A Conscious Splurge: Make Basil Chiffonade

Saturday, April 23, 2011

What are raw, macrobiotic and vegan foods?

My style of cooking and preparing food is very unique. It combines traditional American cooking and incorporates raw, vegan and macrobiotic principals. What these three have in common is that they all (respectively) use whole unprocessed ingredients to create beautiful meals and basically guilt free and seriously delicious desserts.
One day I'll have my own restaurant and our slogan will be "Come for the dessert, stay for dinner!"

Raw foods are minimally processed foods where the internal temperature of the food does not go above 115 degrees (to preserve the nutrition of the food as it is presented in it's raw form). There are different types of "raw food-ists"; raw-vegan (no dairy or animal products), raw vegetarians (just like it sounds. This diet relies heavily on a wide variety of veggies, fruits, seeds and nuts. Raw foods are best for my body in the spring and summer time. They provide amazing amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber and even protein!
Macrobiotic foods "emphasize locally grown whole grain cereals, pulses (legumes), vegetables, seaweed, fermented soy products and fruit, combined into meals according to the principle of balance (known as yin and yang). Whole grains and whole-grain products such as brown rice and buckwheat pasta (soba), a variety of cooked and raw vegetables, beans and bean products, mild natural seasonings, fish, nuts and seeds, mild (non-stimulating) beverages such as bancha twig tea and fruit are recommended. I cook macrobiotic-ally year round. I use this type of cooking to keep or promote balance in my body. Vegan Foods are similar to vegetarian and emphasize again grains, fruits and vegetables, pasta, etc. with out the use of any animal products (no dairy, butter, cheese, etc.) Die hard or "ethical" vegans do not use ANY type of animal products whatsoever.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Make Basil Chiffonade | eHow.com

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