Going Raw!

Would you believe this yummy looking "chocolate cake" is totally a raw food item?
Latley I've been seeking a cleaner way to eat. In my quest to lose a few pounds, Ive been juicing and blending raw fruit smoothies in place of meals. It is also a great time for not turning on the oven because of the heat wave here.

So, even though I have been trying out this awesome way of eating,(or drinking) I still managed to find something to ease my sugar cravings on this path of a raw food lifestyle.

I did some research and found a recipe for this "cake" made from walnuts , dates, raw cocoa with a raw cashew cream "frosting." I added a bit of shredded, unsweetened coconut to the cream frosting so that it tasted alot like a german chocolate cake! The addition of a few well placed fresh blueberries made it really pretty.

I am hoping to continue with the raw food plan as I incorporate more fresh vegetables and fruits into my daily fare. I will be posting some of the new recipes I find and create that seem cool. However, most of what I am doing is pretty basic, like the green juices and smoothies but I am pretty sure that there will always be some raw desert I will fall for to share with you again! They say; It's progress, not perfection!

Brunch

I started my morning out with a juicy bowl of fresh berries and pineapple,but a little later couldn't wait to try to make "Pasta Fresco."

I saw an episode of a cooking show where they made the pasta dish and I had to try it out. I love simple meals and with the recent heat wave it seemed like the perfect dish to recreate.

Just a few ingredients like, whole wheat angle hair pasta and fresh ones like Italian parsley, basil, garlic and skinned tomatoes. The whole thing was tossed together with an extra healthy dose of organic extra virgin olive oil and then sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and course sea salt.

Wild Blackberries Again

downsized_0514001531.jpg, originally uploaded by metoday.

I couldn't resist posting more photos of my wild blackberries. These gorgeous berries call to me each time I'm out on our property. I've picked so many of them but it seems like each time I return, new ripe ones relaced the ones I plucked last week. I feel a sense of responsibility to not let any go to waste. I am sure the birds, snakes and any other local wild creatures have had a fair amount of them, but still I can't seem to leave without an attempt to collect as many as possible in one day. Needless to say, I've learned a thing or two about berry picking:

1. do not pick without well fitted gloves. ( my hands are super scratched up from the last gathering without them, and stained from the juice.)
2. bring a tear-proof bag; (I lost many a berry from my first attempt with a plastic bag)
3. take time to stretch before; (my back hurt from the constant bending without taking a break.I was real focused!)
4. take time to enjoy a few right off the vine without feeling guilty and chastising said boyfriend for eating them like that and "wasting them." After all its suppose to be "fun". I know I get obsessed easily.)

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downsized_0509001658.jpg, originally uploaded by metoday.

downsized_0514001531.jpg

downsized_0514001531.jpg, originally uploaded by metoday.

Mocha Banana Bread

I followed this recipe for "Mocha Banana Muffins" from a "Girl Goes Vegan" post.(Thank You!) I usually don't have the patience for muffins, (spooning batter one by one into the little cups...) and I couldn't find the muffin baking pan so the recipe became "Mocha Banana Bread."

This fat-free bread was extremely moist and delicious. Who can pass on chocolate-chip banana bread with the added grown-up flavor of mocha/coffee? Not me!

I had two slices of this yummy bread while sitting outside by our river. Nothing is as relaxing as watching the river go by with all the birds, turtles and an occasional gator sighting, while enjoying vegan baked goods and coffee. ( I'm trying to quit the coffee...)

Here's a photo of the turtle I saw today in "our" river.

Happy Meal!

Often, I like to make what I call a "happy meal." No, not the high fat, heart sabotaging meal that a popular fast food establishment calls "happy", but a quick and simple lunch that just looks happy. Also from what I understand this meal of mine is very good for my heart, skin and other things, and its so delicious that it really does make me joyous.

Who can't see the pretty color green against the little red cherry tomatoes and be happy? Or is it just me that finds vegan food beautiful, so much so that I love taking pictures of it? O.k., I know I am a bit weird but I'm sure there are others like me out there somewhere...I hope.

For this basic vegetable soup, I threw together fresh, organic produce and seasoned with a vegan bouillon and organic dried herbs. The whole grain sandwich slices were toasted and then smothered with ripe avocado slices, sprinkled with garlic powder and lemon-pepper then topped with the tomatoes.

I'm looking forward to summer and all the local fresh produce options and all the ways I can incorporate them into my diet. How about you?