Saturday, October 30, 2021

 Saturday -  10-30-21 - Growing More Sprouts and Microgreens


I spent my entire morning and beyond planning on ways to maximize my space to grow more sprouts and microgreens.  I decided to dedicate my baker's rack as a growing center.  I ordered a metal rack that is 40" long x 12" wide that will fit on my bottom shelf and enable me to grow four trays of microgreens on that shelf.  The tile top of the baker's rack will hold two more trays.  The next shelf up will hold the small trays that I use for growing microgreens.  The very top shelf holds the seeds.  I have four jars with sprouts growing on the shelf above my sink, and I can grow sprouts in my green trays on my kitchen counter or on the shelf on the baker's rack.  I think it will work.



It was a busy day and I forgot to make the juice this morning.  So only coffee.  When I realized I was hungry I ate some Brazil nuts.

We had smoothies for lunch (bananas, kiwi, frozen mixed fruit, radish sprouts, spring mix, wheatgrass juice powder, almond yogurt, prebiotic powder, chia seeds, coconut water, and water).

Travis and I went to Walmart pharmacy this afternoon for our flu shots.  We will go back next week and get our Covid boosters.



Dinner was all leftovers for me.  (I made Travis spaghetti, which will last him a couple of days.) 

I had some of the leftover Harvest Soup and Pear Drizzle.  Yesterday I made a broccoli & carrot salad that I did not eat since we ate dinner out last night.  I had some of it tonight with some sauerkraut, pickled beets, and a hot and spicy pickle.  



Recipe for the Sauce for the broccoli-carrot-salad greens salad - modified from a Tannyraw recipe

1/4 cup walnuts, 1 lemon juiced, 3 radish, 1/2 cup bell yellow bell pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/4 cup water. - Stir the sauce over chopped broccoli and grated carrots.  Pour over salad greens.  

After dinner:  Banana Blueberry Yogurt Nice Cream and Strawberry Hibiscus Tea.

I am reading (listening on Audible) to Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.  It's interesting.

www.simplerawandnatural.com

xoxo

Janis














Thursday, October 28, 2021

Imperfectly Raw Day 52 - 10/27/21

 Imperfectly Raw Day 52 - 10/27/21


Started off with 27 ounces of water before coffee.  I worked at the boutique today and had Lemon Ginger Blast for breakfast.  



For lunch I made a living green smoothie with banana, kiwi, fresh strawberries, kale,  sprouted lentils, wheatgrass juice powder, almond yogurt, vegan protein powder, dates, chia seeds, coconut water, leftover Bengal Spice tea, coconut water, frozen mixed fruit and water.  The sprouts are growing.  I used some in the smoothies today.



For snacks I had a Lara Bar, a pear, and an orange. The peanuts at the shop were tempting, but I resisted!

My problems began when I got home.  I was hungry and tired.  Travis suggested Domino’s Pizza, and I was all for it. I got the vegetarian option and had it with a salad with Bragg’s Vinaigrette that I made at home.  Also had a kombucha.  Fatigue plays a factor in exercising willpower!  Will try to do better tomorrow.


xoxo

Janis

#decisionfatigue #somerawsomecooked #rawfood #tryingtostayhealthy #stilllearning #keepingitreal #lemongingerbladt #livingfoodsforalivingbody




Imperfectly Raw Day 51- October 26, 202 - More Raw

 Imperfectly Raw Day 51- October 26, 202 - More Raw

I am wanting to include more raw foods in my diet as an experiment to see if I will feel better.  So here we go…



Morning:  Oranges are 25 cents each at my Walmart this week!  Started off the day with an orange and 27 oz of water.  Made a little pot of coffee, and had a banana. I made Lemon Ginger Blasts for our green juice.



The rest of the day was tricky.  I was late to my hair appointment, because my brain is not functioning as it should.  I got the time mixed up, but Eddie at Lox made it work.  I need a diet and lifestyle that supports brain health.


My lunch was my Lemon Ginger Blast, another banana, and some Brazil nuts all eaten while running late and stressed out.  

The key to successfully following a plan to eat healthy is to stay ahead of the hunger game.  I fell off plan today because
was starving and stressed when I got home and went for the whole grain chips and salsa with a kombucha.

Dinner was leftovers from my perfectly raw day yesterday.  I had made a raw broccoli dressing to go with my salad (spring mix, slaw mix, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese), and served with sauerkraut, a goodie ball, the rest of the sour cream dip left from the raw foods potluck and some seed crackers.


The broccoli dressing was a Tannyraw recipe.  At first I didn't think I like it, but when eaten with the salad and the other sides, it was pretty good.  The recipe and photo is on her Instagram a few days back. You might try it with salt instead of the dulce if you don't like the seaweed taste.  Here is the recipe;

3 cups broccoli florets, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup walnuts, 2 Tbsp Lucuma powder, 2 tbsp dulse flakes, 1 tbsp garlic and herb seasoning, 1/2 cup water or more for consistency.  Blend until smooth.

xoxo

Janis




Monday, October 11, 2021

Imperfectly Raw - Day 50 - 10/11/21 - Pasta with Lemon Pesto and Spinach

Imperfectly Raw - Day 50 - 10/11/21 - Pasta with Lemon Pesto and Spinach🍁

Good morning from Travis and me.🍁


Morning Juice:  Fresh orange juice🍁


I started some mung bean sprouts for a salad I can make five days from now.🍁


Lunch Smoothies: Yogurt and Berry Smoothie (These were super good.)

Recipe for two large smoothies: 

2 cups almond yogurt; 1 11-oz can of coconut water plus water to make 4 cups of liquid;  6 cups of fruit. (I used 2 cups fresh strawberries, 2 cups frozen blueberries, and 2 cups of frozen strawberry and banana blend.);  2 Tbsp goji berry powder.🍁




I made a raw carrot soup, but I did not eat it today.  It will be good for tomorrow.  We'll do the recipe tomorrow.🍁

Travis and Lucy.  She is not usually a lap dog, but she had a moment today where she was!🍁


The dinner salad was salad left from yesterday with an added cucumber, avocado, and cherry tomatoes with Bragg's vinaigrette dressing. 🍁


The cooked food tonight with Pasta with lemon pesto and spinach.  Recipe follows:

Pasta with Lemon Pesto and Spinach:  Cook 16 oz. pasta per the package directions.

Make pesto in a food processor.  Juice a lemon, add a drop of lemon essential oil, 4 tsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp dried basil, 1 jalapeno deseeded, 1-⅓ cup of sunflower seeds.  Pulse until combined.  Add in 6 Tbsp olive oil.  Blend until smooth.

Drain the pasta.  Stir in a 6 oz package of baby spinach and let the warm pasta wilt the spinach.  Stir in the pesto.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

xoxo Janis

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #Booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes #keepingitreal #somerawsomecooked

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Imperfectly Raw - Day 49- 10/8/21- Nobody's Diet is Perfect

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 49- 10/8/21 - Nobody's Diet is Perfect

I slept late and was short on time for food prep today. The best thing was having coffee in my new Kate Spade Francophile mug.  “Pardon my French -Tres chic”.

Kate Spade Francophile Mug - Side 1

Kate Spade Francophile Mug - Side 2

Coffee in my Kate Spade Francophile Mug

We had veggie cocktails leftover from yesterday, and Travis still had his smoothie from yesterday.  

Veggie Cocktail - Beets, Carrots, Celery, Apple

Lunch:  I made myself a double helping of rolled oats with maple syrup and fresh strawberries. Also had a Kind Bar and Lara Bar.  I did not want my veggie cocktail today. I can’t say I got the results I wanted from this meal.  I felt overfull and sluggish.

Rolled Oats with Maple Syrup and Fresh Strawberries

My broken root canal tooth is bothering me, and that may be part of the reason I am not feeling so well.  I see the endodontist on Monday.

Dinner was a delicious Taco Salad.  

The salad:  lettuce, chopped onion, diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed black beans, shredded cheese

The toppings:  Morning Star Meatless Crumbles heated up with a package of taco seasoning, avocado, and taco sauce

Served with whole grain Tostido Scoops

Taco Salad

I am deconstructing rom the wellness community in an effort to avoid conspiracies and false claims.  Grounding in reality can certainly include concentrating on improved sleep, eating nourishing foods, reducing stress, self-care in conjunction with mental health, and moving the body in order to feel better and stronger.  This is not a competition. Nobody’s diet is perfect.  We can stop fighting ourselves to fit into an ideal that is not truly wellness.

xoxo Janis

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #Booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes #keepingitreal #somerawsomecooked



Friday, October 8, 2021

Imperfectly Raw - Day 48 - 10/7/21 - Finding Balance in an Aging Body

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 48 - Thursday - 10/7/21 - Finding Balance in an Aging Body

This morning I made the green juice without ginger.  I can't get ginger at Walmart curbside pickup any more.  They probably still have it in the store, but I am loving curbside pickup.  I like not going in the store.  I used some of my liquid turmeric in the juice.  It was good.  I also made veggie cocktails for later, but we did not drink them today.  We will have them tomorrow.

Breakfast:  Coffee in my mug - Gather here with grateful hearts - and the green juice.



The sprouts were ready to harvest today.  They will be good in smoothies and salads.


Lunch:  Smoothies - bananas kiwis, sprouts, spring mix, a little frozen banana nice cream left from the raw foods potluck, fresh strawberries that Alice brought me, wheatgrass juice powder, collagen, frozen blueberries, coconut water, and water.


I had a follow up appointment to review my lab work with Dr. Xu.  Everything looks good, sugar is stable, thyroid, liver, and kidney function are all good.  Triglycerides, LDL, and HDL are barely out of range, but doctor says not to worry, they are fine.  I talked to him about diet (of course, I did).  He is not a fan of low carb and pointed out that people around the world live on carbs and have throughout the years.  We are more likely to have issues from excess protein.  We talked about my raw foods.  Dr. Xu thinks it is important to cook some foods including some of the greens we eat.  I agree with him about that.  It is probably possible to live a healthy life on only raw foods, but it is still an experimental diet.  That is no record of any long lived people living on only raw foods, but it is my experience that I healed on raw foods, and when I get to feeling poorly, I have been able to feel better when I eat mostly raw foods.  So even though it is an experimental diet, it is worth experimenting with it.  For me, it is not about being 100% anything, but finding the balance of a good life in a healthy, aging body.

Afternoon snack:  Whole grain chips and salsa before going to the nail salon. 

Dinner:  Salad leftover from yesterday with ranch dressing and saltine crackers.

Dessert:  Lara bar, Kind bar, kombucha

xoxo Janis

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #Booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes #keepingitreal #somerawsomecooked

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Imperfectly Raw - Day 47 - 10/6/21 - Free Produce

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 47 - Wednesday - 10/6/21 - Free Produce

No appointments today!  But started off with coffee.  Travis picked up some Joffrey's Disney coffee, Apple-y Ever After, so we made that for breakfast today.  I feel like I wasted the whole day sitting around and looking at recipes and such.  I got to chat with my brother a little while, though. Maybe he will come to see me sometime soon!


First thing today I prepped food.  I made the lemon ginger blasts green juice, green smoothies, some veggie cocktails, and a dinner salad.  I already have made a raw green soup, leftover spaghetti for Travis' dinner, some lima beans I cooked in the crock pot, some rice, and my raw seed crackers.


 My friend and neighbor, Alice, came by the house with a box of fresh produce that was donated from local grocery stores.  What a great surprise.  The produce needs to be used right away, as it is a little past its prime, but it is awesome.  I forgot to take a picture.  Ugh.  The box had lettuce, tomatoes, cauliflower, green onions, kiwi, avocados, 4 lbs of strawberries, about six big colorful bell peppers, and a cantaloupe!

Breakfast:  Coffee and lemon ginger blast green juice

Lunch:  Green Smoothie.  I was still hungry so I ate the leftover rice we had on hand.

Dinner:  Travis had spaghetti.  I had a salad with goat cheese, the raw green soup, my veggie cocktail, some of the lima beans, seed crackers, and a Lara Bar.

After dinner we watched PBSNewHour and I had popcorn and kombucha.  PBSNewHour covers interesting stories without the drama.  Tonight we learned about the starvation taking place in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.  It is a man made famine that has about 6 million people starving to death.  It is the saddest thing imaginable.  I hope there are people in the world that can find a solution to this.  We also learned about the pop artist named Richard Indiana, the creator of the the word Love made into art.  His death at his home in Maine has a bit of mystery attached to it. 

xoxo Janis

#rawfood #imperfectlyraw #stilllearning #tryingtostayhealthy #readingbooks #Booksandcoffee #booksandrecipes 

#keepingitreal #somerawsomecooked







Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Imperfectly Raw - Day 46 - 10/5/21 - Veggie Cocktails

 Imperfectly Raw - Day 46 - 10/5/21 - Veggie Cocktails

Breakfast:  Coffee in my new mug, a gift from Travis!  I love it so much.  "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made."


Also, had the green juice.  I bought some beets for veggie cocktails this week.  The tops were so pretty and healthy looking that I included them in the juice today.

Recipe for the veggie cocktail: 

Juice a beet (I used 1/3 of a beet because I only have two beets for the week), a 1 lb bag of carrots, 4 large stalks of celery, and an apple.  I divide this into two glasses, one for me and one for Travis.



For lunch we had our normal green smoothies.  I included some protein powder and collagen in them today, and I had a Lara Bar.

I am still listening to the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  I usually listen while I am driving and today I had to go into Hot Springs twice, once for my flute lesson and once for flute ensemble rehearsal.

Dinner was a big green salad with bean sprouts and goat cheese with my raw seed crackers and a veggie cocktail.  I also had some of the raw veggie soup I made on Monday.  There is plenty of that to last all week.


After flute rehearsal I had popcorn and a kombucha.

xoxo Janis

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

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Imperfectly Raw - Day 45 - 10/4/21 - Weekend with the Family



 Imperfectly Raw - Day 45 - 10/4/21 - Weekend with the Family

Sometimes you just get out of your routine, and that is okay.  We celebrated Travis' birthday with the family at Grateful Head Pizzeria on Friday evening.  Harris, Amy, and the kids spent the week-end with us at our house.  It was so much fun.  We had a "tailgate" party at the neighbors house where he had the big screen set up in his garage.  We watched Arkansas play Georgia and enjoyed all the food.  Saturday evening we roasted marshmallows over the firepit with the grandkids.  We went to church on Sunday, had lunch at church, and stayed after lunch to sing acapella songs.





At the Grateful Head I had the tree hugger pizza.   I made veggie burgers for the tailgate party.  I made a salad to take to church on Sunday.  


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