Apricot Bars

Pic to come of fabulous raw Apricot Bars!  Wow- check out this delicate sweet succulent dessert...
1C Dried Apricot (pureed in food processor)
1 C Raw Cashews
1 1/2 T Extra Virgin Coconut oil
pinch salt
Vanilla

Puree all of the ingredients in the food processor, press down in a oiled or lined pie pan.  Refrigerate if you don't eat them all at once:)  This is the best dessert I have made in a long time!

Apple Cider Vinegar

So I have always loved the taste of ACV as an additional flavoring to greens, cabbage, salad dressings, etc. I have used ACV for several home remedies as well.  ACV is an excellent cure for dandruff, it balances high cholestorl, reduces sinus infections and sore throats, fights allergies, strengthnens the immune system,improves digestion, cures constipation,increases metabolism, alleviates the symptoms of gout and arthritis, cures hangovers, prevents bladder stones, cures urinary tract infections, and so muchmore. I have recently read hundreds of testimonies that ACV cures PMS. WHAT!?!? Yeahhhh!!

Make sure you get the raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar!  Braggs brand is great! 

Soaking beans

Why soak beans? Canned beans are loaded with salt and have less nutritional content than beans you soak yourself, Canned beans are also more expensive and you are left with the can. Cut out the waste, save some money, and make the healthier choice to soak your own beans, its easier than you might think:) Buy your beans in the bulk foods section wherever you shop. Rinse the beans in water, then soak in water for about 8 hours. Soaking the beans releases the gases that cause flatulance, as well as activates the beans to sprout. After soaking the beans you can cook them or sprout them. The ones pictured here will be cooked and added to vegan chili. I hope you consider giving up the canned beans for your health and the planets health.

Tabouli:)

This is last nights dinner. Tabouli is my favorite!!!! I am listing the recipe here:)
1 bunch of chopped parsley (I used flat leaf italian style for this recipe)
Freshly chopped tomatoes
Bulghar wheat (soaked in warm water) This is optional, a great substitute is corn which I used in this recipe
Corn Cut off the cob (you want fresh corn to add the juicy crunch
Chopped garlic
Chopped green onion
Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
Ground Pepper
pinch of cayenne
splash of Braggs (or sea salt)

Additional fresh herbs such as basil, mint, chives, oregano also compliment this refreshing delicious salad. This is easy to make and everyone loves it! This is good eaten on its own or with hummus and wraps or however you like. I had some this morning with scrambled teggs (tofu). Enjoy!

Urban Gardening

TWO WORDS... Urban Gardening......Okay you know I can't stop there. Sprouts are instant gratification of Gods Goodness  Sprouts grow in jars in just a few days and there are many different ones to suit your taste preference and power your house with essentials.

I have alfalfa  and red clover sprouts pictured here:)  

Beans for the week ahead....

CHECK! Last night I soaked two different types of beans for meals this week. Lima Beans and Black Beans (Soaked separatley for two different meals).

I soaked the dry bean rather than buying the cans- its less expensive, its easy, its less waste, and its less salt. You just soak the dry beans in water overnight, rinse the next day, then simmer over low heat for a few hours (without salt, salt dries out the beans).

After the beans simmered for a little while, I added shallots, garlic, onions carrots, and peppers to both. I added sliced potatoes to the lima beans which made the soup much thicker.

The lima bean soup is seasoned with fresh herbs of thyme, sage, and rosemary, and freshly chopped ginger root.

The black beans are seasoned with fresh cayenne pepper, onions, fresh oregano and fresh thyme. When the black beans are finished I will serve them with brown rice, fresh cilantro and fresh tomato salsa.

Gametime snacks!

Featuring my new favorite Summer Rolls with an asian inspired sauce. 1/2 and 1/2 Hummus and pesto, zucchini slices, seaweed sheets, basil, sprouts and pesto. Dip and wrap to your hearts content :)  This platter offers a little something for everyone!

Bulk Foods

Bulk Items from Market

Just back from Market

Smoothie of the Day!

Powerinyourhouse Blend! 1/3 Mixed Berries, 1/3 Mango, 1/3 Spinach. This Smoothie is LOADED! Fill the blender up with the three ingredients- dont forget to pack in the greens, top with 2pints of H2O. Blend (I use the puree button) if your smoothie starts moving slowly pour in a bit of water or juice (fresh) or apple cider.

A call this Powerinyourhouse because of what this smoothie brings to your house- your body.

Antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Minerals such as Manganese, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, not to mention Protein, Beta-Carotene and Phyto-Chemicals. If that doesn't sound like enough- look up the ingredients and you will find more.

These healing ingredients are also anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, protect the brain and nervous system, guard skin against sun damage, and are beneficial for people with angina, high cholesterol, heart disease, and acne.

Sooooo... Enjoy! The sweet smooth replenishing drink with plenty of sweetness from the mangoes and the berry blend.

Quick Green Smoothie!

First step of creating green smoothie is to fill the blender half full with the fruits.

Next step is to stuff the blender full of Green Leaves!  I have the ingredients listed in more detail below.  Please continue to see the next steps and how easy it is to start the day off great!

Cover fruit and half of leaves with water (I added a little apple cider here too).  Secure the blender lid tightly and.....

So I have to admit that I get a little dizzy during this part sometimes... lol... Watch the ingredients turn from chunks.....

Wait for it!  The best smoothies are smoothed for a whole minute!  This one is perfect!  Frothy, smooth, silky, and packed full of necessary vitamins for a blessed day:)You know the smoothie is finished when the chunks are gone and it is glowing green- no artificial color added please! 

 

Green Smoothie Ingredients

Good morning, afternoon, and evening! Need an energy boosting breakfast full of brain food? Green Smoothie is the answer! The ingredients are simple and may consist of what you already have on hand! To make the perfect green smoothie there are a few key ingredients
1. Something to make the smoothie smooth- be it banana (fresh or frozen), avocado (fresh), mango, or peach.
2. Greens- Spinach are my favorite, Romaine comes in close second, I have used salad mixes as well (which tasted beautifully).
3. Something to add the extra umph.. for sweet with antioxidants add berries! Mango is my personal favorite- its sweet and sour:) I showed frozen fruits from Trader Joes here- they are priced great and soooo easy. I also buy a lot of fresh when fruits are in season and freeze them myself- sticking to simplicity with this post.. stay on track Ali!
4. Liquid- 99% of the time I just use filtered alkaline water- however coconut milk, almond milk, whole grain milk, hemp seed milk or apple cider are tasty and may contain extra needed vitamins- I am saving mine for my oats:)
Please note that this is the second time that I have posted green smoothie recipe because of how vital I believe it can be- the post from a little while ago is even better with the watermelon juice or coconut water!

Bonfire Snack Tray

Want to show your friends and family that you LOVE them? An appetizer tray such as this has everyone feelin the goodness of nature. Last weekend we went over to our dear friends place for a bonfire and QT and this is what we took to share. Here you see mango salsa, 1/2 and 1/2 sundried tomato pesto and hummus topped with a drizzle of hemp seed oil, pine nuts and herbs, grapes, olives, thin slices of peppers, heirloom tomatoes and one of my favorites zucchini chips. I just recently fell in love with slicing zucchini thin (1/4 inch) and using it as a chip! OR for a bite size app, spread the hummus on each one then top each one with a dallop of pesto and an olive slice or a few pine nuts or something and they are soooo good. This was more of a dipping group so we just went with this method. Btw, this is a great platter for chillin, watchin the game, mingling.
Wow! This has me thinking are we really rewarding someone by giving them candy or junk food? The other day I saw a 15 month old pick out a king size Snickers bar at the store- the grandma bought this for her baby! Working with children I often see them receiving candy as a reward. How bout a peice of fruit for a reward? Unfortunately getting God's goodness is more difficult and costly than grabbing a bag of candy. Hey ya'all break the cycle- I know a lot of our food choices are inherited but that does not mean thier right and thats not to say that our parents are wrong, they are just misinformed- and it has been this way for a long time! I am going to stop now. Peace up! I share this because I LOVE YOU ALL!

Responses and Reflections

First of all... I wish for the idea of a diet to be eliminated in a negative way and course of action in our world.  To clarify for some- I do not consider myself on a diet- just one that eats ital, plant-based meals.   So, do not be discouraged by the title of the book I will recommend for you to read now, The World Peace Diet "Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony" by Will Tuttle, Ph.D.  Yes this book can be challenging for some of us to read- because some of us are not ready to accept the truth of the matter on how far gone our society's beliefs of foods have gotten.  PLEASE read this book, believe this book and share it with your loved ones.

Secondly, it does not matter how much you exercise you still are what you eat.  So many people are getting sick and I believe it is because of all of the meat and animal products they eat.  It is not our peoples fault; they have inherited their beliefs that we are supposed to eat that stuff- but the truth of the matter is that people that eat only plant based foods has less cancer, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, unhealthy cholesterol levels, toxins, high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and so much less of so much more.

Lastly, I believe that the rise in ADHD, ADD, SBH, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and more among the youth is the result of the disassociation with nature and the root of the foods our culture eats. This problem is especially apparent in impoverished children whom live in food deserts where the closest food options include fast food, candy, chips, pop, and just overly processed stuff with absolutely no nutritional content what so ever.  Children born in poor homes have just as much right to eat healthy as children who are born in wealthy homes.  Schools should be required to serve healthy plant based meals and teach nutrition and this should be backed financially by the government.  How can this power money hungry government demand so much of other nations and cultures when they are oppressing and neglecting their own people?  Responsibility needs to be taken for the injustice that our poor and oppressed have suffered. Of course cancer, high blood pressure, and cholesterol and all that is genetic- families all sit and eat a lot of meat together. And don't even get me started on the violence and harsh conditions that the animals are grown in for humans to consume.  An industry driven by dollars; our health and safety are not even considered.

I am sharing this because I LOVE you and do not want you to feel insulted personally or like this is an insult to generations that taught you eating habits.  This is information that we all need to know, have the right to know and should know to save this planet.  MUST READ- The World Peace Diet  by Will Tuttle, Ph.D.

I always love some salad!

Quinoa, Mixed greens, Sprouts, Lemon, Avocado, Hummus, and Sun Dried Tomato Pesto!  I posted the Priestly Pesto Recipe below.  The Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is made the same way with the addition of Soaked (at least 2 hours) Sundried Tomatoes.  Make a big batch because this is something good to snack on for days:)

Dinner Time:)

Short Grain Brown Rice with tomatoes, hummus, salad with sprouts, and tomatoes, Mango Salsa, Sliced zucchini.  Drizzle with Flax oil, and lemon.  Use the large lettuce leafs as wraps to make this into tacos.  Enjoy!

Busy days call for quick meals

Don't have time to cook?  throw together a quick salad- Get it quick:)  Heirloom tomatoes, sprouts, avocado, tahini and lemon:)  This energizing meal can serve as dinner or just get you motivated to make more!

5 Favorites

All 5 eaten every day:)  With tomato season coming to an end I may not be eating them every day; but for now-- m .. m..m

Raw Onion Bread

Raw onion bread can be made with caraway if you want a rye flavor as well but this batch was made mostly with Rosemary:)  All I did was grate the onions (about 3 here- the photo shows the purple in front - I also used very sweet small onions- cappellone)  That is one bell pepper and half of a summer squash.  I put all the veggies through a grater blade on the food processor- it does not pulverize the veggies just sliced them thin. After coating the veggies with olive oil (and maple syrup if you like) you sprinkle ground flax seed, ground almonds, and herbs throughout the mixture. Mix well, add Braggs if you want a little and then press into a dehydrator tray or baking sheet and put on a low setting and dry the bread:)  I eat it with avocado, some type of greens, sprouts, tomato, and or hummus/tahini, with a side of quinoa.  I will put up a pic of the end product some time soon- I almost forgot to mention- this "bread" is so delicious and healthy and versatile.  There are two things I really like from the dehydrator- Raw Onion Bread and Kale Chips- besides that you wont be seeing much more of the dehydrator recipes: I prefer having a whole grain or soup sprouted or prepared with heat to the dehydrator these days. This is why you will see a few beautiful salads next :)

As REAL as it gets!

As Real as It GETS! That’s the food I eat! The eye can see the life flowing through the sprouts, leaves, seeds, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, etc….. Some people do not realize that eating ital is not a diet, it is not for vainity, it is only praise for the Most High, The Creator of the Earth. Eating living and raw foods is a lifestyle; it is a new level of spirituality when you feel the life from eating foods of the Earth. My body is not a grave for dead animal flesh. My body is a Temple in praise of HIM. I do not “eat healthy” to look good. I live this way in thanks and praise and to have a clean temple; where loving kindness can dwell peacefully. This creates a space where the divinity within me realizes the divinity within all of you. I see the life, I feel the prescence, I am graced with HIM guiding the way every day; and now I just have to figure out how to sow the seed. I will continue to seek and he will show me.

Pretty typical meal

Greens- a variety of Kales here- rolled up and sliced thin. Avocado.  Heirloom tomatoes from the garden.  A Young coconut to drink - I will use the pulp for something fabulous later.  The pinkish/purple puree is red cabbage pureed with seasonings and cashew I believe (Bashi made it while I was asleep).  I put all this on a plate and then top with Nutritional Yeast and ground Flax Seed.  and Voila!  Dinner is served and so delicious!

Sunburgers

I do not have a great photo of Sunburgers at this time; however I will find one and post it in the near future.  I would like to dedicate this post and photograph to an amazingly positive lady, Jaie Benson!  Jaie shares LOVE and KNOWLEDGE everyday!  I am truly thankful that I get to experience her positive light!  GIVE THANKS FOR JAIE!
Sunburger Recipe....
2-3 Cups of Raw Sunflower Seeds - Soaked overnight (in good water)
1 Cup Sundried Tomatoes- Soaked overnight
2 Carrots (chopped a bit before blending in food processor)
Onion- your preference- I use either 1/2 a sweet onion or a few green onions
Peppers- again your preference depending on how much spice you like- I use half of a bell pepper and one jalapeno (sans the seeds)
Fresh herbs- Use what you have/like- Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Chives, Rosemary
Dried Herbs- I really like Curry!
Braggs Liquid Aminos- about 1 Tablespoon

Other options- you can add some soaked almonds or pecans, also fresh tomatoes if you like

Puree all of the ingredients together in a food processor - because mine is pretty small I have to do this in several batches.

Form the mixture into patties.  Dehydrate in the dehydrator until you have reached the desired texture- I keep mine in for 8 or more hours- sometimes I leave them in so long they get a little crunchy but I do not mind. 
Sunburgers are great to snack on or top with avocado, sprouts, and tahini dressing.  Bashi breaks them up and calls them croutons on his salad. 
Recently I made a big batch for Bashi to take on his road trip to Colorado- when he came back they were all gone and he and Raffi passed on some great reviews from the friends they have out there.  I will be making a batch to take down to ATL this weekend so I will post a photo this week.  In the meantime- GIVE THANKS FOR THE RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE:)

Rainy Day in Cincinnati

Rainy days are perfect for staying in and creating meals for the week. That way the other days are left open for doing other things:)

Raw Carrot Cake

This is a raw carrot cake that Bashi made with a nut crust, carrot pulp with ginger and seasonings and a bunch of other secret ingredients with a coconut lemon icing topped with pecans and raisins. This cake is seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg and all kinds of goodness. I will have to have Bashi give me the recipe to be able to post it though:)

Sleeping Bear

Before I post more photos that Bashi took of food that he created I have to post this image to show you that this is what I was doing while he was in the kitchen. After an adventurous trip to Findlay Market and Clifton Natural Foods a Sunday afternoon snooze called out to me:) Thanks to Bashi for all the good stuff:)

Priestly Pesto- no Cheese necessary!

Bashi has been on a roll with preparing the foods essential for true Ital living; I will be posting a bunch of photos of all the clean, healthy, deliciousness that has been happening around here. This "Priestly Pesto" is easy to make and adds so much flavor and essentials to your meal. This is also a good one to share with loved ones because most of us like it. Today we ate it with spaghetti squash. Tommorrow we will eat it with zucchini cut into noodles. We topped everything with some little sweet heirloom tomatoes.
This recipe has lots of ingredients because we and them in and even grow all of the herbs in the garden so it's easy to just add them in- pesto is just as good without all of the extras- but let me tell you this one has a lil extra love thrown in:)
And now; for the recipe.......
1 Bunch of Basil
1/2 an avocado
Fresh thyme
Garlic (fresh)
Green onions
Cilantro- a few leaves
Rosemary a few needles
Macadamia Nuts
Raw pine nuts
Walnuts
The juice of 1-2 lemons
Nutritional Yeast (just a little bit)
Olive oil
YUM....YUM....YUM....YUM.....YUM.....YUM.....YUM......YUM....YUM......YUM......YUM......YUM......YUM......YUM....YUM..YUM