21 DAYS!

It takes 21 days to create a new change. I've had a really hard time sticking to my goals with all the industry parties in my life lately - free champagne and gourmet meals? okaay then. but i'm DONE with that. the next 21 days are going to be completely raw, working through things that held me back including not being prepared. 21 days, let's go...

YUMMY!

Cucumber Soup!

I really and truly feel like I 'm starting "raw" all over again because of the way the last week went. So, I need very simple recipes to stick with it with my schedule.

Here is one I made tonight, that is setting in my fridge :D
(from Sunny Raw Kitchen)

cucumber peeled
½ avocado
lemon juice
coconut water
salt
olive oil

Blend until smooth; if not thick enough, add more avocado.

Taste and adjust; once it tastes really good then add a big handful of fresh dill and blend.

So I went to the Junos, ate a bunch of cooked food at their events and now I can't seem to get back on track.

This is me starting ALL over again.

By now, I think everyone knows I'm going to the Junos and taking my mom. I was involved this year in judging, which has been an incredible experience, and I'm so excited to leave on Monday morning.

My Juno dresses!

here is a recipe for raw chili! :D
the original is from Rawlife.com but I altered it.


I made some tonight. Delish.


4 cups tomatoes
handful of basil
.5 cup of corn
.5 cup of chickpeas
.5 cup sundried tomato
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup celery diced
tbl chili powder
1/2 tbl cumin
2 cups purified water
1 cup of red pepper

Place water tomatoes, spices in blender and blend until smooth add peppers, onion, celery mix and enjoy.

Yummy Pumpkin Seeds!

This is my big bro's FAV snack. As this is a raw blog, I keep the seeds raw by putting them in a dehydrator but this recipe can be used in the oven as well.

2 cups of pumpkin seeds
seasoning:
1/2 cup of olive oil
1 garlic clove
1/2tspn of sea salt
1/2 of Braggs seasoning.

blend all the seasoning, coat the pumpkin seeds with it then place in dehydrator or oven until lightly toasted. mmmmmmmm.

I made a TON of stuff for Easter that was raw...recipes coming shortly! Been out of town.

day 4 of my juice fast and i cant believe how much energy i have. hello 7am gym!

the answer to my last post is that all those carrots and apples turned into THIS:

Guess what this will be?

So today at Raw Aura, we took these ingredients (thanks to Doug's recipe) and made the craziest snack ever. Any ideas? I'll post what it looks like completed tomorrow.

:)

Juices

Today completed my second day of a juice fast. My favourite juice EVER:

-2 pears
-handful of seedless grapes
-1 grapefruit
-love


I have no idea why I'm doing a juice fast except that I've always wanted to. We'll see how long this lasts - aiming for 5 days! So far, I feel sooo energetic and happy. No temptation for food yet.

Eat yo' spinach

I've had lots and lots of feedback about my blog so far but the most exciting is when someone actually makes a recipe I created!

Ryan and his roomies sent me this pic of my spinach dip recipe they made.




That makes me so happy :)

love

The littlest things make me happy. Yesterday, one of my best friends Simone and I wandered down Queen West. She found these little $3 gems. She got us matching ones - best friend charms - and I swear I gush every time I look at it.

The simple acts of appreciation are always the best. Make someones day today.

looky! shouts to chef Doug McNish.




I also have been preparing for a juice fast - has anyone done one before?

Make A Wish Foundation Project - Meet Myles!

Corporate superstar producer C4 brought a project to myself and Legends League back in the fall. He let us know that he's working with a young man on behalf of the Make A Wish Foundation. Meet Myles, 15 with lupus, but with massive dreams. We'll be releasing his music soon ;)

Veggie Kabobs again for dinner

Today I went to a local raw food restaurant with longtime fam Scott. It was his first time trying raw food and we had raw bruschetta. It was delicious + I'm trying to figure out how it was made. Considering I spent the morning running outside, it was perfect to reward myself with.



Then I stopped by Real Frequency aka 93.5(aka recipe sharing club) to see the fam there - they always inspire me to keep at this raw food stuff.

"If you have friends like mine, raise your glasses. If you don't, raise your standards" - HustleGRL's twiter.


xo

My "music industry" life and my "healthy raw food" life intertwine all the time. Weird mix, yes? Not at all actually. Last night I was up all hours working on press campaign while trying to figure out how to make raw perogies. They didnt work out :(

But I made these instead:



raw tacos and parsnip rice. perfect at 3am.

What is a Living Foodist or Raw Foodist?
A person who eats 75% or more living/raw food.. The more, the better. Optimally one should eat as 100% raw and living foods if it feels right for them.

Is a 100% living and raw food diet best?
That depends on the person. I believe life should not be about 100% raw food, but about 100% health. You can be "unhealthy" and eat 100% raw food, if you are not eating the correct raw foods. In addition, the stress that can be caused by "screwing up" or "falling off the wagon" can be worse than eating a high percentage raw food diet, with "better" cooked alternatives. I personally eat 99.999% raw foods.

Why would someone want to eat a raw and living foods diet?
There are many reasons why people eat a raw and living foods diet.

1. Health: Persons embracing this type of diet invariably experience improvements in their general physical and mental status, including more energy, better health, more energy , weight loss, detoxification, and a sturdier immune system that better resists and recovers from just about any kind of disease... and the list goes on...
2. Energy efficiency: Since you no longer have to cook, you don't waste electricity, and save the environment.
3. Since you eat organic agriculture, you help to save the planet. Most become more in-tune with their body; many report definite spiritual improvements.
4. No animal products are used, so the animals appreciate it.

What do raw/living foodists eat?
Raw and Living Foodist eat all fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, sea vegetables, and other organic/natural foods that have not been processed. In some instances, there are special ways to prepare the foods (example: most raw and living foodists soak/sprout nuts, seeds and grains before consuming them). For some delicious recipes, see our recipe section!

How can you tell if something is a raw/living food?
Most foods that have not been processed in any way, shape or form are raw and living foods (until cooked). Processed foods (canned, bottled or prepackaged) are most often adulterated, (changed from their original state) by heating, additives, preservatives, colorings, salt, and sugar. Don't think this is all for your benefit; the benefactor is the manufacturer's profit margin, NOT YOU. Try to purchase foods that are in their natural state.

So one of my reasons for turning to raw food was because of my mom. I'd be lying if I didn't have dreams of saving her heart with a piece of lettuce and an apple- but in the process, I started healing myself as well.



Isn't she cute?

One of her favorite recipes that I make is raw spinach dip. SOOO much better than the typical dairy version, this is creamy and yummy.

Tara's Raw Spinach Dip

2 Cups of Cashews, soaked for 20 minutes in hot water
3/4 cup of olive oil
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 handfuls of fresh spinach
1 chopped red pepper
onion (optional)

Blend everything except for spinach and red pepper. Cut spinach into small pieces and add to red pepper. Add blended creamy yumminess and stir.


yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy

RAW OREOS!

Tara's Raw Oreo Cookie!
The cookie crust made with cacao (raw chocolate) and nuts, the filling made with cashews and coconut butter. AMAZING.

Very healthy, very delicious.

So, you'll learn alot about Janna following my blog. She's one of my best friends and has decided to become raw as well. We have big dreams of changing lives..on Friday, we catered my big bro's party. Look!




We made the following:

- Raw Spinach Dip
- Pumpkin Seed Toast + Date Butter
- "Baked" Pumpkin Seeds (Dehydrated in Braggs)
- Flax Crackers
- Kale Chips
- Peanut Brittle
- Creamy Veggie Kabobs

It's been almost two years since I started on my personal health journey and about six months since I decided to go raw. Although I'm only about 80% raw in my personal life, it's changed who I am as a person. From here onwards, I'll keep you up to date on my favourite recipes as well as struggles.

-TaRAW

Raw Aura featured on daytime Thursday, March 4th 2010!


(Toronto, ON) – One of Canada’s top rated best new restaurants of 2009, Raw Aura, will be featured on Roger’s daytime television show on Thursday, March 4th 2010.
The interview, with owner Jimmy Frangrolious and renowned vegan chef Doug McNish, will consist of an intimate conversation regarding their experiences with raw food and health, as well as explaining how to maintain a raw lifestyle in a fast-paced world. McNish will demo the process of making raw spaghetti.


Daytime airs at 10am and again at 4pm eastern.


About Raw Aura
Raw Aura, an organic and raw food gem in the heart of Port Credit, opened in late summer 2009 and has received various accolades for being a thoroughly healthy yet delicious addition to the community.


About daytime
daytime is Rogers TV’s most popular LIVE lifestyle magazine program showcasing people from across the city five days a week. daytime offers up a healthy portion of meal ideas from chefs around the region, features about community fundraising events, live entertainment from local musicians and interesting guests from across the city.

RAW AURA FEATURED ON daytime TELEVISION SHOW!
Thursday, March 4th 2010
10am & 4pm
For more information, please contact http://www.raw-aura.com

Channel 10