Christmas Fruit

The credit for this beautiful creation goes to my mom-in-law Emily. She always makes a fruit centerpiece for the table on Christmas.

Raw Food Bodybuilder

This is a very inspiring video!
In the video he speaks of not buying only organic produce because of the cost.
There are a dozen or so foods that are considered the most heavily sprayed crops that should be bought organic.

Here is a list of some of the food that are sprayed more than others:

Strawberries
apples
celery
peaches
nectarines
leafy greens
cherries
carrots
kale
potatoes
pears
grapes
blueberries
bell peppers

Here are some foods that have thicker skin, or are just not sprayed as heavily and can be purchased conventional if you are trying to save money:

Onion
mango
pineapple
kiwi
watermelon
eggplant
avocado
sweet corn (I only buy organic corn to ensure it is not genetically modified)
cabbage
asparagus
coconut
broccoli

Guess What I Finally Bought?!

A Vita-Mix! Yay!!!
I have been wanting to own one of these for a very long time. I just really had reservations about the plastic container. They finally came out with a BPA free version and I was oh so happy. :)

I made my first smoothie in the new machine this morning. I worked so much better than my blender. It really does break down every bit of the food you put in.
I will be doing lots of experimenting with the recipe book that came with the Vita-Mix. I will post pictures and share the family favorites in the weeks to come.

Lots of Garden Pictures

As you can see, we are enjoying a wonderful growing season. Everything is a few weeks early this year due to a warm spring and a very hot summer so far.
We have picked over 50 cucumbers already!!!

What is success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent
people and the affection of children.
To earn the appreciation of honest
critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends.
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others.
To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden
patch or a redeemed social condition.
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Avocado Boats

I came across this recipe the other day and it looked so delicious I had to try it!

2 ripe avocados
1/2 ripe tomato, finely chopped
1/3 cucumber, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch cayenne pepper and sea salt

Carefully cut avocados in half lengthwise and remove seed. Remove avocado pulp from shell and mash in a bowl. Add other ingredients and mix. Put mixture back into avocado shells. Serve with raw carrot and celery sticks.

-recipe from Simply Vegan by Debra Wasserman

Note: I left out the lemon juice. We were eating them right away with dinner and also used fresh garlic instead of powder. They were awesome. Hubby LOVED them.

Raw Chocolate Ice Cream

This is a great nondairy alternative to ice cream. It is inexpensive and easy to make and it is loaded with magnesium and potassium.

2 ripe bananas
4 teaspoons powdered organic cocoa, unsweetened
1 teaspoon maple syrup, agave or your choice of sweetener

Peel bananas and break into pieces. Put in blender with cocoa powder and sweetener.
Blend until smooth.
Scrape mixture into container that is freezer-safe. Freeze at least 2 hours. It will have a texture similar to ice cream but without the cholesterol.

Rainer Cherries

I stopped by Whole Foods yesterday and was delighted to find Rainier cherries. I love them! They are sweeter than regular cherries and are so pretty.
The season to find them in stores is from late June to early July. The season does not last very long so make sure you hunt them down right NOW.

A few facts about these little beauties:

-One cup of Rainier cherries has only 90 calories.
- Rainier Cherries were created in 1952 at Washington State University by Harold
Fogle.
-In Japan, Rainier cherries often sell for a dollar each.
-The flesh inside the Rainier cherry is white not red like other cherries.
-Cherries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium and iron.

Today's Smoothie

This is a very simple smoothie to make. I am just using a regular blender. I have not taken the plunge and bought a high powered one yet.
This smoothie has blueberries, mango pieces, banana, an orange, water and a handful of fresh spinach. Just process until it is smooth and blended together.




This is the finished product. Very colorful means lots of vitamins and lots of flavor.

Raw Chocolate Pudding

Meat of 2 coconuts
6 dates
3 tablespoons of cocoa powder

Blend ingredients in blender or food processor.

Simple Juice

Started today with this very simple juice:

Carrots
Apples
Baby Spinach

Delicious

I Got A New Bike!!!

I also got a doggie basket for the new bike. Our Pom is trying it out in this picture.
I am really hoping for some good weather this week. I am excited to try out my new bike and get some fresh air and vitamin D.

Asian Kale

This week seems to be all about kale!

For the dish, I just combine these ingredients to taste and add fresh kale and let it marinade in the fridge for a few hours:

Sesame oil, honey or agave, lemon juice, tamari, garlic and sesame seeds.

Kale Chips

I have been hearing a lot about how delicious kale chips are. I had to finally try them out for myself. Ok, I am addicted too. So yummy and very easy to make.

Kale Chips

3/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup tamari
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 clove garlic
1 lemon (juiced)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup nutritional yeast

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Wash and break up kale into large pieces (remember, everything shrinks in the dehydrator)
Dehydrate for 4-6 hours and enjoy

Raw Shopping Trip

This is what I purchased today at Whole Foods yesterday. I am also going to finally try the kale chips recipe that I have heard so much about. I will post pictures and the recipe in the next post.

Yay, fresh farmer's market produce is coming soon. Maine is a hard place to find good produce in the cold months.

A Simple Breakfast

Strawberries, raisins and sunflower seeds make a very quick and healthy breakfast.
This would also be a great lunchbox treat for your children to take to school.
Kids are naturally drawn to colorful fruit dishes. Do some experimenting at home.
Let them choose between a bowl of sugar filled cereal and this simple bowl of berries.
I bet you will be surprised to see which one they gravitate to!

Some fun nutritional facts for this dish:

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and manganese. They are also a great source of dietary fiber.

Raisins are rich in vitamin A, iron, potassium and selenium.

Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin B and vitamin D is actually stored inside of them.

Turning over a new (lettuce) leaf

I have been neglecting my blogs for quite some time. I have a little extra time in my week right now and I am hoping to give them the attention they deserve.



You may remember my grandbaby Maddy. There is a photo of her posted when this blog was first started. Well, here she is now. Almost three years old and boy does she love her smoothies!

No Impact on the earth for a week, are you up for a

I read Colin's book and listened to him speak at a local fair. His project is very inspirational. His family went an entire year without many of the things we all take for granted everyday.
Here he is challenging us all to try his experiment for one week and has even made a step by step download to help you succeed.