Winter Skin Repair

Hello Everyone,

I've been preparing a juice that is great for my skin. If you suffer from dry skin in the winter time like me, you know how worse it gets when the thermostat is on. My radiator is sooooo old the knob won't budge. I'm never without a big bottle of body lotion , a humidifier and a gallon of water to drink. This juice is very hydrating. The juice is made with 2 cucumbers, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1 carrot and 1/2 an apple.
Enjoy.








I used the HealthMaster. The trick is adding more water. Fresh raw foods has vital nutrients to contribute to healthy skin. The benefits surpass the chemical-laden commercial beauty products. When your inside is healthy the outside will reflect a natural beauty.

thermal top, sweater dress and leggings all from "Made in America warehouse"
belt- find oultet
boots - john fluevog

Thank You for Reading
Peace and light to You

Raw Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Gravy

Hello Every one,

I prepared a side dish that I loved as a child. My mom could never make enough of this for me. It was Mashed Potatoes and Gravy made with real butter. After going raw, the craving for butter is gone. A stick of butter looks weird to me now. The Raw version of my favorite dish, taste like the real thing. The Mushroom Gravy adds more flavor to the dish. During the winter time I make sure my vegetables are at room temperature. Can't eat cold food in the winter.
From the Living on Live Food by Alissa Cohen.



MASHED POTATOES AND MUSHROOM GRAVY

Mashed Potatoes:
2 cups soaked cashews
2 cups water
1 head cauliflower
1/4 medium onion
1 teaspoon olive oil
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Mushroom Gravy:
2 cups crimini mushrooms ( you can substitute portobellas)
2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos
1 tablespoon water
1 small clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon sage
Sea salt and fresh pepper to taste

For the Mashed Potatoes:
1 In a food processor, process the mashed potato ingredients until they are well blended.
2 Remove from processor and place in a bowl.

For Gravy:
1. In a food processor, blend he mushroom gravy ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour mushroom gravy over mashed potatoes.

Note: I gave extra time for Mashed Potatoes in the food Processor. I wanted them fluffy.

Enjoy !


I have worked very hard to create a spice combination for raw vegetable soup. This blend of spices can be added to any vegetable combination. I used Bok Choy for the first time instead of Spinach. Also, left over Rice Pilaf was added to the soup. Came out interesting.

Being a Raw Foodist has increased my knowledge of what I am putting into my body. This Chinese Cabbage had very little use in my kitchen. I took it for granted in the past when I was cooking. Now it is part of my nutritious eating habits. This Chinese cabbage is loaded with powerful antioxidants like C, A and K. There is 7 percent of the daily minerals, A daily dose of calcium, 5 percent of potassium and 6 percent of manganese.

vintage skirt, sweater and cardigan - "No Relations" Vintage Shop
boots - john fluevog

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Hello Everyone,
My first entry of the year !

My New Year's Resolution - Making life easier for myself.
When it comes to eating raw foods, keeping it simple is best for the body to remain healthier. The more you keep eating this way, the body will intuitively seek out nourishing fruits, seeds and combinations of vegetables. One big benefit I received last year - stressful situations don't break my body down so quickly as they used to. My body was able to fortify me during the difficult times.

What goodies did buy for today ?


This will last for the rest of the week. (Seriously). The head of cauliflower will be divided in half to make two recipes. "Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy" and the "Nori Rolls" . The fruit will make a delicious drink. The raw almonds are great for decorating . The Collards are the basic for a leafy green marinated salad and the Avocados are standard for smoothies, salads or pies. The dried mangoes are my snack attach food.
I'll post the meals later.

What did I buy today to feed the fashion bug in me ?

I made a determination last year that I will start designing my clothes again. No more shopping for a while. For me fabrics have a particular energy and feel to them. I love wearing silk underneath my blouses because I feel it protects me from negative energy. Cotton has a nurturing feel to it. Cotton is so comfortable and washable. Plus no static electricity. I really don't like the ready-to-make fashion market. At times you find yourself buying expensive cheap material, that tears apart after five washes . Can't spend my money like that anymore. Picking out fabrics that will last for the next two years is saving me money.
Teals and blues are nice for the winter time. The teal corduroy will make warm pants and the blue corduroy a skirt from a 1940's pattern I purchased from Dandelion Vintage. The light weight fabrics will be blouses or tops.

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

My 2012 wish for all of us

Hello Everyone,

Hope all is well with you this holiday season. My 2012 wish, is one I'm taking on myself.

Let 2012 be the year you connect to your true purpose. This truth will bring richness to your life. This richness fills your being with light. This light is full of warmth and love. Share this warm light with your loved ones and friends. How do you allow this light to grow brilliantly? By allowing your self to let go of any doubts, fears, regrets, anger or any energy that blocks you from achieving your inner light.
The richness I speak of is love. Not the romantic love or the soul connection love. It is the love that connects you to humanity. I hope that you see love as being extremely important at this time. The coming year is the perfect time to observe your own mind and actions to ensure that all are aligned with love.
Let love be your foundation
Let us exist as love
Create a chain reaction of love
The New Era of love begins in 2012 and through the years to come.

Love has been supporting me through the holiday season. This time last year I knew my Mother's life span was short. We made a promise to make every day special and every moment count. I wanted to make the best holiday memory for my Mom. Money was tight, but I was creative and inventive. For the whole month of December, I presented my Mother with a gift every day. One evening, I surprised her with the craziest Christmas decorations. I had Christmas lights throughout the whole apartment. Another gift was baking her a variety of cookies. My favorite gift was making her a hat.

It was these actions that remain in my heart. I am full of appreciation for all that she has given me. It is the love that remains with me during this holiday season when I miss her. I am blessed that she is in spirit watching over me.

I have compassion for those who may not have family during this season. This holiday season do not take any thing for granted.


As for the love of raw foods, I am experimenting with fruit, nuts and vegetables to make sauces. I have created a few good sauces and a few I need to reconsider. This Avocado and Tomato sauce I made came out tasty. It was good over a salad and spaghetti squash.

I made enough for three days and the avocado didn't turn that funny brown color.
Here are some guaranteed great tasting sauces from the Alissa Cohen book.

SPICY CASHEW SAUCE

1 cup cashews
2 tablespoons Nama Shoya
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoon agave nectar
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 jalapeno chile, chopped

Put all of th e ingredients and 1/2 cup water in a Vita-Mix. blend until the sauce is creamy. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE

1 cup Nama Shoyu
1 cup agave nectar
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Put all the ingredients in a Vita-Mix. Blend until smooth. Use immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.

RAWMESAN (This sauce can be use in so many ways).

2 cups cashews
2cups pine nuts
4 cups coconut milk
3 large garlic clove
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.


Put all the ingredients in a Vita-Mix. Blend thoroughly, using the tamper to continuously move the sauce. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.


This seasoning recipe is good when I want to make a mushroom sauce.
MUSHROOM SEASONING

1 teaspoon cardamon pods
1 teaspoon allspice
2tabelspoons mustard seeds
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons anise seeds

1 Put all the ingredients in a spice or coffee mill . Grind the spices.
2 transfer the ground spices to a glass jar. Shake until the spices are combined. Store at room temperature.

Enjoy!

red hat - self made from an old sweater
raincoat - London Fog
skirt/scarf- vintage
rain boots- hunter
Pictures taken by Carmen G.

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

What will be the outcome ?

Hello Everyone,
In the present moment I am fighting for my succession rights claim. My Mother passed away and I am in the process of fighting for my right to remain in the apartment. I grew up in this apartment and my name is on the lease. The renting office is treating me like dirt. The newly renovated apartments in my complex are valued into the thousands. The apartment I occupy is rent stabilized. I'm doing my best to keep my spirits high and not allow the stress to stray me off my path.

I was in the Wall Street area today and I wanted to talked to a few people who are part of the "Occupy Wall Street Movement." The attitudes were pleasant and peaceful. Everyone I spoke to was willing to talk. The ages were from 17 to 48 years of age. I asked two questions. Here are the responses from the two questions.

" There were many political movements that occurred in our past. The 60's was one of them. Do you see a difference from then and now ?

" no hard acid or free love"

" I don't know anything about the 60's movement"

" Yes , there is some similarity, but it's not the same. The greed for money is affecting all of us globally. "

" This is not a political movement , it is about fighting for the quality of life for all"

" I"m part of generation x. I didn't get the 60's movement. I was mad about the whole outcome. The minorities didn't get the justice they needed and drugs were introduced into the poor neighborhoods"




My Second question : What is the goal of this movement ?


"there are many people here with different views. Some want free healthcare for all, others want to save the planet from pollution, others want a new government that represents humanity............I'm an anarchist, so I have my own belief about things. Basically, we all want to end the Capitalist Greed".

" I really don't know the outcome of the movement"

" We want to live and enjoy life, the way it is meant for human beings to live"

" We are out here protesting everything.......homelessness, high cost of living, racism, children starving. We are against anything that does not value life."

" We want our jobs back"



I came home thirsty and looked through the book " Raw Food for Everyone" by Alissa Cohen for an idea. There is this Green Apple - Ginger Saketini drink. I like to make a toast to the bravery of people who are standing up for what they feel is right without knowing the outcome.

Note : Even though this drink is subtle, I don't touch any form of alcohol. one drink effects me like I had the whole bottle. I made my drink without the Sake. I just placed the Green Apple and Ginger in a blender with a touch of Agave and lemon.

GREEN APPLE - GINGER SAKETINI



1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
6 thin slices Granny Smith apple
5 ounces Sake

Use a muddler or a wooden spoon to muddle or mash the ginger and 3 apples slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and the sake. Cover the shaker and shake to combine. Strain into the martini glass, garnish with the remaining 3 apple slices and serve.
This makes one drink.
Enjoy!

I like to leave you with a quote from a world peace leader Daisaku Ikeda.

" More than objective awareness, we must achieve a state of compassion transcending distinctions between self and others. We need to feel the compassionate energy that beats within the depths of all people's subjective lives, where the individual and the universal are merged."

Thank you for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Rebuilding

Hello Everyone,
I was walking around lower Manhattan and took some pictures of the new 9/11 site. I am hoping this rebuilding will bring value creating opportunities for our society. I like to see the "Money Making " part of our city, shift towards uplifting humanity.

I found this quote inspiring . It is from an unknown author.

Life contains the capacity,
like flames that reach toward heaven, to
transform suffering and pain into the energy
needed for value-creation, into light that
illuminates darkness. Like the wind traversing
vast spaces unhindered, life has the power to
uproot and overturn all obstacles and
difficulties. Like clear flowing water, it can
wash away all stains and impurities. And
finally, life like the great earth that sustains
vegetation, impartially protects all people with
its compassionate, nurturing force.

Food energy is needed to do my long walks. 1 to 3 miles daily is my goal. For this lower Manhattan walk, I prepared some cookies from fruit and nut combinations I like to eat. My creation of fig and walnut cookies came out chewy. But next time I will dehydrate them longer for the texture to be firmer.
Here is a fun cookie recipe to prepare from the Alissa Cohen "Raw Food for Everyone"

OATMEAL COOKIES

1 3/4 cups oat flakes
1 banana
1/2 cup agave nectar
seeds from 1 vanilla bean
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 cup pecans
1 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1. Combine 1 cup of the oats, the banana, agave, vanilla seeds, and Cinnamon in a food processor. Blend until the ingredients are smooth.
2. Add the pecans and the remaining 1/4 cup oats and pulse-chop until the pecans and remaining oats are coarsely chopped. Add the raisins and pulse-chop again until everything is combined to make a batter.
3. Drop 1/2 cup measures of the batter onto Teflex-lined dehydrator racks. Moisten the palm of your hand with water and press slightly. They should not be perfect circles, and pieces of raisins and nuts will stick out.
4. Dehydrate the cookies 6 hours, remove the racks and turn them over, and peel off the Teflex. Dehydrate for an additional 6 hours. The cookies should be moist but still hold their shape. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Enjoy !




I like being around flowers. They offer great healing energy that brightens up any room. The color combinations of Orange and White flowers are very nice for the fall.
The Orange color of a flower is known to bring about joy, enthusiasm, determination and ambition. Orange increases the oxygen levels to the brain.
The White color of a flower is known for purity, formality, elegance and neutrality. It brings peace.
Colors have a strong psychological and physiological effects on people. Sending a person flowers can stimulate healing. Ever notice how a sick person will smile when flowers are given to them.

vintage denim jacket - Rags a Go Go
purple skirt Webers
black riding boots - John Fluevog

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Spiritual Sunday

Hello Everyone,

I enjoy my Sundays. This time I met friends over bubble tea and Spiritual conversation. What is bubble tea is ? The popular Americanized name is Pearl Tea. You get a gigantic drink of hot or ice tea of your choice or fresh juice mixtures, a huge straw and large tapioca pearls that sit at the bottom. The fun part is sucking the tapioca pearls from the bottom with the huge straw. This drink originated in the Taichung city in Taiwan.
I found a place that served organic non dairy bubble tea and agave syrup.

The topic of our spiritual conversation was "Finding a teaching that makes it possible for us to achieve truth , unconditional love and the most profoundest inner transformation.



My new job is busy. I make sure I prepare amble Raw Food dishes for the week. I made a carrot cake and spinach mushroom quiche. From the Alissa Cohen "Living on Live Food" book.

CARROT CAKE
It takes less than one hour to make, if you prepare the food ahead of time. I decorated the cake with coconut around the edge. Very smooth and satisfying.

cake:
7 carrots
1 cup walnuts
1 cup of dates
3/4 cup of raisins, soaked for a least 1 hour
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Frosting:
3 tables honey
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 cup cashew, soaked

For cake:
1. Blend carrots in a food processor until well ground. Set aside in a large bowl.
2. Blend walnuts until fine, remove from food processor and place in bowl with carrots.
3. place dates in food processor and blend until smooth.
4. Add the cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger and blend well.
5. to the mixture of dates and spices in the food processor, and the carrot and walnut mixture.
6. Blend the entire mixture until smooth.
7. Remove from processor and stir in the raisins.
8. Place in a pie plate.

For Frosting:

1. In a blender or vita-Mix add the frosting ingredients and blend until smooth.
2. spread the frosting over the cake.




SPINACH MUSHROOM QUICHE


Crust:
3 medium sized yellow zucchini, chopped(about 3 cups)
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 cup or coconut oil/butter
1 cup flax meal (about 3/4 whole seeds, ground)
1 cup soaked almonds (about 1/2 cup before soaking for 8 hours)

1. Blend the zucchini, sea salt and oil until zucchini is smooth.
2 Add the almonds and continue to blend until the entire mixture is smooth. you may need to use a spatula or celery stick to get the mixture to blend.
3. Pour the blended mixture into a bowl and add the flax meal.
4. Shape into 4 pizza shape crusts on dehydrator screens covered with Teflex sheets and continue to dehydrate until the crusts are hard. It may take 8 or more hours altogether.

Filling:
2 zucchini, chopped
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup cashews
1/3 cup light miso 1 teaspoon Celtic Sea salt
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 gloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of cayenne
1 head of spinach, pulse in a food processor with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 crimini mushrooms thinly slices and marinated in 1/4 teaspoon Celtic slat and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, soaked until soft, then chopped
10 sundries olives, pitted and chopped
2 tablespoons psyllium husk powder (if you can't find powder, just buy husks and grind in a coffee grinder)

1. place the zucchini and water in a blender and blend until smooth.
2 add the remainder of the ingredients except the spinach, mushroom, olives and tomatoes.
3. blend until creamy. you may meed to use a spatula to celery stick to get the mixture to blend.
4. pulse the spinach in a food processor until it is well mince
5. mix all the prepared ingredients together in a bowl.
6. let the mixture stir for 5 minutes and see how thick it gets. Add more psyllium if necessary to make the mixture thick enough to slice through when it is in the crust
7. Fill the crust and warm the quiches in the dehydrator for 1 hour at 105 degrees, if desired.

ENJOY !







Kale chips can be expensive if you are buying them regularly. I make my own kale chips. The small dinosaur kale texture resemble a crispy chip when dehydrated. This is better and healthier for you. No worries about the 9 to 12 grams of fat shown on the back label of your favorite chip bag. You can create your own flavor. I like to make it sweet by adding agave, salt , coconut, cinnamon and cumin.









I've been wearing my vintage pink cardi and my brown vintage skirt a few times. The brown print blouse is from H&M. The blue tank and black pieces in the first photo are from the American warehouse.

Thank You for reading
Peace and Light to You.