Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Pimp My Vegetables


My calendar tells me it’s Summer but the weather seems a little confused. For the last couple of weeks we’ve had wind, wind and more wind. I’m so over it. Rain I can handle – well, not too much J - but wind, it makes me jittery. However, I was pleased to see the rain as the garden needed it. In spite of watering with the hose or ‘liquid compost’ from the house, there’s nothing quite like the ‘real thing’. I forgot about the tender and sweet courgettes and two days later we’ve got huge marrows lolling across the lawn. Oh, well; I’ll peel and grate them, then toss through a salad since they’ll be too seedy for spiralising.

If you’re wondering what the ‘liquid compost’ from the house is, it’s left over tea or coffee, rinsed but not drained Vita-Mix or jug, perhaps a bowl of murky water that plates were rinsed over or, an empty bottle of milk or juice whose dregs are swished and poured. It seems a shame to tip down the drain when the garden would appreciate it. And if you think about it, that dirty water is liquid compost.

It is so easy to increase your raw food intake over Summer: fresh fruit smoothies, sorbets, raw ice cream, raw pasta made from spiralised courgettes or ribbons of lettuce or spinach, dressings to generously lavish without feeling guilt, even the ubiquitous salad can take a fresher turn when you know how to ‘pimp it up’ a bit.

Head on over to our website (www.gomoreraw.com) and register your interest in our Seven Day Raw Program coming up early next year. It comes with a complete menu for a week, recipes, shopping list, preparation advice and mini-movies to show you how to prepare the recipes. In other words, no thinking required, we’ve done it all for you. This program will be perfect for those who would like to Go More Raw but don’t really have the time to put it all together or would like to be shown an easier way than figuring it for themselves.

Originally, I thought it would be ready to go live in November or December at the latest. It’s so typical of me – I get excited about something and I want it now or at least as soon as possible...or sooner than that. Trouble is I underestimate how long it takes to bring a new project to the point of ‘ready to go’. My ever-patient husband just gently said, “I think it will take a bit longer than that.” I didn’t want to believe him but he’s right; as usual. So now we’re looking at late January or early February; probably; better be. I’m so excited as the Program is looking good; I can’t wait to introduce it properly to you!

A few weeks ago I told you that both the 5200 Vita-Mix and the brushed stainless steel models had dropped in price by around $200. It’s a Big Ticket item but so worth it. I was chatting to the importer recently and he was hoping to keep the price but wasn’t sure how long he could due to the volatile currency situation, so I encourage you to get yours soon if you’ve been considering buying one. How about asking for one from Santa? To sweeten you up I have both credit card and a cash (internet banking) prices. To ‘double-sweet’ the deal, I am paying the $25 courier fee. Woo hoo!

Vita-Mix5200 in red, white or black. Cash price: $1256; credit card price: $1295. Brushed Stainless Steel: cash price: $1408; credit card price: $1450. The Brushed Stainless Steel model is similar to choosing a stainless steel fridge over a normal white ware; it’s pure aesthetics.

Oh, and there’s still time if you fancy a Spiraliser in time for Christmas, too.

Christine
www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

____________________________________________________

The Anglo-Far East Company
The Original Private Gold and Silver Bullion Custodian
Your reference: an-001
____________________________________________________

YOUnique Gold and Silver

Buy small, affordable physical gold and silver or start a savings program towards physical gold or silver grams for as little as US$25 per month.
Blog : www.goldsilver-money.blogspot.com
____________________________________________________

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Mainstreaming of Veganism and Raw Food


So... celebrities are assisting the normalisation of raw food or veganism - or both. No longer are these eating choices the domain of hippy, tree-hugging, free-lovin', sandle wearers. Indeed, you will find them wearing high heels and lipstick, or in the case of the men-folk, the latest environmentally friendly, organic tee shirt but still high end chic.

Recently the New Zealand Herald carried an article telling us about the mainstreaming trend of veganism. It seems vegetarianism is no longer hip enough for celebs. Raw is the new black.

Enough of the seeming sarcasm; I am actually very happy about it. If my perception used to be (even as a organic health foodie) that raw food was for the afore mentioned weirdoes, then surely an attitude change in favour of your average mainstream person, has to be a good thing. Eating a high raw diet has to be one of the healthiest ways to eat and so help to improve your general wellbeing or even aide in your tussle with health issues.

I've come to see that the more raw food a person can make as part of their day, the better for them. Whether it's Demi Moore, Bill Clinton or anyone else, I don't really care. Choose your own celebrity from the list to inspire you or to help you change; whatever.

But here's the interesting thing for me: raw food or veganism (or both) can be successfully applied to sportsmen. "NFL player, Tony Gonzalez...245 lbs (that's 111 kg) attributes..." This means, done right, a sportsman could do very well following a high raw diet. Especially concentrating on including more of the high protein and fat foods that are usually a smaller percentage for the rest of us. By 'done right' I mean making sure your food plan is truly balanced and not self-assessed. Whilst deficiencies can be the result of any diet (most 'average' people have deficiencies on 'average' diets) they can still occur in the healthy crowd, too.

Other names on 'The List' include, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Russell Brand, Ozzy Osbourne (for crying out loud, redeeming the time or something? I'm a raw coach not a psychoanalyst, so I won't go there). See what I mean? You have to feel sorry for the original Tree Huggers, being pushed to one side; eclipsed by fame. Or hopefully, like me, they don't mind.

Eventually, I'm sure that some of these celebrities and their adoring fans will swish through this and on to the next food-fad. In the meantime I welcome their presence and hope some stay.

My blog has been a bit quiet for the last few weeks. We've been working on our Seven Day Raw Program, and I'm excited to say....it's nearly finished! Yipee! It'll come with a menu for Seven Days (obviously), including breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon break, and supper. All recipes and shopping lists supplied. As an added bonus we've decided to add mini-movies for almost all of the recipes. Can't say when it'll be ready but I can say...soon!

Product review: in this section I will endeavour to regularly give you my opinion and experience in either a food, appliance or body care product.

This week - Agave Syrup. The brand I use and sell is Loving Earth. It is organic & wildcrafted, delicious & a low glycemic index (GI) sweetener that tastes something in between honey and maple syrup. I use it in dressings, tarts and flans, ice cream, or drizzles over fruit for a special but simple dessert. When no one is looking I wipe the side of bottle after pouring and lick my finger. Why waste a good thing? Can be delivered New Zealand wide. For my overseas customers, I'd advise you to find your local supplier and ensure it is Fair Trade and raw. Available as Light or Dark syrup in 350g and 1kg glass bottles. Click here for more information and to order.

Christine
www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

____________________________________________________

The Anglo-Far East Company
The Original Private Gold and Silver Bullion Custodian
Your reference: an-001
____________________________________________________

YOUnique Gold and Silver

Buy small, affordable physical gold and silver or start a savings program towards physical gold or silver grams for as little as US$25 per month.
Blog : www.goldsilver-money.blogspot.com
____________________________________________________