Guacos with Shredded Beets and Micro Greens

This is a delicious and fresh rendition of tacos, and it only takes a fraction of the time that my other recipe does. Just fill the "tacos" with guacamole and your fave veggies and they are ready to go! Yum!

Serves 1-2

Guacamole:
1 mashed avocodo
1/2 lemon
few cranks himalayan salt
1 tomato
1/4 red onion
handful cilantro


mix all ingredients together and fill romaine leaves with guacamole. Top with shredded carrots, beets, scallions, more cilantro and micro greens. Enjoy as many as you want...these are oh so satisfying.

The Importance of a Healthy Colon

Most people think that detoxing is just taking a pill or eating a very strict diet, and in that way you dont need to do anything else. That is only the first part of the puzzle. The toxins must be eliminated. If you are not eliminating the toxins that you have released into the blood stream again, they will just recontaminate the body.

If it is neccesary, a person should look into hydrocolon therapy. I know people that have gone in for colonics, and 6 sessions later, were 15lbs lighter. This is for people that are NOT overweight.

The colon is also reffered to as the "second immune system" this means that if your colon is unhealthy or you dont have enough good bacteria in your gut, it can bring your immune system down, and you can get sick easily, as well as develop a candida condition that will need to be taken care of. Scientists estimate that 70 percent of people have Candida colonies in their intestines or mouths or on their skin. If you already have candida issues it is good to have colonics done, and introduce plant enzymes and probiotics into the diet.

Typical symptoms of candida overgrowth may include jock itch, depression, dry, itchy, flaky skin, anxiety, recurring irritability or mood swings, heartburn, indigestion, lethargy, food and environmental allergies, joint soreness, chest pain, acne or other skin problems, migraine headaches, recurring cystitis/vaginal infections, premenstrual tension, and menstrual problems. We make no inference that this product will treat any of these imbalances. We only provide this information as a public health service. Only the body can heal itself and only when given the proper raw materials.

If candida is present it is a good idea to cut out all sugars in the diet, and only eat low glycemic fruits, no fermented foods like vinegar, soy sauce etc. Breads are another food that candida feeds on.

Southwestern Gazpacho

When it is hot outside and all you dont feel like putting much work into dinner, I always make this tasty dish! Its easy and all you need to make it is a blender, and a kitchen knife. Serve this in a bowl and use your favorite toppings to dress it up, and make it chunky!

3 Large Tomatoes(preferrably local and vine ripened)
1/2 red bell pepper
1/4 c packed sun dried tomatoes(soaked in water)
1/4 c red onion
Juice of one lime
1 T mexican seasoning
hand full cilantro
1/4 packet stevia
himalayan sea salt to taste

Pick your fave toppings:
Scallions
Avocado
Cilantro
more lime juice
fresh corn cut off the cob
micro greens
minced bell pepper
minced red onion
chopped heirloom tomatoes

Put all of the ingredients for the gazpacho in the blender...blend on the lowest speed. Blend until most everything is liquid but still a little chunky. Transfer to a bowl. Top with your favorite ingredients!

Enjoy!

“Cheesy” Fried Kale Crisps

“Cheesy” Fried Kale Crisps
The name sounds like the junk food you used to love when you were a kid right?
Well let me tell you it tastes even better than it sounds. I love to curl up to a movie with a bowl of these yummy chips it’s the next best thing to the trans fat
laden popcorn they serve at the cinema only better!

2-3 bunches kale

Dressing:
¾ c raw tahini
¼ c nama shoyu or tamari
½ cup apple cider vinegar
¾ c water
2 scallions chopped
1 clove garlic or teaspoon garlic powder
Juice of one lime
3 cranks or ¼ t pink himalayan sea salt
1 tsp curry powder

Cut kale into bite size pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
Place all of the dressing ingredients in the blender and run until smooth.
Pour the dressing into the kale and massage with your hands to thoroughly coat the kale.
Place kale on 3 teflex dehydrator sheets and dehydrate for 6 hours at 115 degrees.

My Daily Green

Every morning when I wake up almost without fail, I enjoy a large glass of green juice. Consisting of chard, lemon, apple and cucumber. I usually will only use
1/2-1 apple in the juice depending on the size, and then sweeten it with stevia as needed, to keep the glycemic index low.

Green juice in particular is AMAZING stuff! Here is some potential benefits of greens such as chard, kale, collards,etc.
Greens contain...

- more vitamin A than carrots
- more vitamin C than oranges
- more vitamin E than whole wheat
- more vitamin B2 than milk
- quality proteins (with a good amino acid profile)


Frederic Patenaude, co-founder with Victoria Boutenko of the 'Green for Life says, greens "provide essential alkaline minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, that are found in insufficient quantities in fruit, nuts and seeds, not to mention in other more conventional, acid-forming foods." They are also rich in potassium, iron and zinc. All of which are essential for human health.

Here is some things you can do to get more greens in your diet.

*Green Juice of course
*Green Smoothies~add some spinach to your post workout shake with some yummy fruit!
*Make a raw green soup!
*Kale and Spinach Salads
*Kale Chips
*Add spinach to lasagna
*dip some raw veggies into homemade avocado spinach dip
*Use a collard green to make a wrap, fill with whatever your heart desires!


So go ahead and chug those greens!

The Importantance of Exercise

Weightlifting, Crossfit, Running, Swimming, Hiking, Yoga etc. Whatever you are doing is helping your blood circulate more freely through your body, eliminating toxins built up in your system, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. If you arent doing any kind of exercise...I encourage you to! Exercise is much more important than most of you think! Feeling and looking great are just side effects of a healthy body.

Weight training helps to prevent osteoporosis in females, shapes strong lean bodies, and breaks down old muscle fiber to make room for the body to make new. Women! Dont be scared of hitting the weights! You will not end up looking huge and bulky, before I started weightlifting, I felt I had an unproportional body because my legs were naturally muscular and my arms were twigs. I now finally have guns and feel like I look much more proportional than ever before.

If you are having a hard time starting with a program or are stuck and feel your at a plateau a personal trainer can be very helpful. Lisa and Chris Lupo are some of the sweetest people I know and have just opened a crossfit gym in Bozeman. Please check it out. They are both Personal trainers and can get you on the right track right away!

Eating cleansing foods is also a very important factor in detox and overall health, but in my experience it is best to use both to get the best results possible. If you are eating foods that contain artifical ingredients that cannot be absorbed by the body, they will just be absorbed into the cells because the body doesnt know what to do with them. Try to find the least processed foods available and eat plenty of veggies and fruit, to help your blood stay alkaline and to wash out all of those nasty toxins that are helping to cause drowsyness, a foggy mind, memory loss, weight gain, cellulite, and so many other ailments.

Here are some of my favorite shakes I drink after getting home from a hard workout.


Strawberry Lime Postworkout Shake



1 Lime with the peel cut off
1 c strawberries
1 scoop protein, your preference


Banana Cacao



1/2 banana
1 date
1/2 c almond milk
1 scoops protein, your preference
1/4 c ice cubes
1/4 c cacao nibs


Blend banana, dates, almond milk, buckwheat, and ice cubes and protein until smooth. Add cacao nibs and run on low for a few seconds, but make sure to leave some whole to add crunch and texture to your smoothie.

Be Local Buy Local

To follow up on my last post I decided to help people understand the importance for people to buy and eat locally and seasonally. Its much harder here of course, since we have such a short growing season here, but if everyone was to either plant their own garden, get to the farmers market a couple of times a week, or even hit your nearest grocery store that carries local produce they would see that it is well worth it!

Everything just tastes better...especially home grown carrots and tomatoes...there is no comparison what so ever! Some produce such as tomatoes are picked before they are ripe to be shipped. This makes them mushy and much higher glycemic than a vine ripened tomato(seems strange since vine ripened taste so much sweeter.)No to mention the fossil fuels used up to ship the produce long distances. You might start to see produce in your local store 3-4 weeks after it was picked.

The problem is the sooner you pick the produce, the less nutrition it has, and the longer it takes to get from the farm to the table, the more nutrition the food has lost. This is a double whammy...for your food. So make the choice to eat locally. Really you are supporting your community and getting more bang for your buck when you buy locally and seasonally.

I went to the farmers market at the fairgrounds this morning and filled my basket up with 3 huge bags of chard(for juicing), 2 bunches of heirloom carrots, one bag of sugar snap peas, and one bag of lettuce for salads. So even if its just for the summer, support your local farmers and make your tastebuds happy while your at it!

Today I prepared all of my customers meals and delivered them. Its hard starting your own business, but it is also rewarding in its own way. A few days ago while talking to some friends, a realization hit me hard and almost knocked me clear off of my feet...I knew it already but just didnt want to exept it. People want CHEAP food no matter what the cost...either to them or the envioronment. This really makes me sick knowing that a person would give up their health and vitality for their brand spankin' new Jeep Wrangler. It all comes down to what you make important right now. Yes I made my little mini cooper that I bought recently, more important than clothes or makeup. That was my choice and I am glad that I made it, but I always count my health and wellness first. Gym Membership CHECK
Healthy Food in my fridge...CHECK.
My Usana nutritionals...the best multi-vitamin ever...check.

Its funny when I talk to most people it isnt about the taste of the food at mcdonalds that makes them coming back for more...they usually aggreee that a grass fed burger tastes just as good or better if it is made right but it is all about price to most people. The biggest thing is that people need to resort their priorities and decide that what they are feeding themselves and their kids needs to be high on the list of priorites.

A big Ribeye Steak is a real MANS Food...at least that is how it is here in Montana. I would like to challenge that belief. Lean Grass Fed Beef off of your neibors ranch is one thing, but what you get at most large chain grocery stores in the US is excuse my french...SHIT! I was raised in Montana and grew up watching the cows graze in the tall lush grass all of my life...hell we had a cow that roamed free in our horse corral for years. When I came to know of the lives that the beef and nearly all of the meat animals had, I couldnt believe it. They are given hormones so that they grow to be slaughter size in less than half the time, they are given antibiotics because all of them are literally sick from eating the corn that they arent made to eat and can't digest properly in the rumen. The cows you see on feed lots are obese and sick...no wonder so many americans are the same. You are what you eat. I am happy that a few people are starting to realize what our food industry has turned into. With just one person at a time we can help to educate our society.

Now that I am down off of my soap box I would like to share the recipe for "Mock" Tuna Salad. I had this yesterday for lunch. I make it quite often...It tastes just like the real thing...and it is so easy to make!




Mock Tuna Salad

Cashew Mayo:
2 c cashews(soaked)
4 cloves garlic
1/2 c lemon juice
1/4 c filtered water
1/4 c stone ground mustard
a hand full of fresh dill
1 1/2 t salt or to taste

"Tuna":
3 c sunflower seeds(soaked)
4 stalks celery(chopped)
3 scallions or 1/2 red onion(chopped)

Process cashews garlic, filtered water, mustard, salt and dill in the food processor until it reaches a creamy texture. Pour into a bowl.

Place the sunflower seeds in the food processor and pulse just briefly for a chunky texture. Remove to the bowl with the "mayo". Add celery, scallions and whatever else sounds good. Mix everything together and taste. Serve atop a beautiful colorful salad or in a collard as a wrap.

Enjoy!

Homemade Coconut Yukon Bar

Yesterday morning, I felt an intense craving coming on to go to the store and purchase a package of Klondike Bars...of course laden with all of the preservatives, refined sugar and dairy I decided against it.

I thought that this would be the perfect time to turn to Dr. Raw's experimental kitchen...Mwa Ha ha!!! So I started searching for different ideas for the wafer and the ice cream...I decided that the base of the wafer could be made of oat groats made into flour using the vitamix, and could be held together with coconut oil as well as sweetened with agave. I then pressed it unto a pan and dehydrated it for that cookie like consistency.

For the ice cream I added a new twist to my original cashew ice cream recipe...I didnt want a huge amount of sugar content, and I wanted some coconut flavor so I added some thai coconut meat, coconut water, shredded coconut and sweetened it only with stevia.

The hardest part as always is waiting...but I was thanfully busy yesterday and that kept my mind off of the yummy treats that I would eat that night.

We played at the farmers market yesterday and before we started playing I was all set with fresh local organic produce for the next few days. We played for about two hours and packed it up at 8:00 when we got home, I assembled the Yukon bars and made some hot tea for myself let me tell you it was well worth the wait...heres another one for the cookbook!

"Yukon" Bars

makes 8 bars

Wafer

2 c raw cacao powder

2 c oat flour(made with oat groats in the vitamix)

1/2 t sea salt

1 c agave syrup

1/2 T coconut oil

1/2 t vanilla extract

Mix all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, add all wet ingredients and kneed with hands until it sticks together nicely. Press thinly into a half sheet pan and dehydrate @ 110 degrees for 8-10 hours. Cut into 16 squares.

Ice Dream

1 1/2 c cashews

1/2 c thai coconut meat

1 1/2 c coconut water

1/2 c shredded coconut

1 t vanilla extract

1/4 t sea salt

3 pkg stevia powder

1 t coconut oil

Blend all ingredients in the vitamix until smooth. You may need to add more water if needed, and use pusher to help the machine mix without forming an air bubble. Pour into a pan 1/2 the size of the first and freeze until firm.

Enjoy!

August Raw Food Potluck

Last friday we had another successful raw potluck in Bozeman! Jennifer hosted this one and boy let me tell you...she is such a sweet and gracious person! She made homemade Kim Chi that she insisted was too spicy...oooohhhh it was so delicious!

Dorothy made homemade kombucha, and rhubarb crumble. Dad brought a marinated kale salad with avocodo, cranberries and red peppers that was to die for! I always meet the sweetest people at these meetings, and this time was no different. I met Stephanie for the first time, though I had seen her picture on our Gallatin Valley Raw Foods site, she is such a wonderful warm person, Stephanie brought amazing avocodo dip and local carrots and snap peas. I made a marinated local beet and carrot salad and my famous New York "Cheeze" cake.

When everyone was about ready to leave Jennifer pulled a few of us away to give us some of her home grown Chinese lettuce and chives. She was bounding happily back and forth through the grass to make sure that we got enough produce to last us a week...just like something my grandma would do...it makes me miss her, but im happy to have such fond memories of her.

We went home to get ready for our gig in Livingston which started @ 10pm, we left just in time and got the bose set up and ready to go @ the Murray! My good friend Hayley showed up which was great! The sound wasnt the greatest...but I had fun anyway watching drunk people get out of hand. Plus its always fun playing music with Ash, Marcus and Russ.