Jamie Abrams*Raw Food*Yoga*Teacher

Your Christmas Present

Are you sitting comfortably?

Good!

Extend your arms towards the computer screen so they are parallel to the floor, palms facing up towards the ceiling. Now cross your left arm over your right arm, creating an outstretched X. Move your palms towards your shoulders until your hands are clasped around your shoulders.

Can you guess what I have just given you?

A GREAT BIG WALLOPING HUG! So squeeze tight, enjoy the embrace and relish the love vibrations. You deserve it for being such a caring, vibrant being!

Merry Christmas to you! I am sending you huge blessing of twinkly love.

Mistletoe Kisses,
J x

PS. This virtual love stuff is pretty fun!

Orange-Choc Bliss Balls

I was preparing the submissions for the winter issue of Raw Mom Times when this little gem of a recipe jumped out at me. It looked rather yummy, easy to prepare and included every day ingredients. Every mama's dream recipe.

I whipped-up a batch in a matter of minutes and just as quickly as I had made them they had disappeared into the stomachs of Zenchai and Claude (I also have to plead guilty too!).

Both of my men were ravenous for these tiny morsels of bliss. Zenchai has asked every day for the last two weeks to eat his Orange-Choc Bliss Balls (he doesn't like his rolled in coconut).

I also made a small Christmas parcel for Zenchai's Steiner playgroup leaders. I cut an avocado container (one obtained from the grocery store) in half. Then I lined it with a red napkin (green would have been better!) and placed these mouth addictions in them. I wrapped them with cling film, glued a sparkly star on top, dotted a few glittery stickers on it and finished it off with a tree stump. (As shown in photo.) Zenchai gave it to his superheroes along with a handmade card. It was really precious.

So without further adieux the best balls you'll get this Christmas...

Orange-Choc Bliss Balls
by Joanne Newell

Makes 20 balls

Ingredients
1 cup almonds
½ cup cashews
4 Medjool dates
1 cup raisins (sultanas)
1 orange, rinsed & dried
¼ cup cacao powder (or carob powder)*
¼ cup desiccated coconut, for the mixture
½ cup desiccated coconut, for rolling

Equipment
Measuring cups
Sharp knife
Chopping board
Food processor
Grater
Citrus juicer
2 dinner plates

How to make them
1. Roughly chop the almonds, so that each nut has been chopped into about 2 or 3 pieces (tip: to make this easier, chop half a cup at a time). Put these pieces into the food processor.
2. Roughly chop the cashews and add these to the food processor.
3. Process the nuts until they look like a fine powder (a bit like breadcrumbs – this will take at least 20 seconds).
4. Chop the dates in half and remove the pit. Roughly chop each date.
5. Add the raisins (sultanas) and chopped dates to the food processor.
6. Using the “fine-grate” side of the grater, grate the orange’s zest on to the chopping board. Put the zest into the food processor on top of the chopped nuts and dried fruit.
7. Chop the orange in half, and use the citrus juicer to squeeze the juice. Add the juice to the food processor.
8. Add the cacao powder and coconut to the food processor, and process the mixture until it is like thick, sticky dough. If the mix is a bit stiff, add a few drops of water.
9. On 1 of the dinner plates, spread out the extra ½ cup of coconut. Put the other dinner plate next to it.
10. Wet your hands, and pull off a small chunk of the mixture. Roll it into a ball, making it about the size of a macadamia nut that’s in its shell. Then roll the ball in the coconut, and place the finished ball on the final dinner plate. Chill the balls for at least 1 hour.

*I used raw carob powder in mine. I fear how out-of-this-world they will taste with chocolate powder!

Joanne Newell is a mum, freelance book editor, and author of a children’s recipe book called I’m Hungry, Let’s Cook! Joanne is passionate about giving children the best start in life – and her upcoming raw recipe e-book for seven-12-year-old children offers one way of doing that. It's a bumper, fun-packed raw recipe and activity book written just for them.

Christmas Twinkle

I must say I am feeling in the festive spirit. All I feel like listening to is Christmas music. I just love it. Well what I really find irresistible is the singing along bit. It has been really fun watching Zenchai get the Christmas twinkle in his eyes. However, I think I might be more excited about Christmas morning than him. Not because I’ll have any presents to open, but because he will. We haven’t gone over-board by any stretch of the imagination, but I remember how magical Christmas was for me as a child.

It has also been so refreshing having Claude around a bit more too. His work has finished until the New Year and having an evening with my hubby is delightful.

Here is a little snippet from a conversation I had with Zenchai a week ago.

M: On Christmas Eve night we’ll have to leave some carrots out for Santa’s reindeer because they’ll be very hungry. And we’ll have to leave some rice milk out for Santa. He’ll be very thirsty.
Z: Can we leave Santa hemp milk or almond milk because I really love rice milk.

Blessings of Love!

Image: Spacepotato

Stealth Invaders

Over-indulgence and gluttony tend to be the stealth invaders of the holiday period. These secret agents somehow know exactly how to get our mouths to open even when our stomachs are screaming they are full. It does not seem to matter whether it is the merry-making, laughter or our self-destruct button unconsciously at play getting us to gobble, munch and crunch until every plate is licked clean. I think we all can be guilty of over-consumption over the festive season.

Here is one little thing that I came across through a friend that may help you see your tucker in a slightly different light. This is a quote from Brian Clement (Hippocrates Health Institute) and unfortunately I don't know where our friend originally found this.

"Your relationship with food must be based upon rational thinking and nutritional responsibility.

Sadly, we consider food to be a vehicle for socialization, sensuality and sexuality, rather than a gathering of positive chemicals that fulfills our body’s need for fuel. When we reduce the romanticism surrounding food choices, clarity begins to shine on our own disturbing patterns. It is at this time that we can alter our course and establish the high ground of eating to supply nutrient requirements. Many of us focus on food as the main theme of our existence since we have unhappy and unfulfilling lives. The question most asked is, “How can I forego this pleasurable aspect of life?” The answer is clear: Once you have a life worth living, you do not require food to take the place of fulfillment. Those who have reached normality with their palate use food to energize a happy existence and do not permit it to become an obstacle that so often fogs reality. We must live to the fullest without the burden of addiction. Never should half measures be taken and allowed to veil landmark nutrition that builds not only body, but character. There are many ways to achieve strong and productive lives, and choosing and consuming health-building foods is one of the most viable and essential ways to expedite your progress to this powerful plateau. When you commit to the best, your integrity is called out and flourishes in the light of truth. Do not pretend to be self-respecting while allowing unsuitable selections to contaminate your being. Instead, move forward with the courage to go beyond the norm and venture into new realms of conscious living. False foods produce false life: Make it your priority to rise above them and excel."

Something to ponder anyway!

Oodles of Love,
J x

Images: SpacePotato and Victius

The Big 'OO' Bread

 

I thought anything that sends a husband into ecstatic rapture is worth blogging about.

I leave it to your imagination what the other ‘O’ in The Big ‘OO’ Bread stands for. This recipe is pretty straight forward, pleases most food palettes and makes a great sandwich/wrap.

Enjoy your Big OO!

Ingredients
3 yellow onions, large
1 C golden flax seeds, ground
1 C sunflower seeds, ground
¼ C Braggs or Tamari
¼ C cold pressed olive oil
1 courgette (zucchini), roughly chopped into chunks
1 small avocado

Preparation
1.    Peel and half the onions. Slice in food processor with slicing disc or slice finely with mandolin. Set aside.
2.    Place courgette, Braggs, and olive oil in food processor until well mixed and like a paste.
3.    Add the avocado, mix again
4.    Add ground sunflower seeds, mix again. Then add the onions, mix until well incorporated.
5.    Add in the ground flax seed, mix until well incorporated. This can be hard work for a food processor so you can hand mix in the flax.
6.    Spread mixture over a Teflex sheet (usually at least two sheets will be used).
7.    Dehydrate at 100F for 8 hours or until dry enough to flip. Flip onto the mesh sheet and dehydrate another 8 or so hours – depending on how soft or hard you like your bread.
8.    Cut any way you desire. Usually yields about 18 pieces. Store in sealed container in the fridge.

(The above picture is an earlier version of the Big ‘OO’ Bread with Tu-No salad and greens.)

Gemini Wellness Coaching to the Rescue

My dear friend Jenny publishes a monthly newsletter. I thought it was so highly appropriate for everyone that I asked for her permission to reprint it here. Jenny is always so full of practical advice and love. To find out more about her and her well-being services click on her name below. By the way, if you are looking for a wellness coach and aren't in the London area not to fret, she does offer phone consultations. I am sure you'll adore her and value her input.

T'is the Season
by Jenny Calcoen-Birnberg of Gemini Wellness Coaching

Are you ready for a little mini break or an exotic holiday ? You are not alone. Most people, when asked, would prefer to skip the festive season altogether in favour of a holiday far away. How can we get some stress out of our lives, rather than increase it ?

Just as other mammals are feeling the call to slow down and 'go inside' at this time of the year, nature is calling us and we are happily ignoring it.

Our ancestors used to live their lives completely according to the seasons, the cycles of the sun and moon and the natural rhythms of day and night. They did not have the plethora of office parties, Christmas (over)indulgence and family drama to deal with.

This is the 'stress season' for many people. There are all the parties to attend and people to see before the end of the year, in addition to all the work we need to complete before 31 December. Although we generally feel that we need more sleep and more time to rest, we act by doing the exact opposite.

We then stress about getting the gift that is just right for everyone, even if it takes braving the cold weather and the crowds in the shops and malls during the most frenetic season of the year. When we get to Christmas, if we celebrate it, or the end of the year, many of us feel completely exhausted, disappointed about not fitting into that little black dress, feeling unhealthy and overweight and remedy this by ... drinking too much and overeating.

Why not try this year to make sure to take regular walks or engage in activities outside, to get as much fresh air and enjoy what little sunshine there is ? I am happy to remind you that 21 December is the year's shortest day in the Northern hemisphere, which means that we will be getting a few more minutes of day light every day from 22 December.

 How about spending less time worrying about getting the perfect gift and instead thinking of ways to spend more time with your loved ones : perhaps it is visiting a certain exhibit at a museum with your mother or going to a day spa with your best friend. If you do want to give something; why not spend some time making gifts yourself this year ; from lovely home-made bath salt (take a glass jar and fill it with coarse sea salt, dried flowers and essential oils) to home-made chocolates presented in an antique tea cup or better yet; make donations to charities on behalf of your loved ones ? This is guaranteed to take the stress out of shopping as well as your wallet and will get your creative juices flowing at the same time.

What if you tried to enjoy yourself this season?

I wish you a happy and healthy 2009.

Be well,

Jenny Calcoen-Birnberg, CHHC

Image: SpacePotato

Yoda's Magical Power Shake

This morning pre-breakfast:

Z: I want another one of those shakes that you made yesterday.

I make him a hemp shake, but today it is much greener than yesterday’s version.

Z: This is how Yoda gets his magical powers.

Slurp. Slurp. Slurp.

Z: I am going to have magical powers now like Yoda.

Yoda’s Magical Power Shake

½ - ¾ C hemp milk

1 medjool date

1 tsp mesquite powder

2 tsp raw carob powder

½ tsp spirulina powder

½ - 1 ripe banana, fresh or frozen

Place all magical ingredients in blender. Whiz it around and presto you now have Yoda’s magical powers.

To read the full conversation click here to skip over to Raw Mom.

Yoga & Raw Food Lifestyle

I was reading an article about the health benefits of yoga and found this quote from Drs. Deepak Chopra and David Simon:

"Any reason for practicing yoga is a good reason. Enhancing flexibility and releasing stress are as noble a purpose for performing yoga as the awakening of spirituality. This is the great gift of yoga – it serves and nourishes us at every level of our being and spontaneously contributes to greater well being in all domains of life. Yoga will help you discover gifts within yourself that have remained unopened since your childhood – gifts of peace, harmony, laughter, and love."

This deeply resonates with me. Yoga is an incredibly beautiful practice. Regardless of the reason for practising yoga it always seems to transform our internal and external beings. It metaphorically peels away the layers like an onion or opens us deeply like an artichoke to reveal our hearts.

Through the practice of yoga we are continually drawing a higher vibration into our being, which organically seeps into our cores, washing away the negativity and replacing it with boundless positivity.

The same could also be said of eating a diet high in raw foods. It belief held by many raw food enthusiasts is that eating such nutrient dense foods, which are easily assimilated by our bodies will naturally raise our frequencies. This is just one of the bi-products of choosing to eat in this way.

Combining a yoga and raw food lifestyle could be seen as the stairway to unimaginable well-being and health. Mastering the art and science of yoga and a raw food lifestyle can be a long journey. But like 'they' say it isn't the destination so much as the journey.

If you are thinking about embarking on a yoga and/or raw foods voyage then I might just have the perfect package for you. Touch base and I'll give you all the enlightening, juicy details, but hurry because I will only offer this incredible steal to the first five people that contact me.

With Joy, xx

Good morning sun!

This morning was the first time I actively practised yoga while leading Zenchai through the poses. Normally I just do my practice around him with him playing nearby or with him using me as a climbing frame. But today was different. I could feel he really wanted to participate in what I was doing.

It was so magical seeing the sun slowly rise in our garden and watching him do the sun salutation. Of course he finished his round with fabulous flair by saying “Good morning sun!” in the cheeriest two-year-old voice imaginable. Reflecting on this morning wells me up with warm fuzzies. I am melting here!!

I asked him if he would like to do yoga in a class one day. His response was “When I am bigger and bigger I will be one of your yoga students. I will drive reeeeaaaallly fast to class in my veeeerrrrry fast car.”

The real irony is that he is my biggest teacher. I am his student. Claude and I both see this more and more each day. He is such a blessing!

(The above photo is of Zenchai doing cobra pose. As soon as I told him we were going to do cobra pose he ran to get his cobra car, lined it up on the mat and insisted I do my cobra next to his.)

Zingy Sweet Po-pple Juice

I just made this tonight. It was so yummy I had to share it.

Zingy Sweet Po-pple Juice
2 apples
1 large sweet potato
2 stalks of celery
2+ inches of ginger

Wash all of your ingredients, chop into juicer friendly sizes, toss down your juicer shoot and be prepared to feel zingy.

Muahhh!!!

Image: Bashed