my nourished vibes

my husband really knows the way to my heart...he ordered me five books from amazon for valentine's day! and he knows me really well, because they are all books on nutrition and raw food:) out of all five books, i was happiest to see this one in the bunch: Raw Spirit by: Matt Monarch  because i had been wanting to read it for more than a year now. it was very short and i was able to read it in just two days. i was really intrigued as to what this book would have to offer, because i knew it was less about the physical changes that matt went through when he became raw, and more about the spiritual changes he encountered.  i'm glad i read this book, but i think i would choose wisely who i recommended it to. i really don't think it's a book for beginners into a healthy lifestyle. he has a way of saying that he want "raw overnight and that was it."...and it's just almost unbelievable. for others, the transformation to living a vibrant life can take yea...

i admit it...sometimes the moment i wake up in the morning, i get excited about all the delicious food i'm going to eat that day. like literally, right when my eyes open and i'm still laying in bed trying to figure out where i am, what day it is, who i am... but all of those thoughts are quieted as soon as i remember what food i have planned to prepare for the day. then excitement runs over me that i can barely contain! this especially happens on days that i make mexican cauliflower. this is one of those dishes that really helps to keep me on the vibrant health path. after marinating and then dehydrating for a few hours, the cauliflower takes on a nice "wilted" texture. the spicy cheddar cheeze that drapes over this dish really keeps me in check when i'm craving something smooth, creamy, melty, cheesey and just well, cheddary. MEXICAN CAULIFLOWER my husband and i got really into spicy foods this past year after our indian neighbor introduced us to their a...

sometimes i amaze myself. this is one of those times. CHOCOLATE CHIP CANNOLIS this recipe has quite a few steps along with some soaking and dehydrating times. so make note that before you breathe this beauty to life, you'll have to daydream about it for a day or two. CHOCOLATE CHIP CANNOLIS cannoli shell: 1/2 c flax seed 1/2 c water 1/4 c cocoa powder 1/4 c honey 2 tbs coconut oil 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract dash sea salt *stir together the flax seeds and the water. let them sit for four hours until it becomes gel like. *in a separate bowl, mix together all the other ingredients. stir them thoroughly into the gelled flax mixture. *spread the mixture onto a dehydrator sheet and dehydrate on 110 degrees for 12 hours. *when you remove it from the dehydrator sheet, it should be pliable like a fruit roll up. cut it into 4x4 inch squares. cream cheese filling: part 1 1 c dates, soaked 2 tbs honey 2 tbs coconut oil 1 t...

growing up in a greek family we were always traveling somewhere to see family...and on our way we always stopped to see more family. i think i was in about second grade on this particular vacation in new york when we went to an upscale restaurant with my cousins for dinner. never being shy about ordering dessert, i decided to give this strange sounding thing, "chocolate mousse" a try. it came to me in a martini glass with dark chocolate shavings on the top. and thus, my love affair with sweet creamy desserts began. accustomed to eating desserts like my grandma's homemade pies or harvey wallbanger cakes (look it up kids!), i had never had anything like this before! the decadence! the smoothness! the chocolateyness! over the years, this bond with sweet creamy desserts would grow even deeper as i watched my dad and his greek mustache devour endless lines of gallatoboureko (a sweet creamy greek pastry) and any other sweet creams he could get his hands on. so imagine my deligh...

one of the easiest ways to stay on track while eating high raw, is to make vegetables the star of the show. the standard american diet usually puts a larger than life cut of meat center stage, and a few wimpy vegetables off to the side. when you can make quick simple salads like this one that are bursting with flavor, it will be easy for vegetables to win the award they deserve on your dinner plate:) SIMPLE CUCUMBER SALAD  this salad is light and crisp while bursting with intense flavor. in the middle of winter it will remind you that summer does still exist..... SIMPLE CUCUMBER SALAD 1/2 cucumber 1 small onion 2-3 tbs olive oil 2-3 tbs apple cider vinegar 2 tsp dried dill 1 tsp sea salt dash black pepper *cut the cucumber in half length wise. lay the two pieces flat side down and cut in half length wise again. now slice them 1/4 inch thick. toss cucumber in a bowl with all other ingredients and let them mix and mingle. eat right away or prepare a day in advance.....

with one week before valentine's day, time is running out to daydream about the delicious treats to celebrate with. of course there's nothing better than chocolate on valentine's day...add orange and creaminess to the equation and the results are stunning! let me introduce you to my new best friend: ORANGE CREAM CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE ok, take a breather and wipe the drool off of your keyboard a satisfying, nourishing dessert is a heavenly experience. my all time favorite dessert will always be cheesecake. but cheesecake is one of those friends that you trusted, only to find out it stabbed you in your back the first chance it got. whenever i opened my heart...or my mouth...to a friendship with cheesecake, it always invited bloated, sleepy, headache, mind fog, constipation, and mood swings to the party. these are things i would much rather live with out. from now on the party is lined with security from living raw enzymes, vitamins and minerals found...