Drinking my breakfast has taken on a whole new meaning :-)

Green Smoothies - an excellent way to start the day.  Are you looking for recipes? 

Recipe for a Basic Green Smoothie:

THE DRINK OF CHAMPIONS
In raw food circles, green smoothies are pretty well known. For the rest of the world, green + smoothie = Whaaat?!
Victoria Boutenko has a book called Green for Life that talks about nothing BUT green smoothies and their benefits. She certainly didn’t invent the green smoothie, but she has done so much to share the benefits through her travels and her book (translated into many different languages — I even gave it to my aunt in Hungarian).
The book is worth getting and shares many details, but I’ll do a quickie of summarizing it now. Green smoothies are GREAT to add into your diet, no matter what the rest of your diet is like. Tossing your greens into a blender does all the chewing we do not have time to do (and more) so that the cells walls are broken down and the body is ready to use it. And mixing it with fruit tricks our taste buds into not minding all the greens.
This isn’t just about getting big muscles like Popeye, either. The minerals in green smoothies can help rebuild our whole bodies so that we are strong from the inside out. And also — well — erm — our bowels become much healthier to boot (it’s like a healthy Drain-o for the body).
So here is the basic recipe:
–1-3 frozen bananas
–Some green leaves (like spinach)
–Enough water for the drink to blend
–As much ice as you need, depending on your preference
Other options:
For a fresh taste: basil, mint, parsley
The greens: spinach, kale, ANY green leaf… Use less in the beginning, more as you get used to it. Heck, you can even start with ONE LEAF if you hate greens and want to get into it slooooowwwwwwly.
Other great fruits to add: All of ’em
To make it like a mylkshake: Use almond (or another nut/seed) mylk, some soaked dates
To make it “savory”: Instead of sweet fruit, use tomatoes, a couple soaked dates and some herbs.
Recipe for the smoothie in my picture:
-1.5 frozen bananas
-5-6 strawberries
-a few sprigs of mint
-6 oz. (about 2-3 c) spinach
-.5 c water

And BLEND!
Happy Blending!
————–
PLEASE TAKE NOTE! Would you like to use this recipe in your e-zine or on your website? This recipe is my own, and I would be so THRILLED if you shared it! You can share it in emails, websites, forums, blogs, etc. as long as you include the below blurb and link to the newsletter along with it.
This recipe was originally created for Raw News Bites, Eva Rawposa’s free weekly e-zine for raw food lovers and anyone looking to feel great. You can get your FREE recipes and tips, and your free subscription to Raw News Bites, at www.uncooking101.com. PLUS you will receive a link to download Eva’s book “Around the World in 8 Easy Recipes” when you sign up, as your WELCOME GIFT!

Drinking my breakfast has taken on a whole new meaning :-)

Green Smoothies - an excellent way to start the day.  Are you looking for recipes? 

Recipe for a Basic Green Smoothie:

THE DRINK OF CHAMPIONS
In raw food circles, green smoothies are pretty well known. For the rest of the world, green + smoothie = Whaaat?!
Victoria Boutenko has a book called Green for Life that talks about nothing BUT green smoothies and their benefits. She certainly didn’t invent the green smoothie, but she has done so much to share the benefits through her travels and her book (translated into many different languages — I even gave it to my aunt in Hungarian).
The book is worth getting and shares many details, but I’ll do a quickie of summarizing it now. Green smoothies are GREAT to add into your diet, no matter what the rest of your diet is like. Tossing your greens into a blender does all the chewing we do not have time to do (and more) so that the cells walls are broken down and the body is ready to use it. And mixing it with fruit tricks our taste buds into not minding all the greens.
This isn’t just about getting big muscles like Popeye, either. The minerals in green smoothies can help rebuild our whole bodies so that we are strong from the inside out. And also — well — erm — our bowels become much healthier to boot (it’s like a healthy Drain-o for the body).
So here is the basic recipe:
–1-3 frozen bananas
–Some green leaves (like spinach)
–Enough water for the drink to blend
–As much ice as you need, depending on your preference
Other options:
For a fresh taste: basil, mint, parsley
The greens: spinach, kale, ANY green leaf… Use less in the beginning, more as you get used to it. Heck, you can even start with ONE LEAF if you hate greens and want to get into it slooooowwwwwwly.
Other great fruits to add: All of ’em
To make it like a mylkshake: Use almond (or another nut/seed) mylk, some soaked dates
To make it “savory”: Instead of sweet fruit, use tomatoes, a couple soaked dates and some herbs.
Recipe for the smoothie in my picture:
-1.5 frozen bananas
-5-6 strawberries
-a few sprigs of mint
-6 oz. (about 2-3 c) spinach
-.5 c water

And BLEND!
Happy Blending!
————–
PLEASE TAKE NOTE! Would you like to use this recipe in your e-zine or on your website? This recipe is my own, and I would be so THRILLED if you shared it! You can share it in emails, websites, forums, blogs, etc. as long as you include the below blurb and link to the newsletter along with it.
This recipe was originally created for Raw News Bites, Eva Rawposa’s free weekly e-zine for raw food lovers and anyone looking to feel great. You can get your FREE recipes and tips, and your free subscription to Raw News Bites, at www.uncooking101.com. PLUS you will receive a link to download Eva’s book “Around the World in 8 Easy Recipes” when you sign up, as your WELCOME GIFT!

School is starting soon, check out these great goodies to pack with their lunches, or for an after school snack!!!

School is starting soon, check out these great goodies to pack with their lunches, or for an after school snack!!!

Getting and staying healthy - more to it than just eating right.

So you are in the process of getting healthy by choosing the Raw Vegan or Vegan way of life.  It is also important to make sure you get the proper exercise, either by running, walking, cross-fit, Pilates, yoga, weightlifting, bicycling, or one of the other many choices.  For me right now I am walk/running, and hope to actually run a 5K rather than just walking, and occasionally running during the race.
One of the best motivators for me during a walk/run, is having apps that let me know how well I am doing, mileage wise, and in turn, calorie burning.  One of the apps I use is Runkeeper  This app allows me to set the type of workout I am going to follow, and it will keep track of mileage, and calories burned.  You can set your goals, and watch yourself improve.  I use the basic version as I need to upgrade my phone, but given the opportunity, I will upgrade.

Another app/equipment is the Fitbit - 


This is the absolutely best little gadget I have ever used - this can be set up to work with many other apps such as Weightwatchers, and the Runkeeper app as well. 

Getting and staying healthy - more to it than just eating right.

So you are in the process of getting healthy by choosing the Raw Vegan or Vegan way of life.  It is also important to make sure you get the proper exercise, either by running, walking, cross-fit, Pilates, yoga, weightlifting, bicycling, or one of the other many choices.  For me right now I am walk/running, and hope to actually run a 5K rather than just walking, and occasionally running during the race.
One of the best motivators for me during a walk/run, is having apps that let me know how well I am doing, mileage wise, and in turn, calorie burning.  One of the apps I use is Runkeeper  This app allows me to set the type of workout I am going to follow, and it will keep track of mileage, and calories burned.  You can set your goals, and watch yourself improve.  I use the basic version as I need to upgrade my phone, but given the opportunity, I will upgrade.

Another app/equipment is the Fitbit - 


This is the absolutely best little gadget I have ever used - this can be set up to work with many other apps such as Weightwatchers, and the Runkeeper app as well. 

Where do I get my protein from on a Raw Vegan Diet?

Incorporating protein in a raw vegan diet is not difficult.  Many people believe that you need to eat meat to get protein, and that is not the case.

Nuts and Seeds:
Nuts and seeds are a wonderful source of protein for the Raw Vegan/Vegan diet.  These are a listing of some of the nuts.  Keep in mind, that you need to eat these in moderation.  Cashews have been debated as to whether they are "raw" or not.  You can make the decision on choosing cashews or not. 
Eat nuts such as almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts. Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, which helps make you feel full. The fiber in nuts may also improve overall heart health and lower your cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Nut	Serving Size	Protein
Almonds	24 whole kernels 1 oz	6g
Brazil Nuts	6 Whole	4.3g
Cashews	1/4 cup	5g
Walnuts	1/4 cup	5g
Pecans	10 pieces	1.5g
Pistachios	1 cup	26.4g
Pine Nuts	1 tbsp	1.2g

Seed	Serving Size	Protein
Chia Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	12g
Hemp Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	10g
Flax Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	8g
Sunflower Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	8g
Pumpkin Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	7g
Sesame Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	7g

Where do I get my protein from on a Raw Vegan Diet?

Incorporating protein in a raw vegan diet is not difficult.  Many people believe that you need to eat meat to get protein, and that is not the case.

Nuts and Seeds:
Nuts and seeds are a wonderful source of protein for the Raw Vegan/Vegan diet.  These are a listing of some of the nuts.  Keep in mind, that you need to eat these in moderation.  Cashews have been debated as to whether they are "raw" or not.  You can make the decision on choosing cashews or not. 
Eat nuts such as almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts. Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, which helps make you feel full. The fiber in nuts may also improve overall heart health and lower your cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Nut	Serving Size	Protein
Almonds	24 whole kernels 1 oz	6g
Brazil Nuts	6 Whole	4.3g
Cashews	1/4 cup	5g
Walnuts	1/4 cup	5g
Pecans	10 pieces	1.5g
Pistachios	1 cup	26.4g
Pine Nuts	1 tbsp	1.2g

Seed	Serving Size	Protein
Chia Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	12g
Hemp Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	10g
Flax Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	8g
Sunflower Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	8g
Pumpkin Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	7g
Sesame Seeds	1/4 cup 4 tbs	7g

Honey Lavender Lemonade

This recipe is technically not for Raw Vegans, but as I am not 100% raw, and many reading (and hopefully enjoying) this blog would love this.

Honey Lavender Lemonade

·  1 cup locally produced, raw organic honey

·  2.5 cups water

·  1 Tablespoon dried Culinary Lavender

·  1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

·  Additional water, about 2 cups

·  Ice cubes or crushed ice

Combine honey and 2.5 cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the honey.  When the mixture reaches a boil, stir in the lavender and remove from heat.  Let the mixture steep for 20 minutes, off the heat.

Strain the lavender from the liquid, then add the fresh lemon juice and an additional 2 cups of water.  Use sparkling water if you wish. Pour into glasses full of ice and serve garnished with a sprig of lavender or mint.

This recipe is from "The Beekeeper's Ball," by Susan Wiggs

Honey Lavender Lemonade

This recipe is technically not for Raw Vegans, but as I am not 100% raw, and many reading (and hopefully enjoying) this blog would love this.

Honey Lavender Lemonade

·  1 cup locally produced, raw organic honey

·  2.5 cups water

·  1 Tablespoon dried Culinary Lavender

·  1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

·  Additional water, about 2 cups

·  Ice cubes or crushed ice

Combine honey and 2.5 cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the honey.  When the mixture reaches a boil, stir in the lavender and remove from heat.  Let the mixture steep for 20 minutes, off the heat.

Strain the lavender from the liquid, then add the fresh lemon juice and an additional 2 cups of water.  Use sparkling water if you wish. Pour into glasses full of ice and serve garnished with a sprig of lavender or mint.

This recipe is from "The Beekeeper's Ball," by Susan Wiggs

Can I get enough protein in a Raw Vegan Diet?

How does someone who has chosen the raw vegan way of life find enough protein for their body?  After all, fruits and veggies are great, but the body does need protein.

What is protein and why is it important?

Protein is made up of amino acids and is used to build up tissue in the body, hair, skin, nails, and organs.  It helps repair damaged muscle tissue that is often due to exercise.  There are nine essential amino acids: isoleucine, valine, leucine, tryptophan, threonine, methionine, arginine, lysine, and histidine.  This is called a complete protein.  If the body is lacking any one of these, the protein is called incomplete, and can not repair the damage.
So now you can see how important Protein is to your body. 

How much protein do I need?
"The amount of protein needed by the body can differ based on age, sex and activity level. The recommended dietary allowance for adults over the age 18 is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Each pound is equal to 2.2 kg, meaning that a 150-pound person weighs about 68 kilograms. Therefore, a 150-pound person needs to get about 54 grams of protein per day to meet his or her needs" (Brinkman).

Brinkman, J. Renae "USDA Recommendations of Protein in Diet." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 31 Oct. 2013. Web. 17 July 2014. 

Next post:  Where do I get my protein?