Sunday, October 30, 2011

It is so about the food ~ yet it's not just about the food! Recipes & Thoughts

It is so about the food ~ yet it's not just about the food......


 Eating a diet rich in whole living foods has completely changed my life. In the beginning of my journey I focused on adding more greens into my day through green smoothies.I simply wanted to feel better!  Not long after I began drinking the green smoothies my energy increased and weight was falling off effortlessly. To me it was like magic! But I had no idea that this simple little step would take me down the path I am walking these days. I've discovered that these foods are providing me with much more than the nutrition my body needs to thrive. They are nurturing my inner being and enhancing my life on so many interesting levels. Raw living foods make me feel alive!
Today I'm not only healthy and happy but I am more centered, comfortable in my own skin and have found a place of acceptance inside myself that I never thought possible. These are all wonderful and new feelings for me! In the past I would always look at others who exuded these traits and think, "I want what they have."  Who knew that it would be my food choices that would provide me with a better sense of self and confidence that I feel today. It may have taken me most of my lifetime to get to this point but it's been worth it! And to think it all began with green smoothies ~ amazing!


  Synchronicity ~  "The experience of two or more events which are casually unrelated occurring together in a meaningful manner."


 I've been experiencing more and more of this in my life on a daily basis. Once I really began to notice it, to be aware of it, I was amazed and intrigued!  I mention a friends name and not seconds later they are calling me on the phone. Not once mind you but over and over. Several times I have written an email to a friend on a particular subject and no sooner did I push "send" then an email or phone call regarding this same topic appears from her. I was pondering a completely new idea, like "oil pulling" and when I opened a new book I just bought, it opened to the page on just that subject.  I was thinking about a friend and her favorite song came on the radio. I've been wondering how next to share my passion for green smoothies. Suddenly I receive not one or two but three people's requests that I make them and offer them up for sale in my neighborhood! I'm meeting with my first customer in a few days!  How cool is that?


 Over and over these little things occur each day now! After researching this subject I found there is a connection between a raw food lifestyle and these interesting events. It seems that there is a heightened awareness that comes with eating cleaner. It makes sense that by eliminating the processed foods we clear the way for subtle energies and a deeper connection within ourselves and the Universe. I've mentioned that I feel gentle shifts happening as I continue on my journey, a wonderful mind body & spirit connection..These are just a few more of the wondrous and unexpected benefits that I've experienced in the past year and a half and I am certain there are more on the horizon!


 Here are some new recipes I've enjoyed recently! With the cooler weather coming to Connecticut, I've been craving foods with a little more substance than I've enjoyed throughout the summer. This recipe is my own simpler version of the zucchini "pasta" recipe in Jennifer Cornbleet's book Raw Food Made Easy.  It makes for a delicious dinner and is really easy to prepare. The noodles are actually zucchini that has been put through a spiralizer , a simple vegetable slicer that creates a spiral strand much like spaghetti. Before I had the spiralizer I would use a vegetable peeler which works just as well! The results will be a longer "fettuccine" style shape instead. I absolutely love my spiralizer, it's one of my favorite kitchen gadgets!


      Zucchini Marinara






Zucchini Pasta Marinara


2 spiralized zucchini


Marinara Sauce
3 vine ripe tomatoes
1 chopped red pepper
1 cup soaked sun dried tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp olive oil


Blend all sauce ingredients in the blender until smooth or until desired consistency. (I prefer it a little chunky)


Pour over zucchini noodles & Enjoy!!


Top with nutritional yeast for a healthier alternative to Parmesan cheese!


This meal is super easy, it only takes a few minutes to prepare... It's a keeper  :)




                                                            Butternut Apple Soup




Butternut Squash & Apple Soup


1 Butternut Squash diced
3 large red apples 
1 Tbsp Coconut oil


Blend well & Enjoy!


This was so amazingly simple and tasty!    Another keeper   :)
I had the ingredients on hand, threw them together & voila!


Optional ~ I added 1 Tbsp of curry to 1/2 the batch and it completely switched up the taste ~ Amazing!!




                                                 Pineapple Romaine Cucumber Juice




Green Smoothies!!


When I did my 23 day juice & smoothie feast, I began to get more creative with my smoothies, using a larger variety of fruits and greens and adding other healthy ingredients as well. My glorious green smoothie is still the one I enjoy most frequently, here are a few new recipes that I especially love!






Coconut Mango
1 fresh mango (or 2 cups frozen mango chunks)
2 handfuls baby spinach leaves
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 cups Coconut water


This smoothie is terrific for the cooler weather! With a pinch of cayenne, it adds a nice blend of spice to the sweetness of the mango and warms you up on the inside too! I LOVE this as a green treat now and then!


 Sweet & Spicy Green
1 1/2 cups frozen mango  (or 1 fresh mango)
2 handfuls baby spinach leaves
1 tsp coconut oil
pinch of cayenne pepper
2 cups almond milk




Seriously Green 
Romaine
kale
dandelion
parsley 
cucumber
celery
sprouts
pear
apple
lemon
ginger


This is definitely a favorite of mine! The lemon & ginger are the top flavors and blend so nicely together  ~ Seriously green is seriously delicious &   seriously getting your greens on!


Tip ~ try adding 1/2 banana or fresh lemon juice to cut the bitterness of dandelion greens in any smoothie and still reap the benefits!!


Enjoy!!


                            *~*   Simple ~ Nutritious ~ Delicious &  Satisfying   *~*


































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