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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Cauliflower Popcorn

Cauliflower Popcorn is loaded with all the flavor of your favorite snack chips and pop-ems with none of the downside!

Cauliflower Popcorn is so addictive I challenge you to make it so far as to get yours into the dehydrator (or oven) for step 2… without eating it all first!

This flavorful, smoky, cheesy, salty-sweet indulgence tastes phenomenal tossed up fresh… however, an hour or two in the dehydrator (or oven- see below) renders it crispy and warm with its tantalizing aromas wafting throughout the kitchen so do try to hold out! This raw food yumminess is brimming with powerful life-force, enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins galore. It's a snack that makes us feel as phenomenal as it tastes! Whenever I eat Raw Snacks I feel satiated, energized and just plain fantastic. Cauliflower Popcorn is no exception! Loaded with all the flavor of our favorite snack chips and tidbits without any of the downside… except perhaps that I couldn't hoard it all to myself once Jim had a taste. He couldn't get enough and rates it…

"Outstanding!"

The Benefits (and this is just a few mind you!)

Fights Cancer - Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, a sufur compound proven to kill cancer stem cells thus slowing tumor growth, and to inhibit the growth of cultured breast cancer cells leading to cell death. Moreover, research shows, cauliflower with curcumin (the active compound in the turmeric in this recipe) may help prevent & treat prostrate cancer. Additionally, the Indoles and isothiocyanates in cauliflower have been shown to potentially inhibit cancer development of the bladder, breast, colon, liver, lung and stomach according to the National Cancer Institute.

Boosts Heart Health – The sulforaphane in cauliflower has been shown to significantly improve blood pressure and kidney function. These benefits are related to improved DNA methylation, a process crucial for normal cellular function and gene expression especially in the easily damaged inner lining of the arteries.

Supports Detoxification - Cauliflower supports Phase 1 detoxification via certain antioxidants and Phase 2 detoxification via it's sulfur-containing nutrients while the glucosinolates in cauliflower activate detoxification enzymes in the liver.

Anti-Inflammatory - Excessive inflammatory response when no threat is present can lead to inflammation-related damage in the body linked to many diseases including cancer depending on the organs impacted. Cauliflower's wealth of anti-inflammatory nutrients keep inflammation in check.

Rejuvenates Skin Hair & Nails - As you know by now, consuming a variety of veggies & fruits is important in order to receive all their valuable vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower specifically, contains Vitamins A, E, C & K as well as B vitamins, folate, sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, fats, niacin, copper and iron. The biotin in cauliflower has been found to control dandruf and thicken nails. The plethora of antioxidants such as vitamin C in cauliflower destroy free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging. Additionally, the Vitamin C is required for growth & repair of tissues in all parts of the body including the formation of collagen in addition to making skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.

Boosts Digestion - That good old aforementioned sulforaphane has been shown to protect the lining of the stomach by preventing bacterial overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, cauliflower provides an great source of dietary fiber which is also crucial for digestive health.

Antioxidants & Phytonutrients Galore – Cauliflower is packed with tons of Vitamin C, beta-carotene and antioxidants like quercetin and cinnamic acid which provide cells adequate defense against attack from reqctive oxygen species or ROS. A proper supply of antioxidants helps banish free radicals enabling the body to resist aging caused by everyday pollutants, stress and more.

Boosts Brain Health - Cauliflowers abundant supply of choline is a B vitamin crucial in brain development. Choline intake during pregnancy "super-charges" the brain activity of animals in utero indicating it may boost cognitive function, prevent age-related memory decline, and improve memory & learning.

Overall Raw Foods Power – Nutrient dense, whole, plant-based foods that haven't been heated above 118 F retain their full nutritional value preserving all their naturally occuring living enzymes. Additionally, raw foods are still filled with vital life energy – the magic of life force, also known as chi or prana. I personally integrate a large portion of raw foods into my diet, finding at the moment as the weather is cooling, a proportion of 80% raw to 20% cooked is working best for me. In the heat of summer, I find myself eating close to 100% raw foods – though someday this too may change – and of course you'll be the first to know 🙂 Not only are we each unique with personalized needs, what works for us now may not be what works best for us a year or 5 or 10 years down the line. We always want to pay attention to the signals our bodies are providing in response to the changing seasons, our environment, habits, history, genetic predisposition etc.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This is my submission to the lovely Jacqueline at No Croutons Required and Lisa of FoodandSpice.

I've been wanting to make a raw food version of this snack favorite which is, more typically, roasted in the oven. As you can tell, the results are beyond amazing! Please enjoy this fantastic treat and leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Recipe for Cauliflower Popcorn

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower separated into 2 x larger than popcorn pieces (they'll shrink in the dehydrator)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (I like KAL brand)
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika (if you're a raw purist skip, tho it adds fabulous flavor)
1 tsp powdered stevia or xylitol
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil melted (or sub EVOO or use a combo of the two)

Method

Shake everything up in a large ziplock bag until all the pieces are thoroughly coated.
Spread out on a couple of teflex sheet covered dehydrator trays and dehydrate* at 135F for 1 hour (don't worry, the food is throwing off heat at this point & the internal temp remains under 115) and turn down to 115F for another hour or two until the mixture has dried and the popcorn is slightly crispy.

*Alternatively, if you don't yet have a dehydrator, spread mixture on a silpat or parchment covered baking sheet, place in oven on lowest setting with door propped open an inch or two. Check on the popcorn often as the oven will still likely be much hotter than 135F & 115F and, therefore, the process will be much faster.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan or Raw Vegan version? Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Fiery Onion Rings with Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Raw Vegan Chipotle Onion Rings with Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Who doesn't love the delicious crunch of crispy, battered onion rings?! Get ready for guilt free indulgence with these rings of fire made mega-delish with spicy smoked chipotle paired with THE most amazing Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce you've ever had! Seriously, Jim and I can't get enough. They've become a weekly staple – actually I made two batches this week they're that incredible and easy too!

You'd never guess these Raw Vegan Onion Rings are chock full of superfood power!

Fiery Onion Rings with Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce win hands down for flavor, texture and satisfaction… plus they leave us feeling & looking our best too! I purposely created a nut-free (gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free) batter as even a Living Foods Raw Vegan diet is not healthy if it relies too heavily upon a high calorie, fat-laden, nut based approach. When it comes to fats, too much can be too much no matter the type – a pitfall new Raw Foodists often stumble into. Heavy, nut-centric meals can be very difficult for the digestive system and make it challenging to achieve ideal weight/fitness goals. We all want to look and feel our best while eating delicious, nutritious food, therefore, I aim to develop balanced recipes that deliver absolutely amazing flavor while simultaneously ensuring we don't have to worry about counting calories or offsetting meals with excessive exercise in order to enjoy them.

This Raw Vegan enzyme and nutrient rich recipe is full of incredibly powerful health & beauty enhancing plant-based superfoods. Check out some of the amazing ingredient fun facts & benefits you'll receive while enjoying this delicious combo…

Onions – Major cancer fighting power. major collagen/hair/nails building power.
Buckwheat Groats- (I sprouted mine however I include options for skipping sprouting below) – Not actually a grain at all, but a fruit seed. High in protein, flavanoids, magnesium, insoluble fiber, powerful phytonutrients proven to be more powerful than that found in fruits & vegetables, heart protecting lignans and more.
Chickpeas - (I sprouted mine however I include options for not sprouting below) – Excellent for supporting the digestive tract, contain uniquely powerful antioxidants, decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, regulate blood sugar, improve feelings of satiety, excellent molybdenum &, manganese, very good source of folate & copper, good source of fiber & protein.
Kale – More iron than beef, high in Vitamin K crucial for bone health, blood clotting and prevention of Alzheimer's, powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol levels, high in Vitamins A & C and Calcium, a great detox food filled with fiber & sulfur to keep the liver healthy.
Carrots – Excellent source of Beta-Carotene for beautiful skin & healthy vision. Carrots also contain falcarinol, a natural toxin that protects carrots against fungal disease and is found in scientific studies to stimulate cancer-fighting mechanisms in the body. Carrot extract has been found useful in combating cognitive dysfunctions and may offer memory improvement as well as cholesterol-lowering benefit.
Capsaicin in Chipotle (Chili) Peppers– Powerful anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol & triglyceride levels and increases body's blood clotting ability. Cultures who use hot pepper liberally have a much lower rate of heart attack, stroke & pulmonary embolism. Protects fats in blood from damage by free radicals, the first step in the development of atherosclerosis. Clears congestion from sinuses and congested lungs. Boosts immunity due to it's high content of beta-carotene and C. Kills the bacteria contributing to stomach ulcers while stimulating the cells lining the stomach to secrete protective juices.
Hemp Seed– A Super Food. A complete protein with a concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins & enzymes with a virtual absence of sugar, starch & saturated fat. Increases and sustains energy, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces inflammation. Improves circulation, immune system and blood sugar control. More easily digested protein than meat, eggs, cheese or other high protein food. High in perfectly balanced essential fats: omega 3, 6 & Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). High in antioxidants, amino acids, fiber, iron, zinc, carotene, B vitamins, Vitamin E. Can be eaten by those unable to tolerate nuts, gluten, lactose or sugar as there are no known allergies to hemp foods.

Mmm mmm divine! We just had these Fiery Onion Rings w Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce on the side of a super delish Raw Vegan Soft-serve Chocolate Shake for a to-live-for lunch!

And, people, let me just talk about the Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce for a sec. Yes, these onion rings are unbelievably fabulous enough to stand on their own, however, this Creamy Garlic Aioli is phenom! You'll be wanting to dip everything in it – or thinning it out to use it as salad dressing – or slathering it all over your veggie wraps.

To. Live. For!!!

So, a final brief comment before I get to the recipe… I made my onion rings using the absolute highest raw vegan method possible (and it was still super easy) meaning I soaked my chickpeas and buckwheat then sprouted them before turning them into the batter. However, I've included an Express Option for anyone that feels like skipping that step. But, let's be honest about soaking and sprouting – it's literally dumping something into a big bowl of water, letting it sit, draining, rinsing, and letting it sit in a colander and rinsing again. Easy. However, options are good. And, either way you make it, they'll still be brimming with amazing flavor and stunning health and vitality power!

Recipe for Raw Vegan Onion Rings & Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

Raw Vegan Fiery Onion Ring Batter

1 cup dried chickpeas soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 1 cup chickpea flour)
3/4 buckwheat groats soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 3/4 cup buckwheat flour)
6 kale stems (left over from salads/smoothies or just use 3 whole leaves stem & all. For Express Method sub 1 1/2 Tbsp of your fav Greens Powder)
2 medium carrots (for Express Method, sub 2 Tbsp Carrot Powder)
1 1/2 inch piece of dried chipotle pepper (or equivalent in powder, starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing from there )
1 teeny tiny (they're like 1/2 inch long) dried habanero chili pepper (or chili powder to taste starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing batter from there)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for Express Method omit or substitute 5 nuts like cashews/brazil nuts/macadamia – don't worry 5 nuts spread across the entire recipe is not a big deal)
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
1/2 Tbsp raw coconut sugar (or use raw maple syrup crystals, stevia, raw coconut sugar or your fav sweetener to taste adjusting to account for differences in the strengths)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (reserved for garnishing)

*Soaking & Sprouting Instructions: Place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate bowls, top with filtered water to 3 inches above. Let soak 8-12 hours or overnight. Rinse thoroughly. To Sprout: place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate colanders inside 2 pots, add a 1/2 inch of water to each pot, cover with lids. Let sit for 2 to 3 days rinsing once in the am and pm until sprouts grow to about 1/4". Rinse again thoroughly and they're ready!

Onion Ring Soak

1 extra large sweet onion
1 1/2 cups filtered water
1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp coconut nectar
1 tsp sea salt

Creamy Raw Vegan Garlic Aioli

1/2 cup hemp seed
1/4 + cup filtered water
2 cloves garlic (3 if you like it strong)
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
5 raw cashews
a touch of raw coconut sugar, stevia or your fav sweetener (start with 1/2 tsp & adjust to taste)

Method

Fiery Raw Vegan Onion Rings

Note: It's best to do steps 1-3 the day before. Then dehydrate your onion rings the day you'll be serving or even a day ahead if you choose as they "reheat" really nicely in 45 minutes in the dehydrator.

Place all the Onion Ring Batter ingredients into your food processor and pulse until everything is uniformly broken down and well combined, scraping down the sides of your bowl several times. You should have a nice dough when the proccess is complete. You don't want huge chunks of anything. (For Express Method process ingredients into a flour and skip steps 2 and 3)
Spread the mixture onto a teflex sheet of your dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) and dehydrate at 115 F for 4 hours or until dry, checking periodically as climate/time of year/altitude etc. can vastly affect drying time. Feel free to make the Garlic Aioli at this point.
Once dry, break the dough into chunks and place into your food processor or Vitamix to process into a fine flour. Divide the flour between two medium bowls and set aside.
In a medium bowl whisk together the Onion Ring Soak ingredients.
Separate your extra large onion into rings.
Dip each onion ring first into the Soaking Liquid, then into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess, back into the soaking liquid and again into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess once more. Place each battered ring on a Teflex Sheet Lined dehydrator tray.
Once all onions are battered, dehydrate on 135 F for 1st hour (Don't worry they'll still be raw as at this point they're throwing off water and the internal temp remains below 115) then turn down to 115F for 2 to 4 hours more, checking on them periodically, until reach desired crispness.*
Dust onion rings with smoked paprika to garnish.

*There is leeway as to how long you choose to dehydrate the onion rings. They're really delicious both a little moist and quite crunchy & everything in between. I like to remove them when the interior is still a bit moist resembling deep-fried consisency as we put the leftovers in the fridge and "reheat" them in the dehydrator the next day on 135F for 45 minutes which makes them warm and crispier allowing us to enjoy them both ways.

Creamy Garlic Aioli

Place all the aioli ingredients into your Vitamix and process until smooth and creamy.
Taste to adjust for seasonings and, if making in advance, add 1 or 2 Tbsp extra water for it to be a bit thinner than desired consistency as it will thicken considerably in the fridge.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Raw Vegan version? Comment below & I'll recreate it for you!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Light-n-Crispy Chia Crackers

Fresh Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt Chia Cracker topped with home-made sauerkraut, mung sprouts, avocado & Dijon.

Light-n-Crispy Chia Crackers are perfection for SO many reasons…

Nutritional powerhouse
Boasting the richest vegetable source of beautifying omega-3's
Major calcium power (more calcium by weight than whole milk!)
Antioxidant rich (giving chia a shelf life of over 2 years!)
Packed with complete protein (all 9 essential amino acids!)
Fueling long lasting energy (Chia's slow conversion of carbohydrate in to sugar in the body provides a constant stream of energy)
Brimming with cleansing, satiating fiber
Oh so crunchy, crispy & light &
Totally customizable to suit your mood!

I've made both savory and sweet varieties including Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper, Garlic & Herb and Cinnamon-Vanilla Crisps. Even a fantastic Cheesy Jalapeno Dippers version (Which I hope to share soon- great with fresh nut cheese & salsa!) Depending how thick you spread the mixture you can make these thicker like crackers or super duper thin into airy crisps (my fav). I store my Chia Crackers & Crisps in an airtight baggie in the pantry to have on hand whenever a snacking mood strikes.

Slice up some banana to top Cinnamon-Vanilla Crisps. Or…

Avocado to top a few Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Crackers.

I love breaking the Cinnamon-Vanilla Crisps into a bowl with fresh nut milk, bananas & organic molasses for a protein, calcium, iron & omega 3 rich breakfast .

As always the options are endless and ridiculously simple. It's all up to your mood and imagination!

Let me know your favorite twist!

Recipe for Light-n-Crispy Chia Crackers

Equipment

Dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) If you don't own a dehydrator, try using your oven on the lowest setting with the door propped open.

Ingredients

1 Cup Chia Seeds
5 Cups Filtered Water
Sea Salt to taste
Optional: Fresh chopped herbs & spices. For a sweet variation try vanilla, cinnamon + your favorite sweetener, or cacao, maca, cinnamon, vanilla + sweetener. A chai flavor can be achieved with ginger, cardamom, clove &/or star anise and even a bit of dried tea ground together in spice grinder + sweetener. All of these sweet varieties delicious with a cup of tea in the afternoon 🙂

Method

Mix the 1 cup chia, 5 cups water (yes that's right, 5 cups – chia holds up to 10 times it's own weight in water) and sea salt to taste together in a large bowl. (If you plan to add any optional savory or sweet additions mix them in at step 1 as well.)
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes until a thick gel has formed
Spread onto teflex sheets of your dehydrator as thick or thinly as you choose. Don't be worried about going too thin- the crisps hold together beautifully.
Optional: score the crackers or crips with a knife so that they break apart uniformly- or just leave as one mass and break apart when finished for an artisinal look which is just as yummy and easier too!
Dehydrate on 115 for several hours (amount of time depends on the humidity of the season, where you live etc. so check on them periodically to determine when the top is dry) then flip to dry the other side (just place another sheet on top and flip, then peel off the top layer of teflex)

Add your favorite toppings or enjoy as is!

What is your favorite way to enjoy Chia?

Have you ever owned a chia pet?!

Much Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting!

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Nutty Honey Manuka Chocolate Truffles

Nutty Honey Manuka Chocolate Truffles are decadent bites of powerful nutrition for mid-afternoon snack, post or pre work-out fuel or served as a luxurious dessert. Dense, dark chocolate richness with the healing powers of Manuka Honey to nourish body, mind and soul while satisfiying sweet tooths too!

Manuka honey is created by bees that feed on the flowers of the manuka bush, also known as the tea tree, in New Zealand or the jellybush in Australia. The honey is distinctively flavoured, richer and darker than other honey.

This healing honey has been used by indigenous cultures of New Zealand for thousands of years. Manuka honey contains incredible anti-bacterial & microbial properties which, in a study conducted by the University of Sydney, killed nearly every type of bacteria to which it was exposed.

In 2004 Britain's National Health Service licensed the use of medical grade manuka honey as a wound dressing, confirming what the indigenous people of NZ have long known – that Manuka honey has seemingly miraculous properties.

Recent tests at Sydney University's School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, showed manuka honey killed every type of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant "superbugs". In addition to being antimicrobial and antiviral, Manuka is also an antioxidant which helps increase immunity and vitality.

yummy.

powerful.

healing.

I make a large batch of Nutty Honey Manuka Chocolate Truffles for the freezer to keep on hand for those rushed days when we want to grab something and go. However, they are a little addictive, so you may want to stick with the smaller portion recipe below 🙂

Please enjoy this powerfully nutritious and delicious, enzyme rich, Raw Living Foods Recipe!

Recipe for Nutty Honey Manuka Chocolate Truffles

(Makes 8 Truffles – feel free to double or quadruple the recipe)

Ingredients

heaping 1/2 cup (ideally sprouted) Cashews, Raw Almonds, Brazil Nuts (get creative!)
2 – 3 tablespoons or so extra virgin coconut oil
2-3 tablespoons (or to taste) Manuka Honey or sub any type of ethically sourced honey (I err on the side of 3 Tbsp)
Vanilla powder to taste (or substitute Vanilla extract)
Himalayan Pink Salt to taste (I used 2 or 3 twists freshly ground)
2 or 3 tablespoons Cacao Powder (substitute Carob Powder if you prefer)
1 tablespoon Maca Powder (optional) *note: if you're new to Maca use a small amount as it can be incredibly detoxifying resulting in cleansing/detox symptoms)

Method

Carefully (so as not to take them into the nut butter realm) pulse nuts, 2 tbsp coconut oil (add more later if needed), honey, salt and vanilla in food processor until it forms a sticky mass which you can form into truffle shaped rounds.
Using dampened fingers, form each section into a small ball. They don't have to be perfectly round! They're supposed to mimick the free-form shapes of truffles in the wild after all 🙂
Add the Cacao and Maca (if using) to another small bowl.
Roll each truffle in the Cacao, Maca mixture until nicely coated.
Place truffles in the fridge for about 15 minutes or until they've firmed up nicely. If they're left in the fridge overnight, allow truffles to sit at room temperature to soften slightly before serving.
Enjoy!

Raw Nutty Honey Chocolate Truffles

What is your favorite way to use Manuka Honey?

Are you a chocolate lover like me?

All Love,

Juliane

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Watermelon After School Snacks

Who doesn't love watermelon! I don't think I've met a soul to date who doesn't love it's sweet, hydrating, refreshing beauty. Hand one of these three variations to your little ones (& yourself) after school and you'll all be saying goodbye to the 4:00 energy slump… happy as can be, devouring natures perfectly dreamy, living goodness.

1. Big, Juicy Watermelon Chunks satisfy sweet tooths and quench our thirst!

2. Watermelons come pre-packaged in their own perfect serving bowl ready for yummilicious scooping fun!

3. Watermelon Slushies! Always a hit. Simply blend with a bit of filtered water. Add extra cleansing power with ginger or mint into the Vitamix for a bit of zip. (Remember, for proper food combining, melons should always be eaten alone rather than paired with other fruits/veg/etc. Adding ginger or mint are ok since they're fantastic digestive aids.)

Three yummy ways to fill your beautiful children (and your beautiful self!) with a deliciouso, nutritious & mega easy snacky. I am fond of having half a watermelon as an easy-to-digest, mono-meal lunch. So (seemingly) indulgent and satisfying, keeping me energized for hours. Besides, knowing how fantastic watermelon is for my body, spirit and mind doesn't hurt either. In fact, I had to pare all the benefits I listed below, way down so as not to put everyone to sleep 🙂

Watermelon is filled with living energy for our living cells.

There is so much goodness packed into this perfect package… let's begin:

Alongside tomatoes, watermelon has moved up to the front
of the pack in recent research studies on high-lycopene foods. Lycopene is a
carotenoid phytonutrient important for our cardiovascular
health, and an increasing number of scientists now believe that lycopene is
important for bone health also.

Scientists are becoming increasingly interested in
the citrulline content of watermelon. Citrulline is an amino acid that is
commonly converted by our kidneys and other organ systems into arginine
(another amino acid). The flesh of a watermelon contains about 250 millligrams
of citrulline per cup. Arginine is crucial for healthy blood flow and other aspects of cardiovascular health. There's also some
preliminary evidence that greater conversion of citrulline into arginine may
help prevent excess accumulation of fat in fat cells due to blocked activity of
an enzyme called tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, or TNAP. Now that's bang for your buck!

When we eat living foods we feel alive! Just like our food!

Watermelon is an excellent source of immune-boosting, collagen producing, cellulite busting vitamin C. It's
also a very good source of free-radical-scavenging vitamin A (in multiple carotenoid forms, especially beta-carotene). In
addition, watermelon is a good source of heart-healthy magnesium & potassium.

Eating raw, living foods helps us recover more quickly after exercise. And its cleansing, detoxifying abilities cause cellulite to melt away!

Allow your watermelon to fully ripen (and in fact do so with all your fruit)! For example, research shows the
biggest jump in lycopene content occurs when a watermelon's flesh
turns from white-pink to pink. And when that flesh continues to ripen from pink to red, the lycopene content becomes even
more concentrated. Prior to ripening, when the flesh of a watermelon is still white in color, its beta-carotene content is near zero. Like lycopene and beta-carotene, total phenolic antioxidants in a watermelon
also increase consistently during ripening, spiking at the appearance
of fully red flesh. The bottom line: eating a fully ripe watermelon pays off not just in taste but in nutrient benefits too!

Yummy in my tummy!

Enjoy your wawa-mellies:-)

Pardon my over-the-topness today… that's the energy we get from eating a watermelon- or any living raw vegan foods for that matter. I've been busting at the seams as I write this! Energy baby. Life force!

Lots of love to you,

XOXO

Juliane

What are some of your favorite fruits?

Have you ever eaten a fruit mono-meal? I just started this summer & love.

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Food

First Spring Harvest ~ Crisp, Cool Radishes!

The secret?

Store your radishes in a mason jar of cold water in the fridge where they'll last for weeks!

Crisp

Vibrant

Fresh

As beautiful to the tastebuds as they are to behold.

A delicious refrigerator snack ~ healthy, refreshing & cold!

Thank you my sweet Jim.

What are your gardening plans this year?

Food

Favorite Snacks Fridays ~ Chevre & Black Cherry Jam Crisps

Chevre and Black Cherry Jam Crisps

At my house these are called cutting board snacks. When we gather around the big cutting board and dole out tidbits such as Chevre and Black Cherry Jam Crisps. I'm telling you these are awesome; a simple collaboration of three beautiful ingredients I'm inspired to share with you!

I pretty much only purchase St. Dalfour Jam because it's all fruit, sweetened with only apple juice, and produced in many beautiful flavors like Red Raspberry Pomegranate, Wild Blueberry and the aforementioned Black Cherry. Pair it with the creamy, subtle tang of a fresh goat's milk cheese such as a Loire Valley Chevre atop a light, fresh cracker (my fav: Wasa Crisp-n-Light 7 Grain) that allows the flavors of the toppings to shine.

A lovely, light and delicious treat!

What are some of your favorite tidbit treats?

Soon-to-be Chevre & Black Cherry Jam Crisps

Food

Favorite Snacks Fridays

Gorgonzola with Fuji Apples

Often, I'd rather have a snack than a meal. Err, multiple snacks instead of a meal. I have lots of favorite combos…

Favorite Snacks Fridays is born! (Well…not every Friday, maybe once or twice a month.)

Gorgonzola Blue Cheese and Sliced Fuji Apples never disappoint. (However, the apples must be Fuji- sweet yet tangy, always crispy, never mealy). And, aside from your choice of apples, there's a lot of wiggle room…

Sliced pears and smoked Gouda? Amaze. Sliced Fujis and Pecorino? To die. Looking to spice things up? Add a little Dijon to your apple or pear instead of the cheese. Tasty.

Clearly the combinations are endless.

Jim and I browse through the mammoth cheese display at our local organic market as if we're at the library selecting books. Fun stuff.

I'd love to hear about some of your favorite snacks. What might they be?