Mini juice feast Day 2 of 3

Off to a good start this morning with citrus and bee pollen for instant zing. Last night in bed felt something like nausea, or acidity in my throat. Wonder whether it was a bit much to end the day with beets. Interestingly I had strong earache in my left ear, it came out of nowhere. Could this be a detox symptom? I occasionally experience a mild ear ache when I am overdoing things, always a sign to slow down. This was intense and felt different. Also I had an intense and meaningful dream, although I am often blessed with such. For much of the day I felt particularly joyful, blissed and uplifted. No hunger or thoughts of eating solids and my stomach feels flatter.

For support and motivation I read Steve Pavlina's juice feast blog. Found Happy Juicer's helpful page on how to juice individual ingredients. Had a chat to my neighbour who has taken himself through Gerson Therapy.

Today I juiced:
500g spinach, 2 grapefruit, 2 oranges, punnet grapes, punnet strawberries, 2 apples, 4 carrots, large zucchini, 1/2cucumber, bunch coriander, 1/2 lime, fresh ginger root + 1 tbs bee pollen.

Approximately 3 litres.
Today's favourite juice: green grape & apple.

Mini juice feast Day 1 of 3

Well truly an ecstatic beginning to the day, fuelled mainly by positive feelings of excitement and anticipation which kicked in way before the actual juicing begun.
My personality adores variety and here is another way to play with my food, experience myself and my responses to food and bring full awareness to that.
I feel safely contained by the parameters I have set myself ie as a 3 day feast, the end is already in sight. I feel that if I had set myself a longer feasting period it would have felt overwhelming. I hope to learn a few nuts and bolts so to speak about juice feasting and who knows, there could be a next time of a longer duration.
I am consciously avoiding the term challenge; I don't feel the need to challenge myself. I view juice feasting as an exploration, a potential healing and above all an act of self-love.

Here's what I juiced:
1lb spinach,1 head curly lettuce, 1 head broccoli, 2 grapefruit, 3 oranges, 6 small apples, punnet raspberries, 2 beets, 4 carrots, 1/2 pineapple, 1 lime, ginger root, 1 tsp bee pollen.

Today's fave juice:pineapple & spinach.

Experienced cravings for solid food around 3pm, which is usually smoothie & dried fig time. These passed quite quickly. Took a hot bath and re-read Angela Stokes' Juice feasting handbook.

Flying high a la Raw

Wow, just booked a flight to India online with Kingfisher Airlines and I got offered a raw vegetarian meal as an in flight option. I wasnt expecting to see that, what a pleasant surprise! This will be my first flight as a raw foodist and I was planning on cubing and chopping lots of lovely water rich tomatoes, peppers, melons and cukes to stay hydrated. I am intrigued as to what the airline caterers will provide in that little plastic box... Mostly I take this as a sign of the times, that raw foodism is shifting into the mainstream. Yay!

Preparing for mini juice feast

I'm preparing for a mini juice feast, my first, starting tomorrow. I feel excited and positive about venturing into this new dimension of the raw lifestyle.
In a nutshell,juice feasting involves preparing and consuming 4 litres of juice on a daily basis.
Successful juice feasters cite weightloss, increased radiance, sense of spiritual connectedness and detoxification as someof the benefits.
I very much feel that I am heading into something unknown, that I don't have specific intended outcomes in mind,just a burning curiosity to see how it unfolds for me.
I am aware of the Global Juice Feast kicking off on March 1st and wish all those juice feasters well. I am not in a position to embark on a 92 day programme, it feels more appropriate to start small with a manageable amount of time hence 3 days; Friday, Saturday and Sunday. These are work free days and I'm keeping my social calendar clear.
So far my preparation has involved:
- Setting my intention and gathering information and inspiration
- Communicating my plan to others and receiving support and motivation
- Clearing a space in my diary
- Eating up/giving away fresh foods unsuitable for juicing
- Deep cleaning my kitchen and fridge to acknowledge the deep cleaning of my insides!
- Shopping for an abundance of fresh produce
- Booking a spa appointment for a body exfoliation when the feast concludes.
There may be other things that I think of to do. Excitement!

More info on juice feasting at www.juicefeasting.com

Angela's wisdom

Angela Stokes gave a talk here in Glastonbury a couple of nights ago.I have heard her speak before,at the 2008 Festival of Life in London. She is an inspirational figure,not just in terms of weightloss and commitment to the raw lifestyle; also as an entrepreneur, writer and woman!
Angela describes the raw food diet as, "A path of dramatic transformation, ...a sustainable solution, ...the ultimate way to fuel the human body"
She shared her top 5 tips for staying raw:
1.Eat whole foods
2.Eat/juice greens daily
3.Include seaweeds,sprouts and sweets!
4.Chew well
5.Be the change
I picked up a copy of Angelas Juice Feasters Handbook for a fiver, its an easy informative read. Angela is leaving the UK to set up home in Ecuador with her fiance Matt Monarch,she says she is looking forward to growing veggies. I wish them both well.

Angela's website and blog www.rawreform.com

Shopping for superfoods

Lately I have become obsessed with superfoods. I just have to get my hands on those packets of powder! It is fair to say that I love to shop, online as much as on the High Street. I enjoy using the net for choice and quality.
There are some splendid places to shop online in the UK, here are my faves:
www.oceanwavevibrations.com
I love browsing Holly's shop, it gives me a good feeling. She stocks interesting & exotic botanicals often in small quantities which means you can try without a significant investment.
www.funkyraw.com
Run by the guy who organises the eponymous UK raw food gathering, you'll find all the classics here.
www.vibrationalgaiarising.com
Perhaps my favourite, there is a cool elusive quality about the site and a magnificent range, best place for wildcrafted items.
www.detoxyourworld.com Shazzie is bold, passionate and stocks her own branded range of quality superfoods. Her monthly offers for bulk purchases represent significant savings.
www.fresh-network.com A traditional look and feel to this website. Included for high level of customer care I have experienced here.
www.totalrawfood.com I love the fresh and funky graphics of this site.Stocking a good selection of superfoods, often cheaper than elsewhere. Good selection of articles on the raw food lifestyle.
So I've spent my money and am joyfully looking forward to packages tumbling through the letter box...

Rainbow chakra pudding

Yesterday we celebrated Joseph's birthday quietly at home. For the occasion, Joseph, "inspired by God", created the Rainbow Chakra Pudding. A multi-coloured, multi-layered fruit composition, encased in coconut, representing the placement of the chakras, as follows:
Red (muladhara chakra) goji berries & blood orange
Orange (svasisthana chakra)blended mango
Yellow (manipura chakra) coconut & lemon zest
Green (anahata chakra) kiwi & avocado
Blue (Vissuda chakra) coconut & blueberries
Purple (sahasra chakra) prunes & purple corn
The pud went down well, the purple layer it was generally agreed was outstanding. Sally was entirely enthusiastic, "This cake is so exciting, it's full of surprises."
It is a commonly held belief in raw food circles that we can stimulate our chakras through consumption of relevant coloured food, for more information check out Spiritual Nutrition by Gabriel Cousens.
I was fortunate enough to receive two portions as there was just enough remaining for this morning's breakfast. Totally yum!

Hemp talk in town

The one and only Free Love Cannabis will be entertaining and informing us on Wednesday evening in Glastonbury Town Hall as he addresses the Positive Living Group.
Free is a passionate individual and has a lot to say about hemp. A long term activist and campaigner he draws on years of personal experience and enquiry and his talks are peppered with personal anecdotes. A generous human being and a personal friend, this talk is warmly recommended.
Glastonbury Positive Living Group for event details www.shiny-happy-people.co.uk
Free’s website for hemp info & online store http://www.cannabis.uk.net

Further adventures of a mylk maid

So much of the raw food diet involves thought and pre-planning. Example. If I want buckwheat burgers on Friday, I'll have to dehydrate them on Thursday night, so 'll need to start soaking on Tuesday... There are times when planning is the order of the day, it helps to be organised to make a success of this lifestyle.
However I really enjoy those spontaneous moments when an unexpected food urge kicks in and I feel moved to create something new and now!
So in one moment I'm sitting at the laptop browsing yoga books on Amazon and in the next I've sprung up and headed to the blender. Inspired to create brazil nut mylk for the first time. I went straight for smoothieville. Here's how I did it:
Take 1/4 cup whole brazils
spring water
1 ripe banana
1 large medjool date
1 tspb maca powder
a little cinnamon powder
Blend!
It seems that brazil nuts do not require pre-soaking, although this remains a matter of opinion, so this can be created at a moment's notice. My first thought was to pre-blend the nuts separately in water, intending to squeeze through muslin and de-pulp the mixture, however this didnt seem necessary. Brill!Even simpler and faster!
I have been hitting the banana smoothies somewhat in recent weeks. Just right for mid-afternoon when you are feeling peckish. The sweet creaminess makes this feel like a treat.

Angela Stokes to speak in Glastonbury

I am personally very pleased and excited that Angela Stokes is coming to speak in Glastonbury.
Angela is well known in raw food circles and has also appeared on main stream media in the UK and US promoting the raw foods lifestyle.
Angela's personal story has particular impact because of the tremendous weight loss she has achieved. Angela is also an experienced writer and raw entrepreneur, having created a successful e-book Raw Emotions and running an online store. Her ongoing blog is an inspiration to many, she has a international fan base.
Engaged to the raw dream hunk Matt Monarch, the couple have plans to move to Ecuador.
Earlier today I spoke to Lisa of RawLisa who is hosting the event; it seems that Angela was particularly keen to come to Glastonbury. She should know that we are thrilled to have her.
Event details: Tuesday, 24th Feb, 7.45pm
Venue: Georges Room, The Glastonbury Experience, 2-4 High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DU
Booking: £6.50 Contact Lisa on 01769 550408 lisasture@toucansurf.com

Angela's website http://www.rawreform.com/index.php

Celebrating divine alignment; Raw Valentine event in Glastonbury

"When the moon is in the seventh house, and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars"
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, yes really; it's happening now, or more precisely at 7.25am tomorrow, Saturday 14th February. This auspicious astrological alignment heralds a new age of peace, love and understanding. In a wonderful synchronicity we have the added amplication of the love vibration of St Valentine's Day. An event of global, cosmic significance, and no doubt a great day to meditate on the nature of love and visualise the New Age...
If you are feelng sociable, there will plenty to see and do here in Glastonbury; many consider the town to be the current location of the planetary heart chakra. There is a Love Celebration arranged for the Market Cross area during the afternoon. Via Facebook I have learnt that there is to be an attempt to establish a portal at Chalice Well Gardens at 5pm. The Green Angels are playing what is sure to be a rocking gig at the Rifleman's Arms and the Assembly Rooms is holding a dub night. Phew!
Up at the quieter end of town, at St Edmund's Community Centre on Windmill Hill, Joseph and Sally are hosting the Avalon Feastival of Love, as Sally put it, "It will be the cleanest event". Here are the details:
7am Meet up on Tor for Jupiter-Mars alignment
4.15pm Meet at St Edmunds for procession to Tor for sunset
Simple raw supper
Tree planting ceremony (bring a clay pot)
Candlelit jamming circle
Doors close 10pm
Magic Hat entry
RSVP: naturalmagickio@gmail.com Joseph - 07757483480 Sally - 07793032036
Sally has been diligently and joyfully learning the lyrics and chords to the well known song from the musical Hair; it is sure to be a real heartwarmer.
Blessings to all at this auspicious time!

Birthday gifts for a rainbow raw foodist

Joseph, rainbow rawee and current housemate has a birthday next week and I am choosing his gifts now.

A permaculturist, he is as nature loving as they come, having lived on the land, created gardens and he grows and forages wherever he goes. So it's all about plants then, ideally varieties that can be sustainably cultivated.

I found a lovely mini olive bush here for £15 plus delivery that seems a good price. Thing is Joseph is apt to travel and move around and what if he heads back out to Spain for the summer?

I decided upon a selection of herloom vegetable seeds; compact, portable and containing the potent essence of life itself, ultimately edible - perfect! I found the Magic Garden Seed company. Here is a definition from their website, Heirloom seeds and plants are open-pollinated varieties grown during earlier periods in agricultural history. A plant variety should be originated before 1950 to be considered a heirloom. Some old types of vegetables have been kept alive within communities by succeeding generations of seed savers. So excellent eco-credentials, a matter of fundamental importance for my friend.

Although I tend a garden myself, of potted flowering plants and shrubs, I don't have experience of growing from seed or growing for personal consumption. So selecting seed varieties for a very knowledgeable and experienced gardener... Well living in close proximity I know what he likes to eat. And then I wanted to have a little fun with it. So the birthday boy will be getting: Pig nuts, winter purslane and wild tomato.

I am quite pleased with this selection as it covers roots, leaves and fruit. Tomorrow I will trawl the local garden centre for a bag of organic compost and some clay pots for the sake of completeness. I hope he enjoys them and it was fun shopping.

Did I just drink the best water ever?

Lot of interest in the raw scene in the purity of water. So here's an anecdote. It just happened.
Friend and percussion goddess Ronni called by as she knows how depleted I have been feeling lately. She brought over her crystal healing bowls and laid me out for a one to one healing. Blissful.
Part of the experience was that she placed water in a couple of the bowls. Water drawn from the Well House of the White Spring here in Glastonbury, this the spring that David Wolfe reputedly bathes under at 4am when he is in town (not an urban myth, this from from the horses mouth). So the water was drawn at the full moon and then energised through the healing vibrations of the crystal bowls. Then we drank it.
Certainly it tasted fresh and clear and very alive. I also put some down in Arthur's bowl so he may also benefit. Wonderful.

Banana hemp mylkshake

More than a shake... This is a complete meal, a nutritional experience.
Take 2 small ripe bananas, and blend with hemp mylk, maca, raw honey and cinnamon. Add spring water to suit your preference for thicker or runnier texture. Personally I like this on the thick side, velvety smooth and creamy.
Great for a mid afternoon energy boost. I drink this when I am turbo cleaning my home, I just keep going!

The yin of winter

Winter is so deeply yin, it is a profoundly yin state of being. I am prone to excess yin by virtue of my female gender and my emotions also tend towards yin introversion and melancholia. My energy has been low lately, another yin charateristic.

I have been browsing online for information on yin and yang. In a nutshell, all material things have an essence which tends to one of two polarities; yin or yang. Yin: dark, moist, hidden, still; yang mobile, hot, masculine. Fuller explanation of terms here. In food terms many raw items are by their nature yin: the challenge is establishing and maintaining balance. It seems that cravings for heavy dense salty foods can be provoked by a need to introduce yang or fire energy into the diet.

Hmmm. Ok so what are the yang foods that as a raw foodist in the northern hemisphere in the winter months are going to be useful? Some suggestions:
Red foods: radish, red pepper, raddichio, goji berries
Heating foods: ginger on everything, cinnamon, garlic, black pepper
Seeds: Pumpkin seeds notably, also sesame
Dried foods: Now is the time for flax crackers, if they are spiced up so much the better
Bitter foods: we are talking greens - you know what to do!

I made a yang salad the other day which was pretty successful, any recipes or suggestions on this topic will be eagerly received.
Stay warm out there!

Date & walnut balls- fast sweet treats

I can whizz these up in a nano second, perfect for when friends drop by or you are off to a pot luck with no prep time available.
Take a handful of dates, the less expensive, drier kind, and some walnuts. For a good squidgy consistency I recommend an overall blend of 60% dates to 40% walnuts.
Blend hard! There will be an alarming rattling noise; you must trust that all is well. Tip the crumbly mixture into a bowl, large enough that you can get your hands in and squeeze the mixture into balls.
That's it, you're done.
For added sophistication if you have a little extra time, add some finely grated orange zest and a drift of cinnamon powder.
Ideal companion for fresh apple-ginger juice and a great energy boost.

Yang winter salad

It's snowing in Somerset; continuous, fine and delicate. So it's pretty cold. The snow drops on the verges are the physial manifestation of Imbolc which was celebrated yesterday. So spring is coming, yet it is decidedly winter, still.
For the first time I find myself craving cooked foods, the warmth of it. I choose not to surrender, instead I have devised a Yang winter salad, by which I mean that I have included red, heating foods as follows:
Raddichio & frisee leaves
Radish & courgette slices
Walnut pieces, pumpkin seeds
Goji berries
Dressing: apple cider vinegar, ginger juice, pumpkin seed oil, lemon juice, back pepper

It looks good, is fiery and crunchy and completely satisfying.