Raw Strawberry Cake

I have been CRAVING strawberry cake lately, so I decided to make a raw one. =) Most ingredients are approximations. Note, I am calling for less coconut oil than I believe I used. The reason is because my cake while still delicious, was a little on the soft side.

Brazil nut pulp from making Brazil nut milk (1 c soaked blended with 5 cups water)
1/2 c hemp seeds
handful raspberries (for color)
8 oz strawberries (make sure they are nice and ripe as this will be the main flavor)
2 T liquid vanilla (mine is from a base of 3 vanilla beans blended in a high speed blender with 1 c water; Use non alcoholic vanilla)
pinch of sea salt
1/3 c coconut oil
honey (use to desired taste, or to help things blend more smoothly)
1/4 c yacon powder

Blend all ingredients in the food processor. Form into a cake shape on a plate and refrigerate to firm up. Eat and Enjoy!

Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe

I have yet to make this, but I found it on the web. It had great reviews. I like that it has no animal products  in it, and best yet, no MSG, and you know what everything is. =) I probably will refrain from using the sugar in it though for personal reasons.

Ingredients:

Yield:
1 1

1

Servings Size

• packet
  

packet

• 8 teaspoons dried onion flakes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/dry-onion-soup-mix-substitute-223023#ixzz1F5c7Jnst

Organic Co-Op in North Texas

I just got back from picking up my half share of produce that Urban Acres distributes. I am satisfied to say the least. This week I got: red lettuce, red chard, kale, celery, broccoli, red cabbage (I am sensing a theme this week), turnips, beets, apples, potatoes, a golden onion, a pear, grapefruit, orange, and carrots. All of this organic for only $30. Could I find the items cheaper somewhere else? Maybe, but then again maybe not considering that produce is normally sold by the pound and certain items will be more expensive than others at the store. Take apples for example. I have paid $1 and sometimes more for a single organic apple at the store. Urban Acres says the half share is approximately 15 lbs. of produce. I for one think this is a really good deal. I opted not to get the full share ($50 for approx. 30 lbs of produce) as I will be eating most of the produce alone. In addition, I would still like to go to the store or farmers market to pick up produce that I am craving or that I may require in a recipe. The pick up locations are throughout the metroplex every other week. I am curious to see how this produce will last until then. Another perk of going through Urban Acres is that they source most of the produce locally and use other states just for some variety in the bins. Go local! If you would like more details, visit their website: urbanacres.com. And if you have any questions, I am all ears. =)

Recipe: Power Wraps

These wraps were inspired by something a dear friend of mine, Courtney Clay, shared with me. I also saw something similar to these at Natural Grocers in Richardson. They are reminiscent of jerky to me.

Ingredients:
Raw Nori Sheets
1 c Pumpkin seeds, soaked overnight or 8 hours
sun dried tomatoes, soaked (reserve soak water)
nutritional yeast flakes
balsamic vinegar
pinch of sea salt
Vitamineral earth (optional)
Medi-Aminos (bean/grain blend)- optional
Different seasonings ideas: curry, italien seasonings, fennel

As you can see only two items have measurements as this recipe was designed to be to one's individual tastes. Keep in mind that balsamic vinegar has a strong flavor and can easily be too much. I would start with a dash and then go from there. Combine all ingredients except nori and different seasonings in a food processor till it becomes a dough like consistancy, add tomato soak water as needed to keep everything moving along. You can portion out the filling and add different seasonings as desired. Put a layer along the side of one half sheet of nori and roll up. Enjoy immediatly or dehydrate for  longer storage as well as more of a jerky texture.

Provides protein, essential fatty acids, B vitamins, as well as many different vitamins and minerals. This is great for women expecting as well as nursing mothers and men alike. The nutritional yeast flakes provide choline and inositol, great for brain development. Don't worry, it is not related to the kind of yeast that might create a problem down there. =) The pumpkin seeds are great for prostate health.  Enjoy in health!You are worth it. =)

Why your 2-year-old should face rearward in the car

Why your 2-year-old should face rearward in the car

Great information. My little one is "big enough" for a forward facing car seat, yet intuition told me otherwise. Great article.

Starting a blog: recording my life, my passions, my dreams and desires

This blog is the result of friends and family asking for more. More details about the zany life of Rachael. I have been interested in food and nutrition since I can remember. I have always found the topic fascinating. My journey has been one of varied interests and I have dabbled in all sorts of  "diets" or ways of eating. I have dabbled in vegetarian, vegan, raw food, gluten-free, macrobiotic, local, and more. My way of eating is a combination of these. My posts will probably mostly be about food as that is my passion in life. I will also post on things I find significant and worth following such as GM watch, natural body care, natural baby care, EC, exercise, other health related issues, spirituality, and God. So here's to my friends and family. Thank you for encouraging me to start this journey. May the following posts, whether sporadic or plentiful, be an encouragement to you to live better and to live life fully.