Raw Vegan Week Challenge: Day 3 {Pineapple Salsa}

Before I tell you about my raw food adventures let me tell you this: I am very excited... once again :)  CSN stores contacted me and offered to do another review of their products.  How can I say no to that?  I am always itching to try new gadgets.  I have even been tempted to visit their dining room chairs section.  My dining room set is getting up there in age and I have to either replace it or find a way to freshen it up... Decisions, decisions, decision... Knowing myself, though, I will probably end up getting another kitchen gadget ;).

Now, let's get to business: The raw week challenge continues.  My hubby, who initiated the challenge, had struggled a couple of times with his desire for baked sweets.  I had actually enjoyed watching him being tormented, because he tries to trick me into asking him for sweets, thus creating an excuse for him to have some too.  Thankfully I am not easily tempted by sweets, and I also have an iron will.  

Last night, as we relaxed, we caught a few minutes of the Cake Boss on TV.  Hubby's puppy eyes made their way to my face, locking onto my gaze: "Would you like me to go get you a chocolate cake, dear?" he said.  I tried holding myself from bursting with laughter, but, alas, I simply could not hold it in. "No, thank you!" I said, nearly rolling off the couch.  Poor guy, he seemed crushed... and I loved every second of it ;)

I know that makes me sound cruel, but this is a great opportunity for him to exercise self-control when it comes to sweets, and... I will reward him at the end of the week with my famous vegan apple pie. 

Today we had a Parsley Green Smoothie

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup George's Aloe Vera
• 2 oranges
• 2 bananas
• 2 handfuls of baby spinach
• 1 large handful curly parseley
• 2 tbsp flax seeds
• 2 tbsp dulse flakes

For lunch I made Pineapple Salsa and served it with organic, baked corn chips*

• 1/2 pineapple, chopped into small cubes
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 1/4 cup dices onions
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 ripe avocado cubed
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped into small cubes
• Himalayan salt to taste
• a dash of your favorite seasoning {I use Kirkland Organic mix}
• 2-3 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 tbsp raw honey [only if your pineapple is not sweet enough on its own]

Mix all ingredients and serve with chips

*even though the chips that I served were not raw they were still a good healthful option.

I have not yet made any plans for dinner, except that I am making some incredible flax crackers--they are dehydrating as I am typing this post. 

Good and healthful day to all of my readers!  If you have any simple, yet fantastic raw recipes that I could use during the remainder of this week, please do share with me.

PS: I am preparing my next Newsletter edition, in which I will talk about electrolytes [what they are and what to do with them ;)].  So, if you have not yet signed up for the Newsletter, scoot on over to my blog and sign up to get your copy!  There will be a very special offer in it... I promise!

Memorial Weekend Fun Foods

Over the Memorial Day weekend I explored the “food-land” and came up with a couple of new recipes, while revisiting some of the old ones.

The recipes that you will see in this post have numerous health benefits. Just to give you a quick idea of how powerful it is, here is a quick snapshot:

Tomatoes—great source of lycopene. Lycopene helps women guard against tumorous tissue growth, is a powerful inhibitor of the growth of breast, endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) and lung cancer cells. Lycopene is an inhibitor to heart disease. Tomatoes are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and Potassium

Mango—rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber. Mangoes also contain useful amounts of iron, nicotinic acid and potassium. Mangoes are good for the immune system and help protect against cancer.

Kiwi—packed with more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange. Kiwi;s phytonutrients protect DNA; provide antioxidant protection; protect against asthma and macular degeneration. Kiwifruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of dietary fiber. It is also a good source of the minerals potassium, magnesium, and copper. In addition, kiwifruit is a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E.

Red Onion—member of the Allium family, rich in powerful sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for their pungent odors and for many of their health-promoting effects. Onions contain allyl propyl disulphide. Onion are very rich in chromium, a trace mineral that helps cells respond to insulin, plus vitamin C, and numerous flavonoids, most notably, quercitin. Onions have blood sugar-lowering effects; provide cardiovascular benefits and gastrointestinal health. Onions are protective against many cancers and are anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.

Bananas—one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, which may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. Bananas provide soothing protection from ulcers; ripe bananas improve elimination, protect eyesight, build better bones. Bananas are a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, and manganese.

Strawberries—an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. They are also a very good source of dietary fiber and iodine. Plus, strawberries are a good source of potassium, folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, copper, and vitamin K. Strawberries contain an array of beneficial phytonutrients, including flavonoids, anthocyanidins and ellagic acid. They protection against macular degeneration and rheumatoid arthritis among many other benefits.

Coconut—coconut water is the riches source of electrolytes. It acts to detoxify the kidneys, which indirectly affects its neighbors, the reproductive organs. Coconut's unique form of saturated fat actually helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and hardening of the arteries. Unlike other oils and fats, coconut oil contains a large amount of the fatty acid known as lauric acid, which is the predominant fatty acid found in mother's milk. The lauric acid makes breast milk easily digestible, it strengthens the immune system and protects against viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Studies have shown coconut oil's effectiveness with HIV, SARS, Crohn's Disease, as well as other chronic illnesses. It detoxifies the liver, helps to build lipoproteins, fats and hormones and bile, which is necessary for digestion. Coconut's amazing healing properties are also attributed to reducing the risk of other degenerative conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

So, with these benefits in mind, let’s dive into learning how to make delicious dishes with these nutritious powerhouses.

Mango & Kiwi Salsa

Ingredients*
• 5 large tomatoes, diced
• ½-3/4 large mongo, skinned and diced
• 2 kiwis, skinned and diced
• 1 clove of garlic, diced
• Red onion, diced (to taste)
• 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• Sea salt (or Himalayan) to taste
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)

Preparation
• Combined all ingredients and serve with your favorite corn chips, preferably raw organic. (If you have a dehydrator and are interested in learning how to make your own corn chips, check out this blog post by Real Food Tulsa)

*always use ripe organic ingredients, for maximum benefits and to avoid toxins such as pesticides and herbicides.

Coconut & Strawberry Smoothie
This smoothie is extra filling! You might have to keep a portion of it for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
• 1 coconut (water and meat)
• 16 oz ripe strawberries, including the little greens
• 1-2 bananas

Preparation
• Blend coconut water and meat first, until smooth. You might end up with small junks in the mixture, but not to worry.
• Add strawberries and banana and blend until smooth.
• If mixture is too thick, add a little bit of water.
• Enjoy!

Banana & Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings
• 2 cups filtered water
• 2-3 ripe bananas
• 16 oz ripe strawberries, including the little greens
• 2 large handfuls of spinach

Preparation
• Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
• If you are lacking in sweetness, which you should not, add a couple of pitted dates to the mix.
• Enjoy!

I guarantee that you will feel satiated and rejuvenated after eating these dishes.

Until next time: EAT HEALTHY!!! BE HAPPY!!!

Living Unprocessed Life!