Where Has It Gone??

WOW! This week has FLOWWWWN over!!

Oh! I weighed in on Thursday and.......another 1.9lb gone....WOOHOO.

I have been doing more Christmas cleaning and now I am doing my bedroom. I felt that my beauty things needed a shake up because after a while I get used to seeing it all in the same place and I forget exactly what I have, and then I get lazy, so last night I started my bedroom and made things more accessible, of course I still need to do more work in my bedroom, I forget as to how much I have. I have often thought about making my spare bedroom into a beauty room....A BEAUTY PARLOUR - Oh yes! My own personal Beauty Parlour! How GLAM!!....teehee

Today I am going to make a Raw Pecan Pie dessert and I really want to get some Cheezy Chips into the dehydrator, I will have to see how things go.

RAW FEELINGS
Because I am busy with the kids and Christmas cleaning I have found myself grabbing some naughties but MUCH less than I do normally which is a good thing. I am trying to just think raw all the time and not think about cooked at all. When it comes to a meal time and when I am hungry I am trying to think of a raw meal instead of thinking what I can have for that meal....do you know what I mean? How we would normally think immediately of making a Lasagne, or Ready meal, I am trying to think Salad, Raw Pasta, Nori Rolls etc.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BEING PREPARED!!!!!

I should get back later today....

Wind, NO! Gales!

Well, we had gale winds last night and when I got up this morning.....WHOA! My garden was covered in someone elses rubbish from their Blue bin. It is Blue bin week today and of course every dopey person in this avenue put their Blue bin out last night in the gales ready for collection this morning......DURRR! The Blue bins always get blown over in high winds.....does it take a genius to figure that one out? I'm sure no-one has even half a brain in this avenue. Okay! Rant over.

Right, I got my exercise in this morning although not an exercise DVD, picking everyone's filth up out of my garden was enough exercise and I sure worked up a sweat.

After I had my shower etc this morning I got on with some Christmas cleaning....woohoo. I cleaned the display cabinet, shelving, all ornaments and my two sets of living room light shades which also meant climbing up and down step ladders....extra exercise!

I had a healthy Breakfast this morning, I am now debating as to what to have for Lunch, I better hurry up, I'm hungy!

LATER TODAY!

We had a lovely visit from Michael and he brought our 3 grandchildren with him. Baby Michael is SOOOO much like my Michael when he was the same age......ALWAYS looking for mischief...teehee
Ellie is becoming more relaxed and she spends time with us but Ebony is still very shy. We haven't seen a great deal of our grandchilren over the years but we have seen loads of them lately which is SOOO lovely!!
Michael asked me if I would make him some scones in a day or so.....awwwwwe that pleased me NO END!! I will probably make them for him tomorrow. He said to his dad, "tell mam to just make a few because I know what she is like, she will make me a heap!"...TeeHee - yes I probably would have if he hadn't said to just make a few, I will make him a dozen, afterall, he does have the 3 kiddies and his OH - yep! That TRULY pleased me!!

BACK TOMORROW

Red Lentil Salad Recipe

I have found the Red Lentil Salad recipe on You Tube



I am pleased I found this, I thought I had already saved it but I hadn't so I had to search for it.

I have not felt the best all week. I have had two Migraines, upset tummy's, tiredness, IBS flare up, more headaches although not a third migraine....thank goodness! And now dizziness, AGAIN! Oh dear! The second migraine was a corker and took some getting rid of and now I just hope this dizziness goes quickly, I have too much to be getting on with at this time of year.

I have been rather lazy today and just been watching the beauty shows on QVC....Ahhh bliss! I have also had a little nap.

I am hoping I feel better tomorrow morning because I want to start my exercising, I need to for lots of reasons. Oh! I forgot to say, I lost 0.4lb this week, not much but a loss none the less.

I think that is all for now. I am trying to update daily even if I have nothing much to report.

Where Is The Daylight?

For the last few days it hasn't quite got light properly here but today is even worse, it is very dark to say it is the middle of the day, infact, it hasn't got light yet! I quite like it actually....COZY! I love COZY!

Okay, things come in three's eh? First off about 2-3 weeks ago my vacuum packed up, I think I told you about it, then our kettle packed up and then our TV....WOW! So, we replaced the vacuum.
We have been doing a bit of Christmas shopping at Argos lately and they have been giving £5 and £10 vouchers with every £50 or £100 spent. We have bought 2 TV's and a Snooker Table for the kids for Christmas from Argos so we ended up with £25 worth of vouchers which went towards a kettle. The kettle was £30 so we only ended up actually paying £5 cash for our new kettle. That is #2 ticked off our list.

We weren't going to buy a new TV for our living room until next year so we have been using the TV from our bedroom - but oh dear, although it isn't a portable it is still small compared to what we were used to in the livingroom, so we bit the bullet and went out this morning and bought a new big TV - #3 done.

Whilst out this morning I popped to the Nutricentre and Tesco and bought a bottle of Ume Plum Vinegar to make my Fakin Bacon, also Alfalfa Seeds, I love them! Great in Salads and wraps etc. I then popped into Tesco and bought a bag of Red Lentils which I will soak and make a salad with. I saw a recipe on You Tube using the Red Lentils so I will give it a go. I also bought Tamari and Popcorn kernels.

Last night I whipped up a raw mock Cheese to make some raw Cheese Crackers which are in the dehydrator, apparently these crackers taste like Cheez-its from America, I have never had Cheez-its as I am in the UK.
I have put some of the raw Cheese Sauce into a jar to use as a macaroni cheese type sauce. It can also be used for dipping. I have to say, it does taste good!!

I have been soaking some Goji's and I will add a little bit of Camu Camu to it. Camu Camu is a Superfood. (Camu Camu is the richest source of Vitamin C and also has anti-viral and immune-boosting properties. It is a great source of minerals including iron, niacin, phosphorous, potassium, riboflavin and beta carotene. It is very engergising and combines wonderfully with other superfoods like Cacao, Pollen and Goji's) I also soaked some Alfalfa Seeds last night which I am sprouting. I am fermenting more Milk Kefir and Water Kefir and I made a lovely batch of Kombuch and I have got another batch fermenting. I have been a busy bee.

I am hoping to start exercising next week, first thing in the mornings.

Page 2

So! Here is page 2 of my file.



















We have been busy over the last few days doing some Christmas shopping. I still have rather a lot to do and buy. I am usually just about done by about now, or certainly by now I have done most of it, ah well, it will get done. We have just had a Snooker Table delivered today which is one of Adam's Christmas presents.

It is my James' Birthday in a few weeks, he is 10.....double figures. We have bought him the new 'Need For Speed, Nitro' game for the Wii, that is what he wanted.

We were up bright and early on Saturday morning and in Asda by about 7.15am....GET US EH!!...TeeHee - well, I HATE the pushing and shoving, so, I would rather get up early and get what I want in a better and less stressed atmosphere.

We popped to Costco again on Saturday. I just love Costco and that is where I buy most of my Fruit and Veg, the quality is fab! I bought a net of Garlic which I am going to chop up and put into a jar and cover with Olive Oil and when I need to use Garlic I will just spoon it out as and when. Lazy Garlic is what it is called in the shops, not so lazy when making it myself though, eh?

We got to Costco which is in Gateshead at about 4pm, I also wanted to catch Argos in my home town before it shut at 5.30pm bearing in mind Costco was about 15-ish mile away and there is usually a lot of traffic - AMAZINGLY we got through Costco and back to our home town and in Argos for about 5.20pm....WOW!

We popped to see my Dad on Sunday. My Dad is a FABULOUS!! Person. I love him so much!! For my Dad's Birthday back in August we created a photo CD with the Happy Birthday song by Cyndi Lauper playing on it, he was OVER THE MOON with that present.

I went to collect my eldest Granddaughter from school yesterday but as soon as she saw me she started to cry and she just wanted her Mammy but when I saw Michael this afternoon he said that when he went to collect Ebony from school today she said to him, "who said you could come and get me? I wanted my Grandma to come and get me, not you!"....TeeHee kids are funny sometimes.

RAW FEELINGS
My raw eating hasn't been the best....AGAIN!! But it will get better. I haven't been feeling the best lately what with one thing or another i.e. headaches, IBS etc If I kept to my raw then I probably wouldn't feel like this. I have had raw but no where near what I have previously been sticking to.

My weigh in days are going to be Thursday's and I will do my best to stick to my raw from Thursday up until Christmas Eve then I will relax over the Christmas and maybe a tad over the New Year but then I will be back with it 1000%.

The Plan

Ummmm....I posted the previous post yesterday not Sunday as the date states at the top of the post.....Ummm - Anyway, I didn't get back later yesterday because of getting a migraine...BooHoo it has pretty much gone now, still there a tad but SOOOOoooo much better!!

Okay, my false starts, but not any more!! Well, what I am doing is creating a file/portfolio for MEEE! My rota's, my graphs, my weekly weigh ins, raw food pyramid, food combining, future tasks/jobs whether to do with raw or around the home, Shopping list for equipment whether it be raw, Beauty or for around the home, and anything else that comes along that I feel I need to put into my file. This file is everything to do with my life and lifestyle.

Raw Living
Healthy Fit Me
Beautiful Me
Clean Home
Future Tasks - Raw, Me or Home
HEALTHY, HAPPY & FIT!

I tried to put an image of the front cover on here but it didn't come out very clear. I will try and sort it and post a page of my file every day so you can see what I have in it. I have printed each page to keep in a file instead of keeping a file on the computer.

On here I will post a daily section titled, 'Raw Feelings' and this will be detailing my thoughts, feelings and struggles I have had or have not had that day of going raw. I will also be blogging about daily life, Oh! And my weekly weigh ins etc.

UPDATE


















Image from Rawfu

I managed to sorta scan my front cover. The image is so peaceful and relaxed looking. Healthy body and mind = peaceful, relaxed sleep = healthy body, mind and spirit = happiness, contentment etc and so on!
I will bring you my second page tomorrow.

I had a good Breakfast of Kefir, Agave, Banana and a homemade cereal...YUM! I still prefer my Fruit and Brazil Nuts though but I don't have any Brazil Nuts until I get into town.















Here is a pic of my homemade raw ceral in the storage tub. It looks like Special K, it is my raw Special K.

I have just stripped my bed and got that into the washing machine, that is it for now, Oh! I have washed my kitchen floor and I will pull the vacuum over the other floors. This migraine has got me wrecked today.

RAW FEELINGS

BACK LATER TODAY.

False Starts BUT....

Not any more!!

Back today with more as to how I have stopped ALL false starts!

Dark Nights

The clocks went back an hour last night, this is the start of our Winter. I quite like the Winter months!

Okay, I am going to do a 60 day raw challenge. The 60 days take me up to Christmas Eve. No more cooked foods or processed naughties, well, not unless it is raw. I have an idea to make Hemp cream filled raw Chocolates....naughty but RAW...YUM!
I might relax a tad over the Christmas but my main aim is to eventually become 100% raw

This weekend has been nothing to speak of, not a lot happening at all......borrriiinnngg!

Oh! I bought a new vacuum just a tad over a year ago.....IT'S PAGGERED!......GRRRRR....BOOOHOOO - Actually, it is still working but it is extremely loud so I am going to have to pop out at the weekend and buy another......humffff....perfect timing eh? Right near Christmas - ah well!

I have been growing Wheatgrass over the last few days which is quite long now but not long enough to juice just yet. I am growing it on Kitchen paper instead of soil and it is growing really well, it is so much cleaner than using the soil, and cheaper I feel.
I have also been sprouting Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds which have now sprouted so I am going to marinade them in Tamari then dehydrate them to make what are called Sunseeds. Raw Living sell them and Kate was giving the information out on her You Tube about how to make them. Worth a try!



I might weigh in tomorrow so I can keep a check of weight loss between now and the end of my 60 days or I might just keep my Thursdays as my weigh in day.....ummm not sure yet, I will ponder on that one over night.

I am DEFINTELY going to get on with exercise, I need to!!!!!!!
I will log everything, hopefully on a daily basis.

BACK TOMORROW WITH DAY 1 OF MY 60 DAY CHALLENGE.

Just As Well......

I like cleaning my home! We have had the grandchildren over last week and I have already had to strip my furniture covers and wash those, I done that on Wednesday and tonight I have just finished deep cleaning my living room carpet. I will be doing all this and more again nearer to Christmas because I thoroughly deep clean my whole house at Christmas time. At the start of December I begin the big clean. Nice to do a thorough clean then because the house is still clean under furniture and on top of furniture for the start of the New Year.

Well I made the family Bacon and Egg for brunch, I say brunch because they got up a tad later this morning because of our VERY INCONSIDERATE neighbours having yet ANOTHER of their parties. I am starting to log it all down now. This has been going on for years. Their parties start at around 6.30pm - 7.00pm and literally go on until around 6.30AM - 7.00AM the following morning. Their parties are 12 hour parties every time and they have quite a few throughout the year. They don't seem to be bothered what day of the week these parties occur, it doesn't matter to them if my boys or my OH have to be up for work or school. They also have a disabled son.

This afternoon we had another afternoon nap, trying to catch up on a little bit of quality sleep.

I started my day off with my raw healthy Fruit and Brazil Nuts....FAB! But later on today, after our nap, I sneaked a few Chips, I wouldn't care but I don't particularly like them....madness - I could have had some Durian instead......Grrrr - I just didn't think, I maybe still had my sleepy head on.....TeeHee

I am still working towards a Raw lifestyle and I will continue to do so for as long as it takes.

Well that is about it for now. I am popping out tomorrow for my tea for my Kombucha so I will probably be back tomorrow.

Walk Into Town

I got up bright and early....as I do, then I went through my usual morning routine. I decided to take a walk into town this morning, my OH wanted a new battery for his watch and I needed to go to the Health Food Store to stock up on Brazil Nuts and Figs for my Kefir. Whilst in town I had a walk around the market, yes and to the sweetie stall where I did buy a little something for myself and which I sort of enjoyed, well, a little something now and again doesn't harm. I have to say, I think I am definitely going off Chocolate, well, not going off it, I just don't feel so much a need for it any more.....that's got to be good!! Anyway, whilst on the market I spotted this:



















and ONLY £5....WOW! Just for these two items it is usually around £12.95. Here is a LINK to it with one extra smaller slicer and it is 14.99 then with P+P the total cost works out at £19.95 so, I would say I picked up a bargain this morning and such a nice way to start my day off, with a bargain!! You can view the video of it at the above link also. These slicer, peeler, julienne cutters are said to be BRILLIANT! And for the price I had to buy one. Should be good for a quick raw snack/Salad.

Well, not a lot has happened today except for my score this morning. I fell asleep this afternoon and thats it! So I will go for now and if I have anything to report then I shall be back tomorrow.

Christmas Is In The Air....

And I can feel that nip in the air also......brrrr but OH SO LOVELY!! I particularly like this time of year, Autumn, the BEST!!
I got some parcels today one of which is a Christmas pressie for MOI! From my husband......what is it? I hear you ask? I know what it is.....WooHoo, I might tell ya.

I received one parcel first thing this morning. I ordered another 2 bags of Durian - LOVE IT! Jackfruit, Mangosteen and I thought I would try some of their bars of raw Chocolate....YUM!















Later today I received a second parcel.....EXCITING STUFF EH?
I received Camu Camu, He Shou Wu, Incan Berries, Greener Grasses and Etherium Gold and Suma which are the October offer....BRILL!















I know I haven't been blogging lately but we have had some serious stuff going on which I think has pretty much come to an end. There has been a court case involving a certain person. The court case was just last week. This incident has been going on since 2007 but only came to light in June last year.
Myself and my husband have been VICTIMS of a serious crime.
I have also had something else going on and it has been taking a bit of time to organise and to get settled into a routine with but we have pretty much got there with it. This is a different thing and is nothing to do with being the victim and the court case.
So there you go, that is why I haven't been blogging regularly lately.

First thing yesterday morning we popped to Asda to stock up on our basics and then we popped to Costco in the afternoon where I stocked up on some GORGEOUS Fruit and Veg. I cut out some of the Costco coupons and stocked up on some of their offers i.e. Lamb Shanks, Chickens, Sausage Rolls etc but these are for the family NOT ME! I hasten to add.

Oh! I bought a Kombucha Mother from a lovely lady in London this last week and now I have Kombucha brewing....YUM! Did I tell you that I had also bought some Milk and Water Kefir Grains a few weeks ago which I ferment daily? I can't remember if I did tell you, but anyway, I have those also...I am turning into a hippy.....ARRGGHH! No! I'm not, I am just into trying new things and being healthy, or trying to be healthy anyway.

When I done my grocery shopping yesterday I forgot to buy some good tea for my Kombucha so I am going to have to pop back for some good tea at some point.

Anyway, have I had you in suspense long enough? The pressie from my husband for Christmas is...................A Green Star Juicer....YeeeHaaa I have definitely got everything now that a raw foodist would want and should need.












I have also got all the attachments with this Green Star.....BRILLIANT!

Well, there you have all the latest gossip and goings on and hopefully I can get back to blogging more often.

Oh My!

I have followers and I didn't know....why? Because I haven't been in here for a little while because I had been thinking whether to update or not or to carry on with my blog but I decided that YES! I am going to carry on as this is a diary and is always nice to look back on......WOOHOO - SO! Here I am!

Okay, things have changed around here, I will let you know soon but in the meantime I am trying to get organised and routines into place....a tad difficult but I am getting there, albeit slowly.

This morning I had Fruit and ground Brazils for Breakfast and I also shredded and washed some Curly and Romaine Lettuce in preperation for Lunch. That is quite often my downfall, not being prepared, so that is another area I need to get organised in.

I received some Raw orders last week, I will post some pics of them later today.

Here we go.
I received some bags of dried Fruits - Jack Fruit, Durian and Mangosteen. This was the first time I had tried Jackfruit and Mangosteen. The Jackfruit is lovely. The Mangosteen although also very nice I found this to be bitter so what I am going to do is grind it down to a powder and sprinkle it over fruits, raw pies, puddings etc....GOOD IDEA EH?
I also received 3 Silicon molds so I can make individual raw Chocolates....YUM!





























And here is my second order. I bought the Hemp Seeds and Reishi Mushroom Powder as the monthly offer and Lucuma I bought because I was running out of it....YUM!

Back later today.

Wheatgrass and Raw Nirvana

WHEATGRASS! Yep, it was so tasty this morning....MMMmmm I juiced my Wheatgrass in my Samson and then I put an Apple through straight in with the Wheatgrass and yep! I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was so nice.....ummmm not sure if an Apple is alright to have with Wheatgrass, just incase it alters the Wheatgrass benefits in any way, I don't think it would but I will check just to be sure. Maybe it is best to mix it with a Vegetable....does anyone know? I might try it with Carrot Juice tomorrow.

I received another parcel this morning....WooHoo I had ordered a set of 6 DVD's, 'Raw Nirvana'
















The music in the back ground is a little annoying but they are great none the less.
Raw Nirvana

I have posted one of the recipe's below from Raw Nirvana.



Oh! Remember yesterday I made some Raw Chocolate BARS? Well they are now Raw Chocolate pieces...teehee I put them into a freezer bag and put them into the freezer, later I got them out to show Adam and I dropped them.....TeeHee still, it won't spoil the flavour....YUM!

I coloured my hair this morning. I hate it when the grey starts to come through, I feel so untidy.....YEUK!!

I will be back tomorrow.

Wheatgrass & Homemade Choc

So sorry for not getting back a few days ago, I have been feeling very flat, not sure why.

Regards to my rota's, I have decided to start typing my rota's this Monday, a fresh new week.

Right, back to today. I had my first shot of Wheatgrass this morning.....ummmm - it is an aquired taste but I will persevere with it for now although I did drink it neat, the next time I have Wheatgrass juice, tomorrow or Sunday maybe I will juice a piece of Fruit or other Veg first and then add the Wheatgrass juice to that.
Here are a few links to read about the benefits of Wheatgrass juice.

Benefits 1
Benefits 2

Just google Wheatgrass and you will find lots more information about the benefits of drinking Wheatgrass juice.

I received a few raw goodies this last week and here they are















Durian, my first try of Durian, it is DELICOUS!! It does come freeze dried, you can reconsitute it but it is really nice as is.
It is so exciting trying all these NEW flavours in my diet and to know they are all doing me so much good.

I also bought a 5kg bag of Wheat Berries which can be used for my Wheatgrass, making Breads, Crackers etc. Stevia is another item I wanted to try, although this actually states that it is not for human comsumption on the packet which has to be stated by law but it is used in the raw world and is becoming more popular as a natural sweetener in the everyday. 'Sweetener in the Raw'

Stevia 1
Stevia 2

Again you can Google for more information.
As you can see I also bought a new DVD, 'Raw Generation' which is about a day in the life of a raw family.

I'm pleased with my purchases.

This morning I received another order which I wanted because I have ran out of these ingredients.

Raw Living August Offers!
1kg Cacao Powder
500g Cacao Butter
I also sent for a Raw Cacao Chocolate Bar...MMmm















Well, this weekend I am going to be making some Raw Chocolate bars...YUM! And I must get some things in the dehyrdrator, plenty time as it is a long weekend, Bank Holdiday Monday.

I couldn't wait, I made some raw Chocolate today and I have to say, it was better than the bought Raw Chocolate bars but then homemade chocolate can be made to taste.

Here it has just come out of the freezer where it has been setting. I made a couple with the segments and a couple of solid bars. These have come out so well and tasty!!
I will wrap them and maybe store them in the freezer or fridge because it is still warm here in the UK.















I put in some Superfoods i.e.
Purple Corn
Ashwaganda
Mesquite

Also the main ingredients were:
Agave
Pink Himalyan Salt
Cacao Butter
Cacao Powder

Raw Chocolate is healthier than the processed Chocolate because it has no white sugars and bad fats in it, it is all pure and natural and adding the Superfoods gives it more goodness.

Well I will be back later today or tomorrow.

Grocery Shopping

I got up this morning bright and early, actually I got up at my usual time of 6.00am, I do like to see my OH off in the mornings with a kiss and cuddle.....awwwww
After my shower and spruce up I cleaned the Kitchen floor and vacuumed the livingroom and hallway and then I got the boys up, watered and fed them and off to Asda by 8.15am no crowds, no pushing and shoving....PURE BLISS!!

Whilst in Asda I spotted some fab little Silicon Cup Cake cases.
















12 Cup Cases, 4 of each colour for £2.50, GREAT! And everlasting. These will be SUPER for when I make Raw Cup Cakes, I might buy another set then next time I am in Asda.
Also whilst in Asda I stocked up with 2 bags of Kale, Spinach, 2 Cauliflowers, Sweet Potatoes, large bags each of White and Red Onions, Carrots, Iceberg Lettuce, Romain Lettuce and another Lettuce...I can't remember which one, Cabbage, Shitaki Mushrooms, Portabello Mushrooms, 4 Fresh Sweetcorn, Aubergine, Celery, Spring Onions, Spring Greens.... ALL of this plus Mousses etc for the boys have ALL fitted in the fridge with LOADS!!! Of room to spare...I don't know myself with all this space AND not forgetting all the foods I already had in my fridge before I went grocery shopping this morning i.e about 10 large Avocado's, a HUGE tub of Tomatoes, HUGE bag of Broccoli, HUGE box of Mushrooms, HUGE tub of Grapes etc etc. The huge things are what I bought from Costco.

On the way back from Asda we popped into Aldi's for some Beetroot, they had none but I bought 3 Mangoes which are now in the fridge. I then went to Lidl's and Netto's for Beetroot...NONE!...UMMMM - I then popped into town to a Fruit and Veg shop...AHA!....BEETROOT - now also in the fridge

When we got back from Asda etc and after putting all the groceries away I went on line and then that was about it, I haven't done much else but tomorrow I am starting my rota's etc so until tomorrow......

Weigh In

I have lost 0.6lb this morning, not much but still a loss which is what I was hoping for, so I'm taking that.

I checked my scales and last week I actually had lost 1.7lb and NOT 1.3lb so that was a suprise because I had 1.3lb stuck in my mind for some reason.
I am hoping to do a little better on the scales next week because I am going to be incorporating exercise into my days, I thought I should after buying yet MORE exercise DVD's.

Today I started off with Fruit and ground Brazils, I haven't had Lunch yet, I'm not hungry actually.
I have washing in the machine and that is about it for now.

Oh! I WILL be putting my Housework, Beauty and Exercise rota's back up, starting tomorrow or Tuesday. I like structure, it really helps.

Back later or tomorrow

Tired Today

I feel tired today, probably down to my diet over the last few days.

I have started today off with Fruit and ground Brazil Nuts. I noticed that since I have put everything into the new fridge it tastes better and WOW! It is definitely lasting SOOOO much longer, for instance, Peaches, now they would have been soft and shrivelled by now but nope, not in the NEW fridge. I must have got so used to that other fridge, except the tiny size of it, I never got used to that but the fact that it wasn't keeping things to their optimum temperature which could have been dangerous also.

I was thinking of taking the boys to the market this morning where I was going to buy some Beetroot, the Beetroot on the market still have the leaves attached which are very healthy and can be juiced whereas the Beets in Asda don't have the Leaves on them, but anyway, I haven't gone to the market because I just know for a fact that I will end up on that damn sweet stall, I want to keep myself away from all temptations until I'm back into my raw better....again.

I need to get stuck into some housework, so that is on the agenda today and some Beauty, no exercise DVD's they are for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Back later or tomorrow.

Shopping

Well, I have to say that my raw food hasn't been going as well as I had planned over the last few days but after purchasing a beautiful NEW Fridge Freezer which was delivered yesterday I am raring to go, so I am going to have to pop out at some point and stock up on fresh healthy greens etc.
I did opt for the American Fridge Freezer, there is SOOOO much room in there and I just LOVE IT!!

Oh! Just noticed that we will have to adjust the door...one appears to be a tad higher, thankfully it expalins how to adjust the doors in the book that came with the Fridge Freezer...PHEW!



















I didn't want the fridge freezer with the drinks thingy on the front because it takes up loads of room in the freezer and it looks too fuzzy to me, infact, I would have also been happy without the temp control panel on the front but we saved £150 by purchasing this one....well, we couldn't miss the chance of saving £150 now could we? Who would?

Oh! I lost....errrrmmmm.....I think it was 1.3lb in last weeks weigh in and although I haven't been as good over these last few days I have still been having as much raw as possible, so I am hoping for maybe a small loss on the scales again this week.

I ordered a Shazzie Raw order last week which arrived on Monday.















Cheese and Onion Bread
Live Supergreen Flax Crackers
Granola
Cacao & Almond Spread

And on Tuesday I received a collection of DVD's and Raw books which I had ordered.




























After the Fridge Freezer arrived we popped up to Costco where I bought some more Avocado's and Medjool Dates....WOW! The quality of their produce is FAB! The Avocado's last for ages.
Everytime I go to Costco I keep looking at an adjustable and collapsible over the sink colander type thing but £11 seemed a bit much for it which also included a collapsible sieve I hasten to add but this time I decided I would buy it and when we paid for our items I noticed it was half price.....SCORE! So I paid £5.71 which included the VAT - that is 2 savings over this last week or so.















Well I have had a bit of a spending spree...such fun.

Well I am signing off for now as the Gas man has just telephoned to say he is on his way to do our annual Gas check. So! Where we save in one area it is spent in another because we pay a Gas, electrics and plumbing insurance which also includes our annual checks...ah well, thats life! It is always best to be covered and safe

Back later or tomorrow

Day 4

I Scream, You Scream....

WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!!!

I managed to get the Raw Ice cream made and WOW! I gave some to Adam, James wont touch it.....grrrr - anyway Adam said it was much better than any bought Ice cream and that is from a 13 year old boy. I have never been a fan of Ice Cream but I will certainly be making this again. I will make a bigger batch next time so I will have some in the freezer.

Here is a pic of it in the Ice Cream maker. The little specks are Vanilla Seeds, I used a fresh Vanilla Bean and scraped out the seeds...YUM!















And here is a pic of it made although I should have left it to harden a tad more. I set the Icecream maker on soft scoop, next time I will use the firmer setting.















This is an Ani Phyo recipe and here is her You Tube for the Ice Cream.

Whole Fu/Raw Fu

Bunny Berry, founder of Raw Fu is starting a new 100 day challenge on 10th August. If anyone is interested then go here 'Whole Fu' or if you just want raw recipes and ideas then still go to 'Raw Fu'

I popped to Asda yesterday morning and stocked up on some fresh Fruits & Veg etc, of course I have had to force a lot of it into my fridge. I never used to have this problem with my fridge until I went raw, now my fridge is just TOO SMALL! Hence buying a new fridge freezer, probably next week, I am still sussing out which one I think will be the best for our needs and available space in my kitchen.

I made some Almond Milk this morning and had some of that over diced Apple, Buckwheaties, Dates, Nuts and Sunflower Seeds for my Breakfast.
I currently have Sunflower Seeds and Nuts soaking to make that Raw Ice cream that I haven't made yet and the Sunflower Seeds to make some more Paté. I do like that Paté, it is the Nomi Shannon recipe. I put some of it onto my Salads and sprinkle it all with a little Nutritional Yeast which is nice over the Paté.

Back soon

Raw Chocolate Cake....

is just the BEST!! So much better than any cooked dried out Chocolate Cake. I bought the Ani Phyo 'Raw Food Desserts' book a few months ago and since then I have been meaning to make the 'Raspberry Ganache Fudge Cake' and finally after watching one of Ani's Vidoe's I finally decided to make this recipe and WOW! Even if you are not following a raw food diet this Ganache Cake is still well worth making!











Raspberry Ganache Fudge Cake. This cake is not a big cake but then it doesn't need to be, it is so rich and very filling and a small piece is all anyone could manage.






























As you can see, no Raspberries and nor did I have Strawberries but it was delicous even without the Fruit. Of course their is still LOADS of the cake left and in the fridge.
I tried to tempt James with some of this cake but as I thought, he wouldn't have any, Adam is a different story, he will try and likes lots of healthy foods as he liked this cake also and wanted more.















This would be ideal for a Birthday Cake and the ingredients can be doubled or even tripled to make it larger.

If anyone wants to try this cake then watch Ani here on You Tube and see just how easy and how perfectly raw it is.


Anyway, I made this cake yesterday and when I came to update and upload......ARRGGHH! I knocked my Coffee (yep I still drink Coffee) all over the keyboard.....what a classic! The computer was acting up and I was unable to do anything on the computer until the keyboard had been properly dried off.

I think I have found my Fridge Freezer that I want. I am very much steering towards the American Fridge Freezer as these have the most space, just what I need, desperately!

Well I have just had my Breakfast of my usual - Oh! And yesterday I put my Icecream maker bowl into the freezer because I am thinking of making a Raw Cashew Ice cream today, I also want to get some Cheesy Kale chips into the dehydrator and I am also thinking of making a raw Coconut Yogurt, so there are a few things I want to get going.

I might get back later today if I have anything to say.

PHEW!!

Finally! I'm back.
I have had a few things going on here lately hence not updating but now I'm Back!!

Okay, My challenge is on hold for a little while but I am going to be sticking to a good routine for the next few weeks, about 6 - 7 weeks actually, during the kids Summer School holidays.

Yesterday I got some Sprouts going, Alfalfa Sprouts, Broccoli and Garlic Chive also I am soaking and sprouting Short Grain Brown Rice....yep! You heard that right....Brown Rice AND it is Sprouting, this is to make Rhio's Rice Crackers.
I also made some Nomi Shannon Sunny Pate also Raw Yogurt and Almond Milk. I didn't throw away the Almond Pulp from the Almond Milk, instead I put into an air tight container and put it into the fridge until today then I made some Cookies with the pulp. I made the recipe up as I went along and I have to say, on tasting the mixture before it went into the dehydrator was YUMMY!

Almond Pulp Cookies
To the Almond Pulp I added some
chopped dates
chopped Walnuts
1tsp Vanilla Powder
Agave Nectar
Coconut Oil

Mix it all together. I put about 1 tbs of the mixture onto the dehydrator trays using the mesh screens. I slightly flattened each cookie and made it into circles. I will dehydrate overnight on about 100° - 105°

After putting the Cookies into the dehydrator I also thickly sliced a Water Melon and put that into the dehydrator also, on the mesh screens. Yummy Cookies and Water Melon tomorrow....MMmm

I bought some more uncook books last week.

Rhio 'Hooked On Raw'













This is a FANTASTIC! Book as are a lot of the Raw books I already have. Rhio's book also has a lot of information in it to help folk following a raw food lifestyle.

I also bought Dr Graham's 'The New High Energy Diet'



















I am still going through this book.

I am looking at buying a new Fridge Freezer in the next couple of weeks. I am thinking of a Frost Free. I used to own a Frost Free Fridge Freezer but then when that broke down I bought an average Fridge Freezer but the Frost Free is the best, so a Frost Free it will be. The Fridge Freezer I now have is far too small and it has developed a fault and is not draining the frost away at the back of the Fridge....GRRRR so annoying. When the frost melts off the back of the Fridge it is running to the floor of the Fridge and turns into ice which I then have to keep chipping off and if I don't it freezes Fruit, Veg etc that is near the back of the Fridge. I am looking forward to having a new BIGGER Fridge Freezer. I was thinking of buying an Amercian Fridge Freezer but I think it might be a bit too big for the space available for the Fridge Freezer.

I am off grocery shopping tomorrow. When I get back I am going to scrub through my Bathroom and other jobs and then I am hoping to exercise. I have decided to exercise 4 days a week and do a different DVD each day.

BACK TOMORROW

Day 1

Sunday is a day off from my housework but I have still got the washing going and I have done general cleaning.

I have been raw all day up to now with Fruit and ground Brazils for Breakfast and snacks of more Fruit.
I soaked and dehydrated some Pumpkin seeds yesterday so I have also had a small handful of those....YUM!

Incase you are wondering why we need to soak out Nuts and Seeds
The Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds
Enzyme inhibitors get neutralized.
The amount of vitamins your body can absorb increases.
Gluten breaks down so digestion is much easier.
Phytic acid, which inhibits the absorption of vital minerals, is reduced.

Exercise is a tad more difficult at weekends because of having family around but I can do a lot of Core exercises.....secretly.....sssssshhhhhh.

Okay, today's rota's/challenge

Exercise
Core DVD - helps with bladder control.

Beauty
Bath
Split Ender my hair
Hair Mask
Dermabrasion on my face AND don't forget those necks and the décolleté ladies!!
Laser Hair Removal from chin....oops!.....(I hope it's still just the 2 on my chin) and any where else I want it removed
Slendertone....exercise.....lazy exercise....teehee

I have various Beauty machines but instead of Laser hair removal why not wax, epilate or use one of those new exfoliating type pads although I personally would not use those pads on my face.....NOOOooo way!
If you don't have a Microdermabrasion machine then there are a lot of manual Microdermabrasion products on the market. Microdermabrasion is a Crystal exfoliation but it is deeper than the more gentle bead exfoliations. There are a lot of less expensive machines available.
The split ender was a machine I purchased from the shopping channels.

I will be back later today.

Healthy RAW Eating, Beauty, Exercise & Happy Challenge

I am starting my own challenge, feel free to join me if you would like!
This challenge is more about RAW eating, not necassarily to lose weight but to be more healthy! Of course we/I would like to lose a good bit of weight....a bonus! And I have to say, with RAW comes natural weight loss anyway!...WooHoo

I am going to stick to 50 days raw along with following my own Beauty, Housework/flylady and daily exercise rota's/challenge, so as well as feeling healthier I will hopefully be looking healthier along with making the most of myself and feeling more confident and happier.
I am also going to be following my housework rota because a clean home is a happy home and I feel that all that feng shui stuff works.

I will log daily what it is I am to do that day along with 100% raw food eating.

Kate Wood at 'Raw Living' has a monthly recipe which I will make and post. Why don't you make Kate's monthly recipe also? And post your pics.

Starts tomorrow!!
Let me know if you too are going to join me, it should be fun finding out what each other is doing daily or if you want to follow my rota's/challenge, then feel free!!

Sorry!

OOps a daisy, I haven't updated for AGGES!....Naughty, naughty....Lazy, lazy!!

Anyway, I have to confess I have had the odd nibble of non raw foods but then I have been eating loads of raw.
I currently have Kale gently drying ready for me to make Cheesy Kale Chips....YUMMMMMY!

Here is one recipe for Cheesy Kale Chips being demonstrated


Oh! I received my 'Raw Gourmet Book' It's fab!


















So as I watch the recipe's being demonstrated on the DVD's I have the recipes to go with them, and more.

Here are a few links for Raw Recipes:
Wellthy Momma
MegMcmurray

I also bought another DVD, 'Food Matters'


















This is FAB! I highly recommend it. It is telling us how beneficial a raw food diet is to our bodies and the reasons.

I'm off because my computer has gone slow and I want to save this incase I lose it. I should be back later today.

2 Days

I have to say that the last 2 days haven't been very good, don't know why, I hope it isn't self sabotage because over the years when I lose weight on the scales that week I do tend to sabotage myself.....I AM NOT GOING TO SELF SABOTAGE ANYMORE!!

All none raw foods I have eaten over the last 2 days have ACTUALLY tasted EXACTLY the same, I'm not kidding you, there was no taste difference, but then that is me, it could be different for others. I think I have become more used to raw than I realised and the other day when I was having a Sweetcorn Salad I could actually smell the vegies and the freshness of them, it was GREAT! I have never noticed that before.

The foods I have eaten over the last couple of days that have not been raw are: 2 chip butties, a couple of small pancakes and a couple of rocky's, the rest has been raw but clearly not 100% raw and probably enough stodge to prevent the scales moving in the right direction on Saturday.

My NEW 'The Raw Gourmet' DVD's by Nomi Shannon arrived today.....BRILLIANT!! They are GREAT!! I am going to buy her book as soon as. The DVD's were a tad pricey but oh so worth it! I couldn't find these DVD's ANYWHERE else in the UK, they are very hard to get a hold of but I GOT MINE!!.....phew!! And it was the last set they had and they don't know if they can get them back in stock.









Well, I have to get back to my 100% GORGEOUS! Raw foods tomorrow, I love them AND it is weigh in on Saturday although I am not expecting to lose this week although I have done the school walks so it might balance my not so good days out.

Why I had some none raw foods is beyond me because I got NO enjoyment from them WHATSOEVER!!!....laziness maybe, although it is quicker to prepare raw than it is to cook.....did you know that? It's true! Well tomorrow is a new FRESH DAY! And I know I want to be raw, it suits me and my body.

Sleep well!!

Walks

Well, as I had previously said, I didn't do the school walk yesterday because I was waiting for my NEW Bryan Au, 'Raw In Ten Minutes' uncook book being delivered which it was delivered yesterday as predicted. The place I order these books from are very fast with their deliveries....touch wood as I have ordered some DVD's from them which I am hoping will be here tomorrow, so no school walk tomorrow in the hope that my NEW DVD's do arrive. I did do the school walk this morning...WoooHooo.









Over the last couple of days I have been allowing a Rocky Biscuit into my day's eating so I am going to have to cut that RIGHT OUT!! Before it becomes a habit and a BAD habit at that. It isn't as if I am craving it AND I don't even enjoy the Biscuit, I have also noticed I am wolfing it down so I don't even taste it, so why bother with it in the first place?

I was watching the FAB! Kate Wood making one of her GORGEOUS! Raw cakes on You Tube.



Yep we can have our Cake and eat it so why not watch Kate's You Tube and see just how easy it is to make Raw Cakes and SOOO much better for us!! "Thanks Kate for doing this You Tube! We want more You Tubes like this!!!"

If anyone is interested in becoming raw or maybe just interested to know what the fuss is all about then here is a link for a free ebook by the GREAT! Kevin Gianni.

Should be back later today.

It's Too Hot

It has been RED HOT again today.....too hot.

I got up at my usual time of 6.00am. I jumped under the shower. After my shower, hair and makeup I then made packed Lunches, cleaned up, cleaned the Kitchen floor and vacuumed my Living room and hallway and then we were out the door at 8.10am, yep I done the school walk this morning....GREAT!! I felt it when I got back home, I just need to get back into it again, having said that I don't think I will be doing the school walk tomorrow morning because I am waiting for my Bryan Au book to be delivered, I am hoping it will arrive tomorrow so I can get back to the school walks, I want to do as many as I can this week and get back to it 5 days a week.

I brought James back home because he was complaining of feeling unwell and he was looking rather pale so when we were just a couple of yards away from his school we turned back and I huddled him up on the settee watching his favourite TV programmes.

When I got back from the school walk I had my usual for Breakfast, Fruit and ground Brazils, Lunch was nothing but I confess to sneaking 2 Rocky Biscuits mid afternoon, not raw, that will teach me not to be prepared for every meal and snack, I have got to get myself better prepared for when I get over hungry, we can eat as much as we like on raw.

After my Breakfast and a browse on the internet I decided to strip the boys beds and I got that lot into the washing machine and then I cleaned the Bathroom and vacuumed the Bedrooms, Landing and Stairs. I tell you, I must have sweated buckets of toxins out of my body, the last time I sweated like that was when my OH and myself cleared our Garden.

I have just had my evening meal of:
Variety of Lettuce
Avocado
Yellow Pepper
Cucumber
Cherry Tomatoe's
Cashew Nuts
Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Pink Himalyan Salt

You know, I think to myself....ummm Salad, I will still be hungry after that but raw is so AMAZING!! Because when I make a big Salad with a tad of fats, good fats i.e. Avocado and Olive Oil and protien i.e. Cashews then I am not hungry after it. I have heard that it is because our bodies are being fed the RIGHT Nutrients, Vitamins and Minerals and so our bodies are being properly fed and not fed with empty calories i.e. Sugars, Starch etc that just turn to fat and that don't seem to register with the brain for very long and then we are feeling hungry again. I now wont feel hungry until Breakfast....I LOVE RAW!
















Well, I'm going to have a shower and relax for the evening, maybe watch a tad of TV in bed and recharge my batteries ready for yet another day of extra cleaning tomorrow. It feels SOOO good when the house is clean!! Helps me relax better!!

Sleep well!!

All Nutted Out

It has been said it is the hottest day of the year so far here in the UK and it isn't officially Summer....WOW! I have to say, it has been boiling hot today, I don't like it too hot.

After my Breakfast of Fruit and ground Brazil Nuts we decided to go to Costco where I bought Avocado, Seedless Grapes and Medjoul Dates. Medjoul Dates cost a fortune but they are a bargain for a large tub from Costco, infact Costco is FAB! For most things.















Whilst out my OH mentioned he needed a new Dremel and B&Q was the place to go as they have 15% off most things at the moment which ends today but has been extended for one more day until Monday....lucky for us, so on our way back from Costco we passed one B&Q but decided we would go to the B&Q closer to home - out of stock......grrrr so we slightly doubled back on ourselves and tried another B&Q - out of stock.....GRRRR so we then literally doubled back on ourselves to the B&Q beside Costco and FINALLY! A new Dremel. We started our journey back home which is quite a way from our house and then suddenly, "mam I'm hungry" James. We popped into Asda on the way back home to buy a Pastie each for the boys for a quick snack until their evening meal.....the Bakery items were all but sold out except Bread Buns, well it was getting late in the day. I wanted Banana's from Asda, sold out.....hummmfffff. I grabbed some Oreo's for the boys, I confess to having one biscuit off each of the boys but after I had eaten them I remembered that I had just bought Grapes from Costco which were still in the boot of the car......GGGGRRRRRR I could have had something raw, Grapes! And they would have obviously been better for the boys also, ah well, it's done now, actually, I like to wash Fruit etc before eating them, although I could have wiped them on a clean tissue.

When we got home I was still hungry so I sat and ate a bag of Macadamia Nuts.....more Nuts.....oops! Too many Nuts in one day ain't good and the fat content ain't good either.
Later in the day it was red hot in the Kitchen and I could NOT be doing with preparing myself something for my evening meal after standing making the families evening meal so I ended up preparing MORE Fruit and yet MORE ground Brazil Nuts......Arrgghhh! At least it was all raw, except for the 2 Oreo's that I ate earlier and which were a total waste of time because they didn't even slightly satisfy me, but then they wouldn't would they?

When I got home and whilst eating my Macadamia Nuts I ordered Bryan Au, Raw In 10 Minutes book, I can't wait, I love getting new raw books.

I am doing the school walk tomorrow morning which I am looking forward to and when I get back and after my Breakfast I will be getting stuck into extra cleaning around the house and I might, just might get to spend a few minutes relaxing in the garden.....ummmm.

Well that is me for now, all nutted out.

Sleep well