t

Máte exekuce? Koronavirus je sice nakonec nezastaví, ale může vám pomoci

Sněmovna schválila návrh zákona o některých opatřeních ke zmírnění dopadů epidemie koronaviru. Jaké úlevy se dočkají dlužníci a jaké jsou podmínky pro zastavení exekuce, vysvětluje právník Adam Stawaritsch.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Šití v Číně je pro ně tabu. Vsadili na české švadleny a dnes slaví úspěch

Spodní prádlo obvykle řeší především ženy. Existují však výjimky. Mezi ty patří i Adam Rožánek, spolumajitel české módní značky spodního prádla Styx. Je české ve všech směrech. Všechno od začátku až do konce totiž vzniká v tuzemsku. Poslední týdny ukázaly, že tato strategie je správná.



  • Finance - Práce a podnikání

t

KVÍZ: Zatím ještě dotace, za dva roky pokuty. Víte, jak ušetřit výměnou kotle?

Od 1. září 2022 nebude možné provozovat kotle na tuhá paliva, které nevyhovují přísnějším emisním normám. Včasnou výměnou kotle můžete ušetřit. Nejenže snížíte náklady za topení, ale stihnete navíc využít státní dotaci na jeho pořízení. Víte, jak na to? Otestujte své znalosti.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

KOMENTÁŘ: Jak čelit koronavirovému informačnímu přetížení

V době koronavirové pandemie nás bombardují ze všech stran nejrůznější informace. Informační přetížení je tak značné, že v mnohých lidech vyvolává strach a stres. Jak tomu čelit, komu věřit a jaké informace ignorovat, se v komentáři zamýšlí psycholog Jan Urban.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Pětina Čechů má vytvořený finanční polštář jen na pouhý měsíc, říká průzkum

Finanční znalosti Čechů se začínají zlepšovat. V indexu finanční gramotnosti, který každoročně měří Česká bankovní asociace, dosáhli Češi 61 procentních bodů ze 100. Oproti loňskému roku to je o čtyři body více, což je doposud nejvyšší hodnota za posledních několik let. Problém ale je, že pětina lidí přiznává, že má finanční polštář vytvořený jen na pouhý měsíc.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Žebříček nejlepších spořicích účtů se totálně proměnil, sazby padají

Kvůli koronavirové pandemii lze očekávat silnou recesi. Česká národní banka proto v březnu dvakrát snížila základní úrokovou sazbu z 2,25 procenta na jedno procento. Některé banky na to už zareagovaly razantním snižováním úrokových sazeb na spořicích účtech, což zamíchalo žebříčkem nejlepších spořicích účtů. Ve spolupráci s Finparádou jsme zmapovali aktuální trend a sestavili nový žebříček.



  • Finance - Banky a spoření

t

Ošetřovné se zvyšuje. Spočítejte si na kalkulačce, kolik nově dostanete

Ze 60 na 80 procent denního vyměřovacího základu vzroste ošetřovné pro rodiče, kteří zůstali doma s potomky v souvislosti s uzavřením škol a školek kvůli koronavirové krizi. Senát novelu schválil v úterý 28. dubna 2020. Předlohu nyní dostane k podpisu prezident Miloš Zeman. Spočítejte si orientačně na kalkulačce iDNES.cz, kolik dostanete.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Je krize, šéfe, co bude dál? Teprve dnes se projeví, kdo je skutečný lídr

Podřízení na něj spoléhají v časech dobrých i zlých. A když přijdou opravdové těžkosti, záleží často jen na jeho schopnostech, jak moc se podnik otřese, nebo zda padne úplně.



  • Finance - Práce a podnikání

t

Mohou vás propustit v karanténě a vy dát výpověď? Na otázky odpovídá advokát

Pokud jste se rozhodli pro změnu místa, je to jednoduché. Výpověď můžete dát kdykoli a z jakéhokoli důvodu, vlastně i bez důvodu. Naproti tomu zaměstnavatel vás může propustit jen z důvodů vyjmenovaných v zákoníku práce. Jak je to ale v případě, že jste v karanténě nebo čerpáte ošetřovné? Na tyto a další otázky odpovídá advokát Pavel Nastis.



  • Finance - Práce a podnikání

t

Zaplatili jste letos dovolenou? Možná budete dotovat cestovní kancelář

Možnost cestování je silně omezená a nic zatím nenasvědčuje tomu, že by lidé v letošní letní sezoně mohli vyrazit na zahraniční dovolenou. Zároveň ale nikdo dnes ještě neví, zda se nějaká možnost přece jen neobjeví. Pokud jste si koupili dovolenkový zájezd, jste asi momentálně jako na trní. Pojedete? Vrátí vám peníze?



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Akcie i fondy klesají. Změňte portfolio, ať nepřijdete o své investice

Firmy i finanční trhy mají za sebou první letošní kvartál. Bilance obou není z důvodu preventivních vládních opatření proti šíření nákazy covid-19 nikterak růžová. To potvrzuje i Partners index podílových akciových fondů.



  • Finance - Investování

t

Chaty a chalupy zažívají svůj malý boom. Prodávají se dráž než loni

Zájem o nákup rekreačních nemovitostí je letos výrazně vyšší než v posledních letech. Objektů, které se dostávají do prodeje, je naopak tento rok méně. Viníkem je v obou případech epidemie koronaviru a s ní spojená nejistota kolem letních dovolených. To se podepisuje na cenách, často se dostanou výš, než byly inzerované.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Vyrábějí z vlastního ovoce. Perou se s přírodou, ale daří se jim i bez dotací

Sbírají jedno ocenění za druhým. Nejvíce si ale váží ocenění zákazníků. Své mošty a přesnídávky rodinná firma vyrábí v Bílých Karpatech, v místě, kde je příroda takřka nedotčená a čistá. Takové chtějí i své produkty.



  • Finance - Práce a podnikání

t

Kvíz: Děti mohou být v online světě ohroženy. Víte, jak je chránit?

Děti se v online světě pohybují naprosto přirozeně a svými technickými znalostmi často předčí své rodiče. Na druhou stranu jsou právě ony nejohroženější skupinou čelící útokům internetových predátorů a kyberšikaně. Rodiče často o hrozbách ani netuší. Vyzkoušejte si náš kvíz a zjistěte, jak jste na tom s digitálními znalostmi právě vy.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Kouzlo pravidelných investic. Jak funguje složené úročení

Současná koronavirová krize otřásla finančními trhy, zlevněné akcie jsou příležitostí, jak zhodnotit investici. Jenomže kdy je správná chvíle investovat? Už se trhy odrazily ode dna, nebo přijde další propad? A jak snížit riziko špatného načasování? Nad tím se zamýšlí Michal Valentík, investiční analytik společnosti Broker Trust.



  • Finance - Investování

t

Odklad splátek nebo refinancování. Jak dnes ušetřit na hypotéce

Splácíte hypotéku, u níž se blíží zlomové datum fixace? Jak na to, když chcete brzy půjčku doplatit nebo ji refinancovat? A lze před doplacením využít odkladu splátek?



  • Finance - Hypotéky a půjčky

t

Zvýšení ošetřovného byl krok správným směrem

Zaměstnaní rodiče mají od dubna nově nárok na ošetřovné ve výši 80 procent denního vyměřovacího základu. Důvod zvýšení je jasný. Původních 60 procent většině rodin na pokrytí nákladů na provoz domácnosti nevystačilo. Potvrzuje to i případ paní Anny.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Máte trable s koupeným zájezdem? Poradíme vám, jak nepřijít o peníze

Nová zákon „Lex voucher“ stanovil pravidla pro vypořádání cestovních kanceláří s klienty. Na problematické situace, které mohou být s koupeným zájezdem spojeny, jsme se zeptali advokáta Ondřeje Vokála.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

KOMENTÁŘ: Co bude klíčové po dvou měsících s koronavirem

Do pracovních i osobních životů vstoupila pandemie, jakou nikdo nepamatuje. Krize, která nastává, se dotkne všech. Nad aktuální situací a tím, co nás letos čeká a co je klíčové pro rozhýbání ekonomiky, se v komentáři zamýšlí personalista Tomáš Surka.



  • Finance - Práce a podnikání

t

Pojistit se kvůli covidu? Životní pojistky ani krytí marodění netáhnou

Mohlo by se zdát, že pojišťovny budou v koronavirové době zaznamenávat zvýšený zájem o sjednání životních pojistek. Zejména kvůli krytí rizika pracovní neschopnosti, což se vztahuje i na onemocnění infekcí covid-19. Praxe je ale zatím opačná.



  • Finance - Pojištění

t

Kvůli svému koníčku zbankrotoval. Stačilo mít finanční rezervu

Potřeba finančního polštáře je dnes aktuálnější než kdy jindy. Jaká by měla být naše rezerva? A kam ji uložit? Zmapovali jsme aktuální nabídku spořicích účtů. Příběh klienta Poradny při finanční tísni ukazuje, jak se dá náhle dostat do dluhů, až k osobnímu bankrotu.



  • Finance - Finanční rádce

t

Začínali podnikat v bytě, dnes má rodinná firma tři tisíce zaměstnanců

Česká rodinná firma SSI Group vznikla v době, kdy jsme ještě neznali mobilní telefony a podnikatelské prostředí 90. let bylo poměrně divoké. Přesto se ji Václavu Vodrážkovi společně se synem Janem a dalšími členy rodiny dařilo každý rok posouvat o něco dál. Letos tak na trhu významná bezpečnostní agentura oslaví 30 let svého působení na trhu.



  • Finance - Práce a podnikání

t

take4。

動画アップ出来てますね。『違うな、違うんだよ、違う』 ってな具合でtake4の動画です。そして、更新しようと続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




t

Hugo: Best Editor, Short Form - starting point

The finalists are:

I'm a subscriber to Uncanny Magazine, edited by the Thomases, and a Patreon supporter of Clarkesworld, edited by Neil Clarke. I keep up with neither magazine as much as I'd like, but I generally enjoy both of them. Uncanny Magazine in particular has a very high hit rate for me when I do make time to read it.

(I also had the pleasure of meeting Neil Clarke in his kaffeeklatsch at Dublin Worldcon last year, which I really enjoyed & learned a lot from.)

I have one of Jonathan Strahan's anthologies from last year, Mission:Critical on my to-read pile, and I've also been eyeing the Made to Order: Robots and Revolution anthology published this year.

Ellen Datlow edits a lot of horror, which I'm cautious of, and I happen not to have read any of the Tor.com short fiction she acquired last year, but that could be remedied (in a well-lit room during the day, etc). She also lists a couple of anthologies, and while I'm not touching a Best Horror of the Year anthology, I might risk the ghost stories anthology.

C.C. Finlay and Sheila Williams edit respectively F&SF Magazine and Asimov's Science Fiction, neither of which I subscribe to or read regularly, but because I'm already not keeping up with the things I do subscribe to, not for any stronger or more considered reason.



comments




t

Hugo: Best Editor, Long Form - starting point

The finalists are:

You can find lists of books published in 2019 edited by each of these finalists at this crowdsourced page at File 770, of which:

  • Brit Hvide: 2 books on my wishlist
  • Devi Pillai: 1 read, 2 on wishlist
  • Miriam Weinberg: 2 on wishlist
  • Navah Wolfe: 1 read, 1 on to-read pile

Devi Pillai edited A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, which I love so much, and Navah Wolfe edited The Twisted Ones by Ursula Vernon, which is one of the few marketed-as-horror books I have willingly read. (It won't ever be my favourite Vernon book, but it was a good read.)



comments




t

Hugo: Best Professional Artist - starting point

The finalists are:

Just looking up those websites has given me a lot of pleasure - my art knowledge continues to be "I don't know much but I know what I like" - and I'm looking forward to taking more time to consider each of the finalists more carefully.

I'm pleased to see Galen Dara on the shortlist, I've seen her work frequently in Uncanny, Lightspeed & Fireside Magazines, and usually like it. I was lucky enough to get into a kaffeklatsch with John Picacio at Dublin Worldcon last year (although I came there sideways, through interest in his work founding The Mexicanx Initiative, which was a finalist for Best Related Work), which was a great experience.



comments




t

To-read pile, 2020, April

Books on pre-order:

  • Network Effect by Martha Wells (5 May)
  • He's Come Undone: A Romance Anthology with stories by Emma Barry, Olivia Dade, Adriana Herrera, Ruby Lang & Cat Sebastian (12 May)
  • Two Rogues Make a Right (Seducing the Sedgwicks) by Cat Sebastian (23 Jun)
  • The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho (23 Jun)
  • Rogue Myths (Gatekeeper 1) by Layla Lawlor (1 Jul)
  • The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal (14 Jul) (ebook order cancelled by publisher, sob)
  • Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor (18 Aug)
  • Better Than People by Roan Parrish (25 Aug)
  • Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (6 Oct)
  • How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole (1 Dec - was 26 May)

Books acquired in April

  • and read:
    1. Above Rubies (Clorinda Cathcart's Circle 7) by L.A. Hall
    2. Torches: Acquaintance Old and New (Clorinda Cathcart's Circle 8) by L.A. Hall [1]
  • and unread:
    1. Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang [1]
    2. The Switch by Beth O'Leary [1]
    3. The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells [2]
    4. The Serpent Sea by Martha Wells [2]
    5. The Siren Sea by Martha Wells [2]
    6. FIYAH #9 (Winter 2019) edited by Troy L. Wiggins + DaVaun Sanders [5]
    7. FIYAH #10 - HAIR (Spring 2019) edited by Troy L. Wiggins + DaVaun Sanders [5]
    8. FIYAH #11 (Summer 2019) edited by Troy L. Wiggins + DaVaun Sanders [5]
    9. FIYAH #12 - CHAINS (Autumn 2019) edited by Troy L. Wiggins + DaVaun Sanders [5]
    10. Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet #38 (July 2018) edited by Gavin J. Grant & Kelly Link
    11. Uncanny Magazine Issue Thirty-Four(May/June 2020) edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, Chimedum Ohaegbu, and Elsa Sjunneson
    12. Uncanny Magazine Issue Thirty-Three (March/April 2020) edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, Chimedum Ohaegbu, and Elsa Sjunneson
    13. Uncanny Magazine Issue Thirty-One (November/December 2019) edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, Chimedum Ohaegbu, and Michi Trota [5]
    14. Uncanny Magazine Issue Thirty (September/October 2019): Disabled People Destroy Fantasy! edited by Nicolette Barischoff, Lisa M. Bradley, and Katharine Duckett [5]
    15. Uncanny Magazine Issue Twenty-Nine (July/August 2019) edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, and Michi Trota [5]
    16. Uncanny Magazine Issue Twenty-Eight (May/June 2019) edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, and Michi Trota [5]
    17. Uncanny Magazine Issue Twenty-Seven (March/April 2019) edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, and Michi Trota [5]
    18. Uncanny Magazine Issue Twenty-Six (January/February 2019) edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, and Michi Trota [5]
  • and previously read:
    1. Hammered by Elizabeth Bear
    2. Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer
    3. Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer
    4. An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer
    5. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
    6. Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett

Technically, I was subscribed to and therefore paying for the issues of Uncanny Magazine all of last year, but it doesn't count as acquired until I actually download and put on the ereader. (totally a rational and thought-out argument and not at all because I don't want to faff with editing them into the relevant to-read pile posts ...)

[1] Pre-order
[2] Audiobook
[5] Hugo finalist



comments




t

Hugo: Best Semiprozine - starting point

The finalists are:

  • Beneath Ceaseless Skies, editor Scott H. Andrews
  • Escape Pod, editors Mur Lafferty and S.B. Divya, assistant editor Benjamin C. Kinney, audio producers Adam Pracht and Summer Brooks, hosts Tina Connolly and Alasdair Stuart
  • Fireside Magazine, editor Julia Rios, managing editor Elsa Sjunneson, copyeditor Chelle Parker, social coordinator Meg Frank, publisher & art director Pablo Defendini, founding editor Brian White
  • FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, executive editor Troy L. Wiggins, editors Eboni Dunbar, Brent Lambert, L.D. Lewis, Danny Lore, Brandon O’Brien and Kaleb Russell
  • Strange Horizons, Vanessa Rose Phin, Catherine Krahe, AJ Odasso, Dan Hartland, Joyce Chng, Dante Luiz and the Strange Horizons staff
  • Uncanny Magazine, editors-in-chief Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas, nonfiction/managing editor Michi Trota, managing editor Chimedum Ohaegbu, podcast producers Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky

In this category, everything but FIYAH is available free online, supported by subscriptions / Patreons etc. FIYAH puts a list of contents of each issue, and also publishes a Spotify playlist for each quarterly issue. Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Fireside Magazine and Strange Horizons also all publish podcasts of each of their fiction / poetry, and Uncanny Magazine publishes two podcasts per issue which cover some but not all of the content (as far as I can tell). Escape Pod is of course a fiction podcast to start with, but does provides transcripts of its episodes.

I subscribe to Uncanny Magazine & FIYAH, I had a subscription last year to Fireside Magazine, I support Strange Horizons on Patreon and I'm on Beneath Ceaseless Skies's mailiing list to get notifications of new issues, even if I don't always read them. I'll need to have a bit of a think about how I'll rank them.



comments




t

Hugo: Best Fanzine - starting point

The finalists are:

The only one of these I follow is The Rec Center, a weekly email of fan news and fanfic recommendations, which I've subscribed to for about 18 months now. That's also the only finalist where the 2019 output isn't easily viewable (but cunningly I already have the emails in my archive folder).



comments




t

Tiny achievements

In my team's morning standup[1] today, my boss asked us for our "most ridiculous / useless achievement" of the weekend. He offered as his, that he and his wife had looked at their growing stack of papers for shredding, and had a bonfire of them instead.

Another colleague offered up fitting one of those little metal keyhole covers on his front door, and I said that I'd finished the paté in the fridge no-one else was eating before it went off.

What are your tiny achievements of the week?


[1] which is of course actually conducted these days sitting down in our respective homes ...

comments




t

Fannish stuff

New Murderbot novel today! It made me laugh on the first page and squeak aloud in delight in a number of places. I read it over the afternoon in and around doing a worse job than usual of supporting schooling.

In less happy news, Delfont Mackintosh theatres confirmed today that Hamilton performances in London are now cancelled through to the end of June, so this year I will not be continuing my self-indulgent tradition[1] of seeing it for my birthday. At some point I'll get contacted and offered a refund or an exchange for a future performance and obviously I'm going to go for the latter. Oh, I hope actors and theatre staff come through this okay.

[1] As I learned at DWCons, anything done more than once is a tradition ...



comments




t

Hugo: Best Fancast - starting point

The finalists are:

I'm not familiar with any of these, and I'm not confident of finding time to change that between now and voting time. But I have at least bookmarked the YouTube playlist (she helpfully made a "Hugo Voter Packet" playlist!) and downloaded some sample episodes from each podcast to listen to.



comments




t

Hugo: Best Fan Writer - starting point

The finalists are:

Another category in which everything is free to read online. Some of the fan writers already helpfully have their Hugo packets prepared and easily found on their respective sites too, which is pretty impressive. My starting point is that I sometimes read James Davis Nicoll's reviews and I've read some of Bogi Takács's work, but I haven't routinely read any of these finalists.



comments




t

Raw Food Recipe Menu: September 27, 2015













Breakfast
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
serves 2 ~ $.70 per serving





ingredients
  • 2 carrots ($.30)
  • 2 bananas, sliced and frozen ($.40)
  • 1 apple, peeled and chopped ($.50)
  • 1 tablespoon agave ($.20)
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • water for blending, about 1 cup

directions

In a blender, puree all ingredients until very smooth. A high speed blender will smooth out all the little carrot bits, and a less high powered one will leave a bit of pulp. If you're very opposed to pulp, juice the carrots instead.






nutritional information: calories: 165 fat: 0 gr carbs: 47 gr protein: 2 gr








Lunch
Apple Avocado Soup
serves 2 ~ $1.44 per serving





ingredients

  • 1 avocado, chopped ($.88)
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped ($1.29)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped onion
  • handful arugula leaves ($.50)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)
  • 2 cups water, for blending
  • minced onion
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • red pepper flakes directions


directions
  1. Set aside a few arugula leaves for garnish.
  2. In a blender, combine the avocado, apples, chopped onion, arugula leaves, olive oil, and water, and puree until very smooth.
  3. Salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with a few chopped arugula leaves, some finely minced onion, and red pepper flakes.
  4. nutritional information


calories: 275 fat: 18 gr carbs: 42 gr protein: 7 gr







 Dinner
Taco Salad
serves 2 ~ $3.55 per serving

 


ingredients
  • 1/4 cup walnuts ($1.00)
  • 1 large tomato ($1.00)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 head romaine ($2.30)
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced ($.20)
  • 1 small jalapeno, sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado ($.1.00)
  • black olives ($.50)
  • green olives ($.50)

  • 4 tablespoons cashew cream ($.60) {recipe below}

directions
  • Make the walnut taco meat first and set aside.
  • In a food processor fitted with an "S" blade, pulse the walnuts, half a tomato, cumin, and salt until chopped but still a little chunky.
  • To a bed of chopped romaine, add the walnut taco meat, the other half of tomato (chopped), sliced onion, a bit of sliced jalapeno, chopped avocado, and olives. 
  • Top with a couple scoops of cashew cream.

cashew cream

  • 1/2 cup cashews ($2.00)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice ($.20)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Blend all ingredients in small blender until very smooth. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

nutritional information

calories: 398      fat: 30 gr      carb: 26      protein: 13





Dessert

Maple Bacon Ice Cream
serves 2 ~ $1.00 per serving 






ingredients

  • 1 zucchini, sliced 1/4" thick ($.70)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup ($.40)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar ($.10)
  • 1 small clove garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

directions

Slice the zucchini into strips about 1/4" thick. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Toss with the zucchini until well coated, then dehydrate for several hours or overnight, until just a little bit crunchy but pliable.







Tear the zucchini bacon into pieces and serve over vanilla banana ice cream with maple syrup. To make the ice cream, slice and freeze four bananas. When ready to use, grind them in a food processor with one teaspoon vanilla and a splash of almond milk. Process until smooth, which may take a few minutes and some scraping down on the sides. This will cost about $.30 per serving.



nutritional information: calories: 298 fat: 14 carbs: 45 protein: 2 gr


 
 
Any Time Snack
Kitchen Sink Smoothie
serves 2 ~ $1.70 per serving

ingredients
  •  2 big handfuls greens (kale, romaine, etc) ($.75)
  • 3 bananas, sliced and frozen ($.75)
  • 1 cup blueberries ($1.00)
  • 2 tablespoon ground flax seeds ($.20)
  • 4 tablespoons hemp protein powder ($.90)
  • about 2 cups water for blending

I love making big, sweet, hearty green smoothies in the morning, and this is what I had this morning. I'm pretty sure I put just about everything I had in it, hence the name "(everything but the) Kitchen Sink Smoothie!"

My blender is small and weak, poor thing (but has lasted forever), so I blend my greens first. If you don't have a VitaMix or other high powered blender, this might work better for you, too. They get pretty smooth if I process them for a minute or two.

I also used Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 50, 50% Protein Powder, 32-Ounce which is my favorite hemp powder. Manitoba Harvest leaves all the good omega-3s intact.

Just blend everything well until smooth and serve.


nutrition information:      calories: 342      fat: 9 gr      carb: 60 gr      protein: 14 gr      fiber: 13 gr





Total cost for the day: $8.39
total calories: 1478
total fat: 71 gr
total carb: 220 gr
total protein: 38 gr




t

Turmeric Dressing: Raw Food Recipe





Salad with Turmeric Dressing
serves 2 ~ $2.55 per serving



Turmeric is a root related to ginger. It's a little hot and spicy, which makes it delicious. It's active ingredient, curcumin, is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that could improve all sorts of things from arthritis to diabetes. Buy the fresh root and use peeled and grated, or buy the dried powder which is available at most groceries. I found mine at my local farmer's market.

Like most foods, it works synergistically. The absorption of curcumin is greatly enhanced by black pepper and it boosts the absorption of omega-3s, so I've added some pepper and flax oil. If you don't have flax oil on hand, substitute olive oil or just omit. 

This delicious and super healthy turmeric dressing can be used over any salad, as I've done here, but is also delicious on just about anything else from mixed veggies to rice bowls. It also works as a great vegetable dip.

ingredients

dressing

  • 3 tablespoons tahini ($.30)
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice ($.60)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave (can substitute stevia or omit) ($.10)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ($.10)
  • 1 tablespoon flax oil ($.20)
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce ($.10)
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric ($.10)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder ($.10)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
  • 1 teaspoon cilantro flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

salad

  • 1 head romaine or other lettuce ($1.80)
  • 2 tomatoes ($1.00)
  • 1 cucumber ($.50)
  • 1 small onion, sliced ($.20)



directions

Place all dressing ingredients in a small blender and puree briefly until well mixed. Use as desired. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days in an air tight container.








t

Apple Mango Smoothie: Raw Food Recipe



Apple Mango Smoothie
serves 1 ~ $2.10 per serving

ingredients

  • 1 apple, washed (peeled if not organic) ($.60)
  • 1 cup mango,chunks, fresh or frozen ($1.00)
  • 1 banana, sliced and frozen
  • 1 handful kale leaves ($.50)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup ice
  • water for blending (more or less depending on how thick you like it)

This is just a super simple way to enjoy some of the apples that are in season right now! Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until very smooth and enjoy!


nutritional information
calories: 230
fat: 4 gr
carbs:47 gr
protein: 6 gr




t

Red Pepper Pasta: Raw Food Recipe




Red Pepper Pasta
serves 2 ~ $2.80 per serving


  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced ($.70)
  • 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced ($.70)
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced ($1.50)
  • 1 cup black or kalamata olives ($1.50)
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion ($.20)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil ($.20)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice ($.40)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ($.20)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave (optional, for those who like a touch of sweet) ($.20)
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano 
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1-2 medium sized zucchini, spiralized 

This is so easy and so good. Prepare it up to a day in advance and them the vegetables marinate and soften.

Prepare the red and yellow bell pepper, mushrooms, olives, and onion and place in a medium sized bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, syrup, onion powder, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour over the prepared vegetables. Allow to marinate for at least a half hour, but it can marinate as long as a day.

When ready to eat, simply pour the marinated veggies and marinade over a portion of spiralized zucchini noodles and toss.


 

nutritional information:
calories: 389
fat: 23 gr
carbs: 35 gr
protein: 11 gr



I use my spirilizer as much as any kitchen tool I have (except my VitaMix, of course!!). The Paderno brand one I have can be found on Amazon HERE, or in most stores that sell kitchen supplies.













t

Raw Chocolate Fudgesicles: Raw Food Dessert

 
Raw Chocolate Fudgesicles
serves 4 ~ $.95 per serving
 
 
OK, so this is something that was stored in my recipe files from back in the summer (that flew by SO fast!) when it was hot and sticky out. But hey, chocolate, right? It's still delicious and fun ... ! I love chocolate smoothies and pops all year long. I've even been known to enjoy a frosty chocolate smoothie in the jacuzzi so as to not freeze my bum off ... shh, don't tell. 
  

fudgesicles
 
  • 2 bananas, sliced and frozen ($.60)
  • 1/2 cup almond milk ($.40)
  • 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder or cocoa powder
  • pinch salt
  • few drops of stevia, if more sweetness is desired
 
 
 
chocolate shell
 
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil ($.80)
  • 1/4 cup raw cacao powder or cocoa powder ($.80)
  • 1/4 cup finely ground coconut palm sugar ($.80)
  • pinch salt 
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios ($.40)
 
 
 
directions
 
  1. Place all fudgesicle ingredients into  blender and puree until very smooth. Add more almond milk or water if needed to facilitate blending. 
  2. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for several hours until fully frozen. 
  3. Prepare the chocolate shell coating. 
  4. Place all the chocolate shell coating ingredients into a small bowl and stir well until smooth.
  5. Remove the fidgesicles from the freezer and pop them out of their molds.
  6. Dip the fudgescicles into the hard chocolate shell, or drizzle it over them to coat. 
  7. Just heating the coconut oil up enough to melt it and not any warmer will yield the best results. If needed, gently remelt the chocolate hard shell. 
  8. Add a sprinkle of chopped pistachios or other chopped nut, if desired. Cacao nibs also work well.
  9. Any leftovers can be wrapped and stored in the freezer for a week or so.
 
 
nutritional information:
calories: 195
fat: 10 gr
carbs: 25 gr
protein: 2 gr
 
 
 

 
 




t

October 4, 2015: Raw Food Recipe Menu






Breakfast
serves 1 ~ $2.10 per serving




ingredients

  • 1 apple, washed (peeled if not organic) ($.60)
  • 1 cup mango,chunks, fresh or frozen ($1.00)
  • 1 banana, sliced and frozen
  • 1 handful kale leaves ($.50)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup ice
  • water for blending (more or less depending on how thick you like it)

Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until very smooth and enjoy!


nutritional information
calories: 230
fat: 4 gr
carbs:47 gr
protein: 6 gr 
 
 
 
 Lunch
serves 2 ~ $2.55 per serving
 


ingredients

dressing
  • 3 tablespoons tahini ($.30)
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice ($.60)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave (can substitute stevia or omit) ($.10)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ($.10)
  • 1 tablespoon flax oil ($.20)
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce ($.10)
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric ($.10)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder ($.10)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
  • 1 teaspoon cilantro flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

salad
  • 1 head romaine or other lettuce ($1.80)
  • 2 tomatoes ($1.00)
  • 1 cucumber ($.50)
  • 1 small onion, sliced ($.20)



directions
Place all dressing ingredients in a small blender and puree briefly until well mixed. Use as desired (over salad, as a veggie dip, over a rice bowl, etc). Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days in an air tight container.
 
 
nutritional information:        
calories: 299    
fat: 9 gr      
carbs: 31 gr      
protein: 9 gr
 
 
 
 
 
Dinner
serves 2 ~ $2.80 per serving




  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced ($.70)
  • 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced ($.70)
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced ($1.50)
  • 1 cup black or kalamata olives ($1.50)
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion ($.20)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil ($.20)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice ($.40)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ($.20)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave (optional, for those who like a touch of sweet) ($.20)
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano 
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1-2 medium sized zucchini, spiralized

Prepare the red and yellow bell pepper, mushrooms, olives, and onion and place in a medium sized bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, syrup, onion powder, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour over the prepared vegetables. Allow to marinate for at least a half hour, but it can marinate as long as a day.

When ready to eat, simply pour the marinated veggies and marinade over a portion of spiralized zucchini noodles and toss.


 



nutritional information:
calories: 389
fat: 23 gr
carbs: 35 gr
protein: 11 gr



I use my spirilizer as much as any kitchen tool I have (except my VitaMix, of course!!). The Paderno brand one I have can be found on Amazon HERE, or in most stores that sell kitchen supplies.







Dessert
serves 4 ~ $.95 per serving (x2)



 
 
  
fudgesicles
 
  • 2 bananas, sliced and frozen ($.60)
  • 1/2 cup almond milk ($.40)
  • 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder or cocoa powder
  • pinch salt
  • few drops of stevia, if more sweetness is desired
 
 
 
chocolate shell
 
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil ($.80)
  • 1/4 cup raw cacao powder or cocoa powder ($.80)
  • 1/4 cup finely ground coconut palm sugar ($.80)
  • pinch salt 
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios ($.40)
 
 
 
directions
 
  1. Place all fudgesicle ingredients into  blender and puree until very smooth. Add more almond milk or water if needed to facilitate blending. 
  2. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for several hours until fully frozen. 
  3. Prepare the chocolate shell coating. 
  4. Place all the chocolate shell coating ingredients into a small bowl and stir well until smooth.
  5. Remove the fidgesicles from the freezer and pop them out of their molds.
  6. Dip the fudgescicles into the hard chocolate shell, or drizzle it over them to coat. 
  7. Just heating the coconut oil up enough to melt it and not any warmer will yield the best results. If needed, gently remelt the chocolate hard shell. 
  8. Add a sprinkle of chopped pistachios or other chopped nut, if desired. Cacao nibs also work well.
  9. Any leftovers can be wrapped and stored in the freezer for a week or so.
 
 
nutritional information:
calories: 195
fat: 10 gr
carbs: 25 gr
protein: 2 gr
 
 
 




Total cost for the day: $9.35
total calories: 1,308
total fat: 56 gr
total carb: 163 gr
total protein: 30 gr




t

Orange Banana Breakfast Salad: Raw Food Recipe




Orange Banana Breakfast Salad
serves 2 ~ $2.25 per serving


This salad is so simple and is delicious and super healthy for breakfast. It's the very beginning of citrus season so oranges are exceptionally tasty right now as well. 


ingedients
salad
  • 1 head romaine, chopped ($1.70)
  • 1 orange, peeled and sectioned ($.50)
  • 1 banana, sliced ($.30)
  • 2 tablespoons sliced onion

dressing
  • 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned ($1.00)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ($.20)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or two droppers stevia) ($.40)
  • 3 tablespoons tahini ($.40)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • crushed red pepper flakes for the top

directions
  1. Prepare the salad ingredients.
  2. Place all the dressing ingredients except the crushed red pepper flakes into a blender and puree until very smooth. 
  3. Assemble the salad ingredients on plates or in bowls. Add the orange sections, banana slices, and onion to the top.
  4. Pour salad dressing over and add a sprinkle of black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. I added both.

nutritional information:       calories: 256      fat: 15 gr      carbs: 33 gr      protein: 6 gr

    Did you ever run across something and fall in love for no apparent reason (this could describe my past dating life ... but I digress). This is a new antique shop find! I love shopping in antique shops for dishes and kitchen gadgets, but this fishy guy won me over!






    xoxo




    t

    Raw Food Recipe Menu: October 18, 2015






    Breakfast
    Orange Banana Breakfast Salad
    serves 2 ~ $2.25 per serving






    Orange Banana Breakfast Salad
    serves 2 ~ $2.25 per serving


    This salad is so simple and is delicious and super healthy for breakfast. It's the very beginning of citrus season so oranges are exceptionally tasty right now as well. 


    ingedients
    salad
    • 1 head romaine, chopped ($1.70)
    • 1 orange, peeled and sectioned ($.50)
    • 1 banana, sliced ($.30)
    • 2 tablespoons sliced onion

    dressing
    • 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned ($1.00)
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ($.20)
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or two droppers stevia) ($.40)
    • 3 tablespoons tahini ($.40)
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
    • crushed red pepper flakes for the top

    directions
    1. Prepare the salad ingredients.
    2. Place all the dressing ingredients except the crushed red pepper flakes into a blender and puree until very smooth. 
    3. Assemble the salad ingredients on plates or in bowls. Add the orange sections, banana slices, and onion to the top.
    4. Pour salad dressing over and add a sprinkle of black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. I added both.

    nutritional information:       calories: 256      fat: 15 gr      carbs: 33 gr      protein: 6 gr



     

    Lunch
    Chocolate Chia Smoothie
    serves 1 ~ $2.15 per serving
     
     
     
    ingredients 
    This is a simple, creamy ~ kind of decadent ~ way to start the day, that's also packed with healthy protein and omega-3s.
    In a blender, combine all ingredients except for the pistachios. Puree until very smooth. Top with a few chopped pistachios, if desired.
     
     
    nutritional information:       calories: 555      fat: 21 gr      carbs: 81 gr      protein: 26 gr
     
     
     
     

     
    Dinner
    Black Bean Soup with Sweet Potatoes

    serves 4-5 ~ about $2.50 per serving
     
     



    Egads! This is not raw! But it's great tasting and healthy, too. This soup, from Dreena Burton's Plant Powered 15 book, has an irresistible quality, the flavors are deep and earthy with some sweetness from the potatoes. Don’t let the number of ingredients intimidate you - they build layers of flavor, but this soup is not at all difficult to make!


    ingredients
    • 1-2 tbsp water
    • 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 cups chopped onions (one large onion)
    • 1 1/2 cups combination of chopped red peppers and green peppers
    • 1 1/4 tsp sea salt
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste (generous is good)
    • 2 tsp cumin seeds
    • 2 tsp dried oregano leaves
    • 1/4 tsp allspice (rounded)
    • 1/4 tsp (or less/more, to taste) red pepper flakes
    • 4 medium-large cloves garlic, minced or grated
    • 4 1/2 - 5 cups black beans (reserve 1 cup; this is three 14 or 15 oz cans)
    • 3 cups water
    • 2 tbsp tomato paste
    • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 1/2 - 1 tsp pure maple syrup
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 1/2 cups cubed (in small chunks, about 1/2”) yellow sweet potato (or can substitute      white potato)
    • Chopped cilantro for serving
    • Extra lime wedges for serving
    • Chopped avocado tossed with lemon juice and dash of salt, for serving

    directions
    1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add water, onions, red and green peppers, salt and pepper, cumin seeds, oregano, allspice, and red pepper flakes. Let cook for 5-7 minutes until onions and peppers start to soften. Add garlic. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and let cook another few minutes to soften garlic - if sticking/burning, add another splash of water. 
    2. After a few minutes of cooking, add 3 1/2 cups beans (reserving one cup of beans), water, tomato paste, vinegar, lime juice, and maple syrup (start with 1/2 teaspoon). Using an immersion blender, puree soup until fairly smooth. 
    3. Increase heat to bring to boil, add bay leaf and diced sweet potatoes, then once at boil reduce and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Add remaining cup of black beans and extra maple syrup if desired (taste test). 
    4. Stir through, let simmer for another few minutes, then serve, topping with cilantro if desired and with lime wedges. Also delicious to top soup with some chopped seasoned avocado or a simple guacamole.  Serves 4-5 as main course.


    nutritional information:      calories: 319      fat: 6 gr      carb: 33 gr      protein: 11 gr
     
     


     
    Dessert
    Pecan Pie
    serves 2 ~ $1.45 per serving
     
     
     
     

    • 1/4 cup walnuts ($.50)
    • 1/2 cup raisins ($.50)
    • 6 dates, soaked ($1.20)
    • 1/4 cup pecans ($.70)
    • pinch salt
    In a food processor with an "S" blade, process the walnuts and raisins until they are crumbly and stick together. Press into a small tart plate (the one I used is 5 inches diameter) and chill. Then in the food processor again, puree the dates with a tiny bit of the soak water until they form a gooey paste. Spread into the crust and top with pecans.

    The amounts can be easily increased to make a larger pie for a more conventional sized dessert. 
     
     
    nutritional information:      calories: 349      fat: 22 gr      carbs: 39      protein: 5

     
    For the dinner soup that uses sweet potatoes, you can substitute any of the orange fleshed squash if you like. Like these I found at my favorite local farm market ... 
     
    That Pink Banana Squash is amazing. They're about two and a half feet long and weigh around 20 lbs. A steal at $3 each.




    Hope you're having a great fall!
     




    t

    Buckwheat Coco Puffs ~ Raw Food Breakfast Recipe


     
     
     
    4 servings ~ $.73 per serving

     
    I love soaked and dehydrated buckwheat groats. They get crisp and puffy and light, like the puffed rice  remember in chocolate Crunch bars. Maybe that's why I always associate them with chocolate! Anyway, this makes a great and fun breakfast that will give you energy and keep you full all morning.

    ingredients
    • 1 cup buckwheat groats, soaked ($.75)
    • 2 ripe bananas ($.30)
    • 3 tbsp coco or cacao powder ($.15)
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla ($.10)
    • 1/2 tsp salt1/2 cup almond milk ($.40)
     
     
     
     
     
     
    directions
    1. Rinse one cup buckwheat groats and then soak in about two cups water for 5-6 hours or overnight. Rinse the buckwheat groats well. There will be a gooey or gelatinous coating on the groats and and they will need to be rinsed several times. 
    2. Once rinsed, drain well and pat with a towel to remove most of the water.In a food processor with the S blade, add the banana, cocoa or cacao powder, vanilla and salt. 
    3. Process for a minute or two until very creamy. 
    4. Fold into the buckwheat groats. 
    5. Then spread the mixture in clusters about 1/4 inch thick on the teflex or plastic sheets in a dehydrator. Dehydrate for about 4 hours, then turn over and dehydrate for another 2-3 hours, until the clusters are dry but pliable. 
    6. They don't seem to get brittle dry, but stay a little bit pliable. 
    7. Break up into smaller clumps. These can then be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Serve with 1/2 cup almond milk. 





    nutritional information:      calories: 333       fat: 10 gr      carbs: 50 gr      protein: 7 gr
     
     




    t

    Pumpkin Apple Spice Smoothie Bowl ~ Raw Food Recipe





    Every year I dread the end of summer, but then fall comes and I think, "No, this is my favorite time of year!" Fall is apples, and pumpkins, and pea soup, and cider mills, and wineries, and music, and being cozy. 



      


    This smoothie bowl doesn't contain any actual pumpkin, but will convince you otherwise!Instead, I've used carrots, which are always available. It will get your day started in a delicious way and give you plenty of energy to enjoy whatever these glorious fall days bring your way!






    ingredients
    • 1 cup carrots, cut into chunks
    • 1 banana, sliced and frozen
    • 1 cup almond milk 
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
    • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
    • pinch nutmeg
    • 1/2 cup chopped dates
    • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or other nuts
    • 1 cup chopped apples

    directions
    1. In a high powered blender, puree the carrots, banana, and almond milk until very smooth.
    2. Add in the cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg and pulse a few times to blend well.
    3. Pour into a bowl and add the chopped dates, pecans, and apples. A sprinkle of coconut flakes goes well, too!







    nutritional information:       calories: 345       fat: 7 gr       carb: 51       pro: 6




    t

    UnStirFry ~ Raw Food Entree Recipe

     

    This makes a super hearty and filling main dish. Asparagus is in season in spring and will be plentiful and fresh in most areas very soon :)

     
    UnStir Fry
    serves 2 - $2.38 per serving
     

    6 spears asparagus, chopped ($1.00)
    4 oz mushrooms ($1.15)
    2 carrots, thinly sliced ($.30)
    2 stalks celery, sliced ($.20)
    6 leaves kale, chopped ($.60)
    1 medium onion, chopped ($.10)

    juice of one orange ($.50)
    1 inch piece ginger, grated ($.10)
    1 clove garlic, pressed
    2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)
    2 tablespoons braggs liquid aminos  ($.40)
    2 tablespoons agave ($.20)
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
    1 tablespoon red pepper flakes

    2 medium zucchini ($1.29)

    Put the asparagus, mushrooms, carrots, celery, kale, and onion in a lidded tub. Combine the orange juice, ginger, garlic, olive oil, liquid aminos, agave, cayenne, and red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine, or use a bullet type blender. Pour half this marinade over the vegetables in the tub and place the lid on. Set aside the other half of the marinade for later. Let sit, stirring or shaking every so often, for about an hour. Then pour onto lined dehydrator tray and dehydrate for about an hour, until the vegetables are soft and warm.

    Slice the zucchini into noodles and top with the vegetables. Dress with the remaining marinade.
     
    nutritional information:      calories: 368      fat: 15 gr      carbs: 52 gr      protein: 7 gr  
     




    t

    Pineapple Green Smoothie ~ Raw Food Vegan Smoothie Recipe



    This raw and healthy pineapple party in your mouth is super simple and perfect for spring. Hawaiian pineapple season is April and May, even though they're available year round. Price and quality will be the best over the next few months so take advantage of this sweet abundance and enjoy this vegan treat for breakfast or an anytime snack.

    Oh, and to make this extra thick and frosty, cube and freeze pineapple and any subsequent pineapple juice in ice cube trays. Store frozen cubes in plastic bags for ultra easy prep.



       



    Pineapple Green Smoothie
    serves 2 ~ $1.75 per serving

    ingredients
    • 3 cups chopped romaine (or favorite green) ($1.00)
    • 1 cup cubed pineapple, frozen ($2.00)
    • 1 banana, sliced and frozen ($.20)
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional) ($.20)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla ($.10)
    • 1 cup water
    • 10 ice cubes
    • stevia to taste (optional)
    directions
    • In a high powered blender, puree the greens until liquefied and very smooth. 
    • Add the rest of the ingredients and puree until smooth.

    nutritional information:      calories: 156      fat: 0 gr      carbs: 42 gr      protein: 3 gr



    Speaking of pineapple ...

    ... this really cool little building was one of my favorite local landmarks. While on a bike ride the other day (hello warm weather!) I noticed the other day that it's gone! I'll miss it!! Maybe they got tired of me taking so many photos of it ... hmm.









    t

    Anti-Inflammatory Orange Turmeric Tea plus 10 Healthy Benefits of Turmeric



    Tumeric is famously anti-inflammatory and can be enjoyed many different ways, including juiced raw. But today, I wanted to pass on this super easy tea (psst, it's not raw!).

    I've been drinking it almost every morning for a couple months now and it's still delicious to me, which is a good thing. Turmeric has so many beneficial qualities ... let us count the ways (scroll below for the tea how-to).

    1. Anti-inflammatory.
    Turmeric, the brightly colored spice that gives curry it's intense color, contains beneficial compounds that have positive health benefits. The main compounds are the curcuminoids and the most important of these is curcumin. One of the most beneficial things curcumin can do is lessen inflammation, which is implicated in most Western diseases.

    To be fair, inflammatory responses are a good thing. We wouldn't be able to wage a defense against bacteria and viruses, or injuries, for example, without a strong inflammatory response. However, too much of a good thing can cause problems. Chronic inflammation has been implicated in many diseases that plague us today, including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and obesity. Curcumin can reduce inflammation as effectively as some anti-inflammatory medications, but without the side effects. One of the ways it does this is by inhibiting (NF)-kB.  
     
    2. Antioxidant
    Oxidation is a chemical reaction that produces free radicals. Free radicals have unpaired electrons. These lonely little fragments damage cells and wreak havoc and destruction wherever they go. Antioxidants, like curcumin, terminate the chain reactions that lead to unpaired electrons and, therefore, free radicals and the damage they cause. Seriously, it's the radicals, man.
     
    3. Heart Health
    Almost 50% of Americans will die prematurely from heart disease. Heart disease and chronic inflammation are so closely linked that inflammation is thought to be an atherogenic response (atherogenic means it causes atherosclerosis, aka, cardiovascular disease, heart disease, and is also peripheral artery disease). It's even thought possible that the slight benefit sometimes derived from statins could be due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Reducing inflammation is a vital key to reducing heart disease.Curcumin is a potent COX-2 inhibitor, that

    4. Cancer
    Curcumin is being investigated as prevention and treatment for cancers such as that of the colon and pancreas. Chronic inflammation and free radicals promote cancer. Reducing those conditions can be preventive and curcumin works well at both. 
      
    5. Arthritis
     Inflammation is an important mechanism in arthritis. Curcumin acts as a COX-2 inhibitor in the same way pharmaceutical drugs such as Celebrex do, but without the dangerous side effects. The tea below, as well as curcumin supplements can ease the pain of arthritis and rejuvenate mobility.

    7. Alzheimer's 
    India has a low incidence of Alzheimer's, possibly linked to higher intake of curcumin. Because inflammation plays such a big part in most disease, including Alzheimer's, it can be protective and preventative.

    8. Brain Function
    Alzheimer's is not the only thing that can go awry in brain function, and again, inflammation is implicated. In this case, it's known as neuroinflammation, or inflammation specifically in the brain and reducing that can help overall brain function. 
       
    9. Depression
    Depression and anxiety are often linked to brain inflammation (this is why going gluten free can help mood, as well). It seems to offer some improvement and relief to those who have depression.

    10. Gall Bladder Function 
    Curcumin causes the gall bladder to contract, which stimulates bile formation and gall bladder emptying and a freely flowing gallbladder is a happy, healthy one (unless you have a stone blocking the exit, which can cause a painful gallbladder attack).

    11. Pepper
    I can't talk about turmeric and curcumin without also mentioning black pepper. The Piperine in black pepper increases the absorption of curcumin by 2000% (that's 20x). So, add a little bit of black pepper to whatever you make with turmeric for the greatest benefit. It tastes good, too.

    *Do not use turmeric or curcumin if you are using blood thinners such as Warfarin or if you have existing gall bladder disease.




     This tea (and this salad dressing, too) are delicious ways to get a healthy dose of turmeric.


    Orange Turmeric Tea
    serves 3 ~ $.33 per serving


    ingredients
    • 1 orange, peeled and chopped ($.70)
    • 1 teaspoon powdered tumeric ($.10)
    • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds($10)
    • a few black peppercorns, or pinch of black pepper
    • stevia or sweetener, if desired ($.10)

    directions
    1. Place the orange, turmeric, and caraway seeds in a large saucepan with four cups water. 
    2. Bring to a boil over high heat and continue to boil for about five minutes. This will reduce any bitterness in the turmeric.
    3. Add the peppercorns or pinch of pepper and steep for a minute or two. 
    4. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into mugs and and the sweetener of your choice, if desired. 










      t

      Fruit Stew: Raw Food Recipe




      Fruit Stew
      serves 2 ~ $2.48 per serving


      This is surprisingly filling. You can make this entirely fat free by simply omitting the olive oil, which is something I do on occasion. 

      ingredients
      • 1 mango, cubed ($1.49)
      • 1 papaya, cubed ($.99)
      • 1 cucumber, chopped ($.69)
      • 2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)
      • 1 teaspoon salt
      • 1 medium onion, finely chopped ($.05)
      • 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped ($.89)
      • 1 jalapeno, minced ($.20)
      • 2 tablespoons lime juice ($.45)
      • black pepper
      • red pepper flakes


      directions
      1. In a food processor fitted with an "S blade, puree about a third of each of the mango, papaya, and cucumber and the olive oil and salt until very smooth. This is the stew base. 
      2. In a large bowl, add the remaining chopped mango, papaya, and cucumber, along with the onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeno. 
      3. Stir to mix. 
      4. Add the lime juice and stir again. 
      5. Serve with a bit of black pepper and a few crushed red pepper flakes.
      6. Most of the heat of a jalapeno is found in the seeds. I like this kind of spicy so I include most of the seeds from the jalapeno. If you prefer a bit more mild taste, just leave out most or all of the seeds.

       nutritional information       calories: 289      fat: 14 gr      carbs: 43 gr       protein: 3 gr






      And want to know a few fun facts about fruit, too?








      Hope you're all having a great spring! Say hello :)








      t

      Chocolate Orange Smoothie: Raw Food Smoothie Recipe




      Chocolate Orange Smoothie
      serves 1 ~ $2.20 per serving 


      You have to remind yourself this is good for you. It's so delicious it feels downright decadent. The hemp milk makes it super creamy and luscious.

      ingredients
      • 1 orange, peeled and frozen ($.50)
      • 2 bananas, peeled, sliced, and frozen ($.40)
      • 1 cup hemp milk ($1.00)
      • 3 tablespoons cacao powder ($.30) 
      • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
      • few drops stevia (optional)
      • pinch salt
      • 6 ice cubes
      • water for blending, if necessary

      directions
      1. In a high speed blender, puree all ingredients until very smooth and creamy. 
      2. Add water if needed for ease of blender or if a thinner smoothie is desired. 

      nutritional information:      calories: 339      fat: 14 gr      carbs: 43 gr       protein: 8 gr 




      t

      Raw Food Recipe Menu: June 26th, 2016

       

       
      Breakfast
      Strawberry Flax Smoothie
      serves 2 ~ $1.28 per serving
       
       
       
      Just two tablespoons of flax seeds, weighing in at 95 calories, contains over 140% of the daily value of omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can protect against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and also decrease inflammation. Because the nutrients in flax seeds are better absorbed when ground ~ and a lot more palatable! ~ I've used the ground seeds in this recipe.
      ingredients
      • 2 bananas, frozen and sliced ($.50)
      • 1 cup frozen strawberries ($1.00)
      • 4 tablespoons flax seeds, ground ($.40)
      • 1 cup almond milk ($.45) 
      • a few almonds, chopped
      directions
      • In a blender, combine all ingredients and puree until very smooth.
      • Garnish with a few chopped almonds, if desired.
      nutritional information:      calories: 308      fat: 11 gr      carb: 55      protein: 7 gr    
       
       
       
       
       
      Lunch
      Squash and Cauliflower Soup
      serves 2 ~ $1.75 per serving
      This is a light but also filling lunch or snack and cauliflower is in season right now. It's pretty low in calories and not very expensive. I've been known to eat the whole batch, is what I'm saying! I like to add some cayenne and crushed red pepper flakes, but, as is true of most things in life, heat is optional ... add as much or little as you like. 
      ingredients
      • 1 1/2 cup peeled and chopped zucchini and/or summer squash ($1.20)
      • 1 1/2 cup chopped cauliflower ($1.00)
      • 1 cup peeled and chopped apple ($1.00)
      • 1/4 cup olive oil, or any one of your favorite oils ($.20)
      • 1 tablespoon chopped onion ($.10)
      • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
      • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
      • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
      • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
      • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste

      directions
      • Place all ingredients in high powered blender and process for a minute or two until very smooth and creamy. 
      • Add a drizzle of your favorite oil and some crushed red pepper flakes.




       
      nutritional information:      calories: 390          fat: 32 gr         carbs: 54        protein: 5  
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Dinner
      Spring Noodles
      serves 2 ~ $1.98 per serving


      • 2 medium zucchini, noodled ($2.30)
      • 1 medium onion, chopped ($.05)
      • 1/2 lb baby snap peas ($.80)
      • 1 carrot, grated ($.10)
      • 2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)
      • 2 tablespoons agave ($.20)
      • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ($.20)
      • 2 cloves garlic, pressed ($.10)
      • 1/4 teaspoon salt
      • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
      • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
      noodled verb: to improvise, experiment, or think creatively; to make or devise freely as an exercise or experiment
       
      I used to think breaded and fried was the only way to eat zucchini. Now, I'm totally into raw zucchini noodles. They're so easy to make and have a wonderful but mild flavor of their own, so they work well with just about everything. 
      Make noodles out the zucchini with a spiralizer, grater, or with a vegetable peeler. Toss the noodles together with the whole snap peas, chopped onion, and grated carrot. In a small cup, whisk together the oil, agave, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss with the noodles until coated. 
      These can be served as is, or marinated for an hour or so, or gently dehydrated for a bit.

       
      nutritional information:      calories: 343      fat: 14 gr      carbs: 46 gr      protein: 10 gr
       
       
       
       
       
       Dessert
      Lemon Poppy Seed Ice Cream with Strawberry Sauce
      serves 2 ~ $1.10 per serving




      ingredients
      • 4 bananas, sliced and frozen ($.60)
      • juice and zest of one lemon ($.69)
      • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds ($.30)
      • 1 cup strawberries ($.45)
      • 1 tablespoon agave ($.10)
      • 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts ($.15)
      • pinch salt

      Banana ice cream is wonderful.  And it's amazingly simple to make with just a food processor.

      The strawberry sauce should be made first and set aside. In a bullet type blender, puree the strawberries and agave until very smooth.

      In a food processor fitted with an "S" blade, process the frozen bananas and lemon juice and zest until creamy like soft serve ice cream. It can take a bit of prodding and scraping to get the bananas going in the food processor, but it's worth it. Once creamy, add the poppy seeds and give a whir or two to incorporate.

      Serve with the strawberry sauce and walnuts. 
       
      nutritional information:       calories: 345      fat: 6 gr      carbs: 77 gr      protein: 5 gr
       
       
       
      Total cost for the day: $6.11
      total calories: 1,386
      total fat: 63 gr
      total carb: 232 gr
      total protein: 27 gr
       




      t

      Lime in the Coconut Tarts: Raw Food Dessert Recipe


      Lime in the Coconut Tarts
      8 tarts ~ $1.11 per serving




      These are just insanely good and great for summer. I really don't think there's a conventional dessert that could be any better tasting than these. I used paper cupcake cups and a cupcake pan ... the paper lined pans seemed to make just about perfect sized tarts. They certainly didn't last long in these parts, although theoretically they can be covered and frozen for up to a week.

      A note about the dehydrated bananas ... these need to be just dehydrated enough to take some of the moisture out but not hard. I dehydrated my gently for about 6 hours and that seemed to work out well.


      ingredients
      • 6 dates ($3.00)
      • 1/2 cup walnuts ($.50)
      • 1/2 cup finely shredded coconut ($1.00)
      • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
      • 2 tablespoons agave
      • pinch salt
      • 2 avocados ($1.49)
      • 3 bananas, dehydrated ($.45)
      • 4 limes, juice and zest ($2.00)
      • 4 tablespoons agave ($.40)

      directions
      1. Make the crusts first. In a food processor with the "S" blade, process the dates until mush. 
      2. Add the coconut, coconut oil, agave, and salt and process until it begins to clump. 
      3. Last, add the walnuts and process until the walnuts are fully incorporated and the mixture sticks together.
      4. Divide the crust mixture evenly into and press into the bottom and sides of eight paper lined cupcake cups. 
      5. Put in the freezer for about a half hour, until firm.
      6. For the filling, in the food processor with the "S" blade, process the avocados, bananas, lime juice and zest, and agave. It takes a minute or two, but this will become velvety smooth and the consistency of thick pudding.
      7. Spoon the filling into the tart crusts and chill well before serving.