Get Raw This Summer

Malcolm

The dog days of Summer are the perfect time to expand the amount of fresh, no-cook dishes in our daily diet. Those who eat raw swear by it, touting the amount of energy they have, not to mention glowing skin and a fantastically clear head. Since many enzymes are diminished after they are heated above 115 degrees, one of the advantage of eating raw is that enzymes aiding in digestion and promoting vitality are left available to make your body absolutely hum with health. Imagine spending your morning wandering the colorful aisles of your local farmer's market. This is a great time to take in the rainbow of nature's bounty, listen to your body, & choose among the flavor-packed fruits and veggies calling your name the loudest.

Breakfast Green Smoothie

If you are like me, mixing things up might be more practical than going completely gonzo raw. Start with one meal a day. There are so many refreshing options to eatting raw. Cool pasta, Spring rolls, summer salads & fruit bars are just a few of the feel-great dishes at your avail. Several months ago I began by making green smoothies each day for breakfast. I start with a frozen banana, throw in some mango, pears or berries, add some filtered water, some flax & a handful of glorious greens. Because there are so many incredible nutrients among the various greens, I rotate spinach, kale, chard, cilantro, watercress and baby greens. The possibilities of naked fruits and veggies are endless. My favorite secret weapon is Green Superfood by Amazing Grass. Loaded with chlorella & other phyto-nutrients, since I gave up caffeine & added Green Superfoods to our green smoothies,  my mid-afternoon energy crash is a thing of the past...

Give your body and your stove a break, by powering up that hassle-free blender...your beautiful cells will thank you for it!

Gift of Gratitude

I had a birthday this past weekend. Several months ago I was filled with dread over the realization that I was venturing into territory marked "over the hump", while approaching yet another milestone in the menagerie of anniversaries of my trips around the sun. Indeed, the only person that seemed to be more in shock over this race in time was my mother. However, when I awoke on Saturday, July 9th, I was content, even gleefull over how much I love my life and how grateful I am to feel love and that I am loved.

My day was special from start to finish. My family and friends showered me over with love. Even my father-law, Dennis, visited from back east. After a leisurely morning, our 14 year old daughter, Julia, took me to Teavana, my favorite tea shop in Santa Barbara. Co-incidentally, this was the same day Prince William & Princess Kate were in town for a match at the polo grounds. We didn't see much more than their tents, the Tiffany flags, security & the media, but that was okay because we didn't want to break the golden rule over how many princesses are allowed per square mile!

Anyway...After Julia indulged me in a custom-blend tin of my favorite Chai tea, we discovered what immediately became our latest obsession, Epic Bowl. Let's just say it is a slice of naturally sugar-free, dairy-free, Acai heaven & we can't wait to go again. Seriously good & purely nutritious stuff. Fully buzzing on organic bliss, we did a little power-shopping, then met my husband, his dad & my son at the movies. Later we enjoyed an incredible dinner experience in the gardens of the Ranch House in Ojai. Perrier Jouet, Ojai Pixie mixed green salad, sauteed scallops with roasted corn and bok choy & a warm brownie with locally made coconut ice cream. Ahhhh!

But, you know what? Gratitude tastes better than chocolate! In other words, all the local gourmet and healthy organic goodies in the world cannot satisfy the way love and thankfulness can. There aren't enough super foods or extreme workouts that can take the place of the smiles & quiet laughter of loved ones, or replace the feeling of following your life' work and passion.

Don't get me wrong here. There are few things I love in life better than an incredible dining experience and I am blown away by the generosity bestowed on my behalf. But the banquet of life bears many fruits that aren't food-related. There is a fine balance among our food, physical activity, career, relationships & souls. Many times food cravings begin when these elements are out of whack. At the same time we are counting calories and going to the gym, we need to practice self-care when it comes to these other vital components of our lives. So, let's all take a deep breath, count our blessings,  & savor all that life has to offer!

Julia digging Epic Bowl in Santa Barbara

It's okay to have a sweet tooth...

Once upon a time, my feelings were tangled around my desire for tasty, sweet things. Some days I'd beat myself up, while other days I'd deny its' very existence. Finally, this led me to a couple of life-changing discoveries I'd like to share with you here....

Lesson #1, or How To Kick Your Little Sweet Tooth?
I decided that my cravings were there for a reason, but I would opt for naturally sweet goodies. It was time to get rid of refined white sugar, full of all its' nasty, empty calories. My focus was to fill up on unprocessed, nutrient-dense options that would serve my precious body & its' millions of cells. The more pure foods we consume, the less our bodies crave the junk anyhow. And, sweets will surely make sugar-junkies out of us if we aren't careful! So, I tried some new things. By crowding out the bad with something truly good, it got easier & easier. I found that organic  agave nectar or brown rice syrup makes my morning coffee or tea just as tasty. Or, brown rice pudding really hits the spot. And, what can be better than naturally sweet fruit & veggies like squash or sweet potatoes to power our days, fight off illness & just make our taste buds sing? After a while, I could barely stand the thought of a refined sugar crash & burn.


Lesson Numero Dos, or Pure Kindness:
Denying my cravings never worked. It isn't fun; and, feeling like "I didn't do it right" is an attitude I can do without. Rather than wallow in guilt, I've learned to think of everything I have accomplished. Staying positive is a great life lesson no matter what your challenges & goals are. You see, whether or not we know it, our cells are listening to the way we talk to ourselves & they will believe us, so we better be careful of the messages we send them.  Apply your "anything is possible" attitude,  approach life with child-like curiosity and find new ways of tackling our goals. So, honor your cells & be good to your bodies & souls with PURE food and KIND thoughts.

Here's a little treat from one of my favorite cook books, "Fresh From Elizabeth's Kitchen", by Elizabeth Kaplan. The sweet potatoes will power your rockin' body longer than the usual fruit cobbler. My whole family loved every bite & I just felt good that they filled up on a healthy treat. It makes my body hum a nice tune too...mmm...enjoy!


Sweet Potato Gratin
with Pecan-Cinnamon Topping
Gluten-free/Dairy-free

Sweet Potato Gratin:
3 lbs sweet potatoes
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons coconut oil, vegan butter (in your local organic market)
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 & 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamom
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Topping:
1/2 cup Pure Pantry All Purpose Baking Mix (in your local organic market)
1/4 cup maple sugar or raw organicagave nectar (1/8 cup is plenty sweet for me!)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350. Place sweet potatoes in baking pan and bake until tender; about 1 hour.
2. Grease 8x8 square baking dish. Scrape sweet potato pulp from skins into large bowl. Using elecric mixer, mash sweet potatoes. Add eggs, melted coconut oil, agave nectar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Beat until smooth. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.

3. Combine baking mix, maple sugar or organic agave nectar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Add coconut oil and cut in until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in chopped pecans. Sprinkle topping over sweet potato mixture. Bake 30 minutes. Serve warm.