Raaaawwwwwktober Days 9 - 14

Wow - Where did the days go? Days 9 - 14.  Life got so busy and hectic, took me a while to post a new blog. Been so busy with studying and work. You could probably say I picked the worst time and the best time to do a 31 day raw challenge.  The best because I have so much extra energy and need less sleep on raw. I have found that the extra planning has well paid off for the extra energy and life balance I am experiencing. I am coping with stress and demands so much better "raw"! Love it! :)

Rawktober Day 9 - Sunday 9 October

It took me three days to make but was so worth it! Sunday night Raw Pizza to go with a Sunday night movie!

Breakfast

Kombucha

Green Smoothie: Spinach Bok Choy Celery Strawberries Bananas, Supergreens, Bee Pollen

Snack

Cranberry Ball

Lunch

Asian Salad with marinated mushrooms: ginger, garlic, nama shoyu, lime juice,sesame oil,  mushrooms, bok choy, snow peas, coriander

Snack
Apple

Dinner
Raw Pizza: BASE: Activated Macadamia Nuts, Chia Seeds, Garlic, Celtic Sea Salt, Nama shoyu, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, TOMATO SAUCE: Tomato, Chives, Roma Tomatoes Sundried Tomatoes Dates Red Pepper Parsley CHEEZE: Cashews Nutritional Yeast Celtic Sea Salt TOPPINGS Parsley, Green and Black Olives, Capsicum Spring Onions, Avacado, Chilli & Garlic infused oil.

Rawktober Day 10 - Monday 10 October

Breakfast

Kombucha Tea

Green Smoothie: Spinach Bok Choy Celery Strawberries Bananas, Supergreens, Bee Pollen

Snack
Strawberries and Dates

Lunch
Rawdolf Salad: macadamia nuts,garlic, parsley,lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, celtic sea salt, red apples, celery,walnuts

Dinner

Raw Pizza

Rawktober Day 11 - Tuesday 11 October

Breakfast

Kombucha Tea

Green Smoothie: Spinach Bok Choy Celery Strawberries Bananas, Supergreens, Bee Pollen

Snack
Raw Fries: Sweet potato, nama shoyu, celtic sea salt

Lunch
Raw Pizza

Dinner
Yummy Raw Bento Box at Real Foods Cafe

Rawktober Day 12 - Wednesday 12 October

Breakfast

Kombucha Tea

Green Smoothie: Spinach Bok Choy Celery Strawberries Bananas, Supergreens, Bee Pollen

Snack
  Mango and strawberries

Lunch
Sprouted Salad: Sprouted buckweat, quinoa and pearl barley, sweet potato, bok choy, snow peas,

Dinner
Raw Pizza, sprouted salad and rawdolf salad

Rawktober Day 13 - Thursday 13 October

Breakfast

Green Smoothie: mango, banana, spinach, bok choy, spirulina, bee pollen

Lunch

Sprouted Salad with mixed lettuce

Dinner

Raw Lasagne from Yongs Green Food - Brunswick St Fitzroy

Rawktober Day 14 - Friday 14 October

Breakfast

Green Smoothie: mango, banana, spinach, bok choy, spirulina, bee pollen 

Snack

Macadamia Nuts,  Orange and Dates

 Lunch 

Mex Salad: sweet corn, tomato, red capsicum, avacado, coriander, lime juice

Dinner: Mex Salad  loved this one so much I ate it for dinner too. Yum!!!!!

Love this song and this great band - James, Jo, Gus and Jeff are James McCann and The Dirty Skirts - Knowing Smile - such a classic!!!!! Yay!!!!!

 

 

Rawktober Days 6, 7 & 8

The much anticipated recipe for Raw Latte....

Rawtober Day 6 - Thursday 6 October

Breakfast
Kombucha Tea 
Green Smoothie: spinach, orange, cucumber, celery, coconut water, spirulina, bee pollen.

Snack
By day 6 I was so happy to make a latte which is great for anyone transitioning from coffee. :)

Raw Latte: I used Eridu Velvet Splash, which is a mixture of raw cacao powder, lucuma, mesquite, maca and himalayan salt - if you have these separate ingredients you could make this mix yourself, with coconut butter, raw honey ( if you are vegan you can use agave) and raw steeped chai tea.

Lunch
Avacado and Olive Dip with broccoli (Avacados, green olives, garlic, chilli, lime juice, eztra virgin olive oil, celtic sea salt, broccoli.

Snack
Coconut Yoghurt and strawberries

Dinner
Really Yummy!!! Stuffed Mushrooms ( mushrooms, garlic, rice wine vinegar, celtic sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, sundried tomatoes, activated pine nuts, basil)

Rawktober Day 7 - Fri 7 October


Breakfast
Kombucha Tea
Green Smoothie:spinach, orange, cucumber, celery, coconut water, spirulina, bee pollen.

Snack
Strawberries, kiwi fruit

Lunch 
Rainbow Pasta: beetroot, zuccini. carrot, mushrooms, activated pine nuts, basil sundried tomatoes, olives, celtic sea salt

Dinner
Avacado and Olive Dip with Vegie crudites, cucumber, celery, snow peas, capsicum


Rawktober Day 8 - Sat 8 October


Breakfast
Kombucha Tea
Green smoothie: spinach, orange, cucumber, celery, coconut water, spirulina, bee pollen.

Lunch 
Apples, bananas, dates

Dinner
Asian Salad with marinated mushrooms:  ginger, garlic, nama shoyu, lime juice, coconut sugar, cold pressed sesame oil, mushrooms, bok choy, snow peas, bean shoots, coriander, sesame seeds.

Coming up in the next few days - Sunday night raw pizza and Rawdolf Salad


Hope you rockin' out and enjoying Rawtober - my good friend Heath reminded me of this classic song recently - an oldie but a goodie - Husker- Du Don't Wanna Know If You Are Lonely:

Rawwwwwwwkkktober - Days 3, 4 & 5

Wow spring is well and truly in the air. It takes a bit of planning and some imagination and creative flair, but here I am at day 5 of my Rawktober Challenge and I'm feeling fantastic! I have heaps of energy and can't wait to share more of my rawkin' food ideas with you.

Here's what I have been eating in the last few days:

Day 3 - Monday 3 Rawktober

Very busy day today - was at work all day and also worked at an Industry Launch of an amazing new venue The GH Hotel (previously The Greyhound), so not home until very late which means I was well prepared the day before and just stuck to simple meals.

BREAKFAST

Kombucha Tea

Green Smoothie: Spinach, Celery, Kiwi Fruit, Bananas, Supegreens, Bee Pollen

SNACK:

Store bought SuperOrb - Cranberry: Cranberries, Raw Cacao Powder, Cononut Butter, Shredded Coconut, Raw Almonds, Cacao Butter, Agave, Chia Seeds, Tahini

LUNCH:

Flax/Chia Crackers, Sprouted Hommus, Snow Peas, Carrots, Celery

SNACK

Watermelon, White Wine

LATE DINNER

Green Smoothie: Spinach, Celery, Kiwi Fruit, Bananas, Supegreens, Bee Pollen

Day 4 - Tuesday 4 Rawktober

BREAKFAST

Kombucha Tea

Green Smoothie: Spinach, Celery, Kiwi Fruit, Bananas, Supegreens, Bee Pollen

SNACK

Nudie coconyt water with Pineapple Orange and Passionfruit

LUNCH

Flax/Chia Crackers with Sprouted Hommus, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber

SNACK

Dates

DINNER

Lettuce Cups with Lemon Basil Gremolata: Lettuce cups, green capsicum, red capsicum, cucumber, garlic, chilli, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, celtic sea salt, activated pine nuts

Day 5 Wednesday 5 Rawtober

BREAKFAST

Kombucha Tea

Green Smoothie: spinach, oranges, cucumber, celery, coconut water, super greens, bee pollen

SNACK

Kiwi Fruit

LUNCH

Salad: Lettuce, green capsicum, red capsicum, cucumber, garlic, chilli, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, celtic sea salt, activated pine nuts

DINNER

Thai Chilli Peanut Salad: Spring Onion, Organic Raw Coconut Sugar, Rice Wine Vinegar, Chilli, Garlic, Coriander, Nut Butter, Green Beans, Cucumber, Bean Shoots, Celtic Sea Salt

I'm still hatching up a plan to make a "raw latte" to replace my morning soy latte coffee - I promise I will do this very soon when I have a leisurely morning at hand. Have been rushing to work in the mornings and green smoothies have been my morning rush hero - they only take 5 mins to make and I can drink them on the run.

My music clip for this blog is inspired by Monday nights Industry launch of the amazing new venue the GH Hotel where Steve Kilbey (The Church) performed a wicked Version of "Under The Milky Way", whereby he stuck it to the music industry. This isn't it but still a great live performance of a classic Aussie song sung by a brilliant shining Aussie star:

Rawktober Day 1 & 2

Welcome to Raaaaawwwwktober. I am taking up the challenge to be vegan, organic and raw for 31 days this month and I expect by the end of it I will be Rawkin!!! :)


I will try and document as much as I can on this journey and include details of what I eat with the odd photos and videos. I did attempt to make my first video today, making banana passionfruit yoghurt but sadly it didn't work out. All part of the learning process I'm sure I will get a video up here very soon.

So far so good at day two I have found that things aren't quite so different from my normal eating habits which confirms for me that I was almost raw anyway. The only thing I have found challenging is my morning soy latte but I think I have found a great substitiute for that today. As soon as I test it our I will share the secret with you.

If you have any questions or want recipes let me know. All foods are Organic.

Here's what I have been eating so far:

Day One - Sat 1st Rawktober

Breakfast

Kombucha Tea 

 

Green Smoothie (spinach, celery, kiwifruit, banana, supergreens, bee pollen)

 

Dates 

 

Snack

Lemon Ginger Steeped Tea

Raw Chocolate Brownie (walnuts, dates, raw cacao, avacado, honey, vanilla sea salt, cinnamon)

 

 

 

Lunch

Flax/Chia Crackers

Sprouted Raw Hummus (sprouted chick peas, garlic, lemon juice, raw unhulled tahini, sea salt)

Vegetable Crudites (celery, carrot, snow peas, cucumber)

 

Dinner

Salad (lettuce, sweet corn, cabbage, broccoli, cucumber, carrots, spring onion, olive oil, lemon juice, celtic sea salt)

Raw fruit and nuts

Day Two Sun 2nd Rawtober

Breakfast:

Kombucha Tea

Green Smoothie (spinach, celery, kiwifruit, banana, supergreens, bee pollen)

Dates 

 

Snack

Flax/Chia Crackers

Sprouted Raw Hummus (sprouted chick peas, garlic, lemon juice, raw unhulled tahini, sea salt)

Vegetable Crudites (celery, carrot, snow peas, cucumber)

 

Lunch

Strawberries

Yoghurt (coconut water and flesh, vanilla pod, banana, passionfruit, probiotics)

Dinner

Salad (asparagus, broccoli, snow peas, nama shoyu, garlic, chilli, sesame oil, celtic sea salt, garlic chives, basil, sesame seeds)

Raw fruit and nuts

Hope you are inspired by some of my raw ideas and add some to your daily plan! Before we go rock out to my best friend Kes O'Hara - she'll be playing gigs around Melbourne so if you wanna come and check her out let me know and I'll hook you up :)

Alaklising Explained - The Dynamite Beauty Secret that keeps me rockin'

The ultimate secret to health, beauty and youthfulness and fortunately the best effect of a raw vegan diet is the alkalisation of the body. Raw Greens are the TNT that make the body more alkaline (also see Green Smoothie Previous Blog)

I will attempt to explain simply why alkalising the body is the best beauty gift you could ever give yourself. Stop torturing yourself, throw away the scales lose weight, become youthful and beautiful and rid your body of cancerous environments.

In 1931 (Over 80 years ago!!!) Otto Warburg was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery that cancer is caused be weakened cell respiration due to a lack of oxygen at the cellular level. Damaged cell respiration causes fermentation, resulting in low pH (acidity) at the cellular level.

A normal healthy cell undergoes an adverse change when it can no longer take in oxygen to convert glucose into energy. In the absence of oxygen, the cell reverts to a primal nutritional program to nourish itself by converting glucose through the process of fermentation. The lactic acid produced by the fermentation lowers the cell pH (acid/alkaline balance) and destroys the ability of DNA and RNA to control cell division. The lactic acid simultaneously causes severe local pain as it destroys cell enzymes, Cancer appears as a rapidly growing external cell covering, with a core of dead cells.

Dr Otto Warburg finished one of his most famous speeches with the following statement: "...nobody today can say that one does not know what cancer and its prime cause is. On the contrary, there is no disease whose prime cause is better known so that today ignorance is no longer an excuse that one cannot do more about prevention."

Otto Warburg won the  Nobel Prize for showing that cancer thrives in anaerobic ( without oxygen), or acidic conditions. In other words, the main cause for cancer is the acidity of the human body.


So why doesn'y everybody know what pH is?

I don't remember a doctor ever measuring my pH!

It makes great sense to me that we should be conscious of the pH levels of foods and that all foods sold to the public should include, by law,  pH levels on labelling, together with kilojules and nutritional information.

For eg Parmesan cheese should have a big red warning label with a pH sign saying it is extremely acid forming -34! While spinach may have a gold medal sign with a gorgeous alkalising pH level of +13. Some foods are suprisingly alkaline or acidic, for example, most people are amazed to learn that lemons are one of the most alkalising fruits while pistachio nuts are heavily acidifying. Many people's health could be instantly improved by consuming alkalising foods, below is a sample list.

Healthy Alkaline Foods - Eat lots of them! Vegetables Alfalfa Grass +29.3 Asparagus +1.3 Barley Grass +28.1 Brussels Sprouts +0.5 Cabbage Lettuce, Fresh +14.1 Cauliflower +3.1 Cayenne Pepper +18.8 Celery +13.3 Chives +8.3 Comfrey +1.5 Cucumber, Fresh +31.5 Dandelion +22.7 Dog Grass +22.6 Endive, Fresh +14.5 French Cut Green Beans +11.2 Garlic +13.2 Green Cabbage +4.0 Kamut Grass +27.6 Lamb's Lettuce +4.8 Leeks (Bulbs) +7.2 Lettuce +2.2 Onion +3.0 Peas, Fresh +5.1 Peas, Ripe +0.5 Red Cabbage +6.3 Rhubarb Stalks +6.3 Savoy Cabbage +4.5 Shave Grass +21.7 Sorrel +11.5 Soy Sprouts +29.5 Spinach  +13.1 Sprouted Chia Seeds +28.5 Sprouted Radish Seeds +28.4 Straw Grass +21.4 Watercress +7.7 Wheat Grass +33.8 White Cabbage +3.3 Zucchini +5.7 Root Vegetables Beet +11.3 Carrot +9.5 Horseradish +6.8 Kohlrabi +5.1 Potatoes +2.0 Red Radish +16.7 Rutabaga +3.1 Summer Black Radish +39.4 Turnip +8.0 White Radish (Spring) +3.1 Fruits Avocado (Protein) +15.6 Fresh Lemon +9.9 Limes +8.2 Tomato +13.6 Non-Stored Organic Grains And Legumes Buckwheat Groats +0.5 Granulated Soy (Cooked Ground Soy Beans) +12.8 Lentils +0.6 Lima Beans +12.0 Soy Flour +2.5 Soy Lecithin (Pure) +38.0 Soy Nuts (soaked Soy Beans, Then Air Dried) +26.5 Soybeans, Fresh +12.0 Spelt +0.5 Tofu +3.2 White Beans (Navy Beans) +12.1 Nuts Almonds +3.6 Brazil Nuts +0.5 Seeds Caraway Seeds +2.3 Cumin Seeds +1.1 Fennel Seeds +1.3 Flax Seeds +1.3 Pumpkin Seeds +5.6 Sesame Seeds +0.5 Sunflower Seeds +5.4 Wheat Kernel +11.4 Fats (Fresh, Cold-Pressed Oils) Borage Oil +3.2 Evening Primrose Oil +4.1 Flax Seed Oil +3.5 Marine Lipids +4.7 Olive Oil +1.0

Foods you should only consume moderately Fruits (In Season, For Cleansing Only Or With Moderation) Apricot -9.5 Bananna, Ripe -10.1 Bananna, Unripe +4.8 Black Currant -6.1 Blueberry -5.3 Cantaloupe -2.5 Cherry, Sour +3.5 Cherry, Sweet -3.6 Coconut, Fresh +0.5 Cranberry -7.0 Currant -8.2 Date -4.7 Fig Juice Powder -2.4 Gooseberry, Ripe -7.7 Grape, Ripe -7.6 Grapefruit -1.7 Italian Plum -4.9 Mandarin Orange -11.5 Mango -8.7 Orange -9.2 Papaya -9.4 Peach -9.7 Pear -9.9 Pineapple -12.6 Rasberry -5.1 Red Currant -2.4 Rose Hips -15.5 Strawberry -5.4 Tangerine -8.5 Watermelon -1.0 Yellow Plum -4.9 Non-Stored Grains Brown Rice -12.5 Wheat -10.1 Nuts Hazelnuts -2.0 Macadamia Nuts -3.2 Walnuts -8.0 Fish Fresh Water Fish -11.8 Fats Coconut Milk -1.5 Sunflower Oil -6.7

Unhealthy Acidic Foods - Try to avoid them! Meat, Poultry, And Fish Beef -34.5 Chicken (to -22) -18.0 Eggs (to -22) Liver -3.0 Ocean Fish -20.0 Organ Meats -3.0 Oysters -5.0 Pork -38.0 Veal -35.0 Milk And Milk Products Buttermilk +1.3 Cream -3.9 Hard Cheese -18.1 Homogenized Milk -1.0 Quark -17.3 Bread, Biscuits (Stored Grains/Risen Dough) Rye Bread -2.5 White Biscuit -6.5 White Bread -10.0 Whole-Grain Bread -4.5 Whole-Meal Bread -6.5 Nuts Cashews -9.3 Peanuts -12.8 Pistachios -16.6 Fats Butter -3.9 Corn Oil -6.5 Margarine -7.5 Sweets Artificial Sweetners -26.5 Barley Malt Syrup -9.3 Beet Sugar -15.1 Brown Rice Syrup -8.7 Chocolate -24.6 Dr. Bronner's Barley Dried Sugar Cane Juice -18.0 Fructose -9.5 Honey -7.6 Malt Sweetner -9.8 Milk Sugar -9.4 Molasses -14.6 Turbinado Sugar -9.5 White Sugar -17.6 Condiments Ketchup -12.4 Mayonaise -12.5 Mustard -19.2 Soy Sauce -36.2 Vinegar -39.4 Beverages Beer -26.8 Coffee -25.1 Fruit Juice Sweetened Fruit Juice, Packaged, Natural -8.7 Liquor -38.7 Tea (Black) -27.1 Wine -16.4 Miscellaneous Canned Foods Microwaved Foods Processed Foods

 Fats as the main contributor to weight gain is a popular delusion amongst dieters. The misconception leads to massive confusion and explains why so many overweight people are not succeeding in losing weight.

News alert - you will gain weight from eating, say, cheese not only because it's rich in fat, but mostly due to its high acidity level. This is because the body has to create fat cells to store the acid.

For eg almonds have 70% fat and pork has only 58%. However pork has one of the highest acidity values, -38, while almonds are alkaline +3.6.

Food is not the only factor to effect our pH balance - stress can leave acidic residues in our body. I have noticed how much calmer and peaceful I am since I have become a vegan. I truly believe that when you consume animal flesh you are consuming all the stress and lactic acid produced from fear of the animal at slaughter. As I have alkalised my body and lost weight I have not only released the stored acids but also past stresses and traumas, negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. A Maori healer recently told me that when you heal your body you also heal your ancestors.

Paying bills, having a mortgage, arguing, driving like a maniac, not getting enough sleep and other negative stressful environments can make our body more acidic. Walking in nature, listening to music, talking with loved ones, spending time with animals, swimming in a lake or the ocean are activities that make our bodies more alkaline.

I got most of my information for this blog from a great book called Green For Life - let me know if you want to read it. Enjoy the green smoothies and cheers to a alkalising for a better world.

Great News - Coconuts are back

What a great day in Melbourne! The sun is shining and Coconuts are back in town! I have been looking out for my little darlings for weeks there has been no supply but they are back I missed them so much. As soon as I got home my backpack full of coconuts I made a yummy raw coconut chocolate smoothie - coconut water and flesh, raw organic cacao powder, macca,  blueberries. Now i feel all shiny and sparkling just like the gorgeous sun. Best hangover cure you will ever find because coconut water is  the ultimate in hydration. Forget about those sports drinks full of nasties. I can't wait to spend all day tommorrow making decadent coconut icecream - sugar free, dairy fee icecream rocks my world.

The ones I get are from Thailand and they cost about $3 in the supermarket - wouldn't it be great if we could get Australian ones sent down form the North - I hear the councils treat them as rubbish and dump then in landfill which is horrific. Another way that our governemts continue to support the dairy industry. The best coconuts I ever had was in Mexico - a little cart on every beach - perfect hydration in the hot Mexican sun.

Contrary to popular opinion Coconut Water can help in weight loss and also has endless other health benefits, check out the list below! Is there anything a coconut can't do? A coconut a day will keep the doctor away. I love sexy coconuts and I can't tell you how happy I am that they are back in town - get your nut on!

• Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
• Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
• Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
• Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
• Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
• Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
• Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
• Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
• Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
• Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
• Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
• Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
• Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
• Helps protect against osteoporosis.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
• Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
• Improves digestion and bowel function.
• Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Supports tissue healing and repair.
• Supports and aids immune system function.
• Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
• Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
• Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
• Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
• Functions as a protective antioxidant.
• Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
• Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
• Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
• Reduces epileptic seizures.
• Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
• Dissolves kidney stones.
• Helps prevent liver disease.
• Is lower in calories than all other fats.
• Supports thyroid function.
• Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
• Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
• Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
• Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
• Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
• Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
• Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
• Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
• Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
• Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• Helps control dandruff.
• Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
• Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
• Is completely non-toxic to humans.

Keep On Rockin with Green Smoothies

Most of us don't manage to get enough leafy greens in our diet. Can you imagine trying to eat a whole bunch of spinach in one salad! Green smoothies are fast becoming the hero of my diet and keep me rockin.

More than half of all the food I’ve had in last few weeks have been green smoothies. I have so much more energy and clarity and less cravings for starchy foods, alcohol and other nasties. In fact I am suddenly not drinking coffee - which is such a suprise and a blessing. I am now craving more fresh greens and when I went out on the bike with Jack yesterday I was salivating looking at all the beautiful green grass - crazy huh?

What do I mean by green smoothie? Here is one of my favorite recipes: 1 bunch spinach, Carrot Tops, Celery, Beetroot Leaves, 1 banana, handful blueberries, 1 apple or pear and water, spirulina Macca Powder and bee pollen. Blended well - high speed blender like a Vitamix is best. This smoothie looks very green, but it tastes sweet and delicious like fruit.

You can use any leafy green vegetable - silverbeet, parsley and any fruits mango, berries, - I always find banana is the best for adding sweetness to the greens - I try and have a ratio 0f 80% green to 20% fruits.

You can add anything else you want. I add spirulina for an extra boost of cholorophyll, berries for anti oxidants, Macca a great hormonal balancer for women and bee pollen is a great source of protein and a natural antibiotic. Chia seeds are also great for an extra protein/fibre boost.

Why are Green Smoothies so good?

FIBRE
Green smoothies are easy to digest. When blended well, most of the cells in the greens and fruits are ruptured, making the valuable nutrients easy for the body to assimilate. Green smoothies literally start to get absorbed in your mouth.
Green smoothies, as opposed to juices, are a complete food because they still have fiber. Consuming fiber is important for our elimination system. If the sewer ain't working to get rid of all the dead cells and toxins then the body can get clogged up with all the shit. Fibre is the magic sponge raft that absorbs and carries all the crap away - literally. If it hasn't moved through me within 12 hours - I start to worry!


HOMEOSTASIS
The extraordinary ability for the human body to repair itself. Homeostasis is the physiological process that keeps all substances in the body at the level necessary for optimal health. Optimal Homeostasis depends upon the performance of the endocrine system. The glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they secrete influence every cell, organ and function in our body. These hormones regulate mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, sexual function and reproduction.  If the glands do not secrete the proper amounts of hormones, homeostatic balance in the body can shift and disease can start.  Greens provide all the essential nutrients, including vitamins, amino acids, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, minerals and trace elements critical for good health and Voila! - If the endocrine system is secreting the correct hormones to provide homeostasis then the body can heal itself of any ailments. Goodbye Period Pain!



ALKALISE

Do you ever get foggy thinking during the day, have aches pains, are noticing the signs of accelerated ageing? Lacking energy, craving sugars or carbohydrates and caffeine stimulants and generally running on empty.
Being over acidic leads to increased discomfort in the body and eventually to nasty diseases like cancer :(

The body’s natural metabolic processes produce acidic waste. This cellular waste needs to be neutralized in order to be safely eliminated without damaging tissues of the glands and organs responsible for detoxifying the body. Acidity encourages decomposition, decay, disease and energy loss. Most of us maintain high acidity because of “acid-causing” lifestyle characteristics that include, but are not limited to, diet, stress and a toxic environment. Prolonged pH imbalance decreases the body’s ability to absorb protein, minerals and other nutrients, decreases energy production in the cells, decreases the body’s ability to repair damaged cells and detoxify heavy metals.

Foods that contribute to an acidic level are meats, white rice, cheese, coffee, alcohol, pasta, breads, sugar and chocolate. Foods that help reduce acid levels are vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. You need about 70% diet of alkaline foods to maintain your ph balance. 

CHLOROPHYLL

Liquid sunshine! A molecule of chlorophyll closely resembles a molecule of human blood. Chlorophyll is a miraculous healer it works hard to cleanse all our organs and destroy internal enemies, like pathogenic bacteria, fungus and cancer cells and many others


I could bang on forever about green smoothies and I would advise anybody for any reason to give it a go to prevent, heal and make life happier.

Green smoothies are easy to make, and quick to clean up after. To prepare a green smoothie takes less than 5 minutes, including cleaning. Green smoothies have proven to be loved by children of all ages, including babies of six or more months old. Of course you have to be careful and slowly increase the amount of smoothies to avoid food allergies.

When you consume your greens in the form of green smoothies, you can greatly reduce the consumption of oils and salt in your diet and lose weight.

 Regular consumption of green smoothies forms a good habit of eating greens. After a few weeks of drinking green smoothies, most people start to crave and enjoy eating more greens. Eating enough greens is often a problem with many people, especially children.

While fresh is always best, green smoothies will keep in cool temperatures for up to three days, which can be handy at work and while traveling.

Start playing with green smoothies, send me your recipes. I was playing this fantastic new album from Electric Mary  Long Time Coming with bonus DVD Live at The Gaelic Club Sydney -  rockin out while I made my smoothie today.

I got most of my info and you may find many more amazing facts about green smoothies in Victoria Boutenko’s book, Green for Life.

How to make your own Amazing Tea - More Kickass than Moonshine

If you were to spy in my kitchen cupboards you would be forgiven if you thought I was breeding strange aliens in jars. What I'm really up to is brewing "Kombucha" Tea, which is the most amazing tea ever and better than any Homebrew you ever tasted! Here's one of my babies:

 

Looks gorgeous doesn't it? 

So what is Kombucha and why would my cupboards be full of these jars?

The History of Kombucha is largely unrecorded but first recorded evidence began in Russia in the late 19th century, called "čajnyj grib" or Tea Mushroom.

In Chines Kombucha is called "hongchaju" Red Tea Fungus Mushroom.

In Japanes the Kombucha is known as "kōcha kinoko" Red Tea Mushroom.

It has a slight fizz and tastes like cider. I would recommend drinking a small amount about 150ml each morning half an hour before food. I hear some people drink it all day long but if you're just starting out it may take the body a little while to adjust. I get so excited when I wake up and have my Kombucha it's like starting my day with a glass of champagne! ha ha ;)

Kombucha is an amazing body detoxer/alkaliser and has many health benefit claims of which I will make a list below. Personally for myself and my own experience I have found it reduces cravings for alcohol, sugar and junk food. It boosts my metabolism and makes my digestive system super effective. Happy digestion = happy moods :)

I found this on the web. some of which is amazing and some that are a bit of a laugh - but I believe it all because Kombucha rocks!

Statistics from a Kombucha survey
This "Benefits of Kombucha" list was compiled by Bev Ferguson, owner of Kombucha Manna International. These results are from a survey she posted over the Kombucha Mailing List. The Kombucha mailing list is a group of over 600 people from all over the world who share their experiences with Kombucha on a daily basis. These benefits are based on their own experiences.

• 1. Great beverage
• 2. Sense of well-being
• 3. Helps to relieve congestion in airways
• 4. Thicker hair (whoopee!)
• 5. Energy boost
• 6. Straightened my hair out!
• 7. Helps osteo arthritis
• 8. Great conversation piece! :)
• 9. Licked Calcifying tendonitis
• 10. Helps with asthma
• 11. Has brought me into contact with some very caring people.
• 12. Stress buster
• 13.Very calming
• 14. Increase sex drive
• 15. Regulates Intestines.
• 16. Cured Candida Overgrowth.
• 17. Aides digestion - especially on top of diary.
• 18. Addictive taste.
• 19. Eliminates or reduces heat rash.
• 20. Improved circulation/controlled venous stasis in shins
• 21. Clears and Improves skin
• 22. Makes a good hair rinse
• 23. Redundant 'Momma's make good brass cleaners!
• 24. Helped take the "scales" from a friends Skin disorder
• 25. Makes a wonderful, soothing foot soak.
• 26. Shrinking large fatty tumor.
• 27. Flattening and fading old age carotene patches on the face.
• 28. Stops severe menstrual cramps
• 29. Makes a wonderful facial.
• 30. Made me much more mobile with my gout.
• 31. Oncoming headlights do not bother me as much.
• 32. Reduces / stabilizes blood pressure.
• 33. Prevents and helps heal bladder infections
• 34. Eases carpal tunnel syndrome
• 35. Heals boils and staph infections on skin.
• 36. Prevents oral canker sores
• 37. Prevents eczema and psoriasis
• 38. Household Cleaner: cuts grease, cleans stoves, bathroom tiles, windows, copper
• 39. Hair and nails grow faster
• 40. I can see the pupils of my eyes again without glasses.
• 41. More energy
• 42. Clears nail fungus
• 43. Improves the sense of well being for people with liver Cancer
• 44. Helps an older woman feel and look younger
• 45. Helps Arthritis sufferers
• 46. Cleanses toxins from the system
• 47. Soothes burns and sunburn
• 48. Takes the sting and swelling away from Bee Stings
• 49. Good underarm deoderant
• 50. For some people; eliminates desire for alchohol, & helping to relax
• 51. Smashes flus and colds
• 52. Significant progress healing chapped lips from topical application of KT
• 53. Kombucha Colony makes a great poultice
• 54. Removes rust
• 55. Returns grey hair to it's natural color for some people
• 56. Improved eyesight

 If you are interested in brewing your own Kombucha hit me up I always have babies to give away.

Happy Brewing

Vegan Rock Chick :) x


Here is a favourite healing tunes: Collective Soul - live with orchestra - Better Now

Fighting the Common Cold

This weekend I have been battling the common cold that just doesn't seem to ever go away in winter. Boring I know! You know the feeling achy body, dry itchy throat that makes you cough all night long. A few years back I would be straight down to the quack to get loaded up on antibiotics but these days I prefer to eat my way back to good health. Here are my top tips to keep your immune system ship shape get you through the stormy weather without nasty antibiotics:

LEMONS: Lemons are fantastic for alkalising your body. Bacteria and viruses thrive in acid environments that can occur from poor diet high in animal products, sugar and alcohol. Acidity can weaken your immune system and provide the type of environment that the nasties love. Lemon juice and other alkalisers such as Kombucha Tea can restore the body's natural PH levels and support healthy bacteria rather than the viruses or harmful bacterias. Juice of one lemon in some room temperature pure water, half an hour before food is great first thing in the morning to wake up the liver and alkalise the body. Lemon ginger honey tea is nice soothing hot drink at night before bed. Manuka honey is also a natural antibiotic and ginger is known to be a great anti- inflammatory.

PUMPKIN SEEDS - High in Zinc the most critical nutrient to boost your immune system. I "sun-fry" my pumpkin seeds by just cleaning seeds from organic pumpkins and adding a little himilayan crystal salt and dry them out in my kitchen window from the natural power of the sun.

BRAZIL NUTS: Brazil nuts are the number one source of selenium, an antioxidant that helps the immune system rejuvinate and kill off germs and protect cells from free radical change. Try making some Brazil nut mylk - it's delicious!

BEANS, KIDNEY, CHICKPEAS, WHITE BEANS: You need about 100g of protein twice a day to get the nutrients essential for a strong immune system.

GARLIC: Especially raw is great cure all an edible antibiotic that fights virus - excellent to add finely grated and raw to comforting soups.

KALE: A powerful detoxer and antioxidant, high in fibre packed with nutrients and helps fight fat!

Try this great flu fighter soup.

KALE AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

2 TBL Rice Bran Oil
1/2 Brown Onion Chopped
1 cup peeled and chopped carrots
2 stalks celery chopped
1/2 cup cubed potatoes
2 tbl tomato paste
6 cups water
2 tbl white miso
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp himalayan crystal salt
2 cups chopped kale stalks removed
400g can white organic beans drained
1/4 tsp thyme
2 tblsp fresh chopped basil
2 cloves finely grated raw garlic


1.Heat Oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2.Add onion and saute until golden brown (4 minutes).
3.Add carrots, celery, potatoes and tomato paste and saute until well combined.
4.Add water, miso, cumin, coriander and saltand bring to boil.
5.Lower heat and simmer for 30 mins.
6.Add kale, white beans and thyme and simmer another half hour.
7.Add raw garlic before serving
8.Garnish with fresh basil and ground black pepper

Food Evolution

My Dad had to spend time in hospital this week so I spent two days looking after my Mum Dottie. She is very cute and naughty like a little girl and requires constant supervision. Dottie has Multiple Sclerosis and this has effected her intellectual capabilities. She's a great artist and likes to paint, here's a photo of us at the MS Art Exhibition at Northcote Town Hall where she sold her painting for $300 - $400 a pop!

It was kinda cool being back in my childhood home and all sorts of memories came flooding back about the way we grew up - especially when I opened the fridge door and gasped with horror -  it got me thinking a lot about food and how it has had a huge effect on my life. My Mum wasn't the greatest cook in the world and I was always a fat kid.

Here is a list of what was in my parents fridge which was exactly what was there when I was growing up: White bread, milk, plastic wrapper cheese, butter, eggs, apple juice, orange juice, flavoured milk, lamingtons and other commercial cakes, chocolate biscuits, strass deli meat, flavoured yoghurt, apples and mandarins. In the Freezer frozen meat chops and sausages, frozen vegetables and frozen apple pie desserts and icecream. Not a green leafy vegetable insight!

It took me back to my school days when my everyday lunch was a sandwich with white bread, butter, strass and tomato sauce, a cake or biscuit and  a piece of fruit which usually ended up in the bin.

So it comes as no suprise to me that my dear old Dad was admitted to hospital with suspected heart problems, only to discover he had extremely low levels of Iron and VitB12 which was further complicated by his severe Diabetes. After some research on the Internet I was relieved to discover that Dad's symptoms of lethargy and heart palpatations could be helped with some small changes in his diet, such as green leafy vegetables, pumpkin seeds and a good herbal liquid iron tonic such as Floridix.

Family crisis was reduced somewhat by the findings, however my frustrations with Dad had just begun, He is still convinced he has heart issues and cannot seem to comprehend that some simple changes to his diet can help him feel better. To make matters worse the hospital prescribed him with Iron Tablets which will probably make him constipated!!! Grrrrrr I made up a little gift basket for him with some floridix, pumpkin seeds and some gorgeous fresh silverbeet I picked out of his garden and wrote him a little note asking him to please throw out the Iron tablets and just try to have these things each day.

Don't know if he will but at least I know I did my best for the ones I love. I recalled what David Wolfe says in his book Sunfood Diet Success System. Every individual is fully and wholly responsible for their own happiness and health - if we are not happy with our wellbeing or state of health it is up to us to change it! Nobody else can do it for you.


Meanwhile back at home I was so happy that I had been organised enough to take all my own food to Mum's house and I didn't tell her that the meals I was serving her were all gluten free, organic, vegan and mostly raw! She gobbled up everything I gave her. I am sure Dotti appeared to be in a happier mood, more youthful and spritely with every mouthful I gave her! It really put a smile on my face. So funny when we settled down for the evening she said she normally had flavoured milk and chocolate biscuits before bed but didn't really feel like it tonight! Yay - my good eating had stopped her craving her junkie sugar hits.

Here is what Mum and I ate while Dad was in hospital:

Breakfast: My Raw Granola - I affectionately call "Cacoa Pops"  made with Sprouted buckwheat, raw cacao and other goodies, dehydrated. Tastes just like coco pops only healthy, served with almond mylk. (recipe below)

Morning Tea: Green smoothie made with coconut water greens and some yummy organic orange slices

Lunch: Fresh Pea and coconut soup with chia seed crackers and salad with miso sesame dressing

Afternoon Tea: Guacamole with chia seed crackers and vegie sticks

Dinner: Gluten free pasta with vegies and white wine sauce

So the next day after more of my healthy Coco Pops with almond mylk for breakfast, Mum was off to her Art Class at The MS Centre, I asked her what she wanted for her packed lunch and she said - Oh the usual, a strass and sauce sandwich and a lamington will do. I said are you sure you don't want me to make you up some food like we had yesterday? She gave me a huge grin and said Yes please your food is so yummy. Yay! I felt so proud and happy that I could share some good food with my Mum and know that she would feel better for it.

Here is my recipe for Coco Pops - a deliciously decadent healthy breakfast or snack - perfect for busy people on the go - you can put some in a container and take it anywhere - great for plane or long car travel too!

Jo Jo's Cacao Pops
1 Cup Sprouted Organic Buckwheat
1/4 Cup Activated Organic Almonds
1/4  Cup Activated Organic Pecans
1/4 Cup Activated Organic Cashews
* To sprout the buckwheat and Activate the nuts simply soak in pure water for 24 hours rinse thoroughly and they are ready to use
3 Tbl Organic Chia Seeds
1/2 Cup Organic Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

1/2 Cup Dark Agave Syrup
I Vanilla Pod
3 Tbl Organic Coconut Oil
1/4 Cup Organic Raw Cacao Powder
1/4 Cup Organic Dried Cherries or Gogi Berries

Mix all ingredients together and dehydrate for 24 hours - eat on it's own or serve with Almond Mylk. Keeps in an airtight container for up to four weeks.

If you don't have a dehydrator, put on a tray lined with baking paper in oven on lowest possible setting with oven door ajar - use an oven thermometer to ensure temperature does not go over 40c to ensure all the goodness and life force is intact.

Hope you enjoy this recipe and it gives you amazing "Raw Power" that makes you jump around like Iggy! :) x

Vegan Rock Chic - First Blog - Just Keep Swimming..

Hi to anybody who cares to read my first blog, I'm Jo Jo and I am here because I am obsessed with food.

I have been on an amazing journey of self discovery over the past four years that has led me to become a gluten free, vegan with approx 80% raw food diet. To most people that probably sounds crazy and believe me if anyone said I would be here only a few years ago I would have thought they were insane too! Along this path I have taken I have found with every small step and change I make in my living habits the better I feel in mind, body and spirit, I'm no angel and I have my faults but I'm doing this for myself to have a happier healthier life while I'm here.

I have decided to write this blog not to preach or judge but to document my excitement in my discoveries and share with anybody who is willing to make small or larger steps towards feeling good!

It all started when my rock n roll lifestyle caught up with me and I was a miserable, bloated, rapidly aging unhappy girl about to turn 40 and suffering from bouts of anxiety and depression.  A suicide attempt that almost succeeded shocked me into making some decisions to change my life, after all life is supposed to begin at 40 not end at 40!

I had just quit my corporate day job, Yay!!! (told you life begins at 40) and I had bought my own business a bar and live music venue! Rockin! Things were fun and exciting along with a high level of stress that comes from starting your own business and not to mention the long hours of partying, music, booze and ciggies and a poor irregular diet. All of this was fuel for Bi Polar and despite being on heavy doses of anti - depressants. I had always suffered from bouts of anxiety and depression since my teens but this time round I was heading for a full blown blow up - tick tick tick KABOOM!!! The problem was people and friends all thought I had the best life but little did they know I was a self destructing timebomb. I was completely out of control and living dangerously.

I desperately had to sort my life out and decided to take a good look at my health. I accidently discovered the most amazing thing that changed my life - "swimming"! I joined the gym and immediately pulled my calf muscle, I was so pissed off eager to start my new life of fitness and a fab body I was already injured and discouraged. The gym instructor was so lovely and suggested I should try swimming instead while I waited for my injury to recover. I vaguely remember swimming lessons maybe in Primary School?,  but didn't have a clue how to swim and it was the middle of winter and the pool was outdoors - oh excuses, excuses there were so many reasons not to try it but I just had to adopt a new positive attitude and without a change nothing would change!

Wow!!!! How lucky was I that the gym I joined had a beautiful heated outdoor pool! In the middle of winter the water was so warm with steam coming off and the sun shining. My first few goes were so funny I would run out of breath and stop halfway but before I knew it I had taught myself how to swim and I made some crazy dolphin like squeaky noises of excitement when I could swim from one end of the pool to another. At first I didn't put my face in the water and had my head lifted my head to breath every stroke but gradually I took a breath every second stroke, this felt a bit one sided so eventually I managed to breath deeply enough for every third stroke. Every session I added an extra two laps and in a few short weeks I was swimming 20 laps non stop and literally saved my life! My reward at the end of each swim wasn't a cigarette, glass of wine or a chocolate bar it was a nice hot steamy spa overlooking the gorgeous Fitzroy pool on cold Melbourne winter mornings. The benefits of swimming are endless but I have a few friends who have struggled with depression and alochol/drug issues who discovered swimming too and you just can't go wrong here's some of the reasons why:

•  No excuses, cold or hot weather - in winter the water is warm and inviting, in summer the water is cool and refreshing
• The daily dose of sunlight provides valuable Vitamin D fighting off the blues
• You cannot help but breathe deeply and evenly when swimming which has an effect similar to mediatation, this has a great effect on your on calming your mind and fights anxiety and depression.
• You can't injure yourself and you can be of any age and level of fitness
• Resolves back and neck soreness or tensions from stress
• Keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body
• Builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
• Helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs
• Tones muscles and builds strength
• Provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are used during swimming.

It's so quiet and peaceful underwater the effect of earplugs and goggles and being submerged in a soothing effect has had many great effects on my emotional state. Sometimes I will make whale and dolphin noises while I am breathing out and I imagine all the other people swimming are other fish, seals, jellyfish and seahorse ha ha. Sometimes I would let out emotions and literally cry underwater and when I finished my swim the pool was full of my tears and I would leave all my problems behind, sometimes I got so relaxed I would literally swim in auto pilot and feel like I just had the best sleep - it never feels like exercise - although it does feel like a great workout.

Swimming is a great way to start my day, take time for myself first before the rest of the world starts demanding and put my thoughts into a positive, calm, happy  frame of mind ready to tackle anything.

Swimming makes me want to smoke less, eat less and drink less I have never regretted going for a swim sometimes it's difficult to get there, life gets in the way but everytime I go back to the pool I love it!!!!!!

Dori's philosophy on life.....just keep swimming........just keep swimming........

I will get to my obsession with food soon I promise


Keep on rockin and I'll be back here soon

Jo Jo :) x