Monday, November 29, 2010

Kale Chips -To bake or dehydrate?


I already know the answer to this question but since I am a last minute Lucy I baked the kale chips to take to a Thanksgiving gathering. I used the same recipe I have used in the past but instead of putting them in the Excalibur for 4-6 hours, I baked them for 45 minutes in the oven.

Here's some of the differences between the two:

Baked:

Done quickly, during the baking the kale did give off an odor that was not too pleasing, very fragile-broke easily and the biggest discovery - they gave me heartburn!

Dehydrated:

drying time long, firmer chips, pleasant odor while drying, couldn't stop eating them.

So I think you can see where I stand. Next time I will plan ahead and dehydrate!

Here's a batch I have made in the past. They really rarely make it into the jar. :)

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A day of decluttering

I am taking most of the day to clean up my scrapbook area and tackle my clothes hanging in the closet. I am a natural pack rat and come by it honestly as there are many members of my family who like to shop. I do too, I just hit garage sales and thrift stores. But there is just too much stuff in my little house. I have to do this several times a year or I will be on an episode of Hoarders.

This goes for my fridge too. I will be organizing it this week as well. I usually get the most yummy juice mixtures when I do a clean sweep in there. (Or at least things I might not normally try) Today I am planning the juice I love most the Clean Sweep by Penni Shelton. I add the kale to it for extra iron as I am always low.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Rawkin Guac


I have to say I do make a mean guacamole if I do say so myself. My friends and family ask for it when I come to gatherings. I recently made a large batch for one of my closest friend's for her birthday. She was so excited. She told me she purposely left it at work overnight so she wouldn't devour the whole bowl. I guess that is a pretty good compliment.
My recipe is very simple avocados, lime juice, salt, red onions and cilantro. That's it. I think the key to great guacamole is the ripeness of the avocados. You have to wait until they are perfect before preparing them. Very dark, soft but not so soft that you can change the shape of the fruit.

I'll take two raw juices to go





How exciting! I recently found out that the restaurant at the end of my street sells raw green juice! It's a little pricey but so nice to have as an option. They sell 4 raw juice combos..



Carrot/apple



Carrot celery



Honeymooner-carrot, grape, cucumber



Natural energy- celery, spinach, carrot, parsley



On our wedding anniversary my husband brought home the last 2 juices listed and I mixed them together to make a yummy concoction.



It's nice to give the ole Juiceman Jr a break sometimes.






Thursday, November 11, 2010

The making of raw carrot cake


Although carrot cake is not my favorite cake, I thought it would be an easier cake to transform from SAD to raw. Well, it has turned out to be harder than I thought. This was my first attempt and it's good but I want it to be great to serve to others. I didn't use many nuts and used raw gluten free oats ground into flour. I wished I would have used ground flax seed , some pineapple and more raisins. That is what seemed to be missing. I ate it for breakfast this morning and I enjoyed it. I will post the recipe when I make it again with those extra ingredients. I have to say my mother taught me to cook and we rarely use measuring cups or spoons. I will try to be as accurate as I can.
The frosting is the cashew cream frosting I have seen posted several places. I added a teaspoon of Lecithin Granules to help it set up.

So post any recipes/suggestions of dishes that you have moved from SAD to raw, I would love to hear about it.