Coconut Fudge...

I have tried several recipes for coconut fudge, this one by Matt Amsden is one of my faves..... (I generally amend it to suit what's in my cupboards)

3 cups of raw walnuts
1/2 cup carob powder (I use cocoa)
2 cups of shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup of agave nectar (I have also used maple syrup or honey)

Grind the walnuts in a food processor until they have a buttery consistency

In a large mixing bowl combine the carob or cocoa powder and shredded coconut and mix well. Add the ground walnuts and the agave nectar (or other sweetener) and mix well.

Press the mixture into a glss baking dish, creating a flat, even layer approximately 3/4 inch think. Cut into squares and serve as is. Or cover and freeze until thoroughly chilled for a more solid consistency before cutting and serving.

Think I just might go make some now...............

namaste

Day Two....

Ok, so yesterday went well, I was able to stay off the sugar, including chocolate!  It wasn't easy by times, especially with all the Halloween candy and the chocolate bars Lucas is still selling..... but I managed to do it and lo and behold the scale was in my favour this morning by 2.2......

Speaking of the scale..... my friend...... my enemy..... some days I love you some days I hate you....

However, I have found over the course of this year that if I don't use the scale, that's when I let go. Getting on it every day keeps me accountable. I know it's not for everyone but it's what works for me.  Should have gotten on it a few more times over the summer and then I wouldn't be back where I started!  Oh well, in the words of Whitesnake.....

Here I go again.......

Detox.....

So as I begin my new adventure towards health, I must first detox.  My main concern right now is coming off the sugar high of the past few weeks.  I'm starting the day with my usual raw breakfast consisting of a mashed banana, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins and a bit of agave nectar. This is my powerhouse breakfast to give me the energy I need for the day.  I've also boiled my hot water and lemon for the day and will drink lots of it.

We have our first real snowfall this morning, although I'm sure it will melt before the day is done, but for now the kids are outside enjoying it.  I'll be going for a walk in it later. I hope there is enough left on the ground. I like hearing the crunching of snow when I walk.

If I'm a little cranky the next few days, I'm sorry......

A new day.......

I didn't realize it had been a month since I last posted. How time flies!  This has been another roller coaster ride of a month and what I eat was the least of my worries unfortunately.  I had been having allergies since early September and it was really draining me and wearing me down to the point where I was exhausted all the time.  Then my son broke out in a rash that lasted just about a week..... then there are the regular things of daily life like homework and activities that take up most of my time.  Anyway, all to say it has not been a good month.  But on a positive note, I finally broke down and saw the doctor for my allergies and was given some good meds.  My energy level seem to have come back up somewhat and I am able to breathe! What a joy!!  I've also started NAET treatments for myself and my son. We've both had 2 so far.  I am very intrigued by this whole process, it is fascinating!  I love hollistic medicine!  Much better than popping pills!

Anyway, I vow that this is the weekend where I begin again.  As Pumba says "It's when you put your past in your behind"  Hakuna Matata..... it means no worries..... for the rest of your life.....

So I will not be hard on myself but just accept what happened and move forward.  Plus my favourite fruit season is about to begin.... Hooray .... pomegranates!  Can't wait to have my first juicy one!!

I have also started taking some "me-time", so far it's only been 2 mornings as I have decided to get up at 5am and do yoga for 30 minutes.  With all the sickness in the house and the lack of sleep, it's been challenging to get up for 7 let alone 5, but I will challenge myself to start doing it again.  It's time to start taking care of myself again..... I have let "me" go for too long.

Watch for more postings and recipes in the next few days.....

namaste......

Obsessions.....

I hate being obsessed about my weight.  I wish weight wasn't an issue for anyone, wouldn't life be so much easier?? Why can't we accept that we are who we are and just be ok with it?  Some days that's all I think about.....  I think that most overweight people are very self-absorbed, myself included.  Have you ever noticed that?  I am always obsessed with what others might think of me if I gain or lose.  Oddly, if a friend or acquaintance gains and loses, I barely notice, so why do I think everyone will notice what happens with me?  I guess I notice and it frustrates me that I can't just lose it and keep it off.  I've come to realize one thing though, that as self-absorbed as I am, I don't like the attention that comes with losing weight.  Everyone comments, wanting to be nice, but it just heightens the focus on my body which I so desperately want to avoid.  When I start getting too much attention, then it's like I panic and need to gain it back so people will leave me alone..... twisted, I know..... I never claimed to be normal!

I love to eat, I love everything about it how it feels, tastes, smells and especially how it comforts me.....I love food and obviously it loves me cause it chooses to make it's permanent home in my hips!

I would love to get off this insane roller coaster and sail a smooth sea for a change..... now to find out how to do that without losing my mind........

Mango Chutney

This is another of my favourite recipes by Matt Amsden.  I will give you his recipe as well as my modified version.

Mango Chutney

2 cups of chopped mango

2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons raw apple cider vinagre
2 tablespoons of stone ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 cloves garlic, peele and crushed with a garlic press

1 1/2 teaspoons agave nectar

1 bunch chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion or scallions
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Combine all ingredients, mix well & serve

Jo's version

I generally leave out the apple cider vinagre as I'm not a fan of the taste of it, I don't put any stone ground mustard or garlic and I generally use green onion instead of red.  Raw onion and garlic do a number on my stomach, so I generally leave them out of all recipes.

Agave nectar is a natual sweetener.  Save yourself the extra expense and use honey or maple syrup.

I generally like to have this served with flax crackers or in a cabbage leaf wrap or even on it's own.

Enjoy!!

When the student is ready.....

The magazine will appear!

I am a strong believer that when you are ready to learn something new it will appear in front of you in some form or another.  This happened to me in the spring after I started yoga.  I happened to be at the drug store waiting for a prescription and was browsing the magazing rack.  This magazine popped right out at me, it is called: "Light of Consciousness" It is a journal of spiritual awakening.  Now normally I'd be looking at Oprah magazine or the latest trashy Hollywood gossip about how many kids Brad and Angie have or who gained 2 lbs and is now considered fat.  Anyway, so I picked up this magazine and just bought it, didn't even look inside. I felt I needed to have it.

Reading the articles in this magazine was life changing to say the least.  The first article was on the yogic way of life.  I wish I could transcribe the whole article in here, but the Coles notes version of it is "We have to behave and deal with others as we perceive, and at the same time believe and have faith that everyone is God, everyone is divine."  I kept hearing the song in my head as I read : "If God had a name.... what would it be and would you call it to his face..."

There was another lovely article about the Healing power of trees. They do so much for us, we could not live without them as the article suggests: " The most important thing you can do is to honour and give your gratitude to the trees that provide you with clean air and water."  I love trees, always have, love everything about them, their beauty, their grandeur, their symmetry, their endurance and strength.  So thank you my trees for the beauty you bring to my life and the clean air you provide.

If you'd like to learn more about it, here is their Web site: http://www.truthconsciousness.org/

Have you hugged a tree today?

Cauliflower Couscous Recipe

I find it difficult to write recipes as most of the time I just throw in whatever I have and don't measure it. This recipe I stole from Matt Amsden's RAWvolution recipe book so I will give you the exact one he has.

Cauliflower Couscous

2 heads of cauliflower, finely ground in a food processor
1/2 fresh cup of lemon juice
1 cup of olive oil
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 bunch fresh parsley, stems removed
1 bunch fresh mint, stems removed
1 bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed
One 13 oz jar pitted Greek olives

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.

So now my modified version:
I only used about 3/4 head of cauliflower
juice of half a lemon
about 1/4 cup of olive oil
1 tablespoon of pepper
no sea salt
1/2 bunch of parsley
about half a container of fresh mint
1/2 bunch cilantro
about 20 kalamata olives
about 10 cherry tomatoes to add color

It's very tasty, I love that there is a lot of pepper in it. 

Enjoy!

Unwell....

Today I have a sinus cold and am quite tired. I did pretty good food wise today until I got home.  Stress seems to get the best of me when I get home with the kids after work.  My kids are active and demanding to say the least and getting home after work is generally chaos. I can't even begin to descibe it and none of you would understand unless you saw it for yourselves.  I am exhausted most nights and crash early.  I have to learn to manage it somehow and not fall off the wagon every night.  I guess I have every excuse today and I'm going to use them!  LOL.....

I have noticed that stress is a major factor in my falling off the wagon. Any time I get stressed the first thing I think about is what can I put in my mouth?! It calms me down. I guess something like a smoker needing a cigarette to calm their nerves.

Anyway, one thing I have learned is to not beat up on myself if I do stray. Just pick myself up and do better tomorrow.

Gratitude

Gratitude is such an important part of our lives. The more we are grateful for the stuff we love, the more of it we will attract.  I am inspired today by a love letter that I read, not written by me or addressed to me, but nonetheless it was a person sharing their inner most love for another human being. It was so pure and from the heart and just really beautiful.  I hope for everyone to be able to experience that kind of love.

Today I am grateful for love. Every kind of love.
I am grateful for my first love
I am grateful for the love of my family
I am grateful for the love of my friends
I am grateful for the love of my children
I am grateful for the love I have today
I am grateful for the love of life
I am grateful for the love I see all around me
I am grateful for the love inside of me that I am able to share

And I am also grateful for beautiful sunsets that I was able to capture while driving tonight. Is it illegal to drive and take pictures?  Here's one of them.

namaste

Happiness is.....

The fantastic feeling of inner peace after a yoga class.......

I started yoga again tonight after taking the summer off. And now I wonder why I ever stopped going.  I did a flow class for the first time and it was a bit tougher than the regular classes, not to mention it was given by the torture queen.... but all is well anyway.  I feel lighter and cleansed, likely from all the sweating. It's such a great way to release toxins and built up stress..... I can't wait to go again!!

Off to bed now

namaste

Day one

Exercise:
30 minute walk at lunch
1 hour Yoga (Moksha/flow)

Breakfast:

My usual mush which actaully tastes better than it sounds or looks.

It includes:

A mashed banana
2 tbsp hemp seeds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
2tbsp sunflower seeds (raw)

2 tbsp raisins
a bit of honey
mix all together.

For lunch I made a tomato, cucumber, parsley, cilantro, avocado & lemon juice salad. Also had an Ezekiel english muffin with peanut butter. My almond butter was all dried up.
Had a bunch of fruits during the morning and afternoon.

For supper I made my avocado & lemon juice dip with guacamole seasoning (love it!) I put that on the bottom of a cabbage leaf and added a few veggies to make a wrap.  A side of veggies to dip as well and voila!

The day went over not too bad , I didn't have any cravings, maybe I was too busy to think about it.  Oh I did eat roasted sunflower seeds too once I got home.  They aren't raw, but if they keep me from gorging on other worse stuff, then I can deal with that.

I am happy with my day overall!

Have a good evening everyone!

A new beginning

Well, I think I am ready to start 100% again.... got my fruits and veggies and necessary seeds and actually ate pretty well today, if you don't count the yogourt covered pretzels I inhaled cause I was stressed.....

Tomorrow I begin again.  I also am going to try at least one new recipe or food every week.  I don't like it when there are too many ingredients or if it's too time consuming, so most of the stuff I make is pretty simple.  If it's good enough I may even take some in to work to share.

I started reading one of my raw books again and thought I would share a passage of it with you.  It is from Renée Loux Underkoffler's book "Living Cuisine":

"Every cell in our bodies is made up of food, air and water. The miraculous process of biological life hinges on our diet. Diet is far more than what goes into our mouths. Our lifestyle, exercise and rest, emotional well-being, thoughts and love are meaningful variables in the formula of health. We can think ourselves sick or love ourselves well. Thoughts alone can be as acid-causing as a bad meal.

There are 6.5 billion of us and just as many possible formulas for health.  Health is ultimately a personal journey. There is an overwhelming amount of nutritional information available, much of which is directly contradictory. (....)  The truth is that we need to know ourselves. Trusting our bodies and loving how they serve us is the beginning.  The body will reside long after the fad diet has been dispelled. Lifestyles work. Diets are a phase."

Good luck on your journey whatever it may be......

A few raw recipes

Here are pictures of a few raw recipes i have made over the years that I enjoy

Califlower Couscous

Coconut Fudge

Corn Salad

Date Balls

Mango tabouli

Medjool dates & pecans

Pineapple "Chocolate" Cake

Tomato Salad

And just plain veggies with avocado dip

I'll post new recipes as I make them.

Welcome to Raw Berry

Lately I have been wanting.... no, wanting is not a strong enough word..... craving more simplicity and quietness in my life. I crave being in nature and being closer to nature, taking care of myself and calming my life down. I realize that my head is just so full of so much stuff.... useless stuff.... and I am mentally drained.

I generally try to eat well, for the past 5 or 6 years I have eaten raw foods on and off. When I eat only raw foods I feel so much better inside and out, why can't I do it all the time? I don't know.... I love everything about the raw food way of life and I believe very strongly that what you eat makes an incredible difference in your health. I have read many books on this as well and it always comes down to the same thing. No one ever tells you to eat more chocolate or eat more meat or junk, it's always eat more fruits and vegetables and less of everything else.

At my heaviest adult non-pregnant weight I was 235. My lowest was 142. Now I'm somewhere in the middle of that but would much rather be on the lower end. So, what am I going to do about it? Well, starting this blog and Web site is my first step. I want to journal and share my experiences and knowledge in the raw food area, I want to find other people out there with a similar quest in life, I want to help others to find their way to health and happiness as well as, in turn, that helps me.

In this blog, I want to discuss raw foods, but also my spiritual quest. I have always been curious about spirituality and how that affects our lives as well. I dabbled in such things as "A Course in Miracles", Marianne Williamson, Buddhism, yoga and more recently Dr. John DeMartini and his Breakthrough Experience. All have been fascinating and I am learning so much. Quantum physics is expecially interesting as well. I have started hot Moksha yoga and absolutely love it! I feel so absolutely wonderful when I walk out of there. It is a place to quiet the mind and that's what I so desperately need right now. I love the principles behind yoga, the spiritual and the physical.

So , my friends and followers, this is a little bit about me right now. I'll have lots more to say I'm sure. Hope you will join me on my quest to self discovery and raw foods.

Johanne
aka Raw Berry Jo