NYC Here we come!

A few weeks ago I got a call from my friend, Katie who was almost squealing with excitement over her news from the Today Show. She had been approved to adopt a dog from their Bow to Wow segment and she was thrilled. His name was Wally and it was recommended that he would be a great therapy dog. YAY!!! He was exactly what Katie was looking for. She has wanted to use therapy dogs for cancer patients for the longest time and already has two wonderful therapy dogs for her massage therapy practice, but neither of them was quite the fit to take to the treatment center. Once she saw Wally on the Today Show segment she was convinced that he was the dog she had been waiting for.

I was just as excited as Katie when she asked me to go on the trip with her. We have worked together for many years to put together programs for this particular population. Katie has helped many patients through massage therapy, reflexology and guided imagery and hypnosis to name a few modalities that she uses. I have also worked closely with this population using raw foods, Laughter Yoga, color therapy, coloring therapy and artwork among many other techniques that I utilize. Together we have put many years into research and have diligently worked towards our personal and unified goals to provide service and hopefully a moment of respite to individuals going through various cancer treatments.

Oh yes, I really wanted to go to NYC too! I haven't been in a long time and it would definitely be a great opportunity to check out some raw restaurants!

I've included the link from the Today Show here. Be sure to check out our boy Wally. He is a beauty!!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36985139#36985139

Birthday Yummies

I come from a family that believes in shameless celebrating when it comes to our birthdays. In fact, we've been known to celebrate a full month when we can get away with it. Really, isn't life supposed to be one big party anyway?

I could not wait to whip up some raw goodies to share for my birthday and started working early in the week to prepare a few treats for everyone to try. Everything was delicious and I thought it all turned out beautifully. Unfortunately only my mom and cousin would even try the raw goodies. (This is what happens when you have a party with your family because my friends would have left nothing. Not a crumb. Yes, beloved family, I'm talking about you and I love you anyway.) So my lesson from this is to no longer tell anyone that anything that I've made is raw. In fact, I'm just not going to claim anything and watch what happens next time. Hehehehehe. Yes, I am that evil!

Now for the eye candy:

Here is a plate of raw chocolate goodies that I whipped up. Seriously, this was the highlight for me.





First I made little chocolate tarts. This is my own recipe that I'm still working on. They were wonderful, but I haven't quite tweaked it just yet to perfection.





Next I made Heather Paces MoonPie's except I made them into bite sized pieces. I can not stress to you how wonderful this recipe is. Go to sweetlyraw.com for her book. I even made the peace crane decorations for a festive flare!




Now for the cake. Once again I used one of Heather's recipes. This one from Just Desserts. This is the strawberry lime mousse cake. Fantastic! It is very crisp and delightful and quite the show stopper topped with all those lucious strawberries.



I'm still enjoying the leftovers and grateful that I didn't make the other two raw cakes that I had planned as well. I'd have to invite everyone over to help eat it all!

Happy day, oh Happy DAY!

Salad Dressing

I had several requests for the three salad dressings that I made for Sunday's potluck. I told everyone at the meetup what I put into each one, but I've had several more people to ask that didn't make the potluck so I decided that I would just blog about it and that way everyone would have the recipes. I am terrible about not writing down recipes so this is a great opportunity to just get it done. Most of my recipes are pretty much made up on the spot. All 3 of these recipes probably have origins somewhere from one of my recipe books, but I tend to remember what I like and just throw something together and then taste it until I get it just right.

Mango Vinegarette:
- juice of 2 lemons
- 2 mangoes
- 1/4 cup Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 TBS agave nectar or honey

Curry:
- 1 roma tomato
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 1 TBS curry
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup EVOO
- 2 tsp lemon juice

Sweet Black Sesame:
- 1/4 c black tahini or just black sesame seeds
- 1/4 c agave nectar
- 2TBS chickpea miso
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
Blend in a high speed blender if you use the sesame seeds.

Manuka Honey!

I met Bobbie Moore, president of The Wild Bee at the Wild Foods Weekend and learned lots of wonderful information about Manuka honey. Bobbie is such an incredible source of information and is very passionate about educating individuals on the benefits of raw Manuka honey, true organics and the welfare of bees. For more information visit: www.thewildbee.com.

Cafe 118

During a recent trip to Florida we decided to stop by Cafe 118 Degrees in Winter Park for a love raw meal. I always try to visit any raw restaurant I can when traveling. Anyway, I put together a short video of our delicious raw meal for your enjoyment and inspiration. Everything was so wonderful!

Happy Healthy Day!

OK - for some reason blogspot has been very tempermental lately so here is the link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/user/infusionoflife#p/a/u/0/fvOhYBcRtZI

If anyone has any suggestions as to why my videos no longer upload, please let me know. I may need to search out a new blog resourse. Thank you!

Chickweed Pesto

Here I am goofing off rolling around in a bed of chickweed and then doing a recipe demo of chickweed pesto. The end of the video explains a little about chickweed aka the little starlady. Yes, I made up the recipe on the spot. I just kind of work that way. Chickweed pesto recipe: 1 cup chickweed, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan sea salt, 1/4 cup of EVOO and 1/2 cup pinenuts or sunflower seeds. The pinenuts are better!

I had difficulties uploading this video so after several attempts I have just decided to post the link to my youtube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/infusionoflife

Just look for the video titled Chickweed Pesto!

Have a happy healthy day and I love you!

Apple Pie Green Smoothie

Today I made an Apple Pie Green Smoothie. Watch my camera man's reaction after he tastes this delicious concoction.

Have a happy healthy day!

I love you!