Here's a tip...

Peace!!

Just passing a quick tip along today.

When at Sam's Club/Costco (which hasn't been in a while), or even the grocery store on occasion I tend to purchase the big plastic containers of salad. I hate having to dispose (recycle of course!) those containers so what I like to do is next time I'm at the store, I'll buy ingredients for a base salad (carrots, red cabbage and mixture of greens and herbs) and devote a half hour or so when I get home to washing/chopping all the veggies and putting them back into the salad container. That way if later in the week I'm on a time crunch, I can just go to the fridge, scoop out what I need from my base salad mix, and add on whatever other ingredients I'd like to use for that particular day. This also saves money from not having to go to the store every other day for more greens.

I keep my ingredients for the base salad very simple as well and don't include cucumbers, avocado, tomato, etc because I don't want them to wilt the greens and/or die off themselves while waiting to be eaten. Those I add later depending on what I'm craving. *wink*

Peace!

mmm...Hummus!

Peace Fam!!

I had the biggest craving the other day for some falafel (mmmmmmm) and Hummus, so today I'm soaking my chickpeas for some delicious raw hummus. I made it once before with canned chickpeas many moons ago and it was so delicious.

We eat a lot of veggie wraps here in the Kingdom, so I'm hoping my sweetie will like this alternate take on veggie flavor.

The version I'm in the process of making will be lemon/dill.

Normally I freestyle my recipes but I'll share with you how I intend to make it.

Lemon/Dill Hummus

• 1 cup soaked chickpeas
• extra virgin olive oil
• dill
• fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove
• sea salt and pepper to taste
• water to help with consistency

Soak the chickpeas for about 24 hrs and let sit for 2 to 3 days to sprout. (I added a garlic clove to the water to infuse the flavor but that's optional) Add to the blender/food processor the chickpeas, garlic clove and freshly squeezed lemon juice. (no exact measurement, do it to taste but start with about a tablespoon). Turn on appliance then slowly add the olive oil and a little bit of water until it becomes the consistency of paste. Lastly add the dill (about 2 pinches of the fresh variety), salt and pepper. Adjust flavor to taste.

And enjoy!!

For those familiar with hummus, you can really take the creativity to the next level. You can add bell peppers (or even roasted bell peppers for an even better flavor), sundried tomato, curry, cilantro/lime...the choice is yours!

If you're on a time crunch, you can just throw in the blender the canned version but rinse off the peas first.

As for the falafel....mmmmm...I can't guarantee a raw version just yet but I will make good on that craving very soon!

Peace!

Creative Energies

Peace!

Just droppin' a lil' early morning gem on a delicious smoothie I enjoyed about an hour ago.

Yesterday while I was at the store, I picked up some Goya guava juice and figured it may be a nice lil' twist to a smoothie. Indeed it was. Normally though, I will use frozen fruit but was busy with a lot of errands and didn't have time to encompass the entire store.

Guavananaberry Smoothie:

• Guava juice or nectar
• Coconut water
• 2 bananas
• Strawberries

I have yet to venture out to the other boroughs to peep out any future addictions of mine b.u.t soon I will; it's too cold to be wandering aimlessly around Brooklyn and such with the Seed. Best believe when I do, I'll have pics to post.

**For all my Vegan alikes I will be adding a recipe blog to my Cipher. I've gotten quite a few inquiries on how I get down in the kitchen so look for that in the next day or two**

Peace!!

Heat is my best friend...

...indeed.

Peace Fam!!!

It is brick cold here in The Rock...and there is no heat in our building! For whatever unjustifiable reason, I am still freezing.

Heat is my best friend; anyway I can take it: hot shower, hot tea, hot soup.

I can now see why so many people choose to lower their raw ratio during the winter months, granted their King or Queendom is nice and warm. Last night we had ice on the inside of our windows from the condensation!

Today I made the two block trek to the store and picked up some fruit for smoothies in the morning but tonight I'm making some vegan empanadas (mmmm!), and tomorrow my brother is coming through whom I haven't seen in about 6 years and I'm throwing down some Vegan Cuban black beans, yellow rice and plantains just for the occasion. Aside from that I'm looking to consume as many raw fruits and salads as my cold body can withstand.

I'm eager to find out from others how they maintain their raw lifestyle in the winter.

Peace!

Back to Business...sorta.

Peace!!!

Feels like I've been gone forever.

Well, I'm back home (yay!) and so happy to be back in civilization.

This week hasn't been without it's adjustments though. I'm definitely more high raw now. Smoothies and salads are definitely an everyday thing, and hopefully soon I'll be able to experiment with more raw dishes. I've gotten accustomed to preparing Vegan dishes for my honey and I; I just need to find a happy medium between the two.

I have a confession to make.

*giggle*

I have a brand new love. I don't know exactly where you can find these outside of NY because I never remember seeing them in any other state I've been in, b.u.t OKF Aloe Vera King Aloe Vera Juice is soooooooo goood. There are little aloe vera filet pieces in there (organic of course) and honey and mmmmmmm....it is my new addiction.

Much more pleasant to drink than straight aloe vera juice. I couldn't find a decent picture of it online, so I'll just have to take a pic of it and post it later.

So that's the news for now. I'll be back tomorrow with some goodies to share!

Peace!

Pineapple and Papaya Salad

Mmmmmmmm.....

Salad...

Peace!!

This is a short post today, I'm leaving Michigan tomorrow and I am just all over the place trying to get stuff done!

Ok so this salad I made during the summer and found a picture of it stashed away in my old Flickr acct. The ingredients are as follows:

• Pineapple
• Papaya
• Spring salad mix
• Dulse flakes
• Olive oil
• Bean sprouts

With this salad, I used the juice from the fruit to serve as the dressing. With a lil' bit of olive oil splashed on there mmm mmm mm!. The dulse flakes served as the savory part of the meal. It was really delicious.

Mango is amazing on salad as well (if you don't do like me and eat it before it reaches the plate lol). A week does not go by that I don't throw orange slices in there as well.

Remember, creativity is key!!

Ok so a heads up, I will be on a mini 'vacation' of sorts until January 11th. Once I get situated I will have lots more things to discuss (finally!).

Peace and see you back in NyC!!!!