SUPER BOWL XLVI

Hello Everyone,

Have a great time watching the game with your family or friends. I'm a True New Yorker - GO GIANTS !!
Who will win? The team that has the most determination and will power. Similar to how life is. Determination goes a long way. There is a saying " Suffering is the mother of all great accomplishments". Nothing great can be achieved in life without the struggles and hardships. How can we develop character or have appreciation if everything we wanted was handed to us.

I made some California Rolls to bring along to watch the game at a neighbor's house. I make these Rolls when I'm too lazy to prepare raw food meals that require more time. All I have to do is cut celery, carrots and cucumber into long strips and marinate them. Storing them in a glass jar in the refrigerator is the best way to keep them crisp. I just lay one sheet of Raw Nori on the bamboo sushi mat, using a spoon I spread 1 teaspoon of the miso in a horizontal strip at the bottom. This will help seal the Roll. On the opposite side I add layers of sprouts, avocado, one strip of carrot, celery and cucumber. Use the Bamboo sushi mat to roll and I'm done.




Today I wanted to wear my animal prints.

animal print blouse - self made
asymmetrical animal print skirt - SYMS clothing store.
grey wool dress - Land's end.
patent leather belt - thrifted
boots - John Fleuvog

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light To You

Hello Every one,

I wanted to make a chocolate mousse with vanilla creme sauce but the avocado that I had sitting out on the counter was not ripe. I had a taste for chocolate. I thought of compromising and making a chocolate shake instead. No, I can't compromise - I want my mousse. So out to the store I went to find a ripe avocado.


This Chocolate Mousse with Vanilla Creme Sauce is very good. From 'Raw Food Made Easy" by Jennifer Cornbleet.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

1/4 cup pitted medjool dates, soaked
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped avocados (1 1/4 avocad0)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa or carob powder

Place the dates, 1/4 cup of the eater, maple syrup and vanilla in a food processor fitted with S blade and process until smooth. Add the avocado and cocoa powder and process until creamy. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of water and process briefly. Stored in a sealed container, Chocolate Mousse will keep for three days in the refrigerator or two weeks in the freezer.

VANILLA CREME SAUCE

1 cup
1/4 cup plus tablespoons water
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or raw honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or seeds of 1 vanilla bean

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Chill for a least 2 hours before serving. Stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Vanilla Creme Sauce will keep for five days.
Enjoy.

NOTE: You may wonder why Raw Food emphasizes on sweet desserts first when you start this life style. The reason is , so many people eat so much commercial sugar that their taste buds are full of toxins. People who eat this way can only taste sugar or salt. Getting a person to eat raw meals made of vegetables for the first time can be punishment. They really can't taste the natural flavors. If the raw food life style is going to be a success, then is must support what a person has been used to eating for long period of time. I speak from my own transformation. I hated avocados with a passion. Having taken a class where avocados were made into a dessert fascinated me. I was surprised how delicious and sweet it was. I was hooked.


I want to say Congrats to Carol of Dandelion Vintage. Over 40 pieces from her web site store was purchased by the new ABC series "Pan Am". (www.dandelionvintage.com) I've been buying from her for the past two years. The vintage Panel from the early 50's behind me is from Dandelion vintage. I got a vintage 40's pattern from the site and made a mustard color wool skirt, below in the picture. The vintage sweater was from a outdoor flea market. The blue boots are John Fleuvog.


Thank for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Miso Soup and Inner Goodness

Hello Every One

I like to add more vegetables to my soup. I added zucchini noodles and carrots. Here is a nice version from the Alissa Cohen's "Raw Food For Everyone" book.

MISO SOUP

1/4 cup Nama Shoyu
2 tablespoons miso
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried kelp
4 scallions, green and white parts, coarsely chopped
4 red radishes, thinly sliced
1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
Sea Salt

1. Whisk the Nama Shoyu, miso and 7 cups water together in a bowl.
2. Add the kelp to the miso mixture and let sit for 30 minutes so the kelp rehydrate.
3. Divine the soup among 4 bowls. Garnish with scallions, radishes, basil and avocado. Season to taste. Serve immediately.
Enjoy.

I go hit with bad last week. I didn't judge it as good or bad. The time is now to look deep inside of me and find a solution. Five years ago my biggest challenge was learning how to deal with bad news. Going to bed depressed and sleeping for days was my only solution. Then the stress of the bad news would increase the junk food eating . I couldn't see how a bad circumstance was the chance to bring out my truth. Another way of saying it is bringing out your "Inner Goodness". Allow the gifts in your heart to shine even more. Don't allow the bad news to defeat your purpose. For Example when I was laid off over ten years ago, I didn't see it as an opportunity to take action towards my mission or dream in life. Feeling powerful was not present. Instead I continued to follow the path of survival and took on jobs that did not reflect what I had to offer. Instead of taking 3 to 10 steps back , I would fall 20 steps or more. I will compose a poem for you right now.........

Bad news does not last forever.
The divine goodness is underneath it.
Bad things happen to bring the truth out.
Bad is only an appearance.
It is the illusion.
You are opening to your larger truth.
If you believe in the bad , then it will repeat.
See the truth in the bad.
Circumstance surface and the goodness comes up to meet it.
The goodness overcomes the bad.
The goodness is rising up to bring the light to the fore front.
Do not believe in your bad circumstances.
Love is in the center of the circumstances.
Love is the most center.

By Tina-Lynn

Thank You For Reading
Peace and Light to You.

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Hello Everyone,
Monday was a rainy cold day for the Chinese New Years Celebration. It is the year of the Dragon. I was born in the year of the Dragon and this is my year . The Oriental Dragon is regarded as a divine beast. The Dragon is a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. They are flamboyant and creative creatures. The Western Culture has a different view of dragons. Our view - Noble hero hunts to slay the evil dragon to save the village.
This very colorful Dragon in the above picture was posing with all the children.

The Dragon Dance Parade was fun. The ceremony began at 11:30am. Two different Dragons come out and greet each other. It is tradition that lettuce is place in the mouth and discarded as a sign of fortune. Then the two Dragon's dance up the street blessing every store front businesses that allows them in. I notice the banks had there doors wide open for the two Dragons to dance in.

I was following these two dragons the length of the parade route.


There was confetti every where. It was fun to be covered and sparkling in the rain.

When I got home from the Parade a warm cup of tea and a Sandwich hit the spot. I make sure to have a batch of flax seed crackers to make a quick sandwich. I will make a combination of banana with orange or banana with raw almond butter to spread on top. This time I made a vegetable version from the Alissa Cohen's book. "Living on Live Food"

TOMATO, ONION AND AVOCADO SANDWICH

1/2 tomato
2 large slices onion
1/2 avocado, sliced
2 large crackers
Sea Salt (optional)

1. Place slices of avocado on one of the crackers.
2. Top the avocado with tomato and onion.
3. Eat as an open face sandwich or top with another cracker.
Enjoy.

Essential Sunday

Hello Every one,

Nice to have Sunday off. I can catch up with rest, sewing and planning my meals for the week. I make sure my kitchen is stocked with the essential items needed to prepare raw meals. I buy extra amounts of nuts, dried fruits and condiments. The essentials are important because you want to be able to make something quick and delicious when you get a craving. Lately, my cravings are for a bag of chips.
Shopping once a week is the goal. Living in the city makes this impossible. I purchase the sales items only. This gives me the opportunity to choose from eleven health food stores. I do two stores a week. When it comes to vegetables, I'm never without salad greens, avocados, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini and cucumbers. For the fruits, bananas, oranges, strawberries and blueberries can be frozen to make ice cream and smoothies. Apples , grapes and pears are what I eat the most. What ever dried nuts, fruits or seeds are on sale for the week , I buy in bulk. When it comes to the raw condiments, honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Bragg Liquid Aminos and almond butter.

This week I want to try a new Sauce to go over my Zucchini Spaghetti . It is similar to the Marinara Sauce. From the Alissa Cohen "Living on Live Food" book.

TARRAGON PEPPER SAUCE

4 red bell peppers
2 large tomatoes
6 tablesppons olive oil
2 tablesppons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons tarragon
Sea Salt and black pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Enjoy.









Yesterday , I finished my denim satchel bag. The measurements are 12' by 8' inches. The bottom has a wide flat panel. The bags I create are small but compact. This satchel can hold a large water bottle and small items without being packed.







Finished my corduroy pants. They are warm and perfect for this 19 to 31 degree winter weather. I made sure to picked a thick wale corduroy. "Wales" are the ribs that run down the fabric. The feel of the pile gives the fabric a surface much like a well kept lawn. It is not easy finding thick Corduroy material. The retail industry sells the thinner popular material that is mixed with synthetics . Many people don't know how lustrous Corduroy can be. The best ones are the 100 percent combed cotton.

wool sweater - Salvation Army

top - "Made in America outlet"

teal corduroy pants - self made
shoes- John Fluevog

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

Pat on the Shoulder

Hello Everyone,

My thought for today: I hope all of you have someone in your life that can give you a warm pat on the shoulder when life hands you stress.
I received a warm pat on my back today. A small gesture like that can make a huge mountain of an obstacle small. I'm on my path to happiness once again. Thank you to my loving supportive friend.


This is the Eggplant Bacon I prepared earlier this week. It was great to eat as a side dish for breakfast. I made a Berry Sauce to server over fruit.



When I want sweet and I don't have the time to prepare - The easiest desert to make is "Coconut Mounds". From the "Raw Food For Everyone" by Alissa Cohen.

10 dates, pitted and sliced in half
1/2 cup of coconut flakes
1/2 cup of Chocolate Sauce

1. Fill each date with a teaspoon of coconut, then dip each date into the Chocolate Sauce.
2. Arrange the dipped dates on a parchment-paper-line tray and freeze for 1 hour to firm up.
The dates will keep at room temperature for several days.

Chocolate Sauce:

1 cup of cacao powder
1 cup agave nectar
1 cup of coconut oil, melted

1. Blend the cacao powder and agave together in a Vita-Mix.
2. With the machine on, drizzle in the coconut oil, stopping the machine every so often to scraped down the sides. Blend until smooth and, with the machine still on, slowly add 1/4 cup water. The sauce should be smooth an thick. Store in a covered container at room temperature; it will keep for up to 10 days.
Enjoy.

Cacao - is raw chocolate that has not been heated, cooked, sweetened or processed. It is filled with nutrients and antioxidants. This is the real chocolate people should be eating when they want to eat the dark chocolate.

vintage Sweater and denim skirt - "No Relations" store.
top - "Made in America wharehouse"
boots - John Fluevog.

Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.

This year eat " Eggplant Bacon"

Hello Everyone,

For the new year, Eggplant Bacon is being added to my menu. Last year, I was getting tired of preparing the Eggplant Pizza. The bacon is a new twist to add to my salads. Nice side dish to compliment pancakes for breakfast. This is a basic recipe from the Alissa Cohen "Raw Food for Everyone".

1/2 cup of Nama Shoyu
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 large eggplants

1. Whisk together the Nama Shoyu, agave, and cayenne in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Peel and discard the eggplant skin. Continue peeling the eggplant and make 1-inch-wide long strips, rotating the eggplant and peeling until the seedy core is reached. Discard the core. Arrange the eggplant strips in a shallow dish and marinate in the shoyu-agave mixture for 1 hour.
3. Once marinated, lay the strips flat on mesh dehydrator racks and dehydrate for at least 12 hours, until crisp. Once dehydrated, keep the eggplant strips in the dehydrator for optimum crispness or put them in a plastic container and cover. They will keep indefinitely at room temperature or in the dehydrator.
Enjoy.




This is the second time I am preparing the Eggplant Bacon. I like to add the Raw Miso instead of the Nama Shoyu. In the morning time, it's fruit with berry sauce and bacon.




Also for the new year, the dark brown bedroom furniture will be painted white. White is the color of purity, formality, elegance and neutrality. I don't have to worry about what color to mix it with. It represents successful beginnings as well as peace. The night table is finished. The chair is currently getting a new look. Next will be the two chest drawers. One of them is heavy with a huge mirror attached on the back. I love the challenge.

I went to Ikea today looking for a unique lamp for my bedroom. This medium sized mouth blown glass globe is interesting. The light is directed upwards and around. It creates a soft bright glow. The frosted white cherry blossoms gives a mystic effect.










I am looking to add leopard print garments or material. For me they are the all-year round neutral garments that can go with many things. The best prints are the ones with the white or grey backgrounds. I made a Kimono style blouse out the teal print. I added this vintage pendant with my outfit. Not sure how old this dragon figure is. I added the blue stones to the piece.


















The lighting was dark but I wanted to show the shape of the blouse. Pants and long top was found at the "American Outlet Store" . Suede boots are by Born.






Thank You for Reading
Peace and Light to You.