and when I lifted the lid to wash it, I was greeted with this cheery little fellow!

Honestly ... how could I not stop everything to share!!! [grin]

Wearin' O' the GREEN

Pucker up all you Irish... and Irish wanabees! It's time for another Green Smoothie Queen 3-Day Challenge. And this one is extra special. Why? Well because it starts on St. Patrick's Day and since you will be toting around your green smoothies wherever you go... no one can pinch you! That's no Blarney!!! So join Bob and I and go over and sign up right now. Then dance a little jig! But hurry, kiddies, because The Divas are closing registration Saturday night.

And thanks, Penni, for letting me borrow your lips!!! [grin]

Green Smoothie Queen - Day 3

This is just a quick post because I have to get to bed early. Bob and I are leaving town tomorrow morning, and this will probably be my last post until Monday.

This was the last day of the Green Smoothie Queen 3-Day Challenge. I feel more jovial than I had in the past several weeks, but I'm not sure that I did too much detoxing. I did not have any symptoms really. Still... I do feel more focussed and am ready to face the world again!!! [grin]

I made all of my smoothies first thing in the morning today so I did not have to worry about them throughout the day. I didn't make anything new. I made two BBC Smoothies with added greens, one for breakfast, and one for dinner. For lunch I had the Tropical Green Smoothie that I had yesterday... but I added some goji berries to it for an extra boost.

I hope everyone that was doing this Green Smoothie Queen Challenge enjoyed it. If you missed this one, I believe there will be another sometime around April. I'll let you know!!! [grin]

Green Smoothie Queen - Day 2

Tropical Green
(makes 32 ounces)

2 bananas
1 cup frozen smoothie fruit blend (strawberries/mango/pineapple)
small handful frozen pineapple
2 cups of coconut nectar
large handful spinach
1 Tbsp. Vitamineral Green
1 tsp. royal jelly in honey

I had the above wonderful smoothie for my breakfast. For lunch I made a smoothie which I named a "Papaya Scream". You will not be finding the recipe for that anywhere on this blog! To say that it was horrible would be too kind!!! The only nice thing I could say about it was that it was the most lovely shade of green. I put it in the fridge in the hopes it would taste better cold. It did not. [sigh] I drank a "Basil Limeade" to get the terrible taste out of my mouth. For dinner I had a jackfruit smoothie.

Observations: I woke up this morning with a killer headache, but it was gone before I finished my first green smoothie of the day. I noticed that I have been more ornery than usual today, and the e-mails that I get are funnier to me! I was able to run my errands in record time today, too!!! [grin]

Green Smoothie Queen - Day One

Is it GREEN? Yes... it is!!! This was my late lunch smoothie. I've decided to call it a Raspberry Green.

Sunrise Smoothie
(makes 32 ounces)

2 bananas
1-1/2 cups orange juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 handful mixed greens
1 handful spinach
1 Tbsp. Vitamineral Green


Raspberry Green Smoothie
(makes about 2 cups)

1 cup frozen raspberries
2 cup pomegranite/cranberry juice
1 cup spinach
1 tsp. Spirulina

I had these two green smoothies that I made up today, plus a Banana Blueberry Brew Smoothie. The last one is one of The Raw Divas recipes as part of their programs, so I can't copy it here.

Observations: Felt pretty good all day up until dinner time. I started to get a headache at that point. However, I don't think that has anything to do with the challenge. I was researching something on my computer and I developed a stiff neck. I think I probably pinched something and that is what is causing the headache.

Green Smoothie Queens Unite!

Bob and I are once again embarking on The Green Smoothie Queen 3-Day Challenge! If you have done this in the past, why not join us again, and if this is all new news to you... why not sign up!!!

If you are going to be doing this and you have a blog, why don't we blog about our experiences for those three days. Don't have a blog, but want to play? Don't forget that there is a special area set aside in The Raw Divas Powder Room just for those of us on the smoothie challenge!!! Take advantage of the space and get lots of support from fellow smoothie queens!

If you need more info about the program, you can read my previous blog entry about it HERE.

But HURRY... the adventure begins on Monday, and registration will soon close!!!

Our BES Celebration Dinner

Tonight we had a celebration dinner to end The Body Enlightenment System's Mono Meal Experiment. The idea was that we would have nothing but monomeals of fruits or vegetables for every meal for thirty days. I think that just about everyone that participated in the experiment soon added in a green smoothie per day. The next thing you know, salads started popping up. And in the case of Bob and I, easily prepared meals soon followed. I know that I tried to at least keep my snacks to a monomeal, and usually breakfast was just bananas.

Just a quick note... The Walnut Burger and the Fiesta Cracker recipes are not mine. I do not know who was the original author of the recipes. The woman who gave the recipes to me said I could not sell them and that I could not use them to make money in any way. I am giving them to you for your own personal use. However, I would ask that you follow the same considerations.

Fiesta Crackers
(Makes about 12 servings)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds -- soaked overnight
1/2 cup walnuts -- soaked overnight
1/2 cup almonds -- soaked overnight
2 tablespoons flax seed -- soaked 30 minutes
1/2 cup onions
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin powder
1 cup tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon sea salt -- or kelp
1/2 teaspoon jalapeno -- dried

Place jalapeno pepper, tomato and onion into processor and process until creamy. Add nuts and process until finely chopped and creamy.

Place on a Teflex sheet in dehydrator overnight at 90 degrees. Flip and remove sheet. Dehydrate until crispy. Takes two days to dehydrate.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 115 Calories; 10g Fat (70.1% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 82mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat.

NOTES : Can also be used as the crust for a raw pizza.

Walnut Burgers
(Makes 20 servings)

1 cup walnuts, soaked overnight
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, soaked overnight
1/2 cup almonds, soaked overnight
3 cloves garlic
2/3 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup onions
1 tablespoon rosemary
1/2 cup red pepper
1/2 tablespoon jalapeno pepper -- dried
3/4 teaspoon cumin
1 cup tomatoes
2 dates -- pitted and soaked 4 hours
3 basil leaves

In the food processor mix together the garlic, salt, onion, rosemary, red pepper, jalapeno pepper, cumin, tomatoes, and basil. Once this is blended add the nuts which have been soaked overnight. Dehydrate the steaks for 2 hours and serve warm or you can make ahead, refrigerate and serve cold. You can also use this as a dip or spread (Walnut Pate - not dehydrated). When you dehydrate, it becomes Walnut Burgers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 87 Calories; 7g Fat (69.6% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 4g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 64mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat.

NOTES : 1/4 cup patty before dehydration = 2 points Weight Watchers

Catalina in the Raw
(a dressing by shannonmarie of Rawdorable)

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked for a least a few hours
1/3 cup soaking liquid (from the tomatoes)
1/2 cup agave
1/3 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. onion powder (or fresh, to taste)
dash of paprika
pinch of sea salt

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.

Day Thirty

And there it is... day 30... the last day of the BES. Well, for now at least!!! I'm sure Bob and I will be signed up for another one before too long!!! [grin]

I have to tell you, I did not sleep well at all last night. I went to bed, tossed... turned... drifting in and out of consciousness. Finally gave up at 1:30 AM and went downstairs to do some cleaning. Went back to bed at 3:30 AM and finally started to really sleep sometime around 5:00 AM. Of course I had to get up at 8:00 AM to go to see Dr. Laura.

Sadly, all of Dr. Laura's work was for not. She no sooner put my back in alignment, but I left the office and proceeded to screw it back up with dishwashing and laundry and grocery shopping. [sigh]

Anyhow... I scored a Mangosteen today!!! There was one little lonely fruit huddled in the corner of the freezing unit at one of the Asian Markets I was visiting. I snagged it instead of taking the bag of them because I was afraid that it would not be to my taste. When I got it up to the check-out the woman informed me that they were not sold individually and set it aside. However, after she had totalled me up she slipped it in my bag, gave me a big smile and said, "I give you free... to try"! Such a sweetie!

After I got home I looked up mangosteens, because I knew nothing about them. I became a bit concerned when I read that it was considered the queen of fruits. You see, I'm not too overly fond of fresh durian... the king of fruits! Anyhow when Bob got home I pulled it's little zipper (it was pre-cut, taped, then frozen) and we each gave it a try. Now, judging from the condition of the "meat" of the fruit, it was getting a bit dehydrated and was probably not very young. However, at least we got to say we tried it! Ours was very mild. Bob was not impressed. I thought that it had a bit of a grape taste to it.

I spent the rest of the evening preparing food to be dehydrated. Tune in tomorrow to see Bob's and my end of the BES celebration dinner!!!

B = green smoothie (bananas/fr. pineapple-mango-strawberry blend of fruits/fr. pineapple/coconut nectar/Vitamineral Green/spinach) with 1 Tbsp Royal Jelly.
L = white grapes
S = plum tomato
D = sweet red peppers
S = 1/2 of a mangosteen

Day Twenty-Nine

Day twenty-nine was sucked into a black hole. Sorry about that!!! Suffice it to say that no unusual fruits or veggies were consumed on that day. Bob did make some sort of "fried" potatoes in the dehydrator. But I'll have to wait to ask him where he got the recipe... then I'll post it here. They were quite good!!!

Day Twenty-Eight

We did not go to our weekly Tai-Chi class. Bob came home from work on Thursday and was too ill to go into work on Friday, or to class this morning. So today we just kinda sat back and coasted.

B = 2 bananas
S = lg. glass of Basil Limeade
L = green smoothie (mango/banana/fr. strawberry, mango & pineapple mix/orange-mango juice/spinach/tsp. spirulina powder) and 1 tsp. royal jelly
S = 4 medool dates stuffed with raw almond butter (yum)
D = big salad (mixed greens/avocado/radish sprouts/grape tomatoes)

Day Twenty-Seven

I've been trying to only put up pictures of fresh fruits and veggies and a few drinks during this special live version of The Body Enlightenment System. However, tomorrow is the Super Bowl and when I put one of these together today, it suddenly struck me that these would be great for raw foodists to serve for special get togethers such as this!

The base is a "Fiesta Cracker" that was cut to about 3" by 3". On top of that is 1 Tbsp. of Ocean's "Oh My this is a Tuna" spread. Then a healthy pinch of radish sprouts is placed on top of that. Now when I actually eat these, I squash the topping and sprouts down all over the whole top of the cracker. It just doesn't look as pretty that way!!! [grin]

I haven't posted the recipe for the "Fiesta Crackers" so far, because I don't know to whom I should credit the recipe. If anyone has a clue, please let me know. If I don't find the rightful author in a week, I'll post the recipe for you!

B = 2 bananas
S = 3 medool dates
L = 2 large "Fiesta Crackers" with 1 Tbsp. "Oh My this is a Tuna!" spread on each.
S = celery stick
D = vegetable pho, mango martini

Day Twenty-Six

Do we like this pear? YA, ve do!!! (Sorry... I couldn't resist.)

This is a YA Pear, also known as a Chinese White Pear or a Snow Pear. They are grown in northern China, and are totally different from the Asian pears you see in the regular markets. I got this one in a little Asian market, all wrapped up in tissue paper and foam webbing to protect it.

YA Pears have a thin skin with white or slightly yellow flesh. They are juicy and crisp... and quite yummy!!! They have a slight pineapple taste with just a touch of rose! So if you can find one, buy it and give it a try. You will like it!!!

B = YA Pear
L = 2 large "Fiesta Crackers" with 1 Tbsp. "Oh My this is a Tuna!" spread on each.
S = 3 medool dates
S = large red pepper
D = fruit smoothie (bananas/fr. strawberries/cranberry pomegranite juice) with 1 Tbsp. Royal Jelly

Day Twenty-Five

Bob and I just got back from a very good free lecture that was held at The Raisin Rack. Jesse Miller of Flora gave a very informative talk about "The Ins and Outs of Cleansing". Most of the stuff we already knew, but it was good to hear someone else say it! [grin]

Anyhow... I wish the weather would make up it's mind around Ohio. Yesterday we had a daytime high of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but it was very dreary, depressing and drizzly. Then we had high winds and a thunderstorm roll through last night. Today we had a bright and beautiful day, but it was cold... damn cold! It said that it was 21 degrees for the high today... but it sure felt colder to me!!!

B = water until noon
L = green smoothie (bananas/fr. pineapple-mango-strawberry blend of fruits/fr. pineapple/coconut nectar/Vitamineral Green/spinach) with 1 Tbsp Royal Jelly.
S = raw "Fiesta Cracker" with 1 Tbsp. "Oh My this is a Tuna" spread and 1 sun-dried black olive
S = bunch of white seedless grapes
D = 2 large red romaine leaves, deveined and divided, wrapped around 4 mini Raw Whole Food Hot Dogs with a little bit of radish sprouts.

Day Twenty-Four

I did not sleep well last night. I don't know what started it up, but I was having some serious acid reflux. Actually, that has mostly become a thing of the past since becoming raw. However, I think I ate too late, so no doubt that had something to do with it. I ended up spending most of the night sleeping on the couch with my head and shoulders well elevated.

Tonight Bob and I decided to have a drink! Well, okay... it wasn't really alcoholic, but it tasted like it could be! We got this recipe from the website Real Food in Tulsa. You really need to head on over there and check it out!

B = 2 bananas
L = huge mixed green salad
S = banana
S = Blood Orange Raw Mojito
D = 4 Oh My This is a Tuna! wraps (in red romaine leaves)

Day Twenty-Three

Have you ever heard Tera Warner of The Raw Divas talk about eating a persimmon? You would think she was having a steamy relationship by the way she goes on!!! [grin]

Well, I finally get it! The first time I bought one, I left it sit on a windowsill until it started to get really soft... just like someone online had said you needed to do. However, I didn't think it tasted so great. But Tera just kept going on about them, so I decided to give them another try. I bought a couple of them, and this time I put them in the fridge and waited until they just started to get soft. Oh dear goddess!!! That's all I can say. I have a passion for persimmons!!!

B = BBC Smoothie (with the addition of 3 Tbsp. raw cacao & 1 Tbsp. Royal Jelly)
S = banana
L = white grapes
D = persimmons
S = Basil Limeade

Day Twenty-Two

Today was a day of rest for me. I got up earlier than normal and put my body together, fed the birds and then waited for my mother to make her weekly call. After that I put the sheets in the washer and then promptly fell asleep for two hours!

I just drank water most of the day. I did have the little bit of leftover Spinach and Tofu from the previous night. I just finished a nice green smoothie and now I'll go curl up under the covers in bed with a magazine and turn in early. I just feel like a cat with a bowl of warm milk!

Today's picture is of the soothing warm glow from the pink salt crystal lamp that Bob's parents gave us at Christmas. It casts a lovely glow all around the room!!!

Water until around noon.
L = leftover Spinach and Tofu
nap time!
D = green smoothie (bananas/fr. mixed fruit/fr. peach/fr. pineapple/spinach/papaya nectar/orange-mango nectar) with 1 Tbsp. Royal Jelly

Day Twenty-One

Spinach and Tofu stir-fried (in a garlic sauce)

Today was a very weird day. I woke up kinda sick to my stomach. I ate a couple of bananas for my breakfast and I seemed to feel a bit better, but by the time Bob and I got to our Tai Chi class, I was queasy again. We had a great class, though!

Then of course, we had to run to the community market and pick up some raw nuts and seeds for something we are planning to whip together over the weekend. Then we ran to the grocery to get leafy greens and herbs and such. By the time we got home and I got everything put away and the mail opened... it was time to put my face on (make-up) so that I would look presentable when Bob and I went to our favorite restaurant (do I even need to mention that it is called Ha Long Bay Vietnamese Kitchen, anymore?).

Well, I had no sooner started to put on my make-up when every smoke detector in the whole house started blaring! You know how you are supposed to change the batteries on New Year's Day. Well... we do... for the most part. The ceiling in our bedroom is vaulted and it is a long way up there. Bob is afraid of heights, and I am not supposed to climb ladders... so, we didn't change that one... for two years! Today, it decided to die. So the ladder came out and after installing, then re-installing the battery in the correct direction and switching off and on of power supply we finally got the things to shut up!!!

Anyhow, what I'm trying to say is that I had breakfast, and then did not eat again until dinner. Because of that, I am not posting my normal list of what I ate when. But for your enjoyment, here are some pictures of what I had for dinner. Yes, gentle readers... it is cooked. But the good news is, my tummy is no longer queasy!!!


Caphe Sua Da on the left, Vegetable Rolls on the right. We also shared some Summer Rolls (behind iced coffee).



Check out Bob's blog to see what he ate!!!