Have you had your salad today?

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.