BERRY, MANGO PUDDING

This dairy free pudding is healthy and so good. Great for a snack or even breakfast.

I like smoothies but I don't like to add berries to my smoothies. I like to eat my berries on their own. I also like to chew instead of drink my meals. This pudding is a great way to enjoy berries and fruit without having to make a smoothie and "drink" another drink. I eat all my fruit in the morning so I was happy to find another way to enjoy fruit.

The Secret ingredient in this pudding is

AVOCADO!

Instead of cream, avocado is used. The recipe is:
1/2 Avocado
3/4 C frozen mango
1/2 C frozen blueberries

Add this in food processor and blend really well. Add a bit of water if needed. Careful not to add to much or you will have a smoothie.

If you don't like avocado that much then add less. Also the size of the avocado makes a difference.

You can use bananas in place of mangos. The bananas and mango have a creamy texture when blended that is why they work well in pudding.

Super easy and really good. Give it a try! This is even great as an evening snack.

A previous post I included a recipe for banana pudding (pictured below).


To view the recipe for the above banana pudding click on the link below:

http://rawgoodswithdiana.blogspot.com/2010/03/diary-free-ice-cream-soooo-gooood.html

LIVE HEALTHY & HAPPY!

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!!