TGIF!!! Woot! What’s everyone doing this weekend? This is our first real weekend in Phoenix and I can’t wait to get out and enjoy! We moved in Labor Day Weekend and aside from unpacking, we didn’t do anything. That was plenty. Then, last weekend Scott was in Vegas and I was flyin’ solo, so I’m excited to get into a little trouble this weekend, whatever that ends up being!
Thanks for your comments on the Raw Zuke Noodles with Marinara and that rockin’ Raw Apple Crumble from yesterday. Yeah, it was pretty much like eating spaghetti for me and I will totally be makin’ that feast again. And of course, the Raw Apple Crumble is a keeper and for all of you who’ve told me you’re gonna make it, please report back on how you likey’ed it. Haley I’m countin’ on you!
And the 6 winners of the NuNaturals Stevia GiveAway were just announced so if you entered, make sure you holla if you were a winna’!
I’ve been the Queen of New Appliances and random shopping purchases for the home lately, guess I’m just makin’ up for lost time. And appliances.
We eloped in Vegas nine long, and mostly blissful, years ago in the Black Sheep Style that I am known for. Anyway, we didn’t get to cash in on any bridal shower or wedding gifts so a decade later, I’m just buyin’ my own damn gifts. It’s better that way anyway. No thank you notes to write or $100 a plate dinners to buy for lame-o people who you won’t see til someone’s funeral. Sorry my brain just spews this stuff, I can’t help myself.
Back to the appliance that finally showed up…My Mandolin! Gena recommends it, so ya know, it has to be good.
You open that little hatchet and plop the food in where you can kinda see the plastic teeth, then slide-n-glide. Don’t lose any fingers!! This is prophetic, keep reading…
Well, Gena’s Jicama Wraps and her Dinner Party Cuke Lasagna have been speaking to me since July when she posted about ’em. I decided my time was finally here to get wrapped ’round here, but with Cukes, not jicama. I also borrowed a little eye candy from Raw Food Real World’s pics of some summer wraps Michael and Sarma wrote about.
I started to slice up the cuke on the thinnest setting 1/32nd of an inch.
I think you could read the newspaper through the thinness of the cuke slices. Gorg!
Then I thought, I don’t need that little plastic gizmo to slide the food, I’ll just slide a baby carrot with my bare hands. Big mistake, but it coulda been alot worse. Nails grow back fairly quickly, muscle fascia takes a little longer, and I was 1/32nd of an inch away from things getting….ugly.
Then, it ripped all the way across. I had a totally drug-free childbirth, so all things considered, this really wasn’t too big a deal.
Moving right along to the assembly station of raw cuke wrappers, red and yellow pepps I sliced thinly, and those infamous baby carrots I mandolin’ed.
All wrapped up and in a container to make the dinnertime bewitching hour breezy, rather than brutal.
I swear, it looks like I’m having a raw dinner party. I impress myself. Doesn’t my humility just kill you? Kidding. But if there are any bloggers who ever wanna meet up with me, for a dinner party or just a cup of coffee, please holla!
I figured that although raw veggies are delish, they were gonna need some zing. Enter, 2 Tbsp sweet hot prepared mustard (I rarely if ever use prepared condiments, but hey I was weak), 2 Tbsp Agave, and 2 Tbsp of OJ + wisk. There’s your sauce. It’s eazy-peazy, start tweakin’ and getting creative.
Dinner time came, and I popped the Raw Cuke Wraps on a bed of greens and the spiralized zuke noods. And drizzled some ‘o that sweet hot sauce on top.
And also made a bowl of spiralized cuke noods, asparagus spears, greens, red & yellow pepps, carrots, cukes & zukes, and tossed that up with OJ, agave & black pepp.
And then put a couple more Cuke Wraps on the side with a bowl ‘o the hot sweet dippin’ sauce.
The verdict on dinner was really munch-a-licious, despite bein’ a little messy, the wraps were definitely worth the extra napkins needed.
For dessert, we rolled with the Choco-Coconut-Chia Treats. The sweetness was welcome after the sweet hot mustard action from din-din.
Yoga time was Mathsyasana. Or sometimes spelled Matsyasana, Fish Pose. If you do this, please loves, take care of your neck. Don’t over do it, this is not one to push in, at all.
Just a little trivia, when your heart and throat chakras are wide open like that, you may find it really intense, and you may even get emotional, because you are opening your heart center to both give and receive love, as well as your throat and voice which is how you express yourself…they’re both wide open so you may feel vulnerable, loved, blissed out, or any combo of the above.
:)
Averie
Tip of the Day: It’s ok to say no to people. I find that I never used to want to say no, or couldn’t bring myself to saying no, but after years of over-extending myself and then feelin’ stressed to the max, I just realized that in order to stay emotionally healthy and centered, that it’s ok to just say…..ummm, no. Sorry, I can’t. Sorry that I can’t participate, do that, bring over a cute vegan side dish to your party, I can’t even come to the party, nor can I watch your kid, walk your dog, collect your mail when you’re on vacation, or call you as often as you wish I would. Or fill in the blank. It’s ok to say no.
Stay tuned tomorrow for a vegan dessert…mmmm, hmmmm, good stuff.
In the spirit of yesterday’s question about how you organize your blog reading and commenting, I thought I’d ask today about book reading. You know, those things with pages and not a screen. What’s everyone’s favorite book you’re reading right now? Lately, I haven’t been finding much time for books other than my vegan cookbooks that I thumb through for inspiration (but fail to actually make the recipe as written; rather I just tweak and improvise my own eats). And then there’s all the blogs I am addicted to, but I love you guys! But, I still want to hear what floats everyone’s pleasure readin’ book boat!
Thanks girl for the mention! The kale chips look yummy : )
Oh goodie- bought a bunch of kale and saw the stuff on 105 and I asked for the recipe but forgot to check back for it. I read elsewhere that she wasn't able to give out recipes b/c it was from a restaurant or school. So now I'm in the know! I think I'll just use some unloved cashew butter that I have (am I the only one who feels it has no flavor at all?). Thanks for the recipe on that one! Yay!
Thanks chicas for stopping by…Jen, if your my 1st customer, would love to open up shop :)
Hayley glad I gotcha laughin on the humpin action and thanks for your Skylar compliment as well as my raw creations :) It helps me stay inspired when i know peeps are digging things.
Alison-Nooch yeah it only took me 6 mos to figga that out. I just did about a month ago. I felt proud writing that word total light bulb.
Janetha-I would try a beginner's class, something with that in the title. Or hatha or intro to flow or even intro to ashtanga.
YEs I just grind the chias in the Vita for like 10 secs, you're good to go.
Thanks for all the new peeps stopping by!! a
nd Lauren, yeah B.S. rocks hope you pick some of the veggie kind up :)
hahaha you crack me up with your intro. i always have to open a separate comment window so i can comment as i read along to your blog because it always has such good stuff. hey so if i was going to try yoga for the first time ever.. where do you suggest i do that? a class at the gym or a video at home? i have never seen that pure flavor! but i love the others i have tried. i am digging those coconut chia things, how do you grind your chia seeds before using them in the recipe? just in the vita? i am going to try to make those because i have all the ingredients! xoxo
Both posts showed up in my reader!
OK, I've read about Nooch on blog before but didn't realize they were referring to Nutritional Yeast!! Talk about a EUREKA moment just now. I have that exact same VAT.
I LOVE Kale Chips, excellent idea to make them in the dehydrator! I make them in the oven but you're right, you've got to keep a close eye on them or they were be burnt chips in no time.
Too funny you use to have your nose pierced – I just got mine done on my 30th birthday this year. And oh yeah, no soccer mom here either. Doing everything in my power to keep that from happening.
That dehydrator really is a genius machine, isn't it? I definitely don't have the room for it on my counter though…what with the juicer, the Vita-mix, the spiralizer…heheheh.
I totally cracked up over your question about anyone doing any humping today..LOL…I am still laughing over that! I'll letcha know – we ARE trying right now!! Teehee..
Those kale chips with that topping look incredible!! I still have to try making those in the oven sometime.
Your blog is so awesome Averie – you come up with the best raw recipes! Have I mentioned lately how cute Skylar is??
For some reason I'm unable to sign in with my Gmail account – so I'm signing in with WP today!
YUM! Everything looks sooo good! I am totally buying brussels this week! :)
hey! i'm a visitor through pb&jenny.
i love that raw vegan chocolate cookie. i am practically drooling (not a pretty sight i'm afraid.)
L. x
haha no humpin' today yet, but ya never know – it's only 1:00.
Kale chips, nommmm. If only they sold those at grocery stores. Seriously you need to get on opening your own company stat. please and thank you :)
Why is it that nutritional yeast comes in such big containers? Maybe it is to persuade us all to make lots of kale chips. They are so good.
Nice yoga pose at the end. That's actually one I can do. I'm just getting back into it after having Hayden. I mix it up with a little Pilates and some Bollywood moves. I just can't make up my mind when it comes to a workout style.
VG-Glad you likey :)
Cindy-Im touched that I inspire ya!
Alisa-Word. Up.
Voracious Vegan-So glad you likey my dear. And yeah, kale over the atlantic would be a little nast. Good luck in the chard! I annually spend 1 month per year in a remote place where all produce must be imported and yeah, it's a bit of a lifestyle adjustment isnt it. Please comment back and let me know how your dehyd adventures go!
NySooner-I totally think you could sub out the nuts. Seeds like sunflower or hemp or sesame would be awesome too but not necessary. You just want something to maybe give it a little flava oomph, but not necessary. Welcome and thanks for delurking pronto! Appreciated no doubt :)
Just found you from your guest post and I'm delurking much earlier than I normally would! Those kale chips look great…. Could you sub out the cashews? I'm allergic to nuts…
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! It is so full of amazing food and great ideas.
And I LOVE nutritional yeast! No one stocks it over here in Saudi Arabia so we order it in bulk from Europe or the states. You'd think 15 pound shipments would last awhile but I inhale the stuff. ;-)
I am borrowing a dehydrator for the next month from a friend who is out of kingdom for work and I can't wait to try chard chips. (We also don't get kale in Saudi Arabia, and that can't be ordered.) I looooooove the sound of that dressing for your kale chips, I am SO going to try that. It has all my favorite things in there!
And thanks for the orange juice on salad tip, simple and delicious.
Who wouldn't prefer choco chunks? I have to try those bars!
Kale chips…haven't tried yet..but I have been meaning to!
I love that you do a yoga pose each post…I have added many of them to my now AM stretches. (not as proficient though) one pose a day is easy to remember!
this morning I did my second "wake up and do some yoga"
I need to find a dvd to help me. I am kinda foggy still.
ha
twits are tougher in the am for me but it feels good knowing I strethed a bit before I even had coffee!
thanks for some inspiration!
Pure bars, kale, Sun Warrior, Sweet Lil' Nothings… oh yes :)