Sunday, September 23, 2012

Raw Food Diet

Mixed greens salad with kelp noodles

I don't feel like writing all the details about the diet, but in case you're wondering what I ate in the last two weeks during my raw food diet, here you go. For more awesomely helpful information on eating a vegan raw food diet, I recommend the book Raw Secrets by Frederic Patenaude.

(Keep in mind: no salt, no sugar, no spices, no cooking...everything pretty much as is...and the raw journey continues...)

Day 1
10 am – nectarine
11 am – orange
12 pm – half a large salad: mixed greens, shredded carrot, kelp, pea shoots, celery, tomato, white onion, lemon juice, hemp butter
3:30 pm – other half of salad
8 pm – banana, fig, 1.5 apples
9 pm – broccoli bunch

Day 2
10 am – orange, fruit salad: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, banana
12:30 pm – half a large salad: mixed greens, shredded carrot, kelp, pea shoots, celery, tomato, white onion, lemon juice, hemp butter
4 pm – other half of salad
7 pm – banana
8 pm – fig
9 pm – broccoli bunch
11 pm – date

Day 3
10 am – fruit salad: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, 1.5 bananas
1:30 pm – half a large smoothie: bunch of green chard, 2 bananas, strawberries, lemon juice
4 pm – other half of smoothie
6 pm – apple, almonds
9 pm – broccoli bunch

Day 4
9 am – third of a large smoothie: bunch of green chard, 2 bananas, strawberries, lemon juice, half an orange
10 am – third of smoothie
1:30 pm – fig
3 pm – carrots, green beans
6 pm – almonds
8 pm – celery
11 pm – date

Day 5
10 am – half an apple, half a banana, raspberries, third of yesterday's smoothie
12:30 pm – apple
1:30 – half a large salad: baby spinach, kelp, shredded carrot, celery, avocado, tomato, white onion, hemp butter, lemon juice
4:30 pm – other half of salad
8 pm – fig
9 pm – carrot

Day 6
9 am – 2 thirds of a large smoothie: 2 bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
1 pm – other third of smoothie
3:30 pm – half a large salad: baby spinach, kelp, shredded carrot, celery, avocado, tomato, white onion, hemp butter, lemon juice
6:30 pm – other half of large salad
9:30 pm – fig, apple
11 pm – date

Day 7
8:30 am – 2 thirds of a large smoothie: 2.5 bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
12:30 pm – other third of smoothie
3:30 pm – small fruit and veggie pieces: pineapple, cantaloupe, watermelon, carrot, cauliflower
8:30 – apple
10:30 – 2 apples
Day 8
11:30 am – 2 oranges, half a cucumber
12 pm – 2 bananas
4 pm – whole large salad: red leaf lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, grape tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, hemp butter
9 pm – 2 peaches
9:30 pm – almonds
10 pm – date

Day 9
9:3o am – 2 oranges, half a cucumber
12:30 pm – 2 bananas
2:30 pm – 2 peaches
5:30 pm – whole large salad: red leaf lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, grape tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, hemp butter
9:30 pm – 2 kiwis

Day 10
11:30 am – 2 oranges
3 pm – large juice: beet, apple
5:30 pm – carrots, green beans
7 pm – avocado
11 pm – date

Day 11
10:30 pm – orange, medium smoothie: 2 bananas, strawberries
2:30 pm – carrots, green beans
5 pm – almonds
8:30 pm – carrots, 2 apples, 2 kiwis

Day 12
11:30 am – orange, 2 apples
1:30 pm – cucumber, tomato
3:30 pm – almonds
7:30 pm – fruit salad: blueberries, raspberries, peach
10:30 pm – date

Day 13
10:30 am – large smoothie: 2 bananas, cantaloupe, pineapple
2 pm – raspberries
6 pm – almonds
6:30 pm – red pepper
8:30 pm – pear, grapefruit

Day 14
9 am – orange, pear
11 am – banana
12:30 pm – medium juice: orange and carrot
3:30 pm – banana
4:30 pm – small smoothie: banana, papaya, strawberries
7:30 pm – large salad: mixed greens, pea shoots, cucumber, carrot, celery, cauliflower, grape tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, hemp butter
8:30 pm – almonds
11 pm – date 

@LoveKaruna (Twitter)

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Hot Fruit Smoothies

Not actually my smoothie

Today I went shopping for my latest food/health adventure which is to begin eating 100% raw foods come tomorrow. I bought massive amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables which I decided to carry home in this crappy little buggy that I have. On my way, some of the raspberries got a bit squished and mushy and I didn't know what to do with them so I just threw them into a little pot. It was an uncommon move for me because normally I'd put them in the blender and make a smoothie, but my old blender died and I'm still waiting for my new one to arrive. I just did it and I had no idea what was coming next. I noticed we had a couple overripe bananas and normally I'd throw those into the freezer to use for a normal smoothie or something, but I threw them into the pot too. Then I added some vanilla soymilk and started heating it up on the stove. I thought to myself "what the hell am I doing? I'm making a hot smoothie", but I just went with it. Since I don't have a blender I had to mash up the bananas with a fork, but with the heat they softened a lot and it was pretty easy. The end result was a warm, sweet and comforting fruit smoothie and although it sounds weird, it's actually pretty good. After I made it, I decided to search the internet to see if hot smoothies actually exist and sure enough they do! They're normally blended in a blender before being heated up on the stove and I can see how that would give the smoothie a much nicer consistency than what I made, but I give myself credit for being so innovative. All in all, although I will not be enjoying more of these hot smoothies on my raw food diet, I think they're a great idea for smoothie lovers that don't want to give them up as soon as the cold weather hits. Be bold, try one!

@LoveKaruna (Twitter)

Sunday, September 02, 2012

My last days in the Azores

Taking in the view
 
Well here I am, once again, in the last bittersweet days of my most recent adventure. "It's not an end, but a beginning!" as they (and I) would enthusiastically say. This month long trip to the Azores has filled this chapter of my life with wonderful experiences and stories which will allow me to move onto the next chapter with a whole new perspective on life. However subtle or great that shift has been doesn't matter. Every experience, every person, every gentle touch of the summer wind, it all makes a difference in the great plan and I allow it to be so. As I  quickly glance back on the last month of my life, I can say I've had a wonderful time and accomplished what I set out to do: from the ocean shores to the mountain peaks on this little island, I've had the opportunity to explore more of our phenomenal Earth and I am amazed, as always, at how beautiful she is. And humans...oh I know the world is full of huge, terrible social problems, I know this, but when I am able to sit down and look into the eyes of real breathing, loving, welcoming people in countries all around the world, I can see the goodness in their eyes. I see the beauty in humanity and I know that we are One! This is strength to my spirit and I openly share this Love with everyone. So here I am, I'm now ready to go home to Toronto. As much as I am usually itching to embark on a new voyage every time I've returned to my 'normal' routine in the big city, Toronto will always be home to me and the more I travel the world, I realize it's a place to be proud of. My family, my friends, my dog and the streets that raised me are all there waiting and I newly appreciate the life that I have. Well I've already written a sentimental blog about loving Toronto before so I won't get into that again. I am happy here. I am happy in Toronto. I am just happy.


@LoveKaruna (Twitter)