Choices. . .

by Mary Delasantos
Yesterday I picked up my daughter, Kim, and granddaughter Hannah, and brought them over to our house for a visit.  Just like any other grandma (or mom), my first thought was that they must need to eat; so on the way to our house we stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things. We went to the produce department first and Hannah picked out a pint of bright red strawberries for her snack. As we browsed the rest of the store she held on to her treat.  Later when it was our turn at the cash register Hannah would not release the package and protected it as if her life depended upon it.  The cashier had to walk around to the cart where Hannah was sitting so she could scan the price label.

When we got to the house, Kim washed and sliced about half of the strawberries for Hannah.  Hannah was completely enjoying her brightly colored, sweet and juicy snack until Kim and I joined her at the kitchen counter with our snacks.  I offered Kim tortilla chips to go with some very yummy fresh made salsa that Dan had whipped up a few minutes earlier and I had a handful of raw sundried spiced olives. As soon as we sat down Hannah pushed away the strawberries and wanted some of Kim’s chips.  We told her that she could have a chip after she finished all of her strawberries.  Two year old Hannah retrieved her bowl and continued eating.  When Hannah took her last slice of strawberry she slipped off her stool and walked away having forgotten all about the chips.

This made me think about the way most of us eat.  We have tendencies to go for the less nutritious processed foods such as chips and crackers because they are so readily available to us.  If we learn to keep the fresh and nutritious items in our line of site we too, just as Hannah did, will truly enjoy those choices as well.  And, we will feel better for making those choices both mentally and physically.

Happy Eating!

Mary Delasantos
voiceofthevegan.com

Take it easy….

by Kemi Nekvapil
As mothers we are very blessed to be able to take on the role as healers in our families. Sometimes this means holding our children when they are hurt, physically or emotionally. Sometimes it means holding ourselves and our partners in the same circumstances.
But there is also the role of healer in the food we choose to nourish our families with.
If like me you are part of the green smoothie revolution, and you are enjoying the pure nectar on a regular basis, you know how it makes you feel.

What if, though, your family is not joining you?

My husband Emrys may even love them more than me. My daughter Ella, will have a whole blender full, if you turn your back, your breakfast is gone!
My son Benji started to be a little ‘something’ about the texture of his drinks. He would gobble down any variety of freshly juiced fruit and veg, but when it came to a green smoothie he would always try, and sometimes ask for a cup of it, but would never really have any.

So I kept making them, as did my husband. Three of us were drinking but one was not. I was not too worried because I thought “he eats such great food and if he does not get into green smoothies, the world would not end, would it?”
And then one day it happened!

Ella was ill and she did not have an appetite all day, so later on I asked her if she wanted a little soup or a green smoothie, she choose the smoothie. I then had the idea of having a smoothie soup and bingo, I thought “I will add more texture!’’
So Benji and Ella tucked into their green smoothie soups with finely chopped fruit salad on top.
Benji  then looked and me and said ‘’Mum, can I have some more please?’’ Benji had three helpings of soup!

It made me realise that we can have the knowledge to nourish and heal our families. But if we can take it easy, be patient, and offer life-giving foods, then they can heal themselves .

5 Helpful Tips to Get You Through a 7-Day Detox!

by Doll Creelman

I did it!!  I’ve proven that the 7 day detox works!!!  From 7 days ago until now I’ve released 7 pounds.  I’m feeling lighter and have more energy.  My sleep is different.  I’ve passed through the detox headache and am free of detox symptoms.  How amazing is that?!  I love how I feel.  Even my eyes seem brighter.

I did stay totally raw except for the little bit of decaf that I’ve enjoyed.  Actually, not as difficult as I had thought it would be.  I had one evening of almost panic with cravings.  That passed.

Even going out to dinner with my honey was easier than expected.  I spoke to the waitress about what I wanted and she was so good to help me out.  Even gave me a price cut since I wasn’t having the meat with it.

Here’s what worked for me and could work for you:

Set an attainable challenge for yourself

• Make sure you have all the fresh fruit and veggies you need…and ones you really like
• Never let yourself get too hungry
• Get some exercise (out in the fresh air is great)
• Be sure to get the rest you need

It really is that plain and simple.  I know, I had the “buts” and “it’s hard”.  Change is challenging.  I wanted to prove to myself that not only could I do it but that it does work.  Guess what?  I was right.  I am the living, walking, talking proof.

Need some additional support?  Join us Sunday evenings for our FREE Cozy Coaching Calls.  The coaches are here to answer your questions and to offer support.

Want to share your detox story?  Contact Doll, The Cozy Coaching Queen.  You might just be our next special Sunday night guest!

With hugs and love

Doll

Saf Raw-Food Restaurant, London

Hello Raw Moms!

It’s Joanne here, back from England and back to cuddles from her very-much-missed little girls.

Last-minute planning and packing for the trip resulted in NO BLOG POSTING from me prior to departure – apologies!

However, a couple of days before I left Australia’s shores, we released our gorgeous new recipe book – Monkey Mike’s Raw Food Kitchen: An Un-cookbook for Kids!. Your response has been wonderful – we were right in thinking that many of you really wanted a book like this for your children. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can check it out here.

While in England for my sister’s wedding (I was matron of honor – what an honor!), I visited Saf raw-food restaurant in Shoreditch, London. Heading there, with a review for you in mind, took me back to the days when I reviewed restaurants in Melbourne. However, I already knew that I was going to love this place – who couldn’t love a restaurant that offers (mostly) raw-food fine dining, has taken a huge risk in a competitive restaurant market, and is attempting to make the world a better place?

Detox Salad

I sat in the restaurant’s courtyard, soaking up the sunlight that tried to creep through the persistent gray cloud (although we quite like cloud coverage for taking photos), and enjoying the relaxed, friendly service. I loved that the courtyard contained a cute little greenhouse (see picture above), filled with the restaurant’s herbs.

While sipping a luscious Green Clean juice, I munched into my starter – a Detox Salad with spinach, rocket, radish, seaweed, cucumber, mung-bean sprouts, lentil sprouts and omega oil dressing. I felt it could have done with juuuust a smidge more dressing to coat the leaves, but otherwise, it was perfect.

Pad Thai

For the main meal, I indulged in Pad Thai, made with courgette (zucchini), carrot, green capsicum (bell pepper) and snow pea noodles, enoki mushrooms, mung-bean sprouts, and chilli and chipotle almond sauce. This dish was so good – I loved the crunch, the zingy flavors, and the “kick” from the chilli.

And then, oh my goodness – dessert. I am a dessert girl, no question about it. And I was not disappointed when the waiter presented this gorgeous dish to me, with a proud flourish. The Raw Apple Cake was rich, moist, scrumptious. In fact, it was so good that I asked the chef to share the recipe with me, so that I could share it with you! She generously agreed, and so here it is (I haven’t yet tried this at home, but will be doing so very soon…):

Saf Restaurant Raw Apple Cake

Makes 15-20 portions, depending on size of mold

Cakes

2kg apple, coarsely grated (note from Jo: I’d use a food processor to grate this many apples!)

200g raisins

5g ground nutmeg

100g coconut flakes

750g cashews, processed in a food processor

500g dates, processed in a food processor

Mix everything in a bowl.

Make into shapes whatever you like, then set in the fridge.

Frosting/icing

850g cashews, soaked

135ml water

400ml agave nectar

150g coconut flakes

10g orange zest

Mix till smooth in high-speed blender.

(If you give it a try, let me know what you think!)

Raw Apple Cake

Popping the berry garnish into my mouth was a sublime ending to this meal – I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, including relishing the last of the English summer out in the very cute courtyard.

I find that presentation makes a huge impact on the enjoyment of a meal, and the presentation here (as you can see by the photos) was beautiful. Note to self: will make more effort with presentation of my own meals at home, and not just for special occasions!

Fueled on by all things green and raw, I walked back to my hotel (a 16km round trip, in the end – things always look closer on the map, don’t they?!), feeling amaaaazing. I’m so glad I made the trek to this inspiring restaurant.

Saf is by no means cheap, but the food is good, and it gives Londoners the chance to experience raw fine-dining. If you’re in London and want to treat yourself to a meal at Saf, head to www.safrestaurant.co.uk for all the info you’ll need.

I love that more and more raw restaurants are popping up all over the world. Aren’t we lucky? Thank you so much to all the restaurateurs who are helping to bring raw to a wider audience.

Till next week!

Love Jo

P.S. Oh, and my sister’s wedding was beautiful!

10 House Plants to Keep as Natural Air Purifiers

Now that we are getting into the colder months, we will most likely be spending more time indoors. That means getting less fresh air and inhaling that stale dry indoor air. What’s a girl to do?

I pondered that thought for a while and came up with this simple and quite obvious idea.

Plants!

Plants are excellent natural air purifiers.  During photosynthesis, plants are continuously taking in carbon dioxide and other airborne toxins to produce oxygen. That’s what you call instant air filtration! It has been estimated that 15-20 spider plants can completely detoxify a home of less than 2000 square feet. The rule  of thumb is 1 plant per 100 square feet. There are many other plants that work to purify as well.\

Having that many plants sounds like a lot but consider the benefits. Plants are natural, cost effective, they beautify your home, and they really bring the outdoors in. You can use hanging baskets, plant stands, and windowsills. If you have children or pets, be sure to keep any plant that is poisonous out of reach.

Here are some common living air purifiers:

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Golden pothos (epipremnum aureum) toxic to animals
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum species) poisonous
• Fern (Pteris species and nephrolepsis species)
• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum ‘Silver Queen’)
• Weeping Fig (ficus benjamina)
• heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron sp) poisonous
• Mums (Chrysanthemum sp) poisonous
• Gerbera daisy (Gerbera sp)
• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbabensis)

Don’t forget  about herbs! They also filter the air and are easily grown indoors.  Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, and mint are just a few that not only filter the air and offer aromatic properties, they add wonderful flavor to our food. Bring the garden inside and detoxify!

Christina Menefee

Living on Liquid Sunshine