Saturday, November 28, 2009

~ Living Dinner ~

I wasn't sure what to make for dinner and found a couple of bell peppers in the fridge. I planned on making my stuffed peppers, but ended up making a veggie plate with quiona.

As a child when mom didn't know what to make for dinner she would cut up veggies like carrot, cucumber and celery. There would also be some cheddar cheese ,baloney and crackers. The veggies on our dinner plate would be the last things to go.


What a switch now because there is no cheese, crackers or dairy . I added some quinoa in the middle of the plate seasoned it with herbs and diced fresh veggies on top. Quinoa is very good for you and considered a complete protien.



I used whatever I had in the fridge to cover and decorate my plate. We really enjoyed it so much that we ate two plates of this raw creation.

Still the same thoughts go through my head of how much I love eating this way. It has been another day of getting excited over living foods. This meal is certainly considered a** living dinner.**



~ Raw Vegan Lasagna ~

Both my husband and I were so surprised how enjoyable raw lasagna is. There is no meat, dairy or wheat in this creation and it is very satisfying. It leaves you feeling full and refreshed rather than feeling sluggish as you would from eating typical lasagna.


I didn't have a recipe so I tried to think of what I could use as layers. I love to see colors that complement each other and used baby spinach and sliced tomatoes.


I have not had the best of luck making a raw marinara sauce just yet so I thought I would try a tomato sauce using a nut base.


Above in the processor are some of the ingredients that went into my tomato sauce.


Of course I used sprouts and fresh herbs as garnishes. I love fresh basil and oregano the best. I have discovered if you put an oregano leaf between your front teeth and chew slowly it releases a flavor which is very similar to peppermint gum. If the leaf moves towards the middle of your tongue, then you can taste the oregano.





Thursday, November 26, 2009

~ Raw/Vegan Lavender Cookies ~


~ Lavender from July 2009 ~





The Organic Lavender is :


Lavendula x intermedia "Provence"



A small amount goes a long way... It's an herb that has a strong flavor!...





Lavender is intoxicating and calming !!

Both the color and fragrance effects the senses and produces health benefits. To list a few of them would be reducing stress, anxiety, improve conditions of insomnia and uplift mood to help reverse symptoms of mild depression. The color of lavender which is either light blue and purple can reduce blood pressure, lower heart rate and slow down breathing...

Those who suffer with any of these symptoms place a beautiful bouquet of lavender next to you bed to receive the benefits of the scent and color....

Lavender can also have similar effects while using it for culinary purposes. I have come up with a beautiful lavender cookie which delights the taste buds and enhances your mood. I enjoy one before bed once in a while with a cup of lavender or chamomile tea...








Wednesday, November 25, 2009

~ A Look Inside My Raw Kitchen ~

I love Cilantro !! I call myself Terri "Cilantro" Clarke now.....
.


~ Inside My Fridge ~ (LOTS OF VEGGIES ) !!!!!!







I love it when my fridge is full of color and living foods. I have radishes, bell peppers, dandelion greens,watercress, cilantro, kale, avocados, grapes, cucumbers, celery, strawberries, red cabbage, green onions and so on...







Believe it or not, but I eat this amount twice in one week. Instead of having anything packaged or processed. It is ALL living and it feels great !! I have hemp on my salads and avoacados to make me feel full. I do however, still eat animal protein from a couple times a week and enjoy raw desserts. It is my goal not to eat them regularly. Once in a while as needed ( animal protien) and on special occasions (raw desserts ). It takes time to figure out what works and doesn't work in terms of eating raw/vegan.



The more GREEN you have the less hungry you become for acidic foods.










~ Inside My Cupboard ~








** My Favorite Flowers **



~ Raw Chocolate Carmel Brownie ~

This was my first try at making a raw layered brownies. I found the Carmel way too rich for my taste, but the brownie bottom was delicious. There was this amazing recipe for this kind of brownie on the internet. I wanted to try this recipe to make for my boys and sadly could not find it. I tried to make it myself from what I remembered.


Crust :

1+1/2 cups of almond meal1 cup dates
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup cacao powder
1/4 cup honey
pinch sea salt
1 tsp vanilla


Carmel :

1/2 cup coconut oil1/2 cup raw almond butter
2 T vanilla
1/2 cup maple suryp
1/4 cup coconut milk
pinch of sea salt




I used organic shredded coconut and dark chocolate chips for the top. I had no cacao nibs unfortunately.


I placed the brownies in the freezer for two hours, then they were ready to cut up into squares.

They were very decadent and rich. Next time I will make just the bottom part and top it with only coconut because they were much to rich for my taste.



They turned out beautifully and would definetly make them again.