Greek Salad with Walnut Feta

Crisp and delicious. If you want a true white feta look use only macadamia nuts and no walnuts.

Greek Salad with Walnut Feta

Salad

• 1 English Cucumbers chopped into cubes
• 1 Medium Red Onion sliced
• 1 package of grape tomatoes (or 2 handfulls)
• 1C Kalamata Olives

Dressing

• 3T Italian Seasoning
• 6T Olive Oil
• 1/4C Balsalmic Vinegar
• 1 Large Clove Garlic minced
• Pinch of Pink Sea Salt
• 1/2t Maple Syrup or Agave

Mix together in a medium sized bowl and set aside while you make nut feta

Walnut Feta

• 1/4C Walnuts (or Macadamia - I ran out - mac nuts make a creamier white version feta)
• 1T Lemon Juice
• 1T Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1t Olive Oil
• 1T Nutritional Yeast
• 1 Clove Garlic minced
• 1 Pinch Sea Salt

Soak nuts at least one hour. Drain off water and blot with a towel until dry. In a food processor or high speed blender chop nuts until fine. Add lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic and olive oil pulse until mixed well (you may need to scrape the sides of your blender or food processor while mixing). Add Nutritional yeast and sea salt pulse until crumbly.

Sprinkle nut feta over salad before serving.

Fruit & Nut Meusli

A nice heavier breakfast option for fall.

Fruit & Nut Meusli

• 2C Large Organic Rolled Oats
• 2 Medium Red apples
• 1/4C Lemon Juice
• 4T Water
• 2T Maple Syrup
• 1C Almond Milk
• 3T Pumpkin Seeds
• 1/4 C Sliced Almonds or Walnuts
• 1t Almond Extract
• 1/2t Nutmeg
• 1t Cinnamon
• 1/2 Dried Cranberries
• 4T Cacao Nibs

In the evening before serving core and cube apples combine with lemon juice, water, nutmeg, cinnamon, and almond extract blend all until smooth in a high speed blender. Pour mixture over rolled oats in a medium sized bowl stir - cover and place bowl in fridge until morning. The apple mixture will soften and flavour the oats over night.

The next morning use a medium cup and layer oat mixture with nuts, maple syrup, cacao nibs, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries.

To Layer

• Oat mixture
• Drizzle with Maple Syrup
• Cover with layer of almonds or walnuts
• Sprinkle with Cacao Nibs
• More oat mixture
• Cover with Pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries and more cacao nibs
• Top with oat mixture
• Drizzle Almond milk over all
• Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon

Enough for two large or 3 smaller servings.

One Way to Water Fast...

I’ve been fasting off and on for years. The first fast I ever tried was the Stanley Burrows book “The Master Cleanser” (you can find the book online or at most health food stores). This is the fast a lot of people start out with when they become interested in doing a cleanse.

** I stopped doing this fast a few years ago because I have found that for me water fasting (just water and fresh lemon juice) with cascara sagrada taken at night, then moving into a juice fast if I want to do an extended cleanse works much better. Another excellent way to cleanse the body is to do a green smoothy cleanse especially if you eat a standard american diet. Jumping right into a water fast after years of eating fast/junk/processed foods can be very uncomfortable as your body starts to eliminate toxins very quickly. Many people who jump right in experience sever headaches, bodyaches and nausea to a degree where they never want to try fasting again and what a shame that is! Fasting is such a wonderful way to heal your body when it is done gently.

If you are interested in trying the Master Cleanse the recipe for the “lemonaid” you drink is as follows...

• 2 Tablespoons of organic fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons of organic grade B maple syrup
• 1/10 Teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 10 oz of filtered water
• mixed together and at least 5-6 glasses are to be consumed daily (you can drink as much as you like).

When I used this I generally made 2- 3 litre bottles of “lemonaid” daily.

A little about Elimination...
Your body should be having two to four bowel movements a day, even though you are not eating any solid food. You should be passing waste from your body, which was stored in the form of toxins and mucous. If you are not feeling well on the cleanse, it is probably because you are not going to the toilet enough. In this case it may be a good idea to take either some herbal laxative tea. Some people choose to do Salt water bath to keep things moving along (I found it didn’t make me feel well so I would use herbal teas or cascara sagrada.

Directions for internal salt water bathing:
Prepare a full quart (1 litre) of lukewarm water and add two level teaspoons of sea salt (more for coarse salt) and drink it first thing in the morning. You should do this on an empty stomach, and the salt water will cleanse the entire intestinal tract.

The Purpose of a fast:
• To dissolve and remove toxins and mucous from the body.
• To clean the kidneys and digestive system.
• To cleanse the glands and cells of the body.
• To remove waste and hardened matter in the joints and muscles.
• To relieve pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries and blood vessels.
• To create a healthy blood stream.
• To return youthfulness.

When to use the Cleanse:
• When sickness has developed.
• When the digestive system needs a clean.
• When a person has become overweight.
• When the body needs to be rebuilt and better assimilation of nutrients and food is needed.

The Master Cleanse can be performed three or four times a year to keep the body in a normal healthy condition. But the diet may be undertaken more frequently for serious problems. The diet can be followed for 14 days or more.

Those are the basics if you are interested in trying the Master Cleanse

Search the internet for more information. Some fasters feel this cleanse isn’t as healthy as others because of the high sugar content in the maple syrup others swear by it. I have older posts on Juice Feasting and some wonderful videos by the Boutenko’s on Green Smoothies (surf back in my posts about 3 months). If you are new to fasting try you may want to try a green smoothy cleanse first. Green Smoothies will allow your body to eliminate toxins more slowly - less nasty healing crises! Victoria Butenko’s book “Green For Life” is an amazing resource if you want more information on the subject or surf the net there is a lot of information out there!

Eating in Rhythm With Nature...

I stumbled across an interesting concept today regarding eating in rhythm with nature. The idea is to plan your eating according to the phases of the moon. The theory behind this is that when the moon is changing phases the gravitational effects that take place not only influence oceans and rivers but, also the body. It is thought that perhaps the changing phase of the moon makes it easier for your body to let go of excess stored fluid. So how does it work? Here is the lowdown...

According to Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe in their book Moon Time: "The waning moon detoxifies and washes out, sweats out and breathes out, dries, consolidates, prompts to action and the expenditure of energy." During the waxing moon, conversely, the body is better at taking in than it is at letting go. Whenever you have any choice in the matter - i.e. unless a health crisis means you must start immediately - always schedule your longer detoxes to happen when the moon is waning. You will get much better results.

According to this theory the body's capacity for detoxification is at its highest each month on the day of the new moon. Choosing to consume only juices or light meals of raw fruit and vegetables every new moon is a great health habit to get into. It is also advantageous to do this, or at least eat a very clean diet, on the day of the full moon, for the opposite reason: this is the day on which the body's capacity for absorption is at its highest.

Lunar calendar

More moon theory - two opportunities for super detox
Each year there are two periods when your body's capacity for detoxification is greatest of all: the two equinoxes, spring and autumn. This knowledge has existed in all civilizations since ancient times, but it is largely lost in the modern world where it's possible - and not unusual - to live as if seasons did not exist. If we are living in tune with nature, our bodies will always go into intense detox mode during the transition between seasons, especially winter to spring and summer to autumn. If you want to help this process, at the very least make the equinoxes themselves - March 20 and October 22 - detox days. And if you are feeling extra motivated, remember that according to Chinese medicine, the window of opportunity extends ten days before and after each equinox. Can you schedule a 20-day period of extra-light eating and living during these two periods each year? For many people this (coupled, of course, with a consistently healthy lifestyle) is all that is needed for year-round well-being, radiance, energy and vitality.

Finally, if you are dealing with serious health issues, or you have tried to detox before but haven't been satisfied with the results, you may benefit from seeing a good naturopath, natural nutritionist or other appropriate professional. It is very common to feel great for a few days and then to feel terrible, and it is not always wise to dismiss this as 'detox symptoms' and soldier on. Especially if you find that it happens every time and is only relieved by stopping the detox. It may be a sign that toxins are becoming backed up in the lymphatic system, blood, liver or colon - all of which they must pass through before they leave your body for good. In such circumstances, continuing the detox without clearing the blockage will only be counterproductive. However, various treatments such as lymphatic massage, castor oil packing, colonics, hot tubbing and cold wraps can be very effective in getting things moving again.

(taken from the article how to get the most out of your detox by Sarah Best)
http://www.fresh-network.com/acatalog/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-detox.html


If you intend to do even more for your nutrition you should incorporate the nutrition suggestions of the moon calendar in your daily meals. During the fruit days (aries, leo, sagitarus) for example you should prefer beans, peas, eggplants and rice instead of carrots, red beets, spinach and potatoes. Moreover the majority of people can do with less alimentation - corresponding to the respective day - a welcome side effect. By now we have almost reached the moon diet. Following it you have to keep consequently to the recommendations of the "chief-cook" moon. This way you almost automatically take care of a healthy and diversified nutrition - this even confirm otherwise "moon - skeptical" sources."
(source http://www.moonsigncalendar.net/lose-weight.htm)

is this a wee bit over the top - I'm not sure. I believe the moon effects people (just pay attention the next full moon to the way people are driving) but, I'm not sure about structuring my eating/fasting around the phases of the moon. However I know a lot of people who garden/farm by the phases of the moon and produce amazing results. So maybe? An interesting concept worth looking into further.

FYI The Lunation Cycle Each lunar month the Moon passes through four phases – New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter. The number of days between each change of phase can vary from 6 3/4 to 8... The next full moon falls on November 2, 2009.

Thanksgiving Nut Loaf

Little round nut loaves drizzled with mushroom gravy. These nut loaves have a similar flavour to traditional stuffing. A really nice main course.

Nut Loaves

• 2C Almonds (soaked)
• 2C Walnuts (soaked)
• 2C Carrots Chopped
• 1 Medium Onion Chopped
• 3T Olive Oil
• 3T Poultry Seasoning
• 2C Celery Chopped
• 1T Italian Seasoning
• 1/2C Water
• 1/2 Mushrooms
• 1T Lemon Juice
  

Add Nuts to food processor and pulse until broken down. Add remaining ingredients and pulse all together until a sticky ball forms. Scoop out with a spoon and roll into medium sided balls. Dehydrate at 115 for 3-5 hours until outside is browned and crunchy. Serve warm drizzled with mushroom gravy.

Dairy Free Waldorf Salad

As great tasting as it looks. Another nice Thanksgiving dish.

Dairy Free Waldorf Salad

• 1C Celery finely chopped
• 1C seedless Grapes halved
• 1/2 Lemon Juiced
• 1/2C water
• 1 Apple Peeled Diced
• 1C Baby Spinach Leaves (or greens of your choice as a bed for salad)
• 1/2C Shredded Coconut

Soak apple in mixed water and lemon juice while you make the Mac Mayo (to keep apples from turning brown)

Mac Mayo

• 1C Macadamia Nuts rinsed
• 1/2C Water
• 4T Olive Oil
• 3T Lemon Juice
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Blend all in a high speed blender

Drain lemon juice from apples mix celery, grapes and apples in a bowl pour Mac Mayo over and mix well. To serve made a bed of spinach and spoon salad over - sprinkle with shredded coconut.

Holiday Punch

Holiday Punch

• 1 knot of Ginger Sliced
• 1C Strawberries Sliced
• 8 or 9 Cranberries as a garnish
• 2 Oranges Juiced
• 1 Lemon Juiced
• 3C Fresh Water
• 2C Ice

Soak sliced ginger overnight in 1C of water. Strain off Ginger Water the next

day into a large pitcher, add sliced berries and cranberries, orange juice, lemon juice fresh water and ice. Let sit in fridge while you prepare the rest of the meal. Serve in Champagne flutes.

Options:

If you feel like having more of a treat use 3 tins of club soda or 2 tins of club soda and 1C of white wine for a holiday spritzer.

Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Whipped Sweet Potatoes

• 2 Medium Sweet Potatoes or Yams
• 1C Coconut (shredded is fine fresh from a mature coconut is better)
• 2 Tart Apples cored and skinned
• 2 Lemons juiced
• 1/2t Nutmeg
• 1/2t Cinnamon
• 1 Orange Peeled
• 1/4C Water
• 1/2C Walnuts
• 2T Maple Syrup

Blend all until smooth and warm in a high speed blender.

Mushroom Gravy

This rich mushroom gravy is tasty over nut loaves and mashed potatoes (or whipped parsnip/cauliflower). A great way to use up older mushrooms.

Mushroom Gravy

• 1/4 Almond Butter (or tahini)
• 1 1/2 C Mushrooms
• 1/4C Spanish Onion
• 1/5t Nama Shoyu (wheat free soy sauce)
• 4T Nutritional Yeast
• 1/2 Veggie Bullion cube dissolved in 1C hot water

Blend all well in a high speed blender until warm. Add extra diced mushrooms to gravy if you have any left overs.

Whipped Parsnip/Cauliflower

• 1C Parsnip
• 1C Cauliflower
• 1/2C Macadamia Nuts (or pine nuts)
• 1.5C Water
• 2T Olive Oil
• 2 Garlic Cloves

Blend all in a high speed blender until warm & creamy. Sprinkle nutritional yeast or drizzle mushroom gravy over before serving.

Cranberry Relish

Raw and delish a yummy thanksgiving cranberry relish.

Cranberry Relish

• 1 Whole Medium Orange (quartered with hard navel removed - skin on)
• 2C Cranberries
• 1/2 C Agave or Honey (to taste)

Blend Orange in high speed blender until fairly smooth, add cranberries and agave or honey and pulse until well blended.

Raw Pumpkin Pie

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and I am finding it is one of the harder holidays to get through. This pumpkin pie is something everyone at the table can enjoy. It is totally raw, refined sugar, wheat and dairy free.... YUM!

Raw Pumpkin Pie

Crust

• 1C walnuts (soaked and dried)
• 1C Almonds (soaked and dried)
• 1C pitted dates
• 1/2T vanilla extract
• Chop nuts in food processor using S blade. Add Dates and vanilla then blend until a sticky dough is formed. Press into a 9-10" spring form pan or pie plate

Filling

• 2T Agar-agar flakes OR 1T psyllium husk powder
• 1/2C Warm Water
• 1 Medium Avocado skinned pitted
• 4C Raw Pumpkin seeded skinned chopped into cubes
• 13 Dates (pitted and soaked)
• 1.5T Pumpkin pie spice
• 1t Vanilla
• 1C Macadamia nuts rinsed
• 1/2t fresh grated Ginger

Dissolve agar-agar in warm water and then process in a high speed blender with pumpkin, vanilla, ginger, spices, and avocado until smooth - add dates and nuts and blend again until well mixed and smooth. Poor over pie shell or pressed base into spring-form pan. Sit in freezer for 1hr then serve with a dolop of Cream Whipped topping.

Cream Whipped

• 1.5C Macadamia Nuts rinsed
• 1/2C Orange Juice
• 1/4C Lemon Juice
• 1t Vanilla
• 1/4 Honey or agave

Blend until creamy

Going Hungry

I'm on day 4 of my fast/feast. Breaking it tomorrow - I'll post more about it then. Feeling a lot better.

Frozen Chocolate Cherry Custard

A little pre-fast decadence... An experiment that turned out really well. Similar to my cacao nib ice cream recipe but, with avocado and cherries. The avocado makes this frozen treat lighter, creamier and more custard like in texture - yum!

Frozen Chocolate Cherry Custard

• 1 cup soaked cashews (1-2hrs)
• 1/2 cup young coconut meat
• 1 1/4 cups water (reserve and use cherry soak water)
• 1T vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2.5T cacao powder
• 1/2 Agave Nectar
• 1/2 Cup dried cherries (soaked 1-2 hrs in 1 1/4c fresh water - reserve)
• 1 medium avocado seeded/skinned

Blend all except cherries in blender until very smooth. Pour into ice cream maker add cherries and follow manufacturer's instruction (1 quart).

Full Moon In Aries - Do One Brave Thing Today

Harvest Moon.

The full moon in Aries challenges us to be brave and to act even in the face of fear. This full moon is a time to charge forward full steam ahead. Actively look for new solutions to problems - finding a way is possible now. Look out for new opportunities and a gain in momentum for projects that may have come to a stand still early on in September.

Little Reminders

Feeling a bit down the past two weeks - change in seasons and insomnia driven I think. Also I've been eating more cooked foods which always leaves me feeling a bit more heavy/grounded/serious in general. I re-watched Angela Stokes' famous prune video tonight and thought "Hey - I've done this" - and remembered how fantastic and clear headed I felt after it all - also how monumental that first prune was. The video has inspired me to go on a short water fast before winter hits and it is too cold to be practical. Monday is the plan for water then juice for the rest of the week. Hopefully it will do the trick to cure my seasonal blues and help me fall asleep!