PLANET RAW -CA- USA

Imagine visiting a planet where all the food was gourmet and Raw. Yes I mean as in not cooked! My family, meaning my husband Michael and twin daughters Tammy and Lisa enjoyed the pleasure of just that – a visit to PLANET RAW in Santa Monica, California,USA. Juliano and Ariel offer more than just Raw – they offer 100% Organic Raw Vegan. Quite a claim!

We were so keen to taste as many dishes as possible that we ordered 2 items of each course. So, we started with 2 warm soups and since raw food is So nourishing and satisfying that huge portions were not necessary. The soup however was so delicious that we could actually have fought over that last spoon. Then onto sushi and with a description like Mustard Toasted Eel who would think that was raw vegan?  Entrees included a green curry pasta made from zucchini pasta mixed with an amazing thai nut curry kream topped with coco-noodles and a Truffle kream linguini. I recall the one ‘pasta’ dish was topped with thin dried mango fruit leather ribbons that were tasty and colourful and added tp the contrasting texture of the dish. When it came to desserts, two just was not going to cut it so we went for 3. Chocolate mouse, cheese cake and velvet strawberry mouse. Pictures paint a 1000 words – take a look at this.

The menu is extensive and the dishes are colourful, magnificently presented and very tasty. In addition to the food Juliano and Ariel offer a large range of juices, smoothies, organic coffee and organic wine. The bill with the tip worked aout at R175,00 a head which was certainly not excessive for this handmade organic gourmet food in $.

To see more images go to Planet Raw in the Gallery -coming soon

for one of Juliano’s recipes from his book RAW – The Uncook Book go to: http://lifestyle4health.co.za/category/recipes/

Green Juice – Recipe

We had been drinking a combination of carrot juice with the addition of some beetroot and celery. On doing some research I felt that this freshly squeezed juice that was unbuffered by any fibre contained too much sugar. At about the same time I was reading about green juices but was mentally having a bit if difficulty in coming to terms with extracted GREEN juice. Then after more research I discovered the amazing benefits of adding lemon to green juices and green smoothies and decided to give the green juice a go. Well, I was really surprised at how enjoyable a green juice can be. I don’t have a fixed recipe but have got a general pattern that you can follow to keep this highly nutritious juice palatable.

GREEN JUICE

Cucumber		About 1/3 of an English Cucumber or 2-3 Israeli gerkins/cucumbers or 1 peeled old fashioned cucumber – the one with the small spines on.
Tomato		This is optional – but one is plenty
Baby spinach		Depending on the size of the leaves – 4 small or 2 large
Sprouts		A small handful
Swiss chard		As small handful
Apple		One is plenty small or half a large
Carrots		About 4 large carrots
Lemon		The juice from 1 lemon. This will of course depend on the type of lemon and the size and the quantity of juice. Use taste as your guide in the beginning.
Wild greens		If you are priveleged enough to have access to some wild greens, add a small handful. Presently we are adding some Stinging Nettle.

Juice this combination through a cold pressed masticating-type juicer and drink as soon as possible. (If you use a Green Power Kempo u can store the juice for upto 72 hours), otherwise an Oscar DA 900 juicers will do a great job.

Rawlicious – Book Review

Rawlicious By Peter and Beryn Daniels 223 pages

This book is the result of an idea whose time has come, an idea that most intuitively know and recognise – that to be healthy, happy, naturally nourished and completely connected to our surroundings is our birthright. After years of eating raw foods and superfoods and running raw food courses, both Peter and Beryn, have both met, inspired and been inspired by a growing number of people who are becoming aware of the amazing transformative and healing potential of living foods.

Rawlicious is a beautiful, full colour book with magnificent photos of the authors, the prepared foods and fresh produce. It is an environmental masterpiece being printed on triple green™, a 60% sugar cane fibre , chlorine free, from sustainable afforestation. Being much more than a recipe book covering topics such as nutrition, what raw food is and why we should eat raw food and the benefits of eating raw food. The book is clear that Health is not all about food. Moving to a raw food diet is a major event that needs some hand holding. Peter and Beryn take you by the hand and take you through what is needed to succeed with it, including:

• The equipment required to make eating raw easy and delicious
• Stocking a raw kitchen
• Growing your own food
• A stunning variety of recipes to keep any family on track, and the helpful pictures and easy to read and follow step-by-step instructions

There are tantalising recipes for:

Juices, Smoothies, Nut Milk, Butter and cheese, Soups, Salads, Sauces & Dressings, Snacks, Simple Meals, Bread and Crackers, Gourmet Meals, Beverages and Healthy Desserts.

This book is a natural expression of Peter and Beryn’s experience. They have lived and practiced the concepts and recipes in this book, and continue to do so joyfully. It will inspire you and give you a lot of information on a healthy lifestyle and healthy living.

A local first for raw food – Well done Peter and Beryn! You have set a great standard for others to follow in the quest for health and healing through raw food.

Rawlicious is available from http://healthmakers.co.za/store/Raw-Food-Cuisine/

« Previous Page — Next Page »