Change to Vegan

My favorite beverage is water with lemon or lime.  I am not in the majority with this choice.  Most people are drinking soda, coffee or tea, fruit juices, or alcoholic beverages.  A big splurge for me is San Pellegrino Spring Water with lime.  That is my special out-to-dinner or celebration drink.  Why?  Because water with lime is the best.  It quenches my thirst without being sweet.  It is good for me.  I can stay clear-headed and I am giving my body what it needs to function properly.

Water with a splash of Lime

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If you need to reduce to stay away from gluten or eat 70% raw foods and you are looking for options in preparing pizza and other foods that you normally serve with bread, here is one option… raw zucchini pillows.

raw zucchini dehydrated as a bread substitute

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If you are not eating fresh fruit on a daily basis, you should be.  Fresh fruit is so important in the vegan diet.  You should have 5 – 9 servings per day of fruits, fresh, dried or juice.

Tropical Fruit

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If you have not yet read this book, you should read it.  It is very well written and has information that is extremely well researched.

The most comprehensive nutrition study ever conducted.

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I have been very sick the last 10 days.  It turns out that I have an allergy to wheat.  This allergy has caused hives all over my body.  Hives are extremely uncomfortable.  I am now having to adjust the way I think about food and how I prepare the meals that I love.

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On Sunday, I accidentally and without realizing it, got swimming pool acid on my hands.  I did not immediately wash them, as I did not know it happened.  About 30 minutes later they were white and chalky.  They did not begin to burn until hours later.  I woke up Monday morning with hives all over my face, arms, hands and a few other spots that I must have touched while the acid was on my hands.

Now on Friday, I am in my fifth day of hives.  This has been quite miserable and trying.  But, yesterday I did what I knew was the best thing, moved to an all raw vegan diet.  Eating raw foods helps get waste matter out of the body and, more specifically, out of the cells.  In this way, I can refuse to take steroid treatments – the common remedy for such a strong and lasting allergic reaction.

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It has been stormy here, a perfect time to spend lots of time in the kitchen.  We have been cooking up our own little wonderful storm.  Today:  Smoothie for breakfast with homegrown organic arasaw, maracuya and mango.  Grilled veggies with fresh bread for lunch.  We marinated mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes and radicchio in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Italian herbs for about 5 minutes, then grilled for about 5 minutes and served with fresh, homemade bread.  This is an amazing quick meal!  Roasted vegetable soup for dinner.  Yesterday:  Tempeh burritos for lunch.  Tofu scramble for breakfast.  Homemade gnocchi with coconut basil sauce for dinner.  When the sun comes back out, we will play outside more and cook less.  But we have sure eaten well these last few rainy days.

I am reading the book, Raw Food Real World by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis.

Inspiring Journey

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In the village where we live, there is a magical restaurant called, Bread & Chocolate.  They make the best bagels I have ever had in my life.  They are vegan and come in garlic and seedy blends.  We often walk down and pick up a bag full of fresh bagels because we know we can make marvelous lunches, dinners as well as breakfasts with them.

A restaurant in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

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A powerful, useful, tasty spice

Recent studies have determined that consuming as little as one-half teaspoon of cinnamon each day may reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by as much as 20% in Type II diabetes patients who are not taking insulin. It is used to treat nausea, flatulence, and is also used to treat diarrhoea.  A helpful remedy for those developing a cough, accompanied by frequent spitting of phlegm,  is chewing and swallowing a very small pinch of powdered cinnamon. This remedy can also help people with cold feet and hands, especially at night.

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