Tag Archives: vegan

The Basic Principles of Proper Food Combining

food combining

Food combining is a huge issue affecting raw foodies, vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike. It’s just that most people don’t realize it. Before I even went completely  raw, beginning to properly combine my food was the first baby step which GREATLY enhanced my health. Prior to learning about food combinations and how the body breaks down different substances I believed like everyone else that anything and everything can go together. If you can imagine it and mix it together you can eat it. This belief for most, not all, leads to one thing, and one thing only…GAS.

Yep, I said it. Flatulence, burping, fatigue after eating, upset stomach, bloating etc. all of these things are signs of gas trying to escape and our system being backed up with food or overloaded with foods that are improperly combined and create an acidic internal environment. If disease can only exist in an acidic environment, then of course, proper food combining, which allows food groups to digest properly would assist in maintaining the opposite,  a healthy alkaline body.

Below is a list of some of the basics of food combining. I personally, do not fret too much about food combining when it comes to combining within fruit groups, but I do fret over the larger broader rules involving NOT mixing dense carbs and protein. As far as fruits, I do take care however not to mix citrus with other fruits much. Some people really do have stomach’s of steel and may think they do not need to follow these rules, but its most likely that they are not in tune with their bodies and therefore cannot feel the effects. Or…they just pass gas a lot and think it’s normal! We are all unique so listen to your body and do what works for you. -XoXo Raw Girl

1. Drink Liquids Alone. I know, I know, it make no sense at all right? Since we were children all of us were taught that eating and drinking were okay, but actually, not completely the case. Obviously if you are choking, please take a large gulp of water and spare your life at the expense of proper food combining. In normal eating situations, it’s actually best to wait 15 minutes after you drink something to begin eating or to drink liquids after the food you were eating is finished digesting! Why? Well imagine your tummy churning away at food, and working hard to break everything down into the smallest particles and here comes an ocean wave of water which dilutes the hydrochloric acid and flushes some of the food that hasn’t completely been broken down yet out of the stomach. Get the picture?

2. DO NOT COMBINE DENSE PROTEINS (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, avocado, dried beans, nuts, seeds) WITH DENSE CARBOHYDRATES (bread cereal, corn, crackers, grains, potatoes, pasta, yams) This one I had to put in all caps because it’s the most common food combining blunder. So many of our traditionally accepted S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) meals break this rule in a major way ie: hamburgers with french fries, or any sort of meat bread combination, rice & beans etc.

3. Fruits ALONE. This rule, when I follow it properly, definitely works wonders for remaining gas-free. You’ve got to wait enough time after eating fruit to eat something else, and it really is best not to combine food with other meals. At restaurants they love to break this rule and make you thing you’re getting an “exotic” salad with greens mixed in with fruit. Many seem enticing, but remember that these different food groups need different enzymes for the body to digest. So although upfront your kale-mango salad may be a party of flavor in your mouth, you’ll be having a  pity party later when your stomach is churning.

4. Avoid Combining Acid Fruits (Citrus, pineapple, pomegranates, strawberries) with Sweet Fruits (Bananas, Dates, Figs, Prunes, Raisins) This is a rule I break from time to time,  usually  with bananas. I love pineapple and banana together and sometimes have mixed in strawberries and banana in a smoothie and didn’t feel any weird side effects. I was glad because I love those fruit combinations enough that I would break the rule if I had a craving. Hey–a girl’s gotta have her smoothies!

5. Melons and Watermelon Alone. Both Melon and Watermelon contain more water content than other fruits and do not take long to digest and so should be eaten alone. I have broken this rule as well though, because I have made smoothies with melon. Like I said, these are just guidelines, feel it out and do what works for you!

How to Make a Sweet Popeye Smoothie

popeye

Hey there veggie lovers, got another quick and easy  smoothie for you. This is a variation of the “Popeye” which is named that way cause Popeye got all his strength from spinach, if you remember….Although I think it was canned spinach or something, right? So this may be a better, organic version, with a little extra tanginess to boot.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgvilWBQrog]

Ingredients:

Water and meat from 1 Thai Coconut, 2 handfuls of spinach, 1/2-1 cup diced organic pineapple

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!

Raw Restaurant Review: Cafe Green in DC

cafe green

So I ventured out this evening to Cafe Green, a vegan restaurant that recently opened in the Dupont Circle area. While working on a photo shoot/ad campaign this week for the 2011 Ford Fiesta, I met one of the lovely waitresses from this restaurant who told me that they offered raw options. Needless to say, I got excited! Finally, a place in DC with some raw food options. It’s been tough being away from the INCREDIBLE restaurants and raw cuisine available in New York, that is so good it leaves you begging for more. When she mentioned that the menu featured raw pizza, I started craving it. Unfortunately, all of my excitement slowly turned sour once actually in the spot. When I arrived around 5 pm it was empty except for me, but people began to trickle in. No one was at the door to greet me, but the chef said hello when I came in and told me to head up the stairs. Being very perceptive about energy and the energy of those who prepare your food, I immediately noticed the energy wasn’t all that great in the kitchen.

Regardless, I took a seat and perused the menu and settled on raw pizza and the raw berry tart. The waiter was unable to tell me what ingredients were in the crust and so had to run and ask the chef ( a big no-no for any vegan restaurant serving people who are clearly ingredient-conscious). He returned to let me know that the crust was a sesame seed/flax combination.  Before the raw berry tart arrived, I imagined a delicious, obviously tart-like concoction with a raw whipped cream topped with berries. What I got, that melted the smile off my face to a confused curious grimace was literally flatbread with berries on it. I KID YOU NOT. Now, at this point, I know that the entrée is probably not going to be happening, but I go ahead and polish off the plate of flatbread which costs eight dollars, because I’m hungry. Then came my entrée, raw pizza, with a cucumber romaine salad, and kale chips. The first thing I noticed was that the crust for the “raw pizza” was the same flatbread used for the berry tart! I confirmed this with the waiter, and tried to hide my frustration with the lifeless plate of food in front of me. The “raw pizza” ( I must put this in quotations so as not to give other raw pizzas a bad name) consisted of a lifeless marinara sauce that needed basil BAD, with dried mushrooms on top and a yellowish cashew cheese that was questionable. The cucumber salad was horrendous, and made me want to run down into the kitchen and show the chef how a real salad is done in five minutes. It was lifeless, flavorless, and drizzled with olive oil and nothing else. The kale chips had some flavor, but why they were paired with a pizza, I will never know? All in all it felt like a meal of dehydrated foods taken out of a package and spread out on the plate. It most likely was.

After consuming the lifeless meal, I found myself unsatisfied and still hungry. When another colleague arrived she ordered a  kale mango salad, which looked okay, but the thought of the bad food combining made my stomach churn. She also decided to add in a thai vegan soup with tofu, veggies, and rice, and it looked better, so I gave it a little taste test. It was pretty good and had just the right amount of spice. This led me to believe that perhaps some of the cooked vegan dishes might have been safer—but I don’t mess with cooked food much, especially when eating out. All in all for raw food options, this Raw Girl is going to have to give Cafe Green an adamant thumbs down! Besides the great company I met and chatted with, I would never set foot in there again to order a raw meal. I left dreaming about the coconut smoothie I would make when I got home, and hoping that someone, somewhere, will bring a quality live food spot to the DC area. If not, I may just have to dust off my chef’s hat and show ’em how it’s done.

Dreaming of my own raw pizza…


– XoXo Raw Girl


How to Make a Romaine Refresher Juice

green juice

Hey party people: I got a new juicer! So I am having fun creating some new juice concoctions. This Romaine Refresher  juice, I made up on the fly because there happened to be a lot of romaine lettuce in my fridge. It is as refreshing as the title leads on—and is a lovely light juice to drink, especially as the weather gets warmer. Although we never think too much about getting nutrients from the lettuce in our salads, Romaine lettuce is the most nutrient-dense of all the lettuce varieties and is an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, folic acid, manganese and chromium. Hope you get down with some romaine in your green juice soon! – XoXo Raw Girl

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9RnFOZJrjU]

Ingredients:

1 head of Romaine Lettuce, 1 whole lemon, 7-8 stalks of celery, 1/3 ginger root

How to Make a Papaya Breeze Smoothie

diet

It’s been gorgeous outside! When it starts to get warm I get in smoothie/juice mode, so I had a little fun in the sun and whipped up this papaya concotion. Has a very lovely and refreshing flavor. To make even cooler, add in some ice or freeze the berries before blending.  – XoXo Raw Girl

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLMgFFQERnk]

Ingredients:

1/4 large papaya, 1/2 mango, 1 banana, 8 strawberries, juice of 1 lemon

Cut up and put all ingredients in your blender and give it a whirl. Enjoy!

How to Make 3 Mushroom Ginger Miso Soup

fermented foods

So at some point about two weeks ago, it went from feeling like summer to being freezing again, and I had a particular penchant for soup. But not just any soup…I wanted Miso soup which has the added benefit of promoting good bacteria in your body because miso is fermented! So heres my recipe for a fabulous 3 Mushroom Miso.  When making the video I forgot the essential ingredient that makes this miso lip smacking—GINGER. Make sure to add in diced ginger root in step one when you add mushrooms to boiling water. It is so easy and quick to prepare its insane. It takes me about 5 minutes if my mushrooms are prepped. Hopefully, we won’t have many more days of yo-yo-ing weather, but if we do and your feeling a jones for something warm and light, try this recipe! – X0X0 Raw Girl

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwJaJQTdz98]

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Shiro Miso (or any kind you like: barley miso is yummy), 1 1/2 to 2 shredded carrots, 2 cups mushrooms ( i used Shitake, oyster, and baby bella mushrooms), 4-5 sheets organic Nori, 1 bunchful of Scallions chopped, 1/4-1/2 GINGER ROOT diced

VEGGIE LOVE: Asian Pear

asian pear

I recently got down with an asian pear on a film set. It was introduced to me by another actress, a good friend of mine, as we were waiting around to shoot. We found one in a street market in Queens. I loved it, hope you’ll give Kenzie’s fabulous recipe a try it looks so yummy I could eat it off the page! -XoXo Raw Girl

I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of spring and is starting to get excited about all the seasonal fruits and veggies that are just around the corner. I know I am. Today I want to talk about Asian Pear: a fruit with a bit of an identity crisis, but all is forgiven by its sweet and crisp taste.

When first biting in, you may think you are actually eating an apple. It is crunchier than a pear and many have the roundness of an apple; but Asian Pears tend to be a bit juicier than your traditional apple and have more of a pear-ish color. They have a really fresh and satisfying taste—truly delicious. There are many types of Asian Pears, but most come from Japan. Here in the U.S., ours are come from Washington, Oregon, and California. You can find them in Asian Markets almost year round, major health stores (like Whole Foods) during summer months, and if you’re in the Northwest maybe a local farmers market.

So how are they good for you? Asian pear is loaded with Vitamin C—an antioxidant that protects cells against damage, helps wounds to heal, fights infections, promotes healthy bones, teeth, gums and blood vessels, and aids in the absorption of iron. The fruit also has a good amount of Vitamin K, which can increase bone mass, promotes good blood flow, and protects against liver and prostate cancer. Asian Pear is also loaded with other vitamins and minerals in small amounts, including Vitamin E, B Vitamins, Potassium, Magnesium, and some protein.

So how about some pie?

Raw Asian Pear Pie

 Crust: 2 cups almonds, 1 cup pitted dates, 2 Tbs maple syup, 1 teaspoon salt; Filling: 3-4 chopped asian pears, 1 orange pitted and seeded, 2 Tbs maple syrup, ¼ cup water, raisins or other dried fruit, 1 Tbs cinnamon

For crust, blend the almonds to make flour. Take out 3 Tbs of flour then add dates and syrup until dough is formed. Pour the 3 Tbs of almond flour into the bottom of your pie dish; this prevents the crust from sticking. Start molding the piecrust into the pan evenly.

For the filling, add the orange, maple syrup, cinnamon and water to Vitamix and blend. Then add the Asian Pears and pulse lightly—you don’t want to blend the apples, just chopped, rough, and solidified with the filling mixture. Pour mixture into crust. Top with raisins or dried fruit. You can let the pie sit in fridge overnight for really marinated apples. But if you can’t wait that long, it’s just as good!

This is a delicious take on “traditional” apple pie. You still have the crunch of apples, but with a great pear taste—and it’s 100% raw. This pie is also great for staying with the Veggie Love theme: share the love with a group of friends and feel fabulous with every bite.

Sharing the love with a mouthful of pie….Kenzie, Signing in for Raw Girl

New Article: Natural Ways to Detox from Heavy Metals

cleansing

In our toxic world, there are so many poisons and contaminants that can hamper our health and do serious damage to our bodies in the long run. One that many forget about, although they may have fillings, is heavy metals. As I started to detox regularly, I became interested in learning more about heavy metal detox and what natural methods were available.  There are a variety of cleanses that can be purchased; but through my research I compiled a few sources that can be consumed regularly or taken over a specific period of time to rid the body of heavy metals including: chlorella, cilantro, liquid activated zeolite, and bentonite clay (which you can buy in two forms: one type to ingest, and the other for external use–I love bentonite masks!)

If you have metal fillings, or have never considered a heavy metal cleanse, check out my latest article via the link below. – X0X0 Raw Girl

Click here to read the full article: http://nutrition.suite101.com/article.cfm/natural-methods-to-detox-the-body-of-heavy-meta

Natural Beauty Highlight: Kompalya Thunderbird

aging

Although she most recently  spent most of her time behind the scenes as a radio host, this foxy raw lady in her mid-thirties, still gets holla’d at on the street corners by twenty year olds. When I first met Kompalya years ago, I assumed we were the same age and was shocked to learn otherwise. I appreciated her positive energy, and she was among the fabulous raw foodies who inspired me to change my lifestyle. The best tip I got from her was reading African Holistic Health by Dr. Llaila Afrika. She said if you really want to go raw, read this book. It worked for me. After reading  it I immediately threw out things in my cabinets and started to detox. People thought I was crazy because I started to get paranoid about processed foods, and rightly so. Who wants to know that they are also consuming bleach and paint thinner when they eat their cottage cheese?  Ew. Anyhow, thankfully, this lovely lady has allowed me to interview her and find out how she stays healthy, young, and beautiful. – XoXo Raw Girl

How long have you been raw and/or vegan & what made you transition into eating raw? Are you 100% and if not, why not? What kind of detox process did you go through since starting on this path, ie: fasting, cleanses etc?
I have been raw for five years, it was a natural transition from eating vegan foods that began to stimulate indigestion.  I found raw foods tasty and fit my life style highly during my yoga training.  At that time I was training in Kemetic Yoga and one of the principles was eating more raw plant-based foods as those in times of Antiquity.  RAW foods have a long history that date back the long before the Americas.

I slowly began to comprehend the true Divine principles of Yoga and no longer wanted to consume food that was processed mainly for profit.  Also, an understanding of how the animal kingdom is being treated lead me to forsake meat all together.  The challenging part was to stop wearing our friends, ie, leather, suede etc…

During the first five years I was 100% raw, however due to heavy work demands within the artistic field I did begin to delve in to vegan food again.  I can honestly say it is very harsh on the body. Once you are raw for a long period of time your body chemistry begins to change the slightest in take of sugar made me sick!  My cells and organs could feel the difference and my immunity would weaken almost immediately after eating something processed.

I did not do a detox prior to becoming raw, before being raw I was vegan for 12 years. I felt no need for a harsh detox mainly due to the eating regime I follow. Such as, no eating after 6pm.  I will eat larger portions of food during the day before 3 PM.  I will take healing smoothies in the morning that consist of herbs and vitamins I need for the day.  Drink lots of water and stay away from junk.  I would do a liver flush once a month along with an enema if I felt the need for it.  I will also take my minerals since the soil is so depleted of it at this moment in our history.


What are some of the most immediate benefits: mental, physical, and/or spiritual you have received from changing your lifestyle?The immediate benefits of being RAW (or vegan) is clarity of mind.  I found it easier to concentrate and stay focused.  I was no longer the angry woman filled with volatile emotions. I noticed an immediate change soon after I cut red meat from my diet.  My weight remained at a steady level for years before changing.  Sorry for any of the MEN reading, but my menstruation was no longer as painful and my moods swings left automatically, if like magic.  I noticed a serious difference in my choices in how I looked at myself and the world.

Do you supplement? And if so, what supplements do you take? I use supplements, at this time I take liquid vitamins from an organic company. I felt my energy level increase a lot after taking organic liquid vitamins.

What do you believe defines true beauty? I love this question!! Esosa thank you for asking women this question! To me the true definition of beauty is defined by the essence of our character the deeds we have done for others, the process in which we manifest our true divine selves in this world and how we reach to others.  We are all beautiful and no one culture holds the blue print to beauty.  We can all rest in the bosom of who we truly are when we reach into our wisdom pool and share it with the world.  True beauty to me is not in the cars we have, the homes we live in, but within the essence of our being! Allowing our inner light to match with the outer world we radiate in beauty.

What is your skin care regimen like? I have no skin care regime, never have never will. I drink lots of water, use natural soap or some times just tea tree oil and lemon mixed together.  Good skin comes from within.


What do you think is the most challenging part about maintaining a raw diet long-term? Have you found it difficult to interact socially: family and other relationships? It is arduous to maintain a RAW life style long-term. My long-term stresses came from working long hours in the entertainment field and being surrounded by many who did not take health as seriously as I did.  This put a strain not only on my physical body, but in many of my work environments.  I was ostracized, made fun of, talked about and called names by many with whom I worked for and with.  Some tried to comprehend the lifestyle; others did all that I mentioned above.

I realized not everyone is meant to be RAW and at times it is best to tell others you are vegetarian, it eases peoples apprehensions and still allows you to be yourself.  The challenging part was not always having the time necessary to bring my own food to work, which left me at the whim of society. Cooked processed, non organic food.

Dating also became difficult, because many men I met felt they would lose their strength if they are on a complete RAW plant-based diet.  It also became apparent that a few would try to change my diet instead of understanding what the RAW living lifestyle truly is.

I do believe the world is changing for the better. Many people are awakening to the fact that food is a commodity and many corporations are not invested into our health, but profit.  We have to focus on the good changes and collaborate with those who are evolved on the path and those beginning the journey!

How important is your spiritual life & do you think that it has anything to do with your natural beauty & staying young? My spiritual path is important to me, it is like my older sister guiding me along my earth walk.  I am not sure if my spiritual path has anything to do with me staying beautiful or young.  I could be crippled and still be on a spiritual path.  I could be ugly and still be on a path.

Kompalya Thunderbird is a performing artist who has performed in England and in many Off- Broadway Productions in the NYC area.  Her talents in performance lead her to have a successful radio program on Progressive Radio Network for over two years.

Her successful radio program included an annual one month holistic health initiative. Which allowed many non-conventional doctors and holistic practitioners to give advice on natural remedies from colds to cancer.  Her healing practice in Reiki has allowed her to view dis-ease from a different perspective.  “Reiki practitioners have no doubt on the mind, body, soul connection to health and the amazing benefits of healing the energy field”.

Reiki works well in eliminating toxins in the body and in conjunction with regular medical practices. Kompalya has been practicing Reiki since 2003. If anyone is interested in further information on Reiki please contact Kompalya at reikiwisdom@gmail.com.

How to Make a Cleansing Cocktail

cleanse

Hey:

So I had a blast while on vacay in Brooklyn with my good friend Khepera and her beautiful children and we made a cleansing cocktail. The highlight of making this video was her little two year old screaming throughout because he wanted to help her make the juice! I’m feeling like doing some spring cleaning and it’s getting warm outside so juices and fresh coconut water are so in, and heavy foods are out for me right now. My long time fetish is coconut water. If someone figured out how to make that come from a tap I would be in heaven. Anyway, I hope you start your own spring cleaning and give this fabulous cocktail a try. Feel free to add apple to sweeten. I drank mine straight and still found it to be delicious. Enjoy! -XoXo Raw Girl

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbewPA_WCQo]

Ingredients:

Handful of kale leaves, 3 stalks celery, 3 carrots, 2 or 3 broccoli stalks, handful parsley, 1/4 beet, 1/4-1/2 ginger root, *apple (optional)