Tera's Raw Inspiration

Soft serve Twinkles spun up Raw-Vegan style

2011-11-18T10:53:00.001-08:00

Memories of sun ray's glistening upon our softened cheeks rosy with glee as we swing from tree to tree. Oh what moments to be embraced, these precious moments as a child from the sensual sun to the wavering leaves dancing in each trees space of grace. I am gratefully and forever in laced with these moments of my past, ingrained so elegantly in my being. But behold, I found this special key...Yes, when made in the right proportions one can switch on the light and truly ignite the taste bud's to bloom majestically that are artfully induced by a special taste! No time to waste, the recipe below shall unlock the memories of galore bringing back the days of lore...like a soft serve ice cream spun in a swirl bringing back the day's of a young shimmering girl in grand decor in a victorian dress, hair golden all tied back in ribbons shining brightly in the sun like spinning twinkles in a twirl. May this recipe inspire you to relish the days of old, refreshing your spirit while nourishing your absolute beauty in the making.

Soft serve Twinkles:

1 1/2 cups Organic, Non-GMO Vanilla Soymilk or Vanilla Hempmilk

1-Heaping Scoopful of Sunwarrior Vanilla Protein

1/2 Cup Hempseed's

7+++-Frozen Cucumber cubes (Blended Cucumber's)

3" Piece of Frozen Banana
3-Tbs of Chia Seed's

7+++-drops of French Vanilla Stevia

Pinch of Himalayan Sea Salt

A dash of cinnamon

Blend up in a high-speed blender like a Vita-mix so that its entirely super smooth & creamy! Gently pour in your favorite cup & just allow the senses to unravel & reminisce.

With Warmth,

Tera McCurdy

Raw-oreo Caramel Cookie in a Cup

2011-11-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

Raw-Oreo Caramel Cookie in a Cup!

YES! After all these years I believe I have done it...I've created a super luscious & ultra creamy smoothie version of an Oreo cookie, yet this cookie is dressed for success in a dreamy dress of Caramel! Yep thats right and all you have to do is put the ingredient's as listed below in a blender (Vita-mix) aka Vita-kiss...my favorite blender of all time! Let the blender spin for a bit after all who doesn't like a little twirl & a whirl...let those tasty ingredients dance their dance! As soon as the texture looks rich & smooth...seek out your absolute favorite glass, mug or heck even a champagne glass can raw-k this smoothie all it takes is some passion a steady hand and great big smile of gratitude and your up, up & away into the land of cookies & caramel!

You're delicious so why not fuel the body with the richness of life & pure vitality!

Cheers to a cookie in a cup!

Raw-Oreo Caramel Cookie in a Cup:
1 1/2 Cups Organic Rice Milk
3-4 Tbs. Dandy Blend (Herbal Blend)
1-Scoopful of Sunwarrior Protein Vanilla, Raw Vegan
4-5 drops of French Vanilla Stevia
1/2 Cup Hempseed's
1/2 Vanilla bean or 2 tsp. Vanilla Powder
2 Tbs. Raw Carob Powder
1 Tbs Mesquite Powder
1/4 to 1/2 Frozen Banana
3 Lovely Cacao Bean's
2 Tbs Mulberries
Ice cubes

Blend with passion...pour & power up!

(((Warmly)))

Tera McCurdy

Austins Special Honeysuckle Ice Cream

2011-08-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Austins Special Honeysuckle Ice Cream:

So here we have a super simple Ice Cream that my son created out of pure Joy & ambition...he was a little man bound & determined to make such a delicious treat...for it was actually quite challenging to merely suggest adding some Coconut oil into the mix...eventually he was obliging :)

Wow...I'm beginning to think I got myself a little Alchemical Ice Cream wizard. His name is Austin afterall...

1 Cup Raw, Cashews

1/2 Cup Hemp Milk (Chocolate)

1/4 Whole Vanilla Bean

1 tsp of Organic Vanilla Extract

3-4 drops of Vanilla Creme Stevia

4 Tbs + Raw, Organic Honey

Lot's of Pure Ice Cubes

Blend with your Love & Might

Top on a cone, fill in a chilled mug..whatever you do, do it with Mucho, Mucho AMORE!!!

*Pure Love, Always*

Raising Children Consciously with Raw Food's

2010-07-13T00:59:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote for a blog rightly titled "The Edible Goddess" a site dedicated to healing & nurturing oneself & loved ones through total internal - external rejuvenation for your entire being...mind, body & soul!

The site Edible Goddess is a great go to, to fill that favorite cup up of yours with some amazing & nourishing Raw & delicious Organic Superfood recipe's & much, much more! So if you have a desire to sparkle like an Edible Goddess with a grounded sense of glamour I suggest you take a little beauty journey and explore her site.

Check out the link below for the article that I wrote in regards to Raising Children Consciously with Raw Food's.

http://ediblegoddess.com/?p=920

Got a Vita-Mix?! This is barnone the Best Spatula EVER!!!

2010-04-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

Well, well well do I ever have a treat for all you Vita-mixin' Mom's, Dad's & Kiddo's out there or to anyone that just really could use a handy mini spatula that makes it a pleasure to get the job done...Yes! This is by far the most exciting little spatula that I have ever personally experienced. I am throughly convinced that this here little spatula will have you a slippin' & a sliding all that wonderful, nutritious & precious goodness right out of your Vita-mix blender and into it's proper destination. This petite spatula is just the right size to salvage all that yumminess left behind in the blender container that is often a bit tricky to get too otherwise, it's flexiable, cute & removable so that you can savor the quality of the wooden handle and it's super easy to spot because it's made of silicone so it's got a sheen to it and the colors available are mighty bold. This is not the average bashful spatula....it maybe small but boy oh boy does it know how to go for the good stuff!!! This is literally the best spatula EVER...especially for those of us that go for every little droplet left lingering, sleeves rolled up, bound and determined to get every square inch...now with this little darling it's a cinch!!! Happy, happy, joy, joy...it's a savory kitchen toy!!!

Coconut Crabapple Cream

2010-01-10T00:23:00.000-08:00

While reminiscing I am brought back to a gorgeous August day and I am taking a walk beneath a quilt of deep blue skies and big fluffly cumulus cloud's far in the distance, I take a deep breath taking it all in...suddenly a sweet fresh breeze gently waft's my presence, my eyes glitter with satisfacation...Wow! My senses start to tick and I look around wondering where this sweet, tart wonderful scent is coming from. I am in awe of this aroma and within a few minutes I approach a rather large tree, I looked down to see these darling miniature scarlet red Crabapple's scattered about on the ground & hung above in abundance like mini ornament's.

I remembered a few times last year I would pass by a Pear tree and I actually took one or two pear's without asking...eeekks! (They were on the ground) however I honestly felt a bit funny after that so I told myself that I would ask before plucking any fruit. So like a good girl I knocked on the door and asked if I could salvage the fallen apple's...the gentleman was nice and said sure go for it and that I did!! I ran with giddiness back to fetch up a few bag's and collected as much as I could muster. I then took them home, cleaned them up to a squeaky clean status and put them in the freezer to fullfill my smoothie desires throughout the barren cool months of winter.

If you ever come across a Crabapple tree...first ASK of course, trust me it will feel alot better to know that you have the proper blessing's prior to just picking & then gather these little fragrant gem's up for a dessert that will surely have your whole entire sensory system tingling with glee...literally those that have tried this recipe are certain that it is a Strawberry concoction and when I reveal to them that there are no strawberrie's they are stunned and curious, it's rather cute to see their expressions! The synergy of these simple ingredients will have have your lip's jumping for joy all the while simultaneosly prancing about barefoot spinning into a youthful vigor of vivaciousness!

Coconut Crabapple Cream:
By Tera M.

1 Young Thai Coconut (Flesh only, about 1/2 cup)
1 -2" Piece of Vanilla bean bark & all
1 Cup Whole frozen Crabapple's
1 Banana
A few drop's of Vanilla Creme Stevia

Blend until super smooth and creamy. Serve chilled in a beautiful cup and Injoy!

Best of Raw 2009

2009-12-18T01:04:00.000-08:00

About a week or so ago I was scrolling down the list of nominees voted for this years BEST of RAW celebration which is a friendly competition cooperation for those that are actively involved in the Raw Vegan and Beegan movement with an all around motivation for the Raw food lifestyle which is life promoting, life sustaining and life enhancing.

I have voted for the past two years or so and I actually do look forward to it, really I do! I do find it exciting to include ones gracious vote to their personal favorite Chef, Author, blogger, speaker or main attractor, etc...it's a real fun way to express ones appreciation for others genuine efforts! So as I am scrolling along down the list my eyes begin to twinkle and sparkle...I saw my blog (Tera's Raw Inspirations) Super-yay! I think my whole body was about ready to flutter and fly around the house indoors and outdoors in a rawsome Tinkerbell fashion with total vibration and excitement! My humble blog was nominated among others whom I have a healthy respect for, I was amazed, surprised and I genuinely just feel esctatic about it!!! Now, I realize there are some really fabulous blogs out so I will remain grounded and neutral about it all yet with a touch of flair and hope, I feel honoured and special about being listed as a nominee.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Please VOTE for my blog, listed under the category "Best Raw Blog of 2009"

(Tera's Raw Inspirations)

www.bestofraw.net

~ Warmly,
Tera McCurdy

The Wondrous Watermelon Slushy

2009-12-17T14:58:00.001-08:00

Hydrate that beautiful body of yours with a Juicy Watermelon (preferably selecting a life filled melon with it's seed's intact) Watermelon is composed chiefly of water and approx. 6% sugar, it is fresh, cool to the body and sweet to the tongue, oh and let's not forget the messy mistiness as well! To me that big bright green melon invokes the tender memories as a little summer gal in ponytail's prancing about with drop's & mist's of red melon drizzling down the arms and leg's...without a care of course! Enjoying each slice while savoring the bright color's & quenching each bite....then as I finish the last crescent slice I find that moments later I am hopping on the ol' pink banana bike seat about ready to journey the neighborhood and above it all the sun shines on all those watermelon rind's. Mmm, giving thanks for such a bountiful melon of water!

Wondrous Watermelon Slushy:

By Tera M.

1/2 Watermelon Flesh (you may include the seed's if you'd like)

4-Ice cubes

Blend until smooth and slushy-like.

Pour into your favorite glass so that you can feast your eyes on this glorious glass of joy!

Enjoy!

2009-12-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

Please vote for my Goldilocks Chia Seed Porridge Recipe on Foodista.com

http://www.foodista.com/recipe/SHSG4TQK/goldilocks-chia-seed-porridge

Thank you!!

With Love & Light!

~Tera M.

Pomegranate Pleasure Treasure smoothie

2009-11-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Pomegranates...the color of the outer skin alone has my creative eye a twinkling! Pomegranates are not only splendid to ponder their pleasurable shape, color and feel but whoa once you have had a glimpse inside it's like a treasure to behold...each pomegranate seed resembles a shiny gem similar to a garnet with a crystalline-like exterior, shiny & luminescent like a whimsical jeweled teardrop of adornment...Purely nutritional, original and absolutely beautiful.

Pomegranate Pleasure Treasure Smoothie:

By Tera M.

1- Pomegranate cut in half scoop out the seed's (seed's only)

1/2 Vanilla Bean (Whole)

2 Tbs Lucuma Powder

1 Tbs Tocotrienols

1/2 Frozen Banana

1/2 + whole Cucumber

1/4 slice of Meyers Lemon

1 tsp Camu Camu Berry Powder
3 drops +/- Stevia, Vanilla Creme
Splash of Hemp milk

Ice cubes

Blend up until it's nice and silky smooth.

Enjoy!

Tongo Pongo Blueberry Pie

2009-10-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

Hello...It's been a while since I have posted it's just that all that delicious sunshine was just absolutely w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l-! However, my family and I ventured up into the beautiful mountains this summer with big ol' berry pails in hand and a great big bear gusto for wild berries! I was literally a barefoot'n, blueberry pick'n & sing'n mamma on this mountain of pure blueberry abundance, baskin' in the sun and loving every minute of it. Not to mention that these were the biggest, wildest blueberry beauties I have ever seen barnone, so yeah it was pretty much a wild foraging feast...I bet those Bears have got some berry happy tummies frolicking about.

Now that I am back in the kitchen and out of the wood's...I put on my finest bear paws and got a little creative! I believe that I have concocted somewhat of a bear approved sweet & sticky blueberry pie that I would like to call "Tongo Pongo Blueberry pie"...afterall there was sure alot of singing on that Mountain top, so this name just beckons me to sing...what can I say I like to get goofy once in a while!

Tongo Pongo Blueberry Pie:

By Tera M.

Crust:
Pecans
Dates or Figs
Cinnamon
Celtic Sea Salt

Blend the Pecans, dates or figs and salt until pliable and sticky

Filling:
Irish Moss (Let soak for up to 24hrs, rinse periodically. Then blend into a creamy consistency)
Carob Powder
Lucuma Powder
Vanilla Powder
Coconut flesh
Coconut butter
Cinnamon
Celtic sea salt
Agave
Blueberries

* Blend all of the ingredients above less the Blueberries. Once the mixture is dough-like then you will gently fold the blueberries into the mixture.

Then you evenly fill the pecan crust with your filling and then top with sprinkles of itsy bitsy coconut flakes. You may also decorate with a unique pattern of pecans or whatever you fancy.

Refridgerate until nice and firm. Then once the pie is ready sing a song or hum and with your own cute little bear paw's, get sticky & be a bearer of JOY!

Raw Chocolate Chip Cookie's

2009-07-09T18:19:00.001-07:00

Whoa...if you were like me as a child with a spatula in hand while making chocolate chip cookies taste testing along the way, yeah you know that cookie dough that you really should just not be eating because of the raw egg factor, well have I ever concocted just the thing for you! An all Organic, RAW, Vegetarian and Vegan Chocolate Chip cookie recipe that is so extRAWdinary & totally delicious and I'm sure will have you either kissing your spatula or loving your precious hands even more then you could have imagined. Oh Yay...finally a Raw Cookie dough that were allowed to eat but of course we would'nt do such a thing, right?!

Raw, Chocolate Chip Cookie's:
By Tera M.

3 Tbs. Almond Butter
3 Tbs. Lucuma Powder
3 1/2 tsp. Coconut Oil
3 Tbs. Cacao Nib's (Raw Chocolate)
3 tsp. Blue Agave nectar
Pinch of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Pinch of Vanilla Bean Powder

* Choose organic if you can :)

* Mix all of the ingredients well in a bowl until smooth. Shape into little mini balls, squares, hearts or whatever type of charming shape you'd like and then chill for about 10 minutes in the freezer.

Cheers to a wholesome platter of Chocolate chip cookie sure to get your loved ones smiling for more!

In Simplicity we find sweetness

2009-07-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

A few days ago my little guy and I went for a walk to one of the many parks we visit and as always it's a pleasure but today felt extra special...we both had a spunk about us that felt really good I guess you could say that we both had that extra sparkle in the eye and as I walked barefoot on the grass the earth felt warm and wholesome, the sun was sprung high in the sky glowing ever so warmly and as each ray shone through the few strong tree's surrounding...I felt an unexplainable sense of love and comfort for all life from the most delicate grain of sand to the fields of green and most of all for myself and the total beauty & love for my little darling!*

Goldilocks Chia Seed Porridge

2009-06-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

Chia seed's...a plant from the mint family that is native to the Southwestern U.S and Mexico this superfood has been cultivated in the past by the Incans, Mayans and the Aztecs. Chia seeds have more Omega- 3 fatty acid's then Flax seeds...that's impressive, who would have known that ones good old trusty "Chia pet" came with some smarty pant plant seeds!

I actually do not have a whole lot of experience with Chia seed's to date, however I was yearning for a porridge -cereal type of breakfast on this chirpy sunny morning. So with this in mind I took a good glance outside and then at the shiny glass jars in the pantry, mmm yes I decided to concoct this little cereal creation...it was definitely what I had in mind...think Goldilocks porridge only way cooler with a bit of bird like seed inspiration!

Goldilocks Chia Seed Porridge:
By Tera

3 Tbs Chia seed's

1 1/2 tsp Lucuma Powder
1 Tbs Goji berries
1 Tbs Pumpkin seed's
1 Tbs Black Sesame seed's
1 Tbs Cacao nib's (Raw, Chocolate)

2- Fresh strawberries, sliced
1/8 Cup Fresh Mango, cubed
1/2 Cup Hempmilk, Vanilla served chilled

* Lovingly mix all of the ingredient's together in your favorite cereal bowl, let sit for approx. 5 minutes or longer so that the Chia seeds can began to thicken into a gel-like consistency. You may prefer to add the Chia seed's and the Hempmilk first to allow for the thickening process to take course before adding the remaining ingredient's, this shall be up to you.

Once the cereal is thickened, think happy and enjoy!

* Lucuma powder add's a creamy shortcake swirl to the taste bud's.

Rhythm of Whim

2009-06-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

May heart's pave the path you walk upon.

May love be all abound, residing in every alcove.

May the smooth gentle breeze of the day swirl intricately bringing about a lingering scent of fresh flower's, honey and the surrounding sun dried soil's -all at once in a bounty of beautiful balance.

May the sun shine all along while you sing your song among the wispy leaves aplay, for the love of nature today is one that is sure to stay, always within reach -as it is the way- a delicate dance, an array of love, purity and innocence. Naturally nourishing...our bodies and our earth eternally entwined.

~ Tera

Spring Leaves

2009-05-27T23:06:00.000-07:00

"The rain is falling softly, glistening in the light as it falls to the ground. A nearby twig with it's buttery leaf cradles the rainwater...precious water, tree, soil, life.

Surrounding are trees and varied bushes each one with it's own unique accordian of color's, emananting tones, a vibrant lime-like green with a shade of a deep evergreen and a twinkle of plum purple & hues of burgundy.

As the cloud's slowly pass by high above, there is this diffusion of light that is constantly and willingly catering to each and every leaf so that it may shine bright with it's utmost leaf like delight.

These simple moments, changing with every passing cloud, a singular and spectacular ray of light, the generousity of the skies supple rain drops to nourish this earths quench...I am reminded of the beauty within each of us, in our earth, on our earth and all that surrounds.

Spring leaves me with words of gratitude, love, growth and a picture of Star Jasmine...

~ Tera

Gratitude Greensicle Smoothie

2009-04-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

I will always remember as a kid how giddy my sister's and I would get when we heard the sound of the Popsicle man...we'd literally start bouncing off the walls bellowing it's the Popsicle man collect as many coins as you can and make a dash for it before he winds through the neighborhood! Sweet memories. Well I have made a discovery this morning, with a little tender spinach and some juicy luscious fruit, a bit of a sparkle & a sprinkle of Blue Green Algae, Camu Camu and voila...one good lookin' green smoothie, this beauty taste like a "Popsicle" one that we can genuinely be grateful for as it's good for the growth of our bodies and the ground that we walk upon!

Gratitude Greensicle Smoothie:

By Tera M.

1 1/2 cups packed Spinach

1/2 small Lime

3" chunk of Banana

1/2 Mango, skinned

1 full thick slice of Pineapple

1/4 whole Vanilla bean

1/4 tsp Blue-Green Algae

1/2 tsp Camu camu

5 drops +/- Stevia

1/4 +/- cup of filtered water

Ice as desired

Blend until smooth & tasty or you could freeze it (but you'll need to tell me all about it :)

Cheers to gratitude & good taste!

Green Yum like Bubblegum

2009-04-25T16:37:00.001-07:00

Imagine that burst of flavor one receives while chewing bubblegum....but then visualize with your tongues eye a melange of pastel tinted pineapple, the spiraling sweetness of a sherbert pigmented orange, a tender bunch of glistening green spinach, a bit of apple, one solo eye enticing carrot coupled with a lovely splash of tahitian vanilla bean and a little creamy banana to surf these delicious waves right into the crystal clear cubes of cool ice all ready to rock & roll...alongside with the aqua minerale! Whoa!

Mmmm all blended up into a harmonic band of what I like to call The Green Yum...like the remembrance as a child with bubblegum!

For all you mom's out there...this is a great one for the little munchkins!

Green Yum like Bubblegum:

1/2 carrot
1 big cup of spinach
1-slice of orange
1-slice of pineapple
1/3 of apple
3" chunk of frozen banana
1/4 whole vanilla bean
3-drops of Stevia
1/4 cup of filtered water or sparkling mineral water
Ice as desired

* Serves 2

Blend up until smooth!

Raspberry Orchid Smoothie

2009-03-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

Lucuma is a beautiful golden fleshly fruit grown in the high altitudes of Peru & Chile known as the "Gold of the Inca" which is probably attributed to it's Orange-Yellow character. It's flavor is reminenscent of maple syrup yet soft to the palate and not too sweet. It is a very nutritious fruit rich in Carotene, Vitamin B3 and other B vitamins. Many people use Lucuma to make Ice Cream...this I have not experienced...yet :)

I have posted a smoothie recipe with some of my favorite berries as well as a little Lucuma, yum, yum, yum...this is one smoothie full of flavor!

Raspberry Orchid Smoothie:1 Cup Frozen Raspberries
1/8 Cup Golden Inca Berries

1/8 Cup Tibetan Goji Berries
1/2 whole lemon (skinned)

1/2 whole orange (skinned)

1 Tbs Lucuma Powder

1/2 Tbs Yacon Syrup

1/2 Vanilla Bean with the bark

1/2 tsp Pomegranate powder

Water

Ice

L O V E !

*

Artwork by Tera McCurdy

"FLAVOR"

Year 1996

Fresh Brazilian Nut Mylk

2009-03-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

What a pleasure to make your own Nut Mylk directly from the source...yes from whole Brazilian Nut's, this you can do easily and also without soaking the nuts, you can use Brazilian or Hazelnuts as they don't have any inhibitors that need to be released.

It is nice to have a high speed blender like a Vita-mix but if not then no worries any blender should be able to blend those nuts into a creamy consistency.

This type of mylk can be used just like you would use for any other type of Milk, it is refreshing alone with a few ice cubes or added to your favorite crunchy munchy cereal.

Brazilian Nut Mylk:

1 Cup Brazilian Nut's

6 Cup's Filtered water

2 Tbs Dark Agave nectar

1 Tbs Non-GMO Lecithin Powder

1/2 tsp Coconut oil /butter

1/2 tsp Sea salt

1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract

* optional: add 1/4 of a whole vanilla bean bark and all :)

Add all of the ingredients and blend until you acheive a creamy whiteness

Use a mesh nut mylk bag or ladies a clean pair of nylons....

Pour the milk into the bag over a big bowl and milk the bag as if you were milking a cow, it's really quite an interesting experience :) until all you have is a nut pulp. (This nut pulp can be used to make cakes, cookies or breads one of the many gift's of raw food's....RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE that's what we like to do and yet it feels like new!

Use a funnel and find an old Salad dressing glass bottle or a mason jar and pour the mylk through the funnel and voila you have a creamy nut Mylk sure to make you feel like the best nut mylk maid or man ever to grace the land of nutty mylk's!

Cheers to your new nut frontiers!

Tera

The Essence of Spinach

2009-02-09T22:19:00.000-08:00

Popeye was definitely onto something!

I love spinach and it is so super nutritious....I must admit Kale is my favorite Green of the bunch but boy oh boy is Spinach winning my heart! I have made tortilla's using mass amounts of spinach, I have blended up a vanilla, lemon & spinach smoothie that had me slurping for more!

I tell ya Spinach has got me spinning galore! So my latest adventure with this royal greenness was an elegant little salad out of The Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine book by Gabriel Cousens. It was quick, easy and above all tasted GREAT!

Raw Brazilianilla Maple Ice Kream

2009-01-31T22:16:00.000-08:00

If you like Brazilian nuts, the exotic taste of vanilla bean (which grows from an orchid) and a subtle hint of Maple then you will appreciate this rich and creamy Ice Kream.

Raw, Brazilianilla Maple Ice Kream:
Recipe by Tera

Original recipe (base) originated from the Peppermint Vanilla Ice Kream adapted from the Adventures of Raw Goddess Heathy.

1 cup Brazilian Nuts
1 1/2 Cups Coconut flesh scraped from a Young Thai Coconut
1 Cup Hempmilk, Vanilla Flavored
1/2 Cup filtered water
1/3 Cup Blue agave
1/2 tsp Vanilla creme stevia
2 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract
1/4 tsp Sea salt
1 Tbs Maple syrup * Not a raw ingredient
1 Vanilla Bean scraped
1/8 tsp Cinnamon

Blend all the ingredients above until completely smooth and creamy then Process the mixture in an Ice cream maker.

This has definitely been my favorite Ice Kream so far...and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

* A nice addition to this Ice Kream would be to move on in a few Chocolate chuncklet squares or just by simply sprinkling a handful of Raw, Cacao Nibs as they would add another dimension to this exotic dessert. Otherwise a bowl of this Ice Kream will have you dreaming of Brazilian, Coconut, Maple tree's and vanilla orchid's!

Oscar the Grouch gets Happy

2009-01-30T09:18:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling the desire to make a really good green smoothie, so with a two year and a three year old trotting about the house I came up with this kid friendly "Soothie smoothie", is what I like to call it because it helps one feel relaxed and soothed.

Nor I or the munchkins were at all grouchy I just thought that the name was appropriate being that they love Sesame Street and because they could not get enough of. It certainly needed a name that was hip to green.

Oscar the Grouch get's Happy:

1/2 Bunch of Spinach
1 Mango, skinned & pitted
1 Banana
1 1/2 Cups Coconut Water (I used fresh coconut water from a Young Thai Coconut)
1/4 Cup of Parsley

Blend until smooth, serve and enjoy with a big green gorgeous grin :)

Creamy, Cheezy Corn Chowder

2009-01-26T23:32:00.000-08:00

I made this recipe on a cool day, I was craving a "warm" creamy and comforting soup and after browsing through all sorts of books and blogs I came to Carmella's page, The Sunny Raw Kitchen, always a trusty site to find some amazing recipes) so here it is...The Cheezy Corn Chowder wonderful with a sprinkle of Paprika and a dash of dried Nettles...warming to the soul and nourishing to the body.

As the temperatures drop from day to day and the sun at times scarce I like to remind myself of the vibrant green color's of the trees and grass growing unrelentlessly despite the freezing of the earth's topsoil, as life is all around. In addition to cultivating the awareness that the skies are always blue underneath it all and that there is light...

To Love, Light and comfort!

Rawstess Cupcakes

2009-01-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

Wow times one million, these cupcakes with the cream fill, the icing and the depth and dreaminess of Cacao (chocolate) have got me ready to find my old Tu Tu and ballet slippers, althought they would not fit I still feel this utmost urge to sing and start twirling and spinning into a delightful dance...whoa, these are real good!

Here is a photo rendition of my fanciful Rawstess cupcakes...I didn't acheive the squiggley signature lines that the original cupcakes have but my senses told me this was close enough. I also put one in the dehydrator just to try it warm and I put the remaining cakes in the freezer because I like them firm and cool. These Rawstess cupcakes are tasty and also supremely healthy for a cupcake!

Thanks to Shannonmarie of Rawadorable whom has concocted such a Cupcake as this. Thank you for your creativity as I am utterly thrilled to have discovered this particular recipe!

Here is the link to make such a sweet success: Rawstess Cupcakes

Spices of Simplicity

2009-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

At one time I was seeking simplicity among this beautiful Emerald city of Evergreens yet I saw so much diversity. The spices of excitement, gratitude, dormancy, calmness, fear, shalom, confusion and beauty but ultimately so much love all around every corner...a shy whispering smile glitters in an old man's eyes passing by, a little girls warm smile looking at my child and I turning her head gracefully in the ray's of our ever glowing sun. I think to myself in all the realities that exist that there is always this underlying simplicity in all of us that is priceless, gracious, it is silent, patient, it's beautiful, quite and exquisitely radiant. To me it is a place of serenity, light and purity...perhaps it is in all of us. A moment to relish and savor for all eternity and to feel secure that there is a little locket of simplicity always there to cherish just as the rivers flow and all the while the stones are simply river washed in a bed of movement, life and impermanence.

To Simplicity and it's spice of life...

By Tera M.

Humbly I adore thee

2009-01-05T23:22:00.000-08:00

One of my dear old friends Kristie is a designer in California who has been deeply inspired by the Environment or in otherwords our beautiful surroundings ever present on this colorful planet that we all live upon. I want to share with you the pillows that she has created from a source of integrity....a humble pillow intended to radiate beauty, creativity and respect for all the living fibers entwined in nature. The pillows are all handmade printed designs and are assembled in the USA, they are 100% purely organic, Vegan and made of sustainable materials. Humble is committed to supporting organic cotton farmers and keeping all products animal free, therefore creating hypo-allergenic, moisture resistant and pesticide free products. All products are biodegradable so they will eventually absorb back into the earth, where they originally came from. Printed graphics are Kristie's original illustrations, hand screen printed with eco-friendly, water based non-toxic inks that have a soft feel. The Humble graphics follow the lines of Geometry, Animals and Color.

Humble pillows are meant to be small and soft pieces of art for your home. Each design has a story and a meaning behind it and they are an easy way to change the look or vibe of any room.

My two personal favorites are of the Seahorse and the Glide (Kapok)

Good work Kristie your fountain of inspiration is invoking, refreshing and much needed for the Love of all people and the planet!

www.humblecollection.com

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-01-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

These have got to be the best chocolate chip cookies ever, not to mention the dough that just beckon's you to sample just enough to get you smiling from ear to ear for the finale of these fine and flavorful cookies!

I found this recipe from one of my favorite Raw Food Blogs...The Sunny Raw Kitchen, you can find the recipe there....Enjoy!

For the Chocolate chips I used my own "Chocolate Chunklet Squares" recipe as I have a bit of a weakness for these little Chocolate chunklet nibblers, they are simply yummy for my tummy.

Live Webcast

2009-01-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

My Journey to Raw foods and Superfoods

I am excited to share with all of you my very first experience speaking about my personal journey to Raw foods and Superfoods on a Live Webcast that was aired on the world wide web :) on December 18th, 2008. I would love for you to listen to the call, I speak about 33 minutes into the call and it is approximately one hour long so I hope that you enjoy it and I would love to hear your feedback :) You can download it as an MP3 too!

All the Best from the Beautiful West,

Tera M.

Listen here to the Live Webcast for Elements for Life

My personal website with Elements for Life

What are Superfoods?

2008-11-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

Superfood's are not only a fantastic addition to your personal cuisine creations but they are also great for super-kids....seriously kid's go ga-ga for Goji's and Inca berries and that to me is awesome!

Superfood's are really the most mineral & enzyme rich foods on the planet, they are alkaline producing, age defying mouthfuls of bliss... I am beyond excited to share with you the nutritional benefits and wonders of these superfoods so that you can awaken and unleash your highest and truest potentials!

In the video shown below David Wolfe, the worlds renowned raw food nutritionist and amazing speaker talks about a few superfood's that are now easily accessable to all of us...

To learn more about the BEST Superfoods EVER and how you can purchase them and gracefully implement them into your lifestyle or to join my superhero team visit my website at: https://www.noblelifeelements.com/nectarsoflife

Not Your Average Cup of Tea

2008-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Tea for two, two for you? Oh yes...absolutely two please!

This is the first ever Raw, Ice Cream that I have made and I will most definitely & positively with joy make it again :) I found this little jewel of a recipe from the Adventures of Raw Goddess Heathy so prepare your taste buds for lift off because this one is going to have you serving up rounds of Ice cream left, right, up, down and all around!

I made the little chocolate chuncklet squares using one of my favorite superfoods....Raw Cacao Powder and Butter (pronounced Ka-cow) or as the British called it Cocoa. This is chocolate at it's very best! It has not been heated to the point where many minerals, vitamins and enzymes have been destroyed. All of the good stuff is still present ready to nourish our bodies like nature has intended. It is high in Magnesium, Chromium, Iron and Vitamin C. The nutritional properties of Raw Chocolate is winning the hearts of many(ever wonder why chocolate is always given on Valentines day?) but the scientific community is learning that this lovely nut has to date the highest ORAC Score (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) which is one of the most reliable tests to determine the antioxidant potency available. What that means is that this dark chocolate can neutralize free radicals through the donation of an electron, which in turn could slow down or even reverse signs of aging and a whole lot more! There are so many other wonderful traits regarding the subject of Raw Cacao that you could literally read a book all about the history, the magical chemistry of cacao and much much more! If you are interested in learning more about Chocolate I would recommend the book titled "Naked Chocolate" by David Wolfe.

I also added Raw, Agave which is the nectar from a cactus predominately grown in Mexico, the same type of cactus that tequila is made from. Agave is a low glycemic sweetener. You can usually find this product at your local grocery store.

Coconut oil...I am so thrilled that I have discovered raw, cold pressed coconut oil! Just the scent alone takes me to the silky soft beaches of the Southern Caribbean. Coconut oil is an essential ingredient to quite alot of desserts so it would be a rather good idea to always have on hand.

Peppermint Vanilla Ice Cream:
Recipe adapted from Adventures of Raw Goddess Heathy

2 cups macadamia nuts
1 cup packed young coconut meat
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup agave
1/2 tsp vanilla Creme stevia
1 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea Salt
1/2 cup cacao nibs or chocolate chuncklet's squares (recipe shown below)
1 vanilla bean scraped

Blend all but the nibs or chocolate squares until completely smooth and creamy. Chill and then process through an ice cream maker, folding the chocolate chunks in at the end or placing them ever so delicately on the surface. Freeze.

If you do not have an ice cream maker: freeze in a bowl and stir every 30 minutes, OR freeze in an ice cube tray until solid and then process through a Vita-mix or high speed blender. Fold in the chocolate chunks before serving.

Chocolate Chuncklet squares:

Recipe by Tera

1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
2 Tbs cacao butter (melted)
1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup cacao powder
1/3 cup agave

Blend all of the ingredients together in a high speed blender until dark and creamy. Use a sheet of wax paper and pour the chocolate, use a spatula to spread it out and then lay it on a flat plate and tuck it in the old freezer. Once it has hardened cut into desired squares.

* You can also subsitute the cacao butter with coconut oil, however the melting point for coconut oil is lower so it may melt a little faster.

This is truly a treat and I must tell you that my little 3 foot toe headed helper and I sincerely enjoyed every bit of it! Tea time anyone?

Baja Cheeze Burrito with Taco Nut Meat and Red Pepper Corn Salsa

2008-11-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but this green beauty has got to be the prettiest green cabbage that I have ever seen, so I was excited to say the least to use this for the Taco shell in Ani Phyo's recipe "Baja Cheeze Burrito with Taco Nut Meat and Red Pepper Corn Salsa."

First off I made her Baja Cheeze Burrito which is a dairy free, high protein "Cheeze". The leftovers are a really nice addition to a nori wrap or even to be used as a dip with cracker's or veggies. This cheeze is composed of fresh, cilantro, Brazilian nuts, lemon, garlic, chile peppers and water.

Next up came the Spinach with a splash of stone pressed olive oil and sea salt. Then I made the taco nut meat which is a mixture of almonds, walnuts, cumin, coriander, olive oil, sea salt and Nama Shoyu which is a really good unpasteurized soy sauce.

The photo below is of the Red Pepper Corn salsa which is super good and would also go great as a soup topping, dip, or a nice addition to a wrap.

Yum! This dish will sure lift your spirits with all the gorgeous colors as well as the tongue tantalizing taste!

The prep was really pretty simple...however it would be mighty wise to have a high speed blender on hand for the Cheeze and a coffee grinder to grind the nut's into a flour. I use a Vita-mix high speed blender that I used for the cheeze as well as grinding the nuts into a flour and many, many other tasks as well (that's a whole another blog)

Sun Burger meets Kale wrap

2008-11-15T10:40:00.001-08:00

So here I have one lonesome sun burger, made from the "I am Grateful" recipe book just chilling in my refrigerator in dear need of some colorful companions, so I thought to myself how can I dress her up and brighten her day...well I decided to pull out a wonderful iron and mineral rich, dark green leaf of lively Kale along with a few tender pieces of some Vibrant Red, Silicon rich Tomatoes which is a wonderful source to build your beautiful locks, glowing skin and strong dense nails. But that is not all...I took one glance at the glossy reptilian like skin of the avocado sitting so eloquently on my mango wood fruit tray and I just knew that a few slices of some creamy, joint lubricating and skin enhancing avocado was the key in the door with not one but two dollops of Ani Phyo's divine "Sun-dried Tomato Catsup" recipe, So voila, here it is...a loner sun burger steps out of the dark cold refrigerator and into the light all dressed up with all her might and may I add...isn't she quite the site?

* Leftovers can always be used...just be creative and let your juices flow!

Raw, Chocolate Comfort Cookies

2008-11-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

I am writing this as I am savoring the last warm cookie out of the dehydrater on this cool November evening, the fireplace is aglow and radiating and our dog is snuggled on one of her many beds. I have had a nice cold glass of Hemp milk and I am feeling quite content.

So here it is one of the ingredients to this fine evening, a plate of Raw Chocolate Comfort Cookies.

Chocolate Comfort Cookies:
Adapted from Matthew Kenney's recipe

2 1/2 cups Cashew's ground into a fine flour
1 3/4 cups Oat groats ground into a fine flour
1/2 cup Raw, Cacao Powder
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup Maple syrup (I added 50% of each Agave and Maple syrup)
1 Tbs + 1/4 Tsp of Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Raw, Cacao Butter, melted
1 1/2 Tsp Pink Himalayan Sea salt

Mix all the ingredients together. Form into 3" cookies. Dehydrate on pollyscreens for 8 hours. Makes about 22

The fragrance that lingers through your home is almost as lovely as your first bite, enjoy!

Cream of Cucumber Soup

2008-11-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

Cream of Cucumber Soup

By Jennifer Cornbleet
Posted by Velvet on Raw Freedom Community & Carmella from The Sunny Raw Kitchen

* A few ingredient descriptions have been slightly modified by Tera

4 romaine lettuce leaves, chopped (about 1.5 cups)
1 cucumber
1/2 cup water

1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 tsp crushed garlic (1 clove)
1/4 tsp Celtic Sea salt
1/2 ripe avocado, chopped

1 Tbs Stone pressed extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbs minced fresh herbs, or 1 tsp dried (I use parsley)

Blend in a high speed blend until super smooth and creamy.

Tera's Notes: I would add a generous pinch of Sea salt along with some fresh diced tomatoes and sprigs of parsley to the finished dish.

Dinosaur Chips

2008-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Dinosaur Chips

Dinosaur Chips, AkA Kale Chips...well let's just say that when I make these mighty emerald cholorific Chips I have an assistant whom is getting to be rather good at helping me, he is about 3 feet tall and he LOVE'S these chips like no other!

Kale is not only so entirely good for you but it tastes good too. It is one of the best and most assimilable sources of protein, it helps to build hydrochloric acid for your stomach so that you can break down fiber and plant roughage and ladies and gentlemen it is high in sulfur which is an essential mineral of all beauty. It is rich in iron, manganese, organic sodium, and much more wonderful traits in this beloved dark green leafy vegetable. There are so many reasons to love Kale.

* This is actually more like a snack / dessert
* Kale chips would be an excellent snack to bring to the movies
* Kale chips remind me of Kettle Corn but a whole lot tastier and healthier

Recipe adapted by Excalibur's Resident Chef Steph

2 Bunches of Fresh Kale
2 1/2 tsp Pink, Himalayan Sea Salt
2 T Stone Pressed, Olive Oil
2 1/2 T Agave Nectar (You may also use Honey)
1/8 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Garlic spices or onion spices (Optional)
A few pinches of salt

Wash and devein the spine of the kale; tear into palm size pieces. In large bowl filled with water add salt and kale. With your hands firmly grip and massage the kale for approximately 30 seconds. Drain water and toss with remaning ingredients. Dehydrate on mesh pollyscreens @ 115 degrees for approx. 6-8 hours or until crispy.

Cacao Pie Delight

2008-11-12T23:26:00.001-08:00

This is a picture taken on Mothers day of this year of a raw, chocolate (cacao) pie, it was just longing to be photographed so I fetched my camera and headed out to the great outdoors. The photo turned out quite lovely but better yet it tasted fantastico! The recipe for this delightful loving pie will be posted soon...

Coconut Breakfast Cakes with an Orange Vanilla Syrup

2008-11-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

Wake up bright eyed and ready to start your weekend morning with a platter of fresh, colorful and juicy fruit, Coconut cakes and some dreamy orange vanilla sauce. I followed the recipe from the very talented raw chef Ani Phyo in her book called Ani's Raw Food Kitchen, if you can get ahold of that book I would highly recommend it!

Create

2008-11-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

I have been pondering the word "Create" to me it is a word of many meanings such as creating a piece of art that really stems from the heart or preparing a meal with a whole lot of feel :) I think that we create something everyday and perhaps we may not even fully be aware of it. It is interesting to look at our lifestyle from an observers perspective. Here we are eating everyday and creating everyday...we prepare a meal with the intentions to love and nourish our mind, bodies and spirit, we then sit down together with loved ones and enjoy our colorful foods...we are creating as well as eating in the presence of people we enjoy and all the while maybe not truly realizing this. It is amazing to me when I am able to harness the quantum understanding, that we as human beings are capable of so much creativity and vitality, constantly renewing on a cellular level internally and externally positively or negatively. It's like if you are making a batch of fresh Guacemole for example and while doing this your thinking about the beauty of the foods that your working with (the building materials) and how the patterns in each type of food are in accordance each time you open them up and how the natural color spectrum is so magnificent it is unbeliveable, you are essentially developing a relationship with your food, this is usually what gets my attention and I think that through this sense of love you develop a deep appreciation for Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds and when you pass this threshold and really become aware of this your body, mind and spirit greatly feel it in return, eat to create, create to eat. You are what you eat.

Imagination

2008-11-04T23:30:00.000-08:00

Imagine a raw nation, Imagine a raw world...can you imagine?

All human beings on earth peacefully and joyfully engaging their love in the most pure, original and vibrant organic foods ever grown on earth.

Tending to our gardens, feeling the silky moist soil with our bare hands and feet, the warm sun glistening ever so gently upon our backs as we plant the seeds destined to feed.

The squirrels collect their seeds, their nuts and wild mushrooms, the cows graze upon the shiny green grass and the bears forage deep in the forest.

I see the clouds gracefully mending into one another and then drifting apart, the sky is a luminous brilliant blue and I think to myself be true to you, as nature is to you.

Parawdise.

* The picture of the sky was taken on Oct 17th, 2008 from my backyard it was a beautiful day, the skies were totally amazing!

* The artwork is by yours truly, it is nearly 11 years old and still makes me smile when I pull it out every few years.

Viberry Smoothie

2008-11-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

Viberry Smoothie:
Approx. 1 cup of Soaked Raw, Almonds, Cashews & Walnuts
Handful of Frozen Strawberries
Handful of Frozen Blueberries
Approx. 1 Tbs. of Agave Nectar
1 Tbs. of Raw Coconut Butter
1/2 Cup filtered water
5 Raw Cacao Beans, peeled
1/4 Cup Raw Goji Berries
1-piece of celery
1/2 Apple

Include all of the above ingredients into your blender or better yet a (Vita Mix blender) blend until smooth.
Feel the vibe and let it flow!

Austin and I formulated the above smoothie and we just loved it, so hopefully you will too!!
* Use all organic ingredient's if you can :)
Hugs to all! Tera