Raw Food Real Food | Living Sustainably

Raw Tomato, Macadamia Cheese & Caramelized Onion Tart

I catered a lunch to be filmed for InStyle Magazine TV yesterday. As I brought out dessert, the film crew turned the camera on me and the interviewer asked me about the dishes I created. I froze and barely whispered what they were - LOL. It's for Korean TV, so hopefully I'll be dubbed. I made an all-raw lunch of Zucchini with Walnut Basil Pesto; Heirloom Tomato & Herb Salad; Raw Tomato, Macadamia Cheese & Caramelized Onion Tarts; and Blueberry Cobbler with Cashew Whipped Cream. Unfortunately, I only had a chance to take a photo of the Tarts. [caption id="attachment_4191" align="aligncenter" width="461" ...

Giveaway: Big Fat Organic Coconut Chips!

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING! Big fat coconut chips! I love 'em because they're so versatile. I can use them in an impromptu trail mix with nuts and goji berries (shreds and flakes are too small to grab by the handful); add them on top of a yummy dessert like coconut cream pie to make it look STUNNING; or pulse them down finer, if I need smaller flakes or even coconut flour in a jiffy. One of my fave quickie desserts is to melt a couple tablespoons of coconut oil, stir in cacao, maca, mesquite and lucuma powder until ...

Wild Foraging in NJ

Hey guys! Here is my photo album of some of the wonderful wild plant foods you can find locally in the NY/NJ area. These were taken during a foraging tour with Wildman Steve Brill in Central Park in early April. I highly recommend going foraging with someone who knows there stuff just to be sure you don't pick something poisonous. The availability changes seasonally so foraging every week can produce new and different edibles. Just make sure you select an area away from traffic and that is not treated with pesticides. Ever since I took the class, I can't walk outside ...

Classic Indian Sweet – Revisited & Raw

I still remember the sweet shops when I lived in India for a month studying Ashtanga - neat rows of tantalizing bite-size treats. The shop owners used to laugh at my pronunciation when I placed an order, but I didn’t care. It was worth the humiliation. Washed down with cool coconut water from a freshly cut coco, it was the perfect end to a hard day of yoga and lounging around steamy Mysore. [caption id="attachment_3718" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption=""Rows of Indian Sweets!""][/caption] For the longest time, I thought about recreating burfi (also spelled ‘barfi’ but that sounds so unappetizing - lol) into a ...

Cloves Cinnamon Cacao – Wow!

I've always heard people proclaim that chocolate is high on the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale but I could never really find the proof - until now. I found this study from the USDA that compares the ORAC values of food. The top five per 100 grams in descending order are cloves, cinnamon, oregano, tumeric and cocoa powder. So chocolate REALLY is up there! [caption id="attachment_3559" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption=""Top Foods in ORAC Value""][/caption] When ranked by typical serving, a square of unsweetened baking chocolate knocked cloves out of the number one spot (since you wouldn't typically eat 100g of cloves,) followed ...

‘What’s in the Fridge’ Raw Nori Roll

I was looking in my fridge, trying to decide what to make. Cauliflower, mixed greens, sprouts, avocado...yay, raw nori roll!! So I took out my mini food processor and started tossing things in. This recipe makes one roll. The specs aren't too exact, so experiment with what you have - you just can't go wrong. ;) Raw Nori Roll for One [caption id="attachment_3356" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption=""Raw Sushi Roll for One""][/caption] Cauliflower "Rice" half a head of cauliflower 2 diced spring onions 1/4 cup pine nuts 1 tsp tamari sauce juice of 1/2 lemon 1) Pulse cauliflower until rice-like. 2) Add the rest of ingredients and pulse again until combined. 3) Taste ...

Blender Mayo-amazing!

I avoided mayonnaise for the looongest time because I, like millions of Americans fell for the nationwide “fat is bad for you” hoopla pushed by the USDA for decades. Then when I went raw vegan, mayo was definitely a no-no and creaminess was replaced with nuts and avocado. But since reading more and more about nutrition, the work of Weston Price and even some raw food advocates like Dr. Mercola and Dr. Stanley Bass who recommend raw eggs, I’m finding creative ways to add them to my diet and mayo fits the bill nicely! So Why Raw Eggs? "Eggs supply all essential amino ...

Food Review: Askinosie Chocolate

I like to think of myself as somewhat of a chocolat connoisseur. For the longest time, I didn't indulge because I had really bad acne and chocolate aggravated it. It wasn't until years later that I found out that it wasn't the "chocolate" cacao bean itself, it was all the crap other unrecognizable ingredients that went into a typical SAD chocolate bar. After I went high raw and discovered raw cacao, wow! - not only could I eat it, but now it was good for me (in moderation, of course. ;)) Since then I've expanded my repertoire to include high quality ...

Roasted Garlic Goodness

When I last fired up my oven to make a batch of roasted veggies, I decided to try out my new (used) garlic roaster that I got for free. (Thank you Freecycle!) The garlic came out awesome! I mixed some of the garlic paste with my roasted cauliflower instead of roasting crushed garlic WITH the cauliflower. Much better! After squeezing a few cloves directly into my mouth - YUM! - I put what was left of the bulb into a little jar to use with other dishes. (I probably walk around reeking like a big old garlic clove and I don't ...

EcoFriendly Glass Drinking Straws

I just got a new glass straw from Glass Dharma. Love it! :) I chose the 8" smoothie size with green decorative dots. The dots are key, so it doesn't roll off the counter and break. The diameter is a roomy 12mm - perfect for my thick smoothies and elixirs. There are several other drinking straw styles, sizes and colors to chose from. I also got the stainless steel cleaning brush. The brush is tres important. My first glass straw got a bit cloudy after use because it's narrower and I didn't have a good way to clean it well. But ...

Raw Dark Chocolate Walnut Bark Recipe

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to post a little reminder that the Valentine's Day Coconut Giveaway ends tomorrow at 11:59pm. A winner will be drawn via random.org. As I write this, there are only 44 entries so there's a very good chance of winning. And the more you enter, the better your odds! Here is a Valentine's Day recipe that you can make with your coconut oil windfall - Raw Walnut Chocolate Bark. The lucuma powder and stevia sweeteners make it low glycemic. The maca powder adds a malty flavor. Maca is an adaptogen, which means it has the ability to balance ...

Feb 2010: Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OVER. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING. CHECK THE SIDEBAR FOR THE CURRENT GIVEAWAY. Quality coconut oil really does make a difference in food prep. I made a favorite quick dish yesterday - pan seared scallops with arugula sauteed in garlic and coconut oil (picture above) and it came out fabulous! So if you've been following my blog, you know that I decided to review four organic coconut oils. Tropical Traditions ranked the highest overall. To be honest with you, I have tasted some premium coconut oils nearly as good as Tropical Traditions, but what gave them the edge is ...

Raw Christmas Canapes in July

I just made these little raw canapes last weekend for friends. They were really yummy and cute. Rolling them up and tying them with the chive without tearing it - tricky! I had a few casualties which I had to sacrifice and eat ;) but after the first couple, I had an assembly line going. I think soaking the chives in water helps make it more pliable. [caption id="attachment_1834" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Raw Amuse Bouche"][/caption] The recipe is called "Rolled Courgette Ribbons with Sweet Beet Paté" from Russell James Christmas Recipe E-book. I omitted the beetroot juice and agave because I'm trying to ...

Melty Chocolate Chunk Walnut unCookie

Sundays + rain = time to do some unbaking! I was itching for a sweet treat but too lazy to go out, so I started scavenging the cupboards. Cacao, lucuma, almond butter, walnuts, maca - all the makings of a quick yum pot, but I wanted MORE. Something special. A really raw decadent chocolate chip cookie! So I started rifling through my recipes and came across an all-time sure-fire winner - the infamous chocolate chunk walnut cookie from Sweet Gratitude. They came out AMAZING! Now this ain't one of your lickity-split, easy peasy raw recipes. It takes time and a whole ...

Adventures Across Oz – Part 1

Yep I did it. Crossed the continent of Australia from West to East Coast. On the "wrong" side of the road no less. lol. It was easier than I thought. The Nullarbor Plain was the most challenging part - just looooong stretches of desert with a roadhouse every 200k's or so. Luckily some very bored people have created man-made "landmarks" to keep you entertained - like the sneaker tree, the water bottle tree, the shoe tree and yes, the underwear tree. There are wild camels, dingos, wombats and of course, the ever present Aussie kangaroos, living on the Nullarbor. Was hoping to ...

Day 174 – Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway

by lilla on June 6, 2008

I had planned on doing some cardio and weight-training today but it just didn’t happen. I hung out at home all day catching up on work… and thinking. I’ve had a really odd feeling lately that I’m at a crossroad and some big changes are coming. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m not sure if I want to stay in NJ or move on to something new. I’ve been thinking about going back to the Vipassana Meditation Center for 10-days of service followed by 10-days of secluded meditation. There is absolutely NO internet access there (you’re not allowed to use phones, read books or even talk) so I don’t know what that would mean to my Council eligibility.

I was watching Oprah today and this quote caught my attention: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” I love it. It can be applied to so many things – new adventures, career moves, relationships, even transformations. Sometimes I think I ‘m subconsciously scared to attain my full body transformation and I keep sabotaging myself when I get close. Mentally, I want to go back to my smaller body and weight and I have all the resources I need to do it, but something within me is holding me back. I really need to breakthrough this block with my upcoming mission.

I guess I’m also missing my life back in Arizona. I feel like I was such a different person then. I didn’t care for material things, just experiences and people. I lost that connection, that “knowing” and I want to get back to that place. I should be able to access it from wherever I am, whenever I want but my NJ life and the responsibilities that come with it make it harder.

I’m just making excuses and rambling now, so I’ll cut this post short. On the plus side, I did work out my nutrition plan for my next mission and this weekend I’ll firm up my workout plan. I also finally contacted a bunch of my NJ friends that I’ve been avoiding. It was fun reconnecting with them on the phone but I’m also feeling the pressure of finding time to meet up with them all now.

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Debbie

Lilla, thanks for your honesty. For me, the more obsessive I become about my weight, bodyfat, calories, etc, the more it seems to slow down my progress. It's a mental block and I get disappointed with myself that I put so much emphasis on those things when there are much larger issues that could use my time & focus.

Good luck on your decision. I know it won't be an easy one.
Michael

Lilla, this post reminded me of why I really love you so much. You are not afraid to say exactly what you feel. I think it was an extremely brave post today. I can definitely say I understand the sabotage thing. I feel like that happens with my training at times. I think it is healthy that you are examining these issues. You will end up deciding upon a path that is best for you. You are extremely bright and intelligent and you are in touch with yourself. All of that combined will get you to where you need to be.
Suzette

well, I vote for the "kick-ass shred mission" !! That is my goal for my firm butt challenge/"harley" mission, to literally "kick ass"! lol.
do hope you find your way. It is my opinion that the only way to true inner peace is through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I know you can do this, too!
Marbella

Forget to say Lilla that don´t want to lose you. Hope things work out where we have access to you and your life. You do mean a lot to me and to this group. Sending good *find the way* vibes.
Lynda
Marbella

This finding our way in life is always such a hard road. Hard to find it, and hard to do it when we do. The body transformation seems to be at the heart of it all. Only WE can do that for ourselves, and wonder why we don´t just do it, get ourselves to the spot where we feel at our very BEST, and live life from there? That´s what I want to do. Time is running out on doing that...and still am NOT. Why? One thing for sure. We each have a place that is the sweet spot. Find it and find xanadú!
Lynda
Bob

Hi Lilla, It's incredible but I feel the same feeling in my life. Maybe our physical transformation is taking a too important part of our life. Imagine that you are forced to stop training for 6months, your body would breack down; even if you won't totaly go back in your past shape what would happen? depression? I'm totally scared about that but I can only keep shredding like a sport junky. I realize that sport has given me self confidence and satisfaction but it has also generate personal troubles (work, family).
I did not manage to structure my professional and family life : And I have focused all my hopes on the only things which brought me some satisfactions; doing sport...

take care

Bob
Mike Groom

Lilla - sorry to hear your woes! You will get through it though. The Universe will send something your way I know it.

I was talking to someone this morning about the "all or nothing" mentality. It's something that I struggle with also.
www.kalililla.com

Thank you for your thoughtful posts, Suz and Diane.

I wish I could say with exactness why I self-sabotage myself. Right now I feel like I could go either way - either into a downward binge cycle or a kick-ass shred mission. Why is it always all or nothing?

I know I can do this!
My 1-2-3 Fat Loss Solution

Lilia: I was moved after reading your post...you have to do what is best for you...what is in your gut...do it. Sometimes we hesitate cause we don't know what's ahead...the unknown scares us, but you don't want to live in regret do you? Shouda/coulda/woulda?/remove all the a's and do what your heart is saying...confirmation will come to show you the right timing...praying for you.
Suzette

Lilla, You're quote reminds me of a quote from Joyce Meyer from one of her books, "Confident Woman". "Do it afraid."
I know what you mean about getting back to a place you were in the past. I don't think I have had the same drive and determination about my weight loss since my initial "mission" when I first started losing weight, before I even found Adam. I was in a zone then. nothing was going to get in my way of reaching my goal(lose 30lbs by Christmas). I have had so many plateau's since...not just weight loss plateau's but mental plateau's. I think I am getting closer though. I think what you focus on is something to think about.

why do you think we self-sabotage? what is it that we are afraid of?