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!

SWEET HUGS, KISSES, and more LOVE

I did a creative fresh food demo at Whole Foods Market yesterday. I was going to create a banana creme with fresh fruit jam. However, Whole Foods was out of Thai coconuts so of course raw foods as it is, is so easy to improvise. Instead I made Cashew Creme, like a whip cream, and it was a hit so I am loving you with this extra recipe to create and love yourself!!! ENJOY with SWEET Hugs, Kisses and lots of LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

CASHEW CREME

2 cups raw cashews

4-5 dates or 1/8-1/4 cup Agave Nectar

vanilla powder or vanilla extract

sea salt if desired

blend well adding water as needed now pour over fruit or use like a whip cream on anything you like! YUMMY

Fresh Fruit Jamin'

fresh fruit or frozen fruit that has been thawed 

Agave or dates to taste.

Pulse in a blender. Spread on a raw bread or banana or anything you like!

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!!!!

Kinky Kale Salad

I promise this is the best salad!!

Fruity Green Family's Kinky Kale Salad

Dressing:
1 Cup of Orange Juice
5-6 Dates
1/2 raisins
2 garlic cloves
1 celery
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup good cold-press olive oil or 1/4 to 1/2 avocado
1/4 tea of cheyenne or to taste
sea salt if you care
Blend very well until creamy!

Salad:
2 whole bunches of organic kale
2-4 tomatoes
1 cucumber
1 red or yellow bell pepper
red or green onion

Chop all the salad ingredients and toss with dressing 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