10 Days 100 % Simply Raw--Day 1

After posting Saturday's Meditation I became inspired to try a 10 day 100% pure Simply Raw cleanse/detox. The five children and I came down with a terrible flu while we were traveling in Michigan. It lasted a full two weeks and I survived on herbal tea, cooked and raw vegetables and of course the morning green smoothies. I literally had to force the food down, there was no appetitite to be found. I also had to take some OTC meds in order to sleep one night, I had such a painful headache. So needless to say I have a lot of detoxing to do. What better way than a 10 day Simply Raw protocol. I will avoid gourmet raw during these 10 days and focus on simplicity which translates into easy recipes!
I will be sharing my meals from the day prior to each post, as I began my 10 days on December 10th. So here is how my Saturday looked on my 10 Days 100% Simply Raw
DAY 1
Large glass of filtered water upon rising
20 minutes of a full body workout using weights, large excercise ball and cardio
Meal #1: Post Workout Green Smoothie

Cherry Kale Smoothie (makes 5 large servings)
by Elizabeth @ RawLivingandlearning.blogspot.com

1 bunch of Dino Kale
1 bag frozen cherries
1/4 an avocado
4 ripe bananas
1 tsp coconut oil
2 T chia
1 C filtered water
1 C ice
Place ingredients in the "Wild Side Pitcher" of a Blendtec blender, or any large high speed blender pitcher, and hit the "smoothie" button. This makes 5 large servings.
I had a 16 oz glass after my workout and it was delicious. I served the remaining servings to the children and hubby.
For the second meal of the day I was thinking of soup. While I was sick I never got to have a really good bowl of soup and I was craving it big time.
I am always drooling whenever Lisa at Raw on 10 or Less posts her avocado soup. Her recipe along with the one from "Raw Food A complete Guide for Every Meal of the Day" are my favorites.
I decided to try creating my own avocado soup by combining key components in both of theirs. Here are two versions that I came up with:
Meal #2: Avocado Soup, Version 1 (serves 2)
by Elizabeth @ Rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

1 large Haas avocado
1 C  filtered water (More if needed)
2 T fresh lemon juice
zest from 1/2 of the lemon
2 T of diced Vadalia onion
1 clove of pressed garlic
pinch of red pepper flakes
pinch of sea salt (optional)
1 tsp raw honey
cucumber noodles
finely diced orange bell pepper
finely diced Roma tomato
broccoli sprouts
Directions:
In a high speed blender add the water, avocado, lemon juice and zest. Blend till creamy adding water if needed to obtain your desired consistency. Next add the garlic, 1 T of the onions and a pinch of sea salt. Pulse a few times. Next prepare the cucumber noodles by peeling a cucumber and slicing thin strips on a mandolin. stop before you reach the seeds. Stack the noodles and cut into thinner strips using a sharp knife. Pour the soup into bowls and add the cucumber noodles. Garnish the soup with a drizzle of raw honey, chopped orange peppers, tomatoes, remaining onion and the broccoli sprouts.

Avocado Soup Version 2 (serves 2)
by Elizabeth @ Rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

1 large Haas avocado
1 C filtered water (more if needed)
2 T fresh lime juice
zest from 1/2 of the lime
1 clove pressed garlic
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 tsp Tamari
fresh cilantro
scallions, the greens only, finely sliced
cucumber noodles (see above recipe for how to)
finely diced orange bell pepper
finely diced Roma tomato
broccoli sprouts
Directions:
In a high speed blender add the water, avocado, lime juice and zest. Blend till creamy. Next add the garlic, Tamari, and red pepper flakes and pulse a few times. Pour soup into bowls and add the cucumber noodles. Garnish soups with the peppers, tomato, cilantro and sprouts. For a finishing touch top with a very small amount of ground sea salt. Insanely good!!

I actually had a bowl of each for Meal #2. I was really happy with how delicious they both were and how distinctly different they tasted.

Meal #3 Pear Delight

2 diced pears

6 soaked dates

2 soaked figs

1 T raw dried coconut, soaked

1/3 C raw sunflower seeds soaked 2-3 hrs

cinnamon

Directions:

Place the diced pears into a bowl. Slice the figs and dates into bite sized pieces. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pears and gently toss. Enjoy!

I will leave you with this thought to ponder during this hectic season as we await Christmas:

"Can we rest securely in the knowledge that we are cherished by a God who pursues us passionately? If we can burrow deep into that identity, we don't much need pretension, titles, acclaim, prestige or perfect Christmas gifts. We have enough."
— from Catholic Update: Advent Day-by-Day

+JMJ+ Today I am grateful for my day filled with raw living foods and for feeling much better!!