Raweautiful

Moved

2011-03-31T02:38:00.000-07:00

Because I am having problems with the layout on this blog I have decided to move to RawBluebell, so click here at RAWBLUEBELL and follow me there. I am starting my challenge with pics etc there and maybe the occasional video. I am still having problems with this blog, it keeps squashing everything up.....GRRRRR

Since Sunday

2011-03-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

I have been rather busy over these last few days what with visiting, receiving visitors, grocery shopping, goody shopping, grandchildren, housework etc.

Monday was full on housework and a quick visit to Tesco for some Buckwheat.
Tuesday was full on all day shopping. Asda first thing in the morning, home to put groceries away. I then picked up Michael's girlfriend and my grandson and we went to Costco, Tesco, the Nutri centre and Argos then home again to do housework.
Wednesday Had grandchildren here for a visit, housework.
Thursday we went to Michael's.
Friday we had a visitor, took the car for it's MOT...passed....phew!! Went for a little run in the car then housework.

My eldest and youngest grandchildren, Ebony and baby Michael stayed overnight last night and at this present moment they are playing, Michael is in hysterics at something.

I decided to buy a work station/kitchen island on Tuesday. My OH took the kitchen table down and we put the island in it's place, so I now have extra cupboard space and an extra work surface....I LOVE it!!

This is a pic from the store but I will take my own pic of it soon.
I am hoping to get raw recipes done tomorrow as I might JUST manage to get some time to myself to do things I want to do.

UPDATED LATER IN THE DAY
We have been to my dads tonight, he is SOO funny and always cheerful, no matter what is going on in his life.
We have also been to A&E at the hospital to get my OH's leg checked out, he has torn the muscle in his calf and it is bruised from the knee down, it looks rather nasty.

I will make sure I am back tomorrow!!!!!

Newcastle And Pictures

2011-03-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been around for the last so many days, one day has led to another and before I knew it a good few days had passed.....CRAZY!

My dizziness had more or less gone but today it is flaring up again...totally puzzled as to why, but it has!

After watching a You Tube video where John was testing two types of Dehydrators, one being an Excalibur this made me aware that the temperatures could fluctuate which then prompted me to want to go and buy a digital thermometer. I done a search and found that Lakeland sell the digital thermometers that do everything except load the dish washer...teehee but the main thing that this digital thermometer does is that I can set it to a certain temperature and when my Excalibur reaches that temperature the digital thermometer will bleep and tell me if the temperature goes above the set temp. If you want to check out the you tube then click HERE
Here is a pic of the digital thermometer I bought incase anyone else is thinking of buying one to check their dehydrators.

I was rather pleased to see that Lakeland in Newcastle had the digital thermomters because we were going there anyway to take Adam and James to the 'Science Museum' which was very good. Halfway through our visit a HUUUUGE, GIANT robot walked in, it looked like Robocop. It walked very fast and loud thumps were heard with each step....very scary, I was scared anyway...what a sook eh? It was all part of the science fun, I think I have decided that I dont like science anymore!!.....TeeHee I didn't get any pics of the robot because LUCKILY we were on the second floor....THANK GOODNESS!! And I would have only just been able to get a photo of the top of it....not that I would have minded that....teehee and anyway there was NOOOO way that I was going to go anywhere near it and if it had been able to get up to the second floor then I would have ran quick smart and out the building...OH MY...YES! MAMMA!!! Anyway, I did get other pics, so here are a few:

A few dates.

An old printing machine.

Oliver Cromwell's death mask.....EEEEUUUUWWWW!

A Victorian till....FAB!

Victorian dress....BEAUTIFUL!

The Printers.

A jet engine.

A Victorian classroom.

I am going to make Sauerkraut tonight...WooHoo.

The Raw Food

2011-03-05T03:01:00.001-08:00

I have been SOO busy lately and I haven't barely had 5 minutes to myself, anyway, I have been starting to make my raw recipes that I had chosen to make. I started with the yogurt but I made it too thick, so no pic for that, I will make it thinner next time, then the eggless salad, well, sorry guys no pic for that either because it was SOO delicous, I ate it before taking a pic....teehee I will be making that again soon so I will post a pic then.
I also made Ruby's Raw Granola which is absolutely FANTASTIC! I am not sure if I can share the recipe with you but I will find out and get back to you!

YUM! This is SOOO MUCH TASTIER and BETTER etc etc than any bought granola.

My OH has just come back with some new kitchen weighing scales for me...WooHoo I have had 4 sets of Weight Watchers kitchen scales from my Weight Watcher days in the last few years and they haven't lasted at all and they are expensive, so this time I decided NOT to buy any more Weight Watchers scales and buy a set of Salter kitchen digital scales.
I make a lot of raw recipes that just measure in cups which is great but some recipes measure in kg's but I am from the old school and I measure in lb's and ounces. I have the dial scales but I just CANNOT get away with measuring weights in kg's using dial scales, so new scales to measure in both kg's, lb's and ounces are what I needed and the beauty of these new scales are that they also measure fluids (aquatronic scales) BRILLIANT! Whatever next?

I will try to get back later today with pics etc as I am going to be making raw recipes using my new Salter digital kitchen scales.

Need To Be Prepared

2011-03-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

Our grandchildren came to visit last night and when they visit they are here for quite some time, then by the time I have made the families evening meal and suppers and my OH's packed lunch for the next day it is then way too late for me to eat and in turn makes things harder for me to prepare my raw foods, I didn't even get my raw yogurt started, so I have decided that today is the day to be prepared and have raw foods prepared. My dad is visiting today so after he has left I will get into that kitchen and get raw fooding.

The time now is 9.52am and all I have done up to now is housework.

Back later today!!

"Lets Get Real Peeps" & Pressie

2011-03-01T01:27:00.000-08:00

I got up this morning at 6.15am and I am still dizzy, (ear troubles) have been since I first mentioned it and it doesn't seem to be getting any better, I think it has been about 2 weeks now and could last a LOT longer.
I had a cup of coffee and then I got in the shower and when I was getting out of the shower the inside of my left knee pained and kept paining for a couple of hours for absolutely NO reason at all - I am constantly tired and constantly battling with myself to stay awake, I suffer with headaches AND migraines and I am on anti-depressants.
I am SOOO fed up with having one ailment after another so I have decided that it is, "TIME TO GET REAL" time to get into a healthy lifestyle at least 99.9%, can't officially call it 100% because some raw foods aren't officially 100% raw i.e. some nori sheets, rolled oats etc.

I have slipped again over the last few days and I have been slowly eating more cooked and processed foods, I wouldn't care but I am not even enjoying them. Whenever I have been good for a few days, I then blow it and pick at more cooked and processed foods and spoil all the good that I have done.....madness!

I am sitting here typing this and I can feel the dizziness, it's AWFUL!!
It is now 9.37am. I felt a tad acidy in my tummy earlier so I had a banana which has helped for now but I will be having more later.

I have compiled a list of all the raw recipes that I am going to make and try over a period of time, including some of my favourite raw recipes. I want to go raw so therefore I have GOT to do this and go raw, my health is suffering.

I am not sure if I could give up coffee at the moment but time will tell, the main thing is that I don't eat cooked and processed foods, these are doing me no favours at all because when I am raw for a few days I can difinitely feel an immediate, positive and healthy difference, albeit small but it would be small over just a few days but then as soon as I eat cooked again I can definitely feel a sluggish, UN-healthy difference.

I will document what I feel, how I feel and my food etc.
I will be introducing exercise but I am giving that a tad longer until the dizziness has eased, or preferably gone!!

I might pop out for some green coconuts today, not sure.
I will be back later today, GOTTA document everything!

"TIME TO GET REAL!!!"

Cont....I got my other present that I was waiting for, here it is....WoooHooo
ABEBA'S BOOK.....YeeeeHaaaa
Inside the front cover Abeba has hand written a little message and signed it. Thankyou Abeba!

I also received a bottle of 'New Chapter All Flora capsules' that I ordered. These are recommended by LOADS of folk on the Raw Food Rehab and other raw food folk, so after buying lots of other "good" probiotics in this country and not getting the results I wanted I decided to search out the 'New Chapter All Flora' probiotics which I managed to find in this country.

I have been up to the shop for my green coconuts and bought what they had - 11...teehee. I will make the almond and coconut yogurt tonight and try the new probiotcs in it.

I have just had 2 banana's today and I am feeling rather hungry. I have been feeling very tired again....nothing new there then.

I will be back later today to update more.

A Motivational Start +

2011-02-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

I watched this first thing this morning and WOW what a GREAT way to start my day!!
Check it out!

Also, here is a link for a couple of FREE E-books. Click: Raw Food Diet Way

Strawberry Powder....

2011-02-24T04:44:00.000-08:00

...weigh in and a present.

I have noticed that some raw food online stores are selling Strawberry powder and because I had a few strawberries that needed using I decided to dehydrate them and grind them down to make my own strawberry powder. I will use this in raw icecream, cookies and maybe try making a fudge with this in. I also dehydrated a few raspberries.....WOW! These fruits take a long time to dehydrate.

Below, a present from my hubby. It arrived today, I am rather excited about this.

Diana Stobo 'Get Naked Fast'
More recipe's, a new DVD, ALWAYS GREAT to have DVD'S! Also Diana's book etc Oh! And nut milk bags, I needed some new nut milk bags...BRILLIANT!
I am still waiting for another little something, cant wait!

The dizziness is still there but not quite as bad, as soon as it has gone I will be able to start exercising. I am hoping it is going to clear up a lot quicker than it normally does!!

The weather today is rather nice, the sun is shinning which is unusual as it is dull so often lately. I LOVE it when it is sunny, I don't like it being too hot, cool and sunny does me.....PERFECT!

I have been good with my raw over these past few days and I am enjoying it and NOT craving the processed foods. Once I get over those first 3 or 4 days of not eating anything processed then I just don't seem to think about them or crave them, I actually start and want the healthier, cleaner, fresher foods.

On the scales this morning I have lost 3lb....WOOOHOOO

I might get back later today!

"Cheese & Wine"

2011-02-22T08:45:00.001-08:00

I made the cheese last night and it has been fermenting all night and today. I am going to add Garlic and Herb to it because it will be exactly like a Boursin cheese. I cracked open a bottle of the Kombucha I bought last week or so and I have to say that this is a nice Kombucha, all that was missing was some raw crackers.

My dizzy spells have come back these last couple of days and showing no signs of letting up. The last time I had dizzy spells it lasted 5 weeks and another time they lasted 7 weeks....5 and 7 weeks of dizzy spells, 1 day is bad enough!!! I have been to my GP about these but I have trouble with my ears and it is to do with that.

Raw Haul

2011-02-21T03:20:00.001-08:00

I received more raw goodies this morning and over the last couple of days...I have such a generous Husband!
I bought a Pie bar from Raw Living last week and it was SOOO delicous I just had to buy some more...YUM! I ordered a few other bits and pieces at the same time.

Also this morning I received my 5kg bag of Wheat Grass and Purple Corn Flour.

This should last me some time, infact I still have some left in the other 5kg bag which has lasted for AAAGES!

Here are a few more pics. This pic is for the goodies I ordered and received from Vivapure. I placed an order with them last year and it took some time to get here but I found out that they had just started trading and were experiencing a few hiccups but I ordered again last week and this order came with no problems, so I will be using Vivapure again!! It is good to find a company that stocks products that are harder to find here in the UK. Coconut Nectar, Dulse Flakes. Oh! I ate the Chocolate Tree Cookies, so I took a pic of an empty packet...teehee but it lets you see that Vivapure stock Chocolate Tree products.

I love Durian! Hence 4 cans. I also bought some bottles of Kombucha, I know I make my own but I wanted to compare and I can be lazy!

Last but not least....check out that 1kg bag of Sundried Tomatoe's....FAAAAANTASTIC! It can be hard to find Sundried Tomatoe's that are not packed in oil and they are SOOO expensive for a tiny bag of them so when I found these, well, I wasn't NOT going to buy a bag.
More Irish Moss. After finding the Mayonnaise recipe on You Tube I just don't want to be without Irish Moss so I can make the mayonnaise whenever I want/need some.

Well then, I think I can safely say that I am well stocked up for the next couple of weeks.
I am still waiting for two more orders to arrive.

Today, I am washing laundry, I have already cleaned my floors this morning.
That is all for now, I may be back later today.

Willow Tree &....

2011-02-19T13:46:00.000-08:00

The results from the pH test.
On Thursday morning I done the test for the acid levels in my body. I had to take two tests to get the result. The first strip read 6.50 which is a tad low and my second test read 7.25 which is a teeny tad high, the best reading to have is 7.0 - but anyway, I would say that these readings read an average of 7.0 so that is about right which I am very pleased about! So I am not acidic....YAY!!

Here is a pic of my Willow tree. It is still in a pot at the moment but I will get it planted in the garden very soon, it can actually be grown in pots anyway, so it is fine in the pot for now.

I have been buying a few more bits and pieces so I will get a pic of those on here tomorrow and Monday.

The weather has been rather dull today which doesn't help with my depression and my eating so today has been a bit hit and miss but I am determinded to get my dehydrator cranked up this weekend.

Night Night for now

Some Buys

2011-02-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was so busy and in and out all day that I just didn't get time to update.
We got up bright and early yesterday morning and went grocery shopping before the pushing and shoving started. Straight to Asda for one big grocery shop. When we got back I unpacked everything and put it all away because I wanted to go to Costco also to stock up on fresh produce and I didn't want to be falling over groceries that still needed to be put away when I got back with yet more groceries from Costco. I always do a big shop at Costco.

Costco and another big fruit and veg shop done. I love Costco and the produce is excellent!
My fridge is now well stocked up and YES all of it will be eaten and not just by me, my family love salads. Adam and my OH also take salad sandwiches to work and college most days.

Citrus, avocado, cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots, nuts, romain, tomatoes, mushrooms, fruits, courgettes, aubergines, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, celery etc etc I have to have the full fat milk, margarine etc for the family.

I always like to go to Tesco and the Nutri Centre on the way back from Costco (the Nutri Centre is inside of Tesco)
I got my Sweet Onions and a few other things from Tesco and some bits and pieces from The Nutri Centre.
Here is a pic of Tesco and the Nutri Centre buys yesterday also the Cool Oil and nuts from Holland & Barrett which I bought a few days ago. I also managed to find the Udo's oil in the Nutri Centre, pleased about that!!

I have been looking for larger jars for when I am making my Kombucha tea, I also have been keeping my eye's open for stainless steel bowls....AT LAST! I found these items in Tesco.....FAB! I also spotted a box grater, I already have an electric box grater but this grater will be quicker when I need something done quickly. I did actually buy 4 of the jars but I am using one of them for the rejuvelac.

I also bought a GORGEOUS Willow tree from Tesco which I will show you tomorrow.

Here is the box grater.

Here is my Rejuvelac which will be finished tomorrow evening. I am going to make Grezzo Cheese using Rejuvelac, recipe is from Allisa Cohen's new book.

This morning I received an order from Raw Living.

I bought a Zapper which has a lot of health benefits. It is meant to eliminate parasites in the body and I am thinking because I am tired all the time could that be the reason? This Zapper is also good for Candida and lots of other problems so surely I can only feel good by using this little thing. I am going to put it on the sole of my foot tonight (kept in place by wearing a sock)
I also bought pH strips to check the acid in the body.
As you can see I also bought Lecithin, Cacao Butter, 3 YUMMY jars of Rawtella....YUMMMMMY! And I decided to try the NEW Naked Pie bar.

Back tomorrow with more pics and a pic of the Willow tree.
Night Night

Another Busy Day

2011-02-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

Another BEAUTIFUL bright and sunny day....BLISS!! My Daffodils are starting to grow.

Yep, another busy day.
When I got up this morning I had my Banana for Breakfast then took my Multi Vitamin pill. I had 2 more loads of laundry to do so I set that going..... All caught up now.
After setting the washing machine for the laundry I then checked emails and read the blogs etc that I like to read and then I done some general tidying around.

Last night I got my Wheat Grain soaking for the rejuvelac, I also have sprouts sprouting, I want to keep a constant supply of sprouts.

I am hoping to get out for a fresh supply of vegetables etc tomorrow so I decided to give my fridge a good ole clear out and clean......1 hour or so later and all done, well, it is an American fridge freezer so it is rather big hence the time it took. I took all the shelves etc out and took the glass out of the shelf holders to give them a good clean also so now it is all ready for fresh produce.

I think that is all for today, well I did say I would try to come back daily even if I have little to report.

Night Night until tomorrow

Shopping & Housework

2011-02-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my sister came to visit and she took me to a JTF cash & carry warehouse (my OH had out car) and of course I joined....FAAABULOUS! I am now a member of Costco AND JTF. Whilst in JTF I started spending....naughty! I bought 4 carriage lights for outside my front door and patio door. I bought a guillotine which does straight cuts, wavy cuts and perforation cuts, this will be very handy for James' schooling, I also bought a pair of shoes and other little bits & pieces. I have such trouble with shoes, I HATE buying new shoes because even the softest of shoes rip my feet to bits, I was buying Hush Puppies but these shoes are quite pricey but they are the best and my feet don't suffer with Hush Puppies, I might have to start buying those shoes again.
My OH hasn't installed the carriage lights today because the weather is horrible, it is raining and dull today.

When my OH came home we then popped along to Holland & Barrett's health food store where I bought an oil which is on the same par as Udo's oil, I am still going to order some Udo's oil. I bought some Hazelnuts whilst there so I can have a go at making my own Rawtella...YUM!
After Holland & Barrett we then went to visit my lovely dad who is doing well, he is at home now. On our way home from Dad's we popped into Asda because I needed some Spring Water so I can make some rejuvelac, I am going to make Grezzo Cheese from Allisa Cohens new book.

Today I have been busy none stop! I have cleaned my bathroom and the wall tiles, I have vaccumed the bedrooms and down the stairs and polished my laminate floors and not forgetting heaps of laundry, I now need to get on and make the families evening meal and then I will have a go at starting the rejuvelac and rawtella Oh! By the way I found a Sauerkraut video from the Anne Wigmore Institute, looks good, check it out here!

Well, that is me for now. I will post pics of things I make.

All Is Good

2011-02-10T08:10:00.001-08:00

The sun has shone ALLLL day, it has been beautiful and just what I needed!
For the last couple days I haven't felt the urge to fall asleep during the day although I couldn't fall asleep yesterday anyway because I had my grandson, Michael, I LOVE that little tot!
I dozed off on Tuesday unfortunately....grrr I slept for 4.5 hours and when I got to bed that night I slept fairly well again which is very unusual for me because I don't usually sleep too well ANY night whether I have slept through the day or not and no matter how tired I am, so, things are looking up energy and sleep wise because the last few nights I have slept quite well, could it be the increased raw food?

I walked baby Michael to meet his grandad from work yesterday so a little exercise there. I am not starting my Zumba until the week after next, I feel I can be more committed to it then but in the meantime I will be as active as possible. I have been quite active yesterday and today with housework i.e. cleaning the patio doors, loo's, tiles and floors, washing and cleaning laminate floors, stripping beds etc etc.

I weighed in this morning and I am at 197.9lb - could be better!! I am now officially having Thursdays as my weigh in day, I like Thursdays!!

Tonight I am going to make and prepare to make some raw cheese sauces, Almond milk, Almond butter, Almond flour, marinated and dehydrated mushrooms and Mayonnaise, have to say, my last lot of mayo was so beautifully thick...YUM! I must be getting good at making mayo now.

I think that is all for now.

Week 1 - Zumba

2011-02-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, I watched Bill on RFR and he showed how to do his 60 second exercises and so I tried them and PHEW! I really felt it but the worst of it is, I started to feel it after just about 25 seconds, so I came to the conclusion that I SERIOUSLY need to start an exercise programme, it's not as if I am short of a variety of DVD's or exercise equipment is it? I have HEAPS of stuff i.e. treadmills 2 of, electric and manual, vibration machine, leg master, ab roller, gym balls, pilate equipment, yoga equipment, pilates machine etc etc etc and for the DVD's I have Salsa, Aerobics, gym ball, pilates, yoga, belly dancing, step box, zumba etc etc etc the list goes on!!
I have decided to start the zumba programme which is as follows:

WEEK 1

Day 1
Zumba Basics DVD - followed by total body stretch

Day 2
Zumba Basics - followed by TBS

Day 3
Zumba 20 minute Express

Day 4
FREE DAY

Day 5
Zumba 20 minute Express

Day 6
FREE DAY

Day 7
Zumba 20 minute Express

So there you have it. Looks good!

Yesterday
I noticed we had a red light on our NEW (less than a year since it was installed) gas boiler, so my OH phoned British Gas at 6.30am they said they would send an engineer to check it but my OH had to tell them not to send anyone around until the afternoon because my OH had to go to work and I had to take my eldest son, Michael to the scrap yard for things for his car. I ended up sitting in the car waiting for Michael for 2 hours....pfft - After waiting for over an hour I was starting to get worried incase he had come to harm, scrap yards are dangerous places, so I went into the yard, a man came to help me and after chatting to the man he told me that Michael was still there and that he had got two items he wanted but he wanted more things...I had a feeling I had longer to wait after hearing that, and I did....gotta laugh! The things we do for our kids eh?

I got home for about lunch time and waited for the gas engineer who came at 2.00pm he told us the problem was nothing and fixed it within seconds. Finally I could get the heating back on.

Today we had our grandchildren around for a visit and I have my grandson, Michael for the afternoon tomorrow, that should be fun, it will be because baby Michael is so funny!!

Well, I just wanted to update you of my latest but I am now back daily, I have been missing not updating daily!!

Okay night night for now, back tomorrow.

Today

2011-02-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

I found this today and just had to post it.

Audrey Hepburn's beauty tips...
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes..seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. ..... Remember if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you hve two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

You might also like to take a look at this blog if you are interested in raw and don't know how to plan your meals: Raw On $10 A Day

BACK LATER...

Yum Yum Raw Un-Baking

2011-02-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

I made my raw goodie's...YUM!
Choccies in progress.

I also made some choccies with a nut filling but I am filling these choccies with a delicous caramel cream filling...Yum.

For the caramel cream watch this You Tube for 'Raw Turtles.'
(if you want me to remove your video from my blog Colleen then just give me a shout)

Here is the end results of my choccies. I have cut one of the nut and one of the caramel choccies in half so you can see the centres.

Ever so YUMILOUS onion bread. This is my favourite EVER!

James LOVES these crackers.

Well, I have been raw all day today starting with a green juice this morning, onion bread at lunch time, snacks have been 2 persimmons and a few raw choccies and tonight I am going to make Penni's at RFR Eggless Salad from her 'Revolve To Evolve' e-book...YUM! WOW! All these delicous foods!!

I have done housework today and that is about it.
I will post a pic of my evening meal, eggless salad later or tomorrow.

Little Waster....

2011-02-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

"Happy February peeps"

I'm no little waster. I made my green juice last night....2 jars full one of which I had this morning for Breakfast. I kept the pulp from the juice to make crackers with.....no waste there!

This evening I made my hubbies sandwiches for his lunch tomorrow and instead of putting the scraps into the bin or composter I grabbed a lock n lock tub out of the cupboard and I have put the lettuce spines, cucumber and bits of tomato into the tub and into the fridge, I will do this for a day or two and then I am going to make juice with it.....no waste there either.....I do believe I am getting the hang of all this, forward thinking.
I used the veg pulp from the juice last night to make the crackers tonight which are now in the dehydrator and will be done tomorrow. I followed Bills recipe, Bill is a member on RFR. I soaked some Chia seeds added the pulp, 2 mashed up avocado's, hemp seeds, salt, a little water, gave it all a thorough mixing and then spread it onto 3 dehydrator sheets, I think these are going to be lovely! I tasted a tad of the mix and it was delicous! That is the beauty of raw food, foods can be tasted/eaten as is or dehydrated, so tasting is good whereas if I were making a meat loaf for the family then I obviously couldn't taste the mix before it went into the oven because of the raw meat.....I would end up ill....BLEURGH!
I have also put 2 trays of onion bread into the dehydrator, like an oven, we gotta fill those babies up.
I have to say, my youngest son, James loves onion bread and I have also discovered he likes hemp seeds also....WOW! Of course he eats a few hemp seeds and walks away saying "I'm a raw foody now"....teehee

A couple of days ago when I made the raw choccies I had a couple of the choccies that mid morning, after eating them I noticed that I felt wide awake, alert and full of energy, the reason for this I am putting down to the Cacao, so I am going to make some more tonight and maybe have a small mid morning treat tomorrow morning to see if it is the Cacao that is making me alert. I am constantly tired and falling asleep mid mornings and I CAN NOT keep doing that, it isn't right!!

I will post pics of my crackers, onion bread and choccies tomorrow.

Okay, I'm going to quickly make some raw choccies and then to bed.
Night Night

Being A Bit Slow

2011-01-31T10:05:00.000-08:00

I could have sworn it was the 30th today and I'm sure that even the date on my computer displayed the 30th......durrr - I doubt it somehow, I will put it down to brain strain...teehee - Oh! I know what it was.....my hubby had the use of our brain cell today....my turn tomorrow...teehee.
Well then, as it is 31st January today that obviously means it is 1st February tomorrow....WoooHooo - I am so pleased that we will be out of January, January is the longest, most dreary, depressing and draining month of the year, time for sun to start and shine again....."HELLO February!"

I made some raw choccies the other day with an Almond Butter filling, I know I should have taken a pic, but I couldn't resist and I scoffed them....OOps! I think the choccies might have contributed to a migraine that I have had, will I learn??? Probably not!!

Okay then, tonight I am going to juice some veg etc for my Breakfast tomorrow, that is what I am going to start to have for Breakfasts as often as I can....what a good girl eh??

Okay then off I go and start a juicing.

Night Night for now

Continued

2011-01-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

Yep, continued from yesterday. Sorry I didn't get back yesterday but remember I told you I received some devastating news just after Christmas? Well, it was to do with my lovely dad and yesterday my dad had to have a 5 hour operation which pretty much took over my thoughts.
I have been to see my dad in hospital today and WOW! He is looking rather good and has a good colour instead of that yellow colour he had for quite a long time. The doctor came to see him today and it is looking very VERY GOOD!!! for him - THANK GOD!!
It has been an awful time since I heard the devastating news but things are looking good now!!! Still a little way to go until he is all well and back to his usual, sprightly self but with the attitude my dad has that wont take long.

Right then. I did take some meal pics yesterday and here they are.

Breakfast. This is Apple and Cinnamon cereal which is very similar to a Special K type cereal. Sliced Strawberries and raw homemade Almond and Coconut Yogurt.

Anjii B makes the Apple & Cinnamon cereal here. You can also visit Anjii B's (313HealthyMe) blog here http://rawrealmblog001.blogspot.com/
And You Tube http://www.youtube.com/user/313HealthyMe

"Anjii! If you want me to take your video off my blog then just give me a shout!!"

And here is Dan making the Almond and Coconut Yogurt.
Here is a link to the liferegenerator's vlog

"If you want me to remove this video Dan then just give me a shout"

Here is a pic of my lunch

A green salad, Mock Tuna (recipe from RFR) Raw sauerkraut, bought from 'Raw Living' and homemade 'Charlies Mayonnaise' (link for 'Charlie's Mayo' on yesterday's post)

My youngest son, James (11 years old) LOVES sauerkraut...AMAAAAAAZING!!!!! ANNND broccoli with mayonnaise on top, I am TOTALLY SHOCKED!! He is the pickiest eater EVER!!!!!

I have been watching a few, 'Hot Raw Chef' vids this morning, they are making recipe's for Valentine's, now I have a few choccy recipes that I can make for choccie fillings i.e. Mint truffle, caramel etc.

I think that is all, so Night Night for now

The BEST Mayo EVER

2011-01-24T00:26:00.000-08:00

WOW! Is all I can say about the mayonnaise that I made last night. I made the 'Charlies Mayonnaise' from Kevin Gianni's You Tube (I have posted the YT video a few posts/pages down or click on this link- http://raweautiful.blogspot.com/2010/11/raw.html) This mayonnaise is AMAZING!! I will post a pic later.

I also made a raw tuna recipe which is GREAT! I am going to have the tuna and mayo for lunch today....can't wait. I got the tuna recipe from Raw Food Rehab. I should have made some onion bread to go with the tuna and mayo.....MMmm

Back later today

Weigh In

2011-01-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

Well, weigh in today and I have LOST 2.7lb....WooHoo.

On Thursday night I made some Kombucha tea in my GORGEOUS big Kombucha pot. I didn't have any luck the last time I made tea using this pot so I am hoping it turns out good this time.
Here is another pic of it. It was handmade and came with a certificate. I LOVE it!!

I also made some more Raw Apple Cider Vinegar which is fermenting.

I am going to make a few things tonight so I have a few more things to hand, things like: Raw Mayo's, raw granola, eggless salad, raw Lara bars, Crackers etc etc. I NEED to be prepared and to be able to put my hand on something raw for my meals.

Well, I THINK? That is all for today.

The Salad Box/Bar & Sauerkraut

2011-01-20T05:29:00.000-08:00

Here are two more vids

A Raw Milk Video

2011-01-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

I received one of my other parcels today, my Jack La Lanne Power Juicer ELITE and it is FANTASTIC!! I can make Nut milks, Rice milks, Soya milks and of course juice fruits and vegetables. I already have a Soyabella machine which I absolutely LOVE!! My Soyabella makes all kinds of milks but when I just want a quick milk then my Jack La Lanne is going to be SOO handy.

I managed to make a short video today making Almond Nut milk. I had just taken my new juicer out of the box, quickly washed the parts and made the milk so excuse any mistakes.

Here is a pic of the Jack La Lanne.

My day has been very good, raw wise. I am going to make some raw yogurt tonight.

If I don't get back later then I will be back tomorrow.

Start Weight & Pics

2011-01-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

First things first, my weigh in. Okay, I weighed in at 201.8lb's. My first goal is 10% so I need to get to 181lb's.

Now to the pics, there are quite a few, are you ready?

Here is a pic of my Raw Living order. I ordered a jar of Sauerkraut, I am going to start and make my own. The Rawtella is SOOOO YUMMY! I will be buying more of those. The kelp is to add to Alissa Cohen's Mock Tuna.....YUM!
The lovely folk at Raw Living sent me a free bar of their chocolate...."THANKYOU to you all at Raw Living!"
My order came to quite a large amount of money, I wont say how much....OOps!

A box of Choccies....just for me! Gotta love that! This is a pic of the box of Raw Choccies that I ordered in the Raw Living order.
(Click on the pic to enlargen to see the inside of the choc I cut open)

I bought these Microplane's in December from Costco but I thought I would show them. These are FABULOUS!!

A spend at the FANTASTIC Lakeland. I bought some more choccie molds, Almond and Orange oil, food rings and live probiotics for when I make my raw yogurts. I have to store the probiotics in the fridge so this should be great for my raw yogurts.

I know, when following a raw lifestyle we should try to wean ourselves off coffee but that is going to be one of the last things I give up. I have wanted one of these 'Cuisinart Grind and Brew' machines for quite some time so when I was in Lakeland I seen this last one at only £102.50 when it used to be about £150.00 well, quite a saving, so my hubby bought it for me. Belated Birthday present.

This one arrived this morning. Bare Escentuals Mineral 20 Eye Colours. Another Belated Birthday present from hubby.

When I popped to Asda a weeks or so ago I spotted this Pilates Deluxe Kit. I do have the Pilates machine but this should be good to just do a quick Pilates routine AND because my Pilates machine is at the back of beyond in my spare bedroom....OOoops! There was also a DVD in with this kit.
(enlargen the pic to read what I got in the kit)

This is one of my FAB Christmas presents...ZUUUUUMMMBA!....WoooHooo which I did get at Christmas. I am going to do the Zumba challenges that are in the book.

Well, that has made up for not posting many pics over the last few months.
I am still waiting for a couple of things to arrive so a couple more pics of my purchases to follow, and foodie recipes.

Night Night, until tomorrow.

About Time Too

2011-01-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

I will be finally be able to blog regularly as of NOW! I have NOT been able to get on this computer regulary for what feels like AGGGGESSS!

I took a start weight BUT!! I have to confess to doing my start weight as from this morning which I will blog tomorrow but for now I just want to let you know the jist of things.

I have had a good ole spend these last few days, belated Birthday presents/spending from my hubby which I will be posting all the details and picutres of them tomorrow. We went out to Newcastle, Costco, Tesco and the Nutricentre, but for now....something for you all to see, a few snowy pics from last month.

Here is a pic of my 24 year old eldest son, Michael (on the left, black pants, jacket and white top, he doesn't have black eyes, his eyes are deep set) and his friend. They made this snowman which appeared on the local news when they were showing snowy, wintery pics in December 2010.

A snowy pic that I took from my bedroom window. December 2010.

Above, two more snowy pics form my bedroom window. December 2010.

I am blogging tomorrow with my start details and exercise challenges that I want/NEED to do. I am going to post yet MORE pics of my purchases from Raw Living, Funky Raw, Lakeland, QVC, Costco and other places where I bought some goodies which may also give some of you some idea's of things that you might want to buy.

Night Night for now.

Happy Birthday To Me!

2011-01-08T12:54:00.001-08:00

Yep today (8th January) is my 45th Birthday ANNNND I have to confess to not going raw properly yet. I wanted to go 100% raw on 1st January but I just could not get myself motivated because I knew my birthday was coming but now I feel that I can because now all the celebrations are done.....well they will be after today. Tomorrow is my new life of RAAAWWWW! I have been as much raw as possible since the 1st January but just not as dedicated as I could have been BUT because I have been as much raw as possible I have lost a couple of pound on the scales, I will be back tomorrow with all those details.

I have received some lovely presents today....such fun! Presents for Christmas and then presents 2 weeks later for my Birthday, although I hadn't received 3 presents through the post that were meant to be for my Christmas but on Thursday one of them arrived and this morning the second arrived, still waiting for one more. It was nice to receive another one of them this morning on my Birthday which was a single hair epilator. I wanted this SINGLE hair epilator for my chinny hair....arrrggghhh! It is fine to epilate those chinny hair but DO NOT...I repeat...DO NOT shave them, I know this because I am qualified in Beauty Therapy. Shaving causes blunt ends and they come through coarse but tweezing, waxing or epilating them pulls them out from the root and eventually they will not come back or they come through a lot finer.

My eldest son Michael and his grilfriend had a bunch of flowers delivered to me, this was a lovely suprise! The florist van pulling up outside my home. The card read, " To Grandma, Happy Birthday. Lots of Love from Ebony, Ellie and Michael xx" that was so sweet and a FANTASTIC suprise!!
About an hour later Michael, Kaylie and the grandchildren arrived with yet MORE presents. A GORGEOUS bottle of perfume, a pair of soft footwear that I had wanted, a pen that has 'Grandma' on it and a tin of Quality Street sweets. My youngest sister wanted to take me out for a meal but I had already taken a joint out of the freezer to defrost which I did indulge in....no more now though....WoooHooo. My dad sent me a LOVELY Birthday card and he rang me to sing 'Happy Birthday' to me, he does this every year....teehee. My hubby got me a book which arrived 3 days ago, it is the Everday Raw Desserts by Mathew Kenney. There are some whopping dessert recipe's in this book.

My hubby has ordered a few more things for me, one of which is the Jack LaLanne juicer that also makes nut milks which I thought would be good for those quick nut milks when caught out with no milk made. So, I have done rather well today! I have had a REALLY LOVELY Birthday!!

*Note to myself*....find the cable for the camera so I can post pics.

I WILL be back tomorrow.

2/1/11

2011-01-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We went for some coconuts yesterday but I didn't buy any because they weren't the best, I will maybe go back next week when they will have had a new delivery.

Yesterday and today have not been good raw wise because of knowing I had the choccies in the freezer which I have now binned....GOOD MOVE EH?
There are now no naughties in my house so things should be a lot easier for me. I am the type of person who CAN NOT have those types of foods in my house.

I might make some raw granola and dehydrate that ready for breakfast in the morning.

My OH popped to Asda for me this morning to buy some Romaine Lettuces, Kale, Carrots and Cherry Plum Tomatoes.
All I have been doing these last couple of days is housework and that is about all I will be doing tomorrow also.
I am starting my exercise routine on Tuesday when the house is quiet, hubby at work and Adam at college.

Back tomorrow.

The End Of 2010

2010-12-31T11:53:00.000-08:00

In a few hours it will be brand new year!! 2011

2010 has been rather up and down. I'm still suffering with depression, had to have 2 lady tests which came back alright...phew! We have re-vamped all of our downstairs although we still need the tiles for the kitchen which we will get very soon, received 7....yes...7 tree's for my garden.....mega pleased about that!! Received BAD news a few days ago, still waiting for 3 of my Christmas pressies to arrive through the post, we have had HORRENDOUS snow and I have been feeling unwell for about 2 weeks BUT getting better! I think that is about it, I have to say I have had worse years.

The snow has all but gone here now which I am rather pleased about.

I am hoping to get out for some Green Coconuts tomorrow, that is if the shop has any, it may not have managed to get any because of the weather here in the UK, I will ring the shop first.
I am also going to vacuum my bedrooms and stairs and generally spruce my home up.

I have sorted the remaining Christmas goodies today, the last of the Christmas cake is in the freezer along with the last of the choccies, I know that I should throw them out but when my grandchildren visit then the sweets will come in nice for them.

Well I am all ready for the new year and my 'RAWCADEMY' and I suppose I am ready for my 45th Birthday on the 8th January. I am ready to take 2011 by the horns and RAWTOX my body to be fit, healthy and happy!! I got Zumba for Christmas and I am going to be giving that a go...WooHoo

That is all for now so I will wish you ALL a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2011

I will be back tomorrow in 2011

Devastated!!

2010-12-30T11:54:00.000-08:00

I received some VERY VERY bad news a few days ago, the 27th December to be precise. It was TERRIBLE news, I'm not sure I want to talk about it yet. I am trying SOOOO very hard to stay positive and focus on other things.

I have decided to start a new lifestyle and even more so now after hearing the bed news so as of January 1st 2011 I am starting my lifestyle change and naming it the 'RAWCADEMY'
I will be blogging daily as of 1st January 2011
I will do a weekly recipe titled 'RAWLICIOUS THURSDAY' may change the day.
I will be doing my rawcery shopping...teehee
I will be starting a fitness program and my Raweauty regime/rota's
My house and surroundings will be kept immaculate as well as myself.....not that I don't keep my surroundings and myself immaculate anyway of course.

I am more fired up for this especially after hearing the TERRIBLE news. Whatever illness goes through my family I am the one to inherit the same illness.
Blood clots and pulmonary embolisms went through my family and of course I had a pulmonary embolism when I was 24 years old, experienced an out of body experience and was clinically dead at one point, thankfully because I was so young and didn't smoke (I still don't smoke) I survived it, none of my siblings have had this....typical of me, and now I heard this other awful news which I am going to do my best to avoid and stay healthy and not inherit and this is the way to do it.

Okay then, I will be back on 1st January 2011

More Blogging

2010-12-14T07:02:00.001-08:00

I will be blogging on a regularly basis as of 1st January, yep that is my new starting point and when I am going to give this MY ALL!
I have put on a few pounds lately and I feel it is now affecting my health so come January I will have a NEW AND VERY FRESH START!!....I am REALLY looking forward to this.
I am trying to be concious of what I am putting into my mouth until January and I am pretty much staying the same on the scales, well, I lose and gain the same few pounds, I am alright with that.
I will be following an exercise routine, I will be following ALL my routines commencing January. Did I tell you that my OH has bought me the Zumba DVD's for Christmas also? *EXCITED*

I have a few pics to post but until I find the cable to be able to upload them I will just keep them on my camera.

I tried to replicate a raw cake from Raw Living the other day but I didn't like that one very much, my absolute favourite raw cake is the 'Raspberry Ganache cake' from Ani Phyo's Dessert book, it is DELICOUS!! So that is the cake I will be making for my 45th Birthday in January! (early January) Something else to look forward to!
I feel that I am ready to tackle things and to get to grips with my body and get slim, fit and healthy!!

I am hoping to get out and do a rather healthy big grocery shop tomorrow oh! And attempt to finish off my Christmas shopping, I still need to buy for my two grandaughters (bought for my grandson, a punch bag and boxing gloves.....ummmm) I also need to buy for my dad, niece and eldest son, Michael Oh! And I still have two more things to buy for James, I don't think I have ever left it this late to finish.

I will try to get back later or tomorrow

Raw

2010-11-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

Last night I was busy for what seemed like hours. I made almond milk, cheesy kale, Nomi Shannon's sunny paté, I cracked open 4 coconuts, the meat is in the freezer and the water is in the fridge. Along with the cheesy kale I also put some buckwheat into the dehydrator that I have been sprouting.

I am lucky to have a cold press oil extractor for my Samson juicer so I am going to press some sesame seeds for the oil because I am going to make some mayonnaise that Ann Marie Gianni made, you can watch it here:

I had to buy a new washing machine last week-ish...grrr my other machine that I haven't had for too long started banging loudly when it was spinning, just like the previous washer to that....humff - ah well, I have a new machine now, I can't NOT have a washing machine.

I STILL have not received my Walnut tree....GRRRR! My hubby rang them because after 3 weeks still no signs of the tree, they told him that the dept still hadn't acted on the request for the replacement to be sent out....SOOOO ANGRY!! The guy has now passed it onto a higher dept....we will see.

Well, tomorrow I am planning on making the mayo and other things, I will let you know and maybe take some pics.

Since Saturday

2010-11-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

I was up bright and early on Saturday morning because I wanted to get a big grocery shop in. I wanted to be in and out of Asda before the nasty, ignorant and pushing people filled the shops, so I got up at about 5.30am. I got up so early because I needed to drop my hubby off at work first because I needed the car. I was in Asda by about 7.15am and I spent £235.00....oops!
When I got back I quickly put the freezer and fridge foods away and then I went over to Netto because they had a fire I wanted for our livingroom. When we re-vamped our livingroom this year we had the existing fireplace removed....it was an eye sore, we were thinking of not bothering with a fire, we never used it anyway because of having the central heating and after the new central heating was installed, BOY! It so much warmer but I couldn't get used to not having anything on the fire wall. We have been looking around for a fire for sometime now but I didn't particularly want anything that would fill the chimney breast wall again, I wanted something small but oldy worldy.....kinda, so I bought this:

I LOVE IT!! And it looks good in our livingroom. I wish I had taken before pics of our livingroom, maybe I have some livingroom pics somewhere.

After Netto's I went into town for a shoe rack. I had a lovely shoe cupboard but I gave it to Michael because it was too big for our hallway after doing the work around here and changing things around, I have a lovely cupboard in my hallway now. I put the shoe cupboard in the coat cupboard but it was too big for the cupboard so I needed a smaller shoe rack to put into the cupboard. I found a shoe rack....£10 and so not worth the price but it was all I could find.

It was time to go pick up my OH and we then went onto Costco where I spotted a much nicer shoe rack for only £5 more....typical but I wasn't going to spend more on another rack.
£137.00 later and our Costco groceries were all bought....phew!
On the way home we stopped at Tesco where I bought my usual of Sweet Onions. On our way out we stopped at the Nutri Centre (which is a franchise inside of Tesco's) where I bought sprouts, Nak'd cashew bars, tea and coconut.

Onto Christmas. I still have more presents to buy for Christmas. My OH bought me a gorgeous standing mirror for Christmas which also has storage for jewellery....LOVE IT!

My hubby has bought it in Oak for me...woohoo...can't wait!
We also bought Adam a bike for his main Christmas present, one more thing for Adam and that is all of his presents in. I still need to finish James' presents and then Michael's and our two granddaughter presents, we have bought for our grandson, little Michael...Oh! I nearly forgot, I need to buy my dad's and stepmam's present.....how could I forgot my pops and stepmam?

Sunday
Well, Sunday we went to B&Q to buy a mitre because the mitre we had wasn't suitable for the scotia's, instead we borrowed a good mitre from my dad and I am pleased to say, we now have the scotia's fitted and it looks GORGEOUS! It has finished the floors off beautifully, although we still need one more length of scotia for 3 tiny pieces in our kitchen.
The rest of the day was rather lazy.

Monday
We took some rubbish to the eminites then home.

Today
Lazy. My OH has had a couple of days off work so we just relaxed.

Tomorrow I am going to attempt to get some things into the dehydrator so I have some good things to hand.

All Done

2010-11-12T01:59:00.000-08:00

I had my lady appointment on Wednesday which I obviously attended which is all done now just waiting for the result.
When I was at my appointment the nurse asked if she could weigh me because this hadn't been done for a good few years - WOW!....*SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH* NOOOOOOOoooo!
I weighed in at 92kilo's which equates to 202.4lb or 14st 4lb....OH MYYYYyyyy BUT that was fully clothed. I weighed in at home on the Thursday morning and I was 199.4lb - I have to say, I have lost 2.5lb since last weeks weigh in. To think I always said I will NEVER let myself hit 13 stone and I did and so I always said I would NEVER EVER hit 14st and I have and at this rate I am well on my way to 15st....time to TAKE STOCK which is exactly what I did on Wednesday and so I have been EXCELLENT since then and have been eating a good high raw diet.
I have my breakfast thickening at the moment.

Breakfast
Blend
1 Banana
1/2 c Water
1Tb Chia
1Tb Carob
1/2 Tb Coconut Crystals

Let stand for 15 mins then blend again
Top with berries or unsweetened Coconut

I have never tried this before so I am looking forward to it.

My washing machine is packing up so I have had to by a new machine which is to be delivered today. I NEEEED my washing machine!!!

LATER
My breakfast was YUMMY! I will definitely have that again. I like carob. When I make chocolates I sometimes mix carob and cacao instead of all cacao, I find it isn't as strong when I mix the cacao and carob together

Back later today

Getting Colder

2010-11-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

It is beginning to feel so much colder and we have had some frost over the last few weeks.....BRRRR

We went out to Tesco this morning to buy some Buckwheat as that seems to be the only place to buy it locally. Whilst in Tesco I took the opportunity to stock up on 5 Romaine lettuce, Tomatoes, 2 Pineapple, Butternut Squash, 4 fresh Sweetcorn, 2 Cauliflowers, Broccoli, Banana's, shredded Coconut and Coconut Oil. On our way back from Tesco we saw a sign advertising top soil £2 per bag....GREAT! I thought because my 4 fruit tree's arrived and I needed soil to pot them, so we drove down the farm track and saw the lady there, but they aren't doing the soil now......grrrr.....why have the sign up then?? My sister was going to pop to the same farm for top soil and she too asked why the sign if they are no longer doing it?
On our way home we popped into Aldi where I bought a couple of salad bags, only 49p WOW! I also bought cucumber, I think that was all. Strangely as we went into Aldi I was looking for something my sister had been talking about which was very small slices of Rye and other German Breads in 2 slice packets but I couldn't find them so my OH rang my sister and asked her where they are in the shop and it just so happened that my sister had just left the shop....teehee so as we were coming in she must have passed us as she was going out, she was still in the carpark.

We also went to visit my Dad and step mam Beryl......we LOVE those two people!! Yes I am biased but they are lifes genuine folk, really REALLY nice folk and I am very proud to have them as parents.

Well, this weekend we are going to be getting through some jobs around here i.e. the windows outside need cleaning so my OH is getting up the ladders and he is going to do that for me and he is also going to clean the stair inside window and blind, I can't reach that window inside.

This weekends jobs:
Scotia's - to finish the flooring
Clean undersink cupboard
Clean outside windows
Clean inside stair window
Clean stair blind
Clean and sort raw equipment cupboard
Clear work surfaces
Sort out shelves in bedroom and throw out old shelving
Start my Kombucha pot off (made a hash of the first lot)
Glue drawer bottoms on desk
Soil and plant trees

I think that is all for now.

I am very tired today so I think I will make the families evening meal and chill, maybe watch a nice DVD in bed.
Nighty Night for now.

Missed a WHOLE Month....

2010-11-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

and some....WOW!

We have been SOOO busy with the house, I also have that lady appointment coming up....AGAIN! This has been on my mind more as my appointment approaches. I have another appointment made for next week and then another two week wait on top.

My raw hasn't been great because of everything, but as the house (the downstairs and loft) is as good as finished I am more ready to get back with my raw meals and healthy lifestyle....just quaking a tad about appointment.

We have gutted and totally re-done all our downstairs what with skimming and painting, coving, laying new flooring etc. My OH still has the hall, stairs and landing to paint but that wont take long - Oh! And we still need to fit the scotia's along the floor edge, which again shouldn't take long. I have been getting quite a lot of thorough cleaning done because of all the work we have been doing.....since June/July....YIKES...THAT LONG! ....WOW! All the cleaning to get the dust, mess and muck out, and not forgetting that Christmas is just around the corner, I like to clean behind every nook and cranny at this time of year.....all those places we don't get to on a day to day basis.

Okay, I have Buckwheat sprouting and then I will dehydrate these so I have them prepared and to hand, I also have Alfalfa sprouts growing....I love Alfalfa.
I am going to make Penni's Pumpkin Pie recipe in the next day or so, this recipe looks delish!
Oh! I bought a few e-books lately - Penni's 'Falling Into Raw,' and Penni's 'Raw For The Holiday's.' I have also been wanting to buy René Oswalds 'Transitioning To Living Cuisine' e-book for some time which I finally bought also, especially as René has her book at a lower price at the moment.
My OH has bought me Alissa Cohen's NEW book, 'Raw Food For Everyone'....FAB!! But that is part of my Christmas presents.

Oh! I nearly forgot to tell you, I have bought....TREE'S....yeah baby, yeah baby...*doing a happy dance* - I have received my Sweet Chestnut Tree and TWO Hazelnut tree's. I am now waiting for.......excited.....A Walnut tree, a Braeburn Apple, Conference Pear, Victoria Plum and a Cherry Tree....WooHoo The tree's only grow to about 7ft but they yeild a huge amount of fruits and nuts. I am also thinking of buying a Lemon, Orange and Lime tree ANNNND a Kiwi and Fig tree. I currently have a Redcurrant bush, Blueberry Bush and a Strawberry bush growing in my garden, well, not growing so much at present because we are into our Winter now, our clocks went back on the 31st October.....brrrrr but come next year then I should have fruit and nuts in abundance....self sufficient or what....teehee.
I bought two beautiful hanging baskets that will look like this when we get them filled.

BEAUTIFUL! Don't you think? Balls of flowers and colour.

Well, I think that is all for now. I am going to do my utmost to blog daily and I will be back tomorrow with my daily raw jobs and preps and any other news that happens.

Sleep tight!

Here We Are!......

2010-09-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

Back blogging. We have been so busy with re-vamping the livingroom which is still going on I hasten to add but it is so much closer to being done......FINALLY!
My OH is busy painting the walls and I am hoping that we will start laying the floor in the next couple of days. It takes us a long time to re-vamp/re-decorate a room now because gone are the days when we would slap paint on top of paint and strip walls just to repaper without washing the walls first etc, we now literally gut the rooms right down to the bare of everything, hence the length of time it takes us to re-vamp/re-decorate a room, but as it is said, "if a jobs worth doing, then it is worth doing right!"

My diet is still bad, but having said that I lost 4.8lb on the scales last week......*puzzled expression*
I am definintely going to get some Saurkraut made in the next day or two AND some of the Krazy Kracker Lady's, Krazy Krackers and Onion Rings....YUM!

My OH made me some FAB garden planters for my vege's and a seperate planter for my Strawberry plant. (I will get a pic of them soon for you to see) I am going to fill my planters, probably next year and use them from then. My vege's are not doing well in the large green tubs I bought.....ummmm.
I now have a redcurrant bush planted at the bottom of my garden courtesy of my sister who gave me the plant, she has such green fingers, EVERYTHING seems to grow for her.

I had to go for my lady test two weeks ago only to be sent a letter saying they don't have a result to report so will I make another appointment to go back in November, but that is 12 weeks! Why 12 weeks?? Why not now?? So as you can imagine because I am a depressive this situation is not making me feel too happy. I rang the doctors to ask about this letter and I was told it is probably because they didn't have enough cells or someone has made a blooper at the laboratory, but why 12 weeks?? That has me puzzled somewhat!!

My Adam has started a mechanics course...WooHoo we are SOOO proud of him!!
Had to pause there for about an hour because my BRILLIANT Dad just phoned and well, when we get chatting we are usually on the phone for at least an hour each time.

Well I don't think there is anything else to report for the moment but I will be back tomorrow even if only to say "Hi"

Wasn't To Be

2010-08-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

No, we decided not to get the dog, well it wouldn't be fair on the dog at the moment with us doing so much around here, so maybe sometime in the future we will get another pooch.

We popped to Asda this morning for a few bits and pieces. When we got home my OH skimmed a bit more of the walls. I had to go to see the nurse today to have that horrible lady check up...I HATE that!! We then popped along to see Michael, our grandchildren weren't there, they were with their mammy at the shops, always LOVE seeing our Michael though. When we got back home my OH finished skimming our livingroom walls....WoooHooo.....so pleased although there is still a lot to do yet.

My eating has been rather bad today and my friend Avril and I are reporting to each other on a daily basis with our daily menu's.....ummm I have been shocking today....BoooHooo

I have started to write a daily list of my to do things for my raw food which might also help me stay on track and to be more prepared, so on that note here is my list for tomorrow of raw things to do.
RAW PREPERATION
Juice Citrus Fruits - Ice lollies
Open Coconuts
Prepare Apple Cider Vinegar
Sort Kefir
Marinate Mushrooms
Prepare Saurkraut
Make Raw Krazy Krackers
Make Raw Onion Bread
Make Raw Corn Tortillas
Cheesy Kale Chips
Soak Buckwheat
Soak Wheat to make Wheatgrass

Quite a bit to do there but the Krazy Krackers, Onion Bread, Cheesy Kale Chips and the Tortilllas can all be put into the dehydrator together, thats the beauty of having a 9 tray Excalibur....I LOVE IT!!

I have felt rather down today, I think it was the thought of that lady check and the fact that it has rained like crazy today which has meant dark, dull skies. I am still on my anti-depressants which do help a lot, even during days like this because at least I don't start and sink into what feels like a never ending and very deep black pit, I just tend to go rather down and gloomy which doesn't last. I would say that most of the time I am a lot more happier and on top of life now. Maybe there is a pattern there, when I am down I eat badly yet the more raw I eat the happier I am, I need to stick to raw and try to fight against even feeling down......ummmm

Anyway I am off for some sleep as it is late, so, speak to you again tomorrow.

The Pittar Patter Of....

2010-08-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

little feet are about to be heard in our household......a new family member..........NO! I am NOT pregnant!!......We are getting a dog tomorrow. He is not the type of dog I would normally go for but this dog hasn't had much luck being re-homed, my nephew has been the foster owner for a while and he is the person who has to find a new home for the dog, do the home checks etc and my nephew said we can give the dog a new home, but what kind of dog is he? Well, he is a Beagle and I have to say he is a BEAUTIFUL dog, you will see him hopefully tomorrow, I will attempt to get a few pics uploaded.

We had borrowed a garden tool from my sister a few weeks ago and we needed to take it back so we took it back to my sisters today only to find her trying to fill a skip she had hired with a load of brick from a wall that she decided to knock down, so I said, well lets get this lot in the skip then shall we? We worked like stink and had the skip filled in about 1-1/2 hours.....FAB exercise!

Update of the last few day are as follows: The livingroom is half way through being skimmed and still in a mess....and we got the dog coming tomorrow...YIKES! I will sort of try to clean up.
You remember I told you about being invited to a raw potluck? The lady who invited me is called Avril well, we went to her home last Saturday and we all went to Costco for our produce and we just had to pop into the Nutri Centre where we were such a bad influence on each other....teehee she ended up spending about £37 there and I spent £42 - she bought sprouts and hemp butter because I did and I was buying loads of herbal teas because she was.....lol between us both we should be good to keep each other on the raw path.

Anyway it is 11.52pm so I am going to sign off here and I will be posting pics and updating more tomorrow.

Krackers, Treats, Cupcakes & Composters

2010-08-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

Long time no blog!
We have been busy ALL DAY in the garden. My OH has stained the fences, cut huge bushes, some of the tree and hedges, it took us three trips to the amenities to get rid of it all. I have been planting Rosemary, Lavender and other bush plants and I now also have a lovely Strawberry plant from my sister....WooHoo.
I bought a lovely composter today....YeeeHaaa which I am already putting waste into....WeeeHeee I am so pleased to have a composter!
Well, I think that is the garden sorted, actually, not quite, just one more thing to do and that is to stain the side of the shed in the garden which Adam is going to be using for his snooker table, yep! It is quite a big shed but it is at the side of our garden, luckily we do have quite a large garden so it isn't a problem there and hasn't been since it was built back in the 90's. I will sort the staining on the shed tomorrow.

I want to let you all know about some FANTASTIC!! e-books I bought. Abeba's Raw Krazy Krackers, Abeba's Raw Edible Treats, Raw Moonie Pie and The Little Raw Cupcake e-book. If you are interested in purchasing these e-books then here are the links:

Abeba's Krazy Krackers and Edible Treats
Sweetly Raw Moonie Pie
The Little Rawdorable Cupcake Book

I am not sure how long the Rawdorable Cupcake book will be available for so if you want that e-book then don't leave it too long!!
I am going to be making some of the DELICIOUS goodies from these books....I can't wait!!

We are about to start the work in our livingroom but we are going to be skimming these walls also so things are going to take a tad longer than anticipated to get it all finished, still want it done before Christmas though....oh yes!! Our livingroom had already been skimmed but we had that done back in the 90's, so I suppose it is due again. Over the years we have just been wallpapering the walls which we have finished stripping the old wallpaper off a couple of days ago but because of wallpapering over the years it has left the walls rough but we are now skimming and painting all walls. After the livingroom walls we will then get the livingroom coving up and then start laminating all our downstairs floors. The livingroom wall skimming is going to be started tomorrow afternoon.....I will be glad when it is all done. The rest of the downstairs walls and coving are sorted, they were done a year or so ago.

I was going to go grocery shopping tomorrow but instead I am going to finish clearing the livingroom and I will do a BIG grocery shop in a few days.

I didn't get to the Raw Pot Luck today at Avril's, we were just SOOO busy, I will try to get there next month.

I must hack into my Green Coconuts tomorrow especially as my cleaver is now lovely and sharp after buying my CUTE PINK knife sharpener with 2 CUTE PINK knives to go with it...pic tomorrow.

Well, that is all for now so I will be back tomorrow.

Pics

2010-07-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

And about time too eh?

I received my tub of Vitaklenz this morning, I have taken one of the caplets so hopefully this will help me in all ways it is supposed to do! I read that aswell as other benefits this is also meant to help with lethargy because it eliminates nasties from the body which sap your energy. I will keep you informed on that one.

4 x 100g tubs Durian....LOVE IT!
500g Lucuma Powder....LOVE IT!
4 Raw Brownie Bars....YUM!
1kg Tub of Raw Honey....my little sweet
Sweet White Miso...YUM!
500g Large bag Macadamia's...FAVE!
500ml Yacon Syrup....Never tried this before
Raw Conscious Mint Chocolate Bar....sure it will be yum
500g Mesquite Powder.....LOVE THAT ALSO!
Rice Syrup.....Dont think this is raw but want to try it
Pecan and Treacle Granola....Not raw but want to try once.

And now, for A Little Bit Of Pretty.

We try to eat the right foods, exercise, keep our surroundings clean and tickity boo and all round working on our body, mind and spirits, so I feel it is always the RAW icing on the cake, so to speak, to have alittle bit of pretty on ourselves also.

"WE DESERVE ALL WE DO FOR OURSELVES!"

Last night when cleaning the ole pegs....teeth that is....teehee I decided to give the tooth soap a try and yep, I have to say, it does have a distinct taste of a soap, probably why it is called tooth soap or the soap taste was all in my mind because of the name, it all felt great though and I will keep using it, my mouth and teeth felt a lot cleaner, fresher and just nicer all round....yep a winner!....Give it a try!

Back later

All Done

2010-07-23T01:05:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday I had to take Adam for an interview to start a mechanics course which he has now been offered a place for and he is OVER THE MOON about it!! So he is starting that in a few weeks....oh! The schools break up today for 6 - 7 weeks Summer Holidays......ummmm

Yesterday I had to go to my dentist, I wasn't going to go because of this cold but I felt well enough to go and I am glad I did because I discovered I didn't need to pay more for the treatment AND she completed all that needed to be done in the one appointment, I had visions of having to keep going for a few more appointments but nope, ALL DONE! So that is it until my 6 monthly check up in January 2011.....PHEW! I now just have an uncomfortable mouth which will be fine very soon.
After my dental appointment I came home for my mouth to become less numb and then we popped to Asda for a few bits and pieces.

It is our grandson, baby Michael's 2nd Birthday today, Friday 23rd so we decided to take his pressies to him last night because otherwise he wont get his pressies from us until later today...when his Birthday is nearly over, that simply wont do! So we took them last night. We bought him a Toy Stoy 3 talking Buzz lightyear, a sticker magazine and a couple of cards one being a Toy Story card with a badge....teehee. When we got to my sons home he wasn't in but his girlfriend was with our grandchildren so we went in, then my Michael popped back, he was with his friend but then he went straight back out, he popped in another time and didn't even look at us.....he's a funny lad sometimes, you would think he was still a teenager NOT a 24 year old man with the way he goes on....teenage attitude.....friends are more important to him.

Today I am going to get some housework done and I want to get some nuts, seeds etc in soaking to make some raw fods to put in the fridge to have to hand over the next couple of days....preperation is the name of the game.

My pics will follow today! So on that note, I will love ya and leave ya for now but I will be back later today.

Chaos

2010-07-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Since we had the new gas central heating installed my house has been upside down....Grrr I HATE that! But it is because we are and have been doing other things around here at the same time i.e. loft, livingroom etc.

Okay then, I know I need to upload a few pics which I will take the pics tonight and hopefully get them on here tonight or tomorrow.

I found something today that I want to try which is Vitaklenz, you can read all about it here, and do read the reviews....FANTASTIC! The Vitaklenz also detoxes the body at the same time. I read that this can really help with lethargy also....BIG PLUS!

I have an appointment with my dentist tomorrow but I am going to have to cancel because I have come down with a Summer cold.....SUMMER! In the UK??? I DON'T THINK SO.....HA! There is now THICK FOG! It has rained for days and it was overcast this morning but then the sun started to come out this afternoon so I put some laundry out to dry but now we have thick fog.....CRAZY! Anyway, to other things. My OH has bought me a Bullet Express which has a big mouth juicer attachment with it. I was in the market for a big mouth juicer and he bought this one because it does a few things aswell as the juicing i.e. Salad Shooter etc. I do have a Green Star juicer but sometimes I just want a quick juice and this will be ideal, not having to cut the fruit and veg up first.

I am going to do quick juices to try and help with this cold. Getting this Bullet Express couldn't have arrived at a better time!

I Have An Invite To...

2010-07-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

my FIRST raw food potluck.....how exciting! I am a member of the 'Raw Food Rehab' and I have discovered that there are a few members on there that live just up the road from me......talk about a small world eh? Anyway, a lady in Whitley Bay has invited me to her raw food potluck which she hosts every month.....WoooHooo I am not sure if I can make it to this potluck but I am going to try to, it will be GREAT I'm sure!!! But if I can't get to this potluck then I am going to try to get to the next.

Not a lot else to report today. I slept until 12.00pm today and if Michael hadn't came along then I am sure I would have slept quite a bit longer, I must have needed it!

I am doing the laundry and now I am about to get on with the evening meal.

I will be back tomorrow with some raw order pics.

The Week

2010-07-17T01:21:00.000-07:00

Over this last week I feel as though I haven't stopped. I have been busy yet done nothing, I know, doesn't make any sense at all!

The loft flooring is all completed except for a small part of the floor which can't be done yet because we need the lad to come and take the chimney stack out and then we can floor that part.

I have spent the week doing housework and heaps of washing.
Thursday we were out most of the day getting our big grocery shop in - Asda, Costco, Tesco, Nutri Centre. Whilst in the Nutri Centre I bought some Carob flakes.....mmm never had those before, I will open the bag and take a pic, probably later today.

On Thursday afternoon/evening I had a girls (Michael's fiancé sister) 45 minute makeup to do for her prom night, I just got finished in time because apparently when she got back to her home the limo was there waiting for her, she wouldn't have been late if the lady who done her hair hadn't taken 2 hours....madness.

I told her I didn't want paying so instead she bought me these:

GORGEOUS! When I told her I didn't want paying, I mean't it so I was not expecting these either, a lovely suprise!

Yesterday, Friday morning I went into town for more of my Loreal hair colours which are only £3.97 in Wilkinsons compared to £5.99 every where else for EXACTLY the same product.
I have to confess to driving to town......TUT TUT!
In the afternoon we went for more of my Green Coconuts....FAB! I buy the lot every time I go there....teehee.
Late afternoon/evening we had our two grandaughters come over and who stayed over last night, that is twice now they have asked to stay, infact, they are still here.

Here they are, our two grandaughters, Ebony and Ellie.

I took this pic last night after their bath and dressed for bed. Ellie is on the left and Ebony is on the right....Our two GORGEOUS Grandaughters!
We are taking them to see and to ride my youngest sisters (Christine) horse later today so I will probably get more pics and post more on here later today.

UPDATED
Here are a few pics of Ebony on my sisters horse, Solo. Ebony LOVED it!! My sister led the horse, unfortunately Ellie was frightened on the horse and wanted to be off as soon as she was put onto Solo's back so we couldn't get any pics of Ellie on Solo.

The pic second up is Ellie grooming Solo.

I received a raw order this morning which included Yacon Syrup which I have never tried before. Pics will follow tomorrow.

Back tomorrow

Update

2010-07-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

We have been rather busy.....*wipes brow* so please pop back later for pics, update and all tomorrow....Saturday

Back With It!

2010-07-11T04:05:00.000-07:00

As you know I had Friday off but unfortunately Saturday was a tad slack also BUT I'm back with it today!! Despite having 2 slack days I have to say that I still didn't go as mad as I used to......WooHoo.....tick VG √

I coloured my hair yesterday morning....BOY, DID IT NEED IT!! I had the infamous grey line in the parting.....YEUK!!
Michael brought the grandchildren to visit yesterday also, they are GREAT! And little/baby Michael is such a character!!

Today, I am going to sort my coconuts and get on with anything I feel like doing, raw food prep, tidying, sorting.

I have just had Breakfast of a Meusli mix, a sprinkling of Linwoods Milled Flax seeds, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts and Q10, I also sprinkled on a few Pecan's and sliced Banana....YUM! Must drink water now to help with the flax.

I should be back later today...check back later!!

UPDATED
My dad and Beryl came for a visit....we LOVE seeing my dad and Beryl!!!

I cracked open a few coconuts and I have poured the water into a Kilner jar to blend into a smoothie tomorrow, I then made a small pudding with the meat by blending the meat with a dash of Vanilla and Agave....YUM!!

My OH has been carrying on with the loft flooring today and it is nearly finished....WooHoo

I will be back tomorrow! Have you noticed that I have been updating pretty much every day? And I hope to continue to do so.

Took A Walk

2010-07-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

We walked into town this morning, I could have used the car but I am so glad that I walked because I feel so much better! The exercise must have helped perk me up! Although, despite feeling better I did fall asleep this afternoon but I feel the reason for that was because I didn't sleep very well the night before.

Whilst in town I went to Holland & Barrett and bought some of their Banana Yogurt Chips, high calories and fat BUT OH SO.....YUM! And SOOOO much better than that sweet stall on the market!!

I allow myself one full day per week off from raw, I used to have a full weekend so I am doing well with only the one day and then not eating/bingeing on chocolate during that day....ALL DAY! Yes I am still having naughties what with the Banana Yogurt Chips and Chippy Chips but maybe just one or two bags of Banana Yogurt Chips and that is all for the day because believe me, it used to be a whole lot worse.

Also whilst in town I bought a plate rack but this is for my sprouting jars for draining, it is ideal, not too big but easily big enough for 4 sprouting jars and the air can still circulate perfectly AND it folds flat. I do have my Fresh Life Automatic electric sprouter but sometimes I just want to use the jars.
Here I have been sprouting one of my favourite sprouts...Alfalfa....LOVE THEM!

I need to buy a small tray to stand this on, or I could just leave it on the drainer, of course it is standing on my hob on this pic for a quick pic.

I stocked up on Walnuts to make Ani Phyo's Chocolate Ganache cake and Pecans to make Caramel Nut Popcorn. I found the Caramel Nut Popcorn recipe yesterday and I am definitely going to give this a try, it might end up in my favourites file. If you want to watch this video, #26 and more raw recipes then click here: Hot Raw Chefs. You can vote for your favourite and you will receive an eBook of the recipes.

Well, that is all for now.

Weigh In's

2010-07-08T01:15:00.000-07:00

WEEK 1 'FRESH START' WEIGH IN

As promised, here is the pic of last weeks 'FRESH START' weight. I am classing this as my 1st weigh in.

NEVER IN MY LIFE have I EVER weighed this much!! This is equates to 14st 4lb and I think 91.8kg......is that about right for the kg?? I think I have worked the kg's out right.

AND NOW
WEEK 2 'FRESH START' WEIGH IN

Here is today's weigh in

This equates to 13st 9lb and 88.9kg
So that makes this weeks weigh in a loss of 6.5lb's......YAY ME!!!! Nearly half a stone, that is a good loss!!

I will maybe update later today about life, food, exercise and or beauty but if not then I will be back tomorrow......check back later!

UPDATE
I am thinking of going back to my GP because I am SOOO tired all the time, I fell asleep this morning and then again this afternoon, something isn't right, although it could be stress because my GP has diagnosed me with not only suffering with depression but I am suffering with stress also but raw food should help with all of that, eventually and if it doesn't then maybe an extra visit to see my GP will be needed.

After all of that tiredness talk I decided to treat myself to a non raw Bacon Bun for Lunch and I DID NOT enjoy it, it was NO treat I tell ya, infact I binned some of it, I am losing the taste for meats, it tastes like I am eating pure flesh....YEEEUUUK!!
Eating meats wont help with this tiredness I'm sure, I am my own worst enemy sometimes!

In between sleeps I thoroughly scrubbed my downstairs loo....I LOVE IT When my loo's are clean and fresh!! I will scrub through the bathroom and bathroom loo tomorrow. I done my usual housework this morning also so a tad of activity there although there is a lot to do around here at the moment. I didn't do any actual exercise but like I said, the housework amounts to some sort of activity.

I am thinking of going upstairs now and sorting through my beauty products and sort the shelving and cupboards out, I still haven't put everything back after having to clear things away for the new gas system being installed, SEE, no energy......not like me at all to not put things back straight away! After I have sorted some things out upstairs I might prepare some raw foods i.e. Soak Almonds for milk, Hemp Cream to fill raw Chocolates and anything else I can think of.

BACK TOMORROW.

July Already!

2010-07-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go? Anyway, I know I haven't been around lately but depsite being on anti depressants I still get very down/depressed and then I lapse on my updates. I have always suffered with dperession but over the last few years it has got a lot worse hence being back on the anti depressants, anyway gotta keep going forward!!!

I weighed myself as a FRESH START last Thursday and I weighed in at 201lb....NOOOOooo! That is the highest I have EVER been IN MY LIFE! I will get a pic of the scales result and upload it here, I am also weighing tomorrow so I will upload that result also. I feel I have done alright this week, we will see tomorrow.
I MUST start and update my foods, beauty routine and get into my fitness and update that also...I WILL!!

I found this video posted on You Tube and I wanted to share it with you. It is so simple, I am going to try this on a daily basis.

Around the house, well, the loft is still being floored but it has come on a long way so it shouldn't be long before we start the living room and the new flooring around the downstairs....I want it ALL done by Christmas.

We had our 2 little grandaughters stay here overnight at the weekend and then we took them to my dad's (great grandad) house, he thoroughly enjoyed seeing them as this is the first time he has met them....that is sad that it has taken all these years for him to meet his great grandchildren, well two of them because he still hasn't met baby Michael yet but he is a tad young, he wouldn't settle.

We are still having MAJOR troubles from the neighbour across the road and yesterday he started being abusive to Michael when Michael got out of his car to visit us and then the neighbour stood and insulted me when I came out to see what was going on. Later yesterday the SICKO got his brother who is also in his late 50's or 60's to chase Michael in his car and he was also raising his fist at Michael, Michael could have had his children in the car and a FOOL was chasing him....this might end up being a police matter, it should have been so now!!
When Michael visited the other day that neighbour stood across the road looking over at Michael and shaking his head, bascially that person obviously thrives on antagonising folk....SICKO, SADO!!! And he is a 60 year old.....madness that someone of that age should be like that.

We are NOT LETTING THAT SICKO BOTHER US!! HE CLEARLY HAS MENTAL PROBLEMS!! WE ARE IGNORING HIM!! THAT IS ALL HE DESERVES!! TO BE IGNORED!!!!!

THIS IS OUR LIVES AND SOMEONE LIKE THAT IS NOT GOING TO UPSET IT!!!

Speak later...

TGIF

2010-06-25T11:01:00.001-07:00

Phew! What a week! The new heating system is now fully installed after a few hiccups....OOps! 2 small floods where one small flood was running down the wall and into one of our light sockets....teehee Well, gotta laugh BUT! Gotta say also that the main thing is it was sorted rather swiftly. Once the new system was completed and the lads were doing their checks they discovered yet another leak albeit smaller but again this one could have been rather major because it was to do with a crushed pipe which would have eventually burst, but once the new system was pressurised this new leak revealed itself which was a small pin hole at first but could suddenly have gone with such force into a larger hole....Oh dear! But the biggy was in the loft....no flood.....THANK GOODNESS! BUT! All I can say is that when the lads started to GENTLY remove the water tank (the lads of course drained it before moving it) in the loft a HUGE lump of rust came away from the side bottom of the tank, now, this is a galvanised steel tank yet it still rusted.....it must have been in for donkey's years.
I do believe we got our new heating system installed JUST IN TIME!!! It is said that things come in three's, well, that was the 3! And thank goodness the lads were still here for all three.....PHEW!!!!! The pipes and the water tank were all on borrowed time!
Our new gas heating system is now fully installed, checked and running, it took 2 days but thank goodness it is all done, now we can get on with stripping walls and laying new flooring.....WoooHooo

I went into my garden this morning to hang some laundry out on my whirly washing line.....well, what a carry on, after I had just about filled the whirly it flew up, down, round etc...yep, bits of the rods bent, the line itself was on the ground along with my laundry still attached, one of the rods pinged out and I ended up wrapped up inside of the whole line and rods.....teehee...what a sight I must have been, thankfully it was early in the morning so my neighbours wouldn't have looked into my garden and seen me, well, I hope they weren't up early and looking out of their upstairs windows....teehee

Right then, over the last couple of days I have received 3 different sized Ice Cream scoops a 3cm, 39cm and a 49cm, I wanted these so I can make perfect bite sized raw maccaroons etc.

I received yet another raw order of delicousness this morning from another FAB web...I LOVE IT! Pic to follow.

This afternoon we popped back to the Asian store for MORE Green Coconuts....well, I can de-do them....teehee and freeze the meat and water and always have Green Coconut insides to hand.

Back soon!

Coconuts

2010-06-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Got up at the usual time - 6.00am and then not a lot else really. I started my day off with my Fruit and Brazils and then proceeded to eat naughties throughout the rest of the day. I haven't had my evening meal which I am not having now as it is getting too late to eat.

I done some housework and then at about 5.30pm we went to the Asian store in Newcastle where I stocked up on my Green Coconuts......10 of them, yes I did say 10...teehee
10 Coconuts from this particular store are only £1.45 each, so 10 Green Coconuts cost me £14.50 yes, I did have petrol to put into the car which would have come to about £5-ish worth of petrol used to get there and back, whereas to buy 9 Green Coconuts from a delivery company it would have been P&P free but still would have cost me £39 for 9 so going to Newcastle to buy them is a snip of the cost of sending off for them.

I have been trying to organise the house ready for the new gas system being installed on Wednesday. I'm dreading the mess!
I was supposed to be going to the dentist tomorrow (Tuesday) but I have had to re-schedule my appointment for another 2 weeks approximately because I need to be here tomorrow morning when the gas board drop off the new boiler, radiators etc.

Back soon.

Catch Up

2010-06-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Thursday
I had a visitor today but I am not saying who or why I had a visitor because I don't want anyone I don't want to know, to know.....TeeHee that make sense??

After my visitor left I went into town to pick Michael up because his car was in for MOT and then we needed to go to WHSmiths.

I received a few things through the post that I was waiting for, I will get some pics done, just give me a couple of days.

Friday
Errrm....let me think - Ah Yes, I remember. We had a lady here to check the necessaries round our home for a new central heating system, radiators, boiler etc to be installed, and I have to say that we are amazed because the gas board are dropping the items off on Tuesday morning because they are fitting it all on Wednesday.....WOW! I was expecting to be waiting for months before it would be installed but nope, less than a week after talking to the gas lady it will be completely installed, finished, up and running by Friday (3 days to fully complete)....how quick is that?

Saturday
We popped to Michaels today. Whilst speaking to Michael on the phone I could hear he was upset....awwww so we went over. He is fed up with things going wrong for him lately and one of our neighbours (the rapist and his wife across the road, not opposite, thank goodness, across but one) tried to cause trouble for him by telling the police that he was driving his car with no tax, isn't that just the nastiest thing to do? Because we don't like them they have tried to get to us through our 24 year old son....EVIL, NASTY PEOPLE AND TROUBLE MAKERS!!! And just to let you know, these neighbours are older folk, she is in her mid fifties and he has just turned 60, the 60 year old banners were on their window the other week. All we want to do is keep ourselves to ourselves, it is these neighbours that are making our lives miserable which we now totally ignore...I have told you about them in a previous post, anyway, it didn't do them any good because my Michael is fully legal...HA one to Michael. Those horrible neighbours are fiddling the DSS and she is driving her car without a driving licence but we are not trouble makers so we haven't gone to the police or DSS, all we want is to be left alone to live our lives hence ignoring them TOTALLY!!

We popped along to my Dad's home to drop his Father's Day card and presents off to him. My youngest sister and brother in law were there too which was nice! We haven't seen them for a while because my sister is always busy with her horses and our brother in law is working and playing golf.

I went to bed last night feeling very unwell but I felt a lot better this morning....thank goodness.

Today
We have removed our conservatory because we are hoping to have a new one fitted very soon, after the gas, loft conversion, flooring etc that is currently being done at the moment of course! There is a LOT happening around here at the moment!!

Michael and his family visited today to bring lots of lovely presents for my OH for Fathers Day from them all and a few best Grandad presents for Fathers Day.....SO SWEET!

Raw is going but still could be better, hard with everything going on but I wont give in!!! It will come better again soon!!!!

Here you go, I decided to post some pics now.

This order consists of Nori Nacho's...YUM! Really tasty! Macaroons and a raw Meusli.

Here is a pic of the raw goodies I have been buying lately, dental products, sweeteners, snacks, Braggs, raw honey etc.

And here is my GORGEOUS Kombucha pot/jar. I just placed the tap and cork into the hole to give you an idea. The tap is a true cider tap and the pot is a collectors, individually handmade and painted, signed and came with a certificate, of course the pot is to be used, not just to be looked at. It cost quite a lot of money for this so I am waiting for the work being done in the house before I get some Kombucha tea brewing in it.

New Page....PRETTY!

2010-06-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

How do you like my new page??

I'm back! Well infact, because it has been 12 days ago since I was last here I can't think back over those days to update BUT! Probably because not a lot has happened.

Errrm let me think..... The loft now has lights, sockets and a new ladder. We have a lady coming on Friday to discuss having a new gas system installed which will then mean we can get those ridiculous water tanks removed from the loft, (part of having a new gas system) we have also had a quote to have the chimney stack removed and if we decide to get this extra work done we will then have a full loft convertion....FAB!!
We have so much going on with the house at the moment what with the loft, gas, living room, flooring the whole downstairs area, tiling in the kitchen, spare bedroom for Adam, the shed and the garden i.e. fence to repspray etc. I want everything done well before Christmas.

We went out yesterday to Costco and stocked up on all the GORGEOUS fruit and veg, we also went to Tesco for sweet onions and celeriac and Asda for our groceries.

I finally received my sideboard for when my living room has been revamped....exciting! I also finally received my new Kombucha pot, it is beautiful, hand crafted and with a certificate because these are collectables, it has taken 4 weeks to get this pot because it had to be made for me. I haven't got my Kombucha pot up and running yet but I will. These Kombucha pots are made so they don't contain lead...BRILL! I will upload pics tomorrow of my new buys except the sideboard because that will remain in the box for a couple of weeks yet.
I succeeded in buying a bottle of Braggs Liquid Amino's here in the UK which I am very pleased about! Also Artisana Coconut Butter....GREAT!

Raw, still a bit up and down and the house being upside down isn't making things easy but that is part of working on a raw life also.

Well that is all for now so I will be back tomorrow.

Never In

2010-06-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

It feels like I have hardly been in the house lately.

Thursday
We went to Asda in the morning for a few bits and pieces, I also had to go to the bank for some money to pay the electrician who was coming in the afternoon to fix our shower switch. The switch is now fixed and I am SOOOO pleased!! I was having to switch it on via the mains shower switch which was such a nuisance!

I have been pondering on buying another Gartopf crock pot for some time now despite already having a fermenting crock pot, I wanted a smaller one but after watching You Tubes regarding fermenting foods I decided not to buy another fermenting pot but to buy some Kilner Jars instead which are a bit like Ball Jars with the two part sealing screw lids, so I searched online and I found that Lakeland stock them, so at 6.00pm we went to Newcastle and into Lakeland and bought a box of 12 x 0.5ltr jars and a box of 12 x 1ltr jars all with lids...BRILLIANT!

These Kilner jars will save a lot of time because after preparing the veg all I will need to do is let it ferment in the jars instead of having to decant from the fermenting crock pot....BRILLIANT!!

Whilst in Lakeland I also bought a few other things....I couldn't help it.....TUT, TUT but such FUN!!

8" Loose bottom flan pan
6" Loose bottom cake pan
Flexicado
9" Tapered angled spatula
Citrus juicer
12 Heart silicone moulds
LOVE IT!!

I received an order I have been waiting for.

The culture starter is exactly what I need to help with the veg fermenting, although, I don't HAVE to use a culture starter, I wanted to use it for that extra help and benefits.

On the way back from Newcastle we popped into my sisters for a visit and to give her a GORGEOUS bunch of pink roses, she has been wonderful since we broke the ice and I appreciate being closer to my sister again.

Today
Got up at 6.10am, showered, hair and makeup. I got the boys up, fed, washed and watered and then we headed into town, I needed to go to the Post Office. We then went to Holland & Barrett to buy some of their Q10 which was reduced by £15+ for their mega weekend WOW!! Is all I can say, I also bought some green coconut water which is 100% pure, I often buy this and especially at the moment because the store where I buy my green coconuts haven't been able to get them in stock lately, maybe there is a season for them, I will keep checking though.
Must say, I did NOT go to the market and to the sweetie stall....TICK VG to me.

When we got home I fathed around the house and then lay on the settee and promptly fell asleep....I hate doing that but we haven't been getting to bed until quite late recently what with shopping and visiting.

The electrician is coming on Monday to put electrics in the loft; two lights and a double socket then my OH can get on and lay the loft flooring, we still have the livingroom walls to strip, coving and lay the laminate flooring. I decided to throw out the display cabinet in my livingroom and I have bought a sideboard/cupboard which will be much more useful, I bought it about 2 weeks ago but I am still waiting to hear form the company to let me know a delivery date, they said I should hear later this month.

Well I think that is all my news for now.

The Last Few Days...

2010-06-02T05:22:00.001-07:00

Have been busy, although having said that, Sunday was a very lazy day.....nice though! My sister and nephew, Stephen visited on Sunday afternoon and we made some raw Chocolate. Stephen is suddenly a grown up, I say this because the last time I saw him was 4 years ago and he was still at school but he is 20 years old this year....how time flies!! He is doing very well in his career.

Bank Holiday Monday was a lovely hot sunny day. We started off by clearing rubbish out from the shed and my OH took it up to the amenities. After we done some clearing out work we went to my sisters home where we collected a GORGEOUS pine desk which I think will look better in my living room when we have the laminate flooring down, my desk at the moment is lovely but it is quite a dark wood. We sat in my sisters garden for a while and then I got some plant clippings for my garden, my sister is very green fingered, everything grows for her.

Tuesday I popped to Asda for a few bits and pieces and then I went into town with Michael and bought him his car tax as an extra little Birthday gift. Michael is now one happy chappy!! Money well spent when it puts a smile on our kids faces, no matter how old they get!!

Today I popped into town again and then back home. It is another lovely warm sunny day. I am onto my third load of washing which I should get hung out in the garden.
I have been good with my raw today and I am hoping to stay that way.

Friday & Saturday

2010-05-29T06:34:00.001-07:00

FRIDAY
I popped into town to collect the coving and I did pop to the market and the sweet stall.....YIKES!....*CRINGE*. I also went into Holland & Barrett and bought some Yogurt covered Banana Chips...TUT TUT these yogurt chips are deep fried.....Oh NOOO!!! I do believe I have fallen off the raw wagon somewhat.
The rest of the day consisted of not much else.

SATURDAY
Today has been a very lazy day, I would have normally walked into town but because I went yesterday I didn't want to go again and be tempted by anything naughty, I don't think I am strong enough to trust myself not to go to that damn stall after yesterday's mishap so I thought the best thing to do was to stay at home.
Over this long weekend we are going to clear our livingroom and start and strip the walls, we wont need to skim the walls as these have already been done a couple of years ago.

As far as my raw lifestyle goes I know what I have to do and that is to, "pick myself up, dust myself off and start over again!!"

Financial Thinking

2010-05-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well, after all the talk about selling up we have decided to improve instead of move....for now anyway.
We have discussed and discussed this matter and we have decided that it would be financially safer to stay put for now as we only have a few year left on our mortgage, SO, because of our decision I went out on Tuesday and bought a load of good quality GORGEOUS slightly textured laminate flooring for all my downstairs area, also the coving for my living room which now only leaves two rooms to cove which are mine and the spare bedroom which we will get skimmed etc later.
On Wednesday I went and paid for a GORGEOUS antique solid pine sideboard for my livingroom. This wont be delivered for a couple of weeks so that gives us time to strip and paint the livingroom walls, put the coving up and hopefully get the flooring layed. I also bought all the flooring for the loft and I have a guy coming soon to put in two lights and a double socket up there.
Adam is going to have the spare room for his bedroom because at the minute he shares a bedroom with James. We will skim the walls and laminate the floor for Adam, and buy him some new furniture. After the loft, livingroom, spare bedroom and our bedroom are done then that will be the whole house and back garden all revamped. It has taken us some time but then we have just done so much each year over the last few year. Eventually I will have the front garden done and a double drive put in and a new conservatory built at the back of our home then that will be everywhere done.
You can check out some before and after pics around our home HERE but since these pics were done we have also revamped the boys bedroom and the kitchen, although we still need to do the tiling under the cupboards in the kitchen.

Just to let you know, we are TOTALLY ignoring the neighbours which seems to be working.

I also popped to Holland & Barrett on Tuesday and I bought all the Linwoods flavoured flax, I also bought some Beetroot Juice, I know I could juice my own but it's nice when someone else does that sometimes.

So that is the latest of what has been happening.

Back tomorrow as I wont be quite as busy running around and shopping, although I do have to pop to town to collect the coving but that is all.

Feeling MUCH Better!!!

2010-05-22T01:59:00.000-07:00

I have been going through a really bad bout of depression over the last few weeks. My anti-depressants had been reduced in an attempt to bring me off them but a few days after they were reduced the depression started to set in, I didn't realise I was getting worse but my OH did and he said that I was just about back to where I was before I even went onto anti-depressants....NOT GOOD! So, after my regular visit with my GP he decided to increase them back up because I obviously wasn't ready and NOW I FEEL GREAT! And I am handling things great again including the trashy, scummy neighbours we unfortunately live beside. We keep ourselves to ourselves.....BEST WAY!!
We have been thinking and looking into selling our house and buying somewhere else. This Avenue was GORGEOUS! When we bought this house and full of lovely people but unfortunately the old man that used to live across the road sold his house to a rental company and now the folk that live across the road are horrible, drinking and loud folk. The folk next door to them are complete and utter trouble makers and the guy is paranoid because he has been in prison for rape and he thinks everyone is talking about him. He started trouble for me a few weeks ago. I was talking to my sister as she was leaving in her car, I had my back to the person and so the person stood there watching me, I turned round and he started being abusive and since then he has started staring at our home and into our windows every time he is outside or passing. These folk have caused so much trouble for folk that now the only people that speak to them are the rental folk. We totally ignore them all. The paranoid person has stopped staring into our home as much, he can't stare right into our windows because we have our front garden and if he came into our garden then he is trespassing. His wife is shocking also!!! She has been asking people questions about my eldest son and spouting on about how can he afford his car? WE helped him buy his car, not that she should know because what does it have to do with her?? NOTHING!! But she is jealous as to how he can afford his car.
About a week or so ago I caught the paranoid doing the snob action and pointing over to our home, that will do me, he obvioulsy knows we are better then them!! Anyway!! Enough about scummy neighbours.

Right then, what has been happening over the last few weeks? Well, we celebrated my OH's 50th Birthday last week. We were invited to my dad's home where his lovely wife, Beryl cooked us all a DELICOUS meal!! I haven't told them I am transitioning to raw so I did end up having a Prawn Cocktail, Pork, cooked veg and Birthday cake, I/we did enjoy the meal very much! When we got to my dads home we saw that he had pinned 50th balloons up all around his living room, he tried to stick a couple to his front door but they got stuck together and burst...TeeHee typical of my dad...TeeHee he also bought party hats, cake fizzler, sparkler things and happy birthday candles, it was all so nice and lovely that they had gone to so much trouble....bless them! My dad and Beryl are such lovely people but then I am biased, but they truly are lovely people! Oh! And they bought my OH a lovely birthday present and me a peach coloured patio rose plant, coincidence because I bought Beryl a pink patio rose plant for her as a thankyou/hostess gift, so we swopped rose plants....teehee
It was our granddaughter Ebony's 5th birthday on the 19th May and it is my eldest son, Michael's birthday on Monday....all these birthday's in May.

We did a huge grocery shop last week and I have received a few raw goodies through the post also. I have also ordered a Kombucha pot, it is BEAUTIFUL!! Hand made. I checked about the lead in the pot and paint and apparently it is lead free and it is especially for making Kombucha.

I have been having trouble with clenching my teeth at night which my GP told me that it is a spasm due to stress and depression but unfortunately it has cracked a tooth...boohoo I was at the dentist yesterday to temporarily repair it and I have to go back to have it treated next month.....not looking forward to that!! Who does!! My little James came along with me for moral support...bless!

I think that is all for now so I might get back later today or tomorrow, I am going to make a good effort to get back daily....AGAIN! I need to !!

Out & About

2010-04-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY
Got up at the usual time, 6.00am. Showered, hair and makeup and out the door to town. I went to the post office first where there was a rather loud and very unpleasant man who pushed in front of me. The guy WAS there before me but he left twice and so he should have joined the end of the queue again but when the post office door opened he pushed in front of me, I said to my boys, "look at this" he heard me and turned around and said, "well, as it happens I was here before you" he said this quite nastly. I didn't respond back because there was rather a lot of people and I wanted to keep my dignity. He then started to let his mouth go about the queue, shouting, "you would need to get a day off work to buy a stamp" like he works, he was a middle aged, grey haired, druggy looking man and when he was waiting for the post office to open he was standing up to ride his push bike and wheelying and going round in circles on his bike like a teenager before he went away twice. Most of the people waiting in the post office looked like druggies and certainly weren't working, their mobile phones were ringing and they were swearing down their phones and then bragging on about knocking their mothers out and other folk.....ROGUES! Eventually the nasty man shouted, "F*&@ THIS!!!!" and he walked out. I got served and I sent a parcel off to a lovely guy on Raw Food Rehab. I then went to the NEW Holland & Barrett shop and I bought some raw Nut Butters, Honey and Kelp. We got some free gifts of Pretzels and Chinese Crackers.

We then went to another shop where I bought a new shower head and a FAB! New sieve. Home to wait for a guy we had visiting and then off back out for my OH's medical, he passed. He has to have this done every 5 years, he is 50 in about 3 weeks hence the medical.

TODAY
Up and out early to post a letter and into town where I bought a Geriyoga Video and another health and fitness DVD. We then went onto the sweet stall...Oops! I bought the boys and my dad some sweets. We then went to Holland & Barrett again, well we had to! YEAH!! LOVE IT!! I bought my dad some Cinder Toffee from the Julian Graves section, my dad has such a sweet tooth!

We went to my dads later today and we were there for hours, LOVE SEEING MY DAD AND BERYL!!

Well that is about it for now so I shall be back tomorrow.

Who would think....

2010-04-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

that this pie is all raw!!

This is the Coconut Cream Pie from Café Gratitude's book.
The Coconut on the top is my own raw Coconut using the Brown Coconut that I shredded in my Green Star and then dehydrated.

Wednesday

2010-04-21T02:50:00.000-07:00

Good title eh? NOT!...TeeHee. Anyway, I was up at my usual 6.00am, showered, dressed, makeup, kids sorted etc. I had to go to the bank....done ü then to Asda to buy some Spring Greens. Spring Greens are apparently Collards in America and other countries as is our Aubergines are Egg Plants, Courgettes are Zucchinni, Jam is Jelly and the infamous Green Coconut is a Young Thai Coconut to everyone! The list goes on. I will be making Spring Green or Collard Wraps for one of my meals.

I received a new phone today, touch screen...FAB! It's got Sat Nav also, believe me, I need Sat Nav. I was once in Whitley Bay and I wanted to go straight to Newcastle but could I think of which way to go?....NO! So what I did was, I came home and started again and went to Newcastle - someone once told me I should have been a blonde...HO HO HO I have got NO sense of direction.

Should be back later today if I have anything to report. I am thinking of taking pics of all my meals and uploading them on here so I am EVEN MORE accountable.

Thai Coconut or Green Coconut?

2010-04-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I opened the Green Coconut and it was EXACTLY the same as a Young Thai Coconut inside. Now then, what I understand about this Coconut saga is that the Green Coconuts are the Young Thai Coconuts before they have been shaved but what it is, is this, Green Coconuts are slightly younger than the shaved Thai Coconuts and sometimes the Green Coconut might only be full of water because it hasn't had time to form the thin layer of meat, but they are one and the same apparently!
Here is the inside of my Green Coconut, what do you think? Is it a Green Coconut or a Thai Coconut?

Click on the picture to enlarge. You can see the thin layer of meat and the very thick husk which gives plenty to shave away and for the husk shaver....teehee to form into the white pointed coconut as pictured below.

YEP! The same Coconuts I would say, and after all of that, I made the Café Gratitude Coconut Cream Pie which is in the freezer (picture will follow) using the Green Coconut, I tasted the cream part but it wasn't as nice and creamy as it was when I made it with the old brown Coconuts.....teehee....no pleasing some folk eh? I am going to attempt the Creme Brulée's again but using the correct Coconut this time; the Green Coconut because the last time I made the Creme Brulée's I used the old brown Coconut and they were rock hard when set and this is probably because I did use the brown Coconuts which have a lot more oil and fat in the meat and I think that is what hardened the brulée.

I am going to try to get back to Newcastle very soon and buy a good few of the Green Coconuts.

I got some bad news this morning. A very lovely lady I know died on Sunday from Cancer, I was so shocked and rather upset. I really got on with this lady, she was definitely one of the good guys! Tracey was only 2 year older than myself and she leaves children, her youngest is 13 years old.
RIP Tracey! You will be missed VERY MUCH!!

I think that is all my news for today.

Acidity

2010-04-19T05:16:00.000-07:00

Well, confession time - I haven't managed to stick to my 100% raw but I am still working on it. I am trying even harder to stick to my raw these last few days and to be more prepared because every single time I eat anything cooked or processed in any way I am getting the most HORRENDOUS acid. I have been getting this for years but I have to say, it is and has got SOOOO much worse and it is there most of the time and I can't help it but I am having to take Gaviscon to help ease it, I am starting to think that maybe I will need to mention it to my GP. After sticking to my raw foods for a few days the acid goes but as soon as I eat something greasy, cooked or processed in whatever way the acid comes back and the worrying thing about acid is that it can be cancer causing.

Anyway, we took a drive to Newcastle yesterday in the attempt to track down Young Thai Coconuts but to no avail....BooHoo! Whilst in Newcastle I did buy a couple of other things some of which were Green Coconuts, now, I have read that Green Coconuts are the young coconuts before they have been shaved......ummm not sure but I thought I would give them a go anyway, they were only £1.45 each so I bought a couple.
Maybe someone out there knows for sure if the Green Coconuts and the Young Thai Coconuts are one and the same, I have looked on the internet about this but there are lots of conflicting reads and You Tubes, so if someone can enlighten me.
My OH has rung a wholesalers today to see if they can get the Young Thai Coconuts in for me and the guy at the wholesalers is going to find out tomorrow.

We first went to China Town in Newcastle to look for the Coconuts which we didn't find but I did find frozen Durian so I bought the last two tubs and I have to say, YES! It does stink the house out....PWOAR! But it is oh so YUMMY! We then went into Lakeland and I managed to find my angled spatula...YEAH! And because they had different sized angled spatula's I bought a 13" and a 9" I am thinking of going back to buy there tapered angled spatula.....ummmm pondering.

Not a lot happening today, Oh! I got an email from my sister and she is coming round in the week, we are going to make some Cacao choccy bars.

Okay then, I might get back later today if I have anything to report.

All New & Tickity Boo

2010-04-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

TeeHee...yep I am feeling fine now, no more slightly dodgy tummy still.

We went and stocked up on Thursday with my healthy foods etc. We went to Asda, Costco, Tesco and the Nutricentre so I am raring to go for another few weeks.

I had my car in for the MOT last week and PHEW! It passed! MOT's for the car can be stressful sometimes. My eldest son Michael took it in for me, I never like to take the car into a garage because they see a woman coming.

We popped in to my sisters on Thursday morning, she hasn't spoke to me for nearly 4 years but I took the plunge and knocked at her door at 8.15am....OOPS! But I haven't seen her since Thursday, I thought she would have popped along here a day or so later but nope, maybe soon....we shall see....or not, whatever the case may be but at least I took the mature approach and broke the ice. My younger nephew didn't even get out of bed to say hello and my older nephew who has now left home, he rang my sister and he didn't ask to speak to me when he knew I was there....ummmm I do hope they aren't blaming me for anything, although there shouldn't be any blame on anyones part because sometimes these things happen. The last time I saw my sister was back in 2006 when I qualified in Beauty Therapy and I dropped a box of choccies and a thankyou card in for the help she gave me, then that was it, I never saw her again.......ummmm

Not a lot else to report for now.

BACK TOMORROW

Have Been Unwell

2010-04-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Yep, I have been a tad unwell, reason? Coconut. I cracked open a brown coconut, drained the water which I have to say it did look a tad suss so after draining the coconut water I broke the coconut in half, looked great, sniffed it, smelled fine, sipped the water....BLEURGH! Nope down the drain it went, double checked the coconut...AHA! The meat nearest the shell was YEUK! About 20ish minutes after the smallest of sips of the coconut water I started to feel decidedly unwell. Over the last few days I have been feeling better and better and I did walk into town on Saturday to stock up on seeds, flax and nuts from Julian Graves as it is closing down and they were clearing all the stock, we are getting a Holland & Barretts instead...should be good!

This is what I bought from Julian Graves, it came to £40 - it should have been easily double that but everything was half price....BARGAIN

By the way, I was sorting the coconuts out to make the Creme Brulée which I did make but they where very rich. No photo at the moment.

Oh! How could I forget? I lost 2lb on the scales in this weeks weigh in....GO ME!

Well, I will be back tomorrow!

Day 3 & FREE ebook

2010-04-03T01:42:00.000-07:00

UPDATE FROM YESTERDAY.

My OH popped out to Asda for me yesterday, it's so funny because when he goes for me he doesn't need to take a grocery list he just takes his phone and because I love Asda and I know where everything is as I am there OFTEN! I just direct him around the store telling him what to buy....teehee
Anyway, I asked him to get some coconuts, unfortunately it has to be the brown coconuts but I use the method of getting the cream, oil and butter etc out of the ole brown coconuts which enables me to make I think ALL the recipes that include the thai coconuts, I'm not sure if the tast might be slightly different but HEY! A coconut is a coconut, yes? Here is the link to watch how to use the brown coconuts. I didn't manage time to make the creme caramel or creme brulée whatever it is called...teehee I am still hoping to make the creme brulée recipe which I might get done today.
Anyway, back in Asda, I also asked my OH to buy closed cap mushrooms (to make Alissa Cohens pecan and mushroom burgers) portabello mushrooms (to make Michelle K's sandwich) and romaine lettuce etc.

Here is Michelle K's, 'It's A High Raw Life' video for the sandwiches with Penni Sheltons Tomato sauce....YUM!

click the book to take you to Amazon.
I bought Penni's book a few weeks ago from Amazon uk.

I have to say, I get very excited about buying my fruit and veg for my lifestyle and I also get excited about making the raw recipes, this wouldn't have happened at one time although I have felt like this for some time now....WooHoo. To think, at one time I used to get excited about going to the Saturday market to the sweetie stall...MADNESS! I would rather go to Costco or Asda to the fruit and veg aisles any day!

To today. I currently have 4 cups of sweetcorn defrosting because I am planning on making Alissa Cohens corn tortilla's from her book pg 329 but I am going to have to get a wriggle on and get them sorted because they have to half dehydrate then I put the filling in and then they go back into the dehydrator to finish so these should hopefully be done for my evening meal tonight.

Oh! How could I forget this, I stayed raw yesterday also, so that is 2 raw days under my belt now, it feels like it is getting easier already.

I am still looking for the link for the health questionnaire.

Hopefully back later today with foodie pics.

UPDATE
Angela Stokes Monarch has put together a free raw recipe ebook from 12 popular raw food chefs like, Frank Giglio, Bryan Au, Elaina Love, Ani Phyo, Matt Amsden etc etc so to get your free raw recipe ebook then go to: FREE ebook type in your email address then download YOUR free ebook packed with beautiful raw recipe's.

Good Friday and Easter Bunny

2010-04-02T03:31:00.000-07:00

We have lived in this house for 24 years this month and never in all that time have we EVER seen a bunny in or near our home but this morning AND on a Good Friday there he was...THE EASTER BUNNY!....TeeHee

As you can see I threw a carrot out for him from my kitchen window, well, they like carrots don't they? The bunny even looked at it, sniffed it but then put his back to it....BAH HUMBUG! Then my OH went out and put lettuce leaves out for him...probably shouldn't encourage him but HEY! We are looking after the wildlife.

Right then, to yesterday, sorry I didn't get back I couldn't, someone hogged the computer, but anyway I have to have biscuits and other naughties in my house for my kids, grandchildren visiting and not forgetting the biggest baby of them all.....my OH! I was very tempted and had a craving to eat those chocolate biscuits BUT I am very pleased to say that I DID NOT succumb to my cravings and temptations and I ate some Banana leather instead....TICK VG to me!! So that is day one successfully under my belt....WoooHooo

Had my usual for breakfast this morning. I am maybe going to try a new recipe today from Rhio's book, Creme Caramel, I will let you know how it turns out and post a pic.

BACK LATER TODAY

It's HEEEERRRRE!!

2010-04-01T00:25:00.000-07:00

Today's the day that I start my 30+ days of 100% raw.

Over the last few days I have been fixing things FIRMLY in my mind that 1st April is THE day. Unfortunately I didn't get my savoury dehydrating done....DOESN'T MATTER! Because I can do that today or anytime, I have some sweet snacks prepared and I have been going through my raw un-cook books and I have lots of idea's so I am NOT caught out hungry.
After a while it will become natural to me and when I am hungry I wont crave the wrong foods and fall off the wagon, although I am NOT going to fall off the wagon this time, that is my intention!! I am a lot more mentally prepared this time around which has GOT to be a good thing!! Things feel different to me, not forced, more natural!!!!

I have had my Fruit and ground Brazil Nuts for breakfast, this always fills me up.
Last night I filled up my Fresh Life Automatic Sprouter and that is sprouting away there.

Oh! I weighed in this morning which Thursday's will now be my official weigh days but remember, I am not only following a raw lifestyle for weight loss but for ALLL the health benefits also. I need to feel the health benefits.

I found a health questionnaire a couple of weeks ago, I will fill that in today and also throughout the months to keep a check on how my health is improving, this should be a good thing to do and it will confirm to folk how beneficial a raw eating plan is. I will try to find the link for those who also want to fill the questionnaire in.

I'll be back later today....GOT TO KEEP UP BLOGGING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND DAILY SO I AM MORE ACCOUNTABLE!! Come back later today!!!

It's About To Start

2010-03-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Yep! I am going to be doing another 30 day challenge starting 1 APRIL 2010 which will hopefully put pay to any cooked and processed food cravings I still have.

I have been preparing flavoured water kefir, yep, flavoured water kefir, that is something I haven't done before, strawberry flavour is what I have double fermenting at the moment, I will be trying more flavours. I am going to be flavouring my Kombucha tea also. I am hoping to dramatically reduce or better still, cut out my coffee drinking. I am hoping to drink more coconut water, I will have to buy some cartons of coconut water in bulk.

I am going to dehydrate a lot of sweet foods tonight such as, banana crepes, flax crackers, cookies etc. I also have about 5 brown coconuts, so I will crack them open, clean them, shred them and dehydrate them so I have dehydrated coconut on hand ready to make other recipes with. We can't get the young Thai coconuts here in the UK but doing my brown coconuts this way enables me to be able to make the recipes such as the coconut cream pie from Cafe Gratitude...BRILLIANT! I made this about 3 weeks ago and it is YUMMY!

Tomorrow evening I will fill my dehydrator with savoury snacks such as savoury crackers, marinated and dehydrated onions and mushrooms, sweet onion bread, tortilla, corn tortilla chips, burgers, kale chips etc. I am also going to be making sauekraut.
A lot of these things can be frozen.
My aim is to NOT be caught out hungry and so I want lots of snacks on hand. I will of course be eating loads of fresh foods such as, fruit, salads, vege wraps, nori rolls etc. I am also going to make lots of different salad dressing and mock tuna, spreads, patés etc.
I am also going to sprout more. I have wheat grass growing at the moment and alfalfa seeds.
I will be starting some gardening and planting of veg this or next month. I bought some new large pots/tubs last year so I should do better this year at growing. This is my second year of growing my own veg so I can only get better at this this year....surely!!...teehee.

My failings have always been due to not being very well prepared, well, I should be well prepared with everything from the dehydrator by 1 April.

WATCH THIS SPACE!!

The Chefs Table Method

2010-03-24T01:50:00.001-07:00

The "Chef's Table" Method For Writing Recipes from Russell James on Vimeo.

Nice Day

2010-03-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Got up at my usual time this morning - 6.00am.

I decided to colour my hair this morning, so at 7.100am there I was with a dark brown colour all over my hair, I have gone slightly darker recently, one snag there though, it doesn't half show the grey roots more which look whiter with the darker hair.

At 11.00-ish am I decided to take a walk into town, I was looking for an angled spatula, a small icecream scoop and an Orange squeezer press type thing....NOTHING! None of the local shops had any of these things but I still came home with some new gadgets which are here:

A cool Snap n Slice. This will be handy for those quick single items.

I then bought a:

UV Sterlizer, FAB for mattresses. I do vacuum my mattresses with the attachment and I like to occasionally steam them but we have a memory foam mattress topper on our bed and of course I don't want to steam that, so this UV Sterlizer should be good and just to know it has had some sort of cleaning, bacteria killing done on it. It is also good for the loo's etc but of course I will still clean with the detergents but to top up with extra bacteria killing will be good.

The weather has been quite nice today although it was drizzling this morning and it hasn't been very bright today. I'm sure the weather forcasters said it was going to be bright, sunny and warm all week except Thursday when it will rain but it has been virtually the opposite all week with rain and overcast all week, lets hope it is still the opposite and it is SUNNY tomorrow.
I have noticed the birds singing loads lately, I LOVE the sound of the birds singing, one of my favourite sounds.

I have had 2 lots of headache tablets today and I still have a noggin ache, hopefully it will be gone soon.

I should be back tomorrow or later if I have anything to report, must think about getting some gardening and seed planting done soon.

Mothers Day

2010-03-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Got a lovely suprise today. This afternoon we opened the front door and baby Michael, our Grandson was standing there clutching a gorgeous little teddy bear and card....SOOOooo CUTE!! I then looked at Ebby and Ellie and they too were standing holding cards and pressies for me for Mothers Day.....Awwwww, I should have took pics of them all.

I did remember to take pics of my GORGEOUS Mothers Day pressies.

The Teddy and the card on the right is from my Michael. Ellie and baby Michael made the little pink pot, and the Roses and the other cards are from all the kids....BEAUTIFUL!!

As I said yesterday my OH bought me the NEW and latest Cuisinart for Mothers Day.

With a 20 year guarantee for peace of mind as well as so many great features, the Cuisinart Elite Food Processor is the answer to all your needs and wishes in the kitchen.
This luxury model comes with three different bowl sizes with SealTight technology, the new Cuisinart BladeLock System for effortless pouring and attachments made of the finest quality: dough blade, 2 x chopping/mixing blades, adjustable slicing disc and reversible shredding disc.
Features:
Cast metal multi-bowl food processor
Extremely versatile with multi-bowl options (3.8L, 3L, 1L) for more efficient processing
Commercial grade induction motor, automatically adjusts power to maintain optimum processing speed
Safe to use BladeLock system, locks blade in place for effortless pouring
Features Cuisinart exclusive SealTight technology, keeping processed foods and liquids within the bowl that is being used
Adjustable slicing disc lets you slice ingredients from 1mm through to 6mm
Reversible shredding disc for fine or medium results
Large and small chopping/mixing blades and dough blade tackle all of your food processing needs

Specification:
Finish: Die-cast metal
Product Weight: 9 KG
Motor: 1500
Watts Voltage: 230
Volts Frequency: 50 Hz
Packaging Dimensions: H: 403 mm W: 330 mm D: 521 mm
Product Dimensions: H: 440 mm W: 190 mm D: 260 mm

I am so spoilt....teehee such fun.

I whipped over my floors this morning with my NEW little sweeper and it certainly has brought the pile up on the carpet floors and it of course whizzed over the kitchen, bathroom and downstairs loo floor, so it is going to be great for in between my daily morning vacuuming and cleaning.

The sun is shinning today and it is fairly warm-ish, Summer is coming!!!
My OH has cut the grasses and he is now washing the car, he wont let me help because it is Mothers Day.......awwwe he is a gem!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MAMMIES OUT THERE!!! XX

Back tomorrow

What A Day!!

2010-03-13T08:31:00.000-08:00

I was up at 5.30am, showered, hair and makeup done and in Asda at 7.30am......2 hours to get myself sorted I hear you say......errrrm - YEAH! And the boys and OH....teehee
Got home about 8.45am, job done! ANNND before all the pushing and shoving from the bad mannered folk that fill the place at weekends, yep! I hate shopping so much at weekends that I would much rather be up and out during the early hours.

When we got back from Asda my OH took Adam to 'Grainger Games' store for a couple of games we said we would get him, another job done.
We, well, I wanted to go to Costco, we go every month, so off we went. We got into Costco about 10.00am where I bought a nifty little rechargeable floor sweeper which will be great for when the boys make crumbs on the floor and also for them to keep on top of their bedroom carpet, teach them early so when they grow up they too will know that they must keep their own homes/spaces clean. My Michael is like that now, he hates mess and cleans up when there is a mess. I teach my boys to clean up after them and to keep on top of their own space.
Whilst in Costco I also bought LOADS of gorgeous, healthy, yummy fresh produce i.e. Medjool Dates, Tomatoes, Grapes, Blueberries, Courgettes, Aubergines, Mushrooms etc etc.

Home about 1.30pm WOW! Nearly all done until all of a sudden my OH decided to ring around stores in Newcastle to find me the Cuisinart Elite for me for mothers day.....Awwww! Fenwicks in Newcastle have it AND with 10% off for now, SOoo! Off to Newcastle we went. During attempting to get parked in the spiral carpark our car started to overheat......AAARRRGGHHH! Panic stations but then I panic about anything at a minutes notice. My OH as usual stays so calm, just as well because I panic enough for both of us and more.....teehee It is manic trying to get parked in Newcastle at weekends and so many folk were just going round and round looking for spaces, the same cars kept passing me while I was waiting for my OH to pop into Fenwicks to buy me my NEW Cuisinart. Oh! Did you know that Sarah Fergusons (Duches of York AKA Fergie) daughter goes to Newcastle University? We didn't see her in Newcastle...teehee and if we did she would be surrounded by body gaurds no doubt.

On the way back from Newcastle James decides he wants a new X Box game, so we pop back to Asda. We pass Asda on the way home, just as well. After stressing out in Newcastle I had developed quite a headache so whilst in Asda I had to buy a drink to take some headache tablets with. When I went into Asda I needed to pop to the ladies and an older lady went in before me, she MUST have been a man dressed as a woman because when I went into the loo after her it was covered in urine on the seat.......ABSOLUTELY FILTHY DISGUSTING!!!! Or she was just a dirty old lady, sorry but there is really NO NEED to leave a loo in that sort of state!!!!!!!
Did I use the loo after her? I had no choice, I was busting, so I lifted the seat and covered the porcelain seat with extra loo paper before I sat down, I always cover the seat anyway!! Got to make sure I don't have loo paper stuck to my butt though!!....TeeHee I feel so dirty now, shower soon!!

3.30pm HOME at last!! PHEW!!
Have to say, I am going to have a small bag of chippy chips tonight, I know, not raw but it's a one off.

Back tomorrow.

What's Going On??

2010-03-12T00:13:00.000-08:00

I get so into blogging and then I go all to pot.....ummm...no excuses but over the last week or so I have been on a downer, not sure if it because my anti-depressants have been reduced or what! But I am keeping an eye on things and if I slip further then during my next visit with my GP I will let him know. My GP did ask me if I felt as though I could reduce them so I know I have the buffer there that if I need to have them incresed again then I can, but to honest I would much prefer to be off them. I will see how things go.

Anyway, my weight on the scales has been coming down but as of this Monday I am getting into the GROOVE! And I am going to be more consistent with my raw meal choices and snacks because I want the scales to continue to come down.....STOP THE YO YOING!!

I am thinking of buying a new Cuisinart, a more powerful machine, a commercial strength machine. I love my Cuisinart that I have now and I would never part with it but the bowl could do with being a tad bigger and it could do with being more powerful although my Cuisinart is the most powerful food processor that I have ever had to date and I have had some....teehee
At the moment when I am making recipes I can only do half size of the recipe but I would like to make the full size recipes and freeze the other half so I always have raw on hand because the thought of making something from scratch more often than not is not very appealing sometimes. I love making raw recipes but sometimes I just want to grab something....I AM LAZY!!....teehee although, "Fresh IS Best!!"

We are popping out tomorrow and I will be stocking up on fresh, healthy, gorgeous produce.

Oh! I wanted to clear the fridge yesterday to make room for my big Costco shop and SOOooo I made a Salad bar. I sliced, chopped and grated....in my Cuisinart...small or not, I LOVE IT!! Anyway, I sliced, chopped and grated Carrot, Beetroot, Cucumber, Sweet Onions, Red & Yellow Peppers (Green Peppers are not ripe) Parnips, Turnips, Broccoli and Cauliflower and I put them into individual tubs with lids so anything remaining could be put back into the fridge to make a meal today (Friday) I also put a bowl of Plum Cherry Tomatoes out. I cooked a Chicken for the family so they could have Salad and Roast Chicken and of course they loved it. My OH had to have Chips with his Roast Chicken though.....grrrrrr
I am going to make a Salad Bar once a week and make some Fakin Bacon and raw Crackers etc for moi and for the family, if they choose to delve into the raw goods that is but if not then I will of course have the hard boiled Eggs, Ham, Chicken, Croutons etc out for them.
I am going to keep the Salad tubs full so Salad items can be put onto plates daily and I can grab my Salad daily.

I will take pics of my Salad bar the next time.

Okay, that is all for now and I will endevour to return and blog daily.

Positivity

2010-02-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

Listen to the words of this WONDERFUL song! Isn't Dolly Parton Brilliant?!!

Kim Chi

2010-02-23T08:21:00.001-08:00

Excalibur Dehydrator

2010-02-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning with a headache, so after taking my anti depressant I decided to take some pain killers also. I checked my emails etc and then promptly fell back to sleep, unfortunately when I woke up I still had the headache. It is now 7.05pm and I STILL have the headache.....not nice. Thinking a walk in the cool winter air would help this headache we decided to take an afternoon walk into town and back, nope! It didn't help but it is good exercise anyway which I have been lacking in loads lately. Despite feeling pained today I have felt rather calm which has been nice.

Over the last couple of days I have been raw uncooking and I have had the dehydrator going and here are some results.

First of all, Rhio's Bagels:

Second, I had some Nut Pulp and so I dehydrated it and then put it through the Vitamix, I now have a stock of Nut Flour which I can use in Cookies. I will be using this flour in Cookies only because it is Nut Pulp with Dates in from when I have been making Nut Milks, I always sweeten my Nut Milks with Dates. This flour will keep in a jar in the fridge for up to 30 days.

Next is Cheese Crackers.

I usually make this and pour it over Kale to make my Cheesey Kale. It is quite versatile and can be made into crackers or even ground to make cheese sprinkles to sprinkle onto raw Pasta etc. The cheese flavour comes from adding Nutritional Yeast which has a very cheesey flavour...it is GREAT! Nutritional Yeast is not a raw product but it is used a lot in the raw world.

For my evening meal tonight I had a Bagel with Avocado, Alfalfa Sprouts and a few sliced Cherry Tomatoes that I have home grown in my Aerogarden....GORGEOUS!

I am going to have some Pineapple now.

Back tomorrow.

Goodies

2010-02-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

FAB! I received my couple other items today....EXCITING!
Here is the first. It is a NEW DVD by Rhio.

I am hoping to also buy volumes 2 & 3 as soon as they become available.
My second parcel today was this:

A Ceramic Fermenting Pot. I am looking for a good book to start a load of fermenting, of course fermented foods are RAW foods.

Again, I haven't done a lot today apart from my usual, I didn't do my dehydrating or Pasta Marinara.....LAAAAZZZZZY! So, I haven't got a lot to report, I haven't even been past the door today, just another lazy day....my get up and go, got up and went somewhere and I don't know where....BOOHOO! Ah well! I am sure to make up for it and I will end up being so busy very soon....that is usually what happens.

I am very happy with my NEW purchases lately!

Back tomorrow with hopefully a more productive day.

Thankyou Philip!

2010-02-17T15:27:00.000-08:00

I just received a lovely comment from the GORGEOUS Philip Mccluskey!! Thankyou for that Philip! The video is FABULOUS! And I can understand with loads of what you said. Making everyday a good day is in our hands...POSITIVE THINKING and APPRECIATION!
I have to say, Philip is quite a funny guy, I did have a few giggles with some of the witty things he was saying, and he has done FANTASTIC! With weight loss...over 200lb loss...WELL DONE!!

I stepped on the scales this morning ANNNND I have lost 4.7lb over the last 2 weeks, pretty good eh?

I have just done my usual housework today so not a lot else to report.
I am waiting for a couple more items to be delivered which I will show you when they arrive.

I am going to get on with a few raw recipes tomorrow. For my evening meal tomorrow I am thinking of making Marinara Pasta from Alissa Cohens book, this is a nice recipe. I will have a good look through my books and see what I fancy making. I have LOADS of raw books and DVD's now.

Well I am rambling so I will get myself off and up the wooden hill and I will get back tomorrow.

Nighty nite!

Raw and Narrow

2010-02-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

Saturday just gone I done a HUUUUGE! Grocery shop. Started off with Asda at 8.30am then I had to pop into town and the Health Food Shop for my Brazil Nuts and Linseeds (Flax Seeds). Early afternoon we went to Costco where I spent £127 on pure goodness and a NEW Water Filter with 1 years supply of filters....NICE ONE!! No naughties seem to go into my Costco trolley any more, I am always too eager to grab my Fruit and Veg which are a FANTASTIC quality! I hasten to add. I did score a box of Mangoes, 9 Mangoes for £3.79 now that was GREAT! Because Mangoes, which I feel are of a lesser quality are £1 each in Asda. I also bought a 680g tub of Blueberries for only £4.29 another bargain because it is usually £3 for two TINY tubs of Blueberries in Asda. I also bought my usuals of Apples, Lemons, Garlic, Medjool Dates, Avocados etc etc Oh! And a huge bag of Pine Nuts.

Aren't these FAB? And they are big also!!

I received a couple of BRILLAINT! Raw orders this morning, the first from Raw Living.

Magic Mix is SOOOO YUMCIOUS!!!! I bought 2 bags this time. I also bought Ionic Drops, premium grade Madgascar Vanilla Beans and there are 6 Vanilla Beans in the packet for only £4.95 BARGAIN considering you can spend more than that for ONE Vanilla Bean in other shops. There is also a bag of the GORGEOUS Chia Seeds, Probio-Easy and a FREE bag of Hi Trail Mix because my order was over £50.

My next parcel this morning was from Shazzie's shop.

2 Cartons of Coconut Milk, 1 x 500g bag of Hemp Protein Powder which is to help with cravings as well as ALLL the other health benefits, and not forgetting the GORGEOUS Philip Mccluskey DVD.

Well that is my latest buys, hope you like them.

I am going to measure my body aswell as weighing to keep a check on any weight loss although I am not exercising at the moment. I am thinking of going 100% raw overnight because at the moment I am still sneaking the odd little bit of cooked which is keeping my taste buds in the cooked food world and I am feeling negative unhealthy feelings from this but when I stick to raw the positive healthy benefits I feel, which I feel very quickly are THE BEST! WELL WORTH BEING RAW!!

Back tomorrow

That Grosses Me Out!

2010-02-05T04:37:00.000-08:00

Another late Breakfast this ~~morning~~ afternoon 12.40pm to be exact. I have ran out of Grapes and Persimmons which I like to have on my Breakfast so I just had Pear, Banana and ground Brazils - nice all the same!

I was hungry when I went to bed last night but then I would be because all I could be bothered to make for myself for my evening meal was Banana Icecream, raw of course. I sprinkled some Lucuma over it but I sprinkled on far too much and although Lucuma is lovely, I LOVE IT! I don't like too much, so I didn't finish my Icecream. When I got out of bed this morning I did feel lighter and not as sluggish.
YEUUUUU! In the bin goes the remainder of my Breakfast. I have been eating my Breakfast whilst doing my blog and I just found one of my hairs in it.....BLEURGH! Thats it! If I find a hair even my own in my food I CAN NOT eat it! It GROSSES ME OUT!

I have things soaking and sprouting so I am hoping to get on with a few things later, I will post pics. That is one of the reasons my Breakfast got later and later.....I have a load of things to rinse etc.
I quite fancy making a Corn Chip recipe from Alissa Cohens book, it seems like it will be really nice, going off the ingredients.

I am still incorporating my rota's into my day which is going good although the odd things doesn't get done because I have much more on my plate these day because something has changed in my life since last September and I don't have quite as much spare time. I wont say what it is just yet, nothing bad, just a change and a challenge for me.
I still want to try to incorporate exercise into my day especially as I have an even BIGGER variety of exercise DVD's and not forgetting all the exercise equipment I have....AMAZING! I used to have mainly Aerobic DVD's but now I have dance i.e. Salsa, Bellydancing etc etc in my collection which will make exercising SOOOO much more fun!! Planning is the secret!

I have to say, I am starting to enjoy blogging again, although I always did enjoy blogging but I am getting back into it.

Well I may get back later, if not, then tomorrow.

Practise Makes Perfect

2010-02-03T05:51:00.001-08:00

I get up in the morning with such gusto ready to get on with my raw day and I do start off with a healthy raw Breakfast but it is difficult for me when I have to have so many naughties in the house for my husband and boys. I do have raw snacks throughout most of the day but by late afternoon I am craving naughties and I sometimes succumb to these little bits of naughties.
When I stick to my raw food 100% the benefits I feel within a matter of days are quite profound, I feel SOOO much better in such a short period of time, it amazes me every time, so why can't I stick to 100% raw 100% of the time? Well I think it is laziness but by sticking to 100% raw I start to feel I have more energy and so it gets easier with preparing my raw meals but just one lazy spot and then BANG! I have grabbed something not raw and then that in turn can lessen my energy...a downward spiral begins for days making it hard to get back onto my raw wagon.....you would have thought I would have learnt my lesson by now!!

Well I have every single piece of machinery to stick to raw, even down to a large Amercian Fridge Freezer. I have just about every single item of raw foods, super foods, supplements etc etc so, time to put them ALL into practise 100% OF THE TIME!! This is a 100% 28 day raw challenge but it isn't a challenge, it is a lifestyle change!!

Again this morning I got up and went through my usual routine, shower, hair and makeup, floors and kids and then my Breakfast but because of sorting the boys out etc I didn't manage to get my Breakfast until Lunch time, not a problem, who said we have to stick to certain times of the day to eat? Silly idea, we should eat when hungry but eat healthy, although, having said that, it isn't good to eat late in the evening but that is for our own benefit, we don't want food sitting in our tummy's and disturbing our sleep do we?

I have Chickpeas soaking to make raw Hummus, I have Buckwheat soaking to make Pizza Bases and I have Wheatberries soaking for whatever, I can't remember, I will have to check in Alissa Cohens Raw book.
Notice that I have grains etc soaking this is because I want to cut down on the nut products as nuts are high in calories, so at the most I will only have nuts once a day.

I am making the family mince and veg tonight for their evening meal, I am having raw. I am thinking of shredding veg and fruit and having a HUGE salad, salad can be very filling!! I actually LOVE preparing raw foods, it is different instead of making the same old meals. I have never got bored with making raw foods....AMAZING!!

I am feeling tired today as I didn't get to bed until about 3.00am - mad I know but I was reading. I will not stray off my raw wagon - I AM DETERMINED!! I want to be slim, fit and healthy and this is the road to go down.
Angie at In The RawRealm has gone down that road and WOW! That lady looks AMAZING! You can also check out Angie's You Tube

Back later today, hopefully

NEW 28 Day Challenge

2010-02-01T01:07:00.000-08:00

Right! I am on a 28 day challenge to stay 100% raw for the month of February, well it is the shortest month of the year. No sneaky bits of Choccy, if I want something naughty I am going to have to create something naughty and raw.

I weighed myself this morning and although I like Thursday's to be my weigh day I am going to stick to Mondays throughout this month.

I am also getting my butt back into gear and following my housework and beauty rota's and I am hoping to get into my exercise rota's.

Found a lovely recipe this morning to make Saurkraut so here it is:

I am going to have a go at making this in a week or so, when I next get to Asda.

I am still on anti-depressants but I went been to see my GP last week and I have decided to try to reduce them and see how I go, ideally I would like to be off them to see how eating a raw diet can help rather than resorting to medication, need to be careful though I DO NOT want to sink into a deep depression again, one day at a time, at least I have that buffer that if needed I can increase them again with my GP's consent.

Okay, I started my morning off with spilling water on my bed covers....STUPID! At least it was just plain water and not too much, just 1/4 cup, I then came out of the bathroom and banged my foot on the side of one of the boys old TV's that are on the landing floor waiting for me to find a place to store them as spares incase anything goes wrong with their new TV's that we bought them for Christmas and they don't have a TV to play their computer games....god forbid that should happen - not bad for the first hour or so of the morning - bruised foot and I need to dry the bed cover.....teehee I can laugh now because I am safe just sitting here typing this, I am safe, aren't I?? Never know when it comes to me....teehee

I made some Cheesey Kale yesterday which are now in a Lock n Lock. I have some Alfalfa sprouting and I am hoping to get some more things going in the deydrator today, I will let you know.

Well, I need to get on with cleaning my bathroom and patio doors today which are on my rota, beauty comes this evening.

Should get back later today but if not then I will be back tomorrow for the 2nd day of my 28 day challenge.

2010

2010-01-22T01:21:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I am back from a break from my blog.
James has celebrated his 10th Birthday and I have had my 44th Birthday.

I am BACK!....WOOOOOHOOOOO I am feeling raring to get on with things and I will be back later today with a full report and to let you know how my day has gone.

Update
For Christmas I got lots of lovely things, my Green Star being one of them....YeeHaa I of course got lots of Beauty items also.

The start of 2010 has been a tad up and down on the raw front and life, but I am getting there.
We have had a huge amount of snow in the UK which has been getting everyone down and in some parts of the UK the snow is still about 10ft high but HEY! It is a new year and we just move on.

I am still making Milk Kefir although Milk Kefir is not raw Vegan but very healthy with healthy probiotics which we all need. My Water Kefir is still going great and multiplying at a rate of knots....GOSH! Those little grains grow so fast! I am also still doing my Kombucha which is FANTASTIC! And not forgetting how quick those little mushrooms multiply also....saucy little devils!...teehee. I have just started making my own Apple Cider Vinegar and also fermenting veg in a Japanese Nukazuke

Back later

Where Has It Gone??

2009-11-27T02:40:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-23T04:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-11-21T06:54:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-10T01:05:00.000-08:00

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....

2009-11-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

Not any more!!

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

Dark Nights

2009-10-25T10:40:00.001-07:00

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......

2009-10-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-10-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-09-23T01:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-28T04:01:00.001-07:00

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.