Day 26 of 31 Days of Total Rawness!

Enjoying a hardy bowl of raw granola with slices of bananas and apples before I hit the hiking trails this beautiful Sunday morning with a friend.

It's just been a crazy busy last couple of days and haven't really had the time to be in my raw food kitchen as much as I have wanted to be.  So yesterday I cheated a bit and enjoyed a roasted veggie sandwich while on a road trip with friends.

This week is a doozy too so I'll have to make sure to prep lots of veggies for the week and get cracking on sprouting buckwheat, lentils and other seeds.  It's quite warm these days so they won't take too long to sprout, that is for sure.

Hope you are all having an rawesome Sunday!

Day 23 of 31 Days Total Rawness

Finding it is starting to get difficult to come up with new ideas on my own as to what to eat on a particular day....but love how encouraging my hubby has been!

My fall back meal plans are usually the things that are easy to make, light but yet hardy.

Here are a list of my favourites and what I have been enjoying these past few days since my last post:

• Smoothies are a plus, especially for breakfast.  Easy to make and can throw anything in them!
• Kale Salads, light but very filling and so darn good for you too.  
• Tomato and cucumbers are a must, especially because they are in season and are the main ingredients in my Italian Tomato & Cucumber Salad!  I just brought home a few baskets of tomatoes from my parents garden that I'm going to dehydrate.  Yes...this poor little dehydrator has been working hard for me for the past few weeks! 
• Zucchini, zucchini and more zucchini! Love my zucchini spaghetti diners with either a fresh raw marinara sauce or basil pine nut pesto sauce.
• Fruit...all kinds and particularly what is in season.
• Raw crackers with guacamole! Yum
• Raw veggies with a hummus.
• Raw chili with fresh local corn!
• Almonds, walnuts, and seeds!  I think the squirrels are getting a bit jealous. ;D

What am I C R A V I N G?  A big bowl of 9 bean soup...go figure!

Hope you are having a rawsome day!

Day 20 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

I have to admit that my zucchini plant has been very good to me this year and I'm enjoying zucchini a lot over these past week or so.

For diner tonight, I'm kinda thinking that I would like to have something mexican perhaps a raw chilli or even tacos.

Yes, these are meatless and totally raw, using raw almonds as the meat and lettuce as the taco shell.

Not sure which I'm going to make for tonight but either one will definitely hit the spot!

Here are some pics that I took awhile back of both my raw tacos and chilli!

Have a totally raw day everyone!

Day 18 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

Brrr, its a chilly morning here.

On mornings like this I really enjoy a bowl of sliced apples and bananas topped with almond butter, granola and a drizzle of honey!  Opps no bananas in the house so this morning so it will have to be apples!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

Quick Breakfast
1 organic apple, your choice in variety.
1 medium organic banana
1-2 tablespoons of raw almond butter
1-2 tablespoons of raw sprouted buckwheat and quinoa granola with nuts, dates, raisins.
1/2-1 teaspoon honey drizzled on top

Quick, easy and yummy!

Day 17 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

It's Friday....and today I'll be heading out to my favourite whole food market to pick up some staples for making my raw granola.  While there, I think I'm going to have to try their sunburgers. I've heard that they are really good.  I know I can make my own, but it is always nice to enjoy a truly raw meal out without.  Besides this always inspires me to make my own with my own special twist.  :o)

Have a totally rawsome Friday!

Day 16 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

Half way there!  Really missing a bowl of 9 bean soup though!  That is one of the ways I get my protein in.  Unfortunately it is a cooked soup recipe so for the next 2 weeks it will have to wait as I continue on my 31 days of total rawness.

The last two days have been really busy with spending time with families as I continue to fulfil my teaching commitments.  Meals have been light and on the go.

Today things go back to normal and have a bit more time to prepare more complete raw meals.  Yay

Just checked my small garden and today there are several zucchini ready to be harvested and enjoyed.  My favourite is zucchini spaghetti with raw marinara sauce.  Last week my dehydrator was humming for several days as I dehydrated a basket of tomatoes perfect to make this marinara sauce today.

I also have some string beans left.  With them I will prepare them into a raw marinated string bean salad with baby grape tomatoes and basil dressing.  This will be a totally new experience for me because I've never made a raw string bean salad before.  I'll let you know how it all turns out and will post the recipe if it turns out great.

Have a totally rawsome day everyone!

Day 13 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

Almost half way there and today I buckled.  Yes, I folded the cards and had a cooked lunch.  It consisted of a bowl of roasted red pepper and tomato soup.  I know, I know I could have easily made this at home on my vitamix but the thing is, I wasn't at home.

This morning when I left to teach a yoga class I had no intention of eating lunch out, but as it was a friend of mine whom I haven't seen in almost a month or so called me up to invite me to a tea.  No problem tea I can definitely handle but since she didn't have her car and I had to pick her up and go to the our local favourite cafe, it ended up being lunch time.  When we went in, she said lets have a bite.  I  did mention that they really didn't have anything there for me, but I knew I was putting a damper on our   get together.  So I folded and said okay...I'll have a bowl of soup.

So there you go...I buckled and had something cooked.

At first I was upset but then as time went on I just forgave myself and moved on.

Watch me as I jump back on the wagon and go full steam ahead.

Breakfast today consisted of raw cinnamon granola with almond milk
Diner: large tomato cucumber salad with green onions, oregano and olive oil.  Raw crackers with avocado guacamole.
Snacks: fresh fruit, handful of raw nuts, and one of my delicious raw chocolate chip cookies

Day 12 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

Feeling a bit off today, more tired than anything.  Woke up in the middle of the night by my dog Ginger as she was laying by our bedroom door pawing the door in her sleep. Once awake, it was very difficult to get back to sleep.

It's been another day of on and off rain here and the humidity level quite high so my poor dehydrator has been working overtime trying to dehydrate tomatoes.  They will probably be ready sometime tonight.  I'll just keep checking every couple of hours.

As for raw food today...well I'm feeling a bit lazy today and don't have the energy to come up with something new in my kitchen, so I'm keeping it easy with my raw food prep too.

Easy raw granola for breakfast, large kale salad with walnuts for lunch, and spiralized zucchini spaghetti for diner with marinara sauce.

My snacks today consisted of a green superfruit smoothie with added protein and fresh fruit this afternoon.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Day 11 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

As promised here is a picture of my newest raw cookie.  Looks like macadamia white chocolate cookie but its not!  Sorry to disappoint.  I know who much we enjoy chocolate.

These cookies are such a delight.  A burst of pineapple in every bite with the crunch of macadamia and the creaminess of cashews.  Yum!

Day 10 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

It's raining again here and that is not going to dampen my spirits!

Did I mention I like rainy days?  I think I did yesterday, didn't I?  I just love how things just seem to slow down for me on a rainy day.

I'm so excited to tell you about a new cookie recipe that I developed yesterday.  Not sure what to call these cookies yet but they are delicious.

Made with raw cashews and macadamia nuts, fresh sweet pineapple and coconut these will be great with a cup of tea while enjoying a good book on a rainy day, just like today.

No photos yet as they are still in the dehydrator.  I'm trying to achieve a crisp cookie texture so more dehydration time is required.  Taking a small piece of my sample cookie at the front of the dehydrator, I was pleasantly surprised at the burst of sweet pineapple flavour.  So light tasting and I love the creaminess from the combination of macadamia and cashew nuts.  Not overly sweet but sweet enough to tame the cookie monster in me!  P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

This recipe is definitely a keeper!

I'll post a photo once they come out of the dehydrator.  Stay posted!!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Day 9 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

It's raining!

I love rainy days, they give me an opportunity to relax and enjoy the comfort of my own home.  I feel blessed that I can do that and not have anywhere to go but commit to two very important things in my life other than family.  My health and my yoga practice.  Everything else fits into place on it's own and no need to tamper iwthit

As you probably have figured out by now, I'm constantly looking for something new to come up with.  Today it's a new cookie recipe.  My raw chocolate chip cookies are a huge success with my friends and family but now I think it's time to come up with something that is, shall I say, fancy and a real treat to enjoy with a cup of afternoon tea.  I'm thinking of something a little more decadent and light tasting.


Check in tomorrow to find out what I've made and how they have turned out!

Day 8 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

Busy morning and early afternoon so I'm keeping it light today.

Just got back from visiting my parents who live in the city.  My mom has an amazing garden growing this year.  Came back with a basket full of various varieties of tomatoes and a small basket full of fresh basil.

Over the next couple of days I'll be dehydrating the tomatoes so that we can enjoy them over the winter months. Since it is still early and there will be more coming, I will be making a pesto with the basil and storing it in the freezer.  Quick and easy to use during the winter months as well.

No new recipes today, I'm going to be enjoying what is left of my sprouted quinoa salad and my maple sausage rounds that I made and dehydrated yesterday.

By the way the sausage rounds turned out okay, just in case you were wondering.  Before I share that recipe with you I'll have to optimize it a bit.  I think I added too much cumin for my liking!  They are good thought and with a drizzle of maple syrup, I sure can't complain.  ;o)

Day 7 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

I'm pumped!

There has been a change in my plans today which frees me up to go create something new in my raw food kitchen.

My hubby has been so supportive.  He loves what I'm doing for myself and others and encourages me every day to continue.

With his encouragement I just recently became one of 20 lifetime members of Russell James' Raw Chef Academy.  Allowing me to continue on my raw food journey but also an opportunity to meet and work with Russell in developing my skills as my own raw food chef.

Inspired by Russell's  kilted sausage recipe, today I'm going to try and make my own version of my hubby's favourite maple flavoured sausage rounds.

Day 7 and I'm loving how I'm feeling!

Ready to join me for one day and eat more raw?

Day 6 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

Wow, it's already been 6 days!

I have to admit that this time around going 100% raw is so much easier.  Not sure if it's because of all the fresh local organic produce or if it has been more an attitude change.  I kinda think it is a bit of both.

I'm a firm believer that if you let your instinct guide you, you can create some amazing stuff.  Doesn't have to be complicated. It just has to be a lot of fun.  This is what I'm doing while experimenting and developing my own recipes in my raw food kitchen, having fun!

Today i'm going to be putting together a raw sprouted quinoa salad for diner.  I just hope that the quinoa which is currently sprouting is ready to tonight.  I can just begin to see some of the seeds form small sprouts.  It doesn't take long from this point but if it's not ready...no big deal.  Back up diner menu...Raw Food Yogini's gourmet crackers with cashew cream cheese served with a side of carrot sticks, cucumber slices and raw beet hummus!

Hope you are having fun too!

Day 5 or 31 Days of Total Rawness

Sunday and I'm taking a day off.

No teaching
No cooking...he he he  I mean prep work (no cooking when eating 100% raw)

Just relaxing and enjoying the day with easy meals and watching some great tennis.  That is if it doesn't rain.

Easy meals today like raw sprouted buckwheat granola, home made raw crackers topped with slices of veggies or hummus, lots of fruit and lots of raw fresh veggies and of course raw snacks (my raw kale chips and raw trail mix).  Yup it's going to be a relaxing day.

Below I would like to share with you my recipe for last nights stuffed peppers.

Raw Stuffed Pepper

Raw Sprouted Quinoa and Zucchini Stuffed Peppers 

2 small sweet bell peppers (colour of your choice)
1 zucchini (cubed)
1/2 cup soaked and peeled almonds (chopped)
1/2 chilli pepper (I use jalapeño in most of my recipes)
1/2 cup sprouted quinoa
1 tsp pumpkin seed oil
Salt to taste

Marinate peppers with tamari for several hours at room temperature to soften.
If sprouted quinoa is dry, soak for a warm water to soften
Place all other ingredients in a bowl, salt to taste and let marinate for 30 minutes until ready to assemble.

Remove peppers from marinade, mix quinoa into veggie mix, stuff peppers and enjoy!

Delicious!

Day 4 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

It's day 4 and the rocket boosters have been started!

I love the energy I feel by the end of the 3rd day when I shift my diet from 80 to 100% raw.  Can't believe how after a busy day I'm not all that tired in the evening and when I fall asleep it's a deep sleep.  Feeling totally refreshed in the morning and ready to go.

Thank goodness because it's going to be another busy day today.

Today in my raw food kitchen I'm going to make stuffed purple peppers that I picked up at the organic farm.  Not sure what I'm going to be using for the stuffing part just yet but that's the beauty about having fun in the kitchen.  For now...better get the peppers into a marinade to bring out more flavour.

Have a great Saturday everyone...and if you haven't been to a local farmers market recently....make today your day.  Who knows what gems you'll find!

Day 3 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

It's Friday!!!! Yuppie!!!!

Why so happy?  I'm heading to my favourite organic farm to see what they have for me this week!

Wish list:
peppers
kale
eggplant
peaches
plums
tomatoes
onions

and anything else that speaks to me while browsing.

hmmm, I'm thinking of raw stuffed peppers for diner, that is if I get home in plenty of time to get them in a marinade.  If not it will be a raw pizza topped with thinly sliced marinated peppers, onions, and kale.

The stuffed peppers will have to wait till tomorrow!

Have a happy Friday everyone!

Day 2 of 31 Days of Total Rawness

I'm still on a high note from yesterday.

Noticing that when waking up early and going to bed late it is of utmost importance to space out meals and snacks so that I eat every couple of hours.

Today in my raw food kitchen I'm going to make a few batches of my raw crackers so that when the munchies do set in I'll have something available to satisfy any hunger pangs.  I love my raw crackers, unlike the baked variety a few will do.  Spread on some cashew cream cheese or some guacamole and voila.  They are great for road trips as well or when I know I'm going to be away from home for the day.  Great snack food along with a fruit or two.

Hmmm, since the dehydrator will be on I might as well make a batch of raw chocolate chip cookies as well.  You know for those times when you just need to have a cookie with your cup of tea! ;)

Off I go with my strawberry banana smoothie in hand to get going on my raw sprouted buckwheat crackers!  and the cookies of course!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup of almond milk
1 splash of vanilla
1/2 scoop of green vibrance
a few ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and whirl until smooth and creamy!

Yum

31 Days of Total Rawness - Day 1

Here it goes 100% raw for 31 days in one of the years most abundant months for fresh local vegetables and fruits.

6 months ago in February I decided to commit to my raw diet and eat raw for 28 days.  Yes, there was some struggles and I discovered what worked best for me was to maintain a diet consisting of 60-80% raw, especially in the winter.

So you are probably wondering why I'm doing this again.

This time there are a couple of differences.  Living in Southern Ontario we are blessed to have a green belt that provides us with a lot of fresh local produce at this time of year.

Yesterday at the St. Jacobs market we picked up some naturally grown baby orange and red beets.  These little beauties are so sweet on their own so dressing them up in a salad doesn't really take all that much.

Here is the Raw Food Yogini's Recipe for Raw Beet Salad.

Raw Baby Beet Salad
2 cups sliced baby beets
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
4-6 walnut halves

Dill Vinaigrette
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (Braggs)
1/2 tsp cold pressed pumpkin seed oil
1 tbsp chopped dill
1/2 tsp agave
2 tbsp lemon juice
salt to taste
Mix till salt is dissolved, add to beets and onions and toss.

For best results allow the salad to sit for a couple of hours stirring occasionally to bring flavours together!

Enjoy!

Orange & Red Beets

Raw Baby Beet Salad
with Walnuts