INSPIRATION #19 Why Raw Foods? 1/10: Heat Kills

Why RAW FOODS? 1/10: Heat Kills!







This is #1 of the 10 part Why RAW FOODS? series! Find out the importance, the Whys of eating a living, plant-based, raw food diet or at least the whys of including as many raw foods into your daily diet!

Please feel free to email any questions you may have to contact@fruitygreenfamily.com. So lets get get things heated up and not over 112 degrees!

I am constantly being asked how do you have so much energy? I reply, "If you are what you eat then I eat fresh living foods full of life, the results: more fresh life to give and receive!" So give yourself more life and eat more fresh live foods. The foods perfectly designed for your body begin with mothers milk and should naturally move to plants/fruits.

Mothers milk is designed perfectly for humans and the nutrient break down in human breast milk is approx 80% carbohydrates, 10% fats and 10% protein give or take a bit 1-2% on exact figures and depending on what the mothers diet is made up of. Mothers milk is served body temp and no heated is needed. Enzymes, vitamin, minerals, a many more nutrients are prefect for absorption in our beautiful human bodies. Past the age of 1 year as all the first molars come in soft sweet fruits are a perfect transition food for baby.

Human breast milk is sweet and so naturally babies will gravitate towards ripe sweet fruits like bananas, mangoes, and melons again no heated is needed the skin protects the fruit and once peeled the fruit inside is soft enough for babies to consume. Of course after 2 years or so more teeth are available and leafy greens, vegetables, and citrus can be added until a full range of plant based foods are available and delicious without the need for heat.

Why does heat do to your body? burn, kill, injure, dehydrate. Yes it can keep you warm but only when its cold, past 90 degrees or so the heat starts to dehydrate you. Over time in the heat your body begins to release water in an effort to cool you down. Eventually, without water your body begins to shut down and you can even die from dehydration. The next time you cook turn on the heat source (stove), put you pan on the burner, and then place a piece of vegetable or fruit in the pan and then really observe what is happening.

Raw-live unheated plant based foods provide you with:

1. Enzymes, vitamins, minerals, available for absorption quickly and easily for your body.
2. Leave you with more energy, from not having to break down the heated enzyme-less foods, to repair, rebuild and Play more.
3. Feeling light and feeling full. Have you ever noticed after eating a huge heated meal you can leave the table still feeling hungry. Your body can get very little nutrients from heated foods. More nutrients satiate your body and leave you feeling satisfied.
4. Keep your bowels flowing in a natural way.
5. Cure ailments? I don't believe in cures I just this believe when you take away what is causing the ailment to begin with things have a way of healing themselves. If I keep hitting myself in the arm can I wonder why my arm hurts, silly. I think what you stop eating and thinking are the two most important steps in the health equation.

I hope this is a start for you to understand the importance of getting the most fresh, live, raw plant-based foods into your diet. Life is a journey and the observation along the way is part of your journey. Take the time to observe your life, your health and ENJOY and come back for more information next week!

With Love and Inspiration on your health path,
Darlene
Goddess Momma

A Fruity Green Family Cool Sweet Raw Treat:

Macaroon Rawkies (un-cookie, lol) or Raw Pie Crust
1 cup macadamia nuts
1 cup cashews
6 or more dates
1⁄4 tea cinnamon
1⁄4 cup shredded coconut
Optional: orange or lemon rind
Process in the food processor with “S” blade
until desired consistency.

Sweet Date Honey
1/4 cup coconut butter or oil
5 dates
Sea salt to taste
Orange Juice and orange rind to taste
Blend until creamy. Serve over cookies, pies, fruit, etc.

INSPIRATION #18 Balance, Inspiration and the Love of Learning

This month I doing a sort of Webinar for developing my new Raw Food web site through Site Build It! At first I was resisting creating a website to create connections with others, offer my personal information on my passion and create passive income. I was resistant because I did not understand the whole picture and I wanted to make sure I could still connect with others on a personal level.

Now because I have gained understanding and realized the fun and value in the Internet, how I CAN connect to many more people through a website I have become inspired and open to the learning process. I am finding it interesting how the search engines pick up Key Words and place your site in a Key Word search order. In the past I have been clueless to how this process works and now I am gaining this knowledge because now I am open to learning it, interested and I am excited to learn more. I am also inspired to learn the information so I can be apart of the information highway to my and others success!

From observing my young ones I gain a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me and how people learn. I realize that my children learn more when they are inspired most. For example I wanted Mitch, 9yrs and Carter 7yrs to get outside more and participate in more than just movies and video games. My favorite way to create change in my life is through logic and understanding. So I thought I could use logic and understanding to create a family forward change with a more balanced life diet. I first asked M & C how they would feel if all they ate was nuts and avocados all the time? They both said they would be very thirsty and after awhile possibly not like them anymore. I asked them if they both enjoyed eating a raw balanced diet like they do with fresh fruits, greens, veggies and avocados (nuts). They both agreed they loved it and loved the variety.

We went on to discuss if our lives might also benefit from a balanced diet of sun shine, playing out doors, and having other adventures along with video games and Movies? They both agreed and we even came up with an easy/flexible schedule so it was simple to get all of our mental stimulation diet in throughout the day. They have been pleased with the schedule and so am I, we went away with win win movement towards a family forward change!

Our roles in business and society are not much different than my relationship with my children. We can all look for create ways to inspire and respectively change for the better through understanding and love. When the best interest of everyone is one the table there is always a win win, we may just have to explore the possibilities in front of us. In the end everyone has a learning opportunity for growth and most importantly, we can all walk away feeling good.

Next time you want another to change, find a creative opportunity to inspire through understanding and LOVE!

With Love and Understanding for Forward Change,
Darlene
goddess momma

Add a Forward Change of Raw Flavor to Your Meal with
Sun-dried Tomato Pesto

1 cup of sun dried tomatoes soaked till soft
1 cup of loose basil or more to taste
1 to 2 crushed garlic cloves
½ lime or lemon juiced
1/8¼to 1/4 cup of water
handful of soaked almonds, macadamias, or cashews
oil to blend
sea salt to taste
most importantly LOVE and Enjoyment!

In a food processor with the “S” blade blend tomatoes, basil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and use oil to blend but keep it somewhat thick. Add in water a bit at a time, you don’t want to thin it out too much. Last throw in the nuts and pulse, making sure not to blend nuts just chop them.
Now put on zucchini “pasta” noodles topped with extra basil. Or take raw cole slaw mix soaked in warm water till soft drain add pesto, chopped cherry tomatoes, a little crushed garlic, and sliced mushrooms, I warm it in a dehydrator if you like –Delicious-
Adding more water or fresh tomatoes will make it more saucy. ENJOY!

LOVING YOU!!

About 2 years ago I started realizing how important giving to and loving myself was! At the time I had been a stay at home mom with children for 17 years (or a mom plus part time job with children). I wanted to be the best mom I could and the story in my head was "to be, do anything and everything for your children and that is your life". For 6 years I had not done much without my babies and I did enjoy it for the most part, and yet I started to lose myself in my children, what was I going to be do once they were grown?

One day someone asked me what I was interested in and I was stumped. I had "forgotten who I was first before I put myself last". I had no idea who I was or what I liked, what were my interests beyond mothering? I started to look into myself and ask questions like who are you, what do you like to do, were would you like to go in life? It took some time and process to move towards were I am today, in love with myself and into giving to myself too.

What did I do?: I started to think about how I fell in love with my husband and my friends. I thought why not take myself out enjoy me and find out what I do love. So I did just that, I started treating myself as almost a separate person. I started going out on dates with myself, going to a movies and out to dinner. I started hugging myself and finding one thing at a time I just ENJOYED about myself "I have lovely eyes I just love my beautiful blue eyes". I asked my friends what they liked about me, what did I do to inspire our friendship "you are fun and creative" they would say and I could see how really beautiful I was inside and out. One day I said to my husband "I love who I am, creative, different, cool, fun, beautiful, I feel in love with myself and everyone and I feel great like I'm walking on sunshine"!

Benefits for myself, family and those around me: I was kinder, more loving, happier than ever and more creative. Each moment when I am giving to myself and loving myself I grow more into the true being I came on this universe to be and I can give all day long, authentically!!

You are amazing and I don't have to meet you I just know because everyone is! Find out how incredible you really! After all you will always have you, you will always be there for you, you will never leave you!

Love yourself and the love just comes back 10 times!!!

With my love,
Darlene
Goddess Momma

For the Green Smoothie Challenge I am doing for the month of March I would love to inspire you with a few morning or anytime green smoothies:

Berry fields

1⁄2 apple
3 bananas
1⁄4 cup mix berries
1-1⁄2 cup greens (spinach, kale, celery)
1/2 cup ice and water each
Blend until smooth.

More amazing smoothies in The Garden Spot Cafe Recipe E-book!

Gaining Perspective From Contrast

For years I have been a big believer in learning through contrast. I love contrast how would I grow if everything was always working out. I recently taught an amazing inspirational raw food class. I came up with this simple to follow formula (available in our soon to be released recipe book) for creating delicious raw recipes anyone can follow and their food comes out wonderful.

Before the class started I went a bought a bunch of food of a variety, second I showed up on time and with everything I needed for a great class. Third, I locked my keys in my car along with the food needed for the class. People started showing up and I was a little embarrassed at first. I choose to take this in stride and just proceeded to call a locksmith and continue with a great attitude.

Locking my keys in my car 15 minutes before people were to show up for a class I was teaching was not planned. It happened and I stayed in the flow that everything happens for a reason and so take what it is and move on to the next moment. Within 15 minutes my car was open and I, along with some wonderful party guests unloaded the groceries and went on to have the best class I had ever dreamed of.

Everyone made amazing food and had the best time doing it. I could have taken the car lock out negatively and let it ruin my day instead I thought oh well I guess I just needed to slow down and enjoy this moment for what it is! I did and we all had a blast. Even the biggest skeptics ended up having a great time and left with some new skills to get more raw fruits and veggies into their diet and who knows what it may lead to??? For me it was perfect and so is my life!! You too can choose to take the contrast in your life without getting up set and letting it take control of you.

ENJOY life to the fullest, even the contrast and live on PURPOSE!

With Love,

Darlene

Fruity Green Momma

For those special mornings when you want a little more than a smoothie for breakfast:

Raw Gr-Oat-Meal:

1-2 cups of soaked Raw Oat Groats (soak for 24 hours or until soft)

1/4-1/2 cup of Dates

1/4 cup of Raisins

1/2 tea cinnamon

Blend in a blender adding water as needed. You Gr-Oat-Meal will even get warm. Serve with fresh berry jam and sliced bananas and maybe even a bit of fresh squeeze Almond Mylk!

Yummy!

Creating Personal Wellness, Healthy Relationships and RECIPE FUN!!!

I love to replace old unhealthy habits for healthy relationship building habits. I went from reacting to my c

hildren or husband to Responding. As the reactive feelings of anger or rage start to come up I stop, take a breath and think what I would like to communicate to who I am speaking to and what I would like to say. This gives me time to calm down and respond.

Next I like to incorporate a method I took in a parenting class called PET (Parent Effectiveness Training). I learned that by describing something like "When I hear that sound, or see that, . . ." it takes the attack away and puts the responsibility back to myself. I remember the technique by using the acronym I call the B.F.E. Method. I describe the Behavior I am having an issue with "when I see ink writing on my favorite blender", I describe my Feelings "I feel upset, irritated, unhappy" and last I describe the Effect (the effect being time, money, energy) "It will take time to get that ink writing off the blender or it will cost $400 to replace it".

Last I allow them to speak and tell their tell or feelings. Usually they want to right the stuation "I understand, I will clean the ink off the blender and and I wont do it again" and it usually does not happen again. This process allows the person I am communicating with to know I have feelings and at the same time they don't have to feel attacked. In the end we can work together to take care of the issue at hand and we both come out feeling better. We end up building a respectful loving relationship rather than a gap in our relationship.

Now another healthy habit I replaced for an unhealthy habit was learning to convert a cooked food recipe to a raw/living food one. As a chef I am always being asked to create raw dishes that taste like cooked food dishes. I get the the information highway and look up a few cooked recipes like "Thai dressing" or "marinara" and start my imagination going by replacing the cooked ingredients for raw ones, remembering a balance of flavors always includes 5 major tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicey, and bitter.

Examples:

peanut butter for Almond Butter or Tahini (sesame seed butter)

can tomatoes for fresh tomatoes

tomato paste for sun-dried tomatoes

butter/dairy/cheese for young coconut meat or blended cashews/macadamia nuts or avocado

milk for almond Mylk

bread for a dehydrated raw bread

sugar for dates, raisins, Agave Nectar, honey

vinegar for lemon, lime or orange juice

See what you can create from your favorite recipe and turn in raw!

I took a recipe from Rachel Ray and converted it to RAW!

Rachel Ray's

Berries and Cream

1 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons sugar
Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon
1/4 pound fresh cherries, halved, plus 10 whole for garnish
1 pint mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)
6 ounces milk or dark chocolate
20 sugar cones

Fruity Green Family's

Berries and Cream

Almond Creamy milk:
2 cup soaked almonds
4 cups water
Blend very well and strain through a cheese cloth bag, save pulp for another recipe.

Put milk back in blender and add:
2 cups of Macadamia or cashew nuts
be sure to add only 1/4 cup at a time
Blend until smooth.
Then add

1 cup date/raisin combo
1 teaspoon to vanilla or one inch vanilla bean or vanilla bean powder

a squeeze or 2 of lemon juice or orange juice
blend until smooth

Put in bowl and add your favorite fruit (fresh or frozen). Let this sit in the frig a bit or if the fruit is frozen let it sit on the counter for a few. As the cream absorbs the flavor of the fruit it just gets better!
A few favorites are peaches n cream, berries n cream and strawberries and cream!

Serve in glass dishes and ENJOY!
Your can serve this at any family event and nobody with know that it is non dairy and non refined sugar.

I welcome you to look at what others are doing and without judgement just describe what they are doing as if you were speaking to someone that can not see. How to you describe the color blue to a blind person?

With a hug, as if my arms wrapped around your body and yours around mine and we can feel our hearts beating and begin to feel our bodies full of energy from the possitive connection between an one amazing being to another!

Love,

Darlene

fruity green goddess momma

INSPIRATION #14 Let go and Just Flow Down Stream

Currently in my life I love to take responsibility for what anyone says or does "to" me. I started a live/raw food delivery service to give and offer others a delicious healthy mean to their home AND to raise the financial abundance I want to open a raw cafe and have a live raw food show. As life goes, months ago when I was searching for investors I was frustrated and could not find one. In January I choose to take a new approach and let go and create the delivery food service and raise the finances myself.

A week after I had started the delivery service I was demonstrating at Whole Foods Market and a beautiful lady approached me with an offer to partake in a 30 Fresh food and Yoga Challenge at Bikram Yoga Las Vegas. She even called the same night to give me the owner's number. Since then I have been on a roller coaster ride of plenty of business and long hours of getting what I asked for. I even have potential investors for the cafe. Even the employees and owners of the studio have been so supportive and accommodating to myself and my business. Now I am only taking orders from the studio because I am so full. By letting go and following my passion my dreams are coming true.

As the roller coaster goes, I was having an extremely busy week last week and so drained of personal energy and clarity, I felt out of the flow. So naturally life show me my doubts and fears. 2 days ago I receive a text from a friend who also is in the raw business and she informed me that others had asked her if she was not upset about the situation of me running a food biz out of my home and taking from her? She healed her fears and was letting me know. I was so tired I reacted through tears. Sometimes I really cannot understand why others want to place themselves in others business. I am so big on minding our business and not others. At times I feel like a child that cannot understand why the parent is angry with them. When it comes to my friends, or really anyone, my intention is always good and well and I want only the best for all. I took this as a time to stop, rest and reflect on why I attracted this.

I welcomed my fears and doubts and realized there is only love and I love my friend and the others who said those things, we are all in this time, space, reality together and I love them all for sharing and giving me a chance to cry, rest, reflect and move more towards my dream. I love to look at fears and ask myself what is the worst that could happen? When I ask this question I can see that the worst thing is nothing and all is well and works out for the best! I am back in the flow and life is wonderful! I am in deep appreciation to all and especially to my friend she is amazing!

In appreciation of you, my viewers, and with LOVE,
Darlene
Fruity Green Goddess Momma

For a restful afternoon enjoy a:
Quick and Tasty
Tomato and cucumber dill salad

Desired amount of tomatoes I use 4 or so, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
dried dill
1 garlic clove crushed
1/2 avocado
a little, lemon, lime, or OJ

Toss salad together and sit back relax and ENJOY!

INSPIRATION #13 CHANGE and CREATIVITY

Life is full of adjustments. New jobs, new baby, new love, new way of eating-lifestyle changes in general, that is what keeps the universe in constant flow and gives way to our creativity. I love change I thrive on and in it. I recently spoke with a lovely lady who happens to be a Bikram Yoga instructor at Birkram Yoga Las Vegas, she was eating an all raw/live diet for a few days and teaching yoga. She told me she felt weak and had a drastic low in energy while on the raw diet. After a conversation with her, her and I both realized she was not getting enough calories in her body for the amount of calories she was burning. Each of us burns a different amount of calories depending on our activity and body type. Simple carbohydrates like fruit, bananas, mangoes, watermelon, etc. are the best way to get enough calories into your diet.

I like to drink a green smoothie made with 60-70% organic fruit, 4 bananas, and 30-40% greens, spinach, kale, celery, collard greens, for the first meal I partake of in the day. The fruits insure I get enough calories to get off and going for the day and vitamins and the greens give my body the minerals and sodium for repair and replacement. Leafy Greens are a great source of protein for the body and yet they have very little calorie content. While bananas and mangoes have the calories to help your body stay active. Both are essential for the body and work perfectly together.

Here is a little nutritional information from Nutridiary about kale, romaine, bananas, and mangoes
1 cup chopped Kale:
Amounts per 67g
Calories 33.5
Calories From Fat 3.5
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.5g
Saturated Fat 0.1g 3%
1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 28.8mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 6.7g
Dietary Fiber 1.3g
Sugars 0g 3%
9%
Protein 2.2g 7%
Vitamin A 206% Vitamin C 134%
Calcium 9% Iron 6%

1/2 cup shredded Romaine leaves
Amounts per 28g
Calories 4.8
Calories From Fat 0.6
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.1g
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2.2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 0.9g
Dietary Fiber 0.6g
Sugars 0.3g 0%
4%
Protein 0.3g 1%
Vitamin A 33% Vitamin C 11%
Calcium 1% Iron 2%

1 cup sliced Bananas
Amounts per 150g
Calories 133.5
Calories From Fat 4
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.5g
Saturated Fat 0.2g 4%
2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1.5mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 34.3g
Dietary Fiber 3.9g
Sugars 18.3g 14%
27%
Protein 1.6g 5%
Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 22%
Calcium 1% Iron 2%

1 cup sliced Mangoes
Amounts per 165g
Calories 107.2
Calories From Fat 3.6
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.4g
Saturated Fat 0.1g 3%
2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3.3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 28g
Dietary Fiber 3g
Sugars 24.4g 11%
21%
Protein 0.8g 3%
Vitamin A 25% Vitamin C 76%
Calcium 2% Iron 1%

Bottom line if you are entering a new lifestyle such as a Whole Fresh Living Lifestyle you CAN succeed if it is really something you want. This is your body and your process and you are not alone we are all connected and if or when you need help there are is always others who have been there, done that and are always ready to lend a creative tip or suggestion.

When you are frustrated or feeling lost sit down a minute, take a deep breathe and remember you have all the creativity you need to succeed. Remind yourself that the answers with show up and create a possibility happening. You will always be there for you and all the answers are within you, you can just relax and allow it to happen.

All is well and I am here for your success too!
In peace and wellness,
Darlene

ENJOY a bit O' Chowder to success:

Bowl O' Chowder
by Darlene

1 cup of cashews blended with 1 cup young coconut water
1/2 cup of young coconut meat
2-5 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup whole dulse
3 celery stalks
piece of onion
2 TB lemon juice
hot pepper if desire to taste
1 TB honey, Agave, dates, etc
sea salt if you like or more dulse or kelp powder

Blend well
Now you can add avocado, chopped carrots, mushrooms, and/or any other veggies you desire
YUMMY!

INSPIRATION #12 LOVE LOVE LOVE and Food

I'm walkin' on Sunshine, and it feels GOOD!"

I am feeling sooo incredibly inspired and happy happy happy, I am so flowing down stream I feel so in line with what I have always wanted in my life and that is to make a difference, inspire others to be in the drivers seat of their life, health, and over all wellness! I read a book last year called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, an amazing book by the way, and she tells of a journey to getting to know herself through her journey to Italy, Bali, and India. Elizabeth I am dedicating this blog entry and the next 2 entries to you, you (along with a few other amazing beings) inspired me to follow my passion. I too have been on a journey to knowing myself the self I have been too unaware and a bit scared to recognize, to see with the conscious side of me, the self I can share with the world and connect to others and inspire them to connect too.

Now I am coming out per say to give more of myself and I just fall in love with me every day more and more and the results are I have more to give! More Love, More Passion, More Inspiration, I am living a life worth living. When you can look into the mirror and see you and all the beauty you have to offer the world you can give more completely with a true sense of giving and appreciation. Give yourself a hug!!!

My 17 year old son came home the other day because he was upset that he and his girlfriend (of 3 years) broke up AGAIN. He was so upset he was sick and out of breath. I listened and remained present, calm, aware and in love with him and feeling appreciative of the way we get to love in this life. Really GET this: We have the opportunity to love so deeply so completely that when we think that the one we love is gone, it can hurt so much you may even feel your heart hurts. Isn't that GREAT! I remained sensitive to my son and after reminding him that love starts within himself he started to calm and become more aware. I fixed him a large fruit smoothy(to support his body and sugar levels) and after a conversation about what he WANTED and not what he did not want, he started to smile and eventually he was laughing. Within hours his girlfriend called and they were friends again.

I love this life within moments you can change the flow of your FEELINGS and the universe shifts to give you what you want almost instantly!!!!

Tip when your feeling down: Find a friend you can call that will only speak to you about all the great things you want and not speak with you about what you don't want.

Example: I called my friend one day because I was angry about how my former husband has created a situation in which our daughter must go to school and she (after 13 years of home schooling) is unset quite often about it. My friend reminded me that 1. this is more about my daughter and her relationship with her father, empower her to create what she wants. 2. To focus on the good in the situation and what my daughter can gain from the situation, see the beauty in the storm. 3. To take responsibility in my part of the whole situation, self awareness and EMPOWERMENT. I felt better and I felt EM(IN)POWERED! I also felt love towards my daughter, my former husband and myself. I love Life and all its many EMPOWERING INLOVE moments!

So dedicate this moment, this week to looking for love in all places!!!

NOW lets EAT!!!

A recipe for Italy and Love

Treat yourself to life and love and take in some raw pasta:

Spaghetti LOVE:

1 ripe Roma tomato

1/2 cup sun-dried tomato slices

1 garlic clove

1 TB agave (1 date or 1 TB raisins works too)

1/4 cup red bell pepper

1 tea dried Italian seasonings

2 TB olive oil

fell free to add:

a couple TB fresh basil

a bit of chopped hot chilies

sea salt to taste

For chunk sauce chop in a food processor or for smooth sauce mix together in a blender.

Now for noodles with a cheese grater, grate veggies such as zucchini, jicama, and any other root veggie you like. Slice up some mushrooms and "THAT'S ITALIAN"!

With and In love,

Darlene

INSPIRATION #11 You Are Abundant Enough to Eat Healthy!

I hear all the time how expensive it is to eat a healthy. I wanted to present you with some figures and allow you to decide.


Fruity Green Family
Shopping List and Daily Diet
Fruitygreenfamily.com
Thegardenspotcafe.com

Shopping List and Price (budget)
Winter Fruity Green Family Meals

$204per Week For Our Family of 4 Eating Vegan Fresh Whole Living/Raw Foods

Our Food List:
1lb org. spinach $3.29 Costco
1lb org. mix green $3.79 Costco
2 org. Red Peppers $2.99 Trader Joes (TJ)
Case of org. Bananas $26 or so TJ (.29 each)
2 org. Celery $4 Whole Foods (WF)
4 org. Romaine Hearts ($2.29 each) $9.16 TJ
3 org. sugar plum Tomatoes (2.99 each) $8.97 TJ
2 org. Roma tomatoes (2.99 ea) $5.98 TJ
16 org. Avocados (1.07 ea) $17.16 TJ
1 org. cilantro $1.29 WF
3 baby oranges (6.99 ea) 20.97 TJ
10lb org oranges $20.00 WF
org head of Cabbage $2.50 WF
org head of Cauliflower $2.50 WF
14 org apples (.50 ea) $6.99 Costco
2 pineapples ($3.79 ea) $7.58 Costco
2 org cucumbers (1.00-1.65 ea) $2.00-$3.29 WF or TJ
3 Sea Tangle Kelp noodles ($2.99) $8.97 WF
1lb Dates $3.69 TJ
2 box (4 lbs) Red Grapes ($7.49 ea) $14.98 Costco
5 org Carrots $3.79 WF
1 Case young Coconuts (.78 ea) $6.99 Asian Market
2 bags Frozen Berries (6.99 ea) $13.98 Costco
2 green onion ($1.29ea) $2.58 WF
org. Broccoli Slaw $1.49 TJ
Sprouts $1.49 WF
We will go to the Farmers Market first to see if we can get anything fresher. At Special times we buy nuts or Olive Oil and that will increase our budget $10 to $40.

Now I do realize how inexpensive it is to eat Romain Noodles and Mac and Cheese for the now. What will your future look like after years of nutrient-free foods. I love feeling healthy! I love tasting fresh I welcome you to experience how marvelous your body, heart and mind can feel better, beyond where it is NOW! Here in Las Vegas, NV Bikram Yoga Las Vegas is challenging their clients to a Yoga Fresh Food Challenge for 30-60 days. I am so inspired I would love to inspire anyone who cares to be inspired to take a FUN-FRESH LIVING FOOD-CREATIVE Challenge for any time you feel works for you.

Keep a Journal, then:

The FUN part: movement of your body in anyway you feel inspired dance, kick a ball, hike, yoga, throw a ball around with your kids or the neighbor kids, JUST MOVE and have fun doing it.

The Fresh Living Foods Part: consciously be aware of your food choices take in live fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, water, sunshine, clean air, etc

The Creative Part: See how creative you can be, Dream, Pretend and then make it happen if only in your mind, then observe what happens. Be a kid again! Life comes from the inside out, youthful thinking is your Fountain of Youth!

Email me with your results, I would love to know!

With all my love and Inspiration and Remember to Love Yourself and You will have more to give and love!

Darlene, goddess momma

Start Your meal and juices flowing with a little:

DANCIN' TOON-A

Lemon-Dill Cucumbers (pickles): In the morning slice up a cucumber and put it into a glass jar, squeeze a lemon on top add a crush garlic, 1/2 TB dill and salt if you like (I use a little Dulse). Fill up the rest of the jar with water.

1 cup soaked Almonds (24 hours min, I love to peel them by pushing them in between my fingers and pinching them the skin with come off, you do not need to do this step)

1/2 cup soaked (5 hours) and dried Sunflower Seeds (just dry them on a plate for an afternoon, again you don't have to do this it works best).

1 lemon juiced

1 TB sweetener like agave, dates, etc

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1/4 cup parsley, chopped finely

1/2 bell pepper (yellow or red), chopped finely

3 stalks celery, chopped in tiny pieces

4 green onions, chopped finely

1/2 apple, chopped finely

1/2 lemon-dill cucumbers, chopped finely

1/8 tea white or black pepper

1/4-1/2 tea dulse

1/2 tea dill dried or 1/8 cup finely chopped fresh dill

In a food processor add 1/2 the nuts and seeds and blend well with dulse, lemon juice, garlic, sweetener and seasonings. Add the rest of the nuts and seeds to the mix and pulse chop leave a bit of chunks put in a bowl and mix in the veggies. Taste and adjust to your taste remembering Sweet, Sour, Spicy, Salty, Bitter. Put in a lettuce leaf add a tomato slice, lemon-dill cucumber, sprouts, etc and ENJOY! I love this stuff!!

INSPIRATION #10 Decide, Focus and Change Happens!

This week at Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas, NV I am demonstrating creating fresh live/raw salad's with delicious fresh dressing. I am also getting ready for next week when I will be delivering fresh raw meals to those interested in a live/raw days worth of meals http://thegardenspotcafe.com here locally in Las Vegas/Henderson NV. I have always loved creating, cooking, and preparing amazing food for others. I myself was raised in a standard American home eating anything I cared to. My mom bought us candy, ice cream, and any other junk of any kind and the alike for Blake and his family. I did learn how to cook by the age of 5 years and always loved it, although many of the ingredients I cooked with were frozen or canned. Still my dad always loved my foods more than my mother's, whom did NOT like to cook and it always showed. We did have a garden but most of our food was cooked and nothing like a real healthy salad was ever served or was made by me for years (until I was 29 years old). Fresh never seemed too important even when I was cooked Vegan.

I realized by the time I was 29 years and sick with Ulcerative Colitis (which my father had already died of at age 50 yrs) that something was going to have to change for me to live (I was not going to be sick). I recently read a post on a blog by Steve Pavlina on his personal growth. (I am paraphrasing) Growth can be painful in the beginning and once you are willing to move through the pain you can grow so far. Growth many times requires pain or drastic change, a whole new approach, responsibility and new mindset! I observed my father going to doctor after doctor and still he just became sicker and sicker until we were all relieved for him to move on and out of his body because he was finally at peace. When I became really sick at 19 years (and in reality I was always sick growing up) I would only except wellness and peace NOW and I was going to seek out another opportunities and take responsibility for my own health.

While in my search I basically stopped eating to often, too painful. At the age of 24 years I picked up a book called "The Mormon Diet Cookbook" and my life shifted in the first real great direction. The funny (ironic) thing is I was raised Mormon and rejected it LOL. I read it and became Vegan the next day. My stomach problems went away (for a while) and I felt Fabulous!! By the time the pain returned I knew I could created change and within a few months I was introduced to a raw restaurant here in Las Vegas, NV (no longer here now) and another spark was ignited towards growth and consciousness. I became raw very soon after and since then I feel more and more A LIVE and conscious of my path in life. I once did not care for salads and from most of the salads out there I can see why you nor I would want to eat salads.

I want to INSPIRE you with a few raw/live salads for the days ahead in your life and more importantly I want you to understand the power you have within your thoughts and determination. Whether you are sick or feel healthy remember a healthy body and mind are synonymous with one another. YOU have the power to change, alter, and create whatever life you want. I love the real health and aware I have gained through my personal pain and growth!

My wish is for you to live a Healthy, Conscious, Full filled life and you have the power to do so!!

With all my love,

Darlene

Avo-Orange Napa

Avo Orange Dressing:
1 avocado
2 oranges
1 TB dill
½ tea salt (if desire)
¼ tea Cheyenne

Mash avocado and add rest of ingredients and mix together. ENJOY!
SEVERS 4

Top it on or mix it into:

Napa Salad:
1 head of Napa cabbage shredded
4 green onions sliced
3 celery stalks sliced
1 beet, or carrot shredded
a bunch of cherry tomatoes sliced in half
¼ cup cilantro chopped

Garden Green Goddess Dressing

(my favorite dressing of the month, already on the blog bonus again LOL)
3 celery stalks
1 bunch cilantro
5 dates or 4 TB Agave
1 lemon juiced
chunk of onion
2 garlic clove
½ tea salt(if desire)
pinch of Cheyenne
2 TB Tahini

Blend well

I love this on mixed herb greens and tomatoes and any other favorite veggies I may have!
SERVES 8 (maybe)

And of course the Kinky Kale Salad from 1-13-2009

ENJOY!!!!

INSPIRATION #9 Belief System and Possibilities

I was recently listening to an amazing author by the name of Gregg Braden on the possibilities with in our present moment and future. One of many of the many comments he made and I so loved (I am paraphrasing) "is when your belief systems are working for you keep doing what your doing. I am simply offering you other possibilities to keep so if or when you feel your belief system is not working for you the ideas that I am presenting to you may be possibilities of ideas to replace them." Our Fruity Green Family blog is designed to offer you possibilities (one of my favorite words) of nourishing your body as well as your mind.

My intention is to gift you information and recipes towards achieving the best possible mind, heart, and body available to you. I welcome you to consider a life of freedom, clear mind, and a body that looks good on the outside and feels fabulous on the inside. It only takes around 23 or so days to create new habits or directions towards improvement. If your intention for yourself is clear and you feel good about what you are doing in no time you can achieve anything.

People are always asking me what can I add to my diet in order to become healthier, what cleanse should I do to get the "bad stuff" out of my body, wheat grass, lemon, Cayenne, garlic, elimination techniques. I would like to offer you a gentler easier way to allow you and your body wellness.

1. Awareness-

A. Journal: Somehow- journal, mental, text yourself, etc keep tract of what you are eating now. Pay attention and ask yourself how you feel after each meal.

B. Label reading: if you can not pronounce the words or know what they are they are STOP and think is this food or a science/chemistry experiment?

2. Consciousness (Veganism)-

From my experience it is best/highest to consume a plant based diet without meat or dairy products. Please take this only with the most love and understanding, our bodies are created for a primarily fruit based diet. Our teeth, our intestines, our hands and feet and the rest of our physical structure indicate this, think about our constant desire for sweets (simple sugars).

Be easy going you may simply want to start eliminating one animal a week or a month until you have created amazing dishes to replace those other animal based dishes. (The animals with also appreciate your approach and so will the planet, it will be a win-win for all)

3. Educate and Ask-

When you finish checking your emails or have 30 min do a little research and gain a little information about food, nutrition, thank heavens for the Internet we are so connected. Seek out or keep your intuition up for a mentor. When you are really serious and you meet someone that you feel is doing what you would like to do most of the time they are willing to be a mentor.

4. Simplicity-

Keep the process simple and loving yourself all along the way. Buy one new book a month and make sure the information inside is easy to follow and the recipes are simple. Look at reviews and see if you can read a few pages first.

5.Belief

Have faith that your body, spirit and heart knew what to do to create the amazing being you are now. Listen to your body when you need to fast you will not feel like eating, wait to eat until you are hungry, your body will take care of you and give you clues when action by you is required. No need to force the process by adding oil and lemon juice just increase your awareness and all will be grand.

I hope for now this is a start to inspire you with a few simple things to get your New Year off to a healthy start. Please always remember to be kind, gentle and easy going with yourself in creating any new habits.

With Love and Light,

your fruity-green momma,

Darlene

Another amazing smoothie to treat yourself to!

Hawaiian Tropical Smoothie
½ young coconut (water and meat)
½ cup pineapple
¼ mango
1 banana
¼ cup ice
Serves 1

I love to through in some spinach or celery for a truly fruity green Hawaiian treat

INSPIRATION #8 A Smile is Worth 1,000 Words

SMILE- LOVE, PEACE, COMPASSION

I love to smile, I smile all the time, and most of the time people smile back. I have found that a simple smile is all it takes to connect with others. Everyday I put out an intention to meet and connect with as many new people as I can. I find these smiles contagious and in many cases the people I smile at will start a conversation or I will.
In 2009 it is my intention to consciously create LOVE, PEACE and COMPASSION in each moment. A smile is a beginning, a kind word is another and the more I can inspire others to take their nutrition more fresh, fruity and green through love, peace and compassion the more I feel the return of love, peace and compassion. My personal inspiring contribution to you and all is to continue to gift you our fruity green family blog. Please continue to ENJOY these words, videos and recipes.
I would love to inspire you to gift of your talents and watch the boomerang of the universe come back full circle and gift you all of what you put out. We have the power to live an intentional life spreading love, peace and compassion one smile at a time.

Have a Compassionate 2009
With Appreciation,
Keep it Fresh,
Darlene

PS
Speaking of smiles, recently I was asked about eating a raw food diet and how it was on your teeth. Through years of our family eating a raw food diet I have found as with eating any other diet that as long as you keep it fresh and low fat your teeth will be great. When lots of dried fruits and nuts are eaten you can experience teeth issue. I think it is easy to over do nuts and dried fruits in the beginning so just remember to eat these things very sparingly and you will do great!

(Oops! here is the recipe I forgot to give you early)

Ring in the new year with a fresh dressing to top your amazing fresh organic green salads. Remember add some fresh citrus fruit (orange, tangerine, pineapple, or even apple works nicely) to your salads for even more amazing taste sensations!

Raw Goddess Dressing
by Darlene Navarre

2 celery sticks
5 to 7 dates
2 tablespoons of tahini
a chunk of onion
2 cloves of garlic
a bunch of cilantro or parsley

1 lemon  juiced
Salt or dulse to taste if desired (I avoid salt whenever possible, I think the celery is the perfect salt)
add water a little at a time 1/2 to 1 cup of water

Blend until smooth!

This is low fat and with the combo of 5 tastes sweet, sour, salty, spicy and bitter it is sure to please your taste buds

INSPIRATION #7 Giving and Appreciation

GIFT OF GIVING ALWAYS

I know with the holidays and all everyone has a theme for giving. I love giving and would consider myself a nature giver. For the past year or so I have been taking a deeper look into the art of giving and what I can do more to give on a daily bases.

I wanted to become more conscious of my giving I looked at what other inspiring givers were doing and also thinking of how I already give. At one point I felt a little overwhelmed by the need I could see that could use a lot of help, or so that was my story. I thought how could I help so many when I am only one person. Then I remembered the story of the man who was putting starfish back into the ocean. He could not help them all and it still made a difference to that one. I also feel that giving is contagious and when you give to someone that someone usually feels inspired to give to another and so on.

I even realized from speaking to an amazing gentleman I met the other night that giving continues even after one passes on. His wife had cancer and because she decided on an alternative health path she was able to continue her life on this planet for 5 years longer than expected. He was not really open to eating a diet different from what he was already use to as a body builder. Through the health his wife gained by changing her diet he began to open his mind and alas he joined us for a raw (pot) luck and gave of himself in the form a delicious dish he made with live ingredients and more importantly LOVE!

I also know giving also inspires attitudes of gratitude and of course both appreciation and giving (when given from the heart) both feel good. Feeling good creates more abundance of giving and WOW one think leads to the other and what more could one get than a complete package in life than giving and appreciation!

Someone once told me do what you love and you will always be happy, I would like to add, “do what you love and give, share it and that is true happiness.” Giving is a gift you give yourself also because without the oranges you can’t give away the orange juice.

I want to thank you for sharing in this blog as our gift and love to you all throughout the year, Happy Days!

The Fruity Green Family

For a Delicious Healthy Holiday Morning Treat

Berries and Creme
By Darlene Navarre

Almond Mylk:
2 cup almonds
4 cups water
Blend very well and strain through a cheese cloth bag

Put milk back in blender and add:
2 cups of Macadamia or cashew nuts
be sure to add only 1/4 cup at a time
Blend until smooth.
Then add 1 cup date/raisin combo
1 teaspoon to vanilla or one vanilla bean
blend until smooth

Put in bowl and add your favorite fruit (fresh or frozen).
A few favorites are peaches n cream and mixed berries n cream
Your can serve this at any family event and nobody will know that it is non dairy and with non refined sugar. ENJOY

INSPIRATION #5 Thanks and Giving

Thanks and Giving

For this weeks INSPIRATION I wanted to acknowledge you on you health path and the amazing job you are doing in your life in general. Thank You for your awareness and effort towards yourself and your whole well-ness. Take time to Thank or Appreciate yourself. 

Giving may feel like effort when you are empty, tired, and possibly feeling bad about yourself, thinking your not doing enough or any other negative thoughts that can sneak in when we are down. Life can be overwhelming at times (especially during the hustle of the holidays) and in these times we can be less then affectionate towards our self and others. 

STOP: Take a moment to play the Appreciation Game. 

Start by thinking or writing down everything you appreciate and/or do well in your life. 

Example: "I love that I can hear music"

"I love how my hair has a natural curl"

"I love that I woke up and made myself a fruit smoothie"

"I love cuddling up to my children at night and reading to them."

"I love how my husband calls me just to tell me he loves me."

All the sudden you start to feel light and open. Your cup of life fills and giving becomes second nature. 

Thanksgiving Cheeze Ball

By Darlene

2 to 4 cups of 2 combinations of soaked nuts and/or seeds (example: walnuts/sunflower seeds, pecans/cashews, pumpkin seeds/sunflower seeds)
Blend nuts in a good blender add a little water at a time until smooth.
Place mixture in a milk bag, cheese cloth or sprout bag and twist tight. Making a cheese press place cheeze mix in bag on top of a strainer turned upside down or a plate turned upside down. Second place a second plate on top of the cheeze bag. Last put a weight on top (a water bottle, or anything heavy and stable). The idea is to press out the water with in the cheeze. Leave cheeze out overnight or at least 8 hours.

Now add any spices, red pepper, onion, jalapeno, parsley, etc to cheeze. For a final touch you can roll in crushed nuts and leave in frig for a while to allow the seasonings to soak in. The cheese ball will taste better with time. I love to serve it with flax crackers or crackers made with flax seeds, almond pulp and salt.

ENJOY and have a Thanks and Giving Day everyday!

INSPIRATION #4 FIRST FOODS

QUESTION FROM THE AUDIENCE:

"I WANT TO FEED MY BABY FRESH FOODS, WHAT DO I FEED THEM"

I love to help and share. First I will answer from a place of knowledge-information and second from experience, what we learned along the way when feeding our raw children from birth.

What is ALWAYS best for any baby is mothers milk when ever possible and as long as possible (world average child-led weening is 7 yrs). Yes, around 5 month or so babies will start to put everything in their mouths this is how they learn (taste, touch, hear, see, feelings) this does not mean they are ready to sit up and eat. The more you nurse and the more you eat a healthy diet your baby with be getting all the nutrition he/she will need. What I have also learned and experienced is babies develop their taste buds between the ages of 9 to 18 months of age. So what your feeding your baby between these ages will influence their palate for taste, keep in mind breast milk is very sweet and perfect in digestion depending on what the mother is eating. As humans when come into this world we are born with a knowing how to suckle for nursing (if at all possible) this is our natural instinct. As we grow and begin to get teeth we also develop skills of chopping or up and down chewing motion. For what I have observed this chewing motion develops after 1 year.

My grandson is 9 months and my daughter is choosing to start him on other foods. One day as I was feeding him banana ice cream I observed that when I put the food in his mouth he was confused at first then he started to suckle not chop or chew. When Mitchel and Carter, our 8 and 6 year old, we babies they did not really start on any foods until 14 to 18 months of age, as their chopping/chewing skills become developed and they had more and more teeth to chew with. Perhaps a little banana or avocado here and there and mostly both their diets consisted of mothers milk for at least 18 months. I feel because we fed these little men green smoothies and all fresh foods during the first 9 to 18 months of their life, now that they are older they still love and want to continue eating their living/raw food diet (and we take life a day at a time).

Now you have information about to answer the question:
For first foods I recommend starting with SOFT SWEET FRESH FOODS:
bananas, avocado, mango, green smoothies, watermelon (in very tiny pieces), young coconuts.
I would wait until at least until 2 years of age to start them on any citrus, berries, or nuts. Even though they are fresh they can be harder on a growing digestion.

Ultimately you are the parent and what we have found to be most important and influential is what your eating. Your little one will see what you, as parents, are eating and that will be the biggest influence in their lives.

If you are a parent of older children and you would love them to eat healthier and they are not wanting that for themselves now, I recommend you keep on inspiring them with your actions and perhaps some new stories and inspiring information to help them come to a decision on their own. Their current palate may be accustomed to what they are eating now. Later it may change, I was raised on a very SAD (Standard American Diet) with maybe 10% fresh in my growing years and NOW I am and have been eating 100% live vegan foods for 5 years because I made the decision. We are all changing and growing I know with a little faith, understanding, love and inspiration anything is possible.

I was able to inspire our whole family of 7 including 5 children (ages 12, 10, 6, 2. and baby) and husband to eat a 100% living/raw diet for 4 years. It took 1 year of integrating more and more delicious living foods in our lifestyle along with compassion, understanding and story telling and it was all worth it. Even though the 3 older children make different choices now they still have a fresh living foods foundation of knowledge they may choose someday. Still I hear comments like "those were the best times" "mom, you make the best raw foods" "mom we only like the foods you make" "mom, now that I am gone I miss all the fruits and vegetables we use to eat".

Our Babies Favorite Food:

Grinch Pudding:

3 Bananas
1 handful spinach
1/4 avocado

Blend and Enjoy!


Life is for fun enjoy the journey!!

INSPIRATION #3 COMPLETE WELL-NESS

FINDING THE GOOD IN ALL

WELL-NESS Thinking and Eating!

I believe every situation no matter how wrong or bad it may seem at the moment always has good within it. My father was very ill during my youth and died at 50 years. He was in pain most of the time and seemed angry. In the past I would look back on my memories of him and in my perspective he was short tempered and unhappy. Now with my new perspective and new found appreciation for the contrast my father showed me, when I started getting similar symptoms of illness I intentionally decided I would choose health and happiness over pain and agony. I set out intentions to seek and find health and happiness, I choose to eat differently and make a conscious effort to see WELL-NESS in LIFE everyday! My attention switched from a negative past in pain to focusing my attention on the good in it. I began to remember my fathers wonderful talents in computers and many other memories when he taught me to cook surfaced. The memory shifted and I physically felt better inside and out.

I have found eating a living foods life style is a fun way to bring out the creative side in yourself. I love the challenge of taking an unhealthy recipe I once loved and turning it into a new amazing healthy recipe.

I have wonderful memories of my grandfathers homemade apple pie so during the fall I love to make my version of fresh live apple pie!


Past Apple Pie:



INGREDIENTS

1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust
5 cups apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup white sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons butter


Presently Healthy Apple Pie (raw/live)

INGREDIENTS

9 inch Pie Crust:

1 Cups of nuts (your favorite)

1 Cup of shredded coconut or for a nut-free crust 2 cups of coconut and leave out the nuts

1/2 cup dates

a touch of cinnamon or 1 TB carob (gives it a delightful extra flavor)

Chop in a food processor until crumble consistancy

Press into a glass pie dish saving 1/4 cup for top

Apple Filling:

5 cups apples, peeled and cored (reserve 1 cup for the blender) slice the rest

1/2 cup dates (or to taste)

(I love to replace sugar with dates especially in the pie toping it thickens it.)

1/4-3/4 teaspoon cinnamon or more to taste

Pinch of nutmeg

(I always start with less seasoning and add more, when heat is applied to food it cooks out some of the seasoning)

1/4 cup raisins

(I think raisins go well with apples and brings another "sugar" taste)

1 TB orange juice

(OJ keeps the apples from discoloring)

Place 1 cup of apples, raisins, dates, cinnamon, nutmeg and OJ in a blender (I recommend a Vita Mix if you have one). Blend until smooth and taste. Very important to taste for the 5 major tastes for a totally delicious balanced taste (sweet-dates and raisins, sour-apples and OJ, salty-this taste is less in an apple pie and would be in the apples, spicy-cinnamon, bitter-apples).

Pour blended mix over sliced apples and let side out for the day (I like to warm the pie mix in the sun or in a dehydrator on 100 degrees for 2 hours or so). Put pie crust in fridge for 1 hour after making. Right before serving pie put the apple mix into crust and top with 1/4 cup of pie crumbles. I love to serve with frozen banana Ice Cream or homemade Vanilla Almond Ice Cream (recipes in INSPIRATION future).

Get out those unhealthy heated recipes and use your imagination!

Enjoy Your Health Apple Pie best served with MANY FRIENDS and LOVED ONES!!!!

INSPIRATION #2- STEPPING INTO A NEW LIFESTYLE

LEANING INTO YOUR LIVING FOOD LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE:

SAYING GOODBYE TO AN UNHEALTHY FRIEND AND HELLO TO COCO-NUTS

20 years ago I hung around a group of friends whom I had a great time with. We surfed on the roof of cars, stayed up all hours of the night, and did as many daring things that we could think up. It was fun for the time and 10 years later I would hear from many of those friends and they were still doing many of the same things and asking me to come along. I was a mom and shopping with 3 kids was as daring as my world was anymore. Without judgement on those friends I simply just said a final no thank you and "good-bye" to them. I still smile when I remember the crazy fun times I had with them and I know that is not apart of my present moments.

I left the friendship with in a peaceful way and kept my happy memories in my heart and mind!

This is how I decided to approach the inevitable FOOD CRAVINGS!

I used to love french fries and for years I would give in and eat them. After I ate them I would feel sick. One day I decided to stop and take a moment to think of the french fries and my modivation to eat them even though I would always feel sick after??? I remembered the fun times going out with family and friends and my french fry friends were always there. I decided to think of them as friends that were no longer fitting into my healthy lifestyle without judgement or angst, just a simple "good-bye" and thank you for all the fun times I had with you. All the sudden not eating those french fries did not feel like deprivation I felt light and easy about not eating them.

A NEW recipe to create and make NEW memories!

Coconut Creme Pie

3 Young coconuts, opened and the juice reserved and meat taken out. (Thai or Young coconuts are white husked and can be found in Asian markets)

1/4-1/2 cup dates, pitted

1 very ripe banana

Blend the inside of the meat with the dates, and banana using the coconut water until think and smooth. I love slicing bananas like a crust in the bottom of a glass pie dish and then pouring half of the custard on top of the sliced bananas and then slicing more bananas in the middle placing the rest of the custard on top. You can then top your pie with shredded coconut or berries, get creative and enjoy creating those new memories!!

Inspiration #1- Start your day with a Sweet and Smooth YYYY!

#1 INSPIRATION: start your day with a sweet YYYY!

Awake and Inspire you taste buds by starting your day with a sweet SMOOTHie and throw in a few green leaves (spinach, kale, Romain, or any other delicious greens) like blooming green trees in the Spring they complete your day.

Start with 4 sweet spotted organic banana's

1/2 cup organic blueberries (frozen are fine, due to season) or any other berries or

fruits you or your family enjoys

1-2 celery sticks or handful of spinach

blend with a bit of water and a few ice cubes

YYY: YummY to Your tummY!