Teaching a Raw Food Class

I taught a raw food class on Saturday at Pathways to Whole Living, as part of their October Detox month. In the photo above, I am with Pathways Owner and Founder, Tracey Oliver-Keyser. If you don't know her, she is a phenomenal woman.

Tracey made a beet juice, with beets, carrots, and apples.

I made oatmeal, vanilla milkshake, kale salad, and tacos.

It was an interesting mix of people. All the food was great (yea!). I've taught two other classes there this year. Next up is Raw Desserts, most likely in November. When the date is confirmed, I'll let you all know.

Love,
Althea

http://www.pathways-belair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pathways-To-Whole-Living/407667552625496 ◦

Teaching a Raw Food Class

Carolyn's Raw Food

Chef Carolyn Akens
http://www.carolynsrawfoods.com/

I went to Atlanta last week to visit my family. My sons and I were there for six days visiting my mother, stepfather, brother, and maternal grandmother. While I was there I got to see one of my line sisters (I pledged AKA in 1991) who I hadn't seen in 18 years. That's another healing story for later. I also was blessed to be able to take a raw food "Decadent Desserts" class with Chef Carolyn Akens. In four hours, she guided me in making four awesome desserts. We made Vanilla Ice Cream, Lemon Cheesecake Torte, Almond Joyous, and another cheesecake with a walnut crust.

Lemon Cheesecake Torte

I didn't watch Carolyn do a raw food demo. I made the food. She was my teacher, my guide, my Yoda, so to speak. Wise, witty, and wonderful, she lovingly helped me all the way. I was tired (because I had yet to recover from driving 15 hours to Atlanta, even though the class was three days later) but I was sooo happy to be there. We had a lot of fun together.

The Lemon Cheesecake was insanely good. Even my grandmother liked it, and she doesn't try new foods often. Don't you hate when you have to tell your family to back up off of your food?
That's what I had to do!

Vanilla Ice Cream

When I tasted this, I thought, "I wish everyone I love was here." This was so rich and creamy, no one would know it was dairy-free. It was bottom heavy, if that makes sense. Think of regular vanilla ice cream. It's thick, heavy, and creamy. So was this, but with a silkiness that regular ice cream does not have. I'm still thinking about this ice cream. I've got to get an ice cream maker!

Almond Joyous

These are coconut macaroons. They tasted like an Almond Joy candy bar, minus the chocolate covering. I loved these treats. They weren't too sweet. And they were perfect for my kids to eat and they both loved them. For anyone who is in Atlanta, definitely take Carolyn's classes. She is a wonderful spirit and an awesome chef!

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On another note, I have decided to take a break from blogging for about 30 days, maybe less, maybe longer. I love you all. I love this blog. The Raw Mocha Angel is a joy in my life. However, I'm taking a break so I can get more organized. There's people I want to interview, but haven't been able to do so. There are books that need reviewing. I even have a Happy 101 award I have yet to accept! On a personal note, I have some healing to do on myself.

My 60-day gym saga revealed how important and needed raw food is in my life. I didn't stop working out, but I did hit the pause button. What I saw was that I still was not feeling my best. Only raw food has helped me feel energetic and clear. Nothing else comes close. With an emphasis on sprouts, energy soup, green juices, and green smoothies, I'm tending to myself and the home fires for a while. I will be back soon.

Love,
Althea

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Carolyn's Raw Food

My Raw Food Class for Mocha Moms

From left: (front) Monica (Southern DC Chapter President), Renee, Maisha, Mama Ayo

From left: (back) Teresa, Allison, Donne (Silver Spring Chapter President), Me, Najla

I taught a raw food class on Wednesday to members of the Southern DC, Northern DC, and Silver Spring Chapters of Mocha Moms.
I was so happy everyone loved the food. The class surpassed my expectations. It was a blast.

On the menu was:
Green Goddess Juice
Oatmeal
Sushi
Spinach Salad
Tacos w/ salsa & cheese
Kale salad
coconut ice cream w/ strawberry sauce

Allison and Donne eating the coconut ice cream. Donne's quotes: "I love you, Althea." "You are my new best friend."

She cracked me up. She kept saying, "My grandma would eat this food!"

Another picture of the ladies!

Renee and Monica

More photos are here at a Kodak Gallery:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=19jlwvf0.22euv1o4&x=0&h=1&y=-8n0sd6&localeid=en_US

I won't be able make the Raw Spirit Fest that's happening near me, but I will get to meet Karen Ranzi, author of Creating Super Healthy Children, on Sunday. I'm looking forward to that. When my life settles down on Monday, I'll get back to taking pictures of food. I'm off to put the finishing touches on Raymond's birthday party :-).

Love,

Althea

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My Raw Food Class for Mocha Moms

My Raw Food Class Rocked the House!

Me and Tahisha before the class

I got through it. Tahisha pulled me down off the cliff many times before we had this class and the run-through last week. I honestly thought about canceling many, many times. I am so thankful I did not. The class went great! Everyone loved the food. And because Tahisha and I did a dry-run on March 21, this class went more smoothly for both of us.

I learned that I need two people as assistants. One person to clean the untensils and appliances and one person to take the food away and bring food for the next dish. We prepped and chopped and labeled food the night before, and that's why this class moved better.

I have even more respect for the stars on Food Network. Talking and making food at the same time is harder than it looks!

The sundried-tomato sushi about to be rolled in a nori roll. Shanna, my friend and class participant who had to leave early, said this on Facebook:"I loved the class!! I was skeptical about the raw sushi, but man . . . it was the BOMB!!!"

The strawberry cheesecake. Yes.....it tastes as good as it looks!

The apple crisp. Sonia was about to take it home. That's why it's in a tupperware bowl.

Are these raw tacos pretty or what?

Sonia, Tahisha, and Amaadi. Happy and full of raw food!

Shanna, the next day.

Here's what folk had to say:

I am sooo glad I was able to be included in this class. Althea created MANY dishes in record time and using very affordable appliances. (Witnessing the effortless and speed the dishes formed before my eyes, truly gave me an idea that I could possible cater my own function) Ha! Fat chance...wake up Carol. The experience was great and the food was YUMMEEE!!! I fluctuate between a 50-95% raw food life.This class helped me to increase the percentage of raw food in my life. The green juice, I've heard so much about and never had the courage to make was incredibly good. 5 minutes or less and you have this satisfying, tasty and healing drink. Also extremely Tasty!...the cheese cake with the strawberry sauce, the tacos, the spinach salad, the.....okay, okay. K.I.S.S. (Keep it short and simple). Me want more Raw cuisine -NOW!

Carol,
Sincerely,
Me want more Raw cuisine-Now campaign! (She took the class last week!)

Just to follow up on yesterday's wonderful event, I wanted to say thank you for teaching the class. It was so healing.

-Amaadi

I had a WONDERFUL time yesterday. Eventhough i think i'm coming down with a cold- it was enjoyable for me. I am in the house all day to day to make sure-i can recover. Please add me to your blog and keep me in the loop for future classes. Thanks again!!!
-Sonia

(Thank you ladies!)

I'm recovering from all this excitement with a Week of Green, as I call it. Everything I consume is green. I still have to give you all the recipes for the strawberry cheesecake and chocolate! I haven't forgotten. That's coming up next! Thank you all for your love and support. Whoo Hoo!

Love,

Althea

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My Raw Food Class Rocked the House!

My Raw Food Class Dry Run

from l. to r.: (back row)Tamara, Tahisha, Candice, Wanda (front row) Althea, Carol.

Not pictured: Tara, Titi, and Darrell

I taught a "dry-run" of my first raw food class on Saturday, March 21. I was SOOOOOOOO nervous and anxious, so Tahisha, the hostess and my assistant, suggested I do practice class to calm myself down. I did not sleep at all the night before.

But they LOVED it!! YES! I am so glad I did a practice run before the March 28 class. Tahisha and I saw what we needed to do before the class and how to make it run more smoothly the next time.

from l. to r.: (back row)Tamara, Tahisha, Candice, Wanda (front row) Carol, Tara.

The class loved the food. Here are some testimonies:


Althea,

It was my pleasure attending your "dry run" for your raw food class. I started out thinking I was not going to like going raw, but you certainly turned me around. The experience really showed me how do-able it is with planning. The food was very tasty, the juice and smoothy were surprising delicious!! I am going to phase in a meal or two to begin my journey.

I really enjoyed yesterday's class. I can't wait to make my juices with lots and lots of greens.

I am positive I will be able to reduce my insulin dosage and manage my Diabetes better eating a raw diet.

Good luck with your future classes.

Candice



Hi Althea,

That class was just what I needed. The pull of raw food has been getting stronger and stronger. Thank you for your delectable, quick and easy dishes. They really stimulated my creativity and sense of "I can do this". Most of all thank you for the green drink and the green smoothie. I'd tried them before but with less success, so I really hadn't made them a part of my life. Now I'm inspired to get some spinach and apples tomorrow and to "go to town". Peace and Blessings, Wanda

Whoo Hoo! (And the Rock Star shirt is Tahisha's. A last minute addition to the class. Maybe I'll wear it again next time :-).

See you there. Here's the info again:

http://therawmochaangel.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-first-raw-food-class-and-ambition-to.html

The cost has been reduced to $85.00. Everything else is the same!

Love,

Althea

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My Raw Food Class Dry Run