1.30.2012

Roots Soup!!

It was a wonderful weekend.....I was lucky enough to have some time to go to the green market! I am always inspired to cook when I go shopping and I was especially excited with all of the colorful produce I saw this time.
Can you believe these colors!!

I made ROOTS SOUP!

1.26.2012

attitude of gratitude

We have all heard about keeping a gratitude journal. If you haven't already.....it's an easy way to remind ourselves of the simple abundance in everyday.

Oprah has made this concept famous through the book by author Sarah Ban Breathnauch.


I am setting the intention to write in my gratitude journal every evening.
I wrote it, I said it out loud, I am committing to it!

Today's entry I thought I would share with you.

1.24.2012

gluttony

There is no other way to describe the last weekend spent in NYC.
It was amazing food experience after amazing food experience.I felt like we should have been taping a show on where to eat in NYC!!

It was my sisters B-day last week so Josh and I accompanied her to a fun filled few days in one of our favorite cities. Her and I have quite the history on the streets of New York and like to re-kindle them as much as possible. We experienced the first snow and it was beautiful. We also stumbled into some yummy treats!


It started with a fantastic and healthy lunch @
in SOHO.

I could tell you everything we ordered but will pick my favorite....
the best tiramisu I have ever tasted....no joke!

It was the wisest way to start our extravaganza considering it would all be crazy from there!

That night we ran to the W in Union Square and grabbed a cocktail before seeing Fuerza Bruta. This is the twin to De La Guarda which I loved going to when I lived in NYC.

We hailed a cabby to "Indian Row" and landed in one amazing little restaurant.
Brick Lane.
This place was featured on Man vs Food for spicy killer food.
They were making martinis with ghost pepper powder.....ouch!!

Saturday morning welcomed brunch at Sofitel. Marisa claimed it to have the best eggs benedict ever. I think she just wanted the chocolate croissants!! We both enjoyed those and some eggs. At least they were farm fresh!!

Lunch....
*MORINI*
This is where I slipped way out of vegan territory!! Homemade bow tie pasta with fresh marinara sauce. wow! I also couldn't help but taste some of the cheese plate and truffle ricotta tortellini that the rest of the table was enjoying......enjoying is an understatement!!

They also had the greatest cocktail I had ever tasted (x3!)
It was a mix of grapefruit, mint, blood orange syrup, vodka, and oj.

Yum.

You would think that was enough for one weekend......but no!!

We par-oozed Soho and that evening had reservations at The Mark.
A friend of ours was gracious enough to get us into this great place on the upper east side.
You walk in to a dim lit bar with zebra lounge chairs. The upper east side proper vibe with a little swank!
The food....the wine....and the company were superb.

They had the best Brussel sprouts that I had ever tasted.

To end our awesome NYC weekend we had Brunch at Candle79.
A very well known vegan stop in the Upper East Side.

I started with a Green Goddess juice......my body was in need!
We had Rancheros, Spaghetti & Wheatballs, Tofu Scramble, Chimmichurri Kabobs, Molten Lava Cake, and...... Cannoli's!!!

Holy Shit is right!

Even though it will take me a week to feel semi-normal again I enjoyed every bite of NYC! It is always good to indulge once in a while......long while!

NYC is such a diverse and energetic place that I love. For anyone who likes to eat or appreciates food it is a playground for the senses. I hope to re visit my favorite vegan/raw stops and will fondly remember my not so vegan choices!!

I guess it's really time for that juice cleanse!!

peace & light
xoxoxo








1.14.2012

Just say NO to GMO'S!!!!

8 Reasons Genetically Modified Organisms are Bad for You

Written by Shilo Urban   
test tube
Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are created when a gene from one species is transferred to another, creating something that would not be found in nature.
A large percentage of domestic crops (up to 85% of soybean yields) have DNA that was tweaked in a lab, yet it is nearly impossible to know which food items contain these genetically engineered ingredients. Thankfully new mobile phone apps are making it a bit easier for the consumer to know what she is eating, but this is not enough.
GMOs are bad for your body, bad for the community, bad for farmers and bad for the environment. This is why:
  1. The health consequences of eating genetically modified organisms are largely unknown. Genetically engineered foods have not been shown to be safe to eat and may have unpredictable consequences. When trans-fats were first introduced, corporations battled to get them onto your grocery shelves – and it is only decades later that this once novel food has been proven to be extremely unhealthful. Many scientists are worried that the genetically altered foods, once consumed, may pass on their mutant genes to bacterium in the digestive system, just like the canola plants on the roadsides of North Dakota. How these new strains of bacteria may affect our body systems’ balance is anybody’s guess.
  2. Food items that contain GMOs are unlabeled in America. Why so sneaky? The European Union has banned GMOs, as have Australia, Japan, the UK and two dozen other countries that recognize that a lack of long term studies and testing may be hiding disastrous health defects.
  3. Genetic engineering reduces genetic diversity. When genes are more diverse, they are more robust; this is why a pure bred dog tends to have greater health problems than the dear old mutt. Plants with reduced genetic diversity cannot handle drought, fungus invasions or insects nearly as well as natural plants, which could have dire consequences for farmers and communities dependent on GMO crops for survival.
  4. Once the mutant genes are out of the bag, there is no going back. Genetically modified organisms contaminate existing seeds with their altered material, passing on modified traits to non-target species. This creates a new strain of plant that was never intended in the laboratory. In North Dakota, recent studies show that 80% of wild canola plants tested contained at least one transgene. In Japan, a modified bacteria created a new amino acid not found in nature; it was used in protein drinks and before it was recalled it cause severe mental and metabolic damage to hundreds as well as several deaths. Japan banned GMOs after this horrific experience. Monarch butterflies have also died after their favorite food, milkweed, was cross-pollinated from Bt corn which rendered it toxic to the endangered species.
  5. GMOs are not the answer for global food security. Genetically engineered crops have shown no increase in yield and no decrease in pesticide use. In many cases other farm technology has proven much more successful, and even Monsanto agrees that its genetically engineered crops yield less than conventional farming.
  6. Genetically engineered foods have not been proven to be safe, but the few studies conducted don’t look so hot. The organs of rats who ate genetically modifiedpotatoes showed signs of chronic wasting, and female rates fed a diet of herbicide-resistant soybeans gave birth to stunted and sterile pups.
  7. Big biotech firms have very sketchy track records, but then again what would you expect from organizations who want to patent the world’s food supply? These massive biotech companies have a history of toxic contamination, deceiving the public and suing small farmers when their patented seeds blew across the fence. Biotech firms sell sterile seeds to African farmers- meaning the seeds are only good for one season, because the plants that grow up will not be able to reproduce. Farmers must buy new seeds every year instead of growing from the previous year’s yield. GMOs are not the farmers’ friend.
  8. GMOs require massive amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. These things are poisons, and should not be eaten or allowed to run off into our water supply. But they are, every day, by companies who care far more about the bottom line than they do about your health, your environment or your children’s future.
The bottom line is that genetically modified organisms have not been proven in any way to be safe, and most of the studies are actually leaning the other direction, which is why many of the world’s countries have banned these items whose DNA has been genetically engineered. In America, they aren’t even labeled, much less banned, so the majority of the populace has no idea that they are eating lab-created DNA on a daily basis.
Now you do; your best defense is to purchase certified organic food, which cannot contain any GMOs, and to tell your friends and loved ones to do the same.
Sources:
Photo by: Horia Varlan

1.12.2012

yummy lunch


This is the Mock Tuna & the Sun Crackers I made recently!

Recipes are in the recipe section.

Yummy and super filling!

1.10.2012

veggies win again!!

This is an excerpt from a site that I frequent. There is also a link to it on my main blog.



check it out for the full interview......

E: How did your role as the Executive Director for Earth Save International transpire? What sort of work do you do for the organization?
J: I was asked to come in as Executive Director about a year and a half ago and have been working on our Meals for Health Program, which we first launched this past spring. We took 20 food bank participants from the Sacramento Food Bank through a whole food, plant-based diet for 28 days. It was truly successful, even more so than predicted. All of the participants effectively completed the challenge. The average weight loss was 17 pounds, average reduction of prescription medications was 84%, and multiple common chronic non-specific conditions (like constipation, heartburn, and migraines) ceased! One woman went off her high blood pressure medication she had been on for 22 years prior to this experience within a couple weeks. Another woman was taken off of eight medications by the end of the 28 days. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels significantly decreased and the group and their families were exceedingly optimistic, energized, and committed to eating this way in the future. We are hoping to have this written up in the scientific literature, to create a film documentation of the program, and to generate a template usable by other groups nationwide.

I am so inspired by this and hope that everyone has someone to shed some light onto these lifelong treasures. We have control of our health by what we put into our bodies! 
simple.

Personally, I am back on track with the raw foods in my diet. I have MADE the time to create my old favs in the kitchen!! I feel 100x better and love being around all of the fresh whole foods. I may be sacrificing a little bit of sleep, but, I think it's worth it!!
Wishing you yummy fresh nourishment all-ways.
xoxo


1.07.2012

Finger Pickin' Good!



I am truly blessed to have a life full of amazing music. I grew up surrounded by classical through ballet and then classic rock from my dad. I then found my way through the "grunge" phase (not quite sure I'm out of it yet) and landed upon this amazing music called FUNK! My husband, being an amazingly talented guitarist, has flooded my ears with new sounds and new artists. I have never had so much fun watching and listening to music.

We frequent the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth, Fl which is a mecca for this type of experience. Small audience, intimate show, great vibe!!

Last night we saw George Porter Jr & the Runnin' Pardners.

George Porter, Jr. is best known as the bassist of The Meters, along with Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste. The group was formed in the mid 60's and came to be recognized as one of the progenitors of funk then called R&B.



It was the first time I saw almost everyone up dancing!!

...................................................................................

Next Saturday, Jan 14th, the power trio ( Josh ) has a show!!!

Swamp Grass Willies in Jupiter.

As always they will melt your face off for sure!


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Have an awesome weekend.

xoxo

1.05.2012

Beautiful!

I couldn't have said it any better....not even close!
Sharon is an inspiration and a vehicle of all things peace and unity.
This is a passage I found on her site Jivamuktiyoga.com.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu



May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all. 

Let's look more closely at the meaning of each word of this invocational mantra:
lokah: location, realm, all universes existing now
samastah: all beings sharing that same location
sukhino: centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering
bhav: the divine mood or state of unified existence
antu: may it be so, it must be so (antu used as an ending here transforms this mantra into a powerful pledge)


         This is a prayer each one of us can practice every day. It reminds us that our relationships with all beings and things should be mutually beneficial if we ourselves desire happiness and liberation from suffering. No true or lasting happiness can come from causing unhappiness to others. No true or lasting freedom can come from depriving others of their freedom. If we say we want every being to be happy and free, then we have to question everything that we do-how we live, how we eat, what we buy, how we speak, and even how we think. 
         Karma means "action." It covers all actions-thought, word, and deed. The law of karma says that for every action there is a reaction. Albert Einstein was reminding us of the law of karma when he pointed out that space is curved. Whatever is thrown out there will eventually, but inevitably, find its way back to its origin. So we should be careful about what we choose to think, say or do, because we will be revisited by our actions in due time. 
         This may be a difficult idea for some of us to grasp, as we have been so thoroughly conditioned by our culture of slavery, violence and denial. We have been told over and over again that we don't have to take responsibility for our actions, and that our individual actions don't matter much to the whole-much less to ourselves. In the United States there is a common refrain when one's actions are challenged or questioned: "It's a free country!" Legally free, yes, but where are our actions taking us? Our actions are in fact probably the most important and defining aspect of how our future world will be shaped. 
         We assure our own future suffering by what we do to animals now. When we choose to eat meat, eggs or dairy, we are denying living beings the happiness and freedom we so want for ourselves, but so often find hard to attain. These warnings date back thousands of years to the Yoga Sutras, whose dictates are as relevant today as they were then. We each weave our own tangled web of karma and will most certainly become entangled in it, as our reality is being created from our own actions. When we chant, speak or even just think the words lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu, if we include all the other animals with whom we share this planet in our concept of "all beings," including the animals we use for food, we can start to create the kind of world we want to live in-a kind world. 
         The practices of yoga can guide us toward right action and a lifestyle guided by compassionate concern for the happiness of others. The first step toward understanding the link between how we treat others and our own happiness and liberation is to look at the deeper aspects of what the practice of yoga may be able to reveal to us. 
              -Sharon Gannon, adapted from Yoga & Vegetarianism 

1.04.2012

Sun Flax Crackers!!

My dehydrator has been calling my name lately!
It's been a while since I've made the time to play in the kitchen. I've missed it!

I happened to have soaked some sunflower seeds and was trying to figure out what else to add to make some crackers. This is what happened.......

1 c sunflower seeds soaked
1 1/4 c flax seeds soaked (makes them slimy and releases the goodness!)
celery....about 1 stalk
carrot.....1


I then added spices....you can mix it up however you like....get creative!
I added:
about 1 Tbsp Braggs Amino Acid
sesame seeds
turmeric....a few shakes
cayenne.....a little spice
dulse flakes....instead of salt
garlic powder
add water to desired consistency...it should be liquid enough to spread out onto your teflex sheet


I spread it out onto 1 sheet....it was pretty thick.....than dehydrated at 105 degrees for about 16 hrs.
Then flip it and dehydrate another 5 hrs.


Dehydrate until crispy.

I put mine into a container with a silica pack that I saved from some nori sheets! Keeps the moisture out.
(Thank you Linda Frees!!)


This is my bro, Daryl, who actually liked them!!

I think I'll call them Sun Flax Crackers......or.......everything but the kitchen sink crackers!

Normally I would have added tomatoes and maybe some kale....I didn't have it on hand so I just went for it.
Success!!

Live the Life you Love....Love the Life you Live.

xoxoxo


1.02.2012

2012!!

Here we are! 2012!

The past month has been quite the whirlwind of happenings. I ended up setting an intention for this year.
Just be.....and breathe.
I had the privilege of spending New Years Eve with the WHOLE family!!
I ate my weight in stone crabs.....not very vegan of me!......and had a great time.

I tend to beat myself up about what I eat and how I look. I am far better about it than I use to be and I have gained a deep passion and respect for food in the past 5 years. As I start school I realize the tools I will gain will allow me to communicate how others can find this path of honoring our bodies and souls through food.

What we say
think
eat
listen to
surround ourselves with
all have an impact on the light shining within us.

I want my light to be bright and clean and shining in a direction for others to prosper by.

In this new year I will share my journey through school and the recipes that I love.
The little things that make me smile and the photos that I click along the way.

In the next week or 2 I will do my first juice cleanse!! I'm pretty excited about it especially since my husband will be joining me!

Tonight I teach my first yoga class in 2012. It is amazing how I walk into the studio and everything else falls away. Even if I can't make it to my own mat I love seeing others on theirs!!

A few pics from the gorgeous weekend.......bundle up!!


Zander lighting fireworks New Years Eve




not a cloud in the sky......Jan 1st!

sunset 2011

xoxoxoxo