Juice Fast, Day 1

Ok- so its time for me to get serious about my "High Vibes Life" and start taking some drastic measures towards better health 

To make myself more accountable, I will be vlogging my progress as I embark on a cleansing juice fast. Anyone want to join me on the journey?

I found a couple helpful links to get me started:

The 7 Day Juice Fast Plan

Glowing Green Juice Recipes

Raw Food Recipe Reviews, Week 1

A Berry Delicious Drink

 I gave this smoothie 3 stars:
*Easy
*Simple
*Visually Appealing

Personally I felt that the banana overpowered the other fruit. The recipe called for 1-2 bananas and I added 1 and a half. I also think this recipe would have much more appeal if the bananas were frozen ahead of time, and possibly the other fruit.
Overall, I enjoyed it and felt satisfied for a couple hours.

African Spicy Sesame Soup

I was actually excited to try this recipe as the ingredients sounded so good. However, my daughter and I ate only a couple bites and then dumped it. I'm not sure what went wrong, but it was horrible. The consistency was more like a pudding than soup, the garlic was way too strong, and it just was not palatable. It seemed to me more fitting as a condiment for something. Sadly, it was a great waste of some awesome ingredients.

I did not give this any stars.

Avocado Burritos

 This was my favorite recipe I made this week from the book. I love avocado, it was quick and easy to put together and tasted very refreshing. I did add sea salt and granulated garlic to the avocado mixture. I gave it five stars:
*Easy
*Uniqueness
*Taste
*Presentation
*Simple




Banana Bites

Listed under the breakfast section, these were another quick and simple meal to prepare. I served them up to my son and I with some fresh squeezed orange juice. Satisfying! I gave it 4 stars:
*Taste
*Presentation
*Easy
*Simple

Banana Tahini Drink

Like the Berry one above, this would have been much tastier if made with frozen bananas. I found the taste a little insipid and the color drab. I added a pinch of cinnamon to give it a little more zip.
I gave this one 2 stars:
*Easy
*Simple













Five-star system: 

*Easy- preparation can be prepared within 20 minutes
*Uniqueness 
*Taste- very palatable
*Presentation- visually appealing
*Simple- Common and easily obtainable ingredients

Christmas Eve Fruit and Veggie Tray

Made in the spirit of Fully Raw Kristina! 

Peanut Butter Cup Green Smoothie

Although this doesn't qualify for "fully" raw- this green smoothie is still super healthy, providing as much as 18 grams of protein, and high in omegas, vitamins A, C, and K, a big calcium boost and more. And I think it is so YUMMY! Keeping up with my Holiday Shape-Up plan, here is my lunch for today:

Peanut Butter Cup Green Smoothie

To your Vita-mix or other high-powered blender add the following in given order:

• 2 cups of chopped green Kale, thoroughly washed
• 1 frozen banana split in half
• 1/4 cup all-natural Peanut Butter
• 2 Tbs golden roasted flax seed
• 1 1/2 tsp unsweetened organic cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 plus 1/2 cups purified water
• 10-15 drops of vanilla flavored stevia drops (to taste)

Blend on high until smooth
Then add:

• 2 TBS good quality chocolate chips

Blend for about 5-10 seconds to chop up some
Pour in a glass. Enjoy

Super C Fruit Infused Water

One of the important strategies added to my 'Holiday Shape-Up Plan'  is drinking a pitcher a day of fruit infused water. Today I mixed up a Super C infusion to help boost the immune system and drive back the winter flues.

Ingredients:

• 2 cutie tangerines, peeled and segmented
• 1 lemon peeled and sliced
• I small aloe vera leaf, washed and split in half length-ways
• 10 drops vanilla liquid stevia

Mix in a 2-quart pitcher of water and ice and let sit for 30 minutes before drinking. You can refill 2-3 times.

Green Apple Smoothie

Starting the day off with the right ingredients!

To your Vitamix (or other high powered blender) add:

1-1/2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1 medium green apple cut in eighths, seeds discarded

1 stalk of celery, cut up

1 piece fresh ginger root, thumb-tip size 

1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

Stevia to taste (I added about 1 Tbs of dried stevia leaves. If you use a powder or drop you only need a tiny pinch)

1/2 cup of ice 

1 cup of water or more if needed

I scant Tbls Erin's Super Green Drink Mix (optional, but highly recommended for optimal health)

blend till smooth and enjoy!

Veggie Spring Rolls

One of my fave's for lunch- Veggie Spring Rolls. Takes an ordinary salad up a  few notches. Same ingredients, wrapped in rice paper, dipped in sweet chili sauce (I use the Trader Joes brand)

You can purchase them pre-made at most major supermarket delis, but I prefer to make my own. It really only takes 5-10 minutes tops. You just need a large leaf lettuce such as butter leaf. Then you need round rice papers. This is what I use: The packaging keeps them from breaking.

Cut up the veggies you want to put in your roll. Today I used  avocado, cucumbers  bell peppers, radishes,  cauliflower and shredded carrot. So yummy!

Here are a couple links for more recipes and instructions. But don't get boxed in; Fill these babies with whatever makes your body sing with happiness!

Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Cold Spring Rolls)

Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls

Fruit Tray

Beautiful fruit trays are welcome any time of day. Here is one my daughter prepared for last night's dinner.

Very Berry Heart-health Smoothie

This is my Very Berry Heart Health Smoothie that I drink for breakfast about three times a week. At 46, with a history of high BP and a family history of heart disease, I figure I need to take extra care of my heart. This smoothie is packed with the nutrients that will make your heart and circulatory system sing. 

Recipe:
1 beat fresh from my garden about the size of a golf ball, (leave on the leaves!)
1/4 to 1/3 cup of dried stevia leaves or vanillas stevia drops (at least a half a dropper full. Add more if needed)
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
4 large frozen strawberries
1/2 stalk of celery
1 Tbs chia seeds
1 Tbs Heart Health Herbal Smoothie Mix

Whirl in Vitamix blender until smooooooothe! YUM!

Remember to always use organic ingredients!

Vegan Nachos

All this Veganism has got me a hankerin' for some good old cheese so I whipped me up a batch of nachos with creamy "cheesy" sauce! Mmmmm....

No! I didn't go back on my commitment to Vegan living. This nacho sauce doesn't have any animal product in it whatsoever. I found a couple recipes on Pinterest and though I was skeptical, I just had to give it a try. Utilizing a combination of Lori's Recipe and Lexie's Recipe I whipped up a batch of some lovely creamy and surprisingly finger-licking good faux cheese sauce- so healthy for you, you can make it your entire meal. I didn't realize until after I was done that I never added any olive oil. Not sure if I missed it or not! I thought it was fine without it.

It served up perfectly with my homemade pickled peppers from last summers bumper crop!

Here is the combination recipe I used:

Lori & Lexie's Combo Nacho Sauce

1/4 cup cashew meal mixed with 1/4 cup very hot water (set aside)

1 cup of each, diced: white potatoes (I used butter gold), carrots, cauliflower (Steam together until tender, save liquid)
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
1 Tbs. Fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp granulated onion
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp turmeric

1. While cashew meal is soaking, chop veggies and put on stove to steam.
2. Put cashew mix in high-powered blender (I use a Vita Mix) then remainder ingredients.
3. Now add the drained steamed veggies and blend until smooth. If too thick, add a little of the steam water from the veggies until desired consistency.
Optional: Hot peppers for garnish

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes 
Recipe by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve

In small dish mix together and set aside:
1 Tbs flax seeds, ground (measure before grinding)
6 Tbs water

In medium size bowl sift together:
2 cups stone ground whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
2 Tbs double acting baking powder
1 tsp each: salt, cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

In large mixing bowl beat together:
1/4 cup mashed banana
3 Tbs unsweetened applesauce
flax seed mixture from above
3 cups unflavored almond milk

Slowly stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Do not beat or over stir.
Stir in 2 cups of blue berries, fresh or frozen.

In medium hot skillet, melt 2 tsp organic coconut oil. Scoop 1/2 cup batter. Cover and let cook about 3 minutes or until almost dry. Then flip and cook another minute or two until done. Keep warm in oven till they are all finished. Continue adding more coconut oil as needed while frying.

For blue berry sauce; in small skillet add 1 cup pure maple syrup, 1/4 cup pure honey and 1 cup of blue berries, fresh or frozen. Bring to boil, reduce heat and let simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Clean Vegan Pad Thai

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste (or crushed tomatoes)
• 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari sauce
• Chili flakes
• 2 medium zucchini, ends trimmed
• 1 cup mixed bell peppers and carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 cup snap peas
• 2 small scallions, sliced
• 1 cup shelled edamame (defrosted if frozen)
• 2 teaspoons crushed peanuts, for garnish (optional)
• 4 thin slices avocado, for garnish (optional)
• 2 lime wedges, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter, rice vinegar, tomato paste, soy sauce, and chili flakes to taste until smooth. 
2. Spiralize zucchini or peel into ribbons with a julienne peeler, vegetable peeler, or mandolin. In a large bowl, toss zucchini noodles in sauce. (If you can give zucchini at least 20 minutes to soak in peanut sauce, this dish tastes even better.) Add remaining vegetables and toss to combine. 
3. Serve topped with peanuts, avocado, cilantro, and lime wedges, if desired.

Recipe by Ziplist Sous Chef

Open-faced Avocado Italiano

whole grain bread toasted 

thick slices of avocado 

Classico's Bruschetta spooned on top 

sprinkle with pinenuts

Recipe by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve

Sesame Soba Soup

I began by brewing some green tea in two cups of boiling hot water. I then added about a teaspoon of dulse flakes, 1 package of refrigerated soft buckwheat soba noodles, some shredded purple cabbage for color, a few chopped baby spinach leaves, a sliced green onion, a handful of frozen Edame, and a few cubes of firm tofu. I flavored it up a bit with some Braggs liquid aminos, a shake of hot peppers and a few drops of sesame oil. I ended up with a hearty bowl of soup that put me over-the-top FULL! Mmmm....

recipe by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve

Raspberry Harvest

Picking bright red luscious raspberries from your own vine is soul-satisfying. Last year was our first harvest. We graciously divided about a handful between us. This year we have picked few handfuls . . .

I shall call this 

'Morning Sunshine Harvest Breakfast'

Raw oats
walnuts
slivered almonds
dried blueberries
fresh picked asian pears, chopped
fresh picked raspberries
Pour over with unsweetened almond milk

Enjoy!

Photos and recipe created by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve