Christmas Dinner

Raw Veggie Cheese Steak

Merry Christmas! By the time you read this, I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. We had a blessed day, and I wanted to share with you all a few things I made today.

Above is a raw veggie cheese steak. I got it from an e-book called Recipes Made with Love by Jody Allen. Her website is www.lovinglifecafe.com. She gave me a copy of her book as a Christmas gift, so I don’t feel right giving the recipe out without her permission. Visit her site and show her some love.

This cheese steak is incredibly rich and tasty. And so is her apple crisp.

Apple Crisp

I served it with Rice Dream Vanilla Ice Cream, but that had a yucky aftertaste. In haste, I made a vanilla cream sauce to go with the apple crisp.

The sauce is 2 cups cashews, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and agave nectar, to taste. Put them all in a blender, and add water just to the top of the cashews. Blend. You’ll create a lovely whipped creamy vanilla sauce. It went PERFECTLY with the apple crisp. It was heavenly good.

Wheatloaf

I learned this vegan meatloaf recipe at a class I took at Soul Vegetarian in July 2002. It’s a staple in my house now. It’s a lot easier to make than it looks. It is heavily seasoned and tasty. It goes great with the mac & cheese recipe from Thanksgiving.

Wheat Loaf
2 cups couscous, cooked
1 cup TVP, cooked
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon Spike seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
½ cup nutritional yeast
pinch of sea salt
¼ cup liquid amino
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ cup water
BBQ sauce, to moisten
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl thoroughly. Shape into loaf in a bread loaf pan, or an 8 x 8 baking pan. Cover generously with BBQ sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

And here’s the dehydrator! It’s inaugural recipe was onion rings, but when I looked for the picture in my flash drive, it wasn’t there. I promise a picture of them next time. They were really good!

Be well, and don’t eat too much!

Love,

Althea

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Christmas Dinner

I WON a Dehydrator!!

5-Tray Excalibur Dehydrator!

Remember what I said on November 12th?
"Know what I REALLY want for Christmas? A nine-tray Excalibur dehydrator. I have a round one, which is not the best. It works, but you know...I'm grateful, don't get me wrong. And I use it, but a square dehydrator works the best! I have so many recipes I want to do that I simply cannot make in my round one. I look forward to showing off my new gadget on December 25th! http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/ "

I WON a 5-Tray Excalibur Dehydrator from Raw Epicurean!!
OMG!!!

From the website:
- Great for small families, small gardens or specialty gardens. The 26 hour timer will automatically shut off the Dehydrator for you when it reaches the time you set.

- Contains 5 LARGE trays with 8 square feet of tray area. Perfect for families with small gardens and a few fruit trees.

- Built-in on/off switch. 5" fan, 440 watts. Adjustable thermostat and 26 hour timer.

-Unit Dimensions 8-1/2"H x 17"W x 19"D

- Weight: 16 lbs.

- Available in case color Black or Appliance White. White unit additional $10.00.

- All units come with a Black door and black trays.

- Retail Price: $249.95 Sale: $ 209.95

BIG THANK YOU to Ingrid of Raw Epicurean (www.rawepicurean.net). If you haven't visited her site yet, it is beautiful, and the pictures look good enough to eat. It's raw vegan gourmet at it's best.

I am so happy right now. Whoo Hoo! I guess I will take a picture of it on December 25th. Now that's the Law of Attraction at work :-).

Love,
Althea

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I WON a Dehydrator!!

Banana Choco Bites and More

Banana Choco Bites

This is an original kid-friendly creation. During our gluten-free time (which I will get into in a moment), I created this dish. It's bananas, raw vegan chocolate pudding, and buckwheat sprouts.

To make the chocolate pudding, put into a food processor:
-3 ripe avocados
-chocolate powder or carob powder or raw cacao (to taste)
-raw honey or agave syrup or maple syrup
Blend together until super smooth.
And you have chocolate pudding!

I topped the chocolate on top of sliced bananas and sprinkled the buckwheat sprouts on them. Those are dried buckwheat sprouts. I got the idea from Juliano's RAW. Dehydrate them for 3 hours. They store in the refrigerator indefinitely.

The boys watched me and suddenly they were creating their own banana choco bites. They both really got into it.

Raymond adding chocolate pudding to his bananas

Jona trying to feed me

Raymond liked them without the sprouts. Jona didn't eat them at all. I wasn't surprised because the only fruit he likes are apples and raisins.

In short, with the gluten-free experiment, I have written down everything they have eaten or drank since December First. One thing became clear: I believe my sons are allergic to gluten, corn, and soy. With Raymond, when he was gluten-free had a BM seven out of nine days. That is the most regular he has been since he was about two years old. That sealed the deal for me.

With Jona, things were more intense. I made cookies for the Yabba Pot on Friday, December 5. I gave him two cookies. He threw up Saturday morning at 5:30am, followed by a foul smelling BM. Case closed, right? I got online looking up gluten allergies, and found a lot of information about Celiac Disease.

From the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness:
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Celiac disease is triggered by consumption of the protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye.

The more I read, I realized that I had to add gluten BACK into their diet. Then I made an appointment with their physician, who agreed that I had to add the gluten back in order to test for it.

To gain a proper diagnosis of celiac disease, a physician will order the following blood tests:
-Total IgA
-IgA antitissue transglutaminase (tTG)
-IgA antiendomysial antibody immunofluorescence (EMA)
-If IgA is deficient, IgG tTG test should also be ordered. At the discretion of the doctor, antigliaden IgG can also be ordered.

In other words, they are looking for antibodies. If the markers are not in the bloodstream, the tests may come back negative. So, literally, with tears in my eyes (I'm really not being melodramatic here), I started giving them bread and soy products again. My sons were showing sign of a gluten allergy with the following symptoms:
-discolored teeth (Jona)
-constipation (Raymond) (a symptom more common in children than adults)
-bloating/gas/abominal pain (both)
-foul-smelling stools (Jona)
-irritability and behavior changes (both)

My husband noticed a change in their behavior off the gluten. That was a big deal because he was all for the experiment, but he didn't think their behavior would change. This is more than “boys being boys.” They are FAR more hyperactive than usual.

We saw our beautiful lady doc yesterday (lovely woman. Johns Hopkins-trained, and HOLISTIC!). They got their blood tests today, and we'll know something definitive in a few weeks. I'll let you all know. And either soy or corn makes Jona constipated, miserable, and feverish. And the day we added back in the gluten, Jona spit up and had two foul-smelling BMs. All three food stuffs are gone, regardless of what the tests say.

Bananas holding popsicle sticks

On a lighter note, we made popsicles from smoothies. I used bananas to hold the sticks in. I made an apple and banana smoothie. (1 apple, 2 bananas, and 1 cup of water. Awesome). I poured a little bit into cups and froze for 6 hours.

About to go into the freezer

Raymond ate them both while I was at work, so I don't have pictures. But he said they were great!

Buckwheaties

And finally, Buckwheaties! I threw some buckwheat sprouts on top of an apple and banana bowl. They gave it great crunch. They taste better than they look, trust me. Those buckwheat sprouts gave me a great recipe idea that I plan to make within the next few weeks.

Thanks for reading, and send me any kid-friendly raw recipes that you have. We are making some positive, healthy changes in my household.

Love,
Althea

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Banana Choco Bites and More

Operation Gluten-Free and Chemical-Free

Raymond, the Chef

I've started a 2-week gluten-free experiment with my sons. I am also getting the chemicals out of our home and personal products as well. I haven't talked about my children much. If you've read this blog for a while, you know that my in-laws bring in the noise, bring in the funk. :-( I've focused on healing my feelings toward them.

But my sons have required help as well. Both of them are speech-delayed. They don't have Autism, but they fall under the category of Late Talkers. A good website, although still under construction, is http://www.latetalkers.org/. If anyone is interested in the work I've done with them, please email me at mochaangels@aol.com. In terms of food, they have been vegan since birth. But them more I change my diet, the more I've wanted to change theirs to a more whole-food diet, even if it is cooked, for now.

Jona, the Ham , on Day 3

I've read so much about either raw vegan diets and gluten-free diets helping children with speech and/or behavioral issues. A lot of these same children have gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Both of my sons do. Whenever they get sick, it's ALWAYS a stomach virus. They puke and poop at the same time. It's never pretty. Raymond suffers from constipation. And Jona is allergic to soymilk.

Ironically, the afternoon I started this, December 1st, I realized Jona had a stomach virus! No fooling. He fell asleep around 4:00pm. Raymond and I left the house. When I came back, Jona was still sleeping. Rom said he'd slept the entire time I was gone. On Day 2, Jona slept most of the day. By Day 3, with help from lots of juice and fruit bars, he was back to his usual energetic self. The irony was not lost on me. I took it as a sign that cleaning out the gluten is a good idea.

The Big Baddies

And the chemicals...we realized about three years ago that Raymond was allergic to “regular” laundry detergent. He was breaking out in bumps all over his back. We switched to chemical-free and dye-free detergent, and haven't had an issue since. The skin is the largest organ of the body. It's absorbs everything put on it. I've changed our dishwashing liquid, soaps, and lotions to all-natural; no chemicals, preservatives, nothing. I'm using olive oil and shea butter as moisturizers. Black soap and Nature's Gentle Power as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.

The Good Stuff

I'm writing down everything they eat. I'm focused on clear liquids, fruit bars, and applesauce for Jona until his tummy is back to normal. But Raymond is eating normally. Since December 1st, he's had:
-apple/kale juice
-grapes
-pears
-bananas
-fruit bars (had to share :-)
-tahini mylkshake
-kale salad
-spinach salad
-baked sweet potatoes
-rice milk
-stir-fried veggies and tofu
-veggie sausage
-raisins
-water

Raymond had BM's two days in a row. For him, that is wonderful. The goal is one per day.
Jona woke up at 5:30 this morning and is jumping all over me, so I think it's time to go. I'll keep you all posted.

Love,
Althea

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Operation Gluten-Free and Chemical-Free

Good News!

Good news, everyone! I found out last night that I'll be presenting a workshop on blogging at the Black Writers Reunion and Conference in June 2009. I'm going to Las Vegas :-). Whoo Hoo!

And thanks for all the emails about my Thanksgiving dinner.

Love,
Althea

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Good News!

What I Made for Thanksgiving Dinner

This year, I am sharing everything I made for Thanksgiving, both cooked and raw. This is such a stressful time for the person cooking. I bought all the ingredients the day before on Wednesday. I literally didn't know what I was making until that day.

Everyone who reads this blog is on different continuum scale on his/her raw journey. This is for those who want cooked vegan holiday recipes as well as raw, and for those who do Internet searches for vegan Thanksgiving recipes.

I didn't feel like I had the chops to do an all-raw Thanksgiving. I am working my way toward it, however. Here is everything I made:

Apple Crisp

Vegan Apple Crisp
--adapted and veganized from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook
Kick butt cobbler. The best in the world.
5 cups peeled and sliced apples
1/3 cup of water
¾ cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 stick margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut up apples and put them in a 1 ½ quart baking dish ( I use a square 8 inch baking pan), and sprinkle the water on top. Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl, and rub the margarine in with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs. Spread evenly over the apples. Bake about 30-35 minutes or until crust is browned.

Macaroni and Cheese

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese
Adapted from Soul Vegetarian. I changed the amount of noodles to use.

1 box macaroni elbows
1 1/8 cup nutritional yeast (or more to taste)
1 heaping tablespoon Spike seasoning
3 cups soymilk
1 large clove garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
paprika (optional)

-preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Cook the macaroni elbows according to package directions
-Rinse in cold water in a colander when they are finished cooking
-Place all other ingredients (except canola oil and paprika) in a blender
-Slowly pour oil in blender while it's running
-The "cheese sauce" should be creamy
-Put the macaroni noodles in a 9x12 baking pan, making sure they are level
-Pour "cheese sauce" evenly over macaroni
-(Optional) Sprinkle paprika over the macaroni and cheese
-Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown on edges or top
-Take out, serve, and amaze your family!

I've had more than one person think I used real cheese! It's a wonderful dish. I always make this for guests, and get requests for it all the time. This is the one you make for omnivores.

Kale Salad

Kale Salad
Adapted from The Joy of Living Live by Zakhah
The winner of winners. Your salad will disappear at every potluck.

1 bunch of kale greens
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons liquid aminos or 4 tablespoons soy sauce (not raw)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil

Wash the greens. Put them in a tupperware bowl that has a top. Sprinkle the nutritional yeast on top the kale first. Add the garlic cloves, aminos or soy sauce, lemon juice squeezed straight from the lemon (watch those seeds), and olive oil. Put the top on your tupperware bowl. Shake like crazy. The success of this dish comes in all of the kale being coated evenly. Sometimes the yeast gets gloopy. So shake, do not stir or mix. Shake. Adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Cashew Garden Burgers and Instead of Mashed Potatoes

Cashew Garden Burgers
--from Fresh by Sergei and Vayla Boutenko
2 cups cashews
1 cup dried tomatoes – soaked for 10 minutes
¼ bunch cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt

Blend in a food processor. Add soaked tomato water if needed. In the book, they call for dehydration for 10-12 hours at 110 degrees. Flip and dry another 5-8 hours. I do not dehydrate this any longer. It's a great pate. I put it in a collard green leaf. I brushed the leaf with olive oil, then put it a warm oven (already turned off) and left the door open for 2 minutes to soften the leaf. Then I added the pate, tomatoes, and lettuce. It was delicious.


Instead of Mashed Potatoes
--from Fresh by Sergei and Vayla Boutenko
2 large avocados
½ head cauliflower
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup sweet onion powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
Blend everything in a food processor until smooth.

This was just okay. I started to make the pecan gravy from the book to go along with it, but I was on a budget. I already had the Divine Cashew Gravy, but I should have made the pecan gravy. I will do that next time.

Apple Cobbler

Vegan Apple Cobbler
--adapted and veganized from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook
The crust is WONDERFUL. This is ridiculously good. This is more involved than the apple crisp. But it is worth it.

First, I use gelled flax seed instead of the 1 egg the original recipe calls for. To make this, you can purchase loose flax seeds and grind them in your blender, dry. No water, no nothing. Just grind them. Or you can purchase milled flax seed or flax seed meal. Add equal parts ground flax seed and water into a blender. Blend until the mixture looks like Jello or thick pudding. Make more than you need. One and one half tablespoons of the gelled flax equals one egg in any baked recipe. Flax seed doesn't change the taste, and has worked wonderfully in all my baked recipes. You may have to bake something longer than the original recipe calls for.

12 tablespoons margarine, melted (Melt 4 tablespoons and 8 tablespoons separately)
3 cups peeled and diced apples
½ teaspoon sea salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
½ cup soy, rice, or almond milk
1 ½ tablespoons gelled flax seed
1 ½ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour 4 tablespoons margarine into an 8x8 square pan. Arrange the apples evenly over it. Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt with ¼ cup of sugar and sprinkle evenly over apples. Set aside. Pour remaining 8 tablespoons of the margarine into a bowl, add the milk and flax seed and beat with a whisk. Mix the flour, baking powder, the remaining 6 tablespoons of brown sugar, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of sea salt into another bowl. Stir in the milk mixture and beat until smooth. Plop the mixture by the tablespoon full on top of the apples. Bake about 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Turk'y Roast and Divine Mushroom Cashew Gravy

Quorn Turk'y Roast
This was a compromise between me and my husband. He asked me if I wanted to roast a turkey. I said "no." I know how, but I have no interest in ever cooking an animal product again in life. I have never made a raw/faux “meat” centerpiece for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I didn't think today was the day to experiment. I will practice on a recipe I do have between now and Christmas.

We were going to get a Tofurky but the Internet comments about it were horrible. The Quorn comments were better, so we got this one. It worked out fine. Both he and my oldest son liked it. If you do get this, roast it in a roasting bag and baste it with olive oil and spices, according to the directions on the box. It did taste like turkey. If we didn't tell someone, they'd probably think it was a turkey breast.


Divine Mushroom Cashew Gravy
--from Incredibly Delicious, the singlehandedly, absolute best vegan cookbook on the planet. Mostly cooked stuff, but has a lovely raw section too. I tell anyone who listens to purchase this. Everything in the book is, well....incredibly delicious. :-)

3 cloves garlic, minced
2 small onions, diced
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
2 cups water
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 ½ tablespoons cashew butter
(this is expensive. To make your own, blend cashews and olive oil in a food processor until the mixture is smooth.)
2 tablespoons tamari
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder

Saute the garlic and onions in a little bit of oil, about 2 tablespoons. Add mushrooms and simmer until veggies are soft. Blend the other remaining ingredients in a blender. Pour this mixture into the pot with the veggies. Stir often until the arrowroot thickens the gravy. Do not boil.

This gravy was spectacular. This was only the second time I've made gravy from scratch. It delivered, big time.

So except for the raw mashed potatoes, everything turned out great. I am still working my way toward an all-raw holiday, so if anyone has tried and true alive and raw holiday recipes, please pass them my way.

Love,
Althea ◦

What I Made for Thanksgiving Dinner

Have a Gratitude Party!

Beta Child, Nilajah, and Anu

I hosted my first ever Gratitude Party last Saturday, and it was great! What is a Gratitude Party, you ask? Well, it's something I made up. I invited three people, cooked dinner for them, and we all talked about the things and people we are grateful for. It grew more festive when Vaneta and Shanna got there, so I made a point of telling them that I appreciate them and love them. That's really the gist of it.

I'm keeping them small because of the size of my house, but you can invite as many people as you want. You can have one big one, or lots of little parties. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Just make sure you focus on appreciating each other, and keep the vibe positive. No complaining or venting. This is for positive folks. And the kids love it too! When we asked four-year-old Anu what she's grateful for, she said, "The Earth." Isn't that cool?

Alpha Child, Anu, Nilajah, Shanna, Vaneta, and Rom

We had SUCH a good time. Nilajah said it was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. My husband showed them a million pictures. The kids played with each, without incident (that's always good.) And I had so much fun watching everybody eat. I kept it vegan. I made macaroni and "cheese", barbecue tofu and brown rice, apple crisp, biscuits, and a kale salad. If you host any parties, you can always make it a potluck. I think I'll do that next time.

Life is too short, and no day is guaranteed to us. A mutual friend of myself and Nilajah was killed last week by her husband, and she'd died the Thursday before I had this party. Her death heightened my feelings about the importance of telling loved ones how you feel about them while they are alive.

Beta Child was hiding in the toy chest!

Anytime is a good time to have a Gratitude Party. Today is Thanksgiving, a day dedicated to giving thanks. But you can do that everyday. Start now.

Next time, I'll have pictures and recipes of everything I made for Thanksgiving.

love,
Althea

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Have a Gratitude Party!

The Raw Mocha Angel's First Anniversary!!

Today is my blog's one year anniversary! Whoo Hoo! Blogging has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have met many of my lovely readers via their comments and emails. I am so pleased that people get something positive from my blog, but trust me, I get so much from you all too. The love and positive energy that you all send my way fills my heart and is incredibly gratifying. Thank you so much for reading and sharing with me!

{{HUGS}}

Tomato-Cilantro Soup

Today, I share two easy recipes: Tomato Cilantro Soup and Homemade Tahini.

This soup is an Althea original. I have a bunch of small tomatoes and wondered what to do with them. I have a tomato soup recipe from the class I took with Lynda Carter of Alive and Raw, but I didn't have basil and oregano, nor did I have dates nor lime, but I did have cilantro, honey, and lemon. Here is my recipe:

3 small tomatoes
4 sundried tomatoes – soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
1 teaspoon honey
1 garlic clove, minced
7 sprigs cilantro
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce
2 tablespoon olive oil
pinch cayenne pepper or red pepper chili flakes

Put all of the ingredients in a blender. Add just enough water to cover the ingredients. Blend.
Pour into a bowl. I added chunks of avocado. Whoo hoooooo this is good!

Homemade Tahini Prep

I was craving tahini. What else can I say?

Homemade Tahini

2 ½ cups sesame seeds

¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

Put both ingredients in a food processor. Blend until smooth yet thick. You don't want it too thin. This tastes just like store bought tahini, but a little richer because of the olive oil. I was determined to find a way to make this. The version I found on www.mideastfood.about.com calls for roasting the seeds at 350 degrees. That defeats the purpose of raw. This version works just fine.

This made about 1 1/2 cups of tahini.

You want it like a puree, not thin like soup. Thick is better than thin and watery.

Alpha child drinking a tahini milkshake :-)

I made a milkshake after making the tahini. I didn't really measure, but here is what I did:

In a blender, put:

2 bananas

honey or agave

carob or chocolate powder

1-2 tablespoons tahini

1 cup of water

Blend!

It was wonderful. I'm drinking another one right now :-).

Thanks for reading, ya'll.

Love,
Althea

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The Raw Mocha Angel's First Anniversary!!

The Gift of Good Health!

Already thinking about the holidays? I said to my mom this morning that all I want for Christmas is the gift of good health. I have yet ANOTHER upper respiratory infection. I've been doing some soul searching, and my next post, which I'm calling The Courage to be Raw, I will address some of my issues. But for today....let's talk great gifts!

The Complete Idiots Guide to Eating Raw is on my wish list. All of the reviews have been awesome. The book was written by the folks behind Blossoming Lotus café on Kauai Island in Hawaii and Portland, Oregon. Make sure you go to the Blossoming Lotus website to get amazing free vegan recipes directly from the restaurant!

My favorite bloggers, Heidi and JS Ohlander, of Raw Food Right Now! have a terrific Thanksgiving e-book of raw recipes. I've had this for a few years and it does not disappoint. My favorite is their eggless-egg spread. Yow-za, it is superb. Everything in is good. So if you are wondering what to do for Thanksgiving, here is your answer!

http://www.rawfoodrightnow.com/rawthanksgiving1.html

Want to be raw during the holidays, but need lots of support? Go to the social network, Raw Fu!, and sign up for the holiday mini-challenge.

http://www.rawfu.com/category/holiday-mini-challenge/

Raw Fu! founder Bunny Berry has loads of fun energy. I decided to join, so let's all go have a good time!

Know what I REALLY want for Christmas? A nine-tray Excalibur dehydrator. I have a round one, which is not the best. It works, but you know...I'm grateful, don't get me wrong. And I use it, but a square dehydrator works the best! I have so many recipes I want to do that I simply cannot make in my round one. I look forward to showing off my new gadget on December 25th!

http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/

These last two gift ideas are inspiring. If you know anyone who has diabetes, get them Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days. From the website: http://www.rawfor30days.com/

Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days is an independent documentary film that chronicles six Americans with 'incurable' diabetes switching their diet and getting off insulin.

The film follows each participant's remarkable journey and captures the medical, physical, and emotional transformations brought on by this radical diet and lifestyle change. We witness moments of struggle, support, and hope as what is revealed, with startling clarity, is that diet can reverse disease and change lives.

Additional wisdom is provided by Morgan Spurlock, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Robbins, Rev. Michael Beckwith, and Doctors Fred Bisci, Joel Furman, and Gabriel Cousens.

And finally, there is Raw For Life, "a 2 disc DVD set with 30 experts explaining the benefits of a raw lifestyle." It's from the same people who brought you Simply Raw. Both are available at

http://www.rawfor30days.com/.

From the website:

This two-disc DVD inspires people with the Raw Food philosophy, the wisdom of eating a raw food diet, important medical facts and nutritional information.

We have combined the expertise of Doctors and Nutritionists with testimonials from celebrities, athletes, and chefs who live the Raw Food Lifestyle. Our goal was to create a product that would empower people to take control of their health and happiness. In "Raw For Life", you will find everything you need to transition to a healthier state of being.

This DVD is perfect for Vegetarians, Vegans, and Raw Food Vegans looking for new recipes and resources; someone coping with diabetes, heart disease, or excess weight, those seeking to reverse their aging process; athletes looking to improve their performance; actors, dancers, and other performers looking for a healthy way to maintain their weight and image; anyone looking to live longer, be stronger, perform at their best, and get their nutrition on the right track!

Love,

Althea

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The Gift of Good Health!

Yes We Did!

Obama Family

It has taken superhuman strength for me NOT to discuss the election on my blog. I committed to talking about raw food and a few other things to keep it's focus. But in my daily life, I could talk politics all day. I have an Associates Degree in Political Science and used to be really into it. I lost interest over the years, until Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were locked in their primary battle. Suddenly politics got interesting again.

To say I am excited, thrilled, elated is an understatement. This is the Aquarian Age finally coming into undeniable fruition. A lot of folks will scare you into believing that the world will end in 2012. Not so. What is dying is a way of thinking, a way of being. Industries are dying. Secrets are being revealed. The middle man is going away. Old paradigms are dying. Let me give you all some examples:

-The investment bank. Gone.
-The music industry. Anyone can have a #1 hit without going through a record company because of the Internet.
-The newspaper industry. Dying off because of the Internet.
-Manufacturing jobs/the industrial age/construction- gone or leaving the country
-9/11- what happens across the ocean absolutely affects the rest of the world. There is no more “over there.” We are all One.
-Catholic Church molestation scandals – I remember a time when adults who claimed they were molested by a priest as children were looked at as lunatics. Not anymore. This is key element of the Aquarian Age: transparency. What was in the dark will be revealed. Which takes me to the biggest thing that is now transparent:
-Race relations: how folks really felt about each other bubbled up during the primaries. Racism reared it's ugly head, sometimes blatantly, sometimes in code:
“We don't know him.”
“He palls around with terrorists.”
“He is a terrorist.”
“This is the REAL America.”
Give me a break to each and every one of those statements.

Obama's election is all about the NEW. A new way of governing; ushering in the new American industry: Energy Technology aka Green Collar Jobs; service; letting go of stuff that doesn't work. I do not claim we will all hold hands and sing. But be open to the new. Ride the wave. It's a new collective consciousness.

The best thing about this is that my sons, who are the same sandy-brown shade as Obama, can grow up to be president. They really can be anything they want to be. Things are going to rapidly change, in all arenas. I look forward to the first woman president, the first Latino/a president, the first Native American president, the first Asian president. I am so proud right now.

Guacamole on a Portabello Mushroom

This might not look like much, but it was GREAT! I made guacamole, and put it on a marinated portabello mushroom.

I put a mix of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic on the mushroom and dehydrated the mushroom for an hour. The guacamole is this:
-1 avocado, mashed
-1 clove of garlic, minced
-1/4 cup fresh cilantro
-1/2 tomato
-lime or lemon juice to taste
-sea salt/nama shoyu/soy sauce to taste
Mix well and eat with veggies, crackers, or put it on a mushroom like I did! I ate it with a salad. It was really, really good.

Love,

Althea

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Yes We Did!

2 Simple Drinks

Apple Juice

Make this to your taste.

Juice the following:
-3 apples
-kale, however many leaves you want
-lemon, to cut the bitter taste
This is the bomb.com!

Write Love and Gratitude on your favorite cup to constantly remind yourself to remain in that state. I drink out of this glass all the time, so I am reminded to feel those feelings of appreciation daily.

Vanilla Shake

-2 frozen bananas
-honey or agave, to taste
-vanilla non-dairy milk of your choice: almond, soy, or rice,
about 2 cups
If it's a plain “milk” add vanilla extract.
Blend!

I buy very ripe bananas and put them in the freezer. I run them under hot water until I can peel them. Then I break them in half, with my hands, and put them into the blender. Another easy way to freeze bananas is to slice them and put them in storage bags in the freezer.

No one would know this shake didn't have ice cream in it. My dad was impressed with the chocolate version (add chocolate or cacao powder, to your taste). It's an easy and simple drink.

And yes, if you buy the non-dairy milks, rather than making them yourself, then you've entered the processed food arena, making this drink not-raw. It's still vegan, but not raw. And that is okay. Be grateful, rather than stressed, about the positive changes you are making in your diet.

Love,
Althea

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2 Simple Drinks

Super Simple Recipes & a Bargain

Apple Kiwi Smoothie

This is a super easy, tasty smoothie.
2 bananas
1 apple, peeled or not
1 peeled kiwi
handful of kale and romaine lettuce
1 ½ cups of water
Blend!

Sensational Simple Salsa

2 medium diced tomatoes
1/3 bunch chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1-2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
3 diced green onions
1-2 tablespoons diced yellow onion
Ground cumin, sea salt, to taste
Mix all ingredients together

These are fifty-three apples I got at my local farmer's stand for $5.75. These are seconds. They may be spotted, and not in the best condition, but they taste wonderful. I've been juicing, making smoothies, baking apple cobblers and apple crisps. Always ask about seconds at your farmer's markets and your grocery stores.

And here's another super easy recipe. I got this from The Garden Diet e-book. They said it was better than candy, so I gave it a try. There's no picture because it 's not much to look at, but damn it's good.

Sensuous Candy
1 very ripe banana
1 very ripe avocado
1 very ripe mango
Cut them all up. Mix in a bowl. Eat!
This is SO tasty. The flavors together are fantastic.

And this is a gift basket of organic fruit, tea, and soap from a client who I did an intuitive reading for. She was sweet to do this. People have been really nice to me lately and I truly appreciate the good vibes being sent my way.

I've doing something everyday this month that I got from the Mocha Angels. This is a part of the message:

I bring healing into my life this month. Each and every day, I take baby steps toward the life that I really want. I write my regrets and fears...that takes away their power. Then I tell those same regrets and fears how grateful I am for them because they show me the type of life I DO NOT want. Seeing all of this on paper makes it very clear.

Each morning, I ask God, "What baby steps can I take today to manifest the life that I truly desire?" I release how I receive my answers, but I trust that I will receive them, then I act. By the end of the month, because of my thoughts and actions, my life will have changed for the better.

I've been saying that sentence everyday, and I do feel different. I've started doing yoga before I get out of bed. I started watching The Secret, again, everyday. I've been doing this affirmation from Louise Hay everyday too. It goes like this:

Stand in front of a mirror. Say several times, “I deserve to be (or “to have” or “to feel”) ____________________ and I accept it now.”

See how you feel. If you have any resistance feelings in your body, add: “I remove the patterns in my consciousness that keep me from my highest good. I deserve to be (or “to have” or “to feel”) ____________________ and I accept it now.”

See how this works for you and let me know it goes!

Love,

Althea

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Super Simple Recipes & a Bargain

Wigmore Home Study Program and Inspiration

Dr. Ann Wigmore (1909-1994)

Good news! I earned a partial scholarship toward purchasing the Ann Wigmore Home Study Program. I have the other half, but the money is allocated for utility bills. (Need to keep the water and electricity on. :-) I need to manifest the money above and beyond the bills I am paying. I know I can do it, so send me good energy to do so. If you don't know who this Godmother of the American Raw Food Movement is, click here for information.

Here's a couple of easy, simple recipes:

Raw Oatmeal

Oatmeal:
Soak 1 cup of oatmeal (quick cooking type is fine) for 30 minutes. Pour the water off. Add 1 cut up banana, apple, ¼ cup raisins, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix well. Add maple syrup and non-dairy milk if you'd like. -- adapted from The Joy of Living Live by Zakhah.

Apple-Banana Smoothie

Smoothie:
2 bananas
1 cut up apple, no need to peel
1 cup of water
Blend.
Enjoy!

Deepak Chopra

Just wanted to share a couple of inspirational links. This one is from The Chopra Institute.

http://chopra.com/namaste/intention

It's about how to set intentions and how to make them come true.

Tyler Perry

And this one is from Tyler Perry, who is now the first African-American to own a major film studio. I swear I cried when I read this.

http://tylerperry.com/specialMessage/2008-10-07.html

He is SO inspirational. From being abused and molested as a child, to homeless in Atlanta, to now being on track to becoming a billionaire and one of the most influential men of his time. It's just beautiful. Enjoy reading.

Love,

Althea

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Wigmore Home Study Program and Inspiration

(Mostly) Raw on The Cheap

Kale Salad

All is well
Everything is working out for my highest good
Out of this situation only good can come
I am safe
--Louise Hay

Sometimes you have to get knocked on your behind in order to be awakened. I think that's what happened when my sister-in-law got physical with me. I don't like to call it a fight because I never hit her; I defended myself. But I don't want to downplay its significance either. So I'll stick with "physical" or "altercation." That incident showed me how off-track I have been.

Life is supposed to be abundant in all areas: relationships, money, and health. I hadn't been raw because of financial reasons, and that frustrated me. It bites to know what can help me but not being able to afford it. So I came up with this idea of (Mostly) Raw On The Cheap. I can know a person can be (mostly) raw without breaking the bank. I say "mostly" because sometimes things will come out of a can. Not always. But sometimes canned can substitute for fresh. I promise the raw food police will not come after you :-).

I am on a mission. I own a lot of books. But what I did was go through the mounds of recipes I printed from the Internet. I put them in two categories: simple and not simple. Simple can be as easy as one ingredient to seven. But my definition of simplicity is the ease of ingredients and how long the dish takes to prepare.

The revelation came right after the first 84-days of my cleanse based on Queen Afua's Heal Thyself. This first phase did not go the way I expected, but a cleanse of sorts has happened.

If you've been reading this blog for a while, some of this stuff might be repeats. But as I share the recipes, I'll be linking to them on the right side of my blog, so they will always be around.

Kale Salad -- Adapted from The Joy of Living Live by Zakhah
The winner of winners. Your salad will disappear at every potluck.
1 bunch of kale greens
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons liquid aminos or 4 tablespoons soy sauce (not raw)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil

Wash the greens. Put them in a tupperware bowl that has a top. Sprinkle the nutritional yeast on top the kale first. Add the garlic cloves, aminos or soy sauce, lemon juice squeezed straight from the lemon (watch those seeds), and olive oil. Put the top on your tupperware bowl. Shake like crazy. The success of this dish comes in all of the kale being coated evenly. Sometimes the yeast gets gloopy. So shake, do not stir or mix. Shake. Adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Mexicavo Salad

Mexicavo Salad -- Adapted from Incredibly Delicious by Gentle World Publications

Dressing:
1/4 cup raw (or not) apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
sea salt or liquid aminos to taste
1 clove garlic
dash of black pepper
1 teaspoon Spike seasoning
Blend all ingredients in a blender

Salad:
4 ears of corn or 1 can of corn
4 diced tomatoes
1/2 cup sweet onion
Romaine lettuce
Cubed avocados
1/2 cup fresh cilantro

Pour the dressing over the first four ingredients. Add the avocados and cilantro afterward becuase they get soggy otherwise. Awesome, awesome salad. The dressing is thebomb.com!!!

My new vision board

I did a vision board in 2006. This is the newest one. I took a picture of it while it sat on my kitchen table. It wasn't 100% finished, but here's the gist of it: me and my family, our friends, yoga, Michael Baisden (I want to be on his radio show), Cathy Hughes, owner of Radio One, Inc, bestelling, legendary books, a 2009 Saturn, the house we want to purchase, and salads and gardens. All of these things represent my values and intentions. I wrote my values first, then an intention list, then did the board. Your values and intentions should line up. The board is a visual representation of those two things. Email me your vision boards when you finish them!

Love,

Althea

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(Mostly) Raw on The Cheap