RAW RADIANCE CUISINE ON FLICKR

SUN-DRIED TOMATO KALE SALAD

3 large kale leaves, minced (stem removed)

2 whole sun-dried tomatoes (soaked to soften)
1 small tomato

1 Tbsp minced onion

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp balsamic vinegar 

Himalayan salt to taste

Small handful pine nuts (for garnish)

Finely mince the kale and massage to soften.  Using a mini-food processor, pulse all remaining ingredients (except for the pine nuts) and mix in with the kale.  Garnish with pine nuts and serve!

HOW I KEEP MY SKIN SOFT

Over the years I've found that eating high-water content fruits and veggies makes a huge difference in helping my skin stay soft in our dry Colorado climate.  But beyond the fruits and veggies, pure clean water is by far the best thing we can do for our skin (regardless of what climate you're in).  It's always the simple things that are the most effective!

Staying well hydrated does wonders for my skin.  In fact, if I start to feel my face getting dry, I know it's time for a tall glass of water.  But I don't always enjoy forcing it down.  So my solution?  I like to add slices of fruit to a pitcher of water for a subtle hint of flavor and fragrant aroma.  Always does the trick!

Here's a simple recipe from my SpaFusion Cleanse ebook that makes getting that 8 glasses of water down oh so irresistible!  This lovely infusion has a light, delicate strawberry flavor and makes a delightful summer beverage.

Lemon Balm Strawberry Water

1 small pitcher of water
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 strawberries, thinly sliced into rounds
 
Refrigerate 20 minutes before serving.  Try adding edible flowers for a nice, refreshing touch!
 

RAW CHEF STEPH INTERVIEWS ME

Have you guys met the beautiful raw chef Steph?  Watch out for this girl, she's one awesome lady on a mission to spread raw vegan love!  

Steph recently contacted me for an interview (you can read the interview on her blog at RawChefSteph.com).  I love connecting with like-minded women doing amazing things!  It's always such a gift when we can support and uplift one another. 

What I love about Steph is her kind and genuine presence, not to mention she's an awesome raw chef!  Just check out her vid below and you'll see what I mean.  Those kickin' kale chips look amazing Steph!

CLEANSING & COLONIC EUPHORIA

Cleansing seems to be a theme for me this year.  I kicked off 2011 with the SpaFusion Cleanse coupled with a series of colonics.  It was a wonderful experience with a few ups and downs (due to some detox symptoms), but an absolute great way to start off the year!

I was thrilled to try colonics for the very first time.  I signed up for a 6-session series, twice a week, and I've continued with a maintenance session once a month.  I did a fair amount of research on colon hydrotherapy, and I was careful to find a therapist who I resonated with.  I was also very careful to find a practitioner who uses the best quality water.

After calling around town, I found a local colon hydrotherapist who uses the gentle Woods Gravity Method, along with triple filtered UV water.  This method resonates with me because it doesn't use machines, motors, or pumps. Instead, it uses gravity to gently awaken the bowels, promoting release.

I was fortunate to connect with the lovely Karen of GravityBoulder.com, a raw foodie who trained under Natalie Rose, author of The Raw Food Detox Diet. The first colonic was definitely my most memorable!  I was in colonic euphoria that entire next 24 hours, in pure and utter bliss.  My body felt so light and free.  But as my body began to release years of stored waste, a few of the sessions that followed were more challenging. 

The cold weather also made it difficult to maintain the cleanse (I may try it again during the summer months), so I slowly transitioned back. But luckily, I was inspired to pick up a copy of The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates shortly thereafter. 

The Body Ecology Diet is a challenging program (at least it was for me) that takes you completely off of sugar, and all other stimulants for that matter!  And when I say NO sugar, I mean no sweeteners, no fruit, nada, zilch!  The book mentions a handful of symptoms (related to candida) that the raw food diet alone, including a low-glycemic juice fast, has never been able to correct for me.  So here I am cleansing yet again, this time with a stronger focus on probiotics, food combining and less SUGAR! 

I feel like this book came into my life just at the right time and for a reason.  This program feels like a much deeper, and much needed cleanse.  Truth be told, I only lasted 10 days on the initial stage of the program (no grain, no fruit, no alcohol, no starchy veggies, no tomatoes, not even gum or sweetened toothpaste).  Literally, nothing with any trace of sugar or anything that metabolizes as sugar passed my lips.  Hands down one of the more challenging cleanses I've attempted yet.  In those brief 10 days I went through a pretty intense detox and severe withdrawal symptoms.  Nothing like the mild detox from going high-raw almost 4 years ago.  

It just goes to show how many of us (even those of us who are healthy), are completely addicted to sugar.  I was shocked to realize how strongly sugar affects my body.  I'm seriously starting to think that sugar (in ALL forms) is one of the most commonly overlooked toxins in the health movement.

Even though I didn't complete the entire program, I have to say, I will never look at sugar the same way again.  Going forward I hope to play around and find a more balanced approach to creating raw desserts - those that are much lighter, low-glycemic, and definitely far less stimulating!

SUPER RAW LIFE (FREE MAGAZINE)

I'm so excited for the second issue of Super Raw Life Magazine!  This is a FREE publication featuring articles and recipes to help inspire you on YOUR raw food journey!  

I'm so grateful I've been asked to contribute to this beautiful magazine again! The March 2011 Issue kindly features my Raw Chocolate recipes (along with wine pairing) from my Raw Chocolate & Wine ebook!  Be sure to download a FREE copy and check it out! Just subscribe as a member at SuperRawLife.com to access your FREE copy!  Easy as pie. ♥

Super Raw Life Magazine is a source of information with the vision of inspiring you to transform your lifestyle and body naturally.  It is released quarterly and the e-magazine is available internationally at no cost.  When there is so much abundance there is no need for lack.  Our quarterly e-magazine is a platform to highlight those who are making a difference and in the process enable us to share and inspire our readers.

- SuperRawLife.com

FREE CHEEZCAKE RECIPE EBOOK

I've been secretly working on a FREE Valentine's surprise gift for the past few weeks!  I thought it might be fun to share my love of raw cuisine with all of you on Valentine's, not to mention it's super fun just to share recipes!

The ebook shows you how to prepare this delicious recipe in one of two ways, as an elegant cheezcake or two romantic martini parfaits.  So if you're looking for a healthy dessert this Valentine's, this is one recipe you can't go wrong with!

Regardless of how you choose to prepare it, you’ll absolutely love this luscious, rich dessert.  It's that good!  And unlike most raw desserts, there's only one nut ingredient in the entire recipe - so it's much easier on the tummy!

To get your FREE copy, all you have to do is subscribe to the Raw Radiance eZine. It is my newsletter with articles, updates, my favorite recipes and so much more!

Just subscribe below, and I'll personally email you this delicious ebook!  Already a subscriber?  Not to worry, you should already have your copy waiting for you in your email inbox!