Gratitude Friday - June 24 2011

• I am grateful this week that Raymond found a book series that he likes to read. It's the Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. "Various Mutants from Other Planets" series. Not only is it hilarious, but each book includes a "flip-o-rama' animation on several pages. I think that's why he likes it. I really believe he's going to make movies as an adult. I'll share more on Healing My Sons.

• I am grateful for Natisha volunteering to transcribe my Queen Afua interview!
• I am grateful that I am craving greens! (Who craves leafy greens? Does anyone else out there crave them?)
• I am grateful that my 1st time veggie garden is producing! Below is a photo of squash leaves!

• And I am grateful for you all, my readers! None of you un-subscribed while I was away at Raw Mom (I'm still there!). I had no idea the job would be so time-consuming (and next week will be ALL consuming...). But you all hung in there with me; kept coming to my blog; sent me emails (SARA!); and said, "where are you?" I sincerely appreciate the love you all send my way. Right back at you ALL!

Love,
Althea ◦

Gratitude Friday - June 24 2011

I LOVE Kale!

How many times have a shared a kale salad with you all? I've lost count....so here's another one :-).

From the Oh She Glows Blog:

Weekend Glow Kale Salad

• 1/2 large head of kale (about 4-6 cups)
• 1 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1/2-3/4 cup chopped carrot (2 small carrots)
• 1 English cucumber (2 cups chopped halves)
• 1 avocado, chopped
• 1 & 1/4 cup chopped grape tomatoes (or other variety)
• 1/2 cup mixed raisins and Goji berries
• 1/4 cup hemp seed
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• Dressing: 1 batch of Lightened Up tahini-Lemon Dressing
• Your desired fresh or dried herbs

Directions:

1. Chop vegetables and mix in a large mixing bowl. Reserve hemp seed and walnuts for sprinkling on top.

2. Make your Lightened Up tahini-Lemon Dressing in a food processor and process until smooth.

3. Tear the leaves off of the kale and rip into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry kale leaves.

4. Mix the vegetables, kale leaves, and full batch of dressing (3/4-1 cup) in large bowl until thoroughly combined.

5. Place in fridge to ‘marinate’ for 10-15 minutes. Serves 4. Keeps in fridge in a sealed container for 1 day.

Lightened Up Tahini-Lemon Dressing

Ingredients:

·    1/4 cup Tahini

·    3 garlic cloves

·    1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

·    1/4 cup Nutritional yeast

·    2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

·    1 tsp kosher salt + freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

• 3 tbsp water, or as needed

I only used raisins, tomatoes, avocados, raisins, and red onion in mine. I could easily eat this everyday.

And to cap it off, I made a green juice: a handful of kale leaves, 2 cucumbers, 1 apple, and a dash of Queen Afua's Green Formula.

And speaking of Queen Afua, a friend of mine is transcribing the interview. (Finally!) I intend to have it live, in different parts, in early July!

Love,

Althea

◦

I LOVE Kale!

Gratitude Friday - June 17 2011



Here's a new series I call Gratitude Friday :-). I "borrowed" this idea from Ms. Joanne Newell, one of the blog contributors at Raw Mom. This week, I am grateful for:

• my supportive spouse, Rom.
• my CNN.com interview, and for Mia Redrick, who made it happen. I'm Mom #9!
• the constant love and support of my family
• the ever-present push from Spirit to be on the raw food path
• all the people I've met through Raw Mom.

What are you grateful for this week? Take the time to think about it!

love,
Althea

Mocha Angel message: Magnificence in life can only be achieved if you love what you do. Passion is the engine of success! ◦

Gratitude Friday - June 17 2011

Update

Hi Everyone :-)

I'm leaving my job as Blog Editor at Raw Mom. My last day is July 1st. I liked the job and learned what it takes to run a multi-website platform. My job was focused on Monday-Wednesday-Friday blogging and managing other writers. To say the job was "intense" is like saying the sun is "hot".....in other words, a massive understatement.

My intention for this year is that I'm focused on healing myself and my family. With that, I have two pieces of good news:

Jona and Raymond see their Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician every 6 months. They saw him yesterday. He ended our visit by saying, "This is wonderful! Your children are progressing well, and Jona is now close to where he should be cognitively for a six-year-old."

YES!!! Whoo hooo!

And he told me that I sigh too much. I had no idea that I did that. I get it from my mother. I've been lying over a rolled blanket to help expand my lung capacity.

The second thing happened today. Me, Raymond, and Jona go to the chiropractor once per week. While Raymond was being treated (I was with Raymond, but I could hear Jona), Jona goes into the secretaries' office and asks, "Have you seen my mommy? She's my best friend."

Oh, my heart melted. There was a time I worried he would never speak again. I used to think, "Is he ever going to say 'mommy?" Is he ever going to say, "I love you?"

He does both now.

Love,
Althea ◦

Update

The Raw Mocha Angel....

....is coming back :-).

My last day at Raw Mom is July 1st. More details to come. When you look up "busy" in the dictionary, you would see my face. I'll share in a few days.

Love,
Althea ◦

The Raw Mocha Angel....