Exciting Update

I know, I know, the last post I did was called 'Update' but I'm getting desperate, and I completely lack originality as far as post titles go.

So, what is this exciting update? Well, there are two, really.

1# I am moving back to Christchurch! For those of you who have been readers for awhile, you might have seen my post here about the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, forcing me to move to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. My adventures in Wellington thus far are detailed here. Anyway, after 6 months, we are finally moving home. When we moved we didn't know how long we were going to stay, but at that time a lot of things have come to light. Let me elaborate. When I was living in Christchurch, I didn't really like it. A lot of kids hate their hometowns, and I really wasn't an exception. I couldn't wait to get out. Looking back, I see that I didn't appreciate the beauty that was around me. They say you have to lose something for you to appreciate what you have, and that is definitely the case. Living in Wellington has been a great (but painful) experience, and I am so glad I had this opportunity, but I am so relieved to be going home.

Beautiful views of Wellington

2# if you read my last post here, you probably saw that I'd actually added some cooked food into my diet. While I was ok-ish with that (it wasn't ideal), my mum said we really should eat some cooked vegan food until we got home, due to the high prices of organic food in Wellington. However, my heart always yearns to be 100% raw, and I decided that I would! For the past 3 days, I have been 100% raw, and I'm loving it! I always feel great, I have increased energy, my body cooperates with me, and my stomach is always really flat when I'm raw haha. We have a lot of food, but we always seem to buy 'new food', so I'm doing my best to use the food we have. As a result, I have been trying so many new meals! I've been having Chia Porridge/Pudding for breakfast, and I've also started making wilted Kale salads (thank you, Russell James!) We've also been putting our dehydrator to good use and making heaps of crackers, and I've also taken a liking to Strawberry ice cream recently. Our camera isn't very good, so I haven't been taking photos, but I intend to start posting more recipes and photos on this blog.

Anyway, my posting might cease again (no surprise) for awhile, too busy packing, studying for exams and practice exams, and seeing family and friends before leaving.

Peace,

Felic x

Raw Vegan Recipe: Chocolate Ice Cream (with Chocolate Sauce)

Today is my mum's birthday, and her favorite food is ice cream, so of course I had to make her some. I personally didn't eat any, after just completing a 5 day smoothie challenge, but hopefully she'll save me some, though I wouldn't count on it :P

Chocolate Ice Cream

10-15 medjool dates

1T unhulled tahini

1T sunflower/cashew butter (either)

2T honey

1 banana

1/3c coconut butter

3c water or whatever milk is on hand (preferably not cow's though haha)

1/4c cacao powder

(I know what you're thinking, "Tahini + Dessert?!" Bear with me here)

Blend the dates in the milk/water. If you don't have a great blender (like me) add water gradually, so it will sort of be like a paste.

Melt the coconut butter, tahini, sunflower butter. I boil the kettle and put the water in a big bowl and the ingredients in a smaller bowl. Continue to add the milk and/or water.

Finally mix all the ingredients together in the blender. (Or if you have a good blender you could have done this in the beginning). The right texture shouldn't be too thin, and should be more on the creamy side.

Freeze, or put in the ice cream maker. If you freeze it, take it out of the freezer first for 10 minutes before you eat it so it will be softer.

Note: I always make this recipe for me and my mum's taste, and we don't like things to be so sweet. If you think it needs more honey, dates, bananas, or anything else ADD THEM. Also, these are estimates, I hardly ever follow recipes and just add till things are 'good enough'.

I also don't have an exact recipe with the sauce, I used honey (even though I'd been warned against it, though it worked this time), cacao butter, and cacao powder.

Peace,

Felic x

Mothers' Day Cake

A cake for my mum. (Coconut Butter donated by Pure Wellbeing)

I just want to thank my mum for everything. She has sacrificed so much for me, listened to me, always given me hugs when I needed them, and supported me in all my ridiculous and crazy ideas. When I went raw she followed me, even though she didn't need to, but she did it anyway. Life hasn't been perfect, and neither have I, but she loves me and I love her <3

Us in 2006

Raw Vegan Ice Cream Bars

Back in the 'old days' (and I mean the real old days) me and my mum would often have choc bars, which I think are normally called Ice Cream Bars. They are ice creams, with chocolate coating.

I got the recipe from Nina, who runs the blog called Veggie Wedgie. I really admire her recipes, photography, and just her in general. My try wasn't exactly perfect. I didn't want to use agave, so instead I used Raw Manuka Honey, NEXT TIME I would definitely use liquid honey. The chocolate coating was all lumpy! But apart from the funny bumps all over the shell it was absolutely delicious. Also, it was my first time ever using Cacao Butter, so if anyone has any tips about it they would be hugely appreciated, cos I had no idea what I was doing...

I definitely want to try it again, and get it perfect this time :D

Organic in Wellington

So far I have to say that I LOVE living in Wellington. And since yesterday, I have been feeling more that way than ever!

Yes, yesterday I discovered paradise. Commonly known as Commonsense Organics. A huge organic food store, with everything I'd ever dreamed of.

The person holding the trolley is my mum HAHAH ;D

They had so much fruit and vegetables, not even joking! They had everything I'd ever dreamed of. And it was all organic too -- SCORE.

And then we stumbled on THIS.

Nearly everything on this shelf was Raw. Raw chocolates in every flavor imaginable, Grawnolas, Macaroons, Crackers, not to mention all those super cool ingredients that I have been wanting to find forever so I can try some recipes. AND CACAO NIBS.

This was all the stuff we decided to get in the end.

We enjoyed our feast sitting beside the water front (sort of) and looking at Mt Victoria.

Stay tuned for more of Felic's Wellington Adventures!

Peace and Raw Food,

Felic

Felic eats a Raw Italian Feast

My beautiful friend Meredith A.K.A. Padmapani Little Sky asked me to try some of her recipes from her new eBook 'Raw Italian Feast'.

They all looked SOOO good! I had a difficult time choosing just a few! Her eBook at a glance is exquisite. I have always loved her photographs, and her recipes are always exceptional. The great thing was that when I was looking through the eBook, I realized that I wouldn't actually need to buy too many ingredients, we already had a lot of them, which is always a fantastic bonus :D

So I planned a Raw Italian Feast with:

Stuffed Baby Bella Mushrooms

Al Dente Zucchini Pasta, with Mama Meat-less Meat Sauce

Pizzelle Ice Cream

The first item on the menu was the entrée of Stuffed Baby Bella Mushrooms.

Stuffed Baby Bella Mushrooms with Zesty Italian Cheese

These are so incredibly easy to make, and the taste... oh the taste. I was trying to figure out why they were so amazing when I was eating them. Was it the soft warm mushroom, the savory cream... or the crumbled sausage on top. I couldn't figure it out. In the end I concluded that it was 'all of it'. Three completely different textures harmonize perfectly, and this is coming from someone who used to hate mushrooms - I am now converted!

I could see these being the hit of a party as well. They are so unsuspecting... but when you take that first bite, you will never look back.

Fresh outta the dehydrator!

The next item on the menu was the Al Dente Zucchini Pasta, with Mama Meat-less Meat Sauce.

Al Dente Zucchini Pasta, with Mama Meat-less Meat Sauce

I really love these recipes, because I find them SO EASY to prepare! This took me something like half an hour to make, and I have got to say, the taste was sensational. I followed Meredith's serving suggestion, and I served with some Zesty Italian Cheese on top. As well as looking impressive, this was also very filling.

Me becoming impatient and deciding to start eating

Whether you are new to raw or a seasoned pro, you have to taste this ice cream. It is completely indescribable - I can't even find words to explain the taste. Pure indulgence. I have tasted quite a few different ice creams in my time (raw and non raw) and I can actually say that this is the best ice cream in the whole wide world. Yes. I wasn't paid to say that, either, but I have to admit, I was gasping in shock as I ate it, it is that amazing. You will not be disappointed.

Pizzelle Ice Cream A.K.A The Best Ice Cream in the World

I am so impressed! I have truly had a feast, and the great thing is, these recipes are so easy (even for me with my terrible kitchen skills) with ingredients that don't cost the earth. They are so versatile that if you are missing one ingredient, it can often be very easily substituted. I am so eager to continue this feast and finish all the recipes in the book, and it is a possibility, because a lot of the recipes re-use other recipes in the book, verrry clever.

So what are you waiting for! If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the eBook which is only USD$11.11 (make a wish, haha), click here.

Bad News, and Pasta

Ok, I have some really sad news. There will be no 'Raspberries Part 2' post... We ran out of raspberries!!

So to make up for it I have some pictures of some raw Pasta that we made today.

We didn't have zucchini (well, we do, but it's still growing, at the moment), so we used kohl rabi instead. The texture wasn't really the same as wheat Pasta, but visually it was mostly the same. I liked it being a bit chewy, because aren't we supposed to chew our food when we eat it. Usually I hate kohl rabi, especially when cooked, but this time I actually really liked it.

For the sauce we used sun dried tomatoes soaked overnight, and a bit of basil pesto, no fresh tomatoes as we'd eaten the ones from the garden the day before! Oh well, I really really liked the sauce too.

And we sprinkled some raw Parmesan cheese on top.

Raspberries Part 1

We have plenty of raspberries at the moment. So I thought I would do a two part post of some desserts that I will spontaneously make. Yes, no recipes, I will 'wing it' as the cool kids say.

Raspberry Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Base:
2c Walnuts/Cashews/Macadamia nuts
8 Medjool Dates
1T melted Coconut Oil
1t Vanilla Essence
1T Water (or more)

(Optional: 1/4c Cacao Powder)

What I did first was process the nuts till they became crumbly, then processed everything else. You reach the right consistency when you can press the dough into a ball and it will hold.

Transfer into a pie dish (or whatever those things are called...) and put in the freezer while you make the cheese part.

I had leftover, so I made some Brownies.

Filling:
2c Cashews (I soaked mine overnight because when I soak them they get bigger, therefore I get more cashew for my dollar!)

1.5c Water
2+c Raspberries (Mine are frozen because we freeze ours after picking, but who cares right.) I would suggest more, depending on how red you want the filling to be!
1/2 c melted Coconut Oil
1/2 Honey (or you could use Agave, but I like to use raw organic Honey)

Blend it all!

Pour the filling into the pie crust, and put it back in the freezer for about 2 hours. Then it should be ready to serve.

YUM.

And in a few days, there will be Raspberry Ice Cream. That's right, RASPBERRY ICE CREAM.

Blog Changed

I added some new pages to my blog, come and have a look. :D

Lasagna + Coffee Cake

Why bother to go into details. They were both out of this world. Enough said?

My Job, at Eternal Delight: Raw/Vegan café

This is the beautiful place where I work, known as Eternal Delight.

Front Counter

Food Cabinet. Yum!

I have always really loved the way they have painted words around the room, as you can see.

The view from where I sit

Today was insanely busy, but I managed to snatch a few minutes to myself when there was no one in the café, and take some pictures of my food, and of my surroundings.

The Counter

Here are all the goodies that are for sale, food, teas, superfoods, hydrosols, sauerkraut, cheeses, pesto (all raw and vegan)

For lunch I had a raw Italian burger. It was amazing - smooth cheese, crispy sprouts, crunchy greens, tomato, cucumber, and even a 'meat' patty! Ok, it didn't taste like meat, thankfully, but I really liked the way the burger was built like a burger, with the bread, cheese and meat. I loved it.

Black Forest Gâteau

This is another amazing dessert, the cream tastes so creamy, but without the cow, or the guilt. Plus the caramel sauce was just the best thing ever.

On another angle, you may notice that there are even grapes inside, oh wow!

Creamy Thai Mushroom Soup

I know what you're thinking, 'Felicity, do you actually do any work at that place?' Well, the answer is I do. But they offered that I try this, so how could I refuse? It was so rich and flavorful. Yes, the word I would use to describe this is definitely flavorful. As well as that it was very filling. But oh so good.

Also because today was really hot, I had a scoop of Coffee flavored ice cream! I didn't get a picture of it though, I forgot I had the camera with me, haha :D

They gave me some food to take home too, Pesto for my mum (who eats it like there is no tomorrow), another slice of Black Forest Gâteau, a slice of the Berry Cheesecake, and a roll of Sushi. Yay for my awesome dinner. Sadly the food was not in a photographable state after the dangerous bike ride home, and was beaten to a pulp, but it still tasted great.

Love,

Felic Pear x

Birthday

Today I turned 16. It seems like yesterday that I was waiting for my 6th birthday... I always make sure I watch the clock for 8:08am, I have this thing that it isn't 'official' otherwise... Anyway! I took some pictures of my birthday breakfast and one of my presents. Most of my presents from my mum were food, yum!

MMMM! Raw coconut chocolate butter. They recommend eating 3 tablespoons a day. Or else.

Raspberries, Fruit, Essene Bread, and of course Chocolate Coconut Butter :D

Warmed Essene Bread

It was a very tasty breakfast

This is what I usually make for breakfast, a raspberry smoothie. All it is is a banana, frozen raspberries, and a bit of water. And then I add goji berries, of course.

Anyway, hope everyone had a good New Year!

Peace,

Felic Pear x

Got a job!! :D

Well, a new, and maybe a tiny bit better job!

Ok, I loved my last job, which was working in a Christmas shop, but this new job, oh this new job, is the best thing ever.

I have got a job working for the one and only RAW RESTAURANT in Christchurch!! Well, they also sell some vegan stuff, but it sells mostly raw things. Not only that, but apparently my job will entail 'eventually working in the kitchen' but the thing is, the main chef is actually one of the top 50 raw vegan chefs in the world! Yes, I am very happy.

Me and my mum had been going there for awhile, and we got an email the other day asking if I would like to work for them. And of course I said yes.

{Images courtesy of... someone. Sorry I don't know!}

Peace,

Felic Pear x

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

The Official Raw Vegan Ice Cream Cone

Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream with Chia Cone

I didn't invent this, sadly, my mother did! We had left over fruit pulp from juicing, so, using the power of water + chia seeds (anyone who has used chia seeds and water will know what happens...) + pulp = cone.

Even though I was the one who did the whole Ice Cream Week, but my mum's ice cream is truly the best I have ever tasted. Raw or otherwise! It is even good when put in the freezer, it is still creamy and melts in the mouth. I don't know how, I don't do chemistry, but somethin' happens and you just end up with a bowl of deliciousness.