RAW

First things first, this is going to be a long post (but an AMAZING one!) I am currently 3 months into my school and WOW am I a changed person already. Last week I had the privilege to hear a class by David Wolfe a raw foodist for over 20 years! This guys is a plant LOVER! He knows his sh**!

It is always a good quality to QUESTION something you believe in. If you go around believing everything you see or hear you can run into some major issues. So I heard all the good stuff, and the downfalls if not approached correctly and was left with the intention to never eat cook food again. NEVER...AGAIN. Now, I know that isn't realistic, come on now! I can't go raw overnight, but I can try it out, gradually, and see if my body likes it (which I believe it will).

So, this week was all about exploring and trying new things! Before I start on my trip to the store I want to share a few things that I learned!

RAW EATING vs. EATING COOKED FOOD

-I am a firm believer of God, the Creator of this amazing earth we live on. So when he created us He did not create microwaves and kitchen utensils to give to us, we MADE them! God created a planet of abundance for us, look around!

-Raw eating is all about including MORE fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, seaweeds, grasses and sprouts, herbs, superfoods, and fermented foods. Health and healing has A LOT to do with having fun! When you are forcing yourself to eat something "healthy" that is nasty, do you think there is good health in that?!

-ONLY 50% of the nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and more have been identified in foods!!!! The other 50% we haven't even discovered yet! (Gods AMAzing right?) When we eat these foods RAW we get those 50% of nutrients we KNOW of and the other 50% we don't know of!

-If you want to develop noble, clean and pure thoughts: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! If we eat food that is noble, that is of high quality, that is ideal, that is developed through noble thoughts and ideals through which it is delivered to us (God) then we take on those thought forms!

-If 51% or more of our food is cooked than our bodies will react with a white blood cell attack! I don't know about you but I want my white blood cells to fight infection and germs not attack the food I am eating. If 51% or more of the food we are easting is raw our bodies react with not white blood cell attack...interesting?!?

LOST BY THE COOKING PROCESS

1.) HYDROGEN: #1 most present substance on our planet! It must be a good thing! If you remove hydrogen from the planet EVERYTHING will die, including our food when we cook it!

2.) WATER: with live food we get live water. This helps us stay hydrated and energized. Cooking = GONE!

3.) VITAMIN-C: First thing to be destroyed my heat, SEE YA! I am sure you were eating some of those food in the 1st place to GET vitamin-c, stir fry maybe?

4.) ALL B-VITAMINS: Destroyed by heat once again!

5.) VITAMINS D & E: Nope they don't survive either.

6.) SULFUR: A VERY important mineral!

7.) AMINO ACIDS: One being tryptophan, this is what makes us "feel good" when we eat meat (turkey). 50% of ALL of the protein is LOST when you cook it!

8.)ANTI-OXIDANTS: 2/3s of them are lost! This made me VERY angry ;)

HOW HOT? If you would like all your food full of the nutrients it possesses then keep the heat below 112 degrees. That is HOT compared the the temperature of boiling 212 degrees!

               Water boils at 212°F and simmers at 190°F.

Tepid Water - 85 to 105°F. The water is comparable to the temperature of the human body.

Warm Water - 115 to 120°F. The water is touchable but not hot.

Hot Water - 130 to 135°F. The water is too hot to touch without injury.

 

Poach - 160 to 180°F. The water is beginning to move, to shiver.
 

Simmer - 185 to 200°F. There is movement, and little bubbles appear in the water.
 

Slow boil - 205°F. There is more movement and noticeably larger bubbles.
 

Real boil - 212°F. The water is rolling, vigorously bubbling, and steaming.

So now that you know the reasons behind my raw quest lets take a trip to the store!

(Left to Right)

SPROUTED tofu, linguine pasta, wraps, tomato pesto, ezekiel bread, unsalted cashews, tomatoes, cantaloupe, almond butter, agave nectar, garlic, sweet potatoes, and yams.

(Left to Right)

Mango's, kale, limes, red and green bell pepper, arugula, carrots, Brussels sprouts, leafy greens, and avocados.

(Top to Bottom)

Lemons, oranges, pears, apples, grapefruit mango's and bananas.

I am cutting back on fruit because it has been breaking me out! But I still LOOOOVE it!

I stalked the fridge UP! And all of this for around $115 bucks, with some fuel perks in the near future!

It is always good to have everything rinsed, chopped and ready to go!

THE GOOD STUFF

Now I am going to throw some of the recipes I whipped together, Be creative, try them and add your own kick, your body knows how to nourish and heal itself better than anyone!

BREAKFAST:

The first thing that came to me was RAW SMOOTHIE!

Strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1 small apple, 4 leaves of any leafy green (I used light lettuce) shelled hemp seeds, flaxseed, and my new spirulina powder (seaweed) with some cocoa!

I added some more fresh fruit because I need INSTANT energy! This drink may look too green but don't let it fool you, spirulina powder will turn YOU green! This was perfect to start the day with a blast full of energy because my stomach didn't have to work to digest it. Digestion is the biggest energy drainer! I already did all of the work by blending it so all it had to do was deliver it to my cells. I added some fruit to slow it down just a tad with the fiber!

BREAKFAST MEAL # 2

Overnight oats with some fruit and ezekiel bread!

Almond milk, chia seeds and oats are the perfect mixture! Full of incredible nutrients and fiber to get your day started quick! Ezekiel bread is SPROUTED topped with fresh strawberry jam!

RAW LUNCH

Grab those veggies we are going raw this time!

I went for some fresh basil from my mini-garden to add some big flavor!

First I cooked the tofu with some pesto and garlic. LOW HEAT! Then added in the veggies for a minute or so just to warm them in the yummy sauce. NO COOKING! They were more cold than warm, we are going RAW here!

I can't say much more than WOWZA! This dish kicked the raw foods butt!

RAW DINNER

Here I mixed in some red bell peppers, broccoli, tofu, tomato pesto and olive oil. LOW HEAT!

Mix well and set aside

Then I placed the mixed veggies in the center of the wrap and added fresh carrots and arugula!

Roll as such and then seal the end with some water so they stick!

Brown lightly with some olive oil!

Quinoa, leftover red bell peppers, tofu, carrots and arugula for the main dish and then topped with...

This meal might not of been the "rawist" but it is a work in progress! Becoming more conscious of your health and life involves having fun and enjoying what you eat everyday! I had a blast making all of these meals and hope you can create some incredible ones too!

ENJOY!!!

Gizmo loves to watch me cook while he lays in daddy's gym bags!

The Breakfast of a Champion!

I am a LOVER of breakfast, if you haven't noticed yet! I go to bed thinking about it and wake up ready to chow DOWN! Breakfast is the MOST IMPORTANT MEAL of the day!!!! (Do I need to repeat it again?) You can think of breakfast as a FREE meal. You will burn off all of the calories that you consume throughout the whole day (why wouldn't you eat a big breakfast??) And not to mention that your body is completely STARVED of nutrients from the nights rest, it is screaming at you! (Don't you hear it?) After all it is called Break-FAST!

Of course you want to plan your meal and create a balance of carbs, fats and protein. My body does great with grains and smoothies so I like to change it up every now and then. This treat is extra good because it has all the needed nutrients, has balance, and satisfies my sweet tooth :)

BREAKFAST OF A CHAMPION

Ingredients:

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of oats (Bob's Red Mill of course)

1/2 banana

2 tbsp of Shelled Hemp Seeds

1-2 tbsp of Almond Butter (YUM)

1-2 tbsp of Pure Maple Syrup

1.) Cook oatmeal according to directions (about 10 minutes) until all the water is absorbed

2.) Chop banana and add it to oatmeal

3.) Add in Shelled hemp seeds, Almond butter, and pure maple syrup

4.) EAT! (See why I love this recipe, EASY. Plus, champions got to go to work!)

Bob's my best friend! I LOVE this company!

Perfect goodness!

REASONS WHY I LOVE THIS DISH

1.) Oats (unprocessed! Instant or quick 2 minute oat do NOT count!) take a long time to digest and are a great substance to keep blood sugars level. They also are very good at hydrating the body because of the water they have absorbed in the cooking process.

2.) Shelled hemp seeds provide ample protein to feed your starving muscles.

3.) The hemp seed consist mainly of oil (typically 44% and 33% protein) providing the body with essential fatty acids. The seeds also contain a very good source of vitamin E and fiber.

4.) Almond butter is a nutritional powerhouses that contain significant amounts of protein, calcium, fiber, magnesium, folic acid, potassium, and vitamin E. Almond butter has extremely low saturated fat content and is rich in monounsaturated fats making it a heart-healthy choice

5.)Maple syrup is sweet - and we're not just talking flavor. Maple syrup, as an excellent source of manganese and a good source of zinc, can also be sweet for your health.

The trace mineral maganese is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. For example, the key oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase, which disarms free radicals produced within the mitochondria (the energy production factories within our cells), requires manganese. One ounce of maple syrup supplies 22.0% of the daily value for this very important trace mineral.

http://manitobaharvest.com/

check out this site for hemp products!

The magic of Grains

This weeks theme is "Back on Track" and I have made it my goal to try at least 1 new grain this week. I have been introduced to a lot of new grains as I have been going through my school (Institute for Integrative Nutrition).

This weeks winner was Wheat Berries!

Overview

Wheat berries are not berries, but are wheat seeds. Wheat berries are part of a healthy diet and you can use them in a variety of ways. Since wheat berries are unprocessed, they retain nutrients and fiber that refined wheat products do not have.

Calories

A 1/4-cup serving of wheat berries contains 139 calories. Wheat berries expand when you cook them and are quite filling; making them a good choice if you are watching the number of calories you consume. Each 1/4-cup of wheat berries also contains over 5 g of hunger-busting fiber - a healthy way to fill up your stomach!

Carbohydrates

Most of the calories in wheat berries are from carbohydrates. In some circles, carbohydrates have developed a bad rap, but you'll find that the carbohydrates in wheat berries are the very best kind, as they are completely unrefined. While refined carbohydrates can cause problems with blood sugar, unrefined carbohydrates, such as those found in wheat berries, can help to prevent blood sugar problems because of the fiber they contain.

Protein and Fat

A 1/4-cup serving of wheat berries provides 4.5 g protein while providing less than 1 g of fat. While not a high-protein food, wheat berries combine well with other sources of protein, such as beans, for a protein-rich meal. The little bit of fat that wheat berries contain is in the germ of the seed. This fat, while insignificant from a dietary standpoint, can cause wheat to go rancid if stored for a long time.

Vitamins and Nutrients

Wheat berries are a good source of magnesium, with 53 mg per 1/4-cup serving. According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, a diet rich in magnesium can help to lower blood pressure and may prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. They also serve up 164 mg potassium, an array of B vitamins and vitamin E. Most of the vitamins and minerals in wheat berries are derived from the bran, which is completely intact in this unprocessed grain.

Uses

You can use wheat berries as a nutritious hot breakfast cereal. After cooking the berries, top with non-fat milk, berries and sweetener. You can also add wheat berries to salads, prepare them with sauteed vegetables as a side dish or use them in a holiday stuffing. For a quick Mediterranean-flavored side salad, toss cooked, chilled wheat berries with a bit of olive oil, lemon juice and cucumber.

MY RECIPE: Burrito

I was not sure how these berries would taste so I went the gradual route. I have been loving wraps this week and I decided to mix the wheat berries with my favorite, Quinoa! This way I would not ruin the whole dish if I did not like them and I still got to ease my palette into their unique taste.

AND THEY WERE AMAZING! Imagine brown rice on some steroids. Big, thick, rough in texture, chewy and very delicious!

The only downside to this berry is that it must boil for 1 hour. And it does not absorb all of the water so you have to strain it. Luckily, this was great for me because I had a lot of school and wedding work to get done so I was pleased!

My favorite brand: Bob's Red Mill! You cannot go wrong with any of there products, they have everything!

My berries after I had boiled them for 1 hour.

Cooked and drained, ready to eat!

My Burrito toppings: Spinach, Red Bell Peppers, Carrots, Cilantro, and 1/2 an avocado!

First I mixed my wheat berries with some quinoa, olive oil, pepper, rubbed Sage, and cilantro. Give it a good mix!

Add to the center of your burrito and then pile on the toppings!

I threw some cashews on top because I love the nutty flavor!

I got a little carried away with the toppings! But it only made it more delicious!

This burrito was amazing and you could definitely taste the wheat berries. I ate this for an early dinner (7pm)and had no cravings or hunger before bed around 11pm. The next morning I was still very satisfied and not starving for breakfast, Thank you WHEAT BERRIES!

Enjoy!

Back on Track with Quinoa

I apologize for my absence the past week! I took a much needed vacation to Savannah, GA to visit my sister and then on to Delray Beach, FL to see my Uncle. I pledged myself no facebook, blogging or cell phone...(yea right)

I must say, when I got back majority of my pictures were of the food I had scarfed down and I was a little amused. I can tell you I am pretty passionate about food! I am not sure what the people around me where thinking when I was taking numerous pictures of each plate that hit the table...weirdo??

But I wanted to show you some AMAZING things from Savannah!

First things first, the most amazing sandwich I have had to DATE! A Panini sandwich first layered with some delicious red pepper sauce, eggplant, cucumbers, onions and mushrooms. Then topped with some more creamy pesto goodness!

I will make this in the near future, stay tuned!

I enjoyed this tomato basil soup the first day I got to Savannah and it was so delicious and comforting!

Veggie burger with  fresh tomatoes, avocados, cheese and some fresh french fries! This place was great because it was family owned and they made everything by hand including there ketchup!

Umm if you do not eat fried green tomatoes in the south you are a foreigner. I must say pure goodness! I mean it's deep fried!?!

Bruschetta! I am a LOVER of this stuff! Goat cheese, the best tomatoes I have ever had and then topped with an amazing mini salad (as if there wasn't enough already)

So I apologized to my body BEFORE I ate this, but man was it a dream! Ice cream crepes rolled and smothered with fresh strawberries, mango, kiwi, and then some pecans covered in a creamy glaze. I WILL NOT be replicating this one, sorry guys!

No not the TV show, but I thought it was pretty cool how they did this!

SO save the best for last right?! This massive veggie burger (that I only ate 1/2) was the winner hands down. At 22 bucks a pop I had no complaints! Made fresh with quinoa and your other veggie burger ingredients I must say I cannot wait to make this soon! MMMMmmmMMM!!!

Yes I did eat the whole time. Yes I was completely satisfied and sometimes a little bit too much... But when I got home I was more than ready to get back on track!

What better way to do that with my fresh veggies and herbs waiting for me at home, and of course my best friend QUINOA!

I want to go into detail about the amazing benefits of Quinoa because few really know much about this grain. Quinoa is sometimes called the super grain, and it really deserves that name because it really is an impressive healing food. The unique shape of this grain is also fascinating. The grain has an outer edge that looks something like a UFO. It's almost like the grain is wearing a hula-hoop. The outer edge can come of when the grain is boiled, which is actually the germ of the quinoa.

In most grains, the germ is usually a very tiny structure found on the end of the grain. But in the case of quinoa, the germ circles the entire grain. It is important to note that the germ in any grain is very high in protein and this explains why quinoa as a whole is very high in protein compared to other grains.

Quinoa is not only high in protein, it is also very high in amino acids that create a complete protein. The eight essential amino acids you'll find in quinoa are the ones your body must acquire through foods in order to live. Quino is very high in lysine and is a good reason vegetarians gravitate towards this grain.

Quinoa is very high in calcium. The conventional wisdom of today is that you get your calcium from drinking milk when in fact, a cup of cooked quinoa has more calcium than a cup of milk!

Quinoa is also a good source for magnesium, zinc, potassium, and iron. Beyond the minerals, it has a fairly high B-vitamin content and is a healthy serving of fiber, found in the germ itself.

VERY LOW CALORIC DENSITY GRAIN SUPPRESSES APPETITE

I have people ask me all the time, how can I lose weight and be full? QUINOA! The amount of water quinoa absorbs while cooking is rather remarkable. It's no secret that a lot of people overeat, but one reason they do that is because the foods they eat take up very little space in their stomach, but are very high in calories (cheese, pizza, french fries, candy bars, snacks). This is where we get in trouble because our hunger signals are not really fine-tuned to what we've eaten. Our hunger is, in part, affected by the physical space foods take up in our stomachs.

Because of this quinoa can be very beneficial in suppressing your appetite and, therefore, helping you lose body fat. You can eat a very large bowl of quinoa and feel like you completely stuffed, yet you may have only eaten 300-400 calories. Also good for a long day when you know you will not have anytime to cook!

So there you have it, quinoa the super grain!

Need a recipe? Try these out!

QUINOA WITH STEAM VEGGIES

My new invention! I do not have a steamer so I made it work!

Fresh steamed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, red bell peppers) over quinoa. I also made some yummy avocado sauce in my food processor with some red bell peppers. Process until smooth.

ROASTED YAMS AND HERBS

For this dish I used left over quinoa from the night before. I decided to roast it with some yams, onions, cilantro, olive oil, oregano and pepper.

I also made a side salad with spinach, tomatoes and cashews covered in some poppy seed dressing.

Try it out! Quinoa can be great with a little imagination!

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread | Healthy Food of The Day!

Bread made without flour? Out of sprouted grains, legumes and seeds? This couldn’t possibly taste good, could it?

Based loosely on a Biblical recipe culled from the Book of Ezekiel, Food For Life (the company that makes Ezekiel bread) has introduced a whole line of sprouted grain foods that run the gamut from Cereal to bread to pasta and even tortillas. 

Regardless of how you feel about the scriptural roots of these foods, the folks who make Ezekiel 4:9 bread and cereal are on to something. At the end of the day, you could be a pagan and still benefit from this bread.

While it seems inconceivable that you could make a crunchy cereal or fluffy, light loaf of bread out of sprouted grains and beans, Food for Life has figured out how to do it!

And even better, they’ve done it without sacrificing nutrition, flavor or using preservatives or sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup.

In the case of Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, the result is an organic, nutritionally-dense, high fiber bread that also is a complete protein — one of the few breads on the market that contain all 9 essential amino acids, is low in fat, has no Trans Fats or cholesterol and is generally low in sodium. 

Ezekiel Bread is made from six organic grains and legumes – whole wheat, malted barley, whole millet, whole barley, whole lentils, whole soybeans, and whole spelt  — which are sprouted and then combined together to make a bread.

Not only does the sprouting process create a more easily digested food, but it also creates a whole protein that closely parallels the protein found in milk, eggs and whey. In fact, Food for Life claims that the protein quality is so high, that it’s 84.3% as efficient as the highest recognized source of protein.

 In all, Ezekiel Bread has 18 amino acids – all from vegetable sources and naturally balanced.  

Even better, the ingredient list is short (always a good sign — especially when you are trying to follow a Clean Eating diet), containing only 10 whole, natural ingredients.

A MUST TRY! I found mine in the freezer section of Kroger by the organics!

Let me know what you think!