Jamie Abrams*Raw Food*Yoga*Teacher

Sunny Ice Cream and Happiness

We've been in Croatia the last month basking in the sun and luxuriating in the Adriatic Sea. We brought a stash of goodies with us for making treats and desserts. This recipe was my brainchild one day when I realised we were running low on cashews (from all the cashew-based ice creams I had been making) and had a bountiful supply of sunflower seeds. 

My two kilo bag of sunflower seeds were begging to be brandished on something other than the refrigerator shelf. I also had some mesquite powder that I had been avoiding - I don't usually care for the after-taste, but in this recipe it goes undetected by my scrutinising taste buds, so a bonus for us all! 

I encourage you to play and tweak with the measurements as the ones below are approximate (I am guilty of creating in the kitchen by using handfuls of this and splashes of that). 

At any rate you are sure to feel sunny on the inside after licking down a spoonful or two of this chocolate-peanutbuttery-tasting summer treat. If you really want your happiness meter to soar through the roof, try the meditation technique below! 

Sunny Ice Cream 

3/4 C sunflower seeds (soaked several hours or overnight)

1/2 C almond milk (can use H2O) 

3 TBS raw chocolate powder 

1 TBS mesquite powder 

3 TBS honey or agave (may need to adjust according to desired sweetness) 

1 tsp camu camu (optional) 

1 tsp chlorella (optional) 

1/4 C cacao butter, melted 

1 TBS lecithin 

Add first 7 ingredients into blender - save a little almond milk on the side as you want a thick smooth consistency and not too runny. Once well blended, add the cacao butter and lecithin and blend again until well mixed. Pour out into a tub and place in freezer for 3 hours when it will be ready to devour. 

The trick with making ice creams and mousses is not to get too gun-ho with adding too much liquid to the mixture. Start with small amounts. If your hand was a little heavy, try adding more chocolate powder and little more cacao butter (you may need a touch more sweetener, too). 

Finally, top with any fresh, seasonal fruits, bee pollen, cacao nibs or chopped nuts for an ice cream that is sure to get you lapping every drop from the tub. 

Happiness Meditation 

Do this anytime, anywhere for a lift to your internal happiness account. Zenchai and I love doing it together at night as part of his bedtime routine - so if you have any kiddlewinkles in your life spread the joy by adapting it to their understanding. They deserve to allow their inner-bright to shine, too. 

First think of an affirmation for yourself. Keep it simple. For example: I am healthy. I am happy. I am well. Choose up to three short statements. Zenchai and I use 'I am happy and free.' 

Then, repeat your phrase in your head, directing the thoughts towards yourself. Once you feel you have sufficiently loved yourself up, think of someone else you love. (Zenchai inevitably chooses his grandmere and then throws his arms up and says 'I love everyone!' Repeat your same phrase but this time sending it out to your chosen loved one. 

After you finish sending your super-groovy vibes out to your loved one, think of someone that you feel neutrally towards - ie. the cashier at the grocery store or the guy that pumps your gas etc. Visualise them in your minds eye and send them your affirmation. 

Now think of someone you dislike or are having difficulty with (for children this could be a bully or teacher). With that person in your mind send your well wishes towards them. Lastly, send out your happiness affirmation to everyone. 

Finish with: May everyone be happy and free. 

You don't have to do all five steps. If you need a quickie buzz booster just do the first and last steps. Your chosen affirmation does not have to be said aloud either, but do so when trying it with kiddies. 

It is magic to my ears when I close Zenchai's bedroom door and he is still happily chanting 'I am happy and free. I am happy and I love you.' until he falls asleep.

Orgasmic Raw Chocolates

These are a delicacy in our home. They also make a perfect homemade gift ~ just wrap them in a bit of wax paper, then foil and a lovely printed napkin, tie off with a fancy ribbon. Need I say more? Luxurious, raw, guilt-free chocolates made with love.

Orgasmic Raw Chocolates

Ingredients: 

¾ C ground pumpkin or hemp seeds

1 C mesquite powder

½ C lucuma powder

½ C raw cacao powder

¾ C coconut butter, melted

¾ C raw cacao butter, melted

3 TBS agave 

Preparation:

Mix the pumpkin seeds with the three powders. Really take your time here getting all the bumps out of the powdered mixture. Add the agave and stir in the butters. You have to work quickly as the mixture does get thick, which makes it a wee bit more difficult to place into cute molds. Optionally you can place everything in a high speed blender, but this can make it too thick for pouring. 

Stir in any additional bits (this recipe is very adaptable so go crazy!). 

Place in molds (our favourites are hearts, stars and roses) and refrigerate for 2+ hours until firm.

Optional Bits Suggestions:

1 capsule Vit. D, 2 capsules Ortho Vegan, 1 tsp spirulina, buckwheaties, chopped nuts, gojis

Image via Flickr: QuintanaRoo

Chia, Nettles & Banana??

What do chia, nettles and banana mash all have in common? Well darling read on for some scrumptious recipes and a surprisingly goopey ending!

Lately I have had a couple obsessions. In the way of gastronomy there are two things that can get my heart racing with anticipation. Firstly, is my chia seed pudding and secondly is my nettle infusion drink. Okay, so you might not be dancing in your pants at the thought of drinking a nettle infusion, but I KNOW this Chia seed dish will do the trick. 

Chummy Chia Pudding

Rightly named so! If anyone dare to try a morsel from your bowl you will have a best mate for life!

Ingredients:

½ C chia seeds

2 C coconut milk (although not ideal you can use tinned if you can’t make it fresh)

1 tsp vanilla

agave or maple syrup to taste

1 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin spice

Mix the above ingredients together, cover and place in the fridge for 10+ minutes. Then decorate with anything that gets you kicking in your knickers! My favorite combination is 2 fresh figs, a handful of fresh raspberries and a handful of small chunked raw fudge.

Not Chocolate Chocolate Fudge

¾ C coconut butter, melted

¾ C cacao butter, melted

¾ C pumpkin seeds, ground to powder

1 C lucuma powder

1 C mesquite powder

3 tbsp agave or maple syrup

Preparation:

Blend melted butters together. Re-blend with remaining ingredients. Spread into a glass dish or mold. Place in fridge for two hours or until set.

This fudge will treat any sweet tooth kindly and your body will love all the healing ingredients. By the way, pumpkin seeds are great for keeping your man’s swimmers strong and healthy!

(Please note my fudge is a spin-off of Kate Magic’s Camu Believe It.) 

Needing Nettle Infusion

1 C (1 oz by weight) dried nettle leaves

1 quart water

Bring the water to a boil. Pour over the leaves and let infuse for 8 hours or overnight. Strain into a quart sized container and store in the refrigerator. The infusion will keep for a few days. 

This is super easy to make. If it tastes too green add a splash of lemon and a drizzle of agave, honey or maple syrup. I can’t think of a better way to throw absorbable calcium and iron into the body. Drink, gulp, slurp and if you have any left-over I’ll pop round for a cuppa! 

And before I go I just had to share this with you. Last week my doorbell rang. I opened the door to see two ladies on my step (and no they weren’t selling anything or trying to convert me). Now believe it or not the first thing they said to me was “Is your mom home.” As you can imagine I was a bit shell shocked and I stood there for what felt like an eternity before answering that I indeed was the mommy. 

The ladies where incredibly apologetic for the misunderstanding, but quite frankly I just wanted to hug them both! I am still totally smitten, especially as I received the compliment on the eve of my 30th birthday month!

Now what I haven’t told you is that two hours before they arrived at my door I had smooshed banana and rhassoul clay all over my face. I definitely looked like some kind of ghoul, but it must have done the trick! So the moral of the story is before you knock on my front door for Chummy Chia Pudding and a cuppa nettle infusion make sure it isn’t my squashed banana facial day.

Image Credits:

Chia Photo, Fudge Shot, Nettle Pic and Banana Snap

Addictive Nori Bites

Last week it all hit me. I really felt like I had lost my raw food mojo. Lately, more cooked food than I would like to admit has made its way into my mouth. In a desperate plea to get back to feeling like a fire-cracker, I made these Addictive Nori Bites. If you feel like you want your raw buzz back or want that fresh autumnal feel in your body then do try this recipe. These spicy little devils are perfect this time of year when the air is feeling chilly and you desire a bit of warmth in your blood.

Savour & Devour with Love! 

Addictive Nori Bites

Ingredients:

4 raw Nori sheets, cut into small squares

¾ C almonds (soaked overnight and rinsed well)

¼ C sunflower seeds (soaked overnight and rinsed well)

1 celery stalk, chopped

Juice f 1 lime

Handful each of coriander, basil and chives

1-2 tsp curry powder (you can always add more to taste)

Dash of cayenne

Dash Celtic sea salt (optional) or Braggs/Tamari to taste

Black sesame seeds for sprinkling

Preparation:

Cut Nori sheets into small squares and set aside.

Blend remaing ingredients in high-speed blender until creamy smooth.

Take dollops of the blended curry cream and place on to nori squares. Use a fork to make a criss-cross pattern (optional). Repeat until all curry cream has been used. 

Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top. 

Place all squares onto dehydrator sheets for 2-4 hours. 

Store in the fridge – that is if you can stop yourself from eating them all in one go!

Psst...My snapshots in no way represent how scrummy these things are. My last batch was a lot greener than normal because I added a heap more of fresh herbs, but following the above recipe they will come out more curry-coloured. 

Brown Paint & Freebies

This evening Zenchai and I were at loose ends as to what to do for dinner. So I did what I am most famous for: a whip-up! I put this together in about five minutes and Zenchai christened it "Brown Paint". Be sure to scroll down to read about my latest project and a VERY special FREE event happening on June 22nd.

Brown Paint

Ingredients
½ C cherries (pitted)
2 small chunks of frozen banana (optional)
2TBS raw chocolate powder or raw carob powder
1 tsp vanilla
¾ -1 C cashews
½ C gojis (soaked for 15 minutes)
2 medjool dates
H2O for blending ~ roughly 1 Cup

Preparation
Toss all items in your high speed blender and whiz it around until creamy smooth. And then wait for the happy mouths around the table (I was even offered the world's largest hug).

My latest SIZZLING ditty:
As many of you know I am a RawMom Team Member. RawMom has just released a HUGE announcement for a FREE event. But I'll come back to that in just a moment. For this virtual affair I was invited to birth a FREE bonus. I tapped my fingers away and How to Melt Your Inner Wicked Witch: A Guide to Relaxation was spawn. It is a mini manual to accompany an audio recording of Yogic Deep Relaxation. Both of which, I will send out to you for FREE if you are on my blog mailing list. If you don't yet have a free subscription just enter your particulars in the boxes on the upper right-hand side of the page. I'll send out this invaluable resource on June 22nd.

This takes me grandly to the RawMomSummit (RMS). RMS has to be the HOTTEST event of the summer, not only because it is totally FREE, but it is featuring some of the best known names in the conscious parenting ring and raw food arena. Click the following magical link and voilà, you can be transported to the most happening virtual festivity of the year.

http://tinyurl.com/mhsyyt

Smooches! xx

Two Special Things

Tonight I have two special things to share with you.

FIRST, my scrumptious, BODACIOUS broccoli salad recipe. This baby is going to be a part of an e-book I am writing. All going well it should be completed in June. I am ecstatically over-the-moon about finally putting together a collection of my cherished creations.

Bodacious Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
1 ½ - 2 broccoli heads, cut into florets
1 C sunflower seeds
¼ C diced onion (optional)
½ C raisins, soaked for two hours
½ C sundried tomatoes, roughly chopped
¼ C fresh or frozen peas
1 TBS olive oil
dash Celtic sea salt
alfalfa sprouts for topping

Dressing
1 C cashews (preferably soaked over-night)
3 TBS agave nectar or honey
2TBS raw apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
¼ C water – just enough for blending

Preparation
Place broccoli florets in bowl with oilive oil and salt. Massage the oil and salt into broccoli until tender. Then toss the remaining salad ingredients together in a bowl. Blend dressing items together in a high speed blender until smooth. Pour over salad mixture and stir until the broccoli is well coated.

Image via Flickr ~ Rick Harris

SECOND, Kevin Gianni from Health Renegade has just published his new book High Raw. You can click here to download your FREE copy - hard copies are selling on Amazon for $19.95. So grab this deal while you can. If you want the detailed ins and outs scroll down to read the press release - this might just be the book that changes everything for you! =====>

Having Trouble Sticking to the Raw Food Plan?

It's inevitable it will happen...

Once in a while you will end up craving something or slipping up on your raw food path.

I know this by speaking with plenty of people over the years.  They find themselves feeling guilty and worn down.  They just can't stick to it like they did in the beginning.

These feelings are not good for your own health.

They can cause stress, which in turn causes acidity in the body.  Acidity causes disease.

You wonder how many people are walking around (not just health nuts who slip up every once in a while like us) with acidity due to daily stresses and not being able to take control of their own lifestyle.

So what's the solution?

Well, the solution could be raw food...

But if you're doing the same thing over and over again and it's causing you stress, then it's time to look for something new.

Does that mean give up the plan? 

NO!

It just means to take a new perspective.

High Raw covers how to stick with the plan in a new and different way.

How is it new and different?  You'd be surprised.

It's written from an outside perspective of raw food, which is what makes it unique.  Kevin originally was a personal trainer that came into the raw food movement with a fresh and open approach.

The book reflects that pretty well. It doesn't have the same old information that you'll find in some "raw food" or nutrition books.

What this books covers is...

• How to stick with a raw food or "high raw" diet without feeling guilty.
• The best strategies for managing cravings.
• Which supplements are worth something and which ones aren't.
• How to know which foods to combine.
• If you have to be 100% raw to be healthy.
• What superfoods are actually worth a part of your paycheck.
• And more!

What's even better is that Kevin wants you to have the ebook completely fr@e.

All yours to read and check out as a gift from him to you.

It's his mission to get this information out to you and whoever else wants to listen.  I think it's awesome that he's doing it!

You of course can also get the hardcopy at a special price if you want to have it for yourself to read or pass along to a friend. (You'll be given this option once you get the ebook!)

I actually prefer hardcopy books, but it's up to you!

All you have to do it go to this page and there are instructions on how to get the ebook.

Again, no c0st to you... a gift to help you reach higher levels of health...

http://www.gohighraw.com/RawYogaTeacher

Go ahead and get it now, it has a bunch of answers and I'm sure it will help you on your path!

Ginger Mesquite’en Me Crazy Balls

Okay, so I thought Go-Go Balls couldn’t be outdone. Well, I do have to say my latest spin-off recipe WILL require a WARNING label. These crunchy balls of heaven are highly addictive. I would advise trying to eat them in moderation but then I would be a hypocrite! But these babies are a little healthier as they call for raw carob powder instead of raw cacao powder.

Ginger Mesquite'en Me Crazy Balls
3 C nuts and seeds*
4 TBS coconut butter, melted
1 C raisins
3 tsp powdered ginger (or more to taste)
2 tsp vanilla
3 TBS mesquite powder
½ C goji berries
¼ C dried, unsweetened blueberries**
4 TBS raw carob powder
¼ C agave syrup

Place ingredients into a food processor until well ground and crumbly. Take out small portions and form into balls. I like to make mine big! Presto. You have Ginger Mesquite'en Me Crazy Balls. Keep refrigerated (that is if you manage not to eat them as you go) this will help them become a firmer ball.

* I usually use a mix of sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, hazelnut, walnut and pecan.
** Unsweetened, dried cranberries would go very nicely in this recipe too.

Raw Yoga Teacher Tip – You can use this as a pie base or crumble topping for a host of desserts.

PS This recipe is not food combining-friendly. Enjoy in moderation – hard to do when these little suckers are so yummy!

“Pinkie Drinkie” a.k.a. Strawberry Almond Mylk

This drink was created as an alternative to an appealing looking strawberry soya drink Zenchai spotted in the health food store. I am not a huge fan of soya especially the sugared-down variety. So I looked at the ingredients on the box and knew I could go home and one-up the carton of genetically modified estrogen liquid.

This is a super creamy mylk that is so delicious and easy to make. Bottoms-up BABY!

“Pinkie Drinkie” a.k.a. Strawberry Almond Mylk

Ingredients:
¾ C almonds (soaked overnight is preferable)
3 ½ - 4 C water
2 -3 medjool dates
4-6 strawberries
1-2 capsules Vegan Ortho Bone Complex (optional)

Method:
Place almonds and water into blender. Blend until smooth. Strain the liquid through a nut mylk bag. Pour the almond mylk back into the blender. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until creamy. Add more strawberries or dates to desired taste.

Raw Yoga Teacher Tips:

• Instead of chucking your almond pulp dehydrate it to make almond flour to use in cakes, crackers or breads.
• This is a very adaptable recipe try any of the following: add a banana for more creaminess, substitute your choice of fruit, add 1-2 TBS cacao powder for a chocolate mylk, 1-2 TBS mesquite powder for a caramel mylk or 1 TBS vanilla for vanilla mylk

Psst... you can check out my two latest blogs on RawMom.com by clicking the savvy links that follow: Raw Kiddie Energy and Mama Knows Best

Photo:  mark.sailes via Flickr

Healthy Packed Lunches - No Longer an Urban Myth

Do you pack a lunch for work or school? Do you ever wonder how you can make a healthy packed lunch for yourself of your munchkins? Well wonder no more! One my all time favourite Raw Mom's has just released a new ebook. I am so thrilled about this. I love Shannon Leone for many reasons. One of them being her ability to share quick, easy food recipes that also happen to be mouth-watering.

Here is the official release with a link to read more about her new ebook. Without further adeiux...

 Calling All Moms!! Dads! or Eat-on-the-Run-ners!

If you have ever wondered what to put in your child's lunchbox, or worried that the containers would come back untouched wondering if your little pumpkin ate cafeteria pizza instead of your nutritious treats, then this announcement IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU!

Shannon Leone is a mom dedicated to giving children the best start in life possible. After months of writing and whipping and splashing and spilling in the kitchen she's finally put together her greatest compilation ever of tried and true recipes your kids will LOVE.

The Healthy Lunchbox: Nutritious Meals Your Kids Won't Trade for a Lollipop

You can read all about it here,
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=809059&u=www.rawmom.com/HealthyLunchbox/

and just so you know, the recipes don't have to be just for kids!
Anyone who packs a lunch or picnic or needs to eat on the fly will be able to benefit from this book!

What if you never had to worry or wonder about what to put in your child's lunchbox again? What if the stress of meal preparation were to suddenly transform into moments of serenity as you stuff that little box full of healthy, nutritious meals you know your kids will love?

Shannon Leone knows that moms have enough to worry about with the laundry, the dusting, the picking things up, the conflict resolution, the tear-wiping, the bum wiping and all the other rather unglorified tasks of motherhood.

Kick up your heels, and pick up a copy of The Healthy Lunchbox so you can do more of what moms like you should be doing: smiling at how clever you are when things just work out easily.

Order your copy of The Healthy Lunchbox today and take the pressure off!

This book is currently on sale because it's a new release! If you ORDER TODAY you'll save $5 off the regular price!
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=809059&u=www.rawmom.com/HealthyLunchbox/

Chosen as "Top 100 Healthy Blogs"

This morning I received a very unexpected email informing me that my blog was chosen for RNCentral.com’s “Top 100 Healthy Blogs”. I feel really puffed-up and pink cheeked! Click here to see some of the other great blog resources (mine is #69 under the workout category).

To celebrate here is my latest raw food recipe craving. I must apologize the measurements aren’t exact. I often just eyeball them! But you really can’t go wrong with this one anyway.

Walnut Crème Parfait

Ingredients:
1 C walnuts (soaked overnight*)
2 medjool dates (stoned)
1 TBS vanilla
½ - ¾ C water (start with less and only add if you need too)
2 TBS melted coconut butter

Optional Extras:
2 capsules Ortho Bone Vegan Complex
1 capsule Vitamin D
1 TBS soy lecithin

Fresh fruit for layering.

Directions: Blend the walnuts, dates, vanilla and water into a smooth crème. Then add the coconut butter and optional extras until well incorporated.

To Assemble: Pull out fancy parfait or wine glasses. Place a layer of crème in the bottom, then fresh fruit of your choice (banana, blueberries, raspberries etc) and continue alternating layers until your glass is full.

You can eat immediately or refrigerate for a couple hours for a cool treat.

*Walnuts are always better soaked this helps to aid your digestion. They will also blend more easily if you do not have a high powered blender. But this is an optional step.