New Quick Salad Recipes!

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally with Hibiscus Tea

Here is a link to some of the health benefits of Hibiscus Flower Tea.

http://www.nilevalleyherbs.com/health.html

QOTW?? What is your favorite Green Smoothie Recipe?

If there is one thing that I find that keeps me balanced daily it would have to be the Green Smoothies. I have tried many different combinations over the years. I have tried such combos as spinach, banana, rasberries. And I love Kale, Pineapple. But my new all time favorite is the one I saw on this video by Jinjee Talefero from the Garden Diet. I tried it a few weeks ago and have been hooked every since.
I'll post the vid below.

So my QOTW is What is your favorite Green Smoothie Recipe?

Chickpea Salad(Eggless Salad)

Chickpea Salad(Eggless Salad)

Ingredients:
1 can Chickpeas(drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup Sweet Pickle Relish
3 TSP Veganaise Mayo
1 TSP yellow mustard
1 tsp tumeric
pinch of Paprika

Directions:
Pulse all ingridents in a food processor with exeption paprika till there are minimal chunks left. Then pour in serving bowl and garnish with the paprika.

Serving Suggestions:

You can eat it on a slice of Ezekiel Bread with some thick cut tomato and lettuce. You can also try it with your favorite crackers or cut raw veggies like a dip.

It keeps in the fridge for about 4- 5 days.

Laxative Effects of Okra!

Okay so I love all vegetables right. And since exploring a raw food diet I have been trying certain vegetables that I wouldn't normally consider raw. Being a Southern Girl at my roots I was curious what Okra would taste like raw. Well I must tell you it taste better raw than it did when I used to eat it cooked. But one thing I did not expect when eating it was that within 30 minutes or so I would feel a rush of pressure to go eliminate. LOL! I know TMI but this is about transparency. It took me a minute to figure out why I felt the way I did. I mean its not like I had some Senna Leaf Tea or Smooth Move. But I remember a while back I was reading on of Queen Afua's books and she mentioned that Okra can be taken as a natural laxative. I didn't believe it at first but now I know it to be true. The best part about it is that its not some strong herb. Its just a plain raw vegetable. Nature has a way of getting things done doesn't it.

Since I am a nursing mother I am always cautious not to take in things that would cause a quick cleanse. That is why I don't take any herbal laxatives or go on any extended fast. With the Okra I didn't notice any changes in my babies bowel movement schedule at all. So it was very safe. But do remember like with anything it affects every body differently.

I prepared it by just chopping off the ends like a carrot and slicing into circles. Then I sprinkled some kelp on and a splash of low sodium Tamari sauce and it was good to go. Plain taste fine also.

QOTW?? What is your favorie Bean or Legume??

One of my favorite beans or legumes is the most versatile there is and that is the Chickpea or in some countries the Garbanzo Bean. It is an all time favorite for our family. I mean eat it raw or cooked. Its great. Rather it is in hummus or made Paneer style with some Indian Spices and Spinach its all great for me. I mean it is definitely high up on the list for staple foods in this house. Its been a long time favorite. This week I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes using chickpeas starting with my Quick and Easy 5 minute Hummus. So the Question for this week is What is your favorite Bean or Legume?







Quick and Easy 5 Minute Hummus

Ingredients:

1 16oz Can Chickpeas(drained) or 1 1/2 cup soaked and sprouted(raw)
3 TSP Tahini(ground sesame seeds)
1 lemon(juiced)
1 clove garlic(minced)
1 TSP Salt
3 TSP Olive Oil
1 tsp Paprika(garnish)
1 Sprig of Fresh Parsley(garnish)

Directions:

Blend all ingredients in a food processor except for paprika and parsley and until smooth. Add pure water for desired smoothness. Serve in bowl garnished with paprika and parsley. You can also drizzle extra olive oil.

Variations:

Add:
Roasted Red Peppers
Sun dried Tomatoes
Roasted Eggplant
etc...

Changes!

I know its been a while since I posted on this blog. The short version of why is simply I haven't been living my best life when it comes to my health and eating habits. I feel so far from the mark it wasn't funny. And I began to feel like who am I to give anyone advice on how to stay healthy and eat well if I couldn't do it myself. Some of the problem came from financial retraints and the rest was pure defeat. You can get caught up in feeling defeated by the goals you set for yourself sometimes that you can actually cause yourself to fail just from the way you are thinking.

Well I am back and I have changed my mindset. I do have something to offer the world. Based on my own trying experiences I think it truly qualifies me to help others on there personal health journey suceed for the long haul simply because I know what not to do.

Changes

So some of things you can expect from this blog from now on are more tips on transitions into healthy raw organic living. Rather than jumping in head 1st into a 100% raw vegan lifestyle just for the sake of telling everyone I am 100% raw is simply unacceptable. From here on out smooth and easy longterm lifestyle changes is the goal.

I will also try to make updates on this blog at least once a week to check in with recipes, tips, advice, insight into my own personal health journey, and so on.

I also have an ebook coming soon here on Raw S.O.L that I will release for free with all my answers to FAQ in the past 3 years. So keep a look out for that.

QOTW- Question of the Week is something else new I want to try out here at Raw S.O.L you can even do a video response. People love vids.