Simple Raw Health

Still Around

2010-03-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I reckon I am speaking to my very own self here as anyone who used to stop by has probably now drifted way off my shoreline. My extreme absence has been due to our recent relocation (2 moves within 4 months!). I am still eating raw and my son is still a vegan eating whatever his Simple Raw Food Mamma prepares. We are settling in, homeschooling, and eating very simply. Since we are deep in a rich farmland community and near a vegetarian-centered small town, we feel at ease here. We even have a Christian vegetarian cafe & bakery we visit once a week! God is good!

Green smoothies still start our day...

What about you? How are you doing?

Remember, keep it simple. Right off the vine is divine. After all, God made us and He made the fruits and veggies and nuts and seeds for our nourishment.

I mainly write over at Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life nowadays. Although I feel food is important and I am still passionate about sharing health & vitality, an eternal relationship with Jesus is more important!

May God bless you as you seek good health and good food!

Yams-n-Peaches

2009-09-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

Autumn is such a wonderful time of year for God's bounty!

Even though we are in the middle of moving (praise God), I see from the comments I still may have one or two readers, so I thought I would do another food post while I can still find the computer.

Lunch a while back...

- Mashed 'taters made from steamed yams, olive oil, a touch of sea salt, and a splash of hemp milk. For sweet: a dash of pure maple syrup and cinnamon or for savory: more olive oil, pepper & rosemary.

- Brown rice with a touch of olive oil & Braggs's Liquid Aminos.

- Raw Veggie Salad: outta the garden--corn scraped off the cob, halved cherry tomatoes, snapped tender green beans, chopped cucumbers; outta the store--raw pine nuts, sundried tomatoes. Toss it. Smell it. Eat it!

Go to my other blog to see what this peachy concoction is all about...

* And as always, use organic, fresh, wholesome ingredients. Nourish you and your family with health.

May God bless you

and the work of your hands this day!

Outta the Garden

2009-09-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

Lunch.

When gardens are fully loaded with God's bounty, what could be better than picking it right of the vine and setting it right onto the table? Not much!

Veggie Salad

1. put into a bowl:

red pepper-chopped

tomatoes-cut into small pieces

2. put into a steamer for about 30 seconds:

green beans-snapped

bok choy-chopped (green leafy parts too)

3. toss all in one bowl with some olive oil, a dash of Bragg's Liquid Aminos, and fresh pepper

Here is my little fella, showing you his food-messy face and a bite of salad!

~ Did you know? Green bell peppers are actually UNripe peppers. We avoid the green ones in the store and wait for them to turn a brilliant color in the garden.

~ Try something new this autumn...make spaghetti sauce from scratch--wonderful smells will fill your home for about 6 hours while the tomatoes cook down.

My recipe: 15 tomatoes, cored. Blend about half. Chop the other half. Do this while 3 big onions are sautéing in a olive oil. Add tomatoes to onions. Turn heat to low. In about three hours add some herbs (if fresh, use more).

Simmer for about 6 hours. Stir often. When it's done, pour into shallow roasting pans to cool. Put into freezable containers. Place in fridge overnight. Put in freezer in the morning.

Viola! Pizza sauce. Spaghetti sauce. Soup base. Add additional herbs to suit the wintertime meal on the menu.

* If you have noticed a lack of input here on the blog it is because we are knee-deep in food preservation, homeschooling, tending to the ranchola, and praying for this nation. I do believe that it is important to share recipes and facts and ideas and encouragements, but I do think it is more important to tend to those other listed items. If there are any readers left, try something new and fun with God's bountiful harvest!

Zucchini Chips

2009-08-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

What do you do with 40 pounds of zucchini? Besides slipping them through open windows in someone's car or making outrageous amounts of zucchini bread?

Here is what we are doing...

Forty pounds of zucchini

reduced to flavor-filled

dill chips

and taco chips

Cut ends off zucchini.

Zip through food processor with slicer attachment.

Generously toss with favorite flavors

(our 1st batch was dill & salt; our 2nd batch of 20 pounds is taco--currently dehydrating and making our house smell like tacos!)

Spread out, single layer on dehydrator sheets.

Peel off in 10 hours. (I set mine to 155 degrees for first hour and then to 115 degrees for remainder)

Keep in sealed container.

Oh yes, eat 'em at your leisure.

My first batch of 20 pounds reduced to the amount shown in that recycled 64-oz coconut oil container.

While my "chips" don't crunch, they do impart a delicious flavor. And they don't impart an inch to the waistline or clog up your arteries either! ;-)

Wholesome Bread Recipe

2009-07-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

After contacting the ladies who taught me how to make homemade whole wheat bread without a bread machine, I am ready to post their recipe... I didn't want to infringe upon their rights and I wanted their permission.

You see, I am a recovered bread machine user. Never again will I go back to that mode of making & creating wholesome bread for my family. Over a year ago I started watching films from Franklin Springs Family Media. In a couple of their documentary-type movies, I met a family called the West Ladies. Soon they had their own dvds on the market. I snatched-up that 3-piece set immediately. These down-home, off-grid living, Christian woman are such an inspiration to me. I yearn to live a really simple life akin to theirs. I do try. And I do succeed in my own way...

Back to the bread. I am in love with making and baking and sharing bread. The textures of the flour and honey and water. The love mixed into it with kneading. The wonder of it rising. The smell of it baking. The delight on faces of those who eat it. All of it, I am in love with it! Ahhh.

Although I am a raw food vegan and I promote a vegan eating style, I must link these ladies and their blog and their website here. Get some ideas. Learn something. They offer more than recipes,they offer a glimpse into a lifestyle. They stand for something bigger, something more important than culinary choices. They are godly women who stand for Christ.

In perusing their bog and/or their site, do take the time to learn what a blessing it is to be the caretaker of the homestead, whether or not your homestead is in the country or a high-rise apartment building or somewhere in between. Take the time to do things the old-fashioned way. Take time...and be thankful for every good gift God gives you this day.

Here is the whole wheat bread recipe. Please do consider buying their Homestead Blessings dvds. A new batch will be out soon--you can pre-order your set now!

STANDARD BREAD DOUGH

• 2 1/2 cups of Warm Water

• 2 cups of whole Wheat Flour

• 2 teaspoons of Salt

• 1/2 cup of Oil

• 1/2 cup of Honey

• 1 tablespoon of Yeast

Add the Water, Flour, Salt, Oil and Honey and mix together.

Then mix in the yeast.

Add flour until you have a nice dough (4 or 5 cups).

Knead and let rise for 30 to 40 minutes in a warm place.

Punch down and form into loaves.

Place in greased loaf pans and use a fork to poke several holes into dough.

Let rise again for about an hour.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

* I let mine rise for 90 minutes instead of 30 to 40--as per the directions on their "The Art of Bread Making" dvd.

I am off to making a batch of my own. One with onions and herbs. And another with extra honey, cinnamon, and raisins...Thank you, Hannah, for your kind response to my request!

May God bless all that you do this day!

Lunch: Fresh is Best

2009-07-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

What's for lunch at your house?

Summertime brings with it so many fresh and scrumptious options.

Here is what the mid-day meal looks like around here.

Sub-style veggie sandwiches on

homemade whole wheat Walla-Walla sweet onion bread.

Filled with organic, garden-fresh veggies...

zucchini, beet greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers,

wholesome pickles & lettuce

Yes, even some green beans.

What a crunch!

Raw foodist can even partake in this garden fare,

just use a large leaf of sturdy lettuce for the "bread".

I sprinkled on some hemp seeds for added protein.

And we love mustard.

Either we make it ourselves

or use an organic variety from the store.

Yummy in my tummy!

For dessert, what could be better

than the in-season fruit just waiting to be eaten?

Splendid summertime strawberries!

Sooo goood as the kiddo says.

* For some other nutrient-dense lunch ideas, look here and here. And here.

* I think I skipped breakfast in our summertime line-up. That one will come soon.

* We use organic produce from our garden & our local CSA.

Remember,

fresh is best

right of the vine is simply divine!

Step-by-step Green Smoothie

2009-06-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

Initial Reaction to Green Smoothies

All folks physically cringe when I describe a glorious green smoothie. And some even audibly voice their disapproval with out loud gagging noises.

But, most take a sip when offered one, especially if they watch me drink mine first.

And then they chug the entire glassful when given the "okay" to do so.

After I explain a few health benefits, they often ask me how to make green smoothies at-home...

Reported Benefits of Green Smoothies

I would say that 9 out of 10 persons I have tempted to try one of these concoctions, continues to make and chug these nutrient-dense green drinks. Reported health benefits and improvements in my circle of green smoothie drinkers include:

increased energy

diminished food cravings

quicker recovery from physical exertion

hair, darker & thicker

skin, softer & smoother

weight loss

lowered cholesterol

seasonal allergy relief

increase in general well-being

lowered blood sugar levels

and on

For an introduction to green smoothies, click here.

And for more ideas and recipes, click here.

Making a Green Smoothie

1. 2 cups of water

2. add large amounts of greens (I fill to near the top)

pictured here: pink chard, yellow chard, lambs quarters (yes, it is a weed)

3. blend to smooth

a hi-speed, hi-power blender (i.e. K-tec or VitaMix) works best as you want to break open the actual cell walls of the greens

4. add frozen fruit (about 2 cups)

I often use blueberries or strawberries; add in a frozen banana if you are new at it and like a creamy texture akin to a shake

5. blend to smooth

add-in some other goodies like ground flax, hemp seeds...or for sweetness, add-in a couple of dates or a dollop of honey/agave/brown rice syrup

6. drink!

not all green smoothies are green when done--but the green nutrients are packed to the rim!

Why not give it a whirl?! Yeah, pun intended. Blend yourself up a nice glass of nutrients...

By the time breakfast is done, my family has met the standard daily recommended servings of fruits & veggies! Soon, I will post the rest of our general breakfast menu, complete with photos...

whole wheat scones

strawberry sauce

fruit salad

Strawberries!

2009-06-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year when strawberries are hanging ripe and juicy,

just waiting to be picked by an eager hand

and popped into an anticipating mouth.

These are three strawberries on my 6'4" husband's hand.

Those are some BIG berries!

Each of those giant strawberries was the size of 3 berries.

Yum.

After an evening of processing strawberries for the annual freezer fill-up,

I made some strawberry syrup for my boys

and their Saturday whole wheat pancake breakfast feast.

* Toss that store-bought pancake syrup and sugar-laden jam. Your family will love simple, fresh, homemade syrup.

Whatever is left-over, use that week for almond butter-jam sandwiches for the kiddos!

And I made a quick fruit salad

to go with their pancakes and our green smoothies.

Strawberry Green Smoothie

- 2 cups water

- 3 cups of greens (red lettuce, collard)

-> blend

- 1 cup frozen strawberries

- 1/4 cup ground flax

-> blend to smooth

Easy Summer Fruit Salad

- fresh strawberries

- frozen blueberries

- orange pieces (peeled, cut into slices & separated into small pieces

* optional: top off with soaked raw sunflower seeds and/or chopped raw soaked almonds; avocado is a surprisingly delicious add-in too

Simple Strawberry Syrup

- very ripe strawberries, stemmed & chopped

- honey

- cinnamon

- allspice

-> add all ingredients (sweetener and spices to taste) simmer 30 minutes, stirring frequently; smash berries to a thick pulp; put into jar and use within one week or process in hot water bath for long term canned preservation

If you are new to whole food, vegan, and/or living food eating,

keep it simple and easy!

Your taste buds will be delighted,

your body will be healthier,

and you will find more success

in meeting your healthful aspirations.

Nuts for Coconut

2009-06-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday 4 health-filled coconuts came to our home. This morning, I took one of them and poked it's eye right out with the pointy end of a knife sharpener. I inserted a straw and let the kiddo drink. After he had his fill, I drained it's water. That most nutritious & delicious source of electrolytes was for me. What to do with a coconut missing an eye? Pop it into a plastic bag, tie it off and smash it to pieces by slamming it onto the sidewalk. Repeatedly.

Now, that does not sound like a very nice thing to do to a poor lil coconut, does it?!

Oh there are more civilized and stylish ways to get to the "meat" of the coconut, but hey, this is Simple Raw Food Mamma and I am a farm girl...

After the rather un-fanciful treatment of one hairy little coconut, we had rawsome green smoothies for breakfast today!

- 1 1/2 cups water (preferably coconut water, if you didn't drink it all yet)

- cram blender up past the 3 cup mark with greens (garden-fresh spinach & collard)

- blend

- add about 1 cup of blueberries

- and 1/2 peeled orange

- and a chunk or two of coconut

- blend again

Viola! Yummers!

Recently...

We have made raw strawberry pie.

We have made a whole wheat crust filled with gooey, spiced plums.

We have made a farm fresh, very colorful & flavor-filled veggie salad.

Oh, the fun and the yum we had in our kitchen! Stay tuned for posts and recipes and pics on the above...

Eat More Fruits & Veggies

2009-06-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

Eating more fruits and veggies. That is a challenge for some. For me and my clan, it is a way of life. You see, the more living foods you eat, the more your living body thrives! Simply put, enzymes are the catalysts for all sorts of functions and processes within your body. Enzymes are destroyed when food is heated. A raw/living food way of eating, nourishes your precious body because the enzymes are still intact. Still living. Still working.

So, eat 'up! Grab yourself a 'nana or peel an orange and read along...

See my story here.

Learn about some raw food facts here and basics here.

And look to the side bar for other topics, ideas and recipes.

Scroll on down to my last post.

What an easy & fun & messy way to get some fresh wholesome fruit

on your plate and into your mouth!

Watermelon Fun

2009-05-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

Every last sweet, luscious red bit

of that juicy watermelon

got tantalizingly tasted

as the hearts, stars,

and yes, even the red left on the rind,

got gobbled.

Need I say more

about the Simple Raw Food

joys of wondrous watermelon?!

Watermelon Fun Recipe:

- 1 or more watermelon(s)

- cut into thick or thin slices

- use cookie cutter or pancake batter form to make shapes

- serve with napkins and/or a hose!

Weekend Fare

2009-05-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

Saturday summertime lunches around our place consist of the same meals as most others across the nation...including burgers and potato salad. One huge difference--the ingredients. Fresh, wholesome, living, and nutritious generally describe our dining table digs.

Take for example, our potato salad. They will never even notice the eggs are replaced with cauliflower. Or that the mayo is a thick, creamy homemade dressing with lots of herbs.

(Almost) Raw Food Vegan Potato Salad:

- potato, grilled & chopped (nope, it's not raw, but I know what my boys will eat)

[while the 'taters are grilling, start prepping other veggies] look here to see how we cook 'em

- cauliflower, chopped

- red peppers, chopped

- pickles, diced (don't skimp here...make your own or buy a health food store brand like Strub's or Bubbies)

- celery, chopped

- fresh herbs to taste--we love cilantro around here (some came up from last year already, but if you prefer a more traditional taste, use dill)

fake mayo:

- about 1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh is best)

- about 1/3 cup cold-pressed olive oil

- a handful of raw sunflower seeds

- touch of brown rice syrup or honey

- lots of dill

- big blob of mustard

- a dash of salt

Blend in high speed blender until creamy; taste and adjust ingredients to your liking.

Add all veggie ingredients in one big bowl. Stir. Add fake mayo to the texture and taste that suites your fancy. Viola, that is one healthy bowl of potato salad.

Then comes the burger. You can make raw food burgers. They do take time and pre-planning, neither of which was handy last Saturday. So, my boys ate this store-bought non-soy, no junk variety (Bahama Rice Burger). As for me, I just eat my fixings as my burger atop a big piece of lettuce. Want to add some tongue tantalizers to the burger? Take some of the fake mayo and add mustard & ketchup to it. And please, use home made or health food store variety condiments without the high fructose corn syrup or anything gross like that. Now, that is a burger sauce worth biting into!

As I previously shared, my 'lil spud doesn't fancy raw onions like his Raw Food Mamma, so I grill those for him and his daddy. Add a touch of olive oil and they gobble 'em up. Prepare all the fixings and stack on a plate. Half the fun is stacking the burger high with piles of veggies.

Of course one could ruin the whole healthy meal with bad bread or yucky buns. Buy some of this (Dave's Killer Bread) or make some of your own. My little fella and I baked whole wheat bread together and it was so fun. His is the mini-loaf with all the fresh herbs.

Include your kids in the food prep and meal assembly. They will eat more of these delicious veggies if they partake in the preparations. My guy loves gathering herbs from the raised beds while the dough is rising. I let him pick his own herbs, rinse them, cut them (with scissors), and knead them into the dough. It's okay if they don't do it your way or the "right" way, just let them try.

So, make your next summertime Saturday lunch so packed full of living foods nutrients, that they won't know what him 'em. But, they will certainly be back for more!

Kiddo in the Kitchen

2009-05-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

As a raw foodist, I spend a great deal of time in the kitchen. And I love it. Thankfully, so does my son. Since infancy, I have involved him in food prep. Initially of course he was only an audience member, but now he is a full-fledged "chef" with his own apron and table knife.

Back in the days (er, daze) when we had TV hooked-up to the outside world (via bunny ears to get 1 1/2 channels), my toddler son and I occasionally watched a couple of cooking shows on PBS. Apparently the shows rubbed off on him. As we would stand and work together at the counter, he would start talking. He would say things like this, "Okay people, now we are adding in the peppers. You just toss them on the top." And he would add in little diatribes like this, "Now, if you are wondering about the sauce, it is really easy to make. You just..." The first time I heard one of his narrations I asked him why he was talking aloud as he worked. He told me he was "talking to the people, mamma, just like on the cooking shows." Apparently he thought "the people" watched everyone work in the kitchen!

Nowadays he is even used to the odd things food bloggers do with their fare, like photograph the food before consumption or photograph the food part way through consumption (because it looked so darned good that we had forgotten to snap an initial image). I try to leave the camera in its case and its drawer when quests are over for a meal. What would they think?!

Anyway, two days ago while my mom was here for a visit, we where schooling her in the fine art (ha!) of raw food prep and consumption. While I showed her our version of nori rolls, my son made his own salad. Then he said, "Take a picture, mamma. The people are really gonna want to see this!" So, I did. Here is the masterpiece my 5-year old made. Of course I did the cutting and chopping, as per his directions, but he dictated, assembled, and then shared it with his ma and grandma!

Kiddo's Salad

cooked quinoa on bottom

shredded cabbage

sliced carrots

chopped red peppers

topped with:

thin-sliced roma tomato

fresh-cracked pepper

smashed avocado

(lots of love & fun)

* If you are here from the Heavenly Homemakers Fruit & Veggie Challenge,

please click here and here for CSA information, recipes & photos!

* And yes, I just noticed that one of the nori roll links with photos show my son and gasp! He is wearing the same clothes in those photos as in today's. Oh well, we worry more about what's on our plates than we do about being fashion plates! ;-)

Where You Are

2009-04-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

Recently some of you have contacted me -- wanting more information about eating healthier in general. Some had requests about green smoothies. Some had requests for healthier cooked food recipes. As I continue to eat a raw food vegan diet, I realize that is not where most of you are at in your journey toward health. I want to meet you where you are.

I used to carry the burden that it was up to me to change people. Nope, not any more. It is ultimately up to God. And you, of course. So, if a HEALTHIER YOU is what you really want, pray for the wisdom, guidance, and strength to do it. Then, go for it!

Reality in my house...

Number of Raw Food Vegans: 1 - me

Number of Wholesome Food Vegans: 1 - 5-year old son

Number of Trying to be a Wholesome-Healthy Eater: 1 - husband

If you are on the Standard American Diet (SAD diet), but want to stick your leg overboard and dangle it into the waters of healthy eating, before taking the plunge, that is fine. We all need to start somewhere. I did. You can check out my journey here...

LUNCH

mostly Raw Food Salad

- salad

- organic baby salad greens

- organic celery (chopped)

- organic baby spinach

- organic cilantro (chopped)

- red onions (grilled slightly--so son will eat them!)

- sun dried tomatoes (chopped small -- for flavor)

- avocado "dressing" (ripe avocado fork-mashed, half organic lemon squeezed into green mash, dash sea salt, splash organic cold-pressed olive oil)

- toss all of the above together, enjoy!

* Sometimes I don't put amounts for my recipes. To tell you the truth, I am not much a recipe-follower. I get an idea. Then I do what I can with what I have! It is up to you. Make food you want to eat! If you like cilantro, put a whole cup in your salad. If you don't fancy onions, leave 'em out. Do it so you will eat it. And like it!

BREAKFAST

fruit-filled vegan coffee cake

Berry Mixture:

3 cups berries (I used strawberries & blueberries)

1/2 cup water 

1/2 cup honey or brown rice syrup

3 TBSP arrowroot powder or ground tapioca (thickener)

Cook blueberries and water together until boiling. Turn down the heat, cover and simmer for about five minutes. At lowest heat, add sweetener and thickener, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Set aside.

Cake Mixture: 

3 cups whole wheat pastry flour 

1 TBSP baking powder 

generous pinch sea salt 

3/4 cup olive oil 

2/3 cup brown rice syrup or honey

1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or orange or almond…)

1 1/2 cups whipped silken tofu (blend 1 container silken tofu in blender until to a pudding-like consistency)

1/4 cup fresh orange juice 

1/2-1 cup “milk” (hemp, rice, almond, soy…)

Put all ingredients in mixing bowl. Mix at med-high speed for about 30 seconds.

To make the coffee cake, pour half of the cake batter into an oiled stoneware baking dish or cast iron skillet. Spread berry mixture over the batter. Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls on top of berry mixture.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes -- 20 minutes uncovered, 20 minutes covered with foil.

* portions of recipe adapted from... one found on my blog & at Christina Cooks & at Heavenly Homemakers

Yum-yum! A fruit-filled coffee cake worthy of any cup of coffee or tea...or even eaten as breakfast (like at our house)!

So, wherever you are on your journey, do what you can to make your current recipes healthier. For example, cut out the animal ingredients, use whole wheat pastry flour instead of white flour, use brown rice syrup or honey instead of white sugar, and make it from scratch!

Cancer Education

2009-04-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

These are both parts of an article in the recent Health News publication by the folks at Hallelujah Acres. The topic for issue #54 is entitled Discussing Cancer. In addition to being an informative-packed little magazine this month, it is full of inspiration, education and health testimonials of those who either recovered completely from their cancer diagnosis or those who where able to extend their life well beyond what the medical profession said was possible.

Why aren't more people aware of these simple dietary steps they can take to walk a path of health and healing? Why?! I want to scream it. It breaks my heart. Why don't they seek alternatives to healing? Perhaps you already read the above article snip-it. If not, please take the time to do so now.

Huh? Amazing, isn't it? Astonishing, really. Some doctors don't know and therefore cannot offer ideas beyond their cancer education (brought to them courtesy of the pharmaceutical companies selling cancer-combat & anti-cancer drugs). What is worse, some doctors know the facts, but don't bother to research and/or present the alternatives, much like Leslie Kirchmeier's doctor in that article.

Do not despair. Please read on to find out what she did in response and how she is doing now...

Let me backtrack and give you the set-up for this amazing story. Mrs. Kirchmeier was diagnosed with stage-2 cervical cancer in June of 2000. She underwent conventional treatments (precautionary lymph node removal, 6 hours a day of chemo 1/week for 6 weeks, and radiation everyday). In her words, "In the end, the treatments were all for naught. The 'heavy hit' package of chemo and radiation that I endured did not shrink the tumor as the doctors expected."

Today her blood work continues to show she is cancer free. There are many other similar health testimonials at the Hallelujah Acres site to further support this health and healing. Are you interested? Are you curious? Are you ready to discover other ways to rid your body of cancer and disease? I hope you are hollering YES!

Imagine, if your body would heal by just making some changes to your diet. Simple. Add in more fresh fruits and veggies. Drink fresh juices extracted in your very own home. Make green smoothies and chug 'em down. Take out the whites...white sugar, white flour, white rice, white pasta, all milk products. Avoid corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners. Don't drink caffeine. Cut out the meat. All of it. Oh, come on. You can do it! Just eat like God intended us to eat. Eat like you were in the Garden. Simple.

It is not like I am suggesting you take multiple swigs of poison or inject yourself with toxins that can eat through the floor or swallow pills with so many negative side effects you need to take a nap while reading the insert...no, I will leave that to the doctors.

If you are curious and want to learn more, please take the time to visit these links. Yes, there are other links to sites that also promote healing and raw foods, but some are tainted with New Age guru poopoo (my official term for the eastern influenced junk). I am a child of God. I will do my best to discern the good from the bad. In leading someone along a path of health and healing, I don't want to lead anyone to an eternity separated from God. Please use prayerful discernment when seeking a medical regime.

Hallelujah Acres site

full-length health testimony of Leslie Kirchmeier

H. Acres cancer dvd series (to watch on-line)

More videos with information, food prep...

Cancer DVD I previously highlighted here last year

All I can do, no, what I must do, is present you with information, education, and pray that God will lead you along the path He intends you to take in this life.

* And it is sad, but please read the disclaimer in the sidebar. I went to law school just long enough to know about disclaimers. People, I cannot heal you. I can help you find information and adjust your diet though... Your healing is between you and God (and the path he sets before your feet).

* Please go the H. Acres site and sign-up to receive their bi-monthly publication. You can also get a weekly email.

Simple Path

2009-03-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

My posting today is actually a re-post. I have another blog (Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life) and this is something I wrote back in December. With Spring knocking on the door and tulips poking through the dirt, we soon will be without Winter and her cold mornings. Although I am excited for greenery to fill my garden and summer sun to warm my face, I will miss the smells of simmering oatmeal on the wood stove...

Soft bubbles rise to the surface. They become more rapid in their ascent. Many more join until I can hear them knocking into the sides of the stainless tea kettle. The wonderful warmth of the wood stove heats the cold water into a frenzy of boiling bubbles. A favorite mug with a minty tea bag waits patiently in my hands. Soon I am sipping hot tea while stretched out legs offer chilly toes to wood stove warmth.

My son pads on out of his room. He wears his heavy morning slumber and rubs fists into eyes as if nudging them to accept morning's light. I hug his hot skinny boy self. My eyes close slowly, beckoning my internal camera shutter. My soul tries to capture this early morning moment and print it on my heart.

I mix rolled oats with their dust into a small pan of water. Thick, sweet, golden honey glops out of the jug and sinks to the bottom. Gently it rests under the oat mixture. I shake on dark brown pumpkin pie spices. The small pot, a lid, and its breakfast fare is set atop the wood stove. Soon I smell its warmth. And honey sweetness fills my nostrils. I add raisins, currants, and blueberries before taking it from the hot black surface. Scooped into a bowl with a wooden spoon and eaten with eager anticipation, my oatmeal concoction disappears.

Simple ways. Simple things. Simple gifts. Simple life.

When distractions of haste and a fast pace are set aside, it is easier for this Simple Country Girl to find God.

His footsteps appear in the sand. I hear Him. I feel His hand in mine, tugging me along. I follow, trying to match my small steps into His large imprints.

It is a simple path He walks.

What's Cookin' in Your Dryer?

2009-03-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

It is time for another post about simple cleaning and healthy household tips...

Take out your dryer's lint trap. After you dispose of the lint (keep the lint and tuck into toilet paper rolls--use for starting fires in your wood stove or on camping trips), hold it under the faucet and run some water onto its surface. Now, take a look. Does that water pool up or does it freely drain right through? Chances are high that it pools up on the surface of your lint trap. Hmm...I wonder why?

Most fabric softeners (dryer sheets especially) actually coat your meshy lint trap. As they toss to & fro in your heated dryer with the clothes your precious family wears, those dryer sheets release their gunk. Their smell. Their perfume. Their chemicals. Yuck! Not to mention the fire hazard posed by those dryer sheets...

I am always trying to do things healthy and simply for my family. Many years ago I switched to natural laundry products from Seventh Generation and Bi-O-Kleen. Those companies offer some great laundry and household items. I used the liquid fabric softener for years. Of course I diluted it by half water and then only put in half the amount--yes, you can get by with less! Several months ago I switched to an even cheaper, safer, simpler fabric softener. White vinegar.

Oh, it works, really it does. And no, you won't walk around smelling like a pickle! Just pick up a big ole jug or two (I get mine at Costco). Pour some (I have never really measured...probably about 1/3 cup) into the liquid fabric softener dispenser at the start of your wash cycle. That is it. If you miss the perfume smell (it about gags me and I can smell it on people and in their homes now), I don't know what to tell you except think about what absorbed into the skin of your family each time they wore "clean" clothes.

If you lean more toward a faint, natural scent, just buy some essential oils (like lavender) and take a scrap of fabric or an wore out ole sock, now put a few drops of oil onto mister sockie and toss it in the dryer near the end of the cycle. Or make up a concoction of water and essential oil in a spray bottle. When your clothes are spread out on your bed for folding, mist them with the scented water.

Viola! Clothes free of cooked chemicals. Safe for the whole family!

I will post more later on other simple, cheap, and healthy house-cleaning hints...

Breakfast

2009-03-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

My son and I rummaged through our big upright freezer a couple weeks ago. I was running low on fresh greens for my green smoothies, but I didn't want to make a trip all the way to town. I knew I had stashed extra garden wonders in the freezer all last summer. I just had to find them!

After we organized the icebox, I found that I had a smorgasbord of greenery. Here is some kale. Several months ago when kale was in abundance, I rinsed it, patted it dry, gently rolled it into green smoothie portion sizes, and wrapped plastic wrap around each bundle. I put 3-4 bundles into a big sealable plastic bag and tossed them into the freezer.

I knew I needed to portion out the sizes beforehand. Frozen kale leaves all stuck together would be hard to separate for my pond sludge slurpies. ;-)

My smoothies have been as fresh and healthful this week as they were when the sun was shining and the garden was growing.

Green Smoothie Recipe--Kale Delight:

To my kale,

I added water (2 cups),

frozen blueberries (handful)

a couple large frozen strawberries (more produce that I got fresh and froze for extended use),

and some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Yum.

Simple breakfast.

My son loves his fruit and honey laden rolled organic oatmeal to jump start his day. He drinks a small smoothie, but tops off his cavernous 5-year old tummy with our homemade oatmeal.

I add hemp milk for the good fats and great protein--all essential for a growing boy!

Boil water.

Add whole oats.

and honey to taste.

Add some cinnamon.

Toss in a handful of blueberries

and some currants.

Cook for a minute.

Turn off stove.

Let concoction sit for a few minutes.

Healthy eating for my family works best when it is simple.

For us, simple is repeatable and achievable.

Day after day.

Do what works for you!

Green Smoothie Anniversary & Experiment

2009-02-19T08:50:00.001-08:00

This month marks my one year anniversary with green smoothies! One year ago a dear friend told me about these seemingly gross pond-sludge drinks that she concocts in her kitchen. Multiple times each day. I read the book she suggested ("Green For Life" by V. Boutenko). I gathered the greens, fruit, revved up my K-tec motor, and got busy with the smoothies.

My health improved. Simple fact.

Food cravings - gone.

Energy - up.

Weight - down.

Recovery from physical exertion - fast.

Hair - thicker.

Skin - clear.

Nourishment of body - excellent.

Food craving amendment - crave fresh veggies & fresh fruit.

Blood sugar levels - better control.

Insulin - dosage cut in half.

All in all, green smoothies have done wonders for my health, including my Type 1, child-onset, insulin-dependent diabetes. My insulin requirements have cut way, way back. Amazing. Some even believe that I will be "cured" of my diabetes if I stick to this.

*(Please be advised that Type 2 diabetes for the most part, I think is self-induced with gluttony, lack of exercise, and lack of knowledge--the pancreas still manufactures insulin, the body just gets really mixed up on how to use it. To the contrary, with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes no insulin, making injections or insulin pumps mandatory.)

If you are new to this site, please revisit previous posts regarding green smoothie facts & recipes, also look here for an intro to green smoothies. And it is true, I don't write as much here as I used to. Life is happening. God is leading. My family is following. That takes priority.

By the way, I conducted an experiment on myself. Oh yeah. I must say that I learned a lot. And I must also say that I would like to smack my forehead and say "duh" about my findings. You know, I did it for your sake. For the sake of those who doubt about why I eat this way. And drink this way.

Two days ago I ate some store-bought, non-raw food corn chips. Oh yes I did. I ate probably 15 of them. I also got out my hubby's tub of store-bought, non-raw food salsa and I dipped away. My taste buds didn't know what to do. My mouth burned. My stomach churned and gurgled and protested. My tongue started to swell. My mouth felt coated and gross. In a fit of desperate regret, I downed a bunch of live culture acidophilus.

I went on my merry way for the rest of the day.

Results from shocking my raw food body...

Same day: felt sluggish, grouchy, slight head ache, by bedtime was beat, did not sleep well that night.

Next day (yesterday): Made an intense green smoothie with lots of cilantro (blood purifier) and felt worse before I felt better... sick to my stomach, felt like I was gonna blow for the first half of the day, wanted to lay down with my ugly guts, clear skin replaced with the opposite, felt flu-ish (and foolish), slept like I was riding a rail car last night...

Today: ready for green smoothies, lots of lemon water, and for my system to get back under control.

My experiment proved to me that eating a raw-food diet, complete with green smoothies is the best thing for my body. I have no desire to indulge in that sort of food fare again--the chips and salsa from the store.

I will make my own flax crackers. And my own salsa. Thank you very much!

Living bodies do thrive on living foods!

Nori Rolls, Noodles & PAUC

2009-01-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

Oh, I can hardly believe that it has been over two months since my last posting. Winter weather, big changes in my husband's job, and an impending move have played a role in my time away from the keyboard. I do miss plucking out health tips, raw and/or whole foods ideas and suggestions.

Recently my son and I had a lunch of raw food Nori rolls. He also ate some cooked food--whole grain noodles with an oriental sauce. I added black beans to his noodle mix as well.

For Christmas, in celebration of Jesus' birthday, we made a special PAUC. What is a puac? Pineapple Apple Upsidedown Cake. We made a vegan recipe and used whole grains. Everything that we toss the bowl, pot or pan is organic. As a reminder, I would suggest that you buy the majority of your ingredients as organic.

Vegetables we had on-hand for the Nori rolls... Avocado, carrot, cucumber, celery, carrot, and tomato. Just use whatever you have. If you want to plan a special menu for your Nori rolls, then go do it. But just remember that this Simple Raw Food Mamma doesn't fret about details of perfection.

Place the strips of veggies on the nori sheet. Don't bother toasting the sheet as per the instructions. Keep it raw! Moisten both inner ends along the edges. Roll from one end, tighten the wrap with a gentle squeeze, and keep wrapping and rolling.

Here is my son's lunch. Yum. And yes, he eats all his veggies! I cut my roll in bite sized pieces while he likes the chewy nature of a whole nori roll.

Our birthday cake for Jesus. My son and hubby said it was really good. Let me tell you that it smelled awesome. Here is a link for where I got the cake recipe. We used pineapple, but as a modification, we added chopped apples and honey. Like I said, don't get caught up with the details of perfection, just make food that nourishes a living body.

Simple Eating & Drinking

2008-11-02T16:34:00.001-08:00

Simplicity.

If you are a regular follower, you know that I am certainly a Simple Raw Food Mamma. There are two reasons I have not written much lately. The first is that I am homeschooling my son and it takes time...time that I gladly devote to him and his education. The second reason is that I have been eating and drinking so simply that I don't know what to tell y'all about!

But alas, as the cold weather settles in, I am sure that those vegan raw comfort foods with substance will soon make a comeback in my dietary realm. So stay tuned for raw food recipes and how-to's for crackers, holiday desserts, "burgers," and even breads. With less time outside, more time will be spent inside doing food prep and eating.

So, what have I been eating that is so basic and simple for the past month? I start out the day with a green smoothie. I make a large batch and put half of it in the fridge for later.

Basic Green Smoothie

- water (1 cup)

- kale or rainbow chard (crammed in the blender to the 3 cup mark)

-> blend until smooth

- frozen blueberries (1 cup)

- frozen strawberries (1 cup)

-> blend again to smooth

Then for lunch I eat a

Simple, Simple Salad

- zucchini chopped

- tomato chopped

- hemp seed sprinkled on top

I eat a

Simple Raw Food Wrap

- zucchini cut into strips

- tomato sliced

- greens (kale, lettuce...)

- 1/2 avocado sliced, smeared, or chopped

- red pepper sliced

- raw (do not toast) nori sheet(s)

-> follow directions on nori sheet package; put veggies onto wrap at one end, moisten edges, roll wrap tight with sushi mat (or just use bare hands), cut if desired

~ here is a link to a previous post with a nori wrap recipe & photos

And then for dinner, I usually make my two fellas something cooked (whole wheat pasta with sauce, baked potatoes, rice & beans...) and a bowl of mixed raw veggies. I either eat the veg. salad or drink my remaining green smoothie or both.

So, it has been a simple culinary autumn around here as we have been busy with dehydrating and freezing foods for wintertime...and doing homeschool.

I been requested to teach a raw food class concentrating on holiday dessert ideas. Keep an eye out for that event.

Welcome new readers. I hear there are a couple of you.

Keep it simple.

See results.

Feel better.

Stick with it!

Oh yes, watch out for some mustard greens! Yum-yum-yum. If you are a mustard green newbie, start with small bites. Oh, they are so good and add such a flare and flavor to your salad or even your smoothie. I grab wads of the greens throughout the day and cram into my mouth! Yeah, love that spicy sensation...

Catch-up--recipes & photos

2008-10-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Even though it has been many days since I updated this blog, I still have been snapping photos with the intent of posting. So, here is a little catch-up...

My son and I made a salad of sorts a while back. I did cook the blue potatoes, but the rest is raw.

We snapped green beans, popped out some peas, chopped some tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. We tossed those fresh veggies with made a simple olive oil-lemon juice dressing and the cooked potatoes. Viola!

Simple Raw Kiddo is the one who reminded me to take a photo. He said, "Mom, take a picture of my salad. The people will want to see it."

Do take the time to involve your kids in food preparation. They will not only learn basic kitchen skills, but they will learn to love food for its nourishment.

Well, I don't know about all these people he thinks are spending time at this blog... I do hope that someone is encouraged to improve their health by the ideas I share, facts I pass along, and photos I post.

Here are some homemade pizza photos too. I made a wheat-free crust, spread some homemade pizza sauce (olive oil, chopped tomatoes, italian seasoning--smash & simmer), topped it off with lots of fresh veggies and a little vegan mozzarella cheese.

A healthy pizza that tastes as good as it looks. My boys ate it up! Yummyumm.

With autumn fully upon us we have been busy harvesting and preparing food for winter storage and ultimately winter consumption. My son helped me make some spiced plum butter and spiced apple butter. Mostly he helped with the clean-up--licking the spatulas and bowls.

Even boys can be in the kitchen. It does help if one wears camouflage pants under their mamma's red apron though!

Another use for ripe plums and apples...

Cooked Vegan Dessert:

Slow Baked Plums & Apples

Core 'em, chop 'em, smother 'em in honey, sprinkle in some pumpkin pie spice, top 'em off with oats & chopped almonds, cover and bake at low heat (250) for a couple of hours. Before serving, take off foil and bake at 425 for a few minutes. The house smelled marvelous and my guests said the dessert was delish too!

* I have made this with the crock pot too.

I have been making green smoothies all week with some lovely collard greens.

-water

-collard greens

-pear

-blueberries

-blend until smooth!

Whew, until next time...

Please remember that health and vitality

is as close as your next mouthful of food!

Make it fresh.

Make it from scratch.

Make it simple.

Make it count. ;-)

Protein--Healthy Truth

2008-10-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

How do you get enough protein in your diet?

That is one of the most common questions I get in regard to eating a raw food vegan diet.

Well folks, quite simply put, there has been way too much hoopla regarding "complete" & "high-quality" protein in one's diet. The fact is, you can achieve and maintain a very healthy body by consuming plant-based proteins! Steaks, chops, roasts and burgers have been scientifically proven to promote diseased bodies, whereas the plant-based proteins have been linked to longevity.

If you haven't heard of, read, watched/listened to an interview with Dr. T. Colin Campbell in regard to his book "The China Study," you must make the time to do so. In trying to prove that the meat and dairy way of eating is the best, he came across startling evidence so he undertook a 20-year long study looking at and establishing a cause & effect between protein sources and incidence of disease. Startling evidence...

Early in his career as a researcher with MIT and Virginia Tech, Dr. Campbell worked to promote better health by eating more meat, milk and eggs -- “high-quality animal protein … It was an obvious sequel to my own life on the farm and I was happy to believe that the American diet was the best in the world.”

The research project culminated in a 20-year partnership of Cornell University, Oxford University, and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, a survey of diseases and lifestyle factors in rural China and Taiwan. More commonly known as the China Study, “this project eventually produced more than 8000 statistically significant associations between various dietary factors and disease.”

The findings? “People who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease … People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease. These results could not be ignored,” said Dr. Campbell.

above quote taken from http://www.thechinastudy.com/news.html

Why are his findings so startling? And why isn't this making headline news on more airwaves, doctor's offices, hospital hallways, and around water coolers? The answer really is simple. Human nature. Human nature dislikes change. Human nature is resistant to reality. Human nature doesn't like to be startled.

I would like you to be startled just enough to educate yourself and then make an informed decision about the health and welfare of you and your family. At least take the first step by reading an excerpt from his book right here. After that, it is up to you to reclaim your health and vitality. I am here to pass along pertinent information and promote an eating style that has proven itself time and again...

China Study excerpt

Oh yes, back to the protein topic. We learned in our high school biology class or basic nutrition in health that amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Some amino acids we make within our bodies and others we must consume. In the old days, food combining was thought of as the best way to assist our bodies in the manufacture and utilization of "complete" proteins. But nowadays, it has been shown that our bodies keep an amino acid pool. And from this pool, our body can assemble and assimilate "complete" proteins!

These amazing bodies that God gave us in the Garden were first made to consume only plant-based foods, remember? So, God already made our bodies with the intent to survive and thrive on a plant-based diet. Hmmm.

I for one have noticed over the years as I refine my diet (my story) that my muscle mass is more lean, I recover from athletic endeavors quicker, and I have way more energy. Tri-athlete (Brendan Brazier) and even some champions in the Mr. Universe and body building world are vegans. Some are even raw food vegans. Hmmm.

Cows. Horses. What do they eat? Where do they get their muscle mass? Where do they get their energy? How do they grow, reproduce, lactate, and live? Yes, indeed those massive animals eat plant-based diets. Hmmm.

In a future post or two I will go into more detail about protein, but I just wanted to give you a taste (pun intended) of what your protein source is doing to your health --or lack thereof.

Coke & Pop-tarts Are NOT Breakfast!

2008-09-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

This video clip is Ann Cooper, the director of Nutrition Services for the Berkeley Unified School District. Ms. Cooper is the author of "Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children." In this clip she is speaking at a 2007 conference.

Ann Cooper is also known as the "Renegade Lunch Lady." It is sad that when one is an advocate for wholesome, healthy food they are called a renegade. Well, then that makes me an official renegade lady too! I am crazy for kids. Crazy for health. Crazy for you to make informed decisions. Call me a renegade too, please.

Back to the video clip...she tells it exactly like it is. If I were standing on a stage voicing the facts and stats on this topic, this is exactly what I would want to come outta my mouth! Please take the time to watch this and pass it along to anyone you know who has kids in the public school system.

What are the kids eating at your public schools?

I love this breakdown she gives in her address:

- $110 billion spent on fast food

- $100 billion spent on diet pills

- $50 billion spent on veggies

- $200 billion spent on diet-related illnesses

Spend less on fast food & more on veggies, then the other amounts will decrease! Duh. This is a huge "duh" moment.

Do you know, more money is spent on one gourmet cup of fancy-pants-coffee than is spent within the school system per child, per week for their lunch food!

Even if you don't have school kids in your household, what she says about the necessity of wholesome, quality food holds true outside of the school walls. So, please take time to listen to what she has to say. Ms. Cooper makes many valid observations, points out many noteworthy facts, and offers easy, no-nonsense solutions to America's food crisis--both at school and at home.

Watch out for the crazy renegade ladies. We are comin' round the mountain to share the truth with you...

Upcoming Class

2008-09-22T14:43:00.001-07:00

Howdy! It has been so long since I posted a message here on

Simple Raw Health.

We have been busy around here with home schooling, a vacation,

and getting all the autumn harvest and end-of-garden-growing stuff done before the rains settle in.

For my Longview WA, Kelso WA, Rainier OR and other nearby readers, please take note of the post prior to this one... I am teaching at Longview's Country Village this Saturday.

The topic is Green Smoothies!

I will teach, demonstrate, give out samples, answer questions and point you in the right direction for resources.

You may call in to have your name added to the list and/or stop by in-person before Saturday to register.

I hope to see you there!

Green Smoothie Class Information

2008-09-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

Country Village

Café & Nutrition Shoppe

in Longview, Washington

presents the

Saturday

Health Education Series

with

An Introduction to

Green Smoothies

1.               What is a green smoothie?
2.               What are the health benefits?
3.               How do I start?
4.               What are some easy recipes?

These and more questions answered.

Samples provided.

Resources available.

Lose Weight ~ Increase Energy

~ Improve Health & Vitality

Do you constantly hear the news reports & read the articles that tell you to add 5-8 servings of fruits and veggies into your diet? Truth be told, even vegetarians/vegans/raw foodists do not get the amount of veggies, let alone greens needed to thrive. Let me teach you how to nourish your body all while increasing your consumption of amazing & healthy raw produce.

Space is limited so please pre-register by signing-up today!

date: Saturday, September 27^th

^{time: 12pm-1pm}

^{cost: $5/person}

Darlene is a local health educator & raw food/healthy living coach with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Idaho in School & Community Health Education (minors in Physical Education & Athletic Training). She was a guest lecturer at the University of Idaho, implemented a Women’s Health Education Series in Rainier, & teaches at various health-related venues in the area. Darlene also has in-depth knowledge of Type I, insulin-dependent diabetes and a background & knowledge in alternative medicine & health care.

Leaves and Things

2008-08-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday we picked up our CSA farm share and included this week was a head of raddicchio lettuce. Now when it is this big it is strongly flavored with a bitter bite. I am not sure exactly what we will do with it, but as I prepped it for the fridge I couldn't resist snapping a couple of photos. It is amazing with the light-colored veins streaking the green and red leaves.

For those of you who drink green smoothies, here is a tip for winter:

- when you find that you have extra greens (i.e. collard, beet, lettuce...), wash in cold water & lay on towel to dry

- pat off excess water

- place several leaves into a zipable plastic bag

- press out air & seal bag

- toss into freezer

- pull out and use in your wintertime green smoothies

It won't matter if the greens don't hold their original form when you are going to whiz 'em in the high-speed blender! If you can stock up for winter with some self-frozen greens you will save time and money for cold-weather green smoothies.

Dirty Dozen, Cleanest 12

2008-08-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Buying organic produce is very important to me and my family. And it should be to you and yours too. We don't need any sort of toxic residue, film, coating, or gunk covering the produce we eat. Simple. Eat the fruit & veggies plain & simple!

Click the above "photo" to view the short lists in pdf format. And for more details [i.e. did you know that peaches carry 100% load of pesticides? Bad news if you eat conventional peaches folks!], click the link below.

PESTICIDES IN PRODUCE

I know that 100% organic isn't always easy or even possible for all of us, so I want you to know which foods you definitely want to buy in organic and which one you can get away with buying the conventional variety--only occasionally.

Here is a simple way to think about buying conventional produce...ask yourself this question. Would you take a spoon with you to the stinky, gagging, overwhelming, chemical control area of your local garden store? A spoon?

Yes, would you take a spoon and ask the sales clerk to pop the top on the assorted poisonous pesticides and/or herbicides? Just so you could get a good taste of what will coat your produce if you use those chemicals on your own garden or purchase conventional produce in your marketplace. Would you go to a taste-testing party at your garden store's chemical section?

Uh, no, not likely. Think about that the next time you are strolling through or looking over fruits & veggies at your farmer's market, grocery store, produce stand, or your very own garden.

Would I like a spoonful of poison to make the produce go down?!

Cones & Chard

2008-08-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

An ice cream cone for breakfast? You bet! I blended some frozen bananas and blueberries with a dash of chocolate hemp milk. Viola! Healthy fruit ice cream for breakfast. Of course the cones are organic and don't contain any nasty stuff.

Prettier, healthier and more edible than a bouquet of posies!

Yesterday was the farm share pick-up excursion. As always, I came home with a cooler packed full of produce. En route from errands across the river back to my place in the country, we stopped off at a friend's house. She gave us potatoes from her beautiful garden. And then she loaded us up with kale, gigantic rainbow chard, parsley, basil, cucumbers and love. All in all, we had our large cooler crammed full and three paper bags full of edibles.

Needless to say, I had a huge dilemna last night at about 8:30pm...no room in the fridge! None at all. I had been washing, sorting, and prepping produce since 6pm. After a quick call to a neighbor, my son and I took a full bag of goods up the road.

I though the rainbow chard and basil were too lovely to stash in the fridge anyway, so I treated them like flowers and put them into vases. Well, in the case of the chard I used an old water filter pitcher as a vase! Look how lovely it looks today. Until someone else comes by to share produce with, my extras will grace the table.

When God blesses you with abundance, delight in it and then share it with others!

Health tip:

What you have in your fridge,

you will soon have in your stomach!

Take the time and effort to fill your fridge, cupboards, and eventually your own self with nutrient-packed foods. You are what you eat. Choose to feed a living body with living foods today!

'Tater Fries

2008-08-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

Look what we got when we picked up our farm share at our local CSA, Willow Grove Gardens Farm, last week! Yes, purple and red potatoes. Really.

Since we don't eat junk around here, grease-laden french fries are definitely NOT part of our dietary world. Before I became a rawfood vegan, I discovered this simple way to make homemade fries. And I still make these for my fellas.

SIMPLE HOW-TO:

Take out your indoor grill (ours is a mock-off of the well-known boxer man's grill), plug it in, slice some spuds into fry-form, place them on the grill in a single layer, close the top and check in about 5 minutes for fork-tenderness. If you like, add a smidge of olive oil and sea salt. Or some powdered garlic. Or eat plain. Yum!

I had to share the beauty of the intense colors of the purple 'taters. Being a former Idahoan, I appreciate all spectacular specimens of spuds!

Healing Cancer from Inside Out--dvd

2008-08-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Recently I wrote about a cancer dvd--please click here for that posting.

Above is a snip-it of that video.

Watch it. Okay, now, please go order that dvd and watch it in its entirety! I just did this weekend and was blown away. It is a must-see video!

It is a 2-hour long show. I am quite sure that you will be upset by the information presented in the first hour--the Business behind cancer, the history of the AMA (American Medical Association), the progress (or lack thereof) in the cancer field since the 1930's, the drugs used to fight this disease, and much more.

But hang tight, the second hour is also enlightening, as well as encouraging, inspirational, uplifting and most of all, full of hope for a real cure! Folks, you must get your hands on this dvd. I am going to order a slew of them and pass them out. I am going to share the information and the hope.

Education is the answer.

As much as I want to save people their diseased state(s), I simply cannot do it.

As much as I want for friends and family to listen and apply what I know to their diet and lifestyle, I cannot "want" them into good health.

If you or someone you know is sick and tired of being sick and tired AND you really, really want a way out of that muck & mire of ill-health, then DO SOMETHING about it!

My passion is health education.

My mission is to get you the information so you can make an well-educated decision for your health. For your life.

I started this blog so you would have an place to visit for simple, yet health-changing facts, guidance, recipes, encouragement, food photos, stories, and information.

I can and do want it for you, but you must want it for you too!

May God bless you and encourage you on your quest

for health and healing.

May He grant you the wisdom to make the changes

He wants you to make.

FYI: at the end of that video clip it says to visit the RAVE diet website for more information. Theirs is a plant-based, whole food diet. I have also linked the Hallelujah site in the right side panel. I prefer the H. Diet site for it's Christian influence, ease of use, well-rounded content, and free information. In addition the H. diet is primarily a raw food diet and it is my belief that we need to eat living foods for a living body!

Tomatoes, Zucchini & Stuff

2008-08-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Summertime garden bounties in August

generally overflow with tomatoes and zucchini.

My local CSA (farm share) has been

loading me up with the red and green produce.

Here are some meals I have made

so far this week...

A neighbor was recovering after a stay in the hospital so I made a nutrient-dense vegan vegetable soup.

~ First, I made some brown rice in the rice cooker.

~ Second, I added veggies to some water and cooked it until soft and then added a spoon of organic pizza sauce.

~ Third, I put rice into the bottom of a jar, added the soup mixture, and then put a couple broccoli raab sprigs with edible flowers on the top.

~ Viola. Lunch or dinner in a jar.

For lunch yesterday I made a lovely raw/living foods summertime salad.

~ I chopped some large tomatoes into large chunks.

~ And then did the same with a 10-inch long zuchinni.

~ I rough-chopped some cooking celery (not to sure about the derivation of the name, but I eat it all raw...leaves and stem) leaves.

~ I mixed this all together with a squirt of lemon juice and a sprinkle of hemp seeds for added protein.

[please make sure your hemp seeds are grown in Canada, not China...the wondrously nutritious hemp seed is not allowed as a food crop in the USA, so it is imported...just be sure of your source]

And today for lunch I made some raw food "spaghetti" out of the familiar produce.

~ Peel the zucchini and then use the peeler to shave off your "noodles."

[Of course you can get fancy with a spiralizer gizmo that makes angel hair "noodles," but for simplicity, I just keep up with the peeler.]

~ Then I rough-chopped some tomatoes and onions.

~ Add those to the food processor with some Italian herbs and pulse it to the thickness you desire.

~ Scrape that out onto your living foods noodles and there you have it, living foods "spaghetti!"

Make good use of your organic summertime garden bounty

--nourish yourself, your family and your neighbors!

Why Raw/Living Foods?

2008-08-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, back to my Q&A section about eating the way I do...

Why do I eat raw/living foods?

In My Story I tell about how I felt horrible after eating out and overindulging in food one night and that I had recently seen a not-so-lovely photo of myself. Upon waking the next morning I went raw. Simple.

I had had enough of not feeling like I knew I could. Like I knew I should. That's it. As I have heard it said, "I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired." Simple.

I am an all or nothing kind of girl. My personality doesn't do the "let's do a little good here and there while keeping the bad tucked in my back pocket." It either needs to be done or whining about it needs to end. Simple.

By the second day of switching to a living foods lifestyle, I had so much energy. I could not believe it! Of course I had a little gas too while my body adapted to the all raw veggie consumption--but that passed within a few days! Ha! ;-) Okay, that was the worst thing...some tootin' around. Simple honesty, folks.

Why living foods? I live in a living body. Eating foods with the living enzymes still intact give me more energy, less illness, more vitality, less moodiness, more time awake, less time slugging around, more days feeling good, less days feeling bad. More goodness, less badness. Simple.

If you are still eating the Standard American Diet (the SAD diet) and you are suffering the consequences of poor health (disease of some sort, feeling tired & wore out, low energy...), you can do something about it. Make a decision to live the life you want. The life you deserve. The life God wants you to live. Simple.

Would you prefer to slug around &/or stay in a diseased state while you hold onto the foods you won't give up and/or don't want to give up? Or do you want to say THIS IS NOT ENOUGH! THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME! I WANT MORE!

If you make the simple choice to improve your food intake, then you have made the simple choice to improve your health and vitality. And vice versa. Simple!

Why did I go raw? Simple.

May

Pursue

Life

Energetically

Stay tuned for more Q&A... How do I get started? How do I learn more?

Not Your Mamma's Coffee

2008-08-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

This morning I noticed a mist in the air, nothing new for western Oregon. But really, for this time of year I would prefer a warm, clear sunrise sorta morning.

I skedaddled outside to bring in the sleeping bags and blankets from the tent where my husband and son have been spending the last few nights. I got that "Autumn" feeling as I did the sleeping gear shuffle.

Hey, it's not cold-morning-hot-coffee season already, is it?

Yeah, any morning can be cause for a steaming coffee concoction brew. As a self-titled "health nut" I want to offer you some information on a palette-pleasing coffee substitute. Now, come back here. This is not that nasty ground up stuff in a glass jar, this is really a great coffee. I have served it to coffee connoisseurs who think it is a wonderful substitute. And if you are a tea totaller, go on and give this drink a try.

Teecino Caffeine-free Herbal Coffee

Teecino brand has many health benefits.

Just click the link to read it for yourself...

you will find that it is alkaline

(best pH level for our body!),

full of soluble fiber

(supports the good flora of your guts & helps with mineral absorption),

and is potassium-rich

(from the amazingly nutrient-dense ramon nuts).

Maya Nut nutrition facts

From a mild brew to a moderate brew and in flavors ranging from plain to mint to chai to mocha, you will be sure to find your coffee companion. So, in favor (& flavor) of a healthier alternative to caffeinated coffee with no discernible health benefits, give this a whirl, or should I say a

"drip" or "press" or "brew"?!

Check out your local health food store or make an order on-line at the Teecino site or go to the Hallelujah Acres link to the left and order it there.

My 4-year old son drinks it too. His favorite coffee concoction is a spoon of mint and a spoon of mocha in the french press. YUM! Start your day with a simple and healthy hot drink that will get your engines fired up --

naturally and healthfully!