The Last Supper

Night Before Day 1

Perhaps I should have sucked it from a less auspicious vessel. All kidding aside, this was indeed my last meal before partaking on a 10 day liquid-only cleanse. Yes, my friends: 10 days ingesting only, what I have come to think of as a delightful cocktail, a spicy lemonade. The Master Cleanse by Stanley Burroughs. His lemonade is delicate house made concoction of freshly pressed lemon juice, pure water, grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper (as well as laxative tea every night, mint tea if or as needed and a early morning salt water flush everyday). The idea behind consuming only this liquid gold for 10 days is a wonderful formula which can equal excelled health. While the lemon and cayenne clean every inch of your insides, and the syrup keeps you nourished, your body is spending zero time and energy on digestion, which is actually a lot of energy spent 24/7! So during this time, this energy goes to the extreme detoxing of your blood, cells and organs. What happens during these days is a beautiful thing. During past cleanses I recall the feeling of individual organs tingling for one day at a time. Each day some symptom can arise; a slight cold or stuffy nose, decreased energy,  a pain.. whatever, and by the next day, it is gone and that portion of your vessel is clearly in even better form than before. Don't get me wrong, it isn't easy, but it isn't that difficult either. I can honestly say that this very moment almost seems like the worst part. The anticipation and the fact that I have expectations is a huge downfall. 

Of the 3 cleanses I have taken on, the first was by far the easiest. I didn't know what to expect and was so excited going into it. I had even heard bad stories about it, but I was determined to absolutely clean the fuck out of my insides. And I did! And I felt amazing. I kept up with all raw food for about a month or two then slowly added super healthy cooked food. I continued to feel amazing until one glass of wine at a party turned into a bottle at home and when I slowly started adding fake meat and cheese back into the weekly grocery budget. Yuck! I have learned so much about what my body can tolerate and what it wants, since I began doing cleanses. There are certain foods and drinks that I don't even touch anymore because of it and I only don't miss it because I would rather feel this good than have that bite of cheese or a spoonful (or 5) of peanut butter. 

So tonight is the eve of the premiere day. Day 1! Day one is usually about the toughest day. Coming to terms with no food for the entire day… And I have 9 more to go!  But it quickly comes in stride and you learn to expect it because your energy is so high and you start to feel euphoric. To kick off the cleanse you are well advised to have two or more days of eating only raw food and preferably raw green smoothies 3-6 times each day. This time around I have eaten 100% raw food for the past 4 days and around 80% or more for the past year and a half. Yesterday I had a green smoothie for breakfast with banana and kale, a big salad with raw soup poured on top for lunch, and about the same thing for dinner which I finished with another green banana smoothie, just for good measure. I ate about the same exact today with the exception of some raw chocolate at Whole Foods, which I simply couldn’t pass up and I blended my salad for dinner. 

I have already prepared a gallon of the lemonade plus one glass for a little later, and I have also pounded a large laxative tea. I know, the visuals right? I will awake early because of that. Then once I am awake and as soon as I am able, I will kick back an entire liter of extremely salty water and wait for the flood gates to open. If you didn't read about the salt water flush, you may be confused. I will try to keep the graphics to a minimum unless I am specifically asked to go into deeper detail.

I will update you once or twice tomorrow and throughout the next 10 days. Even if no one reads this, it is going to be a place of solace for me to come a talk about the experience I am about to have..

Shape Up or Ship Out

La Vegan Fétiche will be taking a break until 2012,

although we've seemingly already been on a bit of a break..

Stay Tuned for a revamp and make sure to follow your heart and soul when it comes to your health! Make the best decisions when it comes to your body:

• drink  at least 2-4 liters of water per day (or at least 1/2 your weight in ounces)
• fill up on greens and healthy veggies through out the day
• practice conscious breathing
• avoid sugars and starches
• drink green smoothies
• supplement only when needed, but if needed: DO IT!
• live in love

...and make 2012 the best year yet!

Simple Crunchy Raw Seed Crackers

Mmmm, yummy! I was snacking on these wonderful fellows as when I first began typing this post.. and then the weekend got busy and I am finally back to finish and post! These are light and crunchy crackers and just full of flavor. They are so simple to make.. If you have a dehydrator, random seeds and some liquid, then you are set! Like most all of my recipes, there is a lot room for adjustment, modification, omissions, additions etc... I normally use a blender to grind half of the seeds in the recipe but over this past weekend I ate at the marvelous Chef Sara's Raw Vegan Academy in Cave Creek and her crackers were so superior to mine that I almost immediately tried to remake them, upon my return home. What I loved most about Sara's crackers, other than flavor, was that you could see (very well) what was in them. So before a bite I would just stare at the little cracker and Ooh & Aah over the contents. The crackers were actually apart of my husband's meal, but of course I had a bite(s)! But sadly, I took no photos.. I am ashamed in myself for forgetting such an important task. So until I make it to Sara's Cafe again, enjoy the photos of my crackers and try the recipe if you get the chance!

1-2 cups various Seeds (I used about 1.5 cups total of flax, chia, sunflower, pumpkin)

1-2 cups fresh carrot pulp/grated carrots

A Few Dashes of Raw Tamari or Bragg's LAA (liquid amino acids) 

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tspn (or more) Garlic and/or Onion Powder

Optional: Celtic or Himilayan Sea Salt

(in an amount you feel comfortable with... I really love a savory cracker)

Stir all ingredients together very well in a big bowl. Once well blended, spread the mixture onto teflex sheets (or, like me: parchment paper). I like to take another sheet of paper, put it over the 'dough ball' and use a rolling pin to get it to the perfect thickness: not to thick and not too thin. It's usually about an eighth to a quarter-inch thick. Once all the trays are ready to go, pop them in the dehydrator at 110-116 degrees and let them do their magic for 4-6 hours, then flip over, removing paper or teflex sheets, and dehydrate for another 12-14 hours. These are really "guesstimates" as I just use my best judgement as I go along, with each and every dehydrator recipe I attempt. But if you are in unfamiliar territory, don't shy away. It is really easy and fun to work with a dehydrator!



These are one of my favorite recipes to make. I love that they travel well, are highly nutritious and are just plain delicious. They should stay out of the fridge in an airtight container for about a week and in the fridge for weeks. I hope you make these and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Thai Nori Wraps

with carrot curry vinaigrette 

Recently, I have become intrigued by different things that I can put into a Nori wrap. I never used them until now and it sure is fun trying out new things! These are a fun spin on wraps, sushi, thai food and an even keel mix of raw and cooked food. However, all that is cooked here is the yummy nutty quinoa..

Makes 2 wraps

Cashew Cheeze:

See Recipe: Raw Herbed Goat Cheeze

 and use basil (and cilantro) for your herb

Set aside.

Filling:

1 cup cooked quinoa

3 diced green onions

4 basil leaves, cut in ribbons

2 tbspn raw sunflower seeds

juice of 1-2 limes

1 tspn sesame oil

dash or two of raw tamari

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, set aside.

Lay out 1 sheet of Nori, shiny side down, and carefully spread a thin layer of herbed cheeze on it leaving 1 inch all the way around. Spread a layer of the quinoa filling over the cheeze. (An option not shown is to add additional veggies that are sliced long-wise, before rolling) Carefully roll the nori inch by inch and at the end lay the roll seam side down. 

Chill the rolls for a few minutes to allow the to set. Then enjoy, by dipping the special little wraps rolls in a carrot curry vinaigrette made simply with blended carrots, yellow curry powder, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil and celtic sea salt.

Perfectly Beautifying Raw Green Soup

+ Some Bread For a Friend

Recently I cleansed myself. And by cleansed, I don't mean bathing or showering or even skinny dipping in gurgling spring. I mean the INSIDE of my body. And since, I have been eating 95-100% raw food and boy do I feel amazing! This raw soup was something I ate soon after the conclusion of the cleanse and it is full of nothing but goodness to help make you glow in a way you have never glowed before. 

...Is 'glowed' even a word? 

For One Bowl of Beautifying Green Soup:

(please multiply amounts for more soup)

3-5 Leaves of Green Lettuce or Romain

3 Leaves Kale (curly or lacinato)

1/2 apple, diced

1/2 avocado, diced

juice of half a lemon

1 (or more) clove garlic

1 tbspn onion of your liking

+ optional tbspn of your favorite herb(s)

varying amount of clean water

Blend all ingredients, adding water as desired, until you have a perfect puree.

Pour into your most beautiful bowl and enjoy topped with seeds or diced onion 

or with raw flax crackers, like I did.

In the photo above you will notice two loaves of bread. These are sweet and savory versions of my Super Seed Bread. I made these two loaves for my beautiful girlfriend who just moved back to Colorado, from Phoenix. She took to the road to get her things there, while her 10 month-old baby went by air. These loaves were greatly appreciated and as sad as I was to see my dear friend leave, she made the best decision for her and her daughter.

Loaves of love, we will call them.

Welcome Back to La Vegan Fétiche

&

An End of Summer Delight

I've been away... concocting a perspective of what this blog shall become, as well as multitudes of vegan and raw vegan recipes to titillate and tantalize every last happy and healthy nerve in the body..

But with this re-launch comes the continued idea that the blog will remain streamlined...simple. Quirky posts regarding my fanciful eats will be the mainstay, while I will do little in the way of lifestyle or overly-boring commentary of my shuffled food past and what it took to get me to where I am today. I will state solely, that: I intend to maintain my diet as close to 90%+ raw foods and that cleanses, I will take on twice per year as a means to exasperate my healthful idea of life, if not remind my body of it's true purpose. That purpose being to carry me on through my years with little complaint and glowing skin!

And speaking of glowing skin, what is better to regain and maintain a glow than a healthy dose of antioxidents provided by the fun-loving carotenoid: lycopene!? It's antioxidant function has the ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen damage and has been linked in human research to the protection of DNA (our genetic material) inside of white blood cells. But I am sure you already knew that, as much research has recently been published about these facts. Tomatoes are chalk full of lycopene and I want to say that an heirloom tomato, in this deep cherry red color, has more lycopene than your typical roma.. These were big, sweet and juicy! Not to mention heirloom tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes shoud taste! I typically avoid tomatoes on the regular, because they usually only do so much for me or a meal. It just depends on the true need in a recipe's final outcome.. These were just too beautiful to pass up! I used the last of the amazing heirlooms in this simple three bean salad.

3 Bean Salad with Heirloom Tomato

I made this salad about two months ago, before my recent cleanse and move to (as close to 100%) raw food. But it's still very fresh and super delicious.

1 cup canned pinto beans

1 cup canned chick peas

1 cup frozen (thawed) edamame

1 large (heirloom) tomato, cubed

5 basil leaves (cut in ribbons)

1 1/2 tbspn balsamic vinegar

1 tbspn Olive Oil

1/2 tspn Celtic Sea salt

Black Pepper, to taste, per your taste

Combine all ingredients and simply enjoy!

The lovlely aroma of the tomatoes, basil and balsamic is Out-of-this-World and just an added plus in eating fresh foods like this! This salad is perfect for a potluck, BBQ, game day...whatever! And the variations are aplenty, so use your imaginations! The salad will stay well in the refridgerator for a good couple of days.. I just do the scent test ;)

Stay tuned for upcoming raw creations and please post any questions about health/wellness, vegan and raw vegan eating and cooking, what you would like to see me create, etc... I particularly love a good challenge of turning an old favorite conventional recipe into something vegan or raw vegan.

∂

Balsamic Watermelon Salad

4 cups cubed watermelon

2 cups yellow cherry tomatoes, cut in halves

½ Red Onion, diced or thinly sliced

10 Basil Leaves, cut into ribbons

1/8 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

Salt and Pepper to taste (or more, to your liking)

½ tablespoon Dried Oregano

1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds (optional)

Mix all ingredients, except balsamic, in large bowl. Drizzle balsamic over mixed salad. Use your discretion with the balsamic, as this recipe is NOT precise.

Enjoy!

∂

               

Raw Overnight Oatmeal

Here's an easy recipe for a healthy and nutritious breakfast or snack that you can make the night before. I eat a lot of raw oat and usually I don't even let them soak over night. Just the raw oats, some seeds, protein powder, perhaps some fruit and cover it in almond milk. I haven't had any problems digesting it when I eat it this way, but it does take a bit more chewing. So, I decided to mix that recipe with my chia seed pudding recipe and presto! Delicious, soft overnight oatmeal.

Caution: I do not measure unless I am baking or preparing something that I know needs to be measured. So adjust my (off-the-top-of-my-head) measurements as you see fit. 

2 cups Raw Oats
1/3 cup chia seed
1-2 cups almond milk(you should know if it is too much or too little)
2 tbsp Agave
Mixed Seeds (as much or as little as you want)
3/4 cup fruit of choice (I chose blackberries this time)
you can use dried fruit or fresh fruit. Of course, raisens would be great! I think I'll make some more this weekend with fresh cranberries and a little extra agave.

Optional:
1-3 scoops of your favorite protein powder
1-2 tbsp raw caocao powder
1 tsp cinnamon

Mix all ingredients in a dish with a cover and place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning you will have an amazing healthy breakfast waiting for you!

Again, this is another adaptable recipe that once you make it once, you realize all of the different things you can do with it. So, experiment and let me know what you like!

I hope it is getting nice and chilly where you are.. It is just starting here: that crispy cool air that really wakes me up during an early morning walk around the neighborhood. Of course it is cold, it is still dark out! 

Questions:

What do you do to stay warm? What do you eat or drink that really gives you the warm and fuzzy feeling?

Have you pulled out your sweaters and big warm socks? 

(hmm, this starts touching on veganism and clothing, something I want to talk about later)

Hope you all are staying nice and warm..

Until next time..... 

 This Is A New Day!

One of my best friends had her first baby on Saturday! I was there for most of the day with her and I have to say it was one of the most beautiful and amazing things I have ever been apart of. Now, granted I wasn't in the room when the lovely little Addilynn Raine entered the world, but everything leading up to and following that moment was absolutely perfect and beautiful I have never had anyone close to me pregnant, so it was all very new to me. I was blown away by my friends strength and beauty and cried tears of joy in the silence of my drive home. While mama rested at the hospital, "dad" and I snuck out and got some lunch at Haji Baba, a middle eastern restaurant. The food was great! And very well priced! I had stuffed grape leaves (one of my favorites), tabouli, babaganoush, and was "bad "by having some pita bread, oh but the warm flavors melted in my mouth..and my stomach wasn't that affected by the wheat flour..

Between the birth on Saturday and working Scottsdale Fashion Week events on Thursday and Friday, I has quite an eventful weekend, to say the least.. Was so busy, that I didn't get to buy groceries until Sunday and when I bring home all the goodies, I must prepare and cook for for the week. I didn't take any photos, but I made some fun stuff that I will need to keep experimenting with. So, this post is more like a journal entry, so as to remember the recipes.. Here are the things I made yesterday.

• Raw nut meat made with almonds and sun-dried tomatoes, which I think I will put in lettuce cups tonight after I fix it up a little bit more. I shall serve with sriracha, Mmmm
• GFV seed and grain crackers made with quinoa, rice and a multitude of seeds
• There is some tempeh marinating in the fridge for dinner tomorrow
• GFV black berry cupcakes with no frosting (because it is not needed)

I am hoping for a dehydrator for Christmas, so making the crackers this weekend in the oven (at 300°, so not raw at all) got me thinking about all the great raw foods that I will be able to prepare, come the holiday. At this point I eat at least 60%  in raw foods. I would like to gradually increase this, but not go so far to say that I will one day be full on raw. I have noticed, through this journey that I love warm comfort foods. Not sure if I like to eat them more than cook them, but there is something about baking or making a nice hot stew that I feel will always be apart of me.. Thanks Mom!

GFV Crispy Tempeh Nuggets

Although hungover, on Halloween morning, I was up bright and early. I knew immediately that I needed food. And not just any food, but something greasy..I typically abstain from such types of food, but being the creative GF vegan that I am, I decided that something lightly breaded and lightly fried in olive oil, would be light and easing on my tummy. So, there I was, frying food on a very early Sunday morning. Following, I was thankful!

I tossed the cubed tempeh in a mix of brine and almond milk, then in a mix of corn meal, gluten-free flour, sea salt and pepper. Then at medium heat, I fried the little nuggets in EVOO until they just turned brown. Dipped in good old fashion mustard, these made me feel a little better. And, they were pretty delicious to boot! But, I do think it is safe to say that I am over any more late-night drinking. Not that I was too drunk or that I was up that late, but...you know.

I may change a few things next time around, next time I decide to cook up something like this. Like, marinate the tempeh longer and in something stronger and perhaps add some cayenne to the breading. Hey! Who am I kidding, I will probably never fry like this again!

To follow up my early greasy breakfast, I ate a late lunch consisting of only raw foods! Mmmmy Favorite! Raw Cashews, Apples, Avocado and Grapes served with some of my raw "cheese". This one in particular has a lot of garlic, basil, thyme and rosemary. It was a huge plate of food and I ate it all, save for 5 grapes. Needless-to-say it was a great day to watch some football, spend some quiet time with my husband and prepare for all of the trick-or-treaters that we ended up having grace out door step. Perfect day to relax and collect my thoughts before the season starts to get really crazy!

Tell me...

How was your Halloween weekend? Ad what do you have planned for the next two months? Travel? Visitors? Holiday recipes? Share!!