Getting Back to the Basics of Raw Foods

Hello Every One,

I hope you are enjoying the rest of Summer.

The fall season is just off the horizon and I wanted to get back to the basic foundation of raw foods. I love the 12 STEPS TO RAW FOODS BY VICTORIA BOUTENKO. One of the many poineers of this beautiful lifestyle. I wanted to share the basic five flavors from this book, so that you can create simple, tasty inexpensive raw gourmet meals.

1. For a sour taste add: cranberries, lemon grass, lemons, tomatoes, sauerkraut, nut or seed yogurt, apple cider vinegar.

2. For a sweet taste add: dried fruit, fresh ripe fruits, apple juice, orange juice, raw agave nectar, raw honey, or fresh stevia leaves.

3. For a spicy taste add: garlic, onion, cloves, ginger, mustard seed, radish, horseradish, cayenne pepper, wasabi seaweed, and herbs fresh or dry.

4. For salty taste add: celery, dill,parsley, cilantro, sea vegetable's, kelp, nori, arame, Celtic sea salt.

5. For bitter taste add: parsley, endive, garlic, onion, dandelion, bay leaf, sage poultry seasoning, or cayenne pepper.

Now that you know some basic seasonings, you can use two or up to five flavors. If you are beginnig, I suggest you use two flavors.  The more experience you acquire, all five flavors can be balanced in a dish.

BASIC SOUP

The base

Five flavors - add something that will float. Like gated vegetables or chunks of avocado. Chooped parsley or other herbs.

 1 cup of water

1 stalk of celery

1 tablespoon of olive oil

mix everything in a blender except the floating vegetables or herbs.

NUT BURGERS

1 cup of any nuts

1cup any vegetables

1 tablespoon oil to make it stick together

Five flavors

Mix in a food processor.

DELICIOUS CANDY OR CAKE DOUGH

1 cup any nuts

1cup any dried fruits

1 tablespoon oil to make it stick together

spices (optional)

Mix in a food processor.

DELICIOUS DRESSING

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoon olive oil

five strong flavors

Blend well

DELICIOUS NUT OR SEED MILK

1/2 cup any nuts or seeds, soaked in water overnight

1 cup of water
1 tablespoon sweetener (optional)

Blend well and strain through a nut milk bag. For skim milk use more water.

I created a simple carrot, beet and cucumber salad. I wanted a spicy/sour flavor.

Enjoy!

Thank You for Reading

Peace and Light to You

Walking the High Line

Hello Everyone ,
I was walking along the High Line and saw these artist working on this wall mural. The colors are perfect for this summer season. I will go back to see the finished project.
For those of you who haven't visited this new area yet. The High Line is a public park built over a historic freight rail line. This is elevated above the streets of New York's West side. The entrances are located on 30th street, 23rd street and 14th street.

This was a beautiful idea for New York City.


This place gives you a lift.

I enjoyed looking at the High Line Zoo.




The areas for nature are the "Wild flower fields" located close to the 30th street entrance. Then further downtown is the "Woodland Flyover", the "23rd street lawn" and the "Chelsea Grassland".











































Keeping well hydrated during this heat was a little challenging. I go a little sick, sweating too fast and not replacing the water fast enough. Now I drink more than a half a glass every hour during the day. The key thing for me is not to feel thirsty.







Making Zucchini noodles have been on my menu for the past week. Here I made a onion almond sauce and added bean sprouts.





Plenty of Raw vegetable soups ! Yum.












Interested piece of work I created. This slip dress consist of black lace from a 1950's slip and a vintage 70's wrap skirt. The wrap skirt material reminds of the sun. I put them together for an affect of an Eclipse of the sun.

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Hot Sunday

Hello Every one,

Summer for me is about wearing cool fabrics and layering thin natural fibers to keep the body cool. I don't know how women wear tight jeans in 90 degree heat. How do you gals do it ?
I'm taking extra care of my skin during this summer. Internal nutrition for the skin is more important than the outside products. I'm increasing my intake of avocado, aloe vera juice, vitamin A and B complexes.
Just a good reminder. Ripe avocado's contains high amount of fruit oils. It also has fourteen minerals. This helps regulate the body functions and growth. The avocado has a balance of sodium and potassium. This gives it a high alkaline reaction when eaten. I need all the rich oils available. Any vegetable that is good for nourishing the skin - I'll eat double the amount.
Remember back in the past when our skin would naturally exfoliate and the quick rate of renewal left the young skin healthy looking with a glowing complexion every 28 days. That was age 14. Now Products with volcanic stone is needed to exfoliate the build up of dead skin. I made my own natural product by taking almonds and grinding them up into a fine powder to remove dull skin. I do this twice a month. Also, a lack of sleep, exercise and fast foods contributes to dull appearance of skin. Our skin is very important. The only time we think about the skin - if we are looking into the mirror and hollering about a wrinkle. Our skin is the first line of defense by keeping out germs. It maintains water and salt balance within the body. Protects our delicate internal organs. Take good care of it.

The fun way of keeping myself cool.......................................................I've been eating fresh made fruit Popsicle . This batch only lasted three days. I'm down to the last two. These were made from bananas, natural vanilla bean, raw agave syrup, almond butter, almond milk and coconut meat. I blend it smooth and poured the mixture into the mold. Next, I'm going to make a passion fruit flavor. I'll add just a little raw agave syrup. This is what you need.

Passion Fruit:
4 strawberries
1 large chuck pineapple
1 bunch of black grapes

Enjoy !

pant skirt - self made
white cotton top - " American Warehouse"

This self made garment is special to me. After my mom passed, I'm entitled of support from her hospice care organization in New York. Without giving detailed information, this material was given to me as a gift from one of the bereavement counselors. A woman from Africa was hired to work in this country. She discovered she was terminally ill with cancer. Her purpose for working here was sending money back home to support her children with their education. The hospice care organization came to her aid. They were raising money to send her back home. But she passed away during the effort. Before her passing, she donated several pieces of cloth to show appreciation. I feel very honored to have received this cloth. I will wear this with much pride. Thank you. I pray for the health and good fortune for her children.


Thank you for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Healing The Shoulder

Hello Every one,

I am enjoying this pleasant Sunday. Did my short walk to get some breath into the lungs. For the past couple of weeks, I've been experiencing a pinched nerve in my left shoulder. For those of who don't know what that feels like...............It's like a long sharp needle jammed into the softest part of the shoulder. Getting to sleep was a nightmare. In the mornings, my neck was so stiff. The only option is pain medication and wearing a big soft collar. Taking pain medication is the last thing for me. I don't believe in covering up or blocking the symptom(s). This tension and stress has been building up in that shoulder area for a while. The pinch nerve was my body telling me "I had enough". Pain medication and a soft collar would be a temporary relief. The truth is, it is up to me to relieve the cause or source of the pitch nerve.
I asked for help from friends who are holistic practitioners. My dear friend referred me to a massage therapist/natural healer. My benefit was a free hour session. The body work was uncomfortable at first due to the tension I held in my shoulders. Then I was instructed to worked with my breath as her fingers worked on tender spots. I was told to breathe into it. My body was completely relaxed after the session. I continued to follow the breathing exercise to release the tension in that area.
Trying to hold everything together is the cause of my problem. I'm placing so much weight on my shoulders. I'm consciously giving up " I must anticipate the outcome". This is an old way of thinking. It does not serve me anymore. Taking on trusting life is the challenge. It is hard to remember at times that we are here on this planet to live lives rich in life experiences not to live lives of desperation. Every day I am doing an act of fulfillment . As I work on inner transformation, my shoulder area is healing.
Thank you for your listening.


I've been working on a spouted buckwheat pancake. The dehydrating time was only four hours. A whipped nut mixture spread is on top. Can't make up my mind if I want banana or blueberry sauce to go over it. I chose the blueberry sauce. I'll add teaspoon of fresh orange juice and raw agave if needed. When you are preparing raw foods, it is fun to experiment and create dishes.


Enjoy !

Bag/Blouse - vintage
white skirt - American Warehouse
flower ring - self made
sandals - John Fluevog

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Sample Sale Finds

Hello Every one,

Summer is just around the corner. The 20th is the first day of summer. I've treated myself to a few accessories from Alexia Crawford. This is the time to add a little spark to the wardrobe. This bird bracelet has a 1920's look to it. Costume jewelery became popular after 1920. The new look in fashion for women became casual and sporty. The priceless stones that were only seen in formal wear, could not go dancing with the flappers. The Art Deco movement opened the public view point that appearance in jewelry was more fascinating than the cost of precious stones. Now every women had the opportunity to decorate herself with unique one of kind jewelry.

I received my flyer in the mail. There will be a another sample sale in August. If you are interested visit the site. www.alexiacrawford.com.





I've been going to this sample sale for years. In the past, you could find me visiting every sample sale advertised. Now, I just browse and shop with this company. Alexia Crawford offers an inexpensive way to collect your costume jewelry. You won't feel guilty about spending money. It's for us girls on a tight budget. The price range is from $5 - $ 20 dollars. I asked the designer permission to take pictures. She was cool about the pictures. The collection has been presented earlier to the retail store buyers. No concerns about stealing designs.






















My tray is always full in the beginning. But after one hour, I purchased two items.



I was thinking about several items.























This necklace caught my eye. I was told it was the only sample made, so I grabbed it quickly.

There are plenty of mirrors around the showroom. What a great piece I found, very universal. I don't have to worry about it clashing .

It has made a home hanging on my wall.

Thank you for reading
Peace and Light to You

Sunday for Primavera

Hello Everybody

Hope your Memorial weekend is going well.
The early rain did not stop New Yorkers from entering Central Park. People are out there setting up their picnic areas with big plastic bags underneath them.

"Happiness is" getting to walk my friend Mr. Bo Jo this morning. He was happy to see me too.




These Mushrooms or fungus resemble the shape of a morning glory flower. I don't know what kind of fungus it is or is it edible. If central park was free of harmful bacteria, I would have free mushrooms. I think one of these would make an attractive garnish. I would add one of them on the side of the Zucchini Primavera recipe from the "Raw Food For Everyone" by Alissa Cohen. I topped mine with a Parmesan cheese made of cashews. The dish in the book calls for the Pine Nut Romano.
The Raw cheese takes a little time to make. I don't do that as of yet. I do a quick version of raw cheese.





ZUCCHINI PRIMAVERA

1 cup of cashews
1 cup pine nuts
1 cup fresh basil leaves
4 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 large zucchinis, peeled into wide strips with a vegetable peeler
4 cups assorted unroasted vegetables for example : broccoli, carrots, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, cauliflower, bell pepper, and peas, tossed with extra virgin olive oil, grated garlic, salt and pepper and dehydrate for 3 hours.
splash of extra virgin olive oil


1. Put the cashews, pine nuts, basil, 2 of the garlic cloves, the salt, and pepper in a vita-mix. Add 2 cups of water and blend until very smooth. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

2. Toss the zucchini pasta and warm-from -the-dehydrator vegetables with about half of the basil cream sauce, adding more as necessary. Divide among 4 plates. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on some salt and cheese shaving. Serve immediately.
Enjoy with your friends !



Sorry for the mess in the picture. A tenant was either moving out our in, so the back entrance has left over debris .
My outfit has been recycled. My grey sweater is now short sleeve. The once over-stretched lavender sweater was re-sewn and made into a tank top. The light color skirt was once a weird fitting dress. I cut the top section off and added rubber in the waist. I'm wearing grey rain boots from Hunter.


Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Lemon Sunday

Hello Every one,
Lemons have been on my taste buds for the past three days. A lemon-ginger Aide to drink and Lemon Pudding were made. I understand the craving. Spring season is the time when the body intelligence wants to do its"spring cleaning". Lemons are full of vitamin C and fiber. Lemons are perfect to help clean the inside. Plus a great cleanser for the liver and blood. Just don't over do it because lemons can thin the blood.
The raw recipe for lemon pudding will not be yellow. It will be green. The texture is velvety smooth and the taste is wonderful. A little Agave nectar for extra sweetness may be needed. From Alissa Cohen "Living on Live Food".

LEMON PUDDING

1 cup dates, pitted and soaked
1 avocado
2 whole lemons, peeled

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Enjoy.

I know , I know......... you read the Avocado. It took me a while to trust that Avocado is a fruit and is the foundation for most raw food recipes. The lemon will take over the vegetable flavor and the dates will be sweet.



I've been working on a design inspired by the early 1930's lingerie patterns. I love going on line and observing the delicate undies of that time. Dandelion Vintage sells vintage trimmings and textiles as early as the Edwardian Years. I brought the white lace trim from the early 1900. The sewing was done by hand due to the delicate fibers. The tiny polka dot cotton fabric is from Fabric.com. Pin tucks are in the center bodice. The dress is lined with a light weight silk fabric.




The pattern is very simple, true to the 1930's slip designs.


Nice touch to add a blouse with a Dragon Design.


Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You