My last shocking post about my food journey into omnivore land brought me a ton of great emails from people asking what we’re eating now that we’re no longer labeling ourselves as vegan. Great question! To answer that, I thought I’d share the journey in various blog posts as it happened for us (and continues), which was/is in steps.
First and Foremost: Thank you to everyone who reached out in support of my family. I was touched from all of the wonderful emails I received. It was kind of surprising (yet, kind of not) to hear from so many people who went through similar experiences. A number of people also asked about the future for Kristen’s Raw. Well, as you might have noticed from the new header, I plan on sharing a wide spectrum of foods from raw to vegan to paleo and to what is commonly called “nourishing” or “real” foods. Since I find my food choices including recipes from all of these, I no longer label myself, which is nice. I just eat real foods, almost exclusively home made. My raw and vegan recipes of the past still have a place in my life, but we’re also eating a lot of other things. Just because we’re not exclusively vegan anymore doesn’t mean we don’t still eat raw or vegan recipes.
So, let’s get to it! Come with me into omnivore land.
Read More »
Similar Posts:
~
Monday, August 24th, 2009
Here are great articles that I hope you take the time to check out.
Time Magazine: Getting Real About the High Price of Food – I’m excited because the word is getting out more and more about healthier eating… local, organic, more plant based foods, treating animals better, etc. Apparently, this article is the cover of Time magazine – YAY! We had Food, Inc. (see my post about Food, Inc) over the summer and now this.
White House Farmers’ Market – How cool that Obama is talking about having a farmers’ market outside the White House. I love shopping at my farmers’ market and I’m a part of a CSA that I LOVE. Everyone should have access to locally grown organic veggies. Everyone.
Relaxing for Health (and fertility!!!), It’s Good For You – I really enjoyed reading this article. Relaxation is so important… for boosting the immune system, helping digestion, and, yes, fertility! I’m all over that. In fact, I’ve recently purchased a few cds on meditation and visualization for pregnancy, infertility, etc. They’re WONDERFUL! I play them in the background when I’m getting ready for the day, when I’m juicing, and when I’m falling asleep at night.
*UPDATE: I’m adding this article that I found today:
The Anti-Cancer Diet - Whoohoo! Go Plants! I especially like the part about eating more RAW and ORGANIC! I’m saving the link to this article, because it sure pumped me up and encouraged my lifestyle.
————————————-
Here are some of the things I had today. Yummy, fresh, all organic, and full of vitality.
1 quart green juice (plant blood!) with a dash of wheat germ oil (high in Vitamin E, an important vitamin for fertility). I like to make a LOT, like 10-15 cups worth. I store it in glass mason jars, filled to the tippy top, in my refrigerator. It only lasts us about 2 days maximum because between my husband and myself, we drink it all up.
2 cups grapes
These were from the CSA and they were awesome… fresh, crisp, sweet, and damn refreshing.
6 cups Raspberry Green Smoothie (1.5 cups filtered water, 3 cups raspberries, 6 leaves curly purple kale, 3 bananas) – I didn’t drink this all at once. It’s loaded with nutrients and lots of fiber. Mmmmmm…
Coconut Yogurt with 2 tablespoons hemp seeds (the yogurt is not Raw)
3 cups Creamy Juicy Greens
This is where I take a couple cups of the fresh green juice that I have and blend it with avocado in my Vita-mix blender. This is great because: 1) some nutrients need fat to be assimilated, 2) if the green juice is too green or spicy, then the avocado mellows it out a bit, 3) it’s totally satisfying and filling, and 4) the creamy factor is out of of this world! When I juice my greens using my Green Star (read about my 2 favorite juicers here).
Guacamole and Salsa
I love this combination as an easy and delicious salad. Avocados are so good for you, and tomatoes have nutrients in them that need fat (like from the avocados) to help your body assimilate them.
Similar Posts:
~
For those of you in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, if you’re not a part of the CSA, you’re truly missing out on the most amazing, fresh, organic produce ever.
The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) I wrote about previously is better than I ever imagined. I’m absolutely thrilled (and so very proud!) to be a part of this within my community. When I was a regular shopper at the farmer’s market, I thought I “got” how cool it was to buy my weekly produce from a certified organic, local farmer. But, I had no idea my experience was going to be taken to new heights once I was a part of Doug’s CSA. My connection to my food is that much stronger and, frankly, it moves me. Every bite is special because I know it was grown close to my home, it’s carbon footprint is minimal, it’s loaded with nutrition because it’s locally grown and just picked, and I helped finance the farmer (way cool!). I’ve had an important part in helping this farmer grow.
On top of all that, the price is awesome (and remember… it’s ORGANIC!)! And, get this… he even offers a payment plan for those of you who are super excited about this opportunity but don’t have the upfront cash. Not only that, but Doug’s CSA is year round! Do you realize how lucky we are to have a year round CSA? This is not common in other parts of the country.
Before I joined the CSA, I actually didn’t think I’d ever be a part of a CSA because most are operated with the program giving you a box of produce that you don’t select yourself. For me, I thought that might be a waste in some instances because I wasn’t sure I’d end up using all of the produce. I’m quite particular about my weekly shopping list. However, Doug’s CSA is different! Each week he emails the members an excel spreadsheet that serves as our shopping list. I select what I want, it tallies the total, and I email it back to him. Voila! Easy Peasy!
Pick up is on Saturday, when the normal farmer’s market is going on. Because I’m a member of the CSA, I’m treated as a VIP. My food is already paid for and set aside (unless I want to get extra goodies not included in my list), so I don’t have to wait in line. I simply pick it up. It’s an efficient system.
I could go on and on about how happy I am to be a part of this very cool program… but, you don’t have to take my word for it. Here are a couple of testimonials from other super happy customers.
“I’ve been buying produce from Lewis’ Hen House for over a year now and was very excited when I heard they were starting a CSA, and that the pick-up location is very conveniently the market I was already going to every week! The produce is always the best quality – certified organic, fresh, and delicious. Very reasonably priced, too. The really great thing about this CSA is you get to pick exactly what you want each week! No getting strange veges you don’t really want or you don’t know what to do with! I’m really happy I decided to join.”
~Heather
“Being a part of a local CSA is a great way to give back to the community, support local farming, and enjoy the freshest seasonal produce available. The produce I buy from Lewis’ Hen House is incredibly fresh and you can really taste and feel the difference. It is an honor to know the people who grow the food that nourishes your family!”
~Marci
UPDATE! The CSA is no longer, sadly. They have a new program, called a Discount Club and you can view the details here.
Similar Posts:
~
Monday, January 5th, 2009
It’s been such a great weekend. I went to the farmer’s market and loaded up with plenty of fresh, locally grown, organic, Super Qi produce. I played Mah Jongg with my family today. And, now it’s time to start a new week, all fresh and energized! It’s going to be a great week, I can feel it already. In fact, I think it’s that time again… for another one of my Awesome Giveaways! Check back this week for details.
I wanted to share a new blog with you, Living A Whole Life. A friend of mine started it and I’m enjoying it very much. Check it out!
News to Peruse
FDA to Reconsider Plastic Bottle Risk – It’s about time!
How Certain Veggies Combat Cancer – YEEHAW!!!
Celebs Resolutions Include Going Veg, Raw Foods, Dropping Smokes – Yay Fergie and Eva!
Similar Posts:
~
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
Eating organic food is important – we all know that. Eating locally grown organic food is even WAY BETTER! For years, I’ve longed to taste fresh, organic produce grown on land local to me in Arizona. Unfortunately, every time I went to a farmer’s market, there wasn’t anything that was both local and organic. So, I ended up opting for Whole Foods (I’m a real stickler for organic). Even though I shopped at Whole Foods, I made it a point to choose foods that traveled the shortest distance, for both environmental and nutritional benefits.
Well, all that has changed for me now. YIPPEE! A short while back, a friend of mine turned me on to a local farmer, Doug (of Lewis’ Hen House & Veggie Farm), who sells his locally grown organic produce at a nearby farmer’s market. Doug’s farm just became certified organic this past February of 2008. Congratulations to you, Doug, and THANK YOU!!! (That’s Doug weighing my broccoli in the picture.)
So, off I went to the farmer’s market to meet Doug and try out his fresh organic goodies. I purchased all kinds of produce: oranges, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, baby bok choy, carrots, cabbage, yams, romaine lettuce (the biggest and most gorgeous ever!), and more. I was like a kid in a candy store… smiling from ear to ear. I couldn’t get home fast enough to make some delicious Raw vegan dishes with my treasures.
What happened was a little unexpected. With my first bite, I was quite moved in an emotional way. I was so proud and excited to be participating in something that is so important – supporting a local farmer, tasting food grown by his very hands, minimizing my carbon footprint, and experiencing nutrition at its very best. I swear it tastes so much better than what is bought at the store, and why wouldn’t it? It’s local and organic! There is more nutrition in it because it’s picked fresh, maybe a day or two before being brought to the market to sell. There is a saying in Traditional Chinese Medicine that a food’s Qi (pronounced “chi”) decreases the farther it gets from its source or origin. Qi is known as life energy, which is thought to be intrinsic in all things. Pretty important stuff. So, I lovingly refer to my locally grown organic fruits and vegetables as Super Qi Food!
When you buy food from the grocery store, it’s usually been packed and waiting in the refrigerated area for many days, even weeks, plus the travel time and distance (Qi-loss). That’s not the case for me anymore though. Now that I’ve found Lewis’ Hen House & Veggie Farm, I’m blessed to have Super Qi fruits and vegetables year round – local, organic, and awesome. I can’t wait to go back this Saturday.
Similar Posts:
~
Monday, November 12th, 2007
It’s a lovely day, and I am so happy. I LOVE BEING RAW VEGAN!
Farmer’s Market:
Here’s the thing…I recognize the importance of eating locally (for my health and the environment). But, here’s my question: How do I really know if my local “un-certified” farmers are organic just because they say so? The last time I went to the farmer’s market I was discouraged because no one was certified organic, although they tried to assure me that they follow organic farming practices. They blamed the cost of certification as the reason for not having the label. I was bummed because I wanted to buy local and organic. I left with my canvas bags empty and opted for Whole Foods Market. I later asked a small grower in California and he stated that it’s not that expensive to get certified. Hhmmm. I would love nothing more than to buy the most locally grown produce, but I’m a stickler for organic. I know they “say” they are….but how do I truly know (apart from visiting the farm)?
Today’s food:
Breakfast: watermelon (I love watermelon!)
Snack: Dr. Oz “Fresh” Green Smoothie with 3 figs added (large)
Lunch: Big salad of celery, carrots, red bell pepper, cucumbers, and olives topped with Tahini Gingered Carrot Dressing
Snack: Spinach-Banana smoothie (large)
Dinner: Same as lunch
Exercise:
Back and Bicep weight training
Long-ass walk tonight under the stars (6-miles) for my “double” workout
*These double workout days feel so great! I love them.
Similar Posts:
~
I'm Kristen, and welcome to my blog. I'm a wife, mom, author, and I love to eat so food is usually the topic of my blog posts. I'm a former (almost decade long) vegan turned back omnivore who enjoys reading, rebounding, coffee, and dark chocolate. 
