This week we have been attempting to eat high raw and have been doing pretty well with it. For breakfast and lunch yesterday we had some really great juices, squeezed fresh from our new juicer (which I am in love with). However, by dinner last night we were ready for solid food and I decided to make one of my favorite raw dishes: Raw Polenta with Mushroom Ragout and we had a purple cabbage, yellow tomato and spinach salad dressed with balsamic and olive oil. The polenta is amazing and very sweet, creamy and garlicky which is great and the mushroom ragout goes really well with it. This recipe came from Ani Phyo’s Raw Book and I recommend you try it.
Last Friday our new juicer was to arrive, however, to our disappointment it did not make it to our house (which confuses me as it arrived in the next town over the night before according to the tracking.) So we had to make the best of our no longer juice fasting weekend and decided to eat a lot of raw dishes and will continue to this week as well. We both work outside the house so have a juice fast during the week isn’t something that we are able to do and this coming weekend we have dining plans both Saturday and Sunday so we will have to hold off on our juice fast until the following weekend. Although we will be unable to juice fast this week we will be having juice for breakfast and dinner and eating a raw dish for lunch.
We did not eat all raw this weekend but we did have a lot of meals that were. The first of which was breakfast on Saturday; we enjoyed (almost) raw breakfast crepe with coconut cashew pudding and bananas.
The raw crepe was from Ani Phyo’s book and is great it is made up of 1.5 cups flax meal, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1/8 cup water, ¼ cup agave and a pinch of salt. I topped these with Ani’s coconut cashew pudding which was super easy to make all you have to do is blend 2 cups cashews, 1.5 cups water, ½ cup shredded coconut, and ½ cup agave. I then placed sliced bananas on top of this and drizzled with maple rice syrup. It was delicious.
The Maple Rice Nectar Came from Suzanne’s Specialities which has a variety of all natural, vegan and organic sweetners. I have always loved the ricemellow – being a fan of fluffernutter as a child it was great to find something similar and vegan. However my favorite product of Suzanne’s that I have tired so far is the Maple Rice Nectar- it is sweet and delicious and when you are out of maple syrup it is a great alternative- mind you it doens’t taste the same but it is very yummy.
On Sunday morning we enjoyed the remaining coconut cashew pudding in the form of a parfait- I layered sliced strawberries coconut cashew pudding and Feed Bittersweet-ness Granola. This granola is great we also received a few other varieties and have used them on top of yogurts, with soy milk and just a handful as a quick yummy snack. Most of their granola is vegan and I was actually sent one with honey in it but I am putting it in a care package for a friend because I’m sure she’ll enjoy this granola as much as my husband and I do.
Sunday dinner was (almost) raw tacos in honor of National Taco Day (actually I didn’t plan it that way it just happened). The only none raw item was our sprouted tortillas. The tacos were made up of Ani Phyo’s nut meat, baja cheese, red pepper corn salsa and some shredded purple cabbage. I really would have liked to put some avocado on as well but mine weren’t ripe enough. I have to say I didn’t love the “meat”, “cheese” and salsa on their own but all together the flavors were wonderful. I can’t wait to make more raw eats and juices this week.
Things to come this week: Raw Polenta with Mushroom Rague, Green Salad with Sweet Miso Dressing, lots of raw juices and Kristen Suzanne’s Harvest Soup.
I have to come up with something to bring to the Raw Potluck Meetup on Sunday….still not sure what to bring yet.
After months and months of debating on whether we should get a juicer or not I finally decided it was time. After checking reviews I decided to go with the Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain . I am so excited. It comes on Friday and I can’t wait to start using it.
Now I really need some good juice recipes so I think this calls for a giveaway contest! If you would like to win a Gnu Bar, a bag of Sharkies and a bag Funky Monkey then please comment below with your favourite juice recipe and for a second chance at winning enter a recipe that uses the juice pulp! The contest will close on October 2nd by Noon (I moved it up because I have another one ending around the same time- sorry!). Also there will be two winners!
Calling all you raw foodist (and all the other foodies) out there if you haven’t tried this yet you must! These salad dressing is delicious, raw, no added sugars and only 5 calories a serving! There are 6 flavors for you to try (I was lucky enough to try the Carrot Ginger, Tomato Provencal, Cucumber Mint and Sweet Onion Basil which were all delicious- here is a little bit about each as state on the Zukay site:
Carrot Ginger – Like the famous Japanese dressing!
Tomato Provencal – A wonderful Mediterranean mix of tomatoes, kalamata olives and herbs de Provence!
Cucumber Mint – The fresh taste of summer!
Tomato Pepper Pesto – The classic taste of fresh basil, pine nuts and tomatoes!
Sweet Onion Basil – A savory and smoky addition to any salad or marinade!
Red Pepper Cilantro – The fresh and zesty taste of red bell peppers
They are so versitle as well- you can put them on greens or use them as dressing on sandwich and they go great on zucchini noodles. Also make sure to try their delcious salsas. Zukay also makes relish as well however I have yet to find it in stores in my area but hope to try it soon.
