Sunday, March 21st, 2010

High Raw Food Intake – Pregnancy Food Journal – Sunday

by Kristen in black bird, food journal, green juice, hearty buckwheat biscuits, hemp protein, hurom, pecan pie butter, Plant Blood, raw chocolate, rejuvenative, sun warrior rice protein

My husband and I are enjoying a day of High Raw food day. All organic. And, that’s me having fun in my third trimester – YAY! I am so happy being pregnant! (OH! On Monday I’m having another AWESOME GIVEAWAY so come on back tomorrow!!!)

1 large banana – I had mine fresh peeled, and my husband had his warmed in the dehydrator as semi-dehydrated slices

Teeccino with Raw Vegan Nutmilk – I am writing a post on getting over caffeine addictions this week, so stay tuned for that. For my Raw Vegan Nutmilk, I made a 1-Minute Nut Milk with 1 hefty tablespoon of Rejuvenative’s Pecan Pie Butter (so extra yummy!) blended with a cup of water. It’s aromatic, a hint of spice, a touch of sweet, and super delish!

1/2 cup fresh pineapple – I had mine fresh, and my husband had his warmed in the dehydrator as semi-dehydrated. He loves it like that.

Hearty Buckwheat Biscuits – This recipe will be in my next email newsletter, which goes out on Tuesday. I had one of these today and my husband had two. They’re so good! I already need to make another batch!

Plant Blood – I made 2 quarts of organic green juice using my Hurom (love this juicer!). We each had about 2 cups and I’m saving the rest for later in the day. It had 1 bunch of celery, 1 bunch curly purple kale, 1 bunch cilantro, 2 large cucumbers, 2 large carrots, 1/2 inch knob of ginger, 1/2 pineapple, 1/2 cup water)

Protein Shakes – My husband will have one of his Protein Grenades and I will simply have a shake mix of Sun Warrior Brown Rice protein powder, Hemp protein powder, cinnamon, and water.

Huge Protein Salads - Giving my little monkey some extra protein now that we’re in the third trimester. This salad has an awesome raw vegan dressing, cucumbers, red bell peppers, spinach, broccoli sprouts, raisins, and tofu.

Plant Blood – Leftover from earlier in the day.

Sauerkraut – This homemade kraut is sooooo good! I could eat a cup at a time. Yum! I’m enjoying this batch on top of another Hearty Buckwheat Biscuit. (Learn how I make my organic, unpasteurized sauerkraut here.)

Strawberries with Sweet Frosting Dip – The Sweet Frosting Dip recipe will be in my next book, due out in the next couple of months (hopefully before I give birth to my baby). Stay tuned!

Raw Vegan Truffles – My good friends, Dolly and Anthony (you might know him as Raw Model), are making Raw truffles that they sell (Blackbird Naturals is the name of the company) and they happen to live nearby! I bumped into them at the market over the weekend where they blessed me with FREE CHOCOLATE. And, um… about 2 hours later I went to Oakville Market where they sell them and I bought a package. I’m having them for dessert tonight!

Protein Shake – I’m undecided, but if I find myself hungry or needing more protein later tonight, I’ll shake up another protein shake. Perhaps I’ll have another banana, too!

My Delicious Raw Food Intake Today

by Kristen in buckwheat, green juice, Green smoothie, hemp protein, hemp seeds, Plant Blood, prunes, salad

Mmmm a day full of healthy, energizing, GREEN, nutrient dense, delicious, EASY, fun, texture filled, Raw, Vegan, Organic food!!!

Plant Blood (a.k.a. Green Juice) – 2 cups

celery, kale, cucumber, cabbage, and lemon

Green Smoothie – 3 cups

1 mango (are those a doozy to cut up, or what? with that pit and all you have to cut around!), fresh cut sunflower sprouts, fresh cut pea sprouts, and 1 frozen banana

Tropical Spicy Protein Smoothie – 3 cups

1.5 cups water, 2 frozen bananas, 1/2 cup mango (or more), 1/4 cup hemp seeds, 1/4 cup hemp protein powder, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, dash vanilla extract

LOTS of Salad!

I’m crazy for romaine salads lately… like I eat 3 bowls in a row! Must be the Monkey growing in me, eh? The usual easy, simple combo: romaine, cucumber, red bell pepper, and topped with a dressing of lemon juice, raw olive oil, Himalayan crystal salt, and black pepper.

Dinner is not here yet, but here is my plan! Kale Salad and Crunchy Buckwheat Biscuits

Marinated kale salad topped with avocado, cucumber, red bell pepper. Crunchy Buckwheat Biscuits have a wonderful cheesy flavor (I use nutritional yeast – not raw, but everything else is). I dehydrated thoroughly where they’re a thick, crunchy biscuit. Yum! I will post the recipe soon!

PRUNES!

Yum, I love prunes. Deliciously sweet and packed with antioxidants and nutrients.

Update: My kale salad at dinner was a bit different from what I posted above, and let me tell you… We LOVED it! My husband said three times, “Wow! This is soooo good!” I’ll post the exact recipe another day, but the ingredients were marinated kale, garlic, avocado, pineapple, and orange. I’m calling it Pineapple Orange Kale Salad.

Back Home in Sunny Arizona

by Kristen in Hemp, Plant Blood, raw, sauerkraut, sweet capri dressing

We came back to sunny Arizona last week and the hot sunshine has been welcoming. We’re staying at my mom’s for a few days, so it’s kind of like the vacation has been extended. Mom and I went to the farmers’ market yesterday and loaded up on our locally grown goodies from my favorite farmer Doug. I can’t tell you enough how happy I am to be a part of his CSA. (Read why I love it here.)

Today’s Glorious Fresh Raw Vegan ORGANIC Food:

Cucumber Sun Plant Blood

This was a refreshing and delicious recipe guaranteed to help keep me cool in the hot summer sun. I used my Breville to make this juice super fast…. like in a minute! The recipe had 3 cucumbers and 2 peeled oranges (all locally grown, organic ingredients)

2 cups watermelon

Organic Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

This is one of my favorite herbal teas.

Sauerkraut Slaw

I made my second batch of sauerkraut before I left for NY. When we came back home (to mom’s) we harvested it and OMG! it is freakin’ AWESOME. This time, I added a few cloves of crushed garlic into the mix (per head of cabbage). So, today I took 2 carrots, 1 apple, 1 radish, and I shredded them into a bowl. Then, I added 1/2 cup of my raw, organic, unpasteurized sauerkraut and stirred it all together. YUM! (Read about my first sauerkraut adventures here.)

5 prunes

(I love prunes, and they’re such a great way to help make sure you’re going poops!)

1 bowl Raw granola with Creamy Dreamy Hemp Milk

This was hearty and satisfying.

Dinner: Tonight we’re having humongous salads made with fresh organic, locally grown romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red and yellow bell peppers, and my super refreshing and delicious Raw vegan dressing, Sweet Capri Dressing (my parents LOOOOOVE this dressing). For dessert, we’re having sliced strawberries we bought from Doug yesterday topped with a drizzle of agave nectar and some fresh orange zest.

July’s (first of two) Awesome Giveaways is THIS WEEK! Stay tuned!!!

5 EASY Tips For Feeling Your Best!

by Kristen in 5 tips, alkalize, exercise, how to, Plant Blood, rest, sunshine

Write these down on post-it notes and place them around the house, in your car, and in your purse or wallet so they can serve as reminders.

1. Alkalize-2-Energize: Even though I’ve followed this principle for a long time, I think I first heard that particular phrase for it from Tony Robbins (he’s one of my favorites!). With Raw Vegan food, alkalizing can be easy peasy, but to kick it up a notch, I add plenty of fresh Plant Blood (green juice) and smoothies to my life. It can make ALL the difference in the world. Trust me!

2. Fresh Air and Sunshine: These are wonderfully therapeutic for both the mind and body. I get my vitamin D from the sun, and I make it a point to get fresh air every day (usually accomplished by taking my darling pooch for a quick walk). One of my favorite times for fresh air is late in the evening, where I concentrate on breathing in fresh air from a star-filled sky.

3. Rest Is Best: I can’t tell you enough how important it is to get your rest. It can be in the form of getting a good night’s sleep or making sure you take a little nap in the middle of the day. Complement this with loving things you can do for yourself such as taking a warm bath and lighting a candle, listening to relaxation music, or quieting your mind through meditation. And, if you’re exercising (especially lifting weights or other vigorous training) then your body really needs the rest to recuperate and rebuild.

4. Exercise: Yes, this is essential and, no, it doesn’t have to be a four letter word :) In order to consider myself truly healthy, I need to be physically fit. If exercise isn’t already a part of your routine, then NOW is the time to start. It’s easier than ever to sneak in a few minutes of exercise here and there into your day. Do them mini-batch style: 5-minutes of exercise, 5-times a day or 10-minutes 3-times a day. Set your cell phone to remind you throughout the day to get off your tush for a fast 5 or 10-minutes). You’ll be amazed at the magical momentum that takes over your mind, body and spirit… pushing you to do more and more. Whether it’s walking, jogging, lifting weights, swimming, jumping rope, rebounding, or dancing, I’m sure you’ll find something you love. Just get started, and before you know it, you’ll be doing more and more (and loving it!). Ehem…. disclaimer… Check with your physician before embarking on an exercise routine.

5. Don’t Eat Before You Sleep: Stop eating at least three hours before you go to bed. It supports getting a restful sleep (#3 above) and can greatly aid in weight loss if you’re trying to lose some pounds. It’s easy. Just pick the time you’ll go to bed and set a reminder on your cell phone to stop eating at least three hours before that. If you do have to eat before going to bed, try to pick something that is light and easy to digest.

Delicious Plant Blood – Aaahhhhh I Need My Fix!

by Kristen in awesome giveaway, greens, iMac, nutrition, Plant Blood

I love fresh green juice (y’all know I love calling it Plant Blood because it’s extra spirited)! Plant Blood is a staple in my husband’s and my diet. And… it’s been too long since we’ve had it! GASP!!! What? I’ve slacked in my Plant Blood consumption. It’s true. Where did the week go? It slipped by that’s for sure and now I’m going crazy for my fresh Plant Blood fix. I just don’t feel the same without it. The benefits are so many… alkalizing, energizing, nutrient packed (big time), delicious, and so much more. I’m confident that I have super powers when I drink Plant Blood… I’m tempted to wear a cape when drinking it.

On to other things to distract me from my craving… I have another awesome giveaway coming up this month (Check out last month’s here). Hint about the prize… something to do with chocolate.

And… my iMac arrives Friday. My new baby is coming home. Yeehaw!!!

Raw Food Intake

by Kristen in holiday chia pudding, kale, Plant Blood, sauerkraut

Hi everyone!!! I hope you’re having a terrific day! Here is my food for the day. As usual, everything is organic. If I get hungry beyond what I’ve written, then, I’ll probably add an apple and/or protein shake.

2 bananas
~ One of the easiest breakfasts… ever!

Miso Soup with Chickpea miso by South River Miso
~ I love this stuff. It makes a delicious and warming breakfast.

1 quart Plant Blood
~ Refreshing and green… cucumber, zucchini, celery, lemon, ginger (It’s so bright and gorgeous! I feel full of life with every sip!)

Prunes
~ Found the most amazing fresh, huge, soft, chewy prunes at Whole Foods (they’re not usually this great when I buy them from there, but this batch… OHH LA LA!)

Raw, unpasteurized Sauerkraut
~ I’m on a sauerkraut kick lately. It’s so nourishing on the body and I love the zest of it. I’ve been doing some extra reading on the food and I’m committed to trying to get a little of this in my diet on a daily basis if possible. I ordered on of those fancy german crocks and will be making it myself soon. Right now I’m eating the kraut from Rejuvenative (and it’s good), but I prefer the kraut from Gold Mine.

1 large avocado, diced
~ Yum… full of vitamins and healthy fats. Love avocado!

Giant kale salad with flax crackers
~ with red bell pepper, carrots, raisins, and hemp seeds

Holiday Chia Pudding
~ I’m hooked on this stuff

On another note, I can’t wait for American Idol tonight!!! And, on yet another note… I’m having another awesome giveaway this week, so be sure and check back!!!

Sunday’s Raw Food Intake

by Kristen in chia pudding, lasagna, Plant Blood, raw food, vegan

Sunday, we celebrate the holiday with family. Here is our 100% Raw vegan food intake plan:

1 quart fresh Plant Blood (kale, lemon, golden beets/greens, kiwi)

2 bananas
3 prunes

Chia Coconut Pudding (made with sweet cashew milk, cinnamon, almond extract)
1 cup raspberries

Mexican Lasagna
Kale Salad
Cookies

This week I’ll be blogging about the latest hair care products I’m using (that I L-O-V-E!) as well as details about freezing Raw food.

T.G.I.F. & Kindle 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Kristen in books, cheezy hemp nacho sauce, chocolate, kindle 2, Plant Blood

Whew! It’s been a busy and fun week. We’re staying at my mom’s for a few days and I’ve been food prepping up a storm. (She just finished getting her house remodeled, so I’m showing her gorgeous new kitchen some love and making all kinds of delicious Raw vegan goodies – Cheezy Hemp Nacho Sauce, veggie crudite, lots and lots of fresh Plant Blood (a.k.a. green juice), an awesome new chocolate cheesecake recipe, ice cream, and more!)

Ohhh! My valentine’s day gift arrived today – the new Kindle 2 is in my hands! I’m so excited about it. One of my passions is reading – it has been all of my life. Needless to say, I’m STOKED about this (big thank you to my awesome husband!). The set up for it has been a breeze and I’m getting ready to purchase my first book on it. In trying to decide which one to buy, I’m visiting one of my former Awesome Giveaways where I asked people their favorite books. I’ll take one of those recommendations. (I’ll keep you posted as to which ebook I buy for my new Kindle 2.)

A Great Interview w/ Dr. Neal Barnard by Ecorazzi.com
Dr. Neal Barnard is one of my heroes! When he was asked his opinion about the rising popularity of Raw foods? He thinks it’s great! :)

Update (2/28/09)
~ I was notified that my blog is listed in an article as one of the Top 50 Raw Food & Lifestyle Blogs. I’m listed in the Health and Beauty section. Sa-weet!
~ And, I was listed on this very cool new part of We Like It Raw’s website, Masala, as one of the “hottest raw food blogs.” Double Sa-weet!

8 Superfoods for Winter

by Kristen in apple, blueberries, cabbage, cinnamon, fluffy green smoothie, Kristen Suzanne, Kristen's Raw, pecans, Plant Blood, pomegranate, prunes, raw chocolate, raw vegan recipes, superfoods, winter

“Superfoods” is a buzz word in the Raw vegan world, but it’s usually referring to some exotic ingredient such as maca or goji berries. But, what earns the right to be classified as a “superfood?” Does it have to be hard to get? Not at the common store? Full of mystical powers – or at least it makes you feel as such? Or, does it just mean that it’s chock full of awesome compounds including precious antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals?

I came across an article, Top 10 Superfoods for Winter and I wanted to share some of it here. The following list includes some foods you might not have considered “superfoods” in the past if you got caught up in the typical sexy superfood whirlwind we frequently hear about in Raw circles. However, these foods deserve some cheers and should be included.

I was excited upon reading the article that eight of the ten foods listed can easily be consumed Raw. Sa-weet! Here are some bits from the article, along with my own spin on things, including links to recipes of mine featuring some of the superfoods. Enjoy!

Cinnamon
Cinnamon has always been one of my mom’s favorite spices so she has been adding it to her recipes for most of my life. So much so that my brother and I started teasing her about it when we were growing up. Well, well, well… what do ya know? It turns out that mom knows best (sorry, Mom, it took me twenty-some years to come to this realization!). It’s been said that the compounds in cinnamon can help moderate blood sugar, improve capillary function, fight candida and inflammation, improve digestion, and may help reduce blood pressure. Cinnamon rocks the house!

Here is a recipe to get you started adding more cinnamon to your life: Blissed Out Chocolate Runner’s Smoothie.

Pecans
According to the article, “Pecans have shown to significantly lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL. Frequent consumption of nuts is associated with a lowered risk of sudden cardiac death and other coronary heart disease, as well as a lower risk of Type II diabetes in women.”

Here is an easy and delicious cookie recipe that people love love love! Pecan Spice Delight Cookies.

Dark Chocolate
The article also stated that “a Penn State-led review of the available evidence from 66 published studies, supports the view that consuming flavonoid-rich chocolate, in moderation, can be associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. Chocolate that is minimally processed and has the highest cocoa content (which means the darkest chocolate) has the highest level of flavonoids. With dark chocolate, even eating as little as 30 calories per day can have a moderate effect. (But more can make you really happy.)”

I totally agree with the author there! For a truly decadent experience with plenty of Raw vegan chocolate, you gotta make this recipe: Organic Double Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake.

Pomegranate (Juice)
The article mentions consuming pomegranates in the form of juice, but in my opinion, the pomegranate is best experienced in the whole form, i.e. the seeds. I want to feel spoonful after spoonful of juicy seeds burst in my mouth. My ritual of many years is donning a t-shirt that I’m happy to stain with pomegranate juice, as I seed 2-3 pomegranates at a time. I carry my bowl of precious seeds upstairs and I take pleasure in them as I enjoy a long, warm bath. That being said, I do realize the juice is much easier to come by year round.

In the Greek myth of Persephone, the pomegranate is called the fruit of the underworld. This legend tells the story that Persephone was bound to hell because she ate a pomegranate seed(s) from Hades. I don’t know about you, but a pomegranate might just be worth it… to me they’re glamorous and sensuous. Cutting into a pomegranate is like opening a treasure chest…inside you find brilliantly sparkling, sweet-tart flavored ruby-like seeds.

The joy doesn’t stop there though. The pomegranate has anti-inflammatory effects and high levels of anti-oxidants. It offers you potassium, vitamin C and niacin, making this labor intensive fruit worth the effort.

Apples
Apples are awesome. I mean, hello, an apple graces the cover of Twilight! But seriously, apples are filled with antioxidants for helping fight cancer and improve cardiovascular health. But, that’s not all. Apples also contain pectin (a great source of soluble fiber), bone-building boron, and Vitamin C. If you want the most bang for your buck when it comes to selecting which variety of apple you enjoy, consider this – Red Delicious apples are reputed for having the highest levels of anti-oxidants.

Here is a great green smoothie recipe that includes both apples and cinnamon!

Fluffy Green Smoothie
Yield 1 serving

1 1/2 – 2 cups water
2 apples, cored and chopped
2 handfuls spinach
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Blend it up and enjoy!

Blueberries
Blueberries are crazy awesome for you. They’re rich in phytonutrients and shown to be some major brain food from an anti-aging perspective. In fact, they may help keep your memory sharp. The next time you forget where you park your car, eat some extra blueberries. However, there’s more to blueberries than just some brain power… Wild blueberries, in particular, are shown to help improve eyesight by reducing eye strain and improving night vision. Total score – Night Vision! Next time you want your kids (or husband – haha) to eat healthier, give them a bowl of blueberries and tell them it’ll help their night vision. :) I’ll bet they gobble them up without a second thought.

All in all, blueberries rock. They are so good for you. And, I’ve read that you can get these benefits by eating fresh or frozen blueberries (get the “wild” ones if you can). This makes eating blueberries year round much easier.

No recipe here… I just eat them straight up by the bowl!

Prunes
Prunes (dried plums) are not just for shuffle board players. They’re a force to be reckoned with and should be enjoyed by people of all ages. Prunes are loaded with antioxidants (LOTS!), fiber, vitamins A & C, potassium, iron and more.

Updated 2/8: And, check this out… Plums Poised To Give Blueberries Run For The Money.

Although, I typically eat prunes by themselves, here is a delicious dressing recipe with prunes: Creamy Kickin’ Dressing.

Cabbage
According to the article, “A New York Times article in December suggests that cabbage is the most important [vegetable] in the world from the point of view of nutritional benefits and cancer-fighting ability. Cabbage possesses phytochemicals including sulforaphane, which studies suggest protects the body against cancer-causing free radicals, and indoles, which help metabolize estrogens. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins K and C, and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, folate, manganese and Omega 3 fatty acids.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself! Now, most people associate cabbage recipes with cole slaw. And, it’s definitely a good source for it. However, to concentrate lots of those valuable nutrients in one serving, I also get my cabbage in the form of fresh organic Plant Blood. When I juice it, I include lots of purple cabbage, an apple or two, a carrot or two, and fresh ginger.

So, there you have it. 8 great superfoods for winter (and year round if you ask me!).

Smoothies, Juices, Elixirs & Drinks – Now Available in Print!

by Kristen in Easy Raw smoothies, elixirs, juices, Kristen Suzanne, Kristen's Raw, Plant Blood

Another exciting day! My 7th book is now available in print, Kristen Suzanne’s EASY Raw Sm oothies, Juices, Elixirs & Drinks. This book is filled with tons of DELICIOUS beverage recipes, tips, and information. Getting all of the nutrition and anti-oxidants your body needs for maximum health is SUPER EASY once you start eating Raw plant-based foods every day, and one of the easiest ways to do this consistently is to DRINK THEM! Great photos available here. Which are your favorites?