I'm Back!

Hai!

I know I've been gone for ages, and I'm sorry ):

I have many reasons:

- I had school

- I was working

- The dog ate it

- I ate it

But I have many good newses to share with you guiz!

1. It's summer, we have many many raspberries, strawberries, and the other day a friend dropped over a HUGE box of cherries, YUMMMM.

2. I met another raw teeeeen!! Her name is Ashley, and I had been following her blog, after finding her on some forum that I was trolling for raw teens. I know I may sound like a bit of a freak, but I like to think that I can get away with it because I am 15, not 50. Anyway, she posted that she was coming to New Zealand, and I commented and asked where, and she said she was coming to the city that I lived in! I was so excited and we planned to meet, which we did, and we visited a raw café together and had a bit of a feast.

Mexican Salad which I had

Sushi, and Chocolate drink (formerly known as the Mayan Magic Chocolate)

The falafel that Ashley had

Ashley eating. Verrry... Sloooowly, haha.

Ashley radiated health and positivity, and she had beautiful clear skin.

Read her post about the occasion here, and be sure to follow her blog about her NZ travels here! On a side note, her pictures of New Zealand are amazing and capture it's full glory, so everyone come and visit me!

3. I haven't actually been trying many new raw foods recently, BUT we did buy a spiralizer just yesterday! It is very cool, and we are waiting on our first zucchini to make some damn good pasta!

{source}

4. I told a few people at work that I was vegan, (and I told one of them that I was actually a raw vegan). Anyway, the shop was quiet for a bit, and I sat down and yawned. My co-worker, bless her, asked me if I was iron deficient. If I was iron deficient how would I be able to bike 5.5km/3.4 miles twice (yes, I did look it up) in the sweltering heat? Maybe it was because I mentioned how I was slightly exhausted when I walked in, but it doesn't mean I need a steak?! I'm sure if I went in tomorrow and said that I had decided to eat meat a few times a week she'd leave me alone in a second! I'm not the most sporty person around, I used to be, but I just don't do that stuff anymore. But we don't own a car, so I have to do exercise all the time to get to places. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I ended up proving that I was far from iron deficient: I carried Christmas trees to peoples cars, and as a result, I have stabby stab marks up my arms. -__-

We sell Nutcrackers like these - they are my favorite!

5. My school year has ended for the year, no, that has nothing to do with raw foods, but I'm pretty stoked about it.

6. I was wondering, if anyone has any suggestions about topics for me to post about, PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME! I am looking for inspiration, and you may have noticed I have not posted for awhile. Sometimes I am not always financially able to post about recipes that I have tried, so if there are topics that you think I should talk about, let me know!

And that's about it I think.

Peace and raw food,

Felic Pear x

Haha

Could me and my best friend be any more alike?

What a pleasant surprise!

As you may have read here, I was at the 'Vegetarian Expo' on Sunday.

When I was there I bumped into one of my old friends who I hadn't talked to in about a year, Hayley.

Me and Hayley met in French class, and I have to say, she is pretty awesome!

So when I saw her I said Hi, and she said Hi, and we were both like :D

Then I wrote on her wall (this would be the Facebook wall. If you don't have a Facebook, you may not be down with the lingo), and said, "Hey, it was cool seeing you! We should meet up!"

This may seem incredibly boring to you, but keep reading, it gets better!

And she said, "Yes we should! Are you a vegetarian? I'm a vegan."

I was so amazed, I knew she also was quite sick last year and had to take time off school, but seriously! She's a Vegan?! I was amazed, so I wrote back straight away and told her I was Raw and that I was so happy that I knew someone around my age who was also 'enlightened'.

Today me, my mum, and my mum's non-raw-vegan friend went to lunch at a restaurant that serves raw food (as well as vegetarian and vegan), called the Lotus Heart.

I like this friend of my mum's, because she is really supportive of our raw veganism. It's about 50/50, some people like it, others do not, and argue about it. But this friend is cool, and she also paid for lunch...


This is what my mum and her friend had, I didn't have it because the rice paper it was wrapped in was cooked. It appeared to be similar to a Christmas present.



And my favorite, a Cookies and Cream drink! Because two photos are better than one :D


This is what I had, the Raw Nori Roll. I have had a few rolls in my time (that sounds slightly disturbing), and I have to say, this was a gooood roll. Very good indeed.

To go with it I had a Raw Couscous Salad. I think it was made up of cauliflower, brocolli, cilantro, and raisins.


And for dessert, (who doesn't have dessert with lunch?) I had a Chia Swirl, and a Mayan... Thing. I've forgotten what it was called! I think it may have been 'brick' or 'block' or something, but that just doesn't seem right. Memory fail!


Then, because I was so well behaved in public for a change (that was a joke), my mum's friend bought me a raw Chocolate Bar! I ate it before I could photograph it, but photographed the wrapper anyway, which was funky.

I have some very very very exciting news, this is possibly the best news I've heard in forever.
My beautiful friend Meredith from the raw seed is releasing a new eBook, Raw Italian Feast ! I am so excited! I have promised her I will write a review, and you will not be disappointed!

Meredith has already put out two eBooks, they are both amazing, they feature her beautiful food, and stunning photography. You can purchase them both here. But wait, there's more! The profits from these eBooks go towards Meredith and her husband Dustin's project, known as Bleu Bee, an old school bus which they are lovingly converting into a home which they plan to use to travel in all over and spread raw food as far as they can, which is totally worth supporting!

You can also make a donation by heading over to her page, and clicking on a link there.

I also got my university essay and test results back, 89% for the essay and 96% for the aural test. :)

Peace and Raw Food,
Felic x

Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw Expo 2010

So much fun! :D

The day started off with me meeting my BFFL Josh in town.

We had to walk a mile or two to get to the venue, but eventually... we made it! The day was like rly warm.

It was so crowded.

We walked through Hagley Park to get there. It was pretty cool, you gotta admit. There were blossoms on the trees, flowers scattered, sort of like a fairytale. It probably wouldn't be a fairytale if you had allergies though, then it would be a minefield.

But back to the soothing pictures.

The lol moment du jour was when me and Josh went up to a table to grab a free sample, and the lady was like, "Hey Gurlz!", and Josh was like, "Ahem. Excuse me?" and she was like, "Uh... and Guyz..." I laughed for the next ten minutes.

Food! Food was so tasty. Of course, I only ate the raw vegan stuff. I bought a bottle of Kombucha, too, 'cos I was so thirsty. But ew, it did not taste good. The stuff we brewed at home was so much better. (No offence to the guy who made it if you're reading this, though why would you be. Are you a stalker or something?!)

We had one each of these. On the left are Chia Swirls, and on the right are Chocolate Velvet Slices. They are even better than they sound!

I had a Lucuma Luxury drink. This is the drink stand.

I had a Quiche Lorraine. That sounds like a person's name, or is that just me?

Josh had a truffle, as usual. Because Josh always has a truffle. What am I getting Josh for his birthday in two weeks? A truffle.

Can you spot my mother, I mean, uh, Waldo? Chances are, you cannot.

Haha. Thar she is.

I had a slice of gateau as well, and me + mum halved a raw tortilla wrap.

The day was so great, perfect weather, great food, except for my mum constantly making inappropriate jokes in front of Josh. Just kidding, I do love you mum. :)

Peace and Raw Food,
Felic x

The Raw Vegan Cheesecake Chronicles: Take Two

The Case of the Berry Swirl

I've been wanting to make another Cheesecake for awhile now... and the other day I tried a gorgeous one at the raw vegan cafe, I decided I would try to replicate it, but of course, do it my way.

It has a vanilla crust, boysenberry layer, strawberry layer, and chocolate drizzel... <3

I got the recipe from Meredith at the raw seed. I have started to think that the Cheesecake has real potential and endless possibilities... Hmm... I may have to open a Cheesecake business now.

My menu for this week (with pictures, hopefully):
- Tacos (I really want to make tacos again...)
- Ice Cream Bars
- Cheese (for my mum, who used to love cheese, but now thinks it smells of 'cow'.)
- Bread
- Hummus (my mother is hummus-obsessed at the moment, for no particular reason).

In one week there is a Vegetarian Expo where I live! I can't wait. There are going to be two people talking about Raw Veganism. I think it's great that they're getting the idea out there, and it would be so cool if people could start incorporating and trying raw cuisine in their diets.

The only problem is, (and this sounds really stupid), I don't have anyone to go with! I have a friend, who lives really far away, I know he would want to come, but he wouldn't be able to come into town. And I have another friend who is vegetarian, but is not interested at all in vegetarianism, and I could imagine her wanting to leave the second we arrive. This dilemma needs to be resolved!

Also last week I did a 2 day water fast. It was because of the earthquake, I was feeling really dragged down and I strongly felt I needed a thorough detoxification. I kept a journal and also took my measurements and weight during that time, but I will probably dedicate another post to it.

That's all for now.

Peace and Raw Food,
Felic x

P.S. If you have a Raw Food Rehab page, add me here!

Raw Vegan Lunch served by Felic

So much has happened this week. I'm not exaggerating or joking, I'm very serious.

I was so sad that Ice Cream Week had ended, I had to do something to cheer me up. Well. I wasn't actually that sad.

I tried 2 of Meredith's recipes from The Raw Seed! They are both on her blog. One was the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (who said Ice Cream Week actually ended?) and a Cheesecake. I was communicated to by an unknown voice that was saying, "Felicity, you have to make a cheesecake." Of course, I always listen to the voice.

The ice cream was eaten before I managed to locate the camera, but I did manage to photograph the Cheesecake!

It was the first time I had ever made a Cheesecake, let alone tasted one, and I was so proud of my attempt! The photos are terrible, because I was so eager to eat the thing, the rule of thirds went right out the window...

I followed Meredith's recipe for the actual Cheesecake mixture, but decided to 'freestyle' the base. I added chocolate, and since we had no almonds, I used brazil nuts, cashews, and walnuts. Mmmm... It was so goooood!

My mum's friend came over and enjoyed a slice. She said, "Usually when you eat cheesecake the it leaves a fatty texture in your mouth, but this one was perfect, because I could enjoy all the flavors." High praise, indeed.

That Cheesecake was also amazingly healthy. Because the cashews were fermented with rejuvelac, it was easy to digest, and full of B12! I've always been under the impression that you can only get your B12 (which is vital to life, apparently), from meat. Hmm. No. I read on my friend Chantal's blog, Eat Dance Live, that it is actually in Fermented Foods (and a lot of others that are common in the Raw Vegan diet), such as Rejuvelac, Kombucha and Kefir, and also sea vegetables, which I have regularly. Shame on the doctors for telling us we need to take supplements! Read what Chantal said here. (I think it's really important that Raw Vegans, Vegans, and Vegetarians read it! Actually, everyone should read it.)

The other day I was at one of the only places that sells Raw Vegan products, and I was majorly inspired by a few of the products. I saw them, and was thinking, "Hey, I should buy them", but then I thought, "Back the eftpos transaction truck up, Felicity. You have all the flippin' ingredients at home, get off your ass and make the stuff yourself!" So I did. I 'invented' some Broccoli Bites.

My mum has a habit of sneaking broccoli into my Green Smoothies! I hate broccoli in Green Smoothies! I don't know why, but I don't like it. So this was a way better way of eating it, since my mum bought a fridge full of the stuff.

On the subject of the famous Green Smoothie, I thought I should share a recent experience. I decided it was time I should start taking them to school, as I usually bring fairly normal looking stuff.

When we were sorting through an old cupboard, I found a mug that would be just perfect, and it even had an inspirational quote on it. I figured it was just right.

I recall as I was pouring it into my 'coffee mug' and snapping on the lid, my mum saying, "Now do be careful, Felicity. The lid is very difficult to get off, and you wouldn't want to spill it on Josh." Josh is one of my best friends who I usually sit with at school. "Yeah, yeah," I said, halfway out the door.

I get to school, and want to show Josh my Green Smoothie. I start to tug at the lid.

And what do you know. It spills all over Josh. Great going, Felicity.

I found another mug. It's more safe, and I tested it at home.

Me enjoying a Green Smoothie at school. Photo courtesy of Josh, taken at a safe distance.

Moving on. (Shuffles papers).

Me and my mum decided to try out a new vegetarian restaurant that we discovered, that serves some raw food. The food was divine, an amazing salad, a fresh juice, and a superfood smoothie 'cookies and cream'. Afterward, we were browsing through the gift shop when we stumbled upon an excalibur dehydrator for sale! It wasn't cheap. But we really wanted it. So then my mum managed to accumulate enough money for us to go back the next day and buy it! The next issue was getting it home, because we don't actually own a car... So we had to take this HUGE box home, on the bus. What a sight. I also pulled a muscle in my back (not that I actually have any muscles), but it was so worth it, because now we have the most amazing dehydrator in the world!

Can you remember I posted here that I prepared a 100% Raw Vegan Lunch for some of my mum's non-raw-vegan friends? They were so impressed and inspired (I know, crazy right?!) that they invited me over to their place to prepare another lunch, this time for some of their friends, and they said that they would pay the cost for all the ingredients as well. Coming to the lunch was a teenager who also had health issues and Bella (the non-raw-vegan friend of my mum) said that she wanted me to come along and show how easy it was to be a raw-vegan blah blah blah.

So I whipped up a menu. It was pretty basic, because I'd never done anything like this before, and wanted to stick to what I knew. (Because even that goes wrong occasionally).

Starter ~

Strawberry Sorbet

Main ~

Mexican Flax Crackers, Kale Chips, Noritos, served with Sour Cream.

Dessert ~

Cacao Cashew Ice Cream, Chocolate Cake.

I even managed to get the day off school! Here are some pictures I took.

Mexican Flax Crackers (with Avocado, Spring Onion, and Red Bell Pepper on top)

Kale Chips, Noritos and Sour Cream, and Cake.

The table.

And that was before the lady that brews Kombucha turned up! Mmm... I was like an alcoholic, "I'll have another glass of kombucha, thanks". I love the stuff, it's insane. Everyone has been fermenting things recently, and we have wanted to as well. This lady gave us some kefir grain, and a kombucha scoby!

The food was RAD (Raw And Delicious), and I got a day off school, a free lunch, and a container of goji berries. Not bad.

Thankfully school this week was really relaxed (thanks to everyone taking practice exams), so they were fine about me taking the day off for my learning.

So without all the pesky other students about, me and Josh decided to take some photos. Josh hates photos, so of course we had to act really weird in them.

Me and Josh, pretending we are from the Victorian Era.

I also had a sleepover at my other best friend Priyanka's house on Friday night. Sleepovers are difficult, they involve a bit of smooth talking.

I decided I would bring a selection of fruit. And of course, before going I made the typical phone call to 'remind' Priyanka that I would not be being a normal human. You know what I mean.

Unfortunately you do have to remind people. Take my grandma for example. One time (a long time ago, so you have to assume her memory got worse) I was at her house with a friend, and we were all eating soup. The soup had meat in it, and my friend was a vegetarian.

"I can't have the soup, sorry, I'm a vegetarian," said my friend, as politely as you can to someone whose food you're rejecting.

"You could just pick the meat out," says my lovely grandma, completely oblivious to the fact that that was not the point.

But back to the sleepover! It was so cool though... Sometimes it's just fun to sit around, watch movies, paint our nails, take photos, do our makeup, examine clothing, talk about people, plan for what we want to buy 'when we get the money', and just 'be girls'.

Me.

My plan for next week is to road-test the dehydrator! Mmm... I want to make Tacos! Ice Cream Wafers! Cookies! Noritos! Corn Chips! Kale Chips! Everything and anything.

I am so tired now, after a whole week of crazy rushing around, planning, creating, fermenting, talking, visiting, delivering, photographing, writing, studying, watching, laughing, crying, eating, and sleeping (or lack of). But I have a day off life tomorrow. And I plan on using it to finish doing nothing. Goodbye. :)