A Conscious Splurge: September 2012

Monday, September 3, 2012

New Spin on Toast

I took the traditional breakfast toast (with Almond Butter) and topped it with a fruit salad I wanted to eat up and fresh ground flax seed, not half bad!

My new favorite invention is Salad Steamers! The recipe template is at least one dark green, one fruit containing vitamin C and one vegetable containing vitamin A and a heart healthy fat (EVOO, Avocado, salad dressing, nuts- soaked overnight or pan toasted in a little oil). I was ready for a break from citrus so I picked up strawberries (another good source of vitamin C). I also had figs and carrots so that's what I used.

See below for step by step.

STEP 1 Chop fruits and veggies to be steamed.

STEP 2 Layer in Steamer with most dense veggies on bottom (take longer to cook).

Steam until JUST cooked, and still slightly crunchy (stems on kale/carrots). Maybe 5-6 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients.

This one is Fig, feta and Fish (Sole, frozen from Whole foods) variation. I love warmed fig with feta, YUM!

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.