RAW Living and Learning

Are Microgreens Healthier? May 2, 2013 by Michael Greger M.D. in News   USDA researchers recently published a  study  assessing the nutrition content of 25 commercially available microgreens, seedlings of vegetables and herbs that have gained popularity in upscale markets and restaurants. Just a few inches tall, they boast intense flavors and vivid colors, but what about their nutritional content? No one knew until now. We’ve known that baby spinach leaves, for example, have  higher  levels of phytonutrients than mature spinach leaves, but what about  really  baby spinach–just a week or two old? Microgreens won hands down (leaves down?), possessing significantly higher nutrient densities than mature leaves. For example, red cabbage microgreens have a 6-fold higher vitamin C concentration than mature red cabbage and 69 times the vitamin K. Microgreens are definitively more nutrient dense, but are often eaten in small quantities. Even the healt...

In my previous post I said I would share my recipe for these yummy vegan sushi wraps. They are as simple as cutting, smashing, spreading and rolling. To start I finely sliced some organic white cabbage, diced an organic sweet onion and smashed a clove or two of garlic.    The next step is to smash one small Haas avocado with the fresh garlic, using the back of a fork. This will be the spread for the Nori sheets. We have organic Nori at the local Whole Foods but I prefer to order Raw Nori wraps on-line. Here are the ones I have to buy locally when I run out of my raw wraps. Take a sheet of Nori and spread on a thin layer of the avocado and garlic. Now the fun begins, just start piling on your favorite toppings. I personally used sunflower greens Fresh cilantro Organic Grape tomatoes, diced The shredded white cabbage and dice onion Lastly, roll it up and enjoy!   +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for completing my garage cl...

Today's blog post is to redesign a doctor's office. Well, I will just make a list of some ideas that I think would make the dream waiting room in a doctor's office: Spring water, coffee and teas A big bowl of fresh, organic bananas, oranges and apples Massive book shelf loaded with self help, wellness, nutritional, preventative, and "coffee table" type books Climate controlled rooms; one cool and one warmer Great music Aromatherapy vs toxic air fresheners Fresh flowers Proper lighting for reading Massive selection of good magazines for children, teens and adults A designated play area for children segregated from general waiting room Restrooms equipped with diaper changing tables Wi-Fi Non-toxic hand sanitizers Separate TV viewing area; patient controlled remote! Picture books for children Comfortable chairs Child sized furniture equipped with mess free coloring supplies like "Color Wonder" Umbrellas near the front door Take a look ...

3 Things I'm Thankful For (I really could list 20) I am truly thankful/grateful for so many things but today's blog prompt asks us to list 3 things. Here are the most important: 1. My faith 2. My husband and 5 children 3. Loving parents Today's recipe may seem a bit odd but trust me it is delicious. It basically follows the 80-10-10 principles and is super simple to make. It can be your breakfast, lunch or dinner--pretty cool!  I like to call it "Smothered Cucumbers". It only involves 4 ingredients and a blender or food processor. Smothered Cucumbers by Elizabeth @rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com 1-2 large cucumbers, diced bite size (peel if not organic) 2 C organic, red grapes, reserve 1 cup for sauce Handful of fresh organic raspberries; or use frozen that have been thawed Sunflower greens to garnish Directions : Place diced cucumbers and 1 cup of the grapes, into a bowl. Peel cucumbers if not organic! In a blender or food processor,...

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...

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.

I first learned of Energy Soup when I discovered Ann Wigmore. You can read all about her in my previous post. I was fortunate enough to taste this soup for the first time when I was completing my Raw Chef certification. Even though it looks disgusting, trust me it is yummy. I fell in love with it then and I am still in love. I decided to make a very simple version of this nutritious, healing soup. Easy Energy Soup by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com 1 small avocado Juice of 1 organic lemon 5 sun dried tomatoes, soaked 2 hours (reserve soak water) 1 organic vine ripe tomato 1 C baby romaine leaves 1 C broccoli sprouts 1 C sunflower greens 1 T dried onion flakes Freshly ground black pepper to taste Dulse flakes Kelp flakes Organic Raw One Rawritos Flax Crackers  (These are amazing!!!) In a high speed blender add the sun dried tomatoes, fresh tomato, onion flakes, baby romaine, broccoli sprouts, sunflower greens and some of the soak water. Blend/pul...

Things are mighty dark around here right now--going through some of the most difficult situations I've ever have to face. Needing a little sunshine; I had this for lunch today. Fenugreek sprouts may not be for everyone. I think they are either one you'll love or hate. No in between here--just my feeling, I of course love them! Pineapple Sprout Salad 2 C sunflower greens (my very own) 1/4 C fenugreek sprouts (mine too) 2 C fresh, diced, pineapple Eat with a bamboo fork and enjoy! +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for super supportive family and friends!! You know who you are! XOXO

I usually grow my sunflower greens in black sprouting trays like these, right in the house, but I tried growing them on the porch this time. My black trays are being used for growing wheat grass so until I order more I will be using some new pots on the porch for the sunflower greens. One of my favorite things to sprout are sunflower greens! I just love them. I use them in collard wraps, green smoothies, on top of salads and as a salad themselves--garnished with various herbs or vegetables/fruits. Today I made a simple sunflower green and "Santa Grape Tomato" salad. Sunny Tomato Salad 2 C sunflower greens 1 stalk organic celery, chopped 1 C "Santa Grape Tomatoes", sliced Himalayan salt to taste Fresh ground pepper to taste Drizzle of fresh lemon juice Enjoy! +JMJ+ Today I am grateful for my children.

Raw lunches like these make me smile. So simple and so delicious. With our home school year in full swing there are days when simplicity is just what I need. Time runs short but I will not compromise when it comes to what I eat and the example I am trying to set for the children. Today we all also had some Apple Kale Lemonade. It was very tart and very good. I used a beautiful deep purple kale and a mixture of organic macs, yellow delicious and Fuji and then we juiced 3 lemons. Now that is lemonade! (no pic--the color was awful) If you are not use to green juices you may want to sweeten it with some liquid steevia. Pear and Sprout Sandwiches The sunflower greens that you see in the pic are mine but the alfalfa sprouts came from the market. I used the romaine as my "bread" and made mini sandwiches by rolling up pair slices topped with sprouts and greens. This was a very filling lunch--loads of fiber.  I have been posting some new posts to the home school page, so you can cli...

Here is a pic of most of my food for the big 3-day juice fast/feast!! I am so excited it is queer. Missing from the pic is my broccoli, some more kale, collards and tomatoes from my square foot garden, parsley from my herb garden, some radish sprouts and three large cucumbers from my sweet neighbor across the canal. For my records I am going to bore you with my food list and the cost. I want to keep track and compare to future juice fasts. 3 (5lb) bags of organic carrots $11.97 1  organic honeydew $4.99 1  bunch organic spinach $2.99 2 bunches of greens $5.98 (organic dandelion greens and organic dino kale) 3.08 lbs organic tangerines $5.21 3.31 lbs organic valencia oranges $5.59 5 organic lemons $4.45 2.89 lbs organic green cabbage $2.57 1.78 lbs  organic green pears $3.54 2 (3 lb) bags of organic red and green apples $9.98 1 box  organic Detox Tea $4.69 1 bottle of Mountain Valley Sparkling water $1.89 (for melon and lemon spritzers) 1 ...

Sunflower greens--I eat them, juice them and put them in smoothies; I adore these green goodies. I have said it before, sunflower greens are one of those foods that you want in your diet on a daily basis. If you haven't started sprouting them yet, what are you waiting for?? When growing the greens you want to purchase the organic black seeds, called black oil sunflower in shell. I purchase mine locally from our 100% organic market but you can also order them from these wonderful people . You can learn everything you ever wanted to know about sprouting on their site. We all know how important it is becoming to learn how to grow our own food. If you don't believe me go to one of my favorite blogs and listen to these videos Mr. H posted. Hi Mr. H !  If you desire sunflower sprouts, purchase organic hulled seeds and grow them in a glass jar like any other sprout not requiring soil. When growing the sunflower greens you must first soak your black seeds overnight i...