Teri Leventhal's Blog

Low Fat Raw Vegan Valentine's Day Ideas: "Chocolate" Covered Strawberries using Chocolate Sapote

2012-01-04T09:23:00.000-08:00

I just recently ordered chocolate sapote from Jourdan's Beautiful Foods, and they are amazing! They taste just like chocolate pudding, and have a smooth, creamy texture. Keep them at room temperature to ripen until they are very soft, and you will have a sweet, chocolatey, delicious treat!

My Kitten with Chocolate Sapote

I thought using the chocolate sapote in a classic Valentine's Day recipe, "chocolate" covered strawberries, would be just perfect! They turned out absolutely delicious and beautiful. My boyfriend loved them too!

*Ingredients:
- 5 very ripe chocolate sapote

                       Note: ripe chocolate sapote are extremely soft to the touch and a deep brown/olive green color.
           - 20 extra-large, long-stemmed strawberries
           - Optional: cinnamon

      *Preparation:
           - Wash and paper towel dry your strawberries
           - Slice your chocolate sapotes in 1/2, and remove the large brown seeds
           - Coat your strawberries in the creamy chocolate sapote! I got messy and used my fingers for this step :)

*Optional Variation:

- I sprinkled my strawberries with a little cinnamon at the end. My boyfriend thought this looked like extra chocolate powder!

NOTE: No chocolate is used in this recipe, just chocolate sapote, which is a fruit, and strawberries.

Low Fat Raw Vegan Valentine's Day
"Chocolate" Covered Strawberries
Using Chocolate Sapote

Fitness, Exercise and Your Sex Life

2011-12-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

As many of you know I absolutely love working out. I look at it as time I get to spend taking care of myself everyday. There are many amazing reasons to add a fitness routine into your life or possibly step up your current routine, but one I find particularly fun is that exercise can dramatically improve your sex life. Many sex experts consider exercise to be a wonderful aphrodisiac. So, just how does exercise work to give us this fun benefit?

* Increases Body Image and Confidence:

The desire to look good is part of human nature. Outer beauty often only comes from health and peace within, so it makes sense that fit people are more attractive to members of the opposite sex. Exercise builds self-confidence by making you more fit, healthy, and attractive. Confidence can increase your desire and also make for a better time in the bedroom since you will be able to spend less time worried about your appearance and more time enjoying the moment. Self-confident people are also better able to find partners they are attracted to. It's inevitable: if you have a great body image and feel self-confident, you are going to have better, more frequent sex.

* Reduces Stress:

Numerous studies indicate that exercise is extremely effective in reducing stress. Many of us, in our passion to do well in life and improve ourselves, get so caught up and stressed that we forget about passion in the bedroom! Excess stress can dampen our libido, and distract us from taking time for ourselves and our partners. Exercise can help us calm our minds, increasing our desire, and minimizing worries and distractions when we are with our partners. One way, biologically, that exercise reduces stress is that when we exercise endorphins are released in the brain which help to minimize stress and increase our sexual desire. I find many exercises, such as long runs in nature, to be very meditative and soothing, and beneficial in reducing my day-to-day stress.

* Increases Your Energy:

More than 90% of medical studies show that regular exercise can lead to feelings of increased energy throughout the day. The results are very consistent: regular exercise increases energy and reduces fatigue. If you are often finding yourself too tired after a long day to have fun in the bedroom, regular exercise can help you feel less fatigued and more energetic, leading to better, more frequent sex.

* Gets You In Touch With Your Body:

Ask anyone who works out regularly - working out more frequently allows you to feel your body more, and understand what it needs. Being in touch with your body can definitely improve your sex life.

* Increases Stamina and Endurance:

Cardiovascular exercises can help increase your endurance for longer sexual encounters. Increasing your cardio endurance helps keep your heart strong and will allow you to keep your body going for great sex. Biking, swimming, running, and walking are wonderful ways to strengthen your cardiovascular fitness.

* Increases Your Strength:

Improved muscle tone can increase sexual gratification since orgasms depend on multiple muscle activity. Being strong, fit, and toned can enhance your sex life by making it easier to hold challenging, exciting positions. It can also increase your confidence in the bedroom.

* Improves Your Flexibility:

As long as you are incorporating stretching as part of your regular exercises, you can expect a healthy boost in between the sheets! Improved flexibility can definitely enhance any sexual encounter. Stretching, dance, yoga, and pilates are wonderful for increasing your flexibility.

* Increases Your Blood Flow:

Regular exercise leads to increased blood flow as your body learns how to distribute blood more evenly and efficiently. Increased blood flow leads to heightened levels of arousal for both men and women. It also makes orgasms more intense and pleasurable. Research has shown that increased blood flow also leads to more consistent orgasms for women. Increased blood flow is one reason why numerous studies have proven that people who exercise regularly experience more frequent orgasms and greater sexual satisfaction.

811 Recipes: Tasty Raw Recipes to Beat the Wintertime Blues!

2011-12-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

This morning I discovered the perfect delicious, cheery combination to beat the wintertime blues: cantaloupe, raspberries, and mint! This beautiful, delectable combination is not only beautiful to look at, it also is invigorating, and sure to both wake you up and cheer you up!

1) Simple, Elegant Fruit Salad with Cantaloupe, Raspberries, and Mint


Low Fat Raw Vegan Simple, Elegant Fruit Salad With Cantaloupe, Raspberries, and Mint Picture from http://omchef.blogspot.com

      *Ingredients:
           - 1 cantaloupe
           - 2 boxes of raspberries
           - 7 mint leaves

      *Preparation:
           - Cut your cantaloupe in half, and remove the seeds.
           - Cut each cantaloupe half into slices, lengthwise. Cut off the peel from the cantaloupe slices. Then cut each peeled cantaloupe slice into bite-sized pieces. For easy instructions on how to cut a cantaloupe, click here.
           - Chiffonade your mint.
           - Mix your raspberries, mint, and cantaloupe together, and enjoy!

       *Tasty Variations
             - Take red grapes, slice them in half, and mix them in for a fun, tasty variation on this recipe!
   - You can also add in navel orange segments, sliced in half, to bring even more flavor to this dish!

Low Fat Raw Vegan Simple, Elegant Fruit Salad
With Cantaloupe, Raspberries, Mint, Oranges and Grapes
Picture from: http://lowcdiet.blogspot.com

2) Cheery Smoothie with Cantaloupe, Raspberries, and Mint

Low Fat Raw Vegan Smoothie With Cantaloupe, Raspberries, and Mint
Picture: http://freshsheetnutrition.com

     *Ingredients:
           - 1/2 a cantaloupe
           - 2 boxes of raspberries
           - 10 mint leaves

      *Preparation:
           - Slice your cantaloupe into pieces your blender can process and remove the peel.

- Blend your cantaloupe, raspberries, and 7 mint leaves into a delicious, refreshing smoothie.
- Garnish with three mint leaves and a raspberry.

*Tasty Variations
- Add in two bananas for extra creaminess!

3) Melon Salad with Raspberry and Mint Dressing


Low Fat Raw Vegan Melon Salad with Raspberry and Mint Dressing Picture from: http://www.rawfoodrecipes.com

     *Ingredients:
           - 1 cantaloupe
           - 2 boxes of raspberries
           - 7 mint leaves

*Preparation:
- Using a melon baller, scoop your cantaloupe into bite-sized cantaloupe balls.

- Blend your raspberries and 7 mint leaves into a smooth, tangy, and sweet dressing.
- Pour your dressing over your cantaloupe balls, mix, and enjoy!

*Tasty Variations
- You can use a melon baller to add other melons, like honeydew or watermelon, to this recipe!

How to be in a Relationship with Someone who is Not a Raw Vegan

2011-12-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

Many people discover the amazing benefits of whole, fresh, raw plant foods while they are in loving relationships with people who are not raw vegans. Or, maybe they've fallen in love with someone who doesn't share their dietary beliefs. I've had numerous people come to me, asking me for suggestions on how to make relationships work in these situations. Being in a relationship with someone who does not share your dietary habits can be challenging, especially because the way we eat can be so closely intertwined with our ethical and spiritual beliefs. With understanding and communication being the key foundations of your relationship, these challenges can also be the challenges that strengthen your relationship.

I have a few tips for you on making a relationship work when your partner is not a raw vegan. The wonderful news is that if you truly love and respect your partner, there’s nothing that you will not be able to overcome.

Share Your Knowledge in a Loving, Non-Confrontational Way

If you share your knowledge with your partner in a loving, non-confrontational way, they may choose to move in a healthier direction with their lifestyle. Some books that are wonderful and packed with information and facts on healthy living include The 80-10-10 Diet by Dr. Douglas Graham, The China Study, and The World Peace Diet. Sharing books, hard facts, and numbers is the best way to start, since people can often feel judged if we share our opinions on the way they eat, as this tends to be a very sensitive issue. Sharing your knowledge is essential in making your relationship work in the long run, since understanding is crucial in any relationship. Even if your partner does not eat the same way you do, having a partner that understands and supports you is so important. All meaningful, serious relationships are built on mutual respect and understanding.

Set a Good Example

If you are living a healthy lifestyle, your partner will be able to tell that you feel amazing, and will be able to tell how happy and healthy you are! If you are patient, you will definitely have a positive influence on them, without even having to say or do anything, other than take good care of yourself.

Try Not to Criticize or Judge

Try not to criticize or say that you wish your partner would eat a certain way. This can often backfire, and can even result in your partner deciding to eat a lot of unhealthy food, whether to try to prove something, or because they feel guilty, or for numerous other complex reasons. Try to remember how long it took you to come to the conclusions you’ve come to about health, animal welfare, and the environment. You can't expect everyone to realize what you know now immediately just because you did. Everyone is at a different place in their journey towards (or away from) healthier eating and living. I find what works best is being positive and pointing out how impressed I am by the healthy choices my partner, friends, and loved ones make.

Focus On Your Similarities

If you are finding it really difficult to get past the differences in the way you and your partner eat, instead of looking at the differences, focus on the similarities. Most people agree that fruits and vegetables are the healthiest part of any diet. Many people are interested in self-improvement, and living longer, healthier lives. Many people are interested in feeding the world’s hungry, and many people think of themselves as animal lovers. Many people are focused on the overall spiritual themes of peace, happiness, responsibility, and unconditional love. These are wonderful topics which you can talk about and share your passion for. In the process you can begin to appreciate how much you really do have in common with your partner in what you are trying to accomplish in your life. It’s much easier to understand people when you’re able to see aspects of yourself in them. There’s common ground for everyone!

You are Not a Label and Neither is Your Partner

When you truly love someone, you can see them beyond the labels that society gives them. If you know in your heart that you love your partner, don't let anyone try to discourage you from being with your partner just because they do not eat the same way you do. It's better to be with someone you truly love than be with someone you don't really care for who happens to eat in a similar way. Look at your partner as a whole person, not just the way they eat. Remember what attracted you to them in the first place, and focus on the similarities you have with them!

Come to a Consensus on Important Issues Long Before they Arise

If you hope to eventually have children with your partner, this includes how your future children will eat. You may be fine with your partner eating a certain way, but what about your children? Before you decide to have children with your partner, you need to consider many serious issues including: how you want to raise your children, what they will eat, if you will allow your children to choose how they eat, how you will explain your diffing beliefs, etc. The key to raising children with a partner who is not a raw vegan is to have a serious discussion and come to an agreement long before the issue ever arises.

Remember this Can Only Work if your Relationship is Set on a Solid and Loving Foundation

Communication, compromise, love, understanding, acceptance, mutual respect, and empathy are important factors in making any relationship work. Keep an open mind, and be accepting of the differences you have with your partner. In time, through mutual respect and acceptance of each other's beliefs, your relationship will only grow stronger.

Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas Recipe Ideas

2011-12-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

It's starting to get a lot colder in Virginia, and Christmas is coming! I absolutely adore the holiday season. Some of my favorite memories from childhood involve playing in the snow with my dad, mom and brother. I loved it when my dad would pull me in the sled! My mom and dad would always prepare several fantastic holiday meals, and it was such a joy to enjoy a beautiful holiday meal with my family. Here are a few wonderful fruit and veggie filled ideas to keep your Christmas and holiday meals spectacular, and just as special as you remember them!

1) Veggie Christmas Tree

This beautiful christmas tree uses cabbage, green and purple kale, cauliflower, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, and yellow bell peppers. Bamboo skewers, toothpicks, and floral wire are used to hold the tree together, and a cookie cutter is used to make the star. Please see Jeanne Benedict's site for the full recipe!

Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas Tree
Recipe: http://www.jeannebenedict.com/recipes/christmas-tree-crudite/

2) Fruit Snowman

This adorable and delicious fruit snowman uses two watermelons, blueberries, and carrots. It also makes use of a melon baller to make the mellon balls and to make holes for the eyes, nose, and cute smile! Please see this site for the full recipe, under 'It's Time to Get Frosty'!

Low Fat Raw Vegan Snowman
Recipe: http://www.seedless.com.au/fun-stuff-to-do-at-home.cfm

3. Fruit Christmas Tree

I absolutely adore this beautiful fruit Christmas Tree made with green and black grapes, strawberries, kiwi, and a honeydew melon. A styrofoam cone was used to make it, but a large parsnip would work just as well, and be biodegradable. Lots of cute cookie cutters, including a gingerbread man cookie cutter, were also used, along with lots of toothpicks to hold the fruit in place. For the full recipe, please see the Ginger and Garlic Blog.

Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas Tree
Recipe: Ginger and Garlic Blog

4. Cauliflower Snowman

How adorable is this cauliflower snowman? Cloves were used for his eyes, smile, and buttons, and toothpicks were used to hold him together.

Low Fat Raw Vegan Snow Man
Recipe: http://activerain.com

5. Vegetable Christmas Tree

Kale, radishes, carrots, peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, and clementines were used to make this gorgeous veggie Christmas tree. A styrofoam cone and toothpicks were used to create the structure. For the garland, a vegetable peeler was used to create long, thin ribbons from a daikon radish. Cookie Cutters were used to make the ornaments. Please see the full recipe here.

Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas Tree
Recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Veggie-Christmas-Tree-2

6. Christmas Themed Fruit Centerpiece

This beautiful centerpiece is from Fruit Like Flowers, but you can easily make something similar at home using your favorite fruit, toothpicks, a melon baller, and cookie cutters!


Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas Themed Fruit Centerpiece

7. Christmas Veggie Plates

Check out these lovely Christmas Tree themed veggie platters!


From Molly Irwin

From Evite Blog

From Amandanothingmore.blogspot.com

8. 3-Foot Tall Edible Christmas Tree

How beautiful is this 3 foot tall edible Christmas Tree made with vegetables by Carolyn Black of Arlington, VA?

Edible Veggie Christmas Tree
From Carolyn Black

My Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving with Tips for Holiday Gatherings

2011-11-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

I had an absolutely fantastic Thanksgiving this year. Not only did I get to see my parents, little brother, boyfriend, and grandfather, I also was able to celebrate my health and the health of my loved ones with delicious, beautiful low fat raw vegan dishes.

Thanksgiving Vegetable "Turkey"
My Parents Made for Me

My parents made me a delicious veggie "turkey" (I ate the whole thing!) and I made a tasty low fat raw vegan "pasta" to share with everyone. My little brother and I talked about salads and the best way to remove seeds from a pomegranate without turning your whole kitchen red, and my parents told me about how they have been ordering vegan cookbooks and trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies into their lives. I was truly overwhelmed with happiness to see that my family is interested in health because I love them so much and want them to be around for a long, long time! It was wonderful to be able to eat a meal that left me feeling alive, happy, and vibrant.

My Boyfriend and I with the Thanksgiving Vegetable "Turkey"
My Parents Made for Me and My Low Fat Raw Vegan "Pasta"

Many raw food vegans and others who are simply trying to eat healthier diets fear holiday gatherings. I completely understand this fear. Before becoming a raw vegan, I was interested in healthy eating and was a vegetarian since I was 12, and I know the holiday season can be intimidating for those trying to live a healthy lifestyle. I've attended my share of family gatherings that were made difficult because of my lifestyle choices. For example, I remember attending my ex-boyfriends Christmas party, and being at the end of the food buffet line. There was only one vegetable dish served, and I believe it had bacon in it, so I didn't eat. This of course caused of a lot of awkwardness and concern and made everyone question if my diet was truly healthy.

This situation - and other similar situations which you may have experienced yourself - could have been completely avoided had I known all the tips I'm about to share with you. I understand being concerned about what others will think/say, being a polite guest, and finding a healthy, satisfying meal that you will enjoy. If you use these tips, not only will you be able to enjoy a delicious, filling meal with your loved ones, you may even inspire them to eat healthier as well!

Thanksgiving Vegetable "Turkey"
My Parents Made for Me

Here are the tips I've learned over the years for how to make family holiday gatherings healthy and enjoyable for everyone:

Call Ahead
Call ahead and talk to the host and tell him or her about your dietary preferences, BUT do NOT expect them to prepare any special food for you. It's actually best to tell them that they do not need to feel pressured to make a special dish for you. Even if they are accommodating enough to prepare something for you, it may not be to your liking. Also, even if you do your absolute best job explaining the way you eat, it's usually not going to be exactly what you wanted, and if you are a raw vegan it probably won't be anywhere near enough food.

We all know how difficult it is to throw a holiday party; we want to be polite and not add to our host's stress by insisting that they prepare something unique just for us. By not expecting anything, if the person hosting the party does have delicious, healthy food available at the party, it's something you can be excited about and thankful for! But you don't need to rely on them creating a perfect meal just for you to have a wonderful time at the gathering.
Ask if it is OK if You Bring a Dish
To take the pressure off of the person hosting the holiday gathering, ask if it would be alight if you brought several healthy fruit and vegetable dishes to share with everyone. No one knows what you like better than you do! It's so much better if you prepare a dish (or two!) to share with everyone and bring it yourself. Make your absolute favorite holiday dishes so that you can enjoy the meal at the holiday gathering just as much as everyone else. Others may absolutely love your dish as well, and you may inspire them to eat healthier themselves!

Thanksgiving Vegetable "Turkey"
My Parents Made for Me
You Don't Have to Make Compromises
You deserve to be happy with your meal, just like everyone else! NEVER feel you have to make compromises you don't want to make just to be polite. Your family and friends will actually be much happier if they see that you are happily enjoying a meal that you find absolutely ideal - healthy and delicious. Other people will be loving the food they are eating - you deserve to be in heaven with your holiday meal as well!

It's not worth the stress and the grief you will give yourself the next day to eat something just to make others happy. It doesn't really make them happy anyway - the reason people usually "push food" on others is that they see others looking unhappy, and they think the food will make them happier. But remember your past experiences: eating unhealthy food will not make you happier. If you are sitting there, looking sickly, unhappy, and hungry - you better expect that others are going to put the pressure on you to eat something (and maybe even to change your diet)! But it doesn't have to be that way...

If your friends and family see you happily eating the beautiful, healthy dishes that you brought to the gathering I promise that you will get MUCH less pressure from them to stray from your diet in any way. It takes a strange (usually jealous) person to make rude comments about something they see is making another person so healthy and happy.
Remember - It's Not Really About the Food
Holiday gatherings are about being with your friends and loved ones! Eat beforehand and bring several dishes to share with everyone to take the focus off the food and put it back where it belongs - on being thankful and happy for your wonderful friends and family!

Lovely vegetable "turkey" made by my friend
Karen Havling
You Don't Have to Talk About Your Diet
If you are uncomfortable talking about your diet - that's OK! If someone asks you about what you are eating or why you are eating a certain way, you can simply say, "I really enjoy eating fruits and vegetables", or you can change the subject, and ask them about something interesting that is going on in their lives. If they keep pressuring you to talk about it, you can even simply say that you would prefer not to talk about it at that exact moment, and ask if you can set up a time in the future to talk about it with them if they are truly interested. A holiday gathering is not really the best time or place to get into an intense discussion about the way you eat, just like it's not really the right place to get into a heated debate about religion or politics.

Just like you don't want others to make you uncomfortable about your diet, others do not want you to make them feel uncomfortable about the way they are eating either. Unfortunately, sometimes just by being in the room and eating healthier than everyone else, you can unintentionally make other people feel bad about their food choices. This is another reason why it's best to avoid talking about your dietary preferences unless you can do it in the absolute most caring, loving way. You inspire people by your actions, you don't really need to say anything. If you say anything but the absolute most caring, positive things about diet you risk making others feel guilty and defensive, setting the stage for conflict.
Be The Change You Want to See in The World
I always try to remember the beautiful quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "Be The Change You Want to See in The World". If you want your friends and family to make healthier choices, you need to first make healthier choices yourself. If you want others to have more compassion for the animals, the environment, impoverished people, and future generations by choosing a healthy, plant-based diet, then you need to choose a healthy, plant-based diet. If you want your friends and loved ones to love themselves more and show more respect for their bodies, nature, and the gift that is life, then you need to do so yourself!

If you have ate healthy all year but intend on compromising just for a particular holiday gathering, consider that this is when your friends and family see you. What you do is going to influence them more than you could ever imagine. Choose to be happy and healthy and make a positive difference in the world! Even if you only influence one person to think about eating a few less animals, that is a huge accomplishment! Remember, no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

My Boyfriend and I with the Thanksgiving Vegetable "Turkey"
My Parents Made for Me and My Low Fat Raw Vegan "Pasta"

811 Recipes: Raw Vegan New Year's Eve Party!

2011-11-21T11:40:00.000-08:00

I have some delicious recipes to share with you for the cutest, healthiest New Year's Eve party! Fruit is colorful, beautiful, and festive, and makes the perfect healthy centerpiece in any celebration.

Low Fat Raw Vegan New Year's Eve

When I think of New Year's Eve, I think of fun celebrations with family and friends. I wanted to put together a healthy, delicious, beautiful, and festive raw vegan version of the classic New Year's Eve celebration. Why wait until the new year to start eating healthy when you can make these gorgeous, satisfying dishes that will leave you feeling healthy and vibrant?

I prepared a fruit fondue, a beautiful drink for a healthy toast, and raspberry "champagne"! My family absolutely loved these recipes. My boyfriend couldn't stop talking about how beautiful the colors were. My mom was impressed by how nicely the banana fondue stuck to the fruit. My dad loved how quick and easy everything was to put together.

1) Banana Fondue

* Ingredients:

- 4 green apples

- 4 red apples

- 4 green pears

- 4 red pears

- 4 mangoes

- 2 large, ripe pineapples

- 2 containers of strawberries

- 20 bananas (use ripe, spotty bananas, since these are sweeter)

* Preparation

- Slice the apples and pears into bite sized pieces. Peel the mangoes and slice into bite sized pieces. Peel and core your pineapples, and slice into bite sized pieces. Remove the stems from your strawberries, and slice them in halves. Break your bananas into pieces, and put them in your blender. Add the least amount of water possible for them to blend into a creamy, rich sauce with will be used for the fondue.

* Presentation

- Pour your banana fondue into your fondue pot. Serve your bite-sized fruits as dippers with fondue wands for each guest.

*Delicious Variations:

- Experiment with different fruit dippers, like navel oranges.

                - Sapodilla would be fantastic blended in with the bananas in the fondue. It would add a sweet, rich cinnamon flavor. Sapodilla is in season May to September in Florida, with the peak of the crop in June and July.

2. Raspberry "Champagne"

      * Ingredients:
              -4 packages of raspberries
               -2 large bottles of sparkling water

* Preparation

- Simply blend your raspberries with sparkling water in your blender.

* Presentation

              - Pour your raspberry "champagne" into champagne glasses for a beautiful, elegant cocktail!

      * Delicious Variations:
              - Experiment with different fruits or mixtures of fruits for your champagne. I really like the raspberries, because they are nice and tart. Blending in a few strawberries would give your champagne added sweetness.

Low Fat Raw Vegan New Year's Eve

3. New Year's Eve Toast

* Ingredients:

- 2 mangoes

- 1 large, ripe pineapple

- 2 containers of strawberries

* Preparation

- Peel the mangoes and slice into bite sized pieces. Peel and core your pineapple, and slice into bite sized pieces. Remove the stems from your strawberries, and slice them in halves.

* Presentation

- Serve your bite-sized fruit in wine glasses. Garnish with slices of banana (see picture below).

Low Fat Raw Vegan New Year's Eve

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas, Part Two

2011-11-17T13:01:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner has always been the delicious side dishes. From sweet cranberry sauce to hearty butternut squash soup, Thanksgiving dinner truly wouldn't be complete without them. I have a few beautiful Thanksgiving side dish ideas to share with you. For a main dish, please see my post on Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving & Christmas Recipe Ideas Part 1.

1) Cranberry Orange Relish

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Cranberry Orange Relish [1]

*Ingredients:

- 24oz fresh, raw cranberries

- 4 navel oranges

- fresh ground cloves

- cinnamon

*Preparation: Using a food processor, coarsely chop the cranberries. Peel the oranges, remove any seeds, and slice them into small pieces. Mix your orange slices in with your cranberries, and add cinnamon and ground cloves to taste.

*Delicious Variations:

- Add in 1 gala apple. Core and slice the apple, then coarsely chop it in the food processor and mix into your relish.

2) Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Fresh, Raw Cranberries [2]

*Ingredients:

- 24oz fresh, raw cranberries

- 4 gala apples

- fresh ground cloves

- cinnamon

- nutmeg

- all spice

*Preparation: Using a food processor, coarsely chop the cranberries. Core and slice the apples, then coarsely chop them in the food processor and mix in with your cranberries. Add cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and all spice to taste.

*Delicious Variations:

- To add additional sweetness, you can squeeze in the juice of one navel orange.

3) Cranberry, Pear, and Pomegranate Sauce

Picture from Family Fresh Cooking

*Ingredients:

- 24oz fresh, raw cranberries

- 2 pears

- 4 oz of fresh, raw pomegranate seeds

- cinnamon

*Preparation: Using a food processor, coarsely chop the cranberries and pomegranate seeds. Core and slice the pears, then coarsely chop them in the food processor and combine with your cranberry-pomegranate mixture. Add cinnamon to taste.

Butternut Squash Soup Variations

Nothing puts me in a cozy fall mood better than sweet, rich, creamy butternut squash soup. Butternut squash soup is healthy, hearty, and perfect for the holidays!

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Butternut Squash Soup [3]

4) Sweet and Savory Butternut Squash Soup

*Ingredients:

- 1 butternut squash

- 1 navel orange

- 1 sweet red bell pepper

- cinnamon

- fresh ground cloves

*Preparation: Peel your butternut squash and remove its seeds. Julienne the butternut squash using a food processor, chop it into cubes, or grate it into thin slices so your blender can process it. Peel your orange, and cut it into slices, removing the seeds. Remove the seeds and stem from your red bell pepper, and cut it into pieces. Blend your ingredients in your blender. Add water slowly until your soup reaches the constancy you desire. Add cinnamon and ground cloves to taste.

5) Fall Flavors Butternut Squash Soup

*Ingredients:

- 1 butternut squash

- 1 large gala apple

- 3 celery sticks

- ground all spice

- ground nutmeg

*Preparation: Peel your butternut squash and remove its seeds. Julienne the butternut squash using a food processor, chop it into cubes, or grate it into thin slices so your blender can process it. Core and slice the apple, and chop your celery into pieces. Blend your ingredients into a soup in your blender. Add water slowly until your soup reaches the constancy you desire. Add ground nutmeg and all spice to taste.

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Butternut Squash Soup [4]

6) Hearty Butternut Squash Soup

*Ingredients:

- 1 butternut squash

- 3 large carrot sticks

- 3 celery sticks

- ground all spice

- ground nutmeg

*Preparation: Peel your butternut squash and remove its seeds. Julienne the butternut squash using a food processor, chop it into cubes, or grate it into thin slices so your blender can process it. Chop, food process, or grate your celery and carrots into small pieces. Blend your ingredients into a soup in your blender. Add water slowly until your soup reaches the constancy you desire. Add ground nutmeg and all spice to taste.

7) Tomato, Persimmon, Butternut Squash Soup

*Ingredients:

           - 1 butternut squash
           - 1 large, ripe persimmon
           - 3 tomatoes (I like on-the-vine)

*Preparation: Peel your butternut squash and remove its seeds. Julienne the butternut squash using a food processor, chop it into cubes, or grate it into thin slices so your blender can process it. Chop your tomatoes and persimmon into pieces. Blend your ingredients into a soup in your blender. Your soup will blend easier if you put the wettest ingredients, the tomatoes and the persimmon, in first. Add water slowly until your soup reaches the constancy you desire.

Picture from the Fat Free Vegan Kitchen

8) Butternut Squash Zucchini Soup

*Ingredients:

- 1 butternut squash

- 1 zucchini

- 3 celery sticks
- 3 large carrot sticks

- ground cloves

- ground nutmeg

*Preparation: Peel your butternut squash and remove its seeds. Julienne the butternut squash using a food processor, chop it into cubes, or grate it into thin slices so your blender can process it. Chop, food process, or grate your celery, zucchini, and carrots into small pieces. Blend your ingredients into a soup in your blender. Add water slowly until your soup reaches the constancy you desire. Add ground cloves and nutmeg to taste.

9) Butternut Squash Banana Soup

This soup is deliciously smooth and sweet, without being overly sweet. It is truly one of my favorite combinations.

     *Ingredients:
            - 4 cups of butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
            - 1 large, ripe banana

*Preparation: Peel your butternut squash and remove its seeds. Julienne the butternut squash using a food processor, chop it into cubes, or grate it into thin slices so your blender can process it. Blend your butternut squash and banana into a soup in your blender. Add water slowly until your soup reaches the constancy you desire.

10) Butternut Squash, Orange, Mango Soup

*Ingredients:

- 1 butternut squash

- 1/2 navel orange

- 1 mango

- nutmeg

*Preparation: Peel your butternut squash and remove its seeds. Julienne the butternut squash using a food processor, chop it into cubes, or grate it into thin slices so your blender can process it. Peel your orange, and cut it into pieces, removing the seeds. Peel your mango, slice it into pieces, and remove the pit. Blend your ingredients into a soup in your blender. Add water slowly until your soup reaches the constancy you desire. Add nutmeg to taste.

[1] This beautiful picture is from The Picky Apple

[2] This lovely picture from The Cilantropist

[3] This beautiful picture is from http://drrayrecipes.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/bright-orange-color-cream-of-butternut-squash-and-sweet-potato-soup/

[4] This delicious picture is from Duo Dishes

How To Stay Raw Vegan When Traveling

2011-11-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

Road Trips

While on the road it's important to bring lots of fruits and vegetables to snack on if you get hungry. I like to bring easy-to-eat fruits and vegetables like bananas, clementines, pre-washed grapes, apples, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, pre-washed and cut bell peppers, peaches, pears, plums, etc. Remember to bring napkins and a few bags for trash!

If you are traveling for a long period of time, you may want to bring a cooler. I prefer to eat my fruits and vegetables at room temperature, but if you prefer to have them cold, they sell coolers which you can plug into your car which will help keep your fruits and vegetables fresh. The Koolatron 29 Quart 12V Cooler is great for long road trips, since it will help you keep your fruits and vegetables cool without requiring you to stock up on ice cubes periodically.

If you run out of food while on the road, it's no problem, even the most remote highways have great places you can stop and pick up healthy fruits and vegetables to eat:

7-11

They have apples, bananas, oranges, cut fruit, and packaged salads.

Sheets

They have apples, bananas, oranges, tasty cut pineapple, cut mango, packaged salads, and they are open 24-7!

Subway

You can always find a Subway when traveling. They can make a nice, healthy salad for you with lettuce, tomato, green peppers, cucumbers, carrots, etc. I usually order 3 or 4 for a snack. They are open surprisingly long hours, and are often attached to gas stations, which makes them extremely convenient places to stop and grab a healthy snack.

Grocery Stores

As you pass through town you can stop at grocery stores to grab a quick fruit or vegetable meal. You can grab a few pieces of fruit, a salad if they have a salad bar, or some pre-cut and washed fruits and vegetables in a vegetable or fruit tray.

Starbucks

They have bananas and packaged fruit salads. They are a little over-priced in my opinion, but it's good to know they are there in an emergency.

If you are passing though cities you may even be able to find a restaurant that has nice salads to stop at. If you have a favorite chain restaurant you like to go to for a healthy meal at home, you can be pretty sure you can find a salad of a similar quality at that same chain in any city. A few of my favorite restaurants for finding large, filling salads while on the road are restaurants with all-you-can-eat salad bars, like Ruby Tuesday's, or a restaurant that offers nice, large salads, like The Cheesecake Factory. At The Cheesecake Factory, I simply give the waiter a list of all the raw fruits and vegetables I can find on their menu that I would like to have in my salad, and I order two salads.

Places where you can make your own salad like Chop't Creative Salad Company and Salad Creations are also good options, but they are a little more pricey for what you get than the all-you-can-eat salad bars. The cheapest way to go is definitely Olive Garden. Olive Garden offers endless salad with any meal, so if I am traveling with a friend, they order a meal, and I get endless salad for free - I just order it without dressing, cheese, croutons, etc. How fun is that? Panera also offers nice salads and fruit salads, just ask them to leave off any items you don't want in your salad, like salt, cheese, etc.

Since my boyfriend and I just graduated and are dead broke, we usually travel by car whenever we need to get somewhere - no matter how far away it is. I've only traveled by plane one time in the past year, and it was for a business trip, but I can share with you a few tips from that experience, and I promise I'll keep you updated as I lean more tips and tricks for traveling by plane, by boat, by taxi, by metro etc!

Plane Rides

Most airlines will let you bring as many healthy snacks as you want on the plane, as long as you can fit them in your carry-on baggage, and they are pre-washed and prepared. I like to bring clean, easy to eat fruits and vegetables like apples, bananas, clementines, peaches, pears, pre-washed grapes, cherry tomatoes, celery, baby carrots, cherries, etc. It is really simple and quick to throw these fruits and vegetables into your carry on bag. Sometimes, I will take a little longer, and prepare myself a nice fruit or green salad to bring with me.

On most airlines, if you are traveling within your country, you can pack as many fruits and vegetables as you want in your checked baggage. I don't recommend doing this, since the fruits and vegetables you pack can get bruised or damaged in transit, and they may get your clothes or other belongings dirty. A better thing to do it to look up the closest grocery stores to the location you are going, and stock up on healthy fruits and vegetables when you get there.

I just updated my travel preferences on my company website, and one of the options to click when selecting my dietary preferences for air travel was "raw vegan"! I was excited to see it was an option, but I still will bring my own healthy food when traveling by plane. It's always best to be prepared, in case what they offer is not something you would like to have in your diet, something you are allergic to, or simply not enough food. It is always a good idea to call ahead and check with your airline on their policies for traveling with food. They are always very friendly and helpful when I call to ask about their policies.

During lay-overs or while waiting at the airport, it is not as difficult to find healthy fruits and vegetables as you might think. If you are at a larger airport and they have restaurants, ask people who work at the airport where they would suggest you go for the tastiest salads. Order the salad the way you want it, and don't be afraid to order two or three! Traveling can take a lot out of you, and you need the healthy calories for energy. Many airports have travel kiosks where they offer pre-packaged salads, fruit salads, and bananas. If the airport is large enough to have a Starbucks, Starbucks sells bananas and fruit salads. I've found that the food offered at airports is typically over-priced, so it's best to bring your own food when traveling by plane, but theses are great options in case you run out of food and are hungry.

Hotels

Once I get to my location, I like to stop by the nearest grocery store and pick up lots of healthy fruits and vegetables. The most important tip I can give you for staying 100% raw vegan, or simply eating healthier while traveling is to always have enough healthy, delicious food around. Even the most remote towns have grocery stores with fruits and vegetables; look up the closest grocery stores to the hotel where you will be staying and check out the reviews to find one that meets your needs.

When looking for hotels to stay in, it is best to choose hotels that have mini-fridges (or full-sized fridges and kitchens) in each room. If you have a mini-fridge in your room, you will be able to keep your greens fresher, longer. Not having a refrigerator in your room isn't the worst thing though, just choose healthy food that does well when it is not refrigerated, like oranges, bananas, pears, etc.

I like to look for hotels that offer free breakfasts, and I call ahead to see if fruit is offered with the breakfast. It often is, and a nice, large, free fruit breakfast is a wonderful way to start any day. The last hotel I stayed at had bananas and apples out for their guests 24/7, which was great for a late night snack.

To stay active, I like to choose hotels that have gyms and swimming pools. I bring my computer with me so I can workout to my workout videos in my hotel room. I also bring my headphones, gym clothes, and running shoes so I can run outside the hotel. I like to go on walking tours, hikes, and biking tours while on vacation, and try to stay active by doing activities such as walking around museums and art galleries. I also love swimming, playing volleyball and frisbee, canoeing.... there are so many wonderful options for staying active when traveling!

You truly can stay healthy and have a wonderful time when on vacation. I'll keep you updated as I travel more and discover new ways to stay happy and healthy while traveling!

If you liked this article, please consider donating! Thank you so much!

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving & Christmas Recipe Ideas Part 1

2011-11-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love the holidays and being able to see my family and friends. Many of my friends who are low fat raw vegans, or simply trying to follow a healthier diet, ask me, concerned, about what to do during the celebratory holiday meals.

A wonderful thing to do to get into the holiday spirit is to bring a huge, lovely fruit and vegetable dish (or several dishes!) to share with everyone. Not only will this ensure that you have enough healthy food to eat that you won't feel tempted by unhealthy foods which you would rather not have in your diet, it will also make the meal more fun and enjoyable! It will take the pressure off the host, who may be concerned about how he or she can meet your dietary preferences.

I am always excited to see how much my family likes the fruit and vegetable dishes I've prepared for them. Just about everyone enjoys fruit, and most people are at least a little concerned with not gaining too much weight over the holiday season, so I think you will be surprised by how huge of a hit your healthy dishes are at your holiday celebrations.

Having enough delicious, healthy food around during celebratory holiday meals is a must. You want your meal to be just as enjoyable and filling as everyone else's! Bring more of these delicious dishes than you think you will need to your holiday parties - you want yourself and your guests, friends, and family to have plenty of healthy, delicious food to enjoy. If you can't finish, the great thing is that you will have delicious left overs!

Last Thanksgiving, my mom arranged beautiful cut vegetables in the shape of a turkey for me, and my dad made me a huge, beautiful raw salad. I made a nice appetizer salad for everyone, and finished my meal with lots of delicious peaches. Here is a picture of the pretty "turkey" my mom made for me:


Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving Veggie "Turkey" made by my mom

Although it is perfectly acceptable to simply bring several large cut fruit and vegetable trays (you can even purchase these at the store if you are short on time), I find that arranging a beautiful and festive plate is always met with greater appreciation. Here are a few cute ideas for pretty, festive, fruit and vegetable dishes for the holidays:

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Veggie "Turkey" from
http://www.momendeavors.com/2011/11/cornucopia-of-creativity-turkey-veggie-tray.html

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Fruit "Turkey"

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Fruit "Turkey" from
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2011/11/fun-thanksgiving-food-thanksgiving.html

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Veggie "Turkey" from
http://kathi-gfcf.blogspot.com/2008/11/veggie-tray-for-thanksgiving.html

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Veggie "Turkey" from
http://www.allergykids.com/2009/11/


Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving Veggie "Turkey" from http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2010/11/veggie-turkey.html

Low Fat Raw Vegan Thanksgiving
Veggie "Turkey" from
http://dallasvegan.com/blog/dallas-vegan-thanksgiving-holiday-guide

Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas
Veggie "Christmas Tree"

Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas
Veggie "Christmas Tree" from
http://mollyirwin.typepad.com/mollyirwin/2010/12/warmth-and-heatlh.html

Low Fat Raw Vegan Christmas
Veggie "Christmas Tree"

How to Get More Sleep in Your Busy Schedule

2011-11-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

Getting sufficient, high quality sleep is essential in a healthy lifestyle. Studies show an increased mortality risk for those reporting less than seven hours of sleep per night [1]. One study even found that reduced sleep time was a greater mortality risk than smoking, high blood pressure, and heart disease [1].

Sleep deprivation has been tied to:

Diabetes

After even just one night of sleep deprivation, the body has an impaired ability to handle a glucose load. In a 2007 study published in Sleep Medicine Review, researchers from the University of Chicago found that “partial sleep loss may increase the risk of obesity and diabetes via multiple pathways [2].”

Obesity

Studies support that insufficient sleep duration is tied to obesity. One major study on sleep and obesity was the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANES I) [3]. More than 9,000 people participated in the study. Participants who slept five hours per night were 73% more likely to become obese than those getting seven to nine hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation was hypothesized to contribute to obesity by decreasing leptin, increasing ghrelin, and compromising insulin sensitivity [3].

Heart Disease

Insufficient sleep leads to higher levels of stress hormones in your body, which is bad for your heart. Stress hormones damage blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure and eventually to heart disease [2].

It has also been tied to headaches, depression, delayed reaction time, impaired focus and attention, hormonal imbalances, and the list goes on.

Maybe you know how important sleep is, and would love to get more of it - but you are finding it hard to find adequate time to sleep in your busy schedule. Here are a few tips for incorporating more sleep into your busy life:

Every night, try to go to bed 30 minutes earlier.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANES I) found that even one hour of extra sleep had a significant impact on their subjects' health [3], so strive to fit in that extra little bit of sleep.

Simplify your morning routine so you can wake up 30 minutes later.

Wear less make-up, prepare your breakfast the night before, set your clothes for the day out the evening before - whatever you can do to get in extra sleep time.

Sleep in on the weekends.

Although you cannot undo the damage you incur by being under-slept during the work week, sleeping in on the weekends can still reduce your sleep deficit. Try to find the time to go to bed earlier or sleep in later on the weekends.
Plan your weekend activities for the midday so they do not cut into your sleep time. Wonderful, healthy midday activities include going for hikes with your friends, kayaking, biking, swimming, visiting museums and art galleries, visiting historic sites, etc.

Do not drink caffeine.

The effects of caffeine can take as long as eight hours to wear off and will impair your ability to get to sleep.

Avoid alcohol.

Even though some people believe that alcohol helps them fall asleep easier, the end result of drink alcohol is always sleep deprivation. This is because alcohol causes sleep disturbances that result in a less restful sleep.

Exercise daily.

Regular exercise has been proven to improve the quality of sleep. Many studies have shown this to be the case. For example, researchers from Northwestern University found that aerobic exercise improved self-reported sleep and quality of life [4].

Set a scheduled time you want to go to bed, and try to get to bed at that time each evening.

Prepare for bed at least 30 minutes before this scheduled time.

Sometimes I get so tired I can't even work up the energy to prepare for bed. The earlier you prepare for bed, the better, since this will help you get to sleep sooner.

Make sleep a priority.

Don't let other less important tasks cut into the time you have available for sleeping. If the task can wait for the next day, save it for the next day.

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Sometimes our lives can become so busy that it can truly be overwhelming. It is alright to ask for help if you need it to lessen the amount of things you need to do each day. This can help you get the sleep you need to be happy and healthy. You deserve it!

Don't let your work cut into your sleep.

Set a scheduled time to stop working.
More and more people are taking their work home with them, and working late into the night. Set a scheduled time to stop working every day so that you have time to eat dinner, relax, and prepare for bed.
If you work at an office, try not to take your work home with you.
Don't stay late at work. You will be more productive and produce higher quality work if you are well slept.

Don't check your email, go on the computer, or turn on the TV right before bed.

Not only might something come up that might interest you and distract you from getting to bed on time, the light from the TV and computer screens can also disturb your sleep/wake cycle, making you feel less sleepy.

Even with our busy lives, it is essential that we make sleep a priority if we wish to be truly healthy and happy. The amount of sleep we get affects everything else in our lives. Hopefully these tips will help you find the time to fit more health-promoting sleep into your busy schedule!

Sources:

[1] Sleep Habits: More Important Than You Think Chronic Sleep Deprivation May Harm Health. By Michael J. Breus, PhD. Reviewed by Stuart J. Meyers, MD. WebMD Feature. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/important-sleep-habits.

[2] Not Enough Sleep: 7 Serious Health Risks. By Stephanie Schupska. WebMD Feature. Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD. www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/not-enough-sleep-7-serious-health-risks.

[3] Inadequate Sleep as a Risk Factor for Obesity: Analyses of the NHANES I. James E. Gangwisch, PhD1; Dolores Malaspina, MD. June 2005. http://www.journalsleep.org/Articles/281017.pdf. SLEEP, Vol. 28, No. 10.

[4] Aerobic exercise improves self-reported sleep and quality of life in older adults with insomnia. Reid, Kathryn. Sleep Medicine. Volume 11. Issue 9. October 2010. Pages 934-940. ScienceDirect. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945710002868.

My New E-Book!

2011-11-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Please check out my new 53 page e-book:

A Guide to Conquering Food Cravings For Life:
How to Never Experience Food Cravings Again

Includes Craving-Busting Recipes!

Whether you are new to this lifestyle or have been following this lifestyle for years, if you still experience cravings for ANY food you don't want to have in your diet, you need this e-book!

I talk about how to conquer cravings for:

Cooked Foods
Dairy
Bread
Sweets
Salty Foods
Coffee
Fatty Foods and Overt Fats
Gourmet Raw Foods

I also include:

How to Reach Your Ideal Weight With No Cravings While Feeling 100% Satisfied
How I Overcame My Food Cravings Once And For All
Tips on How to Avoid Food Cravings in Social Situations
Tips on How to Avoid Food Cravings On The Go
What to Do if You Feel Full on Healthy Foods, But Not Satiated
Scientific Research
Lots of Craving-Busting Recipes
How to Break Any Food Addiction

It's not simply a lack of will power - unhealthy foods have been scientifically proven to be addictive which is why it is even more important to have these tools available to overcome your cravings.

My new e-Book costs $4.99, which you can pay via a secure PayPal payment by clicking the link below. You will then be sent an email containing your download information, and be able to download your e-book immediately! After buying my e-book, you will have 24 hours to download it.

Imagine the foods that you are addicted to that you would prefer not to have in your diet and what it would feel like to be completely free of the addiction. Take the first step in conquering your cravings once and for all and download my new e-book!

Click Here To Download!

Daily Emails Detailing Exactly What I Eat

2011-11-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

I now offer daily emails where I will share:

Exactly what and how much I've eaten each day
Recipes for each meal I prepare for myself
The type, duration, and intensity of physical activity I have completed
Tips, quotes, and motivation for a healthy lifestyle

Dinner!

These emails are intended to inspire you and give you fun and easy recipe and meal ideas! Remember, it is extremely important to eat in line with the signals your body is giving you and to always eat if you are hungry. An active person can easily require twice as many calories as the would if they were sedentary! Also, your fitness activities need to be a reasonable challenge for you if your goal is to make fitness improvements. If they aren't a challenge, you will simply be maintaining your level of fitness, not making serious improvements.

The cost for these inspiring daily emails is $30 for one week, $55 for two weeks, and $80 for three weeks. You can purchase these email updates via the Paypal link below. You don't need a Paypal account to make a payment. Paypal will accept payments by credit card or bank account. Your financial information is not shared with me. You can also send your payment to tll6h@virginia.edu on Paypal to purchase your email subscription. Thank you for your interest in my email subscription service! I truly hope my emails will be inspiring and informative to you.

811 Recipes: Raw Butternut Squash Noodles with Many Delicious Sauce Variations

2011-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

Earthy, slightly sweet, and surprisingly moist and tender, raw butternut squash noodles are the perfect centerpiece in any autumn dish. Butternut squash releases its moisture when it is spiralized or shredded, and it becomes soft and sweet. I think it tastes much better raw than cooked, because when cooked, it can become rather starchy. The wonderful antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals in the butternut squash are also more abundant if the squash is eaten raw. Butternut squash is incredibly healthy; it is high in fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, manganese, and carotenoids which help protect against breast cancer, macular degeneration and heart disease.

Butternut squash is delicious served raw, with minimum preparation other than shredding or spiralizing, since this causes the squash to become tender and sweet while retaining its true flavors. When choosing butternut squashes for pasta, look for the smaller butternut squashes. The smaller butternut squashes have more tender flesh, and are easier to spiralize and eat raw. Earthy, fresh, sweet, moist, with a beautiful color, butternut squash pasta is truly becoming one of my new favorites.

Raw Butternut Squash Noodles

Pasta

*Pasta Ingredient:
- 2 or 3 small butternut squashes (the smaller squashes are more tender)

* Pasta Preparation:
- Peel your raw butternut squashes with a vegetable peeler or a knife

- Slice off the ends of the butternut squashes so you have flat ends to work with your spiralizer

- Spiralize your butternut squashes starting with the thin end of the squash. The seeds are housed in the thicker end, so it is difficult to start on that end.

- If you do not have a spiralizer, you can use a food processor to grate the butternut squash into thin pieces, or grate the butternut squash by hand. The butternut squash will resemble more of a coleslaw than a pasta, but taste just as delicious. This also works well if you have a large, especially tough squash.

*Delicious Pasta Variation:
- Spiralize a few apples into noodles as well, and mix with your butternut squash noodles

Delicious Sauce Variations

1) Tomato, Orange, Red Bell Pepper Sauce

*Ingredients:

- 2 tomatoes

- 1 navel orange

- 1 red bell pepper

- fresh ground cloves

- cinnamon

*Preparation: Blend ingredients in a food processor or blender. For a thicker sauce, pulse the ingredients in the blender or food processor until they reach your desired thickness. Pour over your noodles and enjoy!

Raw Butternut Squash Noodles with
Apple, Celery, Cranberry Sauce

2) Apple, Celery, Cranberry Sauce

*Ingredients:

- 4 apples

- 6 celery sticks

- 3 cups fresh, raw cranberries

- fresh ground cloves

- cinnamon

- nutmeg

*Preparation: Chop the ingredients into fine pieces in a food processor. Mix in with your noodles.

*Variation: Squeeze the juice of a navel orange over the top.

Raw Butternut Squash Noodles with
Red Bell Pepper, Tomato, Celery, and Carrot Sauce

3) Red Bell Pepper, Tomato, Celery, and Carrot Sauce

        *Ingredients:
              - 1 1/2 cup carrot
              - 4 celery sticks
              - 3 tomatoes, on the vine or from the garden work best
              - 1 red bell pepper

Raw Butternut Squash Noodles with
Persimmon, Red Bell Pepper, Tomato Sauce

4) Persimmon, Red Bell Pepper, Tomato Sauce

*Ingredients:

           - 1 ripe persimmon, peeled
           - 3 tomatoes, on the vine or from the garden work best
           - 1 red bell pepper

       *Preparation: Blend ingredients in a food processor or blender. For a thicker sauce, pulse the ingredients in the blender or food processor until they reach your desired thickness. Pour over your noodles and enjoy!

5) Orange Mango Sauce

       *Ingredients:
       - 4 navel oranges, peeled and sliced with the seeds removed
             - 2 mangoes, peeled and sliced with their pits/seeds removed
             - nutmeg
             - cinnamon

Raw Butternut Squash Noodles with Apple, Celery, Cranberry Sauce

6) Orange Pomegranate Sauce

*Ingredients:

    - 4 navel oranges, peeled and sliced with the seeds removed
          - 2 pomegranates
          - nutmeg
          - cinnamon

     *Preparation: Chop the ingredients into fine pieces in a food processor. Mix in with your noodles.

811 Recipes: Savory Kale Salad Video!

2011-11-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

I've uploaded my first recipe video: Savory Kale Salad!

Please click here to view on YouTube

Kale is incredibly healthy: it has been shown to reduce the risk for multiple types of cancer, it has cholesterol-lowering benefits, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties, and is rich in powerful antioxidants. It contains health-promoting phytochemicals, flavonoids that have strong anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities, and is an excellent source of vitamins A, K, and the B-complex vitamins. It is also incredible source of minerals like copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus. Eating kale regularly can offer protection from vitamin A deficiency, osteoporosis, and iron deficiency anemia. Kale is high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps prevent cancer, heart disease, and certain age-related chronic diseases. Healthy, nutrient-dense kale is a wonderful addition to any diet!

Low fat raw vegan savory kale salad
with a sauce of pineapple and tomato

I made this savory, rich, delicious, low-fat kale salad a few nights ago, and it came out so wonderfully, I can't wait to share it with my friends and family! Lots of recipes for kale salad are heavy in fats (olive oil, avocado, etc.) used to tenderize the kale. In this recipe, I use the natural acidity of pineapple and tomato to tenderize the kale, making it's texture truly delectable. The result is a luscious low fat raw vegan kale salad!

*Ingredients:

- 16 ounces of kale, chopped finely

- 5 tomatoes, diced (I enjoy the on-the-vine tomatoes)

- 1/4 a pineapple, diced

- 2 cloves of garlic, pressed with a garlic press, crushed, or diced (optional)

*Delicious variations:

- Mix in 2 chopped red bell peppers

- Add in 2 zucchinis, chopped

- Garnish with dill, cilantro, or parsley

- Mix in a few scallions, thinly sliced

- Add in grated carrot (this gives the salad even more beautiful color!)

*Preparation:

- To make this delicious, savory low fat raw vegan kale salad, I took kale, and chopped it into very fine pieces. I then made a chunky sauce of pineapple and tomato, which I simply chopped finely using a knife, then put in a large bowl with all of their juices. I added two crushed cloves of garlic to the sauce. Then I placed the kale in the bowl, and massaged the sauce into the kale. I massaged the kale for a good three minutes, really working the sauce into the kale, and tenderizing it. When you massage the kale, it breaks down the fibers, making it more soft and enjoyable.

This recipe is so healthy and delicious, you just have to try it. I'm making it again tonight I liked it so much!

Brunch: A Wonderful Way to Find a Healthy, Delicious Meal When Dinning Out!

2011-11-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

A wonderful, simple way to find a healthy, delicious meal while dining out is to try brunch! Many restaurants offer brunch these days. Almost every brunch menu I've seen features at least one fresh fruit dish. For example, when looking for a place to eat brunch with my boyfriend, the closest restaurant to my house that was serving brunch (Il Fornaio) offered two delicious sounding fruit dishes: 'Fresh Mixed Berries' and 'Selection of Tropical and Exotic Fruits'! If the dish comes with something you would prefect not to eat, it is perfectly acceptable to politely ask your waiter that those items be left off. Be sure to describe to your waiter exactly how you want your dish. For example, I ordered my fruit brunch with "no sugar, no honey, and no yogurt" (things it came with on the menu). I also asked that the serving be made larger, since I love my fruits and vegetables!

Brunch at the Hay Adams in DC

Be sure to check the menu before you decide on a place to invite your friends and family for brunch. Even if there isn't an exclusively-fruit dish on the menu, if you see that fresh berries or a nice salad come as sides for other dishes, you can always call ahead and ask if it would be possible for the chef to prepare you a delicious, healthy, fruit and vegetable filled dish using these ingredients. Every restaurant I've called ahead to is happy to put together a healthy meal for me using the ingredients from their menu! I am always impressed with the beautiful creations the chefs come up with.

Brunch at the Hay Adams in DC

For example, just last weekend my boyfriend and I decided to visit the historic Hay Adams hotel in DC for brunch. I saw that they offered lots of fresh fruit as parts of other dishes on their menu: berries, mangoes, oranges, etc., and thought it sounded promising! When I arrived, I simply described to the waiter that I would love to have a meal made exclusively with fresh, raw fruit. I also asked that my serving be large, since I love to eat lots of healthy, tasty food! Often, I will eat a little bit before I go to restaurants, and if I am still hungry when I get home, I have no problem eating when I get home as well. If you eat a healthy snack before you go, you won't be ravenous when you arrive, and you will be able to make healthier decisions when ordering.

Brunch at the Hay Adams in DC

Brunch buffets are wonderful for eating healthy as well: they often offer lots of fresh fruit, fresh berries, and raw salads. Simply call ahead and ask if these things are offered in the brunch buffet! When I go to a brunch buffet, I will often order a plate of fruits and vegetables to come out for me along with the buffet, to be sure I will have enough food. Check out the beautiful fresh fruit plate Chateau Morrisette made for me to go with my brunch buffet! They only charged me $7 for this beautiful plate, and most of it was organic, grown in their own garden!

A beautiful raw, organic dish to go with my brunch buffet
from Chateau Morrisette in Floyd, VA.

People often ask me, concerned, how they will be able to eat at non-raw restaurants, and be social with their friends and family, as a 100% raw vegan. I love being social, and I really look forward to trying out new restaurants! You won't believe the amazing dishes that non-raw restaurants have made for me; check out a few of the beautiful dishes here: How To Stay 100% Raw Vegan At Resturants, And LOVE It! All of these restaurants are conventional, not raw, restaurants!

I share many tips on how to get what you want at conventional restaurants in the post on How To Stay 100% Raw Vegan At Resturants, And LOVE It as well. You should never feel bad for wanting to take the absolute best care of yourself! You deserve to have a healthy delicious meal, and to be able to enjoy social time with your friends and family. These tips will work wonderfully for those of you simply trying to improve your diet and eat healthier when dinning out as well!

811 Recipes: Cucumber Noodles with Tomato-Orange Sauce

2011-11-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

I love making low fat raw vegan "pasta"! It's one of my favorite healthy meals; light, fresh, refreshing, and beautiful. This recipe is truly stunning which makes it wonderful for entertaining. It is a beautiful and fun way to serve and eat a salad, and kids love it! This recipe is quick and simple: it only includes three ingredients and it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare enough for an entire family. The orange adds a beautiful citrus kick and slight sweetness to the tomato sauce, which is balanced perfectly by the calming flavors of the cucumber noodles. This recipe is a fun, creative, and delicious way to add more fruits and veggies to any diet!

Low Fat Raw Vegan "Pasta"
Cucumber Noodles with Tomato-Orange Sauce

To make this recipe and other fun fruit and vegetable "pasta" recipes, you will need to purchase one inexpensive tool: the World Cuisine 48297-99 Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer. I have this model and it works wonderfully. I use mine every other day! If your goal is to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, this one tool will definitely help you get there. Low fat raw vegan "pastas" are truly are the most imaginative, beautiful salads I've seen - you can't help but want to eat them!

World Cuisine Spiralizer

Be sure to experiment with all of the three blades that come with your spiralizer! One of the blades makes the beautiful, wide noodles that I've used in this recipe, which are perfect for entertaining.

Wide Cucumber Noodles
Sliced with a Spiralizer

You can experiment and see which blade and style of pasta you like best! How much more fun would this recipe be to serve with your meal than a traditional salad? I find this recipe to be extremely satisfying, fun, and delicious. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

*Ingredients:
- 5 large cucumbers
- 5 tomatoes

              Using high-quality tomatoes makes a huge difference in this recipe. I love using the on-the-vine tomatoes, or home grown tomatoes!
      - 1 navel orange

*Preparation:
      - Wash your cucumbers and slice them in half. I like to slice off the round ends of the cucumbers, since it makes them easier to spiralize. Spiralize the cucumbers into whichever style of noodle you prefer, and place your noodles in a large bowl.

- Peel your orange, and slice it into pieces your blender can easily blend. Remove any seeds you see. Place your orange in the blender.

- Wash and slice your tomatoes into pieces your blender can easily blend.

- Blend your tomatoes and orange into a delicious, refreshing sauce.

- Pour your sauce over your noodles, and serve!

I love that this simple and easy recipe results in such a healthy, crowd-pleasing, mouth-watering salad!

Low Fat Raw Vegan "Pasta"
Cucumber Noodles with Tomato-Orange Sauce

*Delicious variations:
- Try different blades to make different style noodles
- Use zucchinis, carrots, yellow squashes, winter squashes, sweet potatoes, or whatever else you can think of to make noodles! I love all of the different beautiful colors, flavors, and textures you can achieve with different fruits and vegetables as noodles.

- Add in more oranges for a sweeter sauce.

- Substitute 2 clemintines for the 1 navel orange.

- Substitute 1 lemon for the 1 navel orange. Add fresh oregano. This makes a more savory sauce that I also absolutely love!

- Chop up your favorite vegetable to put on top. I personally love yellow bell pepper!

Low Fat Raw Vegan "Pasta"
Zucchini Noodles with Tomato-Lemon-Oregano Sauce
On a Bed of Romaine Lettuce
With Yellow Bell Peppers on Top

Experiment and have fun with your pastas! The picture above is what I had for dinner the other night: I spiralized some zucchini noodles (using 5 zucchinis), which I placed on a bed of romaine lettuce (I used 2 hearts of romaine lettuce). I then made a sauce with 5 tomatoes, the juice of one lemon, and some fresh oregano. I sliced two yellow bell peppers to put on top. It was delicious, savory, and filling!

811 Recipes: Asian Pear, Banana, Cinnamon Smoothie

2011-10-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love banana smoothies, they are creamy, soothing, and the perfect post-workout snack! Out of all of the delicious banana smoothie recipes I've tried, this recipe, recommended by a friend of mine, is the most outstanding. The asian pear cuts the thickness of the banana making this smoothie incredibly easy to drink, sweet, creamy, and delicious!

Asian Pear, Banana, Cinnamon Smoothie

When I was transitioning to 100% raw vegan, one of the hardest things for me to give up was dairy. As it turns out, dairy can be addictive: opiates hide inside casein, the main dairy protein. As casein molecules are digested, they break apart to release tiny opiate molecules, called casomorphins. One of these compounds has about one-tenth the opiate strength of morphine. When I first went raw vegan, I would have dreams about Starbucks Frappuccinos. I used to have 2 of them a day - can you imagine how horrible that was for my health? What helped me get past my cravings better than anything else were creamy, frothy, sweet banana smoothies! I highly recommend them for anyone trying to transition away from dairy.

*Ingredients:
      - 2 asian pears
      - 5 bananas (make sure they are spotty and ripe!)
      - ice
      - cinnamon

*Preparation:
      - To make this delicious, craving-busting recipe I simply peeled the bananas, sliced the asian pears and removed the seeds, and blended with ice and cinnamon. I then sprinkled a little cinnamon on the top!

*Delicious variations:
      - Bananas and strawberries
      - Bananas and mango
      - Mix in some greens: kale, spinach, bok choi, baby bok choi (baby bok choi maxes the smoothie even creamier!), whatever you enjoy!
      - Banana, pineapple, strawberry smoothies are fantastic

Teri Leventhal's First Video

2011-10-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

Halloween video! This is my first video, and in it I talk a lot about my goals for my future videos.

Happy Halloween everyone! I dressed as a watermelon this year, I hope you like my costume! Eating more fruits and vegetables is a wonderful way to love your body more, love nature more, love the animals more... it's better for everyone!

Teri Leventhal
In my Halloween costume! :)

One of my Favorite Unusual Fruits: The Pawpaw

2011-10-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

Pawpaw Fruit

Sweet, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, the pawpaw is a true treat! Before I even cut into my first pawpaw, I knew it was going to be outstanding; the smell from my collection of pawpaws was just wonderful, sweet and irresistible. To eat my first pawpaw, I cut it in half to the best of my ability (it has lots of large, shiny black seeds that make cutting it perfectly down the center difficult) and scooped out the creamy flesh with a spoon. The texture of the pawpaw is extremely smooth and creamy. It reminds me of a cherimoya or banana in it's texture, but it is even creamier and more luscious.

The pawpaws tasted just as incredible as I imagined. They have a delicious, tropical, and unique flavor that reminded me of cherimoya, but even sweeter. If you've never had cherimoya, then pawpaws are likely to be unlike anything you've ever tasted before, which may be reason enough to try them... it's a completely new and beautiful experience! If I had to describe it I'd say the flavor resembles a blend of various tropical fruits, including banana, pineapple, and mango, which was unexpected, given that the pawpaw is native to the East Coast of the US.

Even though the pawpaw is the largest edible fruit native to the US, I had never heard of it until my friend Mike Vlasaty suggested I try it. I can't believe I had never tried or even heard of this fruit; the pawpaw grows wild throughout the forests surrounding my house, and along the banks of the Potomac River! Pawpaws are in the same plant family as the custard-apple and cherimoya, and their smooth custard-like texture and delicious tropical flavor remind me of these rich tropical fruits. The pawpaw is the only temperate member of that plant family (Annonaceae). The rest of the fruits that are anything like a pawpaw are confined to the tropics, so the pawpaw is truly unique and exceptional.

The pawpaw's nickname is the "poor man's banana", but this inexpensive, humble fruit actually has a rich history. Raw pawpaws were a favorite dessert of Thomas Jefferson who grew them at Monticello. Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals that they were quite fond of them. At one point during their expedition in 1806, they survived exclusively on pawpaws when other provisions ran low. Pawpaws are also extremely nutritious. They are rich in many minerals (magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese), and have amino acids that are hard to find in other fruits.

Pawpaw season runs from late August to mid October, and when they are in season you can order fresh pawpaw fruit from http://integrationacres.com/products/fresh-pawpaw-fruit-p-53.html. Make sure you wait until they are soft to the touch, spotty, and fragrant before eating them to be sure they are ripe. I hope you get a chance to try this delicious fruit! I reallyed enjoyed it, and I'm sure you will too.

Pawpaw Fruit

Healthy Eating Pictures: What's in My Fridge for the Fall?

2011-10-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

My fridge! Filled with delicious fruits and veggies :)
I have chopped frozen bananas in the freezer, which are
great for smoothies and making banana "ice cream"
(frozen bananas, blended)
The beers are my boyfriends, lol!


My garden is somehow still growing peppers and cucumbers, even in the cold! I love fresh, home grown fruits and veggies.

I have some nice butternut squash, and lots of
clementines and local apples :)

I got a new type of melon I'm excited to try, the bright
orange one on the bottom level of the door!
There is another bright orange melon and another
cantaloupe inside the fridge :)

811 Recipes: Seasonal Citrus Salad

2011-10-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that citrus season coming in just a few short weeks! I absolutely love all of the different varieties of citrus, they are so flavorful and refreshing. To celebrate citrus season, I thought I would share a delicious citrus salad recipe with you. My brother Ben came up with this recipe, and I absolutely love it. The colors are beautiful, which makes this salad especially stunning for parties and entertaining. I hope you enjoy this tangy, sweet, and juicy salad!

Low fat raw vegan citrus salad*

"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each."

-Henry David Thoreau

*Ingredients:

- 2 pints grape tomatoes, halved

- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped

- 2 navel oranges

- 2 grapefruit

- 3 hearts of romaine lettuce

- mint

When citrus is in season in Florida**

*Delicious variations:

- Experiment with different types of citrus, including blood oranges, honey bells, etc.

- Add in 2 apples, chopped

- Mix in some thinly sliced radicchio to give the salad even more beautiful color
- Try different types of greens: baby lettuces, butter lettuce, spinach, whatever you love!

*Preparation:

- To make this mouthwatering, refreshing salad, I took the romaine lettuce, rinsed it, and chopped it into bite sized pieces. I then sliced the grape tomatoes in halves and chopped the red onion. Next, I peeled and sectioned my oranges and grapefruits. I don't mind the membranes, but if you want your salad to look especially beautiful there is a wonderful citrus sectioning technique you can use that will result in perfect, stunning looking citrus segments: How to Cut Citrus Slices by Andrew Zimmern . I then mixed some chopped fresh mint into my salad, and garnished the salad with mint.

This recipe is such a wonderful way to welcome in citrus season! The beautiful colors and vibrant flavors are sure to brighten your day.

*This lovely picture is from Pretty Pink Penguin

**This beautiful calendar is from Cross Creek Groves

How to Find Inexpensive Fruit - In the Winter and Any Other Season!

2011-10-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

It’s getting colder outside, and I’ve had a lot of people message me, concerned about finding high quality, inexpensive fruits and vegetables in the cooler months. One of the best ways I know to keep the price of eating healthy down and the quality of your produce high is to eat fruits and vegetables as they come into season. One of the most beautiful parts of living on fruits and vegetables is that as the seasons change, there is always a new, delicious fruit or vegetable coming into season! In the fall, apples, pears, and pomegranates come to mind. In the winter, I think of all of the delicious, fresh, inexpensive citrus I can get by the box!

A Peach Orchard in the Spring

Fun things to do to get in touch with what fruits and vegetables are in season (and therefore typically inexpensive and high quality) are to shop at local farmer’s markets and to pick your own produce. I just got back from picking my own apples, and it was fantastic! Nothing tastes better than fruit right off of the tree. Here is a great website where you can find pick-your-own farms and orchards in your area: PickYourOwn.org. They even include a large list of pick-your-own farms that are outside of the U.S.!

I did a little researching, and I put together a list of the most inexpensive fruits and vegetables, month-by-month.

The Most Inexpensive Fruits and Vegetables,
Month by Month

October

Apples, broccoli, cranberries (great for juicing!), grapes, lettuce, pomegranates, spinach

November

Broccoli, cranberries, mushrooms, oranges, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, spinach, tangerines

December

Broccoli, cauliflower, grapefruit, mushrooms, oranges, papayas, pears, pomegranates, tangelos, tangerines

January

Broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, papayas, tangelos, tangerines

February

Broccoli, cauliflower, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, papayas, tangelos

March

Broccoli, lettuce, mangoes, pineapples

April

Asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, mangoes, pineapples, zucchini

Apricots, asparagus, broccoli, cherries, lettuce, pineapples, zucchini

June

Apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, lettuce, peaches, strawberries, watermelon

July

Apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, cucumbers, lettuce, peaches, plums, raspberries, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon

August

Apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, cucumbers, lettuce, peaches, plums, raspberries, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon

September

Grapes, lettuce, pomegranates, persimmons spinach, tomatoes

Always a Good Deal

Bananas, celery

I’ve also put together a list of fruits and vegetables by season. I love eating fruits and vegetables as they come into season; it ensures I get a huge variety of them into my diet over the course of the year, and keeps my meals exciting, since I always have new ingredients to use! Remember, buying in season correlates with fresh, delicious, and inexpensive fruits and veggies!

Fruits and Vegetables by Season

Fall

Apple, asian pear, belgian endive, broccoli, brussel sprouts, butter lettuce, cactus pear, cauliflower, cranberries, endive, feijoa, figs, garlic, ginger, grapes, guava, huckleberries, jalapeno peppers, jujube, key limes, kohlrabi, kumquats, muscadine grapes, mushrooms, parsnips, passion fruit, pawpaw, pear, persimmons, pineapple, pomegranate, quince, radicchio, sapote, sugar apple, swiss chard

Winter

Belgian endive, brussel sprouts, cactus pear, cherimoya, clementines, collard greens, dates, grapefruit, kale, lemons, oranges, passion fruit, pear, persimmons, pummelo, radishes, red banana, red currants, tangerines

Spring

Apricots, asparagus, baby lettuce, belgian endive, bitter melon, broccoli, butter lettuce, cherimoya, cherries (barbados), chives, collard greens, honeydew, jackfruit, limes, lychee, mango, mustard greens, oranges, pineapple, purple asparagus, radicchio, red leaf lettuce, spinach, strawberries, swiss chard, vidalia onions, watercress

Summer

Apricots, asian pear, black currants, bell peppers, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, breadfruit, butter lettuce, cantaloupe, casaba melon, champagne grapes, cherries (sweet, sour, barbados), crenshaw melon, crookneck squash, cucumbers, durian, endive, figs, garlic, grapefruit, grapes, honeydew melons, jackfruit, jalapeno peppers, key limes, limes, loganberries, longan, loquat, lychee, manoa lettuce, mulberries, nectarines, olallieberries, passion fruit, peaches, persian melon, plums, radishes, raspberries, sapodillas (my favorite!), sapote, shallots, strawberries, sugar apple, summer squash, tomatillo, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini

Year Round

Apples, bananas, bell peppers, bok choy, broccoflower (so pretty), broccolini, cabbage (great to slice really fine and throw into salads!), carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, lemons, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, papayas, parsnips

Broccoflower

Instead of being afraid of the changing seasons, we should be excited about them! Each new season brings a new palate of delicious fruits and vegetables to choose from. To celebrate the seasons changing and the cooler weather coming, I’d like to share a recipe for a delicious fall juice made with pomegranates, cranberries, and pears in my next post!

How To Stay 100% Raw Vegan At Resturants, And LOVE It!

2011-09-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

People often ask me, concerned, how they will be able to eat at non-raw restaurants, and be social with their friends and family, as a 100% raw vegan. I love being social, and I really look forward to trying out new restaurants! You won't believe the amazing dishes that non-raw restaurants have made for me... so I've decided to show you a few pictures! All of these restaurants are conventional, not raw, restaurants! Here are a few pictures of beautiful 100% raw food dishes chefs have created for me. All of these are from non-raw restaurants!

One course at Chateau Morrisette in Floyd, VA

One course at Chateau Morrisette in Floyd, VA.
They only charged me $7 for this beautiful plate,
and most of it was organic, grown in their own garden!

Dessert at Chateau Morrisette in Floyd, VA

First course, 100% raw vegan, at Metro! in Roanoke, VA

Second course, 100% raw vegan, at Metro! in Roanoke, VA

A palate cleansing vegetable consommé,
100% raw vegan, at Metro! in Roanoke, VA

Third course, 100% raw vegan, at Metro! in Roanoke, VA

Dessert, 100% raw vegan, at Metro! in Roanoke, VA
They called it 'sashimi grapes'... how cute!

Dinner at Natasha's in Floyd, VA

Dessert at at Natasha's in Floyd, VA

Dinner at Natasha's in Floyd, VA

Salad from The Landing at Smith Mountain Lake, VA


Dinner from Alexander's in Roanoke, they were worried they wouldn't have anything for me, and this was beautiful!

This was the best ever raw meal prepared by a restaurant for me,
prepared by Chef Nate Whiting, at Tristan in Charleston
(a non-raw restaurant!). Here is the first 100% raw vegan
course.

This was the best ever raw meal prepared by a restaurant for me,
prepared by Chef Nate Whiting, at Tristan in Charleston
(a non-raw restaurant!). Here is the second 100% raw vegan
course.

This was the best ever raw meal prepared by a restaurant for me,
prepared by Chef Nate Whiting, at Tristan in Charleston
(a non-raw restaurant!). Here is the third 100% raw vegan
course.


This was the best ever raw meal prepared by a restaurant for me, prepared by Chef Nate Whiting, at Tristan in Charleston (a non-raw restaurant!). Here is the fourth 100% raw vegan course. It was 3 absolutely delicious raw vegan sorbets: blackberry-rose, pear, and raspberry! YUM! The waiter described that he simply blended the raw ingredients, then put them in his ice cream maker.

How to Stay Raw at Restaurants:

Here is how to be successful at non-raw restaurants, and not just get a meal you can eat, but a meal you LOVE: I look up tasty restaurants I think both my friends and I will enjoy. I check the menu to see if they have fruits and vegetables. For example, an upscale pizza place may offer a pizza with fresh tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, etc. Or a bistro may serve a salad with strawberries, spinach, or red bell peppers. Instead of going to the restaurant and ordering a salad "without salt, without cheese, without dressing, without bacon...." I write out a list of the fruits and vegetables I can eat that are listed on the menu on a sheet of paper. I then write on the paper: "Could you please make me a large plate of raw/uncooked fruits and vegetables with no oil, no dressing, no salt, and no seasoning?" I am always surprised by the beautiful and imaginative dishes that the chefs come up with! This approach is wonderful, especially when dining in a large group. You don't hold the whole group up by explaining exactly what you want, you simply hand the waiter your sheet of paper with your request for the chef. I always call ahead, and inform the restaurant that I am a raw vegan, and that I would like a meal prepared using raw fruits and vegetables. I also let them know that when I come, I'll bring a list of foods I can eat from their menu for their chef.

Don't feel bad about requesting what you want at restaurants! It doesn't have to be on the menu for you to request it. Restaurants want to make you happy! They are always so excited to see me taking pictures of their food, and how happy I am with what they prepared. Usually, the waiter/waitress comments on how beautiful what the chef made for me is, and how much fun the chef had preparing it. I always thank the chef, and let them know how much I appreciate the effort they put into the meal. I actually have become friends with a few chefs this way! Everyone orders what they want at restaurants. Don't be afraid to order what you want too! The whole group I eat with is usually impressed with what the chef creates for me. They are always happy that I am happy, and eating with them! It's awkward to sit at a table and not eat, or eat something that obviously doesn't satisfy or please you. It is much more enjoyable to eat a lovely raw meal, one that you find truly satisfying and exciting, with your friends. They will appreciate how happy and satisfied you are!

811 Recipes: Savory Kale Salad!

2011-09-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Low fat raw vegan savory kale salad
with a sauce of pineapple and tomato*

*Ingredients:

- 16 ounces of kale, chopped finely

- 5 tomatoes, diced (I enjoy the on-the-vine tomatoes)

- 1/4 a pineapple, diced

- 2 cloves of garlic, pressed with a garlic press, crushed, or diced (optional)

*Delicious variations:

- Mix in 2 chopped red bell peppers

- Add in 2 zucchinis, chopped

- Garnish with dill, cilantro, or parsley

- Mix in a few scallions, thinly sliced

- Add in grated carrot (this gives the salad even more beautiful color!)

*Preparation:

This recipe is so healthy and delicious, you just have to try it. I'm making it again tonight I liked it so much!

*This beautiful picture is from the TasteFood Blog.