MEDITATION, MANIFESTATION & CHERRY BLOSSOMS

I had another Introduction to Raw Food Session in Nanaimo, BC this Sunday, March 21st. I had a fantastic group of ladies attend and we had a great time and tasted some wonderful food.

I love doing the introduction sessions because it is exciting to listen and watch people who may not have been exposed to the variety of the raw foods that can be prepared. They come in not knowing what to expect and then leave inspired and motivated to begin a healthier lifestyle.

I LOVE IT!!

My passion is definately sharing my love of whole, nutrient dense foods with others.

So sorry I do not have pictures to share. I did not have an assistant that day so I was kept very busy and forgot to take pictures. Very disappointed about that.

After the session, I cleaned up and then went for a walk outside.

IT IS SPRING!!! AND I LOVE IT!

This is a picture of some cherry blossoms. They are so incredible! They are in bloom and when they fill a whole tree like they do - it takes your breath away.

(Sorry for the crowded content. I have tried and tried to add spaces - just not working tonight)

The evenings are lighter and warmer and perfect for a walk. I live in an area where a 5 minute walk takes me to beautiful rural pastures, acreages, country roads, vinyards, streams, lakes, etc. There are Gary Oak Trees, Cherry Blossom Trees, Cedar Trees, Maple Trees, Grape Vines, Fruit Trees and numerous others. The trees are budding and in bloom and the multi-coloured wild flowers are popping up everywhere.

Wild flowers and daffodils. Spring really inspires me and these walks are a perfect time for

MEDITATION & MANIFESTING.

That is what I worked on during that walk. I reflected on the wonderful people that I have met since holding the raw food sessions and the great contacts I am making with others in the industry and related wellness field. It is really great to meet like-minded people.

I used to try and meditate first thing in the morning or in the evening - these are times when I may have had a moment of free time. But when I tried - I usually fell asleep.

I noticed that the best time for me to meditate and manifest is when I am going for a walk or a run outside. I am calm, relaxed, in a positive state of mind, awakened by the fresh air and I am able to be IN the moment.

You don't have to be sitting in complete quiet and stillness to meditate or work on manifesting. You can do what calms you, what centers you. Maybe it is yoga, stretching, walking, running, etc.

I also use this time to go over all the things I am greatful for. I start my walks by going through all the things I am truly greatful for and thanking the universe for bringing those into my life. Then I think about what I want to manifest in the future. I become very clear, I visualize the life I want.

With the nicer weather and lighter evenings I am able to do this more and that is probably why I love Spring and Summer so much. Without taking this time to walk in the country side, to be in nature, I notice my energy and moods dropping. Spring gives me hope and makes my dreams come alive.

I hope you all take time to walk in nature, get outside. Breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun on your skin, calm your mind, be in the moment, soak in your surroundings and be in awe of the world. You will become inspired again.

Please comment and let me know what you love about Spring.

LIVE HAPPY & HEALTHY!

DIARY FREE ICE CREAM - SOOOO GOOOOD!

Hello everyone

It has been too long since I have written in this and I apologize. I want to commit to at least 3 x a week to write and put in recipes.

Soon I will be brave enough to add some videos - I know - I just have to DO IT!

This is a great sugar free, dairy free ice cream that is so very easy. The only thing you will need is some frozen bananas.

I buy bananas (always organic), then I wait for them to ripen - make sure they have brown spots on outside and are softer. You should always eat ripe fruit, it is better for digestion.

Cut ripe bananas up and put in freezer bags and pop in freezer. I am always buying bananas because they are green when you buy them so there is that waiting period until they ripen.

To make the Ice Cream:

• I use a small food processor for this.


• Put some frozen bananas into food processor - and process!

Yes, that is all!! See - it is super easy!

• Keep processing until it is nice and smooth. Be careful not to overprocess so that the bananas start to melt.
• Scoop out of food processor into a bowl and enjoy!!
• You can top with nuts, seeds, fruit, cacao sauce - anything. In the picture above I topped mine with some cacao syrup I made from coconut oil, raw cacao powder and some sweetener (agave).

I guarnatee you that everyone will love this and give it a try with frozen mangos or other fruit. Bananas work really well because they have a creamy consistency when blended.

Let me know what your favourite topping would be.

LIVE HEALTHY & HAPPY!

PROTEIN IN VEGAN DIET

Probably the most asked question I get is "How do you get protein if you eat a raw food diet"

I actually have become to love that question because of the look I see on people's faces when I answer it. I find that women, especially, love hearing the answer. Men...well, I think they are a little more addicted to animal protein than women are.

Below is information printed in the book "Eat To Live" by Joel Fuhrman, MD. This is a fantastic book. It is not new but I had seen other raw gurus mention reading this book when they got started so I thought I would check it out. It is so great! He has many cooked recipes but believes in a higher raw diet.

NUTRIENTS PRESENT IN 100-CALORIE PORTIONS

Protein:
Broccoli has 11.2 g
Romaine Lettuce has 11.6 g
Kale has 9.46
Sirloin Steak has 5.4 g

So now - what do you think??
Yes, people find it hard to believe that greens have protein. Well, they are not fat. They are actually 50% protein, 25% carbohydrate and 25% fat.

Then take a look at Cholesterol:
Broccoli has 0
Romaine Lettuce has 0
Kale has 0
Sirloin Steak has 55 mg

How about Saturated Fat:
Broccoli has 0
Romaine Lettuce has 0
Kale has 0
Sirloin Steak has 1.7 g

This is comparing 100 calories of each of these foods. How much is that in weight (oz)?
Broccoli - 12.6 oz (357 g)
Romaine - 25.1 oz (714 g)
Kale - 11.7 oz (333 g)
Sirloin Steak - .84 oz (24 g)

Now - that should tell you something. Think of how much you could eat of the greens and then how much steak.
ALSO - AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

The greens also contain vitamins, minerals and important amino acids that our body requires to stay healthy.

Steak has no Vitamin C or E. It is almost totally lacking in fiber, folate Vit A, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, Vit K, flavonoids and thousands of other protective phytochemicals.

Most of the calories in meat are fat whereas in greens most calories are protein.

When you consider the fiber, phytochemicals and the other essential nutrients, green veggies are the WINNERS!!

THEY ARE THE MOST NUTRIENT-DENSE OF ALL FOODS

EAT YOUR GREENS!

LIVE HEALTHY & HAPPY!!

RAW FOOD IN NANAIMO

Another great day sharing fantastic raw food!

This past weekend, February 28th I held a Raw Food Session in Naniamo, BC and had so much fun sharing my love for healthy food with everyone there.

We discussed acid/alkaline balance within the body and how it affects health and how important it is to keep the delicate balance of acid/alkaline in the body.

There was so much to say and time went so fast! Everyone had some fantastic questions and I hope enjoyed the sharing of knowledge and information.

We started with a few little snacks - as pictured above to the right. These are Mini Pecan Pies. 1/2 a date dipped in coconut then topped with a pecan. They are so good and help when you feel like something sweet. As you can see people ate them up!

After the presentation and information on acid/alkaline foods we all had a green smoothie and people who had not tried them before - loved them! I knew they would :-). For me, one thing I hope everyone take away from the sessions I hold is to start their day with a green smoothie. They are so simple to make!

GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE:
A fruit or 2 of your choice (I like apples)
1/2 a banana is great to add
A handful or more of some greens (spinach is what we used. Can be any green leafy veggie)
A squeeze or 2 of fresh lemon juice
2 cups of water (or a bit less - 1 serving)
Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Green Smoothies are a start and I suggest EVERYONE try it - you WILL love it!

We then began the food preparation demonstrations. At this session we preparing pates, dips and wraps. Here are some wraps prepared with pate and various veggies. The wraps can be collard greens, swiss chard and lettuce. When I make one for myself I use the whole leaf. These are cut into bite size pieces which is great for a group of people.

Here I am preparing a cashew, carrot pate which tends to be a favourite. I forgot to take off my reading glasses in this pic. I tend to be doing that more these days!!

Pates are great because you can make a big batch on a Sunday and they will last you all week.

Below are some wraps I made with my dehydrator and some were stuffed with a raw pate called "Better than Beef" made with carrots and spices and some were stuffed with a Mediterranean flavored pate. Very good!

As you can see from the picture below, there was a lot of food to sample.

I also encouraged people to make their own wraps from the ingredients provided. We also had stuffed mushroom caps (stuffed with the cashew, carrot pate).

Pates are great because they last for about a week in the fridge and you can put them ontop of a bed of lettuce or sprouts. Mix them in your salad, eat them with crackers or on dehydrated bread. And of course put them in a wrap. They are also filling and some have a "meaty texture".

One aspect I love about these sessions is the sharing amongst the particpants. Some know each others, some have just met but we all come together to share experiences, knowledge and fun! It is a great way to meet people on the same journey and with things in common. Sometimes when we choose a healthy path, there are not always people close to us who chose that at the same time. This way, people can meet and learn from others who are on the path to wellness (as I call it).

Here is more the group enjoying and experiencing the raw food.

I am so grateful to be able to do what I love and share my love for healthy, nutritious food!

I thank all these wonderful ladies for joining me. I truly enjoy the learning and sharing.

LIVE HAPPY & HEALTHY!