Raw Taco Meat with nachos and cheese

Raw Taco Meat

·       1/2 cup sunflower seeds & 1/2 cup of pine nuts

·       10 sundried tomatoes, soaked for at least one hour, preferably a few hours.

·       1-2 tablespoons olive oil

·       Chili powder (start with 1/4 tablespoon, then add more to taste)

·       Cayenne powder (start with 1/8 teaspoon or less!)  (I used regular pepper, I didn't have Cayenne)

·       1/2-1 tsp sea salt

Directions

1. Soak your sundried tomatoes for at least one hour. Drain and pat dry before using.

2. Simply add all ingredients to the food processor and blend until it become the consistency of the photo above.

I serve this with homemade guacamole and  cheese and nacho chips. 

Here is the link to the original recipe: http://www.therawtarian.com/raw-taco-meat-recipe  I tweaked it a bit to what I had on hand.

The Mojito Smoothie

This sounds Delicious so I thought I would share.....I don't have all the ingredients so I have not tried it yet, but on the next shopping trip I will be getting what I need :-) 

http://www.rawfoodrecipes.com/recipes/the-mojito-smoothie.html

Day 7

Day 7 (6-24-12)

Breakfast

I know it is bad, but I didn’t really eat breakfast today……I just wasn’t hungry.

Lunch

Left over Mamwich with a potato roll, green beans, and some Mojito crystal light.

Dinner

Empty Fridge Smoothie
*Kale, 1 cup, chopped
*Cilantro (leaves, fresh), 1 cup
*Beets, fresh, 1 beet peeled and cut into 4 pieces
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*Banana, fresh, 2 medium
*Cherry Juice Concentrate, 4 tsp
*Apples, fresh, 1 small cut in small pieces
*Figs, fresh, 3 small
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving

Mix all in blender till smooth Add water as needed about 3-4 cups and ice if you want it cold.
Makes  3 servings

Weight/Measurements

Final Goal Weight: 160 lbs

Current Weight: 238.6 lbs

(Measured in inches)

Natural Waist: 43

Belly Button Waist: 49

Thighs: 25.5

Hips: 45

Upper arm: 13

(On a 1-5 scale; 5 being highest, 1 being lowest)

Sleep Quality average for the week: 3

Stress level average for the week: 5

Energy level average for the week: 4

Self-Esteem level average for the week: 5

Thoughts

Looking back at it, I wish I would have measured myself and weighed myself on day 1 of this.  I normally weight and measure myself once weekly.  I can see the results in myself in inches lost, weight lost, energy levels, and in my self- confidence.  I just wish I could see my progress in numbers, I know it is just because I last measured myself about a month ago and I had gained weigh/inches since then before I started my raw diet.

I tried to make Raw Ravioli with Sun Dried Tomato Sage Sauce....YUCK! Maybe I tried a little too much raw too soon, I don’t know but that recipe was not worth all the effort.  I sliced my finger trying to cut the turnips for it, blood gushing every.  I don’t understand why the smallest looking cuts bring on the most blood.  Even with the injury I told myself I am not going to quit, the recipe took me about 4 hours to make and I was disappointed with it L LOL.  I have had worse though.  I made pesto stuffed mushrooms to go with it now, those I liked J

I really need to get the proper equipment to go raw, but I will manage till I get some money in a few months.  I think I am just going to stick to smoothies and salads till then.  I don’t have a food processor, a vitamix blender, or a dehydrator……not that you NEED those to do raw I just think they would help a lot.  So, if you are thinking about going raw take it from me, you don’t need the items above but it will help you make meals quicker.  I just have a regular blender and a bullet size mixer, but I get along for now.

Day 1-6

OK I will not have LONG posts like this regularly.....normally I will post daily or every other day but since this is my first week blogging and doing Raw I wanted to make sure that I blogged about every day of my experience, here is day 1-6 later this evening I will post about today (day 7). 

Day 1 (6-18-12)

Breakfast

Chocolaty green smoothie

*Banana, fresh, 1 large
*Blueberries, fresh, 1 cup
*Strawberries, fresh, 2 cup, sliced in half
*Orange Juice, 1 cup
*Spinach, fresh, 1 cup
*Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 cup, cut up
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving
*Celery, raw, 2 stalk, medium
*Avocados, (Haas), 1 fruit without skin and seeds

Mix all in blender with as much water as needed, I used about 1 - 1.5 cups:

Makes Servings: 2

Lunch

Fruit and nut Salad

*Spinach, fresh, 3 cup chopped
*Romaine Lettuce, 3 cups, chopped
*Oranges, 1 large cubed
*Apples, fresh, 2 small cubed
*Celery, raw, 2 stalk, medium (7-1/2" - 8" long)
*Radishes, 2 medium peeled and sliced
*Cucumber, 1 medium peeled and sliced
*Mung Beans, 2 cup
*Almonds, 1 cup whole

Put in bowl and enjoy with favorite dressing.  My favorite is Kraft Poppy seed dressing with this, although I don't think this is Raw approved, but like I said in my 1^st post I am not doing 100% raw. 

Makes 3-4 servings.

Dinner

Raw Pad Thai Salad

*Zucchini, 3 cup, sliced thinly with peeler

*Alfalfa sprouts, 2 cup

*Yellow Peppers (bell peppers), 1 pepper,

*Onions, raw, 1/4 cup, chopped

*Mung Beans, 1 cup

*Cucumber (peeled), 1 medium sliced thin with peeler

*Olive Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Seeds, 3 tbsp

*Almonds, 3/4 cup, slivered

*Lime Juice, 1/4 cup

Mix all in large container.

Makes about 4 servings

Day 2 (6-19-12)

Breakfast

Chocolaty green smoothie

*Banana, fresh, 1 large
*Blueberries, fresh, 1 cup
*Strawberries, fresh, 2 cup, sliced in half
*Orange Juice, 1 cup
*Spinach, fresh, 1 cup
*Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 cup, cut up
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving
*Celery, raw, 2 stalk, medium
*Avocados, (Haas), 1 fruit without skin and seeds

Mix all in blender with as much water as needed, I used about 1 - 1.5 cups:

Makes Servings: 2

Lunch

McDonald's Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Newton's Caesar Dressing

Dinner

Raw Pad Thai Salad

*Zucchini, 3 cup, sliced thinly with peeler

*Alfalfa sprouts, 2 cup

*Yellow Peppers (bell peppers), 1 pepper,

*Onions, raw, 1/4 cup, chopped

*Mung Beans, 1 cup

*Cucumber (peeled), 1 medium sliced thin with peeler

*Olive Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Seeds, 3 tbsp

*Almonds, 3/4 cup, slivered

*Lime Juice, 1/4 cup

Mix all in large container.

Makes about 4 servings.

Day 3 (6-20-12)

Breakfast

My Mid-Week Raw Smoothie
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*Banana, fresh, 1 large
*Blueberries, fresh, 1 cup
*Celery, raw, 2 stalk, cut up into 4 pieces
*avocado one whole, pitted and scooped out
*Strawberries, fresh, 2 cup, halved
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving
*Romaine Lettuce, 1/2 cup
*Spinach, fresh, 1 cup

Put all into blender, add water to taste (I add about 1.5 -2 cups and blend till smooth.
Makes 2 servings

Lunch

Fruit and nut Salad

*Spinach, fresh, 3 cup chopped
*Romaine Lettuce, 3 cups, chopped
*Oranges, 1 large cubed
*Apples, fresh, 2 small cubed
*Celery, raw, 2 stalk, medium (7-1/2" - 8" long)
*Radishes, 2 medium peeled and sliced
*Cucumber, 1 medium peeled and sliced
*Mung Beans, 2 cup
*Almonds, 1 cup whole

Put in bowl and enjoy with favorite dressing.  My favorite is Kraft Poppy seed dressing with this, although I don't think this is Raw approved. 

Makes 3-4 servings.

Dinner

Today’s Chicken Salad

*Laura Lynn canned chicken breast, 10 oz
*Hellman's Real Mayonnaise, 1/4 cup
*Sour Cream, reduced fat, 1/2 cup
*Grapes, 1 cup, seedless halved
*Apples, fresh, 1 small chopped
Seasonings (to taste)
*Sea Salt
*Black pepper
*Tarragon
*Fresh dill weed
*Fresh basil
*Fresh Cilantro

Mix mayo and sour cream with seasonings (go lite at first) mix in chicken, grapes, and apples then add more seasoning to taste if needed.
My hubby and I love this salad on croissants (the big fluffy type you buy at the store) and lettuce or spinach leaves
Makes 4 servings

Day 4 (6-21-12)

Breakfast

My Mid-Week Raw Smoothie
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*Banana, fresh, 1 large
*Blueberries, fresh, 1 cup
*Celery, raw, 2 stalk, cut up into 4 pieces
*avocado one whole, pitted and scooped out
*Strawberries, fresh, 2 cup, halved
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving
*Romaine Lettuce, 1/2 cup
*Spinach, fresh, 1 cup

Put all into blender, add water to taste (I add about 1.5 -2 cups and blend till smooth.
Makes 2 servings

Lunch

Raw Pad Thai Salad

*Zucchini, 3 cup, sliced thinly with peeler

*Alfalfa sprouts, 2 cup

*Yellow Peppers (bell peppers), 1 pepper,

*Onions, raw, 1/4 cup, chopped

*Mung Beans, 1 cup

*Cucumber (peeled), 1 medium sliced thin with peeler

*Olive Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Seeds, 3 tbsp

*Almonds, 3/4 cup, slivered

*Lime Juice, 1/4 cup

Mix all in large container.

Makes about 4 servings.

Dinner

Dinner didn’t turn out as planned Smoothie

*Banana, fresh, 2 medium
*Papayas, 2 cup, cubes
*Baby Spinach, 6 oz
*Cherry Juice Concentrate, 4 tsp
*Filtered water about 3-4 cups depending how smooth
you want it.

Put all in blend and mix till smooth
Makes 2 servings

Snack

Nature Valley Protein Bar Peanut butter & Dark Chocolate

Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea with fat free cream and splenda (using this till I run out, then buying agave nectar)

Day 5 (6-22-12)

Breakfast

Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea with fat free cream and splenda (using this till I run out, then buying agave nectar)

Raw oatmeal with dates and almonds

*raw oatmeal (about 2 cups dry)
*dates about 6 whole, diced
*almonds 2 handfuls (about 2 oz)

Throw all into a small container with lid and fill with water. Let sit for about 30 minuets + then drain any leftover liquid and sweeten with agave nectar or honey to taste.
Makes 4 servings each at 1/2cup

Lunch

Gezzo’s Grilled Shrimp Taco Salad in taco bowl
*Taco Salad Shell, 1 serving
*Shrimp, cooked, 6 oz
*Spinach, fresh, 1 cup
*Iceberg Lettuce (salad), 1 cup, shredded
*Black Olives, 4 small sliced
*Guacamole - Wholly Guacamole 3 Tbsp
*Sour Cream, 2 tbsp
*Mozzarella Cheese, whole milk, .25 cup, shredded
*Mushrooms, cooked, 4 tbsp
*Pico de Gallo, 1 serving

This is actually from the restaurant but since I loved it so much I wrote down what all was in it so if I get that craving again and I have been good with eating raw the rest of the day then this will be my non-raw splurge for  the day J …….However, if made at home I will use low fat/fat free products.

Makes 1 serving

Dinner

Raw Pad Thai Salad

*Zucchini, 3 cup, sliced thinly with peeler

*Alfalfa sprouts, 2 cup

*Yellow Peppers (bell peppers), 1 pepper,

*Onions, raw, 1/4 cup, chopped

*Mung Beans, 1 cup

*Cucumber (peeled), 1 medium sliced thin with peeler

*Olive Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Oil, 2 tbsp

*Sesame Seeds, 3 tbsp

*Almonds, 3/4 cup, slivered

*Lime Juice, 1/4 cup

Mix all in large container.

Makes about 4 servings.

Snack

Breakfast fruit & Veggie Smoothie  (My fave smoothie yet)
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*Spinach, fresh, 0.5 cup
*Strawberries, fresh, 1 cup, halves
*Kale 1 cup, chopped
*Blueberries, fresh, 1/4 cup
*Cherry Juice Concentrate, 4 tsp
*Banana, fresh, 2 large
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving

Mix all in blender with water till smooth. Use as much water as needed.
Makes 2 servings

Day 6 (6-23-12)

Breakfast

Breakfast fruit & Veggie Smoothie  (My fave smoothie yet)
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*Spinach, fresh, 0.5 cup
*Strawberries, fresh, 1 cup, halves
*Kale 1 cup, chopped
*Blueberries, fresh, 1/4 cup
*Cherry Juice Concentrate, 4 tsp
*Banana, fresh, 2 large
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving

Mix all in blender with water till smooth. Use as much water as needed.
Makes 2 servings

Lunch

Empty Fridge Smoothie
*Kale, 1 cup, chopped
*Cilantro (leaves, fresh), 1 cup
*Beets, fresh, 1 beet peeled and cut into 4 pieces
*Papayas, 1 cup, cubes
*Banana, fresh, 2 medium
*Cherry Juice Concentrate, 4 tsp
*Apples, fresh, 1 small cut in small pieces
*Figs, fresh, 3 small
*100% whey protein plus powder: Muscletech, 1 serving

Mix all in blender till smooth Add water as needed about 3-4 cups and ice if you want it cold.
Makes  3 servings

Snack

Coconut Water (Fresh from Young coconuts), 1.5 cup

Dinner
Sloppy Joes

*Ground Chuck 93% Lean, 1 lb
*Morning Star or Boca meatless stater crumbles, 1 bag
*Hunt's Manwich Original Sloppy Joe Sauce, 1 lg can

1) brown ground beef and then add in meatless crumbles and brown some more.
2) Add whole can of manwich and warm
3) Serve with your favorite bread, I personally love potato sandwich rolls
Makes 11 servings around 1/2 cup each

Serve with:

Velveeta light shells and cheese, 2 cup

Green Beans (Raw), 2 cup

Starting off Post

Starting off post:

I am VERY new to the raw diet, to be exact I just started it on Monday of this week.  I want you to walk through my journey of becoming a rawtarian (not sure if that is a word, but I make up words a lot LOL).  I live with my other half and he is pretty much the opposite when it comes to food so for his sake I am not going to go 100% more just 60-75% raw....oh who am I kidding it that is for both of us.  To be honest, I don't know that I will ever be able to go 100% mainly because I love dairy products (IE milk, cheese, creamer), eggs, and my coffee/tea.

 Why raw you ask?
 For me, it is all about the health benefits.  I know a lot of people do it because they don't like animal cruelty which I do agree on that point, but I personally am tired of feeling like I do.  I did some research on the raw diet before deciding to do it.  I found out that not only will you look and feel great from even just going 50/50 raw but, it can actually cure your health issues!  I have high cholesterol, pre-diabetic, and a whole slope of other health issues that run in my family brought on by an unhealthy diet.  I hate medications and my cholesterol has become so high that the doctors tried to put me on something for it but I broke out in allergic reactions to it (3 different tries).  When I read about the raw diet, I found that it is a VERY good diet for people like me........hence my journey as a rawtarian. :-)

Future post will be about my experience on this journey, recipes I try (credit where due), and recipes I have come up on my own with.  Not all recipes will be 100% raw as I may use SAD cheese or milk, but if I do I will say so and you can always substitute it to be 100% raw.
+

So far on this raw experience of mine I am pleasantly surprised by how well I am adapting so who knows maybe one day I can do it 100% of the time only time will tell.   

Anyways that is all for now,  Sunday I will do one lump for the week of what I have tried so far and what I think.....then I am going to try my best to keep you all updated daily. :-)