Quick Easy Smoothie

This mama-to-be is suffering with an ear infection.  I have been taking my NingXia Red, using Lavender Essential Oil and Purification Essential Oil blend on the outside of my ear and 2 drops of Mullein Garlic Oil in  my ear.  I am surviving and will make it to my Raw Foods 101 class tonight to teach the awesomeness of incorporating raw foods into your diet.  Actually, right now my ear doesn't feel too bad.  But it does slightly hurt to chew.  So I decided to whip up a quick smooth to fill me up and give me a nutrition boost to help get over this ear business.

Quick Easy Smoothie
1 Acai Smoothie Packet (you can find this in the freezer section of most health food stores)
1 - 1.5 Cups frozen Raspberries
1 fresh Banana
1.5 - 2 Cups Vanilla Flax Milk (feel free to sub with your favorite non-dairy milk)
Blend away and enjoy!

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Juice Feast: Day 2

Day 2 is almost over and so far this was the hardest day.  I had a hard time turning my mind off from the need to eat.  I was never hungry but with the food everywhere in the office I felt like I was missing out.  It's kind of funny when I look back on it.  I think it was more wanting something crunchy or crispy and less with the need to actually eat.  Leaving for lunch has helped a lot.  I went to the library today and then the dollar store.  I wonder where I will go next week.  So what did I have to eat (or should I say drink) today?
Breakfast (1.5 Quarts)
- Cucumber
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Blueberries
- Water
Lunch (~ 1 Quart)
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Tomato
- Raw Protein Powder
- Spirulina
- Psyllium Husk
- Lemon
- Water
Dinner (1 Quart)
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Ginger
- Lime
- Carrot
Tonight I also made some homemade raw almond milk.  I added dates for sweetness and homemade vanilla extract.  I am currently sipping some Chai Tea with a splash of this almond milk.  I would say today is a success.  I never thought this would be easy but is fascinating how tricky mentally it is right now.  Here's the calorie breakdown:
Daily Summary
Calories: 1,067
Fat: 28.87g
Cholesterol: 0
Sodium: 558mg
Carbs: 191g
Fiber: 45g
Sugar 130g (from fruit)
Protein: 43g

Raw Food: Typical Day

Yesterday I decided to take a picture of what a typical day is for me.  I usually eat raw for breakfast and lunch and then sometimes each raw or cooked for dinner.  I find this works the best for me right now.  It also works out best for my family.  So what did I have to eat?

Here's the ingredients for my morning smoothie:  Banana, Blackberries, Cucumber, Almond Milk, and Psyllium Husk. (click on the link to find out more about this ingredient)  

This is what I took to work.  In the jar is my smoothie.  Then I have an orange (I used some of the zest in Tuesdays smoothie), and a layered salad.  I don't always eat salad but yesterday I didn't know what to have so I threw some things together.  This salad had: Broccoli Slaw, Lettuce, Tomato, Mushroom, Radish Sprouts (home sprouted), Cucumber, and Pepitas.  The dressing (sitting in the container on top of the salad) has: 1 Avocado, 2 Tbsp AC Vinegar, 1 Tbsp Aminos, Garlic Powder, Olive Oil (I didn't measure this), and just a little water to thin it out. 

I could only eat 1/2 of my salad yesterday so I left it at work for today.  It turned out so yummy!  The dressing was a nice creamy slightly tangy element.  Being raw does not mean boring.  You can really play around with flavors to make an amazing meal that is very highly nutritious.  What raw thing did you have today?

Raw Food: Smoothies and Juice

I  love raw food and on most days I eat mostly raw.  In the winter I eat around I meal a day cooked.  One reason for this is that it's cold here in good ole Wisconsin.  And, the cost for good fresh produce in the winter becomes crazy expensive.  If I stick with what's local I am stuck with mainly root veggies, which while great, are kinda boring if that is the only thing you are eating.  I have been asked how to transition into raw food and here are my thoughts on this:

Start with one meal at a time.  I think the easiest one to convert into raw is breakfast.  I tend to have fresh made juice or a smoothie.  It's quick and easy, you can use up whatever you have, and yes, it will keep you full.  I usually have about 16 oz, and that keeps me full from 7:00 am to about 10:30 or 11:00 am.

So, what do you need?  A good high powered blender.  You can use a juicer (and I love mine) but it is not necessary.  I have a Ninja and it works really well making smoothies.  To make juice pour your liquid into a colander lined with cheesecloth or a milk bag and squeeze out the juice.  See, very easy!  Here's some of my favorites:

1 Apple, 2 Carrots, 1 Hunk Ginger, 2 Handfuls Spinach

1 Cup Pineapple, 2 Carrots, 1 Inch Ginger, 1 Orange (peeled)

2 Apples, 2 Stalks Celery, 1 Lemon, 2 Carrots, 1 Bunch Kale

It is so fun to just throw things together and see what happens.  Usually my smoothies contain some sort of berry and almond milk.  I sometime blend in banana, avocado, and/or spinach.  When it comes to juicing I love beet juice (I'll have to take a picture of that one soon), and throwing whatever veggies/fruits I have laying around.  The rule is if you add an apple to your juice you will taste apple.  This is an excellent way of hiding the veggie taste if that is something you don't care for.  So get out there, add 1 raw meal to your day.