Fruity Dream Slushie

I'm thinking about posting a variation of this over at Sororitea Sisters because it uses Yerba Mate!  You could either infuse/steep your own Yerba Mate or use a product like I did here!  I used Garden of Life's Yerba Mate OPP Yerba Mate and it worked nicely!  This was a fruity, creamy, slushie sort of a treat.

Fruity Dream Slushie

1 C Frozen Mango, Cubed

6 Strawberries

1 C Pineapple, Cubed

1 C Fresh Orange Juice (or more)

1 T Garden of Life Yerba Mate Organic Plant Protein Powder

Raw Vegan Juices of the Moment

Yesterday I mentioned how behind I was in posts for taking a little bit of time off from blogging but I didn't know how far back I was logging stuff until I went to edit photos!  OMG!

So this post will be ALL juicing and juices!  This is the first of at least 2 (or 3) posts today so be sure to check back!  I have so much to share with you over the next few days and weeks!

First up...take a look at this rich, deep color of the Blueberry, Raspberry, Grape, Lemon Juice my mom and I recently did!  I believe this was made out of 1 container of raspberries (maybe 2), 2 containers of blueberries, about 2 pounds of grapes, and 1 whole lemon.  This made well over a quart.  My father LOVED it so he kept the quart!

This one is simply Plum Watermelon Juice.

We bought a watermelon that wasn't very flavorful so instead of 'chucking it' we decided to juice it!  We used about a pound or more of watermelon and 3 pounds of plums!  YUM!

The funny thing is that my mom LOVES watermelon but doesn't like watermelon juice by itself.  Lucky for me I LOVE BOTH!  I did find out that my dad like plum juice...he also like things with lemon in them were as my mother doesn't.  It's fun learning what each one likes to zone in on and how taste buds are different!

What are your favorite things to blend with watermelon?  I wanted to do Strawberry Watermelon but I wasn't able to find any strawberries YET.

Hubby has been CRAVING Orange Juice.  Since he was diagnosed with Crohn's he hasn't been able to drink it because of the pulp.  I won't drink store bought OJ because it freaks me out...most OJ here in the US has funky ingredients in it (some even contain fish or fish bi-products!!!!)  So it's been a while since I had a good, solid, NATURAL, freshly squeezed cup of OJ.

This was great!  We took about 3 to 5 pounds of navel oranges and juiced them.  It made more than you see here but for the jar I brought home for my husband it was less because we strained it 3 more times.  I'm SO HAPPY he liked it!  It didn't seem to affect his stomach either!

I've heard that the Tribest SlowStar Juicer I use is one of the best to yield more juice and less pulp!  I will try and post a few videos in the near future!

Next up...Pineapple Kale Blueberry!

Here we used 1 container of Blueberries, a whole Pineapple, and about 6 to 10 leaves of kale.  The kale I used was of the sweeter variety and smelled like cabbage.  It was white with dark green highlights!

I will say this smelled weird.  I will also say this is one I sipped on a bit and revisited the following morning.  Word to the wise on this one...if juicing and refrigerating overnight you most likely will have to restrain this in the morning!  Some of the pulp that got thru the juicer and strainer expanded overnight!

ALL of these would make FANTASTIC Freeze Pops, too!  I have some more juices to share with you in the near future and I know my parents are both excited to be trying new juices so I am sure this will be at least once week or every other week I will have new ones to share!  If you have any suggestions let me know in comments!

MacIntosh Apple Juice

Nope...this IS NOT Beer!

It's Pure Apple Juice!

A sample of the MacIntosh Apple Juice that my mom and I juiced this weekend and it turned out GREAT!

3 pounds!

I know I went 'missing' for a bit again but I should be back in full force again tomorrow with plenty more to share!!!

Blondee Apples & Kabocha Squash

On Thursday I mentioned I purchased 2 new-to-me types of produce.  One being Orange Kabocha Squash and the other item was a Blondee Apple I actually got as a free sample at my local produce stand.  Of course I hit up Google for more info on both of these foods and here is some of what I found out.  Kabocha Squash is grown in Fall, Winter, and Spring and is a Winter Keeper meaning that it can last 4 to 5 months!  YAY!  They are said to be one of the sweetest types of squash!  I read they pair well with Broccoli, Raab, Radicchio, and Dandelions.  You can roast it for 30 minutes in the oven with little effort.  I like that!  And I really am drawn to this recipe that I found, too!

My last trip to my favorite local produce stand wasn't the first time I noticed them offering free samples of something.  This time I took them up on the offer!  They had small, yellow apples which were called Blondee Apples.  They are a lot like Gala Apples.  They were originally found growing among Galas and some people actually call them the "Yellow Gala".  I read that these apples are resistant to bruising...that's a PLUS!  And can be kept for several months in the refrigerator!  Eventho this is becoming popular in New York State - and I actually live in Pennsylvania - but right ON the state line - it doesn't shock me that I found them here now that I do know more about them.  BUT this apple was introduced in 2000 by a couple from Ohio.  It wasn't available to the market until 2012.  I'm writing this prior to actually TRYING the apple but I am looking forward to it.  I LOVE trying new types of produce!  What's the last thing you tried that was new-to-you?

Foods From Last Week...This Week!

Yup!  I'm still behind with posting!  Here are some of the foods I have been eating the past week or two!

Up top on the left - it's a comfort food and not ultra healthy due to the store-bought vegan cheese but I considered it a CHEAT and haven't been doing that all the much lately!  I made Egg Trick Muffins!  Yum!  To the right of that you will see one of the recipes I have submitted to The Raw Food World NEWS Recipe Section!  It's a Nut and Seed based "meat" inside a raw vegan paleo wrap!  On the bottom is an awesome salad with greens, pineapple, tomatoes, peppers, almonds, coconut, and Balsamic!

Of course this isn't all I ate but some of it...and with the post from Friday with the smoothies you can get a good idea of some of the things I have been working on!  

Raw, Random, & Recipes

Many things have been going on as of late and things have been in high speed.  So much so that I trashed a few recipes that I was working on but still wanted to share them with you here...but...I will get to one of those in a bit. 

First up is Chia Goodness - Apple Cinnamon flavor that I have had on hand for a while but finally cracked open about 2 weeks ago.  As I have said a few times I have a 'thing' with the texture of Chia Seeds once they have been hydrated.  I did eat the bowl - whole - like this but next time I think I am going to put it thru a blender before consuming - just as my own personal preference, I guess.  The flavor was tasty, tho!

Here's another thing I have been munching on...another raw vegan cheese spread.  This one was very thick and very tasty.  I think I put a tad too much Apple Cider Vinegar in it tho but it was still good!

I wanted to try it on Brown Rice Pasta but it didn't last that long.  I used it for scooping corn chips but also for veggies, too!

Paco, Riley, and Charlie have been doing well.  Our next appointment and blood labs for Paco is January 4th.

Another reason we've been busy is because we HAD to clean our basement for a number of reasons but time-wise had to because we needed to have someone come and change out our Water Meter "parts".  Thank GOD that project is done...oye!  BUT...I will say...it worked out for the best!  We donated 28 bags of clothes, bedding, shoes, hats, and coats!

I've been busy writing a lot for numerous websites but I am happy to report that I will be doing a lot more now that I have a new computer!

I was trying to use a Chromebook that we got on sale MONTHS ago and eventho it's handy it has a lot of quirks.  It's NOT very good at multi-tasking or working off of multiple screens/windows, and it's the easiest to save or retrieve files or edit photos.  So basically everything I NEEDED it for it wasn't cutting the mustard!  DH got me my Christmas Present early last weekend - an All-in-1 Dell that has been working real well for what I need!  You can see the screen in this photo - it's a large and wide screen!  I took this pic while on Megan Elizabeth's Hang Out Chat the other night.  Some Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw Foodies met up and chatted for about 2 hours!

There were some great tips on skin products, skin care, make-up, things to do at home if you don't wear make-up (I usually don't) and then we got into food, gift-giving, and a whole lot more!  Here's a pic of me from yesterday morning.  I put it on Instagram with the tags #nomakeup #nofilter #longhairdontcare.  It was shortly after I got out of the shower.  This was my 2nd day using ACURE Organics Shampoo and Conditioner.  I hope to do a more lengthy review on those products soon.  The fist day was a bit rough but the 2nd day was GREAT!  More on that down the road.  So this was more of a mini wrap-up over the last few weeks, I guess!  More coming soon!

Coconut Oil Giveaway!

Happy Friday!

I'll get right to the point today...I'm giving a way a jar of Coconut Oil from Garden of Life!  If you want to win...check out the Rafflecopter entry below and leave a comment on this post.  It's open to US Residents and it will close at midnight on 10/28/14.

A few more words about Garden of Life Coconut Oil...

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is among the healthiest, most versatile dietary oils in the world. An excellent culinary oil with its natural coconut flavor and aroma, we think it is simply the best tasting, most aromatic coconut oil on the planet.

• Contains meat from only the freshest, organically grown coconuts
• Produced using the same methods Philippine farmers have used for centuries
• Helps maintain already healthy levels of cholesterol and thermogenesis
• Great for low carbohydrate diets
• Can be used in place of butter. Enjoy in cooking, frying, baking or in smoothies
• RAW, vegan, non-GMO, not hydrogenated, refined, bleached or deodorized
• Available in 16 oz. and 32 oz. jars

Use the search button on my sidebar and type in coconut oil to see some of the things I have used this ingredient for so far.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Banana, Wheatgrass, Lemon Skin Care Mask

Regardless of what you think...you are NOT looking a moldy banana!

This was one of my 'experiments' this morning as I work up REALLY early and had some extra time on my hands.  I thought I would make my own skin care mask using raw and vegan ingredients that I had on hand.

Many of you know I really don't like Bananas but I have learned to like up to a half of one in a few specific smoothies from time to time.  After I was done making a smoothie this morning I did this before throwing the banana peel away.  Not only do I NOT like the taste of bananas I like the aroma of them even less!  So here's what I did and it worked on many levels!

1 Banana Peel
1/2 Scoop of GoL's Wheatgrass Powder
Lemon Juice

I sprinkled the wheatgrass powder on top of the peel and wet it down with the lemon juice.  It was really wet and 'soppy' like a drenched wash cloth.  I took it and smeared it all over my face and neck.  It dried like other masks would.  Between the lemon and the wheatgrass aroma - it cut the banana aroma - at least in half!  YAY!  After wearing this on my face and letting it dry I washed it off with hot water.

It left my skin VERY soft all day!  I'm very excited about this!  I will be posting about my natural skin care mask attempts as I have several others planned, too!  With the research I have done all three of these ingredients are great for skin...not only consuming them but putting them ON your actual skin!  I took some photos but they looked beyond ridiculous so I won't post those...teehee!

Vegan Giveaway ~ Organic Golden Flaxseed & RAW Organic Antioxidant Fruit !!!

Check this out!  Another Giveaway!  It's Vegan!  It's Raw!  It's Marvelous!
Any U.S. Resident who would like a chance to win this...just leave a comment on this post with the best way for me to contact you if you are the winner and Garden of Life will send you some of their Organic Golden Flaxseed AND Raw Organic Antioxidant Fruit!

I have this at home and enjoy it but haven't done much with it lately!  One of my goals in the near future is to pull it out and get creating with it again!

I've been known to add this to smoothies and some breakfast bars from time to time.  I've added it to a 'batter' and dehydrated it in my Excalibur.  Since I'm not much of a baker I haven't tried many bakey-type attempts with it but maybe down the road.

Some of the reasons I LOVE this blend of two great super foods?

Organic Golden Flaxseed and RAW Organic Antioxidant Fruit Benefits:

• Naturally Sweet and Delicious – No Sugar Added
• Promotes Healthy Digestion and Regularity
• Promotes Heart, Breast and Brain Health

One Serving of Organic Golden Flaxseed and RAW Organic Antioxidant Fruit Contains:

• 3g of Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid ALA)
• 1g of Omega-6 (linoleic acid LA)
• 1g of Omega-9 (oleic acid OA)
• 90mg Antioxidant Lignans (SDG)

HURRY UP and enter to win!  You have until FRIDAY at 5 est!  Good Luck!

Monday Morning Container Garden Surprises!

One thing I have noticed since starting our Container Garden - soon to be Rooftop Garden - at work - is - on Monday Morning - we are so eager to week what happened with it over the weekend - that coming to work on a Monday isn't as bad as it used to be! 

This morning I woke up absurdly early.  At least for me it was absurdly early.  And by waking up early - I mean - waking UP-UP!  Like ready to run a marathon UP.  That's totally unlike me, too!  Usually I hit the snooze!  NOT this morning!  So...with waking up so NICELY this morning I declared THIS WEEK...RAW WEEK!  More on that in a very near post...YES...it will be a 2 post day - today - so stay tuned!

Anyhow...when I got to work EARLY today I ran upstairs to where our Garden is at the moment and found a few surprises! 

First surprise...was this flower!  Yup!  We have our FIRST Flower!  YAY!  This little gem was on one of the Dragon's Tongue Beans.  It's so beautiful!  I'm so excited!  I'm pretty sure the two buds you see are beans in the making!  We just might have some beans SOON!

Next up...SHROOMS!  Check these bad boys out!  They are growing randomly in a separate container near one of the other Dragon's Tongue Beans.  I really don't know what this means.  Maybe someone can shed some light on the subject.  We have some theories!  We could be TOTALLY WRONG.  Casey thinks we just got our soil too wet.  Karen thinks maybe it was something in the 'soil or potting mix' we used.  Another person mentioned a possible or potential 'disease'.  I am going to ask our local ag extension girl what kind of mushroom this is.  As long as it's not poisonous I won't be too concerned.

There are THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of Mushrooms Species and I am far from an expert!  Again...if anyone knows let me know in comments!  I also posted on Instagram and will report back with any feedback I do receive.