Chunky Raw Veggie Chili

With over four thousand raw recipes, Gone Raw is always my go-to site for trying something new:) I always make sure to check at least once a week for new recipes there.

Today I tried the Veggie Chili from starjen42. Check out all the awesome comments on the recipe page. Everyone loved it!

As usual, I adjusted the recipe to my own tastes:) I added a bit of cayenne to kick it up a notch, and had to make some ingredient substitutions. I like chili really hearty and chunky, and slightly warmed in the dehydrator. Before I went for my 'brisk' (fast and freezing) walk today, I left the chili and the bowl to warm up:)

I was not gone for very long (baby, it's cold outside), so I enjoyed a cup of my favorite mate when I got home. Check out the new reusable ceramic cup I found at the grocery store:)


About a half hour later, my chili and bowl were both nice and warm. I was so glad I made a double recipe, because I loved it!

Thanks to starjen42 for the wonderful, warming recipe:)


Stay warm, everyone!

Gift Box and Raw 'Eggnog':)

Today I would love to show you how easy it is to create a small gift box from a recycled greeting card. This box is pictured on the top right of the pic above. I made a few boxes today while enjoying that rich and creamy raw eggnog in the pic:)

This is the first of 3 boxes I will be showing you. This box style is courtesy of Mike Lieberman. Please click here for his instructions and video, which I am unable to watch:(

Since there is a chance someone else out there does not have high speed internet, I am posting step by step pics:)

Here is what's needed for this simple "green" project.

A greeting card, scissors and/or x-acto knife, ruler or straight edge, permanent double stick tape, a paper folder or butter knife, and a cutting board. Mike used a card he received, and I have some left over cards from a few years ago.

I have also used copied photos for this project in the past:) Out-dated calendars or plain cardstock work very well, too.

Step 1: Cut greeting card in half on fold line.

Step 2: Using the ruler as a guide, score a 1/2 inch to 1 inch border around all four sides of the front of the card, which will become the top of the box. I use a paper scoring/folding tool, but have also used the dull top side of a butter knife to score.

Step 3: Clip the box corner as shown, and fold away from the picture side on all score lines. Use folding tool or butter knife to make a sharp crease.

Step 4: Place a small square of tape on the(4) clipped flap corners as shown, on the picture side of the card.

Step 5: Fold 2 taped corners in and fold up end to make one end of the box lid.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 with other end of box lid.

Step 7: Trim 1/16th of an inch from length and width of the back of the card. This will be the bottom of the box, and you want it slightly smaller to fit inside the lid. Repeat all other steps as with lid:)

All done!!!


Thanks to Mike Lieberman for posting this idea! This was one day in Mikes incredible 365 Ways to go Green. Check it out for some great green ideas:)

And now, about the yummy raw eggnog (eggnot?) I enjoyed this morning:)

If you have been looking for a delicious and creamy raw holiday 'nog' recipe you may want to give this one a try.

The recipe is from the Executive Chef at Pure Food and Wine, Neal Harden. 

I reduced the recipe by half for 1 serving, and slightly adjusted the ingredients. It was rich, sweet and creamy...so good!

I hope it is OK to post my slightly adapted recipe for 1 serving of nog:)

Raw Holiday Nut Nog

1/2 cup soaked, rinsed almonds, I measured after soaking overnight
1/4 cup pine nuts, I did not soak these:)
1 huge:) pitted medjool date
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1-inch piece whole vanilla bean, pod and seeds
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
about 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground cinnamon
pinch of pink salt
1 cup fresh water, maybe a splash more if nog is too thick

Blend all ingredients until smooth, and strain through nut-milk bag. Serve warm or chilled. I enjoyed it warm today with a cinnamon stick and extra sprinkle of nutmeg:)

I was so happy to come across this wonderful raw 'eggnog' recipe!!! I never thought of using nutritional yeast in a nut milk before:) Thanks again to Sarma and Chef Neal Harden for sharing:)

Please note: I usually do not re post actual recipes from other people, however the links to the recipes have changed several times.  I will try to fix any broken links as I find them. Thank you to those of you who have contacted me about broken links!

NEAL’S HOLIDAY NOG

½ Cup Pine Nuts, soaked & rinsed

1  Cup Almonds, soaked & rinsed

1/8 Cup Agave

½ Vanilla Bean

½ Nutmeg Nut, grated

¼ tsp Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1 ¾ Cup Water

Pinch Himalyan Sea Salt

Combine all ingredients in Vitamix or High Speed Blender and blend until smooth.  Squeeze mixture through nutmilk bag, chill, and serve.

** Neal"s original recipe had a bit of nutritional yeast in it, but since the recipe moved, the nooch is MIA!

This recipe inspired a Raw Eggnog Cake! Check it out here!

More holiday recipes and ideas at Happy Raw Holidays!

Recycle That Paper!

Of course you all know how much I love to create raw foods, but did you know I love to recycle paper?

No...I don't mean bringing paper to the recycling station:) I recycle paper right at home!

Last week, I received a package in the mail. The packing material was brown paper, shown in the picture above. I don't see much brown paper anymore, especially since bringing my own bags when shopping.

Any paper can be recycled, but brown paper is one of my favorites. I would love to show you how easy it is to do. I am making paper castings today for Christmas cards.

The first thing needed for this "green" project is an old, or inexpensive blender. Please do not use your expensive high speed blender for this!!! I have an old cheapo:) blender used just for papermaking now. You probably should not use the blender for making food after making paper in it anyway. I always see blenders at the Goodwill store, for just a few dollars!

Another thing you need is a mold. I will be making cards and decorations with these Christmas cookie molds.

There are some papermaking kits that have a mold included, but I also use chocolate molds, cookie molds and stamps, and my own molds made from clay. Most molds work best if wiped lightly with a cloth with a drop of cooking oil on it.

Other things needed are water, a sponge, a strainer, and a towel.

Onto the fun part!!!

How to Make Paper Castings:
Step 1: Tear paper into blender, 1-2 inch pieces work well.

Step 2: Add warm water to blender, you want 2-3 times more water than paper.

Step 3: Blend!!! Pulp will be very loose.

Step 4: Strain, I have a wire strainer for this. Strained pulp is like wet mashed potatoes.


Step 5: Over-fill mold with wet pulp. Place filled mold on a folded towel.


Step 6: Sponge out water. This will take several times of pressing the wet pulp and wringing sponge out. Press into details of mold. Fill in any open spaces.

Step 7: Allow to dry. This will take a day or two, depending how warm your house is. I haven't tried the dehydrator yet, but I bet that would work! If you still have a microwave, and you are impatient, you can use the defrost setting, 2 minutes at a time till dry. It will pop right out when dry!

Step 8: Your paper casting is ready to use as a tree decoration, or to glue to a card or gift tag. Dried paper castings may also be painted or otherwise embellished with glitter or bows,etc.


I also have a paper making kit to make sheets of paper.

Check out this link for all types of papermaking supplies. Most paper can be recycled and I love adding pressed flowers and other little things like strings, raffia, glitter:) and leaves to my paper.

One of my favorite things to add is dried flower petals from bouquets and flowers I have received over the years.

I use the handmade paper for wrapping small gifts, or making cards or gift tags.

I hope you will try this fun way to recycle your own paper!

I hope to show you how to make cute gift boxes from recycled greeting cards in an upcoming post:)

It's not easy being green!

Being "green" is becoming more mainstream. In the following picture are new glasses made from recycled glass. They were found at a major department store, and they actually are green:) We liked them because they are so thick and less likely to break, which is the only problem we have with glass.

Several health food stores I go to have the stainless steel containers for sale. The smaller one is the perfect size for lunch, you can see it here.

Bamboo is a nice option for cutting boards and other kitchenware items , as they are a resource that is easily renewed.

Eating raw is very eco-friendly. Most of the food does not come in packaging. I bring my own reusable shopping bags to the store, and keep my purchases in glass jars or in the refrigerator. Glass is a great option for reusable straws, as well.

Another great way to be green is to use organizations like Freecycle in your area, and to frequent the goodwill and salvation army thrift stores. It is much "greener" to make use of older items, rather than buy anything new. They have some great nearly new and vintage clothes. You can sometimes find very unique, lovely housewares. If you can, donate your unwanted items to these organizations, rather than throw them away.

I admit, I am not as green as I'd like to be, but whenever making a new purchase, I try to make a greener choice if it is available:) Where we live there are not many options for shopping close to home. If you are interested, go to the sidebar for some green links!

Here is the smoothie recipe:

favorite green smoothie













3 fresh pineapple spears
1 frozen banana
2 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup fresh mint
1/4 cup water

blend all ingredients in blender until smooth!