tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44345660875878493062024-02-22T05:59:26.762-05:00Sad to Raw, a 30 day challengeHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-87212003648574597472016-05-22T14:43:00.000-04:002016-05-22T14:43:03.122-04:00Raw Hummus- oh, yes please!I am slightly addicted to Sabra's Roasted Red Pepper hummus. Now, this love affair began years ago when I was introduced to it with pita bread. While I don't eat the wheat anymore, I did eat the hummus.<br /><br />It's not entirely good for you (though WAY better than things like chips and dip!), so I wanted to find a raw alternative. ...And I made one.<br /><br />You'll need:<br />Soaked and sprouted chick peas. -super easy to do, I soaked them for a while and then drained them. Waited a day or so until they sprouted. Boom. super easy.<br />1/2 red bell pepper<br />juice of 1 lemon<br />5 or so sun dried tomatoes in olive oil (made my own in the dehydrator- WAY cheaper than buying them!<br />garlic powder (because I didn't have fresh on hand)<br />smoked paprika to taste,<br />
liquid smoke (totally optional, but I used pecan to give it a nutty flavor)<br />
smidgen of sea salt<br />
<br />put all ingredients into the food processor and process together. add some olive oil (I used what the tomatoes are sitting in) to help it blend. Blend until creamy.<br /><br />no, a little bit more.<br /><br />Keep going.<br /><br />Little further.<br /><br />Seriously, when you think you're done, give it a few extra seconds.<br />there you go. It made WAY more than I'll eat in 1 sitting, so I put it in a baggie, labeled it with today's date and the contents and threw it in my freezer.<br /><br />I'm going to use it as a hummus dip with some homemade carrot/onion/flax crackers and with veggies. I'll use it as a spread for my lentil burgers (I'm making them for dinner- boom, baby!) and I'll probably eat it with whatever. I don't want to eat too much because I did add olive oil to it, and I'm doing my best to stay 80/10/10, but this tastes phenomenal and I can't wait to have more of it.<br />
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I think we seriously under utilize things like lentils and chick peas in the raw food world. A lot of people advise staying away from beans- and they totally can!- but when you're on a serious budget, this makes a great alternative for your raw. Just be careful of how much you eat. Always opt for leafy greens and fresh veggies when you can. Use these things as alternatives.<br /><br />OMG, I bet this hummus would be phenom on zoodles! BRB, have to go make lunch with it...<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-10711784731708712982015-06-03T17:19:00.001-04:002015-06-03T17:19:11.240-04:00Let's talk about meat for a second....There's typically 2 trains of thought when it comes to meat:<br /><br />You're either for it, and will vehemently argue the benefits, or you're against it and your mantra is it's murder.<br /><br />Meat is the connective tissue for bones. Let's assume in this conversation we're talking about a cow. There are different cuts of meat from a cow. Some meats are tender due to non-use (i.e. veal and cuts of steak such as filet mignon). Other meats are tough such as brisket. Some times, it's just all ground up with a fat content label (such as 20% or 30%; think hamburger meat) and even other times, it's ground to a paste-like consistency, stuffed with fillers and made into tubes of a meat-product like hot dogs. <br /><br />If you're into eating meat, you probably are in the wrong place. I'm not shaming anyone, or making them feel like crap, or even going to gross them out with slaughterhouse videos. But I wanted to put that out there, so you know that while I'm vegan, unlike so many (ahem, a prominent woman in Australia calling people who eat eggs a "chicken muff diver") I am not bashing you.<br /><br />I will say this- do you understand what lymph is? Lymph is basically the body's cellular sewage system. Yes, we all know how bodily plumbing works, but did you know on a cellular level, your body does the same thing that the larger sum does? It takes in nutrients, gets fed and creates waste. This waste is drained out by your lymphatic system. This is the exact same with animals. When you eat meat, you are eating the lymphatic system of animals. You're eating the cellular waste that gets trapped in muscles and other tissue. We've all heard the term "you are what you eat". Well, what are you when you eat another animal's cellular refuse?<br /><br />When hunters kill a deer (and bear with me on this, my husband used to hunt.), when it's shot- if it's not shot in the heart dropping it immediately- it gets a surge of adrenaline coursing through it's body into every muscle cell fiber giving it a fight-or-flight response, in the hopes of saving it's life. This makes the meat tough and gamey. Because of that adrenaline rush, it alters the meat.<br /><br />The same thing happens in slaughterhouses and commercial farms where animals are raised and killed specifically for their meat. There is an adrenaline rush when the animal is stunned to be slaughtered, or is dispatched, regardless of how humane the killing is claimed to be.<br /><br />Another thing to consider when eating meat is why is your dog more valuable than a cow? Ever seen a cow play? They do. Ever see how intelligent cows can be, because they have curiosity and respond to simple commands, they even display love. These are all things your dog has, so why value your dog over a cow? Because it fits in your car or lap? Because they can walk with you? Because they do tricks?<br /><br />I didn't want to turn this into a "meat is murder" kind of blog post. That's not my intention. Do I believe meat is murder? Eh, the jury is still out on that for me. Do I think that I will ever kill another animal (I had chickens that had to be slaughtered one time for our farm. I didn't want to do it. For the record, my last chicken is my pet Annie. I love this bird more than I ever thought I'd love a chicken!)? no. <br /><br />Here's the deal- people are so incredibly disassociated from where their food comes from that they don't relate that cow in the field chewing cud to the burgers on our plate. They change the name in the supermarket. It's not a cow in there, it's beef. No pig, it's pork. Oh wait, you want ground pig in an intestinal tube? Oh, we call that sausage here.<br /><br />If you're going to eat meat- that's your choice. I'm not going to stop you. I'm not going to even say anything to you, and I won't hold my nose in the air and walk by in an air of superiority. None of that is my place. It's your choice. And I would hope that for your health and the animals, that you would choose the kinder path for everyone involved.<br /><br />****My husband says I'm coming across like I'm bashing meat eaters. I'm not. I used to be one. I'm also not going to coddle people into thinking that ending an animal's life will give them nutrients they can't get from plants. I am going to end it here, hoping you'll be kind too.****Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-76117020199504154562015-06-01T07:42:00.001-04:002015-06-01T07:42:19.036-04:00Are you a failure? No, you're not.Fell back again yesterday. :( <br /><br />I wasn't prepared. I made pizza for the family and OMG, it smelled so good. I am the primary food prep for my family. Now Zoe does a great job, but there are things she doesn't know, and I was in NO WAY prepared for yesterday. Breakfast should have been ready, or at least prepared the night before. (FTR, I am prepared today.) <br /><br />But I wanted to encourage you if you backslide. <a href="https://youtu.be/CAG-VG4waJU" target="_blank">Check out this video from TannyRaw. She has some wonderful advice here.</a> <br /><br />My goal is to be LOW FAT raw vegan. Right now I"m in a mid-fat raw vegan range. I need to learn how to satiate my pallet. I am focusing on those who have been where I am and I'm going to follow in their footsteps. How can I help encourage you?<br /><br />Blessings, Rawkstars!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-72805024112496207762015-05-30T22:23:00.001-04:002015-05-30T22:23:14.713-04:00Not a good day.Today started off well. I woke up, drank some water, had strawberries with the rest of my cashew cream ice cream (melted overnight in the fridge. maybe 1/4 cup.) went shopping with the husband and kids and planned on going to a birthday party with my family to a treasured friend's home.<br /><br />So at lunch (after shopping) I went and got a salad, and even skipped the croutons. Very proud of myself. Then in walked temptation. I'm talking the kind of temptation that is smoking hot, right in your face and calling you, nay- beckoning you to share in the sinful pleasures it brings. Yeah, I thought I was ready. <br /><br />Not a chance. Today was blown during and after lunch. <br /><br />I told you that I was going to do total transparency to not only hold myself and have you hold me accountable. Boy, there is some accountability needed here.... (at least I'm not a guru in the health world..... yet. ;) )<br /><br />This morning:<br /><br />Sliced strawberries (about a pound) with some cashew cream. Let me tell you, this was absolute heaven for me! It was everything that screams summer breakfast. Light, delicious, creamy, sweet, and yumtastic.<br /><br />Lunch:<br /><br />I went shopping so I got a salad out. A garden salad; no cheese, no croutons, just veggies. 1- it was a mediocre salad at best. most of the veggies were wilted and there was a slight watery goo at the bottom of the bowl. Which means that salad was there at least a week or two. SO not happy with that, but I trudged on like a good soldier. then in walks my husband with popeye's chicken. it went down hill from there.<br /><br />Then I went to a kid's birthday party and I dove onto the plate of rice krispie treats like a zombie on soft organs. :/ It was bad. I then had a hot dog. <br /><br />0 days meat free as of today. Mea culpa, y'all. <br /><br />BUT the key to life is love, and in love, I have to love myself. Which means I have to forgive myself and move on. After all, nothing good happens when you wallow, and absolutely zero moving forward is equivalent to death.<br /><br />I am inundating myself with life and positivity. Going to meditate on some positive thoughts, and I'll catch you tomorrow with my update! <br /><br />Hugs and love! And don't forget- you Rawk!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-36871868806168716302015-05-30T10:14:00.000-04:002015-05-30T10:14:01.262-04:00Challenge.I wrote you yesterday saying that I was dying. I am on the road to a massive coronary, stroke, kidney and liver failure, and a slew of other health problems, up to and including death prematurely, from completely preventable diseases.<br /><br />Today I was on my personal facebook page and I said that I wanted to be the healthiest person I know. Well, I inadvertently put out a challenge by doing so. The thing is: being the healthiest person you know; there isn't a standard. It's comparing yourself to who you were before, and your habits to those around you.<br /><br />No, this isn't an "act better than anyone else" kind of thing, it's "is my health better than everyone I know?". When a friend has allergies or is sick, or whatever- are you healthier than that? And are you SURE? <br /><br />This can quickly turn "ugly", but I want to encourage you to be the healthiest YOU can be. <br /><br />See? This is why I'll likely never make money off of my blog. I can't get my thoughts out correctly.<br /><br /> Meanwhile, I'm going to try to write what I eat on a daily basis, and hold myself accountable and hope you hold me accountable as well! I also want to start vlogging, but yeah- be forewarned; I SUCK at that. Once I figure it out, I'll gladly get everything up and running for your viewing pleasure.<br /><br /><3 p="" rawkstars=""></3>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-36361983247599837152015-05-27T11:27:00.002-04:002015-05-27T11:27:37.529-04:00I'm dying.Y'all, I'm dying. If I don't do something about my health NOW, I will die before my children graduate. The oldest is 10. If I don't do something now, I will become a burden on my husband and children, and I will never see my children get married. I won't know my grand children.<br /><br />Scary thought, huh?<br /><br />Yeah. It was for me. It hit me like a freight train that I am on the path to destruction. So, what do I do? I am focusing on my health. <br /><br />There are so many things wrong with me: my heart, my ovaries, my thyroid, my spine, my liver, my kidneys- everything needs an overhaul. <br /><br />So, Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's back to raw I go....<br /><br />I leave this lifestyle on occasion for any variety of reasons, but now I have all the reason to stay. If I don't succeed, I will truly lose the most precious thing I can give my family- myself. No, that's not selfish or conceited. How many children are better off without their mother, when the mother loves and wants to be part of their life; the mother encourages them and helps them achieve their goals and teaches them more than just how to be an ambiguous member of society? None.<br /><br />So, here I am, working on me. I am in the process of leaning heavily on people like Markus Rothkranz, and Cara Brotman, and Ani Phyo, and Shazzie Love, and David Wolfe, and Fully Raw Kirstina, and even Dr. Douglas Graham. <br /><br />I want to live! The desperation has never been greater for me, so I am going to live through raw foods.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-71105289018706508102014-12-17T16:23:00.001-05:002014-12-17T16:23:42.418-05:00HOLY YUMALICIOUS cookies!Okie dokie, today I made some oatmeal cookies. I've been craving oatmeal. and chocolate. Truthfully, I think I"m going to start my "ladies days" here. Either that or I"m pregnant already. Not entirely sure which, but we'll find out soon, won't we?<br /><br />Anyhoo, that has absolutely nothing to do with this post other than I've been craving chocolate and oatmeal.<br />SO, I combined my love for both into a cookie today. All I have to say is this:<br />
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So. good.<br /><br />Oh, and I didn't measure a THING, so this is what I used and I"ll tell you approximately how much so you can eyeball along with me.<br /><br />About 3 cups (or so) of Oats.<br />a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder,<br />melted coconut oil (1/4-1/2 c.?)<br />and agave to sweeten.<br />pinch or so of sea salt,<br /><br />Here's what I did: put the oats in the mixer. add a squirt of two of agave. and start mixing. add some melted coconut oil and agave until it's sweet and sticky. add cocoa powder. (less is more, people. start with less and work up from there.) once sufficiently damp (NOT wet!) scoop out, I used a cookie scoop that was enormous and now that I know better, next batch will be smaller. <br /><br />Be forewarned- it will be loose. scoop onto freezer or parchment paper or even waxed paper- your choice. Place in freezer until hardened. enjoy. it was phenomenal.<br /><br />I was talking to Charlie (love of my life!) and he suggested that I do 12 cookies of Christmas. and I"m thinking- yeah. I just might. :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-10394454704449764382014-12-15T15:08:00.000-05:002014-12-15T15:08:04.389-05:00Screwed up, not guilty.So, I went out to eat last night. I screwed up big-time. Actually I screwed up in several ways and here's how:<br /><br />I had meat and bread. Fried chicken to be exact. Yes, it was delicious. It was greasy and I didn't feel right after eating it. I also had like 3 biscuits. Yup, we went to cracker barrel and I ordered the chef salad without meat, or cheese or even croutons! (I was being a good girl) but then after sitting there for 20 minutes after we ordered without food, she brought biscuits. THe kids were hungry. and if you believe them, they were on the verge of complete annihilation through starvation, even though they ate a few hours before. I, however, had not eaten all day except 1 apple and 1 grapefruit, and that was after 2:00.... :/ <br /><br />So, fail #1- I didn't plan ahead. I made a post before this one about meal planning. I didn't follow through.<br /><br />Fail #2- I was already hungry when I went out to eat. Yes, the point of a restaurant is to eat, but since I was overly hungry I ate absent-mindedly which brings me to fail #3<br /><br />Fail #3- I was not aware when I should have been. I saw something edible and put it in my mouth. Just because it was there and I was hungry doesn't mean it should have gone into my mouth, and yet it did. <br /><br />Fail #4- they didn't have a salad dressing I like, and very little that wasn't overly processed and certainly nothing that was considered raw.<br /><br />So, with those 4 fails, it boils down to this: I wasn't prepared. Had I not been so hungry by eating before, at least enough to tide me over until food gets there, and make sure that I don't go for just anything. Preparation is key.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-21803360508634107382014-12-11T20:39:00.000-05:002014-12-11T20:39:14.939-05:00Menu Planning.Something occurred to me the other day when I was talking about planning ahead- why not make a weekly menu? I make menus for my family for their food; I do it for grocery shopping, why wouldn't I do it for my food?<br />
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We get paid every other week (technically the 1st and 15th) so I have to plan my grocery shops and stuff accordingly. I have 3 refrigerators- one in my soap lab (I make soap for a living, y'all), one in my kitchen (I'm in LOVE with how large this fridge is!) and one outside my back door. I have 8 people in my family so more than 1 fridge is a necessity, particularly when I buy so much fruits and vegetables.<br />
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Anyway, I'm going to be scouring my favorite sites for some food porn to make.<br /><br /><br />Dinner tonight:<br />Creamy nut-free Strawberry Shake.<br /><br />1 avocado<br />vitamix full of frozen strawberries<br />water<br />honey.<br /><br />Blend until redonkulously smooth. Enjoy. and yes, I know- I'm amazing. :P j/k.<br />
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Blessings, Rawkstars!<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-81547407331393000832014-12-10T10:10:00.000-05:002014-12-10T10:10:16.718-05:00I am about 14 or so days in...ok, about 14 or so days into my raw journey, I"ve lost 13 lbs! <br /><br />I just wanted to post an encouragement- if your body is ready, you can do this without cravings and cheating. If you're not entirely ready, it still won't hurt you to eat more fruits and veggies, getting your body used to the benefits of them!<br /><br />Going to RAWK the pumpkin pie I made last night that should be wonderfully gelatinous in the fridge right now, and will catch you on the flip side!<br /><br />Hugs, Rawkstars!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-86946613304972502014-12-08T11:09:00.001-05:002014-12-08T11:09:24.612-05:00Where I'm coming from... and where I'm going.Many people have amazing memories of their parents serving them meals when they grew up. I grew up eating, but it wasn't food by any standards. It was colorful boxes that tasted good but were crap. Loaded with hydrogenated fats, MSG, transfats, nastyness that was anything but good for you. That is, when we weren't eating out. Thursdays were pizza night. I remember that becuase it was girl-scout night and that was the day that we'd get pizza; I guess it was more convienient than a crockpot for my parents.<br /><br />Anyhoo- I learned soemthing a few years ago. I was really into eating healthy and weight lifting etc. Except I wasn't eating healthy. I didn't realize it. I was lied to. I was addicted to Oxygen magazine- and Tosca Reno, who while awesome and promoted health, added synthetic foods and animal proteins in their diet and touted them as health.<br /><br />"You need protein from animals to build muscle". <br />"protein powders and have a shake for breakfast".<br />Protein, protein, protein. Atkins diet- that's loaded with protein, but they don't tell you about all the problems associated with an overload of protein.<br /><br />But do we really need that much? The largest most powerful animals on the planet don't use animal protein. They get everything they need from plants and so should we.<br /><br />Did you know that you get more useable protein from leafy greens than you do from meat anyway? <br /><br />So, that is where I come from- tons of confusing information and what you "have" to eat by the "Experts" in order to be magazine-perfect. yeah, no. I just want to be happy. Being "perfect" is too much to live up to. Seriously, there's no room for error in perfect. One misstep, and you're under scrutiny. I just want to be healthy. With my asthma and my heart skipping the other day, it scared the crap out of me.<br /><br />What I am doing: getting back to nature, listening to what our original diet was supposed to be in the Garden of Eden (read Genesis 1:29), and working one week, one day at a time. in my first 7 days, I'm down 10 lbs, and I'm happy. Now, my next goal is 10 more lbs. I will be adding some light workouts to my routine. I have DDP Yoga and I'm thinking of starting that again. I will also be walking more. But In all honesty I'm not a fan of exercise. And I can also give hte excuse that I don't have that much time, but I can do other things like turn housework into exercise. <br /><br />Anyhoo, taht's where I am, and that's where I"m going. <br /><br />Hugs, Rawkstars!<br /><br /><br /><br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-23151706373945990602014-12-07T10:44:00.001-05:002014-12-07T10:44:58.384-05:00The key to being raw...So, I've had friends I've introduced to the Raw Food lifestyle, and they've asked me what is the key to staying raw?<br />
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Well, I've had issues with this myself. The best advice I can give you is this: 1- if you're interested and asking about raw food, then you're obviously ready for it. but that doesn't mean you're ready to go completely raw for the rest of your life. Just listen to your body.<br /><br />Ok, the "KEY" for me to being raw is preparation. Prepare your food in advance. For example, it's 9:41 in the morning, I"ve made my breakfast (avocado pudding!), lunch (will be a salad, easy to prepare in just a few) I'm going to take some pomegranate and grapefruit for a snack while at rehearsal and dinner is in the dehydrator. I've made cauliflower mashed potatoes and I'm marinading some portabello mushroom steaks- also in the dehydrator (to soften and get warm). With that I will have some green beans with the left over marinade. (Which I will post later, I"m on my way to church.) <br /><br />Very proud of myself that I have the day of raw waiting for me, and in doing that, I"ll stay raw and stay focused. I think tomorrow will be tacos. I have 2 more avocados that I have to use up before they go bad. <br />Stay focused, Rawkstar! You CAN do this!<br /><br />~HeatherHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-91279645122430878752014-12-02T21:44:00.000-05:002014-12-02T21:44:10.958-05:00I don't know how I feel right now.So, something interesting happened to me on Thanksgiving. My heart stopped. Literally, my heart stopped beating for a few seconds. Scared the CRAP out of me. It just confirmed that I need to do this. While I'm sitting here writing this, I"m dining on grapefruit. I might have a few of them, but I"m sititng here smelling my family eat pizza and I'm eating grapefruit. Do you know how depressing this is while your family still eats SAD? I am doing all I can not to eat crap.<br /><br />I started at the heaviest I"ve ever been. Having had another baby in April of this year, I let myself go. I let myself be put on the back burner. and it's time that I put myself first.<br /><br />In the spirit of doing that, I have auditioned for Les Miserables and had callbacks yesterday. I find out tomorrow if I got the part! I'm excited!<br /><br />So, after doing some research in the Bible, (I'm a Christian and I don't apologize for it.) I've found that all of our needs are met. This is what I've found: God has given us directions on how to eat -straight out from the gate. Genesis 1:29- right after he created Adam He said <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." (NIV) This is the optimal way to eat. Yes, after the flood, God gave us meat- because all of the plants were dead AND it said in the Bible that we weren't supposed to live for several hundred years.<br /><br />This tells me 2 things- 1, we have a perfect plan of eating; nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Basically if it grows and isn't born or hatched it's good. 2- plants are the key to longer life. Eating the "original plan", we will have a longer life. I don't know about you, but I want to be around for my children. They deserve a mama who is here.<br /><br />With all of that, I'm now officially over my pizza craving, so I'm going to have some more grapefruit and enjoy my health that's coming. :)<br /><br />Thanks for listening.</span></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-51493949148295757062014-11-19T10:13:00.000-05:002014-11-19T10:13:06.939-05:00I'm back baby!Feeling good about the decision to go back to raw. We have an on-again, off-again relationship. If I were stronger, I'd do it 100% for the rest of my life. I'm not strong. if I were strong, I wouldn't feel the guilt for the decisions I make, but alas- I'm weak.<br /><br />So I am recovering from the flu. I feel very week, and I'm the heaviest I've ever been. it's hard to put it into words becuase the first few times I started raw, I was so much thinner. I was so much healthier. I was so less of how much I am. I have very little energy to do this currently as I AM exhausted and run-down from this illness and this obesity.<br /><br />I want to be healthy. I want to be attractive (to me) and I don't see it happening with my continued lifestyle. I have Disney coming up, I also have auditions coming up. (Les Miserables, I'm ecstatic!)<br />
<br />My current list if ailments:<br />Asthma (has gotten very bad!)<br />I ache,<br />
lethargy,<br />knee pain<br />
exhaustion<br />
(and it goes on.)<br /><br /><br />It takes 21 days to make a habit. I'm going to start with today. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-42042327292182973182014-01-07T13:54:00.000-05:002014-01-07T13:54:24.950-05:00Chia Chai Pudding. Oh, so delicious!How many of you like chai? I am in LOVE with the creamy spicy goodness that is chai tea. What I'm NOT in love with is the over abundance of fat and heavy sleepy feeling I get with it. I'm also not in love with the weight gain and the sugar rush.<br /><br />But the flavor and texture are phenomenal! What's a raw girl to do?<br /><br />Chai Chia pudding of course! oh, hello creamy deliciousness!!<br /><br />What I used: <br />1 1/2 C. almond milk.<br />1 c. water<br />spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg and allspice - I didn't measure these, I just threw them in the blender.<br />5 medjool dates (pitted!)<br />1/4c. chia seeds.<br /><br />Blend 1st 5 ingredients in your high speed blender until mixed smooth. if it's too thick, add a little more water. I used about 1/2 the liquid (because I want the rest for tomorrow's breakfast)<br /><br />pour into bowl and mix in chia seeds. Let stand until chia seeds are swelled up. It'll have a seedy tapioca feel to them. I currently have mine chilling out in the fridge!<br /><br />Happy Eating!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-53786622066100005952014-01-07T12:34:00.000-05:002014-01-07T12:34:52.282-05:00Always keep coming back....Everyone staying warm? It's about 18* here in Alabama- it doesn't get this cold down here! It's crazy!! <br /><br />I wish I were more consistent with this lifestyle. SO MUCH has happened (we always say that!) since my last post, but truly- it has! I got pregnant and lost that baby, we got pregnant again, we bought a house, we've paid off some bills... Yes, quite a few things have happened to me.<br /><br />I am expecting (again!) in April. I am ALSO a raw food mama throughout the rest of my pregnancy. No, I'm not going to be legalistic, but I am setting myself up for success by having PLENTY of variety and stored foods on hand. <br /><br />While smoothies are fantabulous, I'm not solely living off of them- in fact, right at this very minute, I've made almond milk today (unsweetened, unflavored- I'm thinking for some savory recipes too!) I made a dip for some carrots for me for lunch (not the only thing I'm having but it's the main staple for lunch right now.) I had some "Datorade" for breakfast- about 25 dates blended completely smooth in the vitamix and I've been nursing that all morning. I'm soaking buckwheat for granola, and I'm making some sweet potato casserole for dinner, as well as a salad (with orange pecan dressing y'all!). I might have a smoothie with that too. :) I'll also be making some of Phil McClusky's cauliflower popcorn- let me tell you- That stuff is ADDICTIVE!! I'm going to be making a ton of that for the next few days. Heck, I might eat it without dehydrating.<br /><br />I am making myself hungry!! Well, off to go "un-cook"!<br />
<br />I'll post recipes and what I do soon- I have some cleaning and teaching to do with the kids today. Be blessed!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-6851486197179366912013-06-03T17:31:00.003-04:002013-06-03T17:31:52.871-04:00Almonds and dates and cherries- oh my!I am yumaliciously concocting some recipes lately. And today's is a Cherry Smoothie- 100% raw, 100% good for you, and packed with protein!<br /><br />If you've ever been around me, you know I have a killer sweet tooth. I LOVE sugar. Unfortunately sugar doesn't love me back. But wait, Natural Sugar (found in fruit, known as fructose) is ok for you! WOOHOO! <br /><br />I made the most delicious almond milk today. It's thick and creamy and sweet and perfect for what I was using it for. How do you make that? Oh so simple grasshopper.<br /><br />1c. almonds (soaked overnight in water- enough to swell up and break the enzyme inhibitors, so you can actually digest the proteins!)<br /><br />about 4 cups of water (give or take. mine tends to be a little thick, so I have to use more water to remind myself, I"m not making cream.)<br /><br />10 dates (I use small ones so that's why so many) without the pit. (optional- and can do less or more)<br />1/2 t. vanilla extract OR 1 t. vanilla powder.<br /><br />blend in a blender. High power/speed is great (I have a Vitamix) but it's not a requirement. Blend until totally mixed. strain in a nut bag if you're lucky enough to have one, or a strainer lined with muslin cloth. If you do that, unbleached is best.<br /><br />You can even save the pulp.<br /><br />Anyhoo- on to the real recipe. <br /><br />1 c. almond milk (more or less)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX2fhmt9nzCqqpjuDnNjVoqFbr4FKmj9NiiAYDRCWp9gfZmwk1d2GO9lb_wVMnlsT3GKyDow579NYn1M6iDD_t1fiC_nLTJbIuuTF62DsdDVbkbjG444RIJiOtre7tv7J6J2JpYmj3GY/s1600/cherrysmoothie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX2fhmt9nzCqqpjuDnNjVoqFbr4FKmj9NiiAYDRCWp9gfZmwk1d2GO9lb_wVMnlsT3GKyDow579NYn1M6iDD_t1fiC_nLTJbIuuTF62DsdDVbkbjG444RIJiOtre7tv7J6J2JpYmj3GY/s320/cherrysmoothie1.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrQazAuBarzt32QlF0SlapAjfNwqNIeN6QhQYmpGMgjh4rtZIiJdB-scuqjxsdl3j-wZgMhoLDRBFjbhL1QPCGTqznxBvWlXm7zSbqF1uDIeUSfNsAcdgpfhfkA8i8uN8MB17hWK5N0E/s1600/cherrysmoothie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrQazAuBarzt32QlF0SlapAjfNwqNIeN6QhQYmpGMgjh4rtZIiJdB-scuqjxsdl3j-wZgMhoLDRBFjbhL1QPCGTqznxBvWlXm7zSbqF1uDIeUSfNsAcdgpfhfkA8i8uN8MB17hWK5N0E/s320/cherrysmoothie2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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handful of frozen cherries. (if you can buy organic, great! If not, you can always pit and freeze your own. If THAT's not possible, hey- fruit is better than a milkshake...)<br />5-10 more dates<br /><br />Blend all of that (may need to add more water or more almond milk) in your blender until totally creamy! enjoy and hope it's yum for you! Yes, you can add greens to this. Yes, you can even run this through your ice cream maker -according to MFR's instructions. (wow, that looks a little wrong.... sorry!) In fact, I might make some of that and take some pictures. You can even drink this after a workout because of the digestible protein will help rebuild your muscles. Yeah, buddy! Enjoy! Want to see it? I knew you would.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Raw food is awesome-sauce for your body!<br />
<br /><br />Lastly: I made this recipe myself. If you see something similar, please know I didn't jack someone else's recipes, this is just what I came up with by experimentation.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-15115008371741537552013-05-28T10:11:00.000-04:002013-05-28T10:11:44.886-04:00Wanting to do so much.Hey Y'all. <br /><br />So this past week has been very horrible for my family. We lost a baby that I was carrying on the 23rd. We're grieving so much, but it's made me reevaluate some things. What if it was my fault by the crap foods that I had been eating? <br /><br />Yeah, I just had an order from nuts.com come in (about a month ago) and I'm working on some new raw recipes. My goal is to record some new videos making raw foods, and have a kids segment and stuff. I really REALLY want to do this, but we'll see how much I'm able to do with my being in school and homeschooling (which will be a little easier considering it'll be summer!)<br />
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So good news: I am looking forward to coming up with some new recipes and getting healthier. :) <br /><br />Be blessed!<br />Heather<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-36413142861499224682013-05-09T14:08:00.000-04:002013-05-09T14:08:17.955-04:00I NEVER update this.Yeah. I suck at blogging.<br /><br />BUT to my credit, I'm a SUPER busy homeschooling mom of 5, back in school for my Bachelor of Science degree! I want to be sure that I get this down.<br /><br /><br />you ready? <br /><br /><br />I'm expecting #6! I just had Nate in 2011, and the twins Elli and Abi came in 2012 and now in 2013, we're expecting again! I'm "due" (I seriously have issues with that word- my baby isn't a library book!) Jan 1, 2014. And I feel PHENOMENAL! That makes me 6 weeks pregnant right now.<br /><br />I only feel nauseous when I'm smelling cooking meat. Which the husband won't give up right now, but as of right now, I'm not eating anything but raw.<br /><br />I am so excited about this. It's not an experiment. I really want to have a 100% raw vegan pregnancy! I feel so great right now, and want to continue it. <br /><br />So this (hopefully) will be updated every so often (ideally once a week; more if I remember something important) and will do my best to remember between school and kids and being a wife. <br /><br />Here's a note: I will not be giving up honey. There are too many proven health benefits with it, so I won't technically be 100% vegan, but for all intents and purposes, I'm raw vegan for this pregnancy and beyond!<br /><br />Be blessed!<br />Heather!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-70702281492975510042013-01-02T20:01:00.001-05:002013-01-02T20:01:38.986-05:00Day 3. suuuuuuuuuck!Holy shiz, this is hard!<br /><br />I am the one who does the cooking in my home. Luckily, my 8 year old daughter asked if she could help today. For the family I made scalloped potatoes, meatloaf (pathetic little meatloaf! it was tiny!!) and fried cabbage. Zoe did the cabbage.<br /><br />Anyway, it is SO frigging hard to smell the wonderful aromas of a food that you're used to eating when you're in-taking nothing but juice. I'm on day 3, so this is one of the "hardest" days. yeah. sure as flip is!<br /><br />I started this journey at 161, after my water fast and upping my juice fast/feast I started on Monday instead of Tuesday like I wanted. I haven't had much of a detox, except a headache but that's gone. I'm feeling rather sorry for myself though. instead of focusing on what I can eat, I find myself focusing on what I can't.<br /><br />The twins: they are nursing more often. I am going to watch them very closely to be sure that they're ok- I'm certain they are, I'm just more vigilant now.<br /><br />STARVING!<br /><br />So stats:<br />day 1- weight: 261.4<br />
sugar level: didn't take, honestly forgot.<br />
size: 22/24ish IDK, I haven't truly checked. I really only have a few outfits that fit me, so I tend to wear them over and over.<br /><br />day 2- weight: 259.6<br />
sugar level: 96 (2 hours after eating)<br />
size: no change.<br />
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day 3- weight: 257.4<br />
sugar level: 85<br />
size: no change.<br />
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So, that's where I am. I'm going to be uploading a new video and I'll attach it in a little while. blessings!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-58931304057293856642012-12-28T11:44:00.001-05:002012-12-28T11:44:42.108-05:0090 day juice feast!Holy bashiz- has it TRULY been a year since my last post?<br /><br />SO MUCH has happened this year.<br /><br />Let's see.... My ex-husband and I had it out in court over the kids. I won on that. Actually, THEY won that but not for this post. Charlie and my 2nd anniversary was March 25. That was the day my MIL passed away. I was truly looking forward to her living with us. I had the twins on April 16th. THAT was a funny story that I will save for another post. And we moved over 400 miles away- yay military move.<br /><br />So, it's quickly coming to a new year and I've decided to take control of myself. Don't we always do that, every year? LOL! well, this time I mean it darnit!<br /><br />I've started my transition already and here's my plan:<br />
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Today and tomorrow (and yesterday but that's gone) I'm eating raw vegan. Saturday - Monday I'm doing a water fast to cleanse my system. Tuesday the 1st starts 90 days of juice feasting.<br /><br />96 ounces of fresh fruit and veggie juice a day plus 1/2 my body weight in fluid ounces of water a day. Holy kidney workout, batman!<br /><br />Meanwhile, I will be using the fruit and veggie pulp to make crackers in my dehydrator. For both the kids and myself when I'm done my feast. <br /><br /><b>My goals</b>: <br />Aside from the "just get healthy" aspect, (what does that even mean?! health means so much to so many) I want to see how cured my asthma can be- (I believe that it's a curable autoimmune disease because of what I eat) and I want to see weight loss. I want energy and for my kids to see me as the fun, energetic mom, the one who plays with them. <br /><br />I'm not putting an actual weight-loss goal though, I would LOVE to initially get down to 180. that was the weight I was when Charlie and I met and while it's not the best looking weight, he was attracted to me. :) I want to see my body in a shape other than round. I want to be the eye-candy that my husband deserves when he is in his dress uniform instead of what I feel I look like now.<br /><br /><b>My Attitude</b>:<br />I have heard some really crappy things all of my life from my parents. I have been told that I'm ugly, not worth "it", that I'll never be pretty, that my body will never be desirable, etc- all the things that normal people would NEVER say to a child, and yet I have heard them. I won't go into the most damaging things, but I want to erase these toxic thoughts from my brain when I purge my fat. When I detox my body, I want to detox my mind as well. I have already removed certain toxic people from my life and I am a happier person for it, but I have work to do before I am renewed.<br /><br /><b>My Spirituality</b>:<br />I am not only hoping to draw closer to God, but I am not ashamed to share that. I plan on doing scripture to help me get through whatever I need for that day. This is not to "bible-thump" to you, but this is to help myself. If you have an issue with that, please don't watch the videos. there's no need for you to be insulting with it by leaving nasty comments or even "disliking" the vids I post. I'm not here to do this for anyone but me, but I do hope that you can gain wonderful information with it, and maybe I'll be able to help you through something you're going through.<br /><br /><b>Why I'm doing this</b>:<br />I'm blogging and video logging this, because I want to be sure that I see changes. I may have tons of energy, but I want to SEE it. I want to feel it, I want to verify and have proof that I'm losing and that I'm gaining at the same time.<br /><br /><b>My starting stats</b>:<br />Weight: 261<br />measurements: IDK. I haven't checked. I will before the 1st day of the fast.<br /><br /><br /><b>Today's video</b>:<br /><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JfTcK4m5sbY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-80417856518146841462011-12-19T17:31:00.000-05:002011-12-19T17:31:15.777-05:00Twins, blender murderer and more...I am preggo with twins! Double trouble; two times the blessing! Charlie and I couldn't be more thrilled, however I've had to up my chow intake. boo, scale decided to start climbing up and up. Yeah, I've been crying a little bit lately over that. Chock that one up to increased hormones.<br />
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So, I murdered my blender. no really. I had a preggo brain fart and was putting a mason jar of garlic granules on my shelf and when I thought i had it up on the shelf, I let it go. Yeah. It wasn't on the shelf. The glass pint jar fell and shattered my blender carafe. It was pretty. - Glass, 12 speed, made "snow". I miss it. I have been DYING for a green smoothie. <br />
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After the new year, I'm going to be upping my raw food intake. The way I figure it can only help me, not harm me or the babies. After all, everything I put in my body affects both of us, why not give them the best start possible- but you can read about that in my last post.<br />
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STILL working on my ebook. It'll be out sometime... if my wonderfully amazing husband (not sarcastic there!) stops knocking me up, and after we relocate and I get used to life with twins, in a new place, and if Charlie's mom moves in with us (I'm truly looking forward to that!) life will be a little different, and hopefully I'll be able to get stuff done. :)<br />
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So, that's the news for now. as soon as I'm blenderized again, I'll see what I can do to post a new smoothie or something.<br />
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Blessings in Christ,<div>me. :)</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-57638722724691065992011-08-28T10:30:00.000-04:002011-08-28T10:30:27.807-04:00Raw Pregnancy!I am having a raw pregnancy this time. I want the absolute best for my body and in all honesty, being this big (dare I say obese) during pregnancy is hell on my joints. My hips are already hurting, BUT I'm getting plenty of nutrients in what I'm eating. I have lost 9 lbs this week. I'm rather excited about that! <br />
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I know with the SAD (Standard American Diet) pregnant are expected to gain weight. I get this, because you want the baby to grow. Why do you need to gain 30 lbs? (standard) You only NEED to gain the weight that baby is, the placenta and the fluids. How is htis a hard concept?<br />
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Well, you shouldn't be dieting while pregnant.<br />
you're right. you shouldn't. Raw food isn't a diet. I am eating nutritionally what is right for me and my baby. Answer me a question: which is better, a bag of cheetoes or a bag of salad? any idiot (and some smart people) will of course say salad. So why is it a major deal that I'm eating salad more than anything else?<br />
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I don't see what the problem is. I"m getting 100% nutrition and yet people are worried about me getting nutrition. Sure, makes sense to me.<br />
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What about detox?<br />
my thought on that is this- I'm not a medical doctor, I don't work for hte FDA and if you follow what I'm doing it's on you, not me. Now, with that disclaimer said, even though I might detox into my blood, 1, the placenta is a filter, 2, I am flushing those toxins out. They're not staying in my body. 3- if I continue to eat a greasy cheeseburger, my cells become made of that. my cells become nutrient deprived and "greasy". So do my unborn child's. I breast feed to give my children the best start. The most normal, natural, healthy food for my children, (and I'm doing it to this day!) why wouldn't I start that in-utero? <br />
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Well, last night I made some date mini donut holes and some cauliflower popcorn (I've posted that earlier). Zoe helped suck down the popcorn, and they both helped me eat the donut holes. <br />
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The donut holes recipe:<br />
I didn't measure anything, so I'm winging this. PLEASE suit it to your taste! All measurements are "about".<br />
cup or so of dates, pitted<br />
2T cacao nibs<br />
1/2 c. shredded coconut<br />
1 c. walnuts (soaked)<br />
tsp vanilla extract<br />
few pinches of sea salt.<br />
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process in a food processor until almost a paste consistency. scoop out using a mini scoop, and put on dehydrator sheets. dehydrate 12-14 hours at 115*. remove to plate (or glass mason jar). Just try to deny these to your kids. HA!<br />
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Btw, I started this week at 250, and I'm now down to 241! WHILE pregnant. rather excited. (funny thing, I don't look like I weigh that much, but it still is hard on my joints while I'm pregnant).<br />
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as I'm writing this, the baby is kicking giving me the "kid tested and approved" recipes! LOL!!<br />
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My next endeavour will be an ice cream maker. There's some nut ice creams that I am wanting to make. Ani Phyo has an AMAZING coconut one!! No really, ask Charlie, I've eaten BOWLS of this multiple times before I was pregnant last time and it was hard for me to keep it in stock! It was so delicious and I craved it. <br />
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Well, I'm going to sign off for now, but 9 lbs down. 6 more weeks until Charlie comes home. I'm hoping to surprise him! I'll post pics of progress when I get them. <br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-17551649700122222432011-03-12T08:00:00.000-05:002011-03-12T08:00:32.624-05:00Guess Who's Back!So it's been quite a while since I posted. Last you heard I was pregnant and I'm writing a smoothie E-book. Well, I'm still writing the book, and I had our beautiful son (Nathan) on Janary 14th! <br />
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So much has happened in the past few weeks that for the sake of my health, sanity and thrivation (I'm the author, I can make up words as I go along.) I'm going back raw... again. This time is different and here's why:<br />
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My amazing, wonderful, sweet, meat-and-potatoes husband was just diagnosed with diabetes. Everyone's heard of it, but what it means is that his cells arent' absorbing the sugar in his bloodstream anymore. He's on a pill, not insulin shots and he has to monitor his BSL and we'll find out more as we go along. Don't know if it's type 1 or 2 yet, but he has ZERO signs that he's type 2, for instance, he's not older (33!), he is in no way obese (185lbs at 5'11"), he's not having any problems, vision, sensory, kidney, liver, etc. <br />
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How we found out was we went to get life insurance. the bloodwork came back on him and they refused him. I'm just thankful that we found this out NOW instead of in a few years, when he's driving on the interstate and passes out or something. It's a scary thing.<br />
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So, we've made a pact and I basically told him: "You ARE going raw with me". He is choosing his health, so now it's my duty to find recipes he'll like.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434566087587849306.post-26848416450379612682010-07-02T05:19:00.000-04:002010-07-02T05:19:13.789-04:00SMOOOOOOOTHIIIIIIEEEEEEES!So, a friend of mine who is new to raw keeps begging me for smoothie recipes. She and I have decided that we're going to write a book- of course, we're "babies" to raw (I've been raw for about 2 years, but that doesn't mean that I know everything... no where near it) and while I have an uncook book in the works, my smoothie book will definitely be different.<br />
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I have a sweet tooth like you wouldn't believe. YUM more than you know, baby. I prefer sweet smoothies to straight-up green smoothies. I'm working on it, but it's what my tastes prefer. Just like I can't stand beets. dry, fresh, raw, cooked.... gag. no thanks. <br />
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SO, my decision (though I haven't posted in months- pregnancy kicking my tushie right now!) is that I'm coming up with at minimum 50-75 recipes for smoothies myself, HOWEVER if you want to email me a recipe, you will get FULL credit for it! You are no less important, and you can become immortal by your original (that's the clause!) smoothie recipe. <br />
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hugs, and super glad you checked it out...Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13508152936901566310noreply@blogger.com0