<![CDATA[ Raw Bloom - Blog]]>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:04:56 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Salad recipe ideas that inspire dreams]]>Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:59:27 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/08/salad-recipe-ideas-that-inspire-dreams.htmlSalad recipe ideas are sometimes hard to come up with...but salads can inspire dreams.  Yes, salads can! 

You'll thank me for this entry for it holds inside of it two of my treasured salad dressings that will rock your world! 

I love salads.  My family and friends have given me the nickname "The Salad Queen"...it is kinda my forte!  These are like edible wonderlands; Simply incredible little worlds of flavor that inspire dreams, energetic conversation and many, many thanks to the chef!  (My 3 1/2 year old daughter has been known to drink the first dressing straight from the serving dish...she must be watched!  As for her reaction to the second dressing?  She may not drink it from a cup, but she'll eat every last delicately dressed leaf of lettuce in the bowl!  ~Sharing is a tough concept to learn and master!)


Ok...salad recipe ideas are below...

1. Your Salad dressing. You need one... A great one.  Here is an amazingly tasty dressing that will dress up any old green!


1/3 cup raw tahini
1/4 cup flaxseed oil (coldpressed)
1/4 cup sesame oil (coldpressed, toasted if you like)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 garlic clove (optional)

Blend it all up and add it to salad or dip veggies into it. YUM!  GLORIOUS dressing fit for any Queen or King.

2.  Mix it up!  Try new greens.  Combine them.  I love romaine, it is one of my faves as it is SO hydrating and crunchy!  I like to add kale to my romaine salads for a richer flavor, more chlorophyll, higher iron and a chewier consistency.  

3.  Salad doesn't have to be the usual green leaf lettuce with carrots and celery.  Don't get me wrong; carrots and celery are wonderful!  
Carrots contain high amounts of carotene which the body converts to vitamin A, great for our eyesight; rich in potassium, folic acid, magnesium, thiamin...carrots are 87% water so very hydrating.  They are great!
And celery?  Wow.  celery is high in potassium,  it is high in vitamin C, it is a diuretic, and celery is also a natural aphrodisiac! 

4.  Try new vegetables.  But here is a tip I like to stick to whenever possible:  If you have greens as the base of your salad, don't add too many vegetables.  It confuses the palate. Try 1-4 additional veggies.  Like the romaine, kale, celery, carrot, grape tomato salad with my Middle Eastern-ish dressing.  FABULOUS! 
  
Here is a salad I adore that has only 4 ingredients. (aside from the dressing):

Romaine or any leafy green
Thinly sliced or shredded red cabbage
Thinly sliced celery
raw pecans, roughly chopped.

The thing that makes this salad really sing?  
My pine nut dressing.
 
1 c. cashews soaked at least 30 minutes and then rinsed well.
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/3 c white onion
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar 
1 Tblsp. Sea salt
1/4 cup local raw honey
1 Tblsp. good stoneground mustard


Blend this up and begin singing and/or jumping for joy.  Now,  this salad is best when it is dressed in the bowl before serving; don't ask me why, it just is.  Dress it and then lovingly serve it to yourself in a beautiful bowl or serve it to others with a smile.


Salad recipes are best found by exploring in your own kitchen! Have fun! Enjoy these dressings and fool around with them.  Create your own.  Be bold in the kitchen and remember to eat your veggies!


In Peace,
Kirsten ]]><![CDATA[Starting your day off right!]]>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:55:52 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/08/starting-your-day-off-right.htmlImagine a day that from the moment you wake up in the morning until you close your eyes at night it is filled with everything you normally experience each and every day; light, family, laughter, stress, tension, work, play, food, friends, shock, knowing, confusion, finances, spirituality, exercise, darkness...only this day you wake up smiling inside and out, and you go to sleep at night smiling inside and out.  You may be tired from all the activity, but you are not weary, exhausted or down. Imagine taking everything that comes your way and knowing what to do with it, or at least knowing that it is here and not allowing it to rule your life. (The easy moments as well as the more challenging ones!)

I will let you in on a secret: start you day off right and every moment of each day will be spent in love, joy and gratitude; challenges and all.

How do you start your day off right?  By giving the first moments of your day to YOU.  You and that which is larger than yourself.  Wake each morning, allowing yourself a set amount of time, preferably enough time for a cup of water with fresh lemon (to rehydrate your body from your night's rest), then enjoy your tea or coffee and then time for working your body, mind and spirit.

For me, I need 1 1/2 hours.  For others, less and for some more!  I wake up, have a tall glass of water with fresh lemon juice, a quick cool shower, put on clean, comfortable clothing and then enjoy my warm tea.  That is 20 minutes so far.  Then I spend 10 minutes tuning in to myself and that which is larger than myself. (God, God-Consciousness, the Universe, whatever you call it).  I sit cross-legged, hands in prayer pose, gently close my eyes and begin mentally vibrating words of gratitude.  I then envision what I want or need in my life (as detailed as possible ) and I do not allow myself to think small; I think BIG! 

Then I practice kundalini yoga for 30 - 50 minutes.  When I start my day with my own time, anything can happen and I can handle it with grace and loving-kindness.  I do not spend ANY time during the day thinking "When am I going to get some time to myself?  When am I going to do my practice?  When am I going to...".

I challenge you to try it on for a week.  Set your alarm an hour earlier or more. (and for those of you thinking you couldn't possibly lose any precious sleep-time believe me when I say you will be more energized!  You'll spend less time using up your body's energies worrying and stressing so you can burn that energy on more important activities!)

Try it.  If you do not know what to do for yourself during that time then here is a suggestion for starters:

-wake up and drink a tall glass of cool water with 1/2 lemon squeezed into it.

-have a cool or lukewarm shower (AWESOME way to wake up)

-drink 1 cup of warm tea (or coffee)

-sit comfortably and meditate on gratitude and then goals in your life.

-spend at least 15-20 minutes practicing yoga, stretches, sit-ups, push-ups, squats, crunches...anything you are familiar with that works your body.

-lay out on your back for at least 5 minutes and relax.  close your eyes and breathe long and deep.

-get up slowly, go to the bathroom and splash your face with cold water; blot dry and then go have your second cup of tea. 

-your day will be yours!

-Ready for breakfast?  Why not nourish your body with a green smoothie?

 

Be the light!

Kirsten
]]><![CDATA[Making a smoothie]]>Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:01:28 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/07/making-a-smoothie.htmlMaking a smoothie without a high speed blender is doable!  

I had someone write in asking how to make a better green smoothie without the fancy-schmancy high speed blender...you can do it!  Although using a regular blender will never yield a smoothie that is as smooth as a Vitmamix or BlendTech smoothie, you can make it better!

Making a smoothie smooth in a regular blender can be accomplished by following a few short tricks:

1. Cut your fruit into smaller chunks!  Quarter size, if you have a few extra seconds.  Your blender will have to work less and it aids in a better blend.

2. When you use greens, freeze them first.  Freezing does not do too much harm to the nutrition within the food, so until you get your high speed wonder blender, freeze away! (I like to use gallon freezer bags and put into each one an entire smoothie sans liquid. For example: 1 banana, 1 green apple, 5 leaves stemmed kale, a head romaine, 1 T. chia seeds. -In the morning all I have to do is add the water, lemon juice and cayenne. I guess I could even put the cayenne in the bag...and lemon juice as well!)   This also helps keep the smoothie cold! If you are using a regular blender, allow the water and frozen ingredients to sit in your blender container a few minutes before beginning to blend.  This will aid in achieving smoother smoothie!

3.  Blend LONGER!  If you are using a regular blender, making a smoothie smoother may mean blending longer!  Do not be afraid to blend that sucker up for 2 or 3 minutes.  Just mind the temperature of the smoothie!  Blend for a minute, wait a minute, blend a minute more, wait...etc. Until you achieve the desired consistency!  You may even add an ice cube or two if you want to keep it even colder.  

These tips WILL HELP you when making a smoothie in a  regular blender....last tip to make a better smoothie?

...save money each month for your high speed blender! This can be as little as $5 a month!  Do what you can!  My friend saved $10 a week until she had enough to buy hers...took her about 6 months because she found a used one online! 

Make it a great day!
Kirsten 

]]><![CDATA[Why Organic Food?]]>Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:36:08 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/06/why-organic-food.htmlWhy organic food? I will just touch on this topic. There is SO much to learn! If you want to learn more about organic farming practices, I urge you to do some research and internet searches for yourself! Check out organics and locally grown organics as well!

Organic farmers do not use persistent pesticides that weaken the plant and kill smaller things like the bugs that live on said plants.  Small doses of these pesticides are found on the surface of the fruits and vegetables as well as beneath the skin on a percentage of certain varieties!

Organic farmers rotate crops so as to not strip away all the essential nutrients needed for one particular crop leaving the soil depleted, therefore keeping the plant needing more pesticides in order to fight off illness or attack.

Organic farmers enrich the soil with organic methods like compost and mulch.  This puts nutrients back in the soil, dozens of nutrients to help build a stronger, healthier plant.

Why organic food? Organically grown plants have a tougher life!  They are grown in the elements amidst all sorts of creatures that are out to get ‘em: Bugs that want to eat them; Rain and wind that can uproot and tear away!  The plant must adapt, grow strong and defend itself from these predators!  This makes the plant strong because it develops chemicals within itself to defend against all these odds…these chemicals are awesome for the plant’s health and for yours!  We get more because the plant has more to offer. (Think about Rocky IV:  Rocky and Drago are training for the final fight…Rocky trains in the elements throwing boulders, sawing trees, pulling a freaking sled in the slow (chuckle)…Drago trains indoors will all the high tech gadgetry, hooked up to machines and heart monitors and stuff.  Who comes out on top?  Rocky! ---ok, so maybe it isn’t the same thing, but boy is that training montage exciting!)   

The bottom line?  THERE IS NO EASY WAY OUT! Conventional farming is an easy way out.  Only it isn’t really a way out at all, it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  The practices will destroy so much more than we know!  Learn about it! This my answer to why organic food.  

When possible, choose organic! You are voting with every dollar you spend.  Vote for organically raised produce! Vote for local, if you can! Support a local farmer in your area to keep your cities and towns healthy and sustainable. Supporting local products also keep more dollars in your cities and towns! This is great for everyone!


Make it a great day! Remember it is up to YOU!
Kirsten
]]><![CDATA[Vital Information]]>Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:29:10 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/06/vital-information.html"We have met the enemy and they are us." -Pogo



What do you think about that?


Make it a great day!
Kirsten ]]><![CDATA[Yummy Coconut Lemon Macaroons]]>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:45:56 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/06/yummy-coconut-lemon-macaroons.htmlHere is an easy recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth...there is also a chocolate version for you chocolate lovers outs there!  Take a look...!


Lemony Coconut Macaroons
yield about 25 1-in cookies

1 c. almond meal
1 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
2 dates
3/4-1 c. agave or raw honey
1/4-1/2 tsp. almond extract
juice from 1 lemon
pinch sea salt
optional 1 c. raspberries

mix everything in a bowl with your hands.  Break apart the berries, if using.  Add more of anything needed to create a nice cookie0-dough consistency!  Roll into 1 inch balls.  Eat as is, or dehydrate at 104 until warm (1 hr), chewy (4-6 hours) or crispy (25 hours)

To make a chewy chocolatey macaroon, 
add 1/4 cup raw cacao powder to the above mixture!  YUM!

In peace and good health!
Kirsten ]]><![CDATA[Try not! Do or do not. There is no try.]]>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:13:15 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/04/try-not-do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try.htmlA friend of mine called this morning and told me that he woke up in a funk. He wasn't sure why, just felt off and a bit grumpy and perhaps negative.  He thought about his processes of thought, meditation, prayer, etc. that he practices to start the day off each morning and was about to begin with his morning routine when he realized something: He didn't need his ritual of meditation to change his attitude which started off a bit...uncomfortable.  He needed to just DO it.  Change his attitude.  And so he did.  He said he felt a switch in his mind.  

Meditation, prayer, yoga, journaling, running, tai chi, painting, singing, Budo, whatever you incorporate into your life to help keep you uplifted and moving toward your highest purpose is needed and wonderful.  But let's not forget the mind serves US, not the other way around....let's not forget the immediate change the mind can have on our perception of life.  Remember the words of the great Jedi Master, Yoda: "No! Try not.  Do or do not. There is no try."

Keep yourself working towards your true purpose, and practice the positive power of the mind by not setting limitations that are based in fantasy or fear.  (I am tired; I can't; There isn't enough time; It isn't fair; I am not worth it; etc.)

Sometimes it seems easier to wallow in the challenges, setbacks, reasons why we can not, have not, could not....

There is only one reason we 'have not' and that is because we did not stand up and claim it.

Today, I stand up and claim all that is mine:  Health; happiness; holiness. It is my birthright to have these things and more.  

Yesterday morning I spent time on my yoga and meditation as usual.  One meditation I did was the Kundalini yoga meditation for prosperity. I practiced it for 11 minutes. Then after, I said a prayer of sorts.  I set my intentions only out loud.  Not in my head. I spoke from my navel, took deep breaths and used all of the air to speak clearly and with confidence.  I spoke of everything I wanted and needed in that moment. I spoke from the heart and did not judge what I said I wanted or needed.  Within 1 hour, I received 2 phone calls that directly answered the wants/ needs I loudly proclaimed only minutes before.

In the beginning was the word...

Speak up! open your mouth and state clearly what you want in life.  Set your goals and make decisions that move you towards your highest purpose.  All of the abundance in the universe can be yours if you simply stand up!



For a clearer mind in the morning, you can eat no meat, dairy, and wheat for breakfast. Below is a tasty, healthy and filling breakfast treat to give a go:

Start with a tall glass of cool clean water with 1/ a fresh lemon squeezed into it. Drink that up!

Breakfast porridge:

1 apple or pear
2 1/2 cp. fresh coconut milk (use any nut milk you may have on hand. Or you can purchase coconut milk (not from the can), hemp, cashew, or almond milk from the store)
1/2 c. nuts (almonds, macadamia, pecan)
beans scraped from 1 vanilla pod
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
dash nutmeg
pinch sea salt

Roughly chop the apple and place everything in either a cuisinart or blender and pulse to roughly combine.  Or pulse more for a smoother consistency. I like it rough and chunky.

Top with a drizzle of raw honey, agave, maple syrup or a little stevia if you want it a bit sweeter. Enjoy!


Make it a great day!
In peace and good health,
Kirsten ]]><![CDATA[New Morning Smoothie!]]>Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:36:14 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/03/new-morning-smoothie.htmlMy smoothie yesterday was really awesome so I wanted to share it with you all!

1/2 qt. fresh strawberries (frozen work well, too!)
1 banana
1 apple
1 small avocado
1 pt. alfalfa sprouts
1 head romaine
2 T chia seeds
2 T flax oil
juice of 1 lemon
20 oz water (more or less to taste)

Blend well and YUM it up!

strawberries-vitamin-c, flavanoids (like folate, anthocyanin, quercetin), phenolic phytochemicals and elagic acid---GREAT for the eyes and muscles with all their antioxidants! Also an anti carcinogenic and are great for the joints. Great for lowering blood pressure caused by sodium due to potassium and magnesium content.

banana-high in iron, potassium, soluble fiber, fructooligosaccharide a compound that nourishes friendly bacteria growth in the colon, which helps our body absorb calcium THUS aids in strengthening our bones! YAY! Bananas also have a natural antacid effect, so if you get heartburn, try a banana next time for relief! Bananas are high in B6, B12, potassium, and magnesium which aid in recovery from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. MUCH MORE!

apple- high in dietary fiber, improve people with weakness in their bodies, iron rich so can help with anemia, great for teeth as the fiber cleans and natural antibacterial properties strengthen gums,lowers levels of cholesterol which is great for reducing the risk of heart disease.

avocado-great for weight control (I know, you are probably not believing me right now! ) high in monounsaturated fats which helps speed up the basal metabolic rate, hugh fat content helps you feel satiated more quickly and decreases the likelihood you will binge on foods high in sugars or saturated fats, rich in potassium and folate.

alfalfa sprouts-this is the only plant that contains the full range of vitamins from a, b-complex, c, e, and k! They are rich in calcium, folic acid, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium, zinc. Antioxidant rich and contains anti-inflammatory properties.

romaine-contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals and is very fiber rich! Great for colon health, strengthening your bones, heart health, and encouraging weight loss.

chia-provides great energy as it provides complete protein. Chia also soaks up water creating a gelatinous effect.  It fills you up! High in soluble and insoluble fiber make chia great for keeping you regular (some people thin going to the bathroom regularly is 1 x every 2-3 days...ACK!  You need to go every day...a few times! )

lemon juice-vitamin c, b, flavanoids, antioxidents, anti carcinogenic, purifies the blood, can aid in breaking fevers as it stimulates sweating, contains antibacterial properties and for one can help with dental care! Relieves toothache when rubbed on the tooth that hurts, reducing bleeding in gums, aids in reducing bad breath, reduces burning sensation on skin if you get burned and also helps heal burn scars.

Whew! That sounds like one great smoothie!!!!

Enjoy,
Kirsten

]]><![CDATA[Opening your eyes to opportunity]]>Sat, 19 Mar 2011 06:35:26 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/03/opening-your-eyes-to-opportunity.htmlYogi Bhajan said that we have a 1,000 opportunities presented to us every day.  The first question to ask is "are my eyes open to see those opportunities"? The second question is "Do I have the tools needed to asses which opportunities to go for and then how do I go about 'going for' them "?

Being open to opportunity.  What does that mean?  If I get up and tell myself I am tired and it is going to be a 'hard day' then I am closing myself off to the opportunity to a day full of energy and joy in my experiences.  I am saying 'I know what the day will bring and I am not looking forward to it'.  The truth is, we do not know what the day will bring...and what is wonderful is it can bring to us whatever we want and need.

I woke up today and could have said to myself 'WOW! Today is going to be hard.  I have X, Y, and Z going on and this is really bad news...how am I going to go on?  What am I going to do?  Why is this happening to me?  Why is life so hard?  Why do I have such bad luck?'

Instead I woke up and said to myself 'X, Y, and Z are happening for a reason.  I am meant to move in another way or direction.  I must be open so I can see clearly which direction that is.'

So, I am not defining myself according to my actions of yesterday. I am not defining myself according to other people's actions of yesterday.  Yesterday is gone!  I am not worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow...it isn't here yet!  I am going to open my eyes and my ears to people, places and situations.  I am going to open my heart and be present in each moment today.  I am going to allow myself to see the opportunities that arise so I can pick and choose those that meet my most immediate needs and wants.  Today is a gift which is why They call it 'present'.

To open myself to see opportunity is vital for moving forward in life: emotionally; physically;  financially; and spiritually.

The second question: Do you have the tools needed to act on those opportunities?  YES YOU DO!   

We all do. We have within us the capacity to move mountains.  We must know we can.  We must have faith within ourselves...faith that we are capable of moving mountains.  Without faith, even the smallest stone will seem too heavy.

OK, so what if you find it impossible to say to yourself "I can do ANYTHING!"?  I know many people that do not believe they can do anything...many of my yoga students, friends, relatives...even people I do not know personally but overhear in conversations saying to others "I can't...." in this situation I say to them "fake it and you can make it!"  Tell yourself "I CAN".  even if you do not believe it.  Repeat this over and over and over...like a jackhammer.  When the negative thought of "I can't" pokes into your mind and tries to take over, push it aside and say "I CAN".  Every single time "I can't" comes around push it aside.  Use the positive  "I CAN" to jackhammer away at the negative.  Slowly but surely that jackhammer will break away at the negative cement you have paved in your mind keeping you from seeing opportunity, keeping you from acting on it, and keeping you from achieving it!  Slowly but surely you will see you life changing for the better.  You will see gifts in many forms appear.  Then all you have to do is STAND UP AND CLAIM IT!

Make it a great day.
In peace and good health
Kirsten

]]><![CDATA[Balance]]>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:39:28 -0800http://www.rawbloom.com/1/post/2011/01/balance.htmlWhen life's new adventures become all consuming...it is easy to not see the scale as it lowers so deeply to one side...my recent adventure in the restaurant business had left me swimming in everything business and nothing else!  My life for the past few months has been at the restaurant.  I have been working from 6 in the morning until 10 at night, for the most part...when I come home, I sleep and when I dream it is of work.  I had allowed myself to lose touch with friends and family as there was little to no time to nurture those relationships!
(queue the sound of the needle being pulled from the vinyl record.  That's right...vinyl record)
STOP THE MUSIC!  Something is not right here.  

When I found time to practice my standing postures I noticed how challenging they had become: my life was way out of balance. 

Stop.
Take a breath.
I must make changes.  Be they small or large, changes are coming.  (like it or not! :) SO I am taking matters into my own hands and deciding on some of these changes.

Over the past month I have been approached by a number of people asking for help in weight loss through nutrition and physical exercise.  The number of folks asking has been a bit higher than normal and I see this as a sign.  I am going back to my "old job".  Yes! I am so thankful to see this clearly.  Thanks to my yoga practice and meditation and the results of imbalance in my life-this decision is easy.

So, I am reopening my raw foods delivery service and will have a strong focus on weight loss and rejuvenation for those seeking to take matters into their own hands. (Where that is possible: what you eat; what you think; what you say.)

I am excited.  I am expanding my service to include vegetarian, vegan, and raw foods. SO EXCITED!

Wake Up Juice
1 garnet yam
1 tart apple
1 hard pear
1 grapefruit, peeled

Juice them all and drink.  This is a great coffee replacement in the morning as it will get you BUZZIN'! 

I am back...and will post more soon.

In peace and good health,
Kirsten
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