RAW Living and Learning

Today I whipped up a refreshing salad with an oil free, raw vegan dressing that reminded me of Key lime Pie! My leafy green of choice today was Wild Arugula. I love it's peppery flavor. And did you know it is loaded with Vitamins A and C and is also good source of Calcium and Vitamin K? We harvested most of the limes off our Key lime tree this past week and I have been enjoying them in many different ways. The creamy sweet lime dressing I created today is a perfect contrast for the arugula's peppery flavor. Sprouty Arugula and Citrus Salad by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com 3 C of Wild Arugula (I found @ Trader Joe's) 2 C of broccoli sprouts 1 C of sunflower greens 6 small navel oranges, peeled and diced 1 small sweet white onion, diced Rough chop the arugula and top with the broccoli sprouts, sunflower greens, oranges and onion. Drizzle on the Kreamy Keylime Dressing. Kreamy Key lime Dressing by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspo...

Each morning our 6 year old wispers in my ear which fruit he wants me to use in the morning green smoothie. He calls it, "My recipe". Today the fruit of choice was raspberry. Here is how todays recipe unfolded. " My Recipe" by Eric Jr. and Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com 5 leaves and stems of green curly kale, organic 1 navel orange, organic 1 C water 1 C ice 6 bananas 1 bag of frozen organic raspberries In a high speed blender blend until thick and smooth. Enjoy! +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for soft, sweet whispers in my ear.

Raspberry Salad Dressing or Fruit Dip by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com 6 oz fresh organic raspberries 2 soaked and pitted Medjool dates juice of 1 key lime juice of 1 orange 3 baby green zucchini In a personal sized blender, blend until creamy smooth.  Enjoy on any green salad or even use as a fruit dip or drizzle.  Here is how I enjoyed this amazing dressing/drizzle. I topped my 4 large mangoes with it--oh man is it gooooood!!! +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for my latest rebounding routine; it is tough but I am loving it--feel the burn!!

In a previous post I hacked into my first young Thai coconut and said I'd share a post about some local green coconuts I was fortunate enough to get. Effortless foraging for this coconut involved watching the tree trimmers cut down the neighbor's coconuts and then mustering up enough courage to ask the man for 6 coconuts. I used a hacksaw to saw off the stem, then I hammered a screw driver into the top. Turned it upside down over a strainer and decided to use the coconut water in a simple 4 ingredient raw soup. Raw Cucumber Soup by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com Water from 1 green Florida coconut (or young Thai) 1 large cucumber 1 sprig of fresh dill 2-3 soaked and pitted Medjool dates Blend all of the ingredients in a blender and enjoy! You can imagine how wonderful this tasted on a hot and humid summer day. +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for effortless foraging.

I am enjoying organic nectarines like crazy! They are so wonderful when eaten either alone as a mono meal (5 or more!) or with simple ingredients like celery, sunflower greens and organic blueberries with some fresh squeezed OJ on top, as shown in the picture above.   I love eating my mid day meal out in the sun on our upper deck. Normally my serving would be twice this size but I ate three of the nectarines before I could assemble this salad!! I recently discovered a simple, creamy, nectarine dressing using: 2 organic nectarines 4 Brazil nuts small amount of fresh ginger   +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for a safe return home from San Francisco; Francisco, that's fun to say (Elf).  

I found a beautiful bunch of organic baby broccoli at Trader Joes and just had to get busy creating a recipe around it. This is a very simple recipe using minimal ingredients....just the way I like raw recipes when time is short. It is a sweet and tangy salad that made a wonderful meal. Baby Broccoli Salad by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com 1 package of organic baby broccoli, chopped stems and all 1 organic red pepper, diced 1 organic Vadalia onion, sliced thin and diced 1/3 C organic raisins Marinade: 1/4 C Coconut Vinegar 1 T First Cold Pressed EVOO 1 Tsp pure organic maple syrup (optional) or use date paste 1 tsp organic stone ground mustard Combine the marinade ingredients and pour over vegetables and raisins. Cover and marinate over night. Enjoy on top of a bed of your favorite lettuce! +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for challenges.

I have a new favorite green, Mache (lambs lettuce). I tried it for the first time this month and I am hooked. I bought a bag at Trader Joes and originally used it in our smoothies but this time I made a fabulous salad. I have been eating some of my salads dressing free. Instead I try to spritz on fresh citrus juices or chopped herbs. I might try growing Mache this Fall. Here is a page that tells you how. Here is my simple recipe: Undressed Mache Salad by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com Mache lettuce (Lamb's Lettuce) Romaine lettuce, chopped Shredded white cabbage Hothouse cucumber, sliced 1/2 yellow pepper, sliced 1/2 orange pepper, sliced 1 grapefruit, peeled and diced Juice of 1/2 a lime Raisins Dried cranberries 1 tsp Hemp seeds +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for discovering Mache!

Workout Water Not only do I begin each day with a large glass of lemon or lime water but I also chug another one after my work outs that is a bit different. Here is a work out water that will quench any thirst. The trick is making an infused water. You can use any fruit you'd like. This one has lemon and cucumber sliced very thin. I have also had pineapple, watermelon, orange and mint infused waters. Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless. Start with a large glass jar and fill with filtered or spring water. Add your fruit or fruits of choice and allow to infuse for several hours. Enjoy your flavored water throughout the day. Fresh is best, it tends to get bitter by day two so discard any leftovers and start fresh the next day. Have you heard of The Ph Miracle? Here is an article written by  Dr. Robert O. Young: The Alkalizing Benefits of Lemon and Lime Dr. Robert O. Young Start your day with Lemon Water Many of us already know the benefits of drinking plent...

I know greens and fruit should not be mixed, according to the "Food Combining Police", but I mix them daily. I just cannot imagine not; how else would I make a green smoothie? I put together a massive bowl of greens and topped it with some soaked raisins and a diced Pink Lady apple. The dressing couldn't be easier, the juice of 1 navel orange. Greens and Fruit by Elizabeth @rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com 4 large leaves of organic romaine, sliced into thin ribbons 1/2 a bunch of organic parsley, fine chopped stems and all 2 Cups wild arugula, rough chop 1/2 Cup sunflower greens 1/2 Cup broccoli sprouts 1/4 Cup organic raisins, soaked for 20 min., rinse and drain 1 large organic Pink Lady apple, diced Dressing: The juice of 1 navel orange +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for  curve balls in life; they can make one accomplish the unimaginable.