Raw Rag™

Quick post before I forget what I put into my breakfast smoothie today

Today's breakfast drink is delicious! What an appreciated and welcomed difference from yesterday. I chose the ingredients using my intuition, and trying to be aware of what in the refrigerator was "calling."

I threw all this into the VitaMix and processed it into an eye- and palate-pleasing smoothie:

• A big kale leaf
• One peeled orange (left seeds in)
• 3 tablespoons of shelled hemp seeds
• Half of a frozen banana
• 3 baby carrots
• 2 ice cubes
• 1 tablespoon of raw walnuts
• 1 tablespoon of raw cashews
• 2 tablespoons of raw sunflower seeds
• 1 cup water

I gave Edd a sip, and he said, "I want that recipe to make my lunch!"

Because of the kale, this smoothie is a pretty green. As soon as I figure out how to take photos with my phone, I will include food pics here in posts to come.

The first day's not so good so far

Welcome, everyone. Inspired by watching over 3 hours of Alissa Cohen teaching two people how to prepare what appeared to be delicious raw food dishes, I decided today was the day to embark on the raw food lifestyle.

Great start. I had to force myself to finish my breakfast! I created it in the VitaMix and threw in the following before making a smoothie: A whole pink grapefruit, one date, two heaping tablespoons each of Macadamia nuts and sunflower seeds, two ice cubes, 1/4 cup of water, and one tablespoon of shelled hemp seeds. 

This concoction was so bitter (maybe more dates would have helped?) that I had to drink slowly and think of other things. Thinking of other things, distracting myself, is not consistent with one of my goals for this new regime: Mindful eating and really attending to each bite (or sip). Tomorrow's breakfast will be more worthy of mindfulness, I pray.

Lunch was a bit better: Big bowl of shredded cabbage (from a bag of already-prepared cabbage for slaw), a sliced tomato, a sliced avocado, a slice of sweet onion diced fine, and a couple of tablespoons of sunflower seeds, all dressed with some cold-pressed olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Much too bland for my tastes. In fact, this lunch was downright boring. I have much learning to do, it seems.

In the interest of learning, I am now going to continue reading The Living Foods Lifestyle. And maybe take a nap while waiting for that raw food buzz to kick in. The first day is too soon for the rise in energy, I guess, because I am sleepy. Maybe the boredom is causing the fatigue?

Note: Please feel free to post your favorite raw food recipes in this blog's comments section. I would appreciate them, and any other good ideas and advice for this lifestyle.