Gearing Up For My Next Class

This coming Thursday I have my second raw food basics class. So far there are 10 people attending! I am excited about yet another opportunity to bring delicious, healthy options to people's lives. The stress level is not as high this time around because I feel more prepared after already have one under my belt. After hearing I'd have some repeats from my first class, I decided to change the menu, but still keep it within a basic level. I'm hoping everyone enjoys the prepared dishes and impressed with how easy it is to live a raw food lifestyle.

Guacamole

This is a new love of mine! With a creamy texture and delicious taste, it takes the cake on any guacamole I've ever made. It's fast, easy and inexpensive. Don't forget to keep the avocado seeds...they help your guacamole to stay green, so put them back in once you're finished processing!

2 large avocados
1/8 cup olive oil
1 scallion
1 handful cilantro (I put the entire bunch in)
1 lemon, juiced
sea salt to taste

Put all ingredients into you power blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is becoming a more popular item in health food stores and even Jamba Juice! Why? Because this tiny blade of grass, when properly juiced, is filled with so many health benefits, you'd be silly not to consume it on a daily basis! It contains a high amount of chlorophyll (about 70%), which is a plant's way of encapsulating the sun's energy, and when consumed gives US energy (the all-day kind of energy)and a highly alkalizing effect! Coffee just doesn't sound that appealing anymore, since it can't deliver the same kind of results....and not to mention toxic to your body. It also hold 80 known enzymes and 17 amino acids! That's just what researchers KNOW at this very moment! Imagine all the benefits that have yet to be discovered. To enjoy this superfood in the best way, it should be freshly juiced because it is extremely fibrous and indigestible for the human stomach.

Here are some ways in which our bodies benefit from wheatgrass juice.

1. Prevents Alzheimer's Disease by removing heavy metals from the system.
2. Body Building: Remember those amino acids? They are the building blocks for protein and wheatgrass is reported to be 50% protein. MOVE OVER BEEF!
3. Lowers high blood pressure
4. Reduces cancer risk due to high chlorophyll and beta-carotene found
5. Reduces inflammation due to the high alkalinity properties
6. Weight control is maintained by relieving the body of cravings
7. Has the ability to stabilize blood levels for diabetics
8. Prevents tooth decay, gum bleeding and bad breath....as well as body odor!

AND MANY MORE!

Aren't these reasons enough to say, "Grande Shot of Wheatgrass" versus "Grande Cappuchino"?

Mint Cacao Chip Ice Cream

Raw ice cream? Really? YES! Welcome to one of my favorite kinds! I love how I can create and still enjoy pretty much anything with natural foods. The cacao nibs give this ice cream a nice texture and taste. What I like about eating raw ice cream is that I feel satisfied....I don't need to keep scooping more into my bowl because I can't get enough artificial sugar!
RAW ice cream does harden more than regular ice cream, so when you'd like some, let it sit out for about 10 minutes to thaw a bit in order to make scooping a little easier. I also did not use an ice cream maker. I took it out once to stir and placed it back in the freezer. This recipe is from everydayraw by Matthew Kenney.

1 cup raw cashews, soaked 1-2 hours
1/2 cup young coconut meat (I used a banana in mine b/c it's all I had)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 1/4 cup water
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, scraped
pinch sea salt
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp. spinach juice (optional)
2 tbsp. peppermint extract
1/4 cup cacao nibs

Blend all ingredients except the cacao nibs in a high-speed blender. Mix until very smooth. Pour into an ice cream maker, add cacao nibs, and follow manufacturer's instructions. Yields 1 quart.

Sweet Chili Cashews

These are a perfect little party snack or everyday snack with a little bit of zing! I just made these yesterday and they are SO yummy! One adjustment I will make next time is to let them "air dry" a little after they dehydrate so that the honey hardens before putting them in a bowl. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can put these in your oven on the lowest setting. Technically they won't be raw because it will exceed 118 degrees, but sometimes you have to make do with what you have. Enjoy!

2 cups raw cashews
2 tbsp. raw honey
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. curry powder

Make a blend of honey, salt and spices. Add a little water if required. Roll the cashews in the mix and dehydrate overnight for 8-12 hours or until dry.