Brad's 7 Day Raw Challenge: Day 4 - Mmm Barbecue!

It’s Day 4 and we’re already over the halfway hump! Awesomeness! And today’s my last work day before a beautiful and hopefully relaxing 4-day long holiday weekend. Double awesomeness! I hope to do some recipe experimenting during the holiday weekend. On the top of my list: raw chocolate! So who’s ready to rawk this last work day?

Early Morning:

You know it! Lemon water! Although, I learned recently about a solution called sole – basically water saturated with Pink Himalayan salt. You add a teaspoon to a glass of water and drink before you start your day. The benefits? Ph balance, energy from 84 essential ionized minerals, lower cravings and heavy metal detox. Want more? Check out this fabulous link on all the benefits of drinking sole daily. I think I’ll be adding it to my morning routine. Just have to get Pink Himalayan Salt…the real stuff. I’ll keep you updated if I notice any changes in my body or energy levels when I start drinking sole. 

Source

Breakfast

Continuing my mono meals, I enjoyed a large plate of cold, juicy, sweet orange slices! 2 oranges and only 200 calories. Perfect for this icky, muggy day.

Mid-Morning:

It’s Thirsty Thursday’s which means, Vitamin Water time! This week I made water infused with pineapple chunks, kiwi slices, lime juice and mint. Yummers! Sorry for the horrid office pic.

Lunch

Yesterday afternoon my daughter pulled out a container of Barbecue Kettle Chips leftover from snack (eyes rolling!). The moment the scent of sweet, smoky barbecue hit my nose I knew I needed to make some raw barbecue sauce. However, at the same time, I was craving a cool, refreshing, crunchy romaine salad.  So I decided to combine them together to create this Deconstructed Raw Barbecue Chili Salad. Loaded with chopped fresh veggies, ones you would find in a raw chili, and topped with a smoky, sweet raw barbecue sauce, you’ll feel guilty for eating a guiltless, low-fat salad!

Now, I’m new to making raw barbecue sauce so I turned to the one chef I knew I could trust to make a recipe that would fool even the most committed barbecue eating omnis: Russel James aka the Raw Chef. His recipe for Barbecue Kale Chips (sans the kale chips of course) proved my assumptions were correct. A few adjustments later, it was perrrfect.

Deconstructed Raw Barbecue Chili Salad

Sauce adapted from Russell James

Salad by Beth Mickens

Serves 1 large salad

Raw Barbecue Sauce

• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked for 1 hour
• 5 dates, soaked for 1 hour
• 1 ½ tsp of coconut oil
• ¾ Tbsp of nama shoyu or gluten-free tamari
• 1 ½ tsp of apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ - ½ tsp of chipotle powder (the more the spicier)
• 14-1/2 cup soaking water depending on desired consistency as well as softness of dates and sun-dried tomatoes

1. Place all the ingredients into a small blender or food processor with only 3 Tbsp of the water starting off and blend.
2. Add more water until desired consistency is reached and the sauce is well blended and smooth. I prefer a thick sauce. 
3. Set aside.

Salad:

• 2- 3 cups of romaine lettuce, shredded
• 2-4 Tbsp of each:
• Carrots, shredded
• Celery, chopped
• Red and/or Green Bell Pepper, chopped
• Green Onions or white onions, sliced or chopped
• Zucchini, diced
• Mushrooms, chopped
• Grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/3 avocado, sliced, garnish
• 1/4 cup raw spicy barbecue sauce (From above recipe)

1. In a serving bowl or plate, layer salad in any decorative way that you prefer. I like my veggies separated.
2. Add a large dollop of barbecue sauce in the middle or pour if you went for a thinner consistency.
3. Top with a few slices of avocado.
4. Serve fresh or the next day. 

Snacks:

Shockingly, just a banana. I did make some raw chocolate chip cookie dough nut butter to nibble on later. Want the recipe!?

Dinner:

Another smoothie inspired by Kobi Kenzo. This one was a unique blend of mango and chai, something I never considered adding together. I love the combination of something cool, tart and tropical with something warm, earthy and spicy. Yummers!

Mango Chai Lassi

Inspired by Kobi Kenzo
Makes 16 oz

• 1-2 handful of greens
• 1 scoop of raw protein powder, chai flavor (I used Garden of Life)
• ¼ cup young coconut meat, packed
• 1 - 1 1/4 cup frozen mango
• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ frozen banana (optional, for additional sweetness)
• Aloe and turmeric (optional)

1. Blend and go!

And there you have it! Day 4 is out!

Do you think you could rawk this challenge?

Brad's 7 Day Raw Challenge: Day 3 - New Recipe! Mango-Almond Stir-Fry.

It’s Day 3 of our challenge and day 1 of my new and hopefully improved diet routine. No need for chit chat today. Let’s get rawkin’!

Early Morning Routine:

Once again, I’m starting my mornings off with a nice glass of lemon water. It’s a great way to hydrate the body, flush toxins out and get your metabolism jump started. 

I also did a few stretches. I’m hoping to add a small 10 minute yoga routine in the morning to get my body rolling.

Breakfast:

No smoothies. Yep. I decided I will keep that for post workout. I’m hoping my change from NOT eating anything to eating a smoothie loaded with carbs, protein and fats after my workouts will help with recovery time. The change is also to help with the discomfort I have been getting lately with drinking smoothies at 6am in the morning. Instead of gradually increasing my meals from light to heavy, I’ve been starting off with heavy and ending with little to nothing. So far the change has made a significant difference. My stomach is emptying faster and my digestive system seems to be more relaxed and not so overworked.  

Today for breakfast I switched my daily morning smoothie for a mono meal. If you have never heard of a mono meal, it is simply a meal consisting of only one type of food. Eating a mono meal, specifically in the morning time, allows your body to slowly break the overnight fast of detoxing and cleansing so that it can start focusing on digesting the foods you have eaten to help fuel you throughout the day.  If you throw a smoothie loaded with 10-12 ingredients into your body first thing when you wake up, your body automatically goes into overdrive as it works to break down and separate the nutrients from each food type to be further digested and absorbed. With a mono meal, your body only needs to focus on digesting one type of food. It’s quicker and gentler on your system. 

Think about it. You don’t like to be aggressively woken up do you? Don’t you prefer a gentle shake until you are able to slowly and gradually wake up? Well, you’re body and digestive system prefers the same. 

 My mono breakfast was a beautiful bowl of farm fresh strawberries; some tart, some sweet, some firm, some soft, all juicy and bright! It was the perfect start to my morning. Not too heavy just purely satisfying.

Mid-Morning:

I enjoyed a lukewarm mug of green tea with raw honey to sweeten. I love cool green tea. It’s a really refreshing drink that way.

Lunch

Oooh am I excited about this one!  My cravings for stir-fry combined with a taste for a mango dressing recipe I ran across led to this crazy concoction: Cauliflower “Stir-Fried” Rice with Mango-Almond Stir-Fry Sauce. Sweet, fruity, savory, salty, tangy and a pinch spicy…it had to work! And it did! 

The mango sauce is mildly sweet and tangy with a slight hint of spicy umami savoriness. The almond butter rounds out the sauce giving it body and a smooth mouthfeel. The sauce perfectly complements the mild, fresh, crunchy veggies in this dish giving you a feeling of complete satisfaction, even if you were craving the cooked version. Trust me. With this dish, you won’t miss it.

Raw Cauliflower Stir Fry with Mango-Almond Stir Fry Sauce

Recipe by Beth Mickens

Serves 1 bowl

Mango-Almond Stir-Fry Sauce

• 1/3 cup ripe, sweet mango (Haitian or Champagne mangoes works perfectly!)
• ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 2 tsp nama shoyu or tamari
• 1 ½ tsp of lime juice
• 1 heaping tsp of raw almond butter
• 2 Tbsp of water
• Pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne
• Pinch of salt

1. Place all the ingredients into a small blender, aka bullet, or food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency. You’re looking for a thick, but pourable sauce that will well coat the veggies.
3. Set aside

Vegetable Stir-Fried Cauliflower Rice

• 1 ½ cups of cauliflower
• 2 Tbsp of each:
• Mushrooms
• Red bell pepper
• Carrots
• Sugar snap peas
• Zucchini
• Any other veggies you can think of or prefer
• 1 green onion, sliced
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 avocado, sliced, for garnish
• 1 Tbsp of chopped cilantro, for garnish

1. In a small food processor, blend the cauliflower florets until finely chopped and it resembles a coarse grain similar to rice. You should yield about 1 cup.
2. Pour the cauli rice into a medium bowl and add the remaining veggies. Toss to combine.
3. Season lightly with salt.
4. Pour the veggie stir-fry into serving bowl.
5. Drizzle with the mango-almond stir fry sauce.
6. Top with slices of avocado and garnish with cilantro.
7. Serve.

It tastes just as great next day, room temp or cold.

NOTE: You can also toss the veggies in the sauce before serving. It was prettier poured :)

Enjoy! 

If you make this dish PLEASE send me your feedback! This “chef” thrives off of constructive criticism. I request it.

Snacks: 

The new change in my eating routine left my belly craving for more, lighter foods. So I enjoyed this perfectly sweet, savory and crunchy raw Cherry Walnut Crunch bar by Thunderbird Energetica and a banana before working out!

Dinner:

Another fabulous smoothie by Kobi Kenzo, revised to my needs of course. 

Ch-Chi-Chia

Adopted from Kobi Kenzo

Makes 16 oz 

• 2 handfuls of spinach or preferred greens
• 1 tbsp of chia seeds
• 1 tbsp of raw almond butter
• 1 small or ½ large frozen banana
• 1 cup raw almond milk
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp of hemp seeds
• 1 Tbsp of Sunwarrior’s Vanilla protein powder
• Turmeric, aloe vera (optional)

Blend away!

This was shockingly tasty despite my bias expectations. Anything with JUST banana is always icky to me but this…this was good. Really good!

I have to say, I feel tons better this go around. I think this new eating routine is going to be a positive one.  I can’t wait to see the results. In the meantime, I’ll continue to listen to my body..and you should too.

Good Night Rawkstars!

For my friends in Australia who love to cook; want to learn and be an expert!? The Melbourne cooking classes are available in sit-down and hands-on formats with intimate classes being the norm. Click Here for more info!!

Thank you, Trupp Cooking, for contacting me and providing me more info on your classes! Wish I lived in Australia!

* Beth *

Brad's 7 Day Raw Challenge - Day 2: It's all about the Raw Chocolate!

It’s Day 2 of our challenge and I’ll be honest, I’m having a heck of a time with figuring out what is raw and what is not this go around. I’ve been raw for about a year now and yet I still struggle every now and then, especially when I’m attempting to complete a 100% raw challenge. Unfortunately, not all products are labeled raw, even though they may be, and so it’s up to the consumer to make that decision. Yes, I could buy products labeled “raw” but it’s either hard to find, extremely expensive because of the raw label, or I only need a small amount for a specific recipe, so I have no need to buy a bunch.  Why now? Well, because for some reason this week I’m surrounded and in need of some potentially raw products. 

For example, I just received some freeze dried fruit products in the mail and would LOVE to eat them only I’ve learned not all freeze dried foods are raw. My smoothies are calling for dried fruit which again, may not be raw depending on the temps used and I bought organic cacao butter, which I’m 99% positive is raw, but it’s not labeled! Aaah! 

So as you can see, even me, the raw foodie, can struggle sometimes with a 100% raw challenge but rest assure, this is only for this challenge. Normally I follow an 80/20 diet – 80% raw, 20% cooked. I leave room for some lenience. I just don’t believe in being too strict with any lifestyle change I make. It becomes exhausting and it leaves very little room for exploring and discovering new things. However, don’t get me wrong, I learn a lot on these weekly challenges! Look at what I’ve learned already about the process of freeze dried foods and the benefits and uses of cacao butter. These challenges are meant to be just that; a challenge. They bring me out of my comfort zone and push me to new limits. If this was easy what would be the purpose? That’s why I do this each month and even more, why I share it with you. Love it!

So here is Tuesday’s recap.

Breakfast:

Another wild concoction by Kobi Kenzo! This one left me full for hours…as in way past 12:00pm hours even though I drank it at 6:00am. Way too long for my liking! I think I need to switch up my eating routine and start small and work my way up. I think drinking such a nutrient and calorie dense smoothie is a bit too rough for my system so early in the morning. I think it’s time to adjust my eating routine with my schedule….this also may be the cause of my lack of weight loss….hmmm. Have to listen to my body!

This smoothie was delicious in taste but the texture was quite gritty. For some reason apples just purely SUCK at being blended! Darn apples. I have yet to find a good apple and fruit blend that produces a smoothie that is strong in apple flavor yet smooth and creamy. I’m thinking next time I’ll add a banana and some avocado or yogurt to it and see if that helps. Again, it tastes great so don’t hack it til you try it! If you love fruit and chocolate you’ll love the flavor of this one!

The Mixer

Adapted from  Kobi Kenzo

• 1 handful of spinach
• ½ cup of romaine lettuce (2-3 leaves)
• 1 stalk of celery
• ½ cup raw almond milk
• ¼ cup water
• 1 apple, cored, chopped and frozen
• 3 dried figs, soaked
• 3 dried prunes, soaked
• 1 scoop of raw hemp protein or 3-4 Tbsp of raw hemp hearts
• 2 Tbsp of raw cacao powder

Lunch:

Along with my addiction with collard wraps is my addiction for kale salads. I can eat either one on a daily basis and never get bored. Odd considering I’m one to never eat the same thing twice. The secret? The sauce. My source? Nouveau Raw. I am in absolute love with her recipes and await the day we move so I can once again, whip out my dehydrator and make some of her amazing recipes for fruit leather and kale chips. I’m in awe of her skills. I mean seriously, who would think of making raw, choco covered pretzels!?

She has a huge variety of kale chip recipes which I use the sauces from to create yummy kale salads with. Today’s pick was a Middle Eastern Tahini Sauce which I paired with some classic middle eastern salad ingredients. The results? A unique and flavor bursting twist on a typical dish. Yummness. 

 Middle Eastern Salad with Tahini Sauce

 Sauce adapted from Nouveau Raw

Salad from Beth Mickens

Serves one good size bowl or two sides

Middle Eastern Tahini Sauce

• ½ medium red bell pepper
• 1 Tbsp of lemon juice, about ½ lemon
• 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp tamari or nama shoyu
• 2 Tbsp raw sesame tahini
• 1 teaspoon of nutritional yeast
• ½ garlic clove, mashed
• Dash of cayenne

1. In a small blender (I used my handy, dandy bullet), blend together the bell pepper, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and tamari 'til well blended and the bell pepper is liquefied.
2. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, add the tahini and 3 Tbsp of the red pepper mix from above. Gently whisk together.
4. Add the nutritional yeast, mashed garlic and cayenne and gently whisk 'til thoroughly mixed. You may add a bit more liquid if needed to reach desired consistency.
5. Set aside

For the Salad:

• 1/3 bunch of kale, washed and chopped (about 4 loose cups)
• ¼ cucumber, peeled and chopped
• ¼ cup of grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 Tbsp of red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 Tbsp of chopped curly parsley
• ½ Tbsp of chopped mint leaves
• 1 green onion, sliced or 1-2 Tbsp of red onion
• Lemon
• Salt to taste
• Sesame Seeds or Chopped Almonds
• Raw olives or sundried tomatoes, chopped (if available)

1. In a medium bowl, add the chopped kale. Spritz with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt and begin to massage the kale until it starts breaking down and looks wilted.
2. Add the remaining veggies along with the tahini sauce and toss to combine til everything is completely dressed.
3. Top with sesame seeds or almonds and raw olives or sundried tomatoes, if using,

This is great the next day!

Dessert: 

Raw Banana Brownie Bites with Lucuma White Chocolate

Recipe by Zakka Sweet Design

I always have to make a fancy dessert for each challenge that USUALLY, not always, lasts me throughout the week.  This week’s dessert was a semi-failed attempt at Raw Lucuma Chocolate Covered Chocolate Banana Brownies. It was an obviously over ambitious task but I went with it anyways. It was not only my first time using cacao butter, but I was also using a recipe that lacked detailed instructions AND it was in metric units which made it a tad difficult for my impatient self to convert. Needless to say, it needs serious work before perfection can be met with these babies. I can’t lie, it was a good try though and they’re still tasty! Just a bit off… Maybe I’ll try just the brownie recipe first and maybe a basic raw chocolate recipe too before I go and try to make them both and the same time on a busy night! LOL

If you’re interest in the recipe, here it is: Raw Banana Breakfast Bites by Zakka Sweet Design. She has some other delicious recipes as well…ooh like an almost raw Marble Fudge or…OMG raw fudgsicles!!! I need to find popsicle molds…and fast! I think I’m in love... time to go and browse...

Dinner:

I finished my day with a meditating 30 minute run plus some toning before I sipped on a kombucha and called it a night. My body needs some repairing so a few nighttime fasts I think will do it some good. Listening to my body is so important. I just wish it wasn’t so hormonal.

Seem like a lot of chocolate? Don;t worry. Raw Cacao is loaded with antioxidants and minerals that are GREAT for your body! Just check out the list below. It'll having you running for raw cacao treats in no time! As if you need an excuse :)

Source

* Beth *

Sambazon: Review + Coupon Giveaway!

Source

Acai. I’m sure you’ve heard of it – bite sized, covered in chocolate; on the menu at your favorite eatery as a breakfast bowl; or simply in a bottle ready to drink. Yes, Acai has become very popular over the last year or so and for good reasons!

Acai berries are said to contain higher levels of antioxidants than other popular, well known berries. These antioxidants fight free radicals – harmful byproducts by the body that cause aging and increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Not only that, Acai berries are also said to aid in weight loss, improve cellular health, increase energy and improve mental function. Not bad for such a small, low cal berry, huh? With all those health benefits, how can you say no? Well, you don’t.

 

Due to its popularity, you can now purchase Acai in a variety of forms - whole, as a liquid, as a dried powder, frozen and even as a pill. And, of course, with the rise in popularity comes a growing number of brands. No doubt, there are some great brands out there, but the brand that I am a loyal fan and customer of Sambazon. Besides the fact that I love the taste and quality of their products, I love Sambazon's commitment to being sustainable and to protecting the Amazon. In my opinion, th health benefits of Acai do not outweigh the importance of protecting the source and the people who are working hard to provide it. Thankfully Sambazon agrees. As quoted from their site, “To this day we harvest and ethically sources Amazon Superfoods in order to make our products in a manner that positively impacts the people who use them, those who make them, and the planet”. In addition, their products are certified organic, non-GMO, and fair trade. Awesome? Awesome. 

Sambazon sells a variety of acai products: frozen as a sorbet, in smoothie packs, as a powder, as an energy drink and blended with other ingredients to make what they call freshies. Kerry swears by the energy drinks while I am addicted to the freshies and smoothie packs.

My first taste of Acai was through a freshie. I fell in love with Acai's unique, refreshing, light taste and became a fan instantly. Freshies are perfect for on the go when you need a quick nutritious, energizing pick me up. The drinks are categorized by benefits or purpose: Acai, Energy, Protein, Supergreens and Blended Breakfast. My favorites include an Energy blend of Acai, yerba mate and guarana, Mocha Java and the Supergreen blend of kale and ginger. Each one is unique in flavor with the Acai flavor still prominent and noticeable. If you’ve never had tasted Acai, it’s mild, slightly tart with a wine like quality to it. It’s very versatile and works well with everything! Which is why I love the smoothie packs.

The smoothie packs are simply acai frozen in individual packs ready to be thrown into your favorite smoothie. They also make the best thick, creamy frosty acai breakfast bowls. It’s the one product I buy and use the most from Sambazon. Addicted? Yes!

You can find Sambazon practically anywhere. Whole Foods, Wegmans, Costco’s, Harris Teeter, everywhere! 

Do I have you intrigued yet? Well I hope so! Because I have some free product coupons to giveaway! After all, you’ll need some Sambazon to make this delicious Mango-Acai Margarita Smoothie...

...or this fulfilling Super “PB&J”Acai Bowl. 

 Oh and check out this gorgeous bowl and spoon! I absolutely LOVE it! Wanna win this too? Well, a friend of mine is throwing a giveaway for this awesome combo on her blog. Click here to enter!

Check out Sambazon’s site for more information on their practices as well as their new products. Looks like they too are getting into the juice business ;)

So for those coupons. Two lucky people will win 2 free product coupons courtesy of Katrina from Sunflowers on the Hill. Just click on the rafflecopter giveaway to enter! Good Luck! Contest ends May 27th at 11:59pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

 Resources:

• http://sambazon.com/meet-us/sustainability/
• http://www.webmd.com/diet/acai-berries-and-acai-berry-juice-what-are-the-health-benefits 
• http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/benefits-of-acai/

Disclaimer: Keep Calm, it's just My Opinion. I love to share with my fans products that I love. Simple as that. I'm not getting paid for my opinion nor is anyone expecting a GOOD review from me. Okay? Okay.