Tuesday 20 August 2013

Learning One-ness

I am purchasing two books today online. The first I've just learned about, I read the introductory version (free e-book) earlier this week and was instantly captivated by the constellation family healing exercises and, the second, I've known about for a while but I haven’t felt ready to dive into the “Divine Matrix”. The titles may seem strange and you might wonder why I'm telling you this.

Of course I haven't read them yet but I believe they will help me understand and further my growth and expand my beliefs so I can better serve and explain concepts that just a short time ago seemed unrealistic and perhaps even dare I say, foolish?

My comprehension of self and others and the way we share space and time is about to change.



Image source: http://one-vibration.com/profiles/blogs/gregg-braden-our-heart-s-great-mystery-the-importance-of-heart You will also find some very cool Gregg Braden videos here.
 

We all have different learning styles that can be categorized and combined. The main styles being kinaesthetic (action oriented, learning by doing), visual, auditory, reader/writer and I’ve met one client describe himself as being conceptual so there may be more but these are the main categories. I tend to see myself as the reader/writer type which is probably why I love information so much. In school, math and science were not my fortes, languages, drama and literature better represented my interests. When I met with a career advisor in high school I was told to study communications and attracted to the worlds of journalism, advertising and later, television, that’s what I did.

Today, I consider myself to have excellent skills when it comes to reading, writing and understanding of the written word. Something in me though, drives me to want to understand more deeply the laws of the Universe that connect us all. So I’m increasingly interested in science, biology and elemental chemistry. Doubting my level of comprehension of these subjects, reading books at my own pace seems like the way to go, for me.

I talk about oneness with all of my clients as well as friends and some family now so these books, (along with the one I have written and titled “Why Am I Perfect?”) I perceive as tools that will assist me in assisting clients when I explain ONENESS.

Because thus far, my explanations have contained as many statements as questions!

What books have you read or documentaries watched related to these subjects?

On a sidenote... I'm curious so I'll ask the question: How do you feel about purchasing things from Amazon? There are many more books out there I'd love to read but I'll start with these two. *OH!* and so many cool things are sold on this website, like a spiralizer! With an abundance of spaghetti squash in my garden now, they are firm with a mild sweet taste, this would be a cool thing to have and take my raw food experiences in other direction.

Book summaries copied from Amazon:


Between 1993 and 2000, a series of groundbreaking experiments revealed dramatic evidence of a web of energy that connects everything in our lives and our world - 'the Divine Matrix'. From the healing of our bodies, to the success of our careers, relationships, and the peace between nations, this new evidence demonstrates that we each hold the power to speak directly to the force that links all of creation. What would it mean to discover that the power to create joy, to heal suffering, and bring peace to nations lives inside of you? How differently would you live if you knew how to use this power each day of your life? Join Gregg Braden on this extraordinary journey bridging science, spirituality and miracles through the language of 'The Divine Matrix.'


Family and other forms of Constellations constitute one of the most effective and thrilling modern therapeutic methods that will help you improve your relationships and life in general by allowing love to flow again. Not since Freud has the realm of psychology seen such groundbreaking insights as those provided by Hellinger, the founder of Constellations. Constellation work is a universal tool that will enable you to identify and resolve problems in any sphere of life including personal relationship, health and workplace issues. This easy-to-read book comprehensively explains the method and theory of constellations. To augment understanding, the text is illustrated with detailed authentic case studies from Indra's practice. The latest research and innovative applications of systemic constellations, such as organizational, structural and table constellations are also discussed, as well as relevant scientific research. Whether you are a layman or spiritual seeker interested in improving your life or a therapist interested in adding another dimension to your therapeutic skills arsenal, this indispensable book is a treasure trove of information and insights that will go a long way in helping you find true understanding about Constellations and how relationships work.

Thursday 15 August 2013

Marinated Eggplant Instead of Salad Dressing

Begin with the ingredients as you see here: one small eggplant, a couple of garlic cloves, half a tomato, ratio 1:3 raw apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil (cold pressed olive or grapeseed are best), sea salt and finally, fresh herbs like chives and rosemary if you have them.

You can certainly make a larger quantity but it should be consumed within one week. If you want to keep longer, ensure that the vegetables in the jar are submerged in liquid and omit the fresh tomato, use sundried or dehydrated instead.

Chop the tomato and garlic. Put in glass jar, add chopped eggplant. My pieces are quite large and I left the skin on but you can chop more finely and peel if that is your preference. Add other ingredients to fill the jar. Put the lid on and shake it up. Refrigerate and help yourself next day for lunch.

This recipe goes a long way! Watch...


Once you have had a serving or two, add to the jar other types of vegetables such as steamed asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli and/or portobello mushroom. Let that marinate until your next meal.


Combined with a homemade raw cracker, every bite is fabulously different!

 Later in the week, when your jar contains just a few pieces of vegetables but still some liquid, prepare a few hard boiled eggs, remove the shell and add to the jar. Along with some crackers and a salad, this makes a protein and enzyme packed meal you can carry.

How many meals was that?

Sandwich Crackers (nut free)

I call these "sandwich crackers" because they are slightly moist and tender like bread. They don't dehydrate to a crisp like my previously published recipes made with nuts and because of their shape. 

Ingredients:
  • 1 to 2 cups vegetable pulp left from juicing
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup raw vegetable juice
  • shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup milled flax with 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and sunflower (mine were roasted, so not raw) 
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp cold pressed olive, flax or grapeseed oil
  • desired seasoning (cayenne pepper, fresh herbs, dried Italian mix or curry spices)





Spoon-dropped onto the trays and flattened later, the large crackers can be created then cut in half and paired up for making "sandwiches".


Choice:
  • 2 Tbsp agave nectar OR
  • 2 Tbsp honey and 1 Tbsp tahini (sesame butter)


Dehydrate at 105F until you can snap a piece off. About 26 hours.

I really liked these with a crisp salad and marinated eggplant instead of vinaigrette. Really good too with tuna salad and soup. What kind of sandwich will you have?


Monday 12 August 2013

Caramel Glazed Peach Protein Cookies


Warm out of the dehydrator (which was at a high temp all night because I wanted these to be ready this morning -aren't 100% raw but still gluten free!) I buttered these peach protein cookies with my raw "caramel".

WOW !!!


I didn't write down the quantities as I went along creating these because in my mind I was just adapting the raw hemp protein bar recipe but the mixture turned out to be quite liquid so they became cookies instead of bars. Thus, quantities are approximate.

The really great thing about dehydrator treats are that there is some room for give and take.


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup shelled hemp seed (hemp hearts/nuts)
  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1/3 cup walnuts
  • 1/3 cup chia seeds (more or less, depending on consistency of mixture)
  • 1/4 cup milled flax seeds
  • 2 or 3 fresh peaches
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 10 pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup water (for soaking the dates)
  • cinnamon
  • nutmeg
  • sea salt

Soak the dates in water, just so they are covered, for at least 30 minutes.

Mix together in a large bowl: 1/2 cup hemp hearts, the milled flax, spices and salt.

Using a food processor, make a paste using the rest of the hemp, the almonds, walnuts and coconut oil. Add the dates and soaking water and 2 peaches. Process until smooth.

Pour the fruity nutty paste into the bowl and incorporate chia seeds. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes. If the texture is still liquid and doesn't hold well, add more chia. Chop the last peach into small pieces, mix these in delicately.

Spread the batter onto a texflex/silicone or plastic wrap for a dehydrator tray. Dehydrate for a couple of hours. Flip the batter over, directly on the tray, removing the silicone/texflex or plastic wrap. Dehydrate another hour or so - these timings are just guidelines, go with how the batter feels.

Separate or cut into pieces, form rounds and flatten slightly to shape as cookies. This recipe yields at least 10 large breakfast cookies. I dehydrated mine on high heat for about 10 hours total so they're not 100% raw. 

Dehydrating at 105F, you'll leave them for more than a day. They'll be firm on the outside but moist inside.

Glaze them while they are warm and the "caramel" will be absorbed by the cookie. Pure, healthy, peachy delisciousness! 

If you don't eat them all right away, keep refrigerated in an airtight container.

Saturday 10 August 2013

I can't believe it's not caramel

I worked up an appetite sorting my clothing this afternoon. Back at my pre-maternity weight, some clothes are due to be given away and the smaller outfits need to be hung up again. Not my favorite task but it definitely felt good to fit in some of my nicer pieces again (woo hoo size 2 jeans!)

On a side note, I really owe losing the weight to going gluten free and to following the candida diet.

Last weekend I made crackers but haven't eaten them. I was disappointed in myself, they taste bitter.

Really bitter.


I'm not sure what went wrong exactly but I know I didn't follow my herb cracker recipe as I should have - I used a huge amount of vegetable pulp which included kale from our garden which does taste somewhat bitter. I love dehydrated kale chips so I don't know what happened or if that is the reason since I haven't made chips with the kale we've grown yet. Anyways...

Enough about that, let's just say I was VERY disappointed.


I hadn't touched the crackers all week then today, looking for a quick and filling snack I had one with store-bought organic raspberry jam. It was good!

Yesterday we celebrated Lucas' birthday, he just turned three and I brought home raw cake. The store owner told me it needed to be kept cold because it held together thanks to coconut butter. It was delicious raw cake, full of flavor and with a cheesecake texture. With that on my mind when hunger crept in today, I remembered seeing a recipe online some time ago for date butter.

I took about 1/2 cup coconut oil, 10 soaked pitted dates* a pinch of both sea salt and cinnamon. Blended it all together and the result is genius. I can't believe it's not caramel!

If you try this, you will not regret it! I sat outside on the grass with my caramel-date-butter and ate about 10 large crackers.

I am so happy to have found a way to salvage them!

Have you had a raw culinary disaster you'd like to share in the comments below? Or perhaps a story of a recipe you were able to save? I'd really love to know what happened.


* About dates:
Dates contain essential nutrients, are high in (unprocessed) sugar and moderate amount of protein and lipids as well as: minerals (iron, manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, sodium potassium, phosphorus, calcium and choline; and vitamins A, C, B complex. Moreover, they contain antioxidants, vitamins and elements that play major roles in prevention of heavy metals toxicity, especially mercury.

Thursday 1 August 2013

I made raw protein bars for Hempfest in Almonte. oops, Herbfest!

 

Warning:


These taste very healthy, meaning that if you can eat sugar, consider adding more dates, some maple syrup, agave nectar, molasses or honey! A granulated sweetner would also work well.


To copy me, you will need:
  • 4 cups Hemp hearts (2 cups will be blended and the other half kept whole),
  • 2 cups Walnuts,
  • 1/3 cup Chia seeds,
  • Goji berries,
  • soaked pitted Dates (water),
  • 3/4 cups Cocoa nibs plus 1/3 cup used for the chocolate syrup,  
  • 1/3 cup Carob powder,
  • 1 cup ground Almonds (can be coarse or fine), 
  • 2 or 3 Tbsp Coconut oil, (optional)
  • 1tsp Cinnamon, and
  • a pinch or two of Sea salt.
Keep in mind that I was preparing these for an event (Herbfest) so you may want to cut quantities in half. As listed, this recipe yields 24 large or 48 small bars.

There are a few steps to this whole foods recipe but it is not at all complicated.


First, you'll want to put the pitted dates in about one cup of water. Obviously, filtered / chlorine free! for at least a couple of hours before using them.

Process together or separately 2 cups of walnuts and 2 cups of hemp with the coconut oil.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the whole hemp seeds (2 cups), ground almonds, 3/4 cocoa nibs, cinnamon and sea salt. Add the blended walnuts, hemp and oil. Mix throroughly.

In a jar or measuring cup, place the chia seeds and goji berries. Once the dates have softened, add some of the date water and stir. Allow the seeds to absorb the liquid but you won't want them to be drenched. Chia seeds are fabulous because they will absorb excess moisture, if any, in the recipe.

While the seeds and berries soak, you can make the chocolate syrup. I attempted this with my food processor, it was a bad idea. My baby bullet blender works better with liquids than the food processor. So, blend together the dates and remaining soaking water (adding more water if you feel this is required as you go along), 1/3 cup cocoa nibs and 1/3 cup carob powder.

Mix the chocolate syrup into the nutty mixture in the bowl, add the swollen chia and goji berries. Mix again.

Shape the dough into a ball, ensuring all is mixed well and separate the ball into 4 equal parts. Transfer one part onto a cutting board or smooth surface and divide again into 4 or 5 parts. Form bars with each one and repeat the process until all of the dough is used. Yes, this is the tedious part. Put on some music or a meditation to listen to while you work. Here's a good one wink, wink: Incredible Breakthrough Show, Forensic Healer Nathalie Beaupré

Line the bars up to compare shape and sizes as you go along to keep them uniform and for smaller bars, once they are aligned and stacked, cut the pile in half so the small bars are also of the same size.

Dehydrate for 2 hours at 105F and for 6 to 8 hours (overnight perhaps) at 95F. This is recommended if you will wrap them individually and want the bars to keep their shape.
The bars are good without the dehydration, they'll just be softer.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.



Healthful, high quality ingredients make healthful, high quality recipes!

I will make these again soon but they will be a bit sweeter. I'll add honey. Instead of goji berries I'll be using dried blueberries as I have some on hand and because walnuts tend to be somewhat bitter when concentrated, I will try substituting with pecans and more almonds. I usually work with walnuts first when inventing a recipe because they easily become buttery. You could also add shredded coconut, sprouted buckweet, other seeds and dried fruit such as cranberries. Prunes could also be an alternative to dates, that would be interesting for sure.

Use the comment section below the recipe to let me know what your combos are! 


hemp - processed to be like butter, literally, it turned into a ball.

Almost forgot to take a picture of the chocolate syrup! I had started to pour into the dry mixture.

Stacking the bars helped to make sure they were of the same length and width

I decided to cut the bars in half so more people can try them. Suddenly, there were 48 pieces!

Dehydrating gave the bars a harder coating but they remained soft inside. It also prevents them from sticking to the plastic wrap and allows them to keep their shape during travel.

Individually wrapped and ready to go

Presentation at Herbfest