Imperfectly Raw Food Blog - Day 42 - September 29, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw Food Blog - Day 42 - September 29, 2021

Morning:  Coffee and Green Juice

Green Juice:  parsley, cilantro, ginger, lemon, jalapeño, red apple, green apple, broccoli, cucumber, celery

Smoothie:  2 bananas, 2 kiwi, spring mix, radish microgreens, 1/4 cup ground flax seed, 1/2 cup almond yogurt, 1/4 cup peanut butter powder, frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries and bananas.

Snack:  package of peanuts

Dinner:  Leftover lentil soup and saltine crackers  I ate a lot of this!  So good!

After dinner:  Bengal Spice tea and a kombucha

I made a batch of raw energy crackers to go into the dehydrator tonight. Recipe is 1 cup chia seed, 1 cup sunflower seeds, 1 cup pumpkin seeds, 4 cups water, 2 tsp minced garlic, salt to taste. Whisk together and let sit a few minutes to thicken up. Divide onto 4 dehydrator Teflex sheets. Dehydrate overnight. Flip the next morning, peel off Teflex sheets, and continue dehydrating until crisp.

Picture is a tray of energy crackers ready to divide onto dehydrator trays lined with Teflex sheets.

xoxo

Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes #keepingitreal

Imperfectly Raw Food Blog - Day 41 - Tuesday, September 21, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw Food Blog - Day 41 - Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Someone asked me why am I doing this food blog.  My why is mainly to hold myself accountable, to pay attention to what gives me the results I want and what does the opposite, and to share my experience with whoever might be interested.  It is a form of self-care for me as well as a way of loving all of you.

No headache this morning, but woke up thirsty.  I had the apple juice left over from yesterday and some water, followed by coffee.

Smoothies for two today:  Bananas, kiwi, radish microgreens, spring mix, pineapple, flaxseed, almond yogurt, peanut butter powder, frozen mixed fruit, coconut water, and water.

I am back in the sprouting and growing microgreens game.  Today I started some red acre cabbage which should be ready to harvest in 8-12 days.

I made a chickpea salad today.

Instructions:  Juice a lemon into a large bowl.  Add 4 Tbsp mayonnaise and stir to combine.  Season with salt and pepper.  This is your salad dressing.  Combine into the bowl with the dressing1/3 cup chopped walnut, 2 sticks of diced celery, 1/2 - 1 chopped apple, 3 green onions diced, 1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas.  Stir together.  Serve on a bed of spring mix or other salad greens.

I also made a lentil soup.

Instruction.  The hardest part is chopping the veggies.  So dice 1 onion, slice 5 carrots, chop 2 sticks of celery.  Heat 2-3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the chopped onion and carrots and 1-1/2 tbsp minced garlic and cook 4 minutes.  Add the chopped celery and cook 4 minutes longer.  Add 1-2/3 cup dry green lentils, 2-1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp dried oregano, a 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, and  a 32 oz box of vegetable broth (plus more water as needed). Simmer 30 minutes until lentils are softened.  Season with salt and pepper.

I cleaned the  house before going to work at the Gaines Candy Bar from 1-6 and from there I went to flute ensemble rehearsal. It was a busy day.

xoxo

Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes #keepingitrea

Imperfectly Raw -Day 40 - Monday, September 27, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw -Day 40 - Monday, September 27, 2021

Started the day with coffee and a green juice.  I made enough green juice for two days.

Green juice recipe:  1 bunch cilantro, 1 bunch parsley, 1 peeled lime, and enough apples to fill up a 2 quart pitcher.  I used part Granny Smith and part Gala.  The Granny’s are super sour, so be aware of how much sour you can tolerate.

Smoothies for 2: bananas, kiwi, spring mix, chia seeds, dates, frozen blueberries, peanut butter powder, coconut water, and water.

Lunch:  in addition to the smoothies I had a peanut butter sandwich.

We had dinner at Hal and Leigh’s house.  They grilled steaks, and we ate outside on their deck.  I do not eat steak, but I a baked potato, some of Travis’ salad, and some leftover tempeh and rice that I brought from home.  And some Pinot Noir.

I learned from Hal about a YouTube channel called Amsterdam Wallpaper. I found another one after I got home called Silent Walker.  If you miss traveling, this will give you the feel of being in the Netherlands or France or somewhere wonderful!

The pandemic is real, and it is not over.  We have a young family member in ICU battling COVID.  We lost his dad last year.  Prayers and good thoughts are appreciated.  Mask up.  Get that shot!

xoxo

Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes #keepingitreal

Imperfectly Raw - Day 39 - Sunday, September 26, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 39 - Sunday, September 26, 2021

I woke up feeling sick....splitting headache, nausea.  Possibly related to the popcorn and toffee dinner last night?  Possibly what you eat affects how you feel.  That is my experience.

Morning:  Watermelon. Water. Coffee

Green Juice: Parsley, dill, ginger, lemon, 1/2 red bell pepper, celery, apple

Lunch:  Smoothies for 2:   2 bananas, two handfuls of spring mix greens, 1/4 cup hemp seed hearts, 1/4 cup peanut butter powder, 2 dates, frozen blueberries to fill up blender, 1 can of coconut water, water to 3/4 blender full.

Almond Butter with jelly on crackers

Dinner:  Ginger-glazed tempeh with rice and spicy red pepper sauce; broccoli.   This is a recipe from the PlateJoy app with a couple of modifications.

Recipe  

1. Cook 1-1/4 cup rice per package directions.

2.  Spicy red pepper sauce:  Drain a 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers into your blender or food processor.  I used my little Ninja.  Add 2-1/2 tsp maple syrup, 5 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp hot sauce, 2-1/2 tbsp rice vinegar.  Blend until smooth.

3. Ginger glazed tempeh:  I used two packages of tempeh.  Cut into 1/2" thick slices.  Stir into a saucepan or skillet, 2-1/2 tsp maple syrup, 5 tsp olive oil, juice of a lemon, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 2-1/2 tbsp soy sauce.  Stir in 1-2/3 to 2 cups of water.  Whisk together and then add the tempeh.  Stir to coat. Simmer for about 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.

4.  Cook a package of broccoli florets in about 1" of boiling water.  Cover and cook about 5 minutes.  Season with salt.

Serve the tempeh and broccoli over the rice and drizzle with the hot sauce.

Dessert was thawed frozen pineapple. 

Tea:  Chamomile with Lavender.  Later on I had a June Shine kombucha and a few Brazil nuts.

I worked at the boutique for three hours this afternoon and did a grocery pickup at Walmart on my way home.  Practiced flute a little while..

I worked on my plan for healthy eating and have settled on my green juices and smoothies as the best way to incorporate raw fruits, vegetables, greens, microgreens, and sprouts.  Travis and I both enjoy these juices and smoothies.

I often use the PlateJoy app for recipe ideas.  The app allows personal selection on the types of food you want for your diet, as well as choices for the amount of time you want to devote to meal preparation.  You can create a plan that works for you.  For now I have selected No Restrictions Vegan.  I had been set for Mediterranean Flexitarian (mostly vegetarian).  Travis will have plenty of opportunities to have non-vegan proteins, so don't feel sorry for him.

xoxo Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes #keepingitreal

Imperfectly Raw - Day 38 - Saturday, September 25, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 38 - Saturday, September 25, 2021

The flute ensemble played for a wedding at Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens today.  It was lovely.

I made the green juice this morning, but I saved mine for later.  For breakfast, I had part of my smoothie and some meusli.  For lunch I had the rest of my smoothie.

After the wedding I worked at Zac's candy store so he could go to a birthday party for a friend.  I had planned to get a sandwich at the Subway near the candy store, but I changed my mind.  There were about seven or eight people ahead of me in line - no masks - all talking loud and laughing.  The employees did not have on masks either and the were doing a lot of talking over the food.  It felt germy - so I left.  So dinner was popcorn and homemade toffee at the candy bar.  The Candy Bar was busy tonight, so that was good!!!

I had part of my green juice when I got home.

xoxo Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes

Imperfectly Raw - Day 37 - Friday, September 24, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 37 - Friday, September 24, 2021

Question - How might I take care of myself differently were I not looking to modify my body?  That's a good question.  Whatever the answer it will include being gentle.

Breakfast:  Coffee and Lemon Ginger Blast and Meusli with yogurt.

Lunch:  Smoothies.  Same recipe as yesterday (almost).

Snack:  A brownie

The flute ensemble is playing for a wedding at Anthony Chapel tomorrow, and we had the rehearsal this afternoon.  Anthony Chapel is my favorite place to play.   

Dinner:  After I got home from the wedding rehearsal, Travis and I  ordered the Dominoes pizza special.  I got the veggie with two toppings (onion and tomatoes). Travis got Italian sausage and Philly cheesesteak for his two toppings.   I also had water and a Pepsi Zero.   Then I had more water because the pizza made me thirsty!

I made my grocery list for curbside pickup on Sunday. 

Zac's Candy Bar was on the Hot Springs Broadcast Network Facebook Live tonight.  They were filming the Bridge Street Live event taking place tonight.  They went into the Gaines Candy Bar twice!  It was awesome.

https://fb.watch/8fCbPVmmM9/

xoxo Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #

Imperfectly Raw - Day 36 - Thursday, September 23, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 36 - Thursday, September 23, 2021

Breakfast:  28 oz water, Coffee, Lemon Ginger Blast

Lunch:  Smoothies.  I froze enough bananas for the next three days of smoothies because the bananas were getting too ripe.  Smoothies for two recipe today:  2 bananas, 2 handfuls of spinach 8 oz fresh strawberries minus a few bad ones, frozen strawberries and bananas mix, 1/4 cup hemp see hearts, 2 small cartons strawberry yogurt, 1/4 cup peanut butter powder, coconut water, and water.

I bought two fresh coconuts from Walmart.  One was bad and one was perfect.  I used the coconut water from the good one in the smoothie and the coconut meat is for snacking.

I made my favorite  salad dressing to use on my salads.  It is the famous Bragg's Vianagrette.   The recipe:  1/2 cup Bragg's apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp Bragg's liquid aminos, and some herbs.  I used Mrs. Dash Table Blend this time.

My snack today was some coconut, an apple and a bag of peanuts.

I don't want to talk about what I ate the rest of the day.  I was tired after working at the boutique today and Travis was eating out with Karl, so I basically just carbed out at home by myself.  I warmed up the rest of the soup, but I only ate a little of it.  Instead I ate rolls with butter and baked potato with butter. 

My new year's resolution was to read the books on the New York Times best seller list and to write a book report on each one when I finish.  I am behind on my book reports!  I don't know whether to catch up or just go forward from where I am now.  Here are the books I have read but have not written a report...Outliers, Thinking Fast and Slow, Just Mercy, White Fragility, Born a Crime, and Untamed. Even though my reports are short and simple, they take some time and thought.  I should do them.  Right now I am reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  I bought it on Kindle and Audible. It is the most amazing true non-fiction story.  Everyone needs to know about Henrietta Lacks, because she has had a big impact on your life whether you know it or not!

xoxo Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #norabbitholeshere #keepingbusy #keepingitreal #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes 

Imperfectly Raw Day - Day 35, Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Imperfectly Raw Day - Day 35, Wednesday, September 22, 2021

 Breakfast: Coffee, Lemon Ginger Blast, and Bob’s Red Mill Meusli

Lunch: Banana Blueberry Peanut Butter Smoothie. Made with bananas, kiwi, spinach, almond yogurt, blueberry yogurt, peanut butter powder, frozen wild blueberries, coconut water and water.

Charlotte brought me a chocolate covered marshmallow candy from The Gaines Candy Bar.

Dinner: Salad and leftover bean soup.

xoxo Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

Imperfectly Raw - Day 34 - Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Imperfectly Raw -  Day 34 - Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Breakfast:  Coffee, Lemon Ginger Blast, and Oatmeal with Maple Syrup

I ordered a supplement called hippo7 Vegan Complete Essentials for Plant Eaters.  Even though I am not always vegan, this supplement contains the nutrients that I am concerned about in my diet.  It has Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Iron, Iodine, Zinc, and Omega 3's.

Lunch:  Normal green smoothies and watermelon.

Today was flute day.  I had my flute lesson this afternoon, and came home for dinner before heading back in to Hot Springs to go to flute ensemble rehearsal.

Dinner:  Travis ate at the Mexican restaurant with our friend Karl.  For myself, I made a salad with spring mix, cherry tomatoes, purple onion, and homemade Bragg's vinaigrette dressing. Served with leftover Great Northern Bean and Spinach Soup, whole grain chips, and leftover brownies.

After flute rehearsal, Travis and I watched PBSNewshour. I had some watermelon.

xoxo Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipe 

Imperfectly Raw - Day 33, September 20, 2021

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 33, September 20, 2021

Sleep  6 hr 36 min.  Not quite the 7-8 hours I would like.

Rebounder 5 min.  Walked 36 minutes for 1.74 miles, 4308 steps.  28 oz water.

Breakfast:  Coffee , rolled oats with maple syrup, and a green juice.  

Green Juice:  beet tops, parsley, lemon, ginger, 1/2 jalapeno, cucumber, apple, celery to the 1000 ml line on the juice catcher.  This juice was a funky color because of the beet tops, but it was good.

Lunch:  Watermelon (I ate a lot of watermelon today) and a smoothie. Smoothie recipe:  bananas, kiwi, broccoli sprouts, dates, spinach, yogurt, frozen strawberries, coconut water, and water.

Dinner: Great Northern Bean and Spinach Soup.  This recipe is tasty, and I like that it is vegetarian protein with greens. 

Recipe:  Dice 2-1/2 yellow onions and 2 stalks celery.  Cook in a large pot in olive oil (or water) with 1-1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic for about 4 minutes.  Add a 32 oz. box of vegetable broth, 2-3 bay leaves, and 3 cans of drained and rinsed great northern beans.  Bring to a boil and then lower to simmer for 10 minutes.  Stir in 1 tsp rosemary and a little more garlic if you desire.  Stir in a 6 oz. bag of spinach and let it cook 3-4 minutes until wilted.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve the soup with a roll or some whole grain chips or crackers.

I ate more watermelon after dinner.

Watched the news on PBSNewshour with Travis while we had our evening tea - Chamomile with Lavender tonight.

xoxo Janis

www.simplerawandnatural.com

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #booksandcoffee #booksandrecipe #