How should I start?

[healthy grandma]

I just ordered Alissa's book, but I don't want to wait until I recieve it and then read through it. I would love to start with a simple smoothie for breakfast. I already eat salads for lunch, and with my dinner. Breakfast is the hardest time of day for me as I'm sure for most.

If you have any suggestions, they will be most appreciated. Since I do not have a Health food store nearby, I will have to do most of my vegetable and fruit buying at the local chain grovery store.

Can't wait to start!

Nancy

[tvillemom]

Sounds like you're already off to a good start! Congratulations on a healthy lifestyle change! I might try some of the easy pate...the mock salmon recipe is on Alissa's main website (and others may be posted here, check the banana at the top to do a search for "pate") I always 1/2 my recipes the first time if I can, to see if I like them, that way I don't waste my ingredients. Do you own a dehydrator, food processor, etc? Maybe if you list what kitchen gadgets you own, we could help you with some more recipes until your book comes! Meanwhile, keep it simple, and enjoy WHOLE fruits and veggies as much as possible.
Wendi

[RowanC]

I eat an entire blender full of green smoothie for breakfast each morning.

I put in the following:

1 to 2 bananas
1/2 inch slice of pineapple
1 orange, peeled
some frozen blueberries or strawberries
1/2 cup to 1 cup of water
3 pitted, soaked dates
fill the rest of the blender with kale

(if you can get them, I also put in 1/2 of a young thai coconut's juice)

blend it and YUM. By the time I finish it I'm stuffed! Keeps me satisfied all morning.

By the way, if you buy a pineapple once a week, you can keep it fresh all week long in the fridge. Just twist off the green leaf part - it'll all come off in your hand if you grab it firmly and twist. Then slice off the bottom. Then just slice off 1/2 inch and trim that particular piece for your smoothie. Put the rest cut-side down in a glass cereal bowl and put it in the fridge. One lasts me all week long.

Buy bananas when they're on sale. PEEL THEM, break in half, and put them into freezer bags and you'll have them for your smoothies all the time. Don't keep them more than 2 to 3 weeks without using them.

[Conscious Midwife]

Tommorows smoothie at my house

Whole papaya
Cabbage
2 Bananas
Ice Cubes
Tangerines
wheat germ...for a nutty taste

[RowanC]

Nancy, do you have flax seeds and a dehydrator?
You can put a acup of flax seeds in your food processor and break them up dry, then add that to another cup of whole seeds in a bowl.

Then blend up a banana in 2 cups of cold water and pour that over the flax seed and stir it. Let it sit all night.

Next morning, split this into 4 pieces (it'll be all glommed together) and spread it with wet hands on your dehydrator sheets (teflex) Do them about 1/4 inch thick. Score it with a pizza cutter. Then dry it.

In the morning, when you want something other than a smoothie, spread nut butter on a cracker. Then drizzle it with honey or smashed berries. Then slice on a banana and YUMMERS! It's the best! And the good thing about raw is you can eat TWO if you're still hungry!

[RowanC]

I've never done cabbage in a smoothie. How does it do? Do you get gas? I'll have to try this. :)

[healthy grandma]

Oh boy, I can't wait. I'll be running to the store tonight...I will start tomorrow. I have all the tools..... blender, old food processor, and a dehydrater. I have dabbled with raw food, but was never serious because I couldn't find the recipes to keep me longer than a snack here or there.

Since I really don't like fruit that much.....tastes too sweet. I have cut my sugar intake to almost nothing, I will cut the fruit amount to half and see how it goes......

Thanks again....

[tvillemom]

RowanC...your recipe sounds yummy. Questions: do you grind the "other seed" also....do you pour the banana mixture over BOTH seeds....and do you leave it out at room temperature over night? Sounds like banana "bread" only cracker style! Thanks for the help.
Wendi

[tvillemom]

Oh yeah...Healthy grandma.....check the banana for a recipe for "onion bread"...I just made it last night and it smells so good. I made it alittle thicker than a cracker, more like a wrap...I'm gonna have that today with Alissa's carrot pecan burger, and sprouted lentils....YUMMY! When you get Alissa's book...you gotta try the carrot pecan burger, it's fantastic! You'll never miss a burger again! Great to have you here!
Wendi