I love road trips! I love meeting up with my Family!
Bright and early this morning, after slamming down my Super Shake, I packed up the car, tossed some fruit and cashews in my back pack, slipped in one of my books-on-CD, and away I went. With a pit stop in a couple of hours to check in with my sister and her family, recovering from a car break down on their way up, I will probably be on the road 8 hours today.
During the first half of today's drive, I stopped by two “Natural Markets”, neither of them understood "raw", but what can you expect from Payson and Show Low? One clerk was pleased to show me her one box of raw energy bars, she was so proud I couldn't help but purchase three of them, later to find out they expired November of last year.
I was pleased to see a small selection of reasonably priced organic produce at the second "natural market". When I asked the owner if he had any cacao butter to supplement a raw dessert in mind I will make for my "Fam" this week, he showed me cocoa butter for the skin. From this market, I purchased organic local dates and a few organic avocados.
Raw Note: cocoa vs cacao
After researching the Internet, it appears to be split down the middle. The notable cooks vs notable raw foodists. The former believe there is no difference between the two, the latter believe that cacao is unprocessed, unadulterated cocoa. There you have it. Further findings will be reported.
After four hours on the road, I felt my energies depleting quickly and knew it was time for my ready-to-eat salad. Though there was another banana, an apple, and expired raw energy bars handy, greens is what my body was asking for, and a stop off the road is what my mind was asking for.
I found a city park in Show Low, and took the time to pull over and enjoy my salad under the tall pines. Before heading on the road again, I took a swig of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar and then a couple of pinches of crunchy cacao nibs. The extreme flavors in these two, along with the greens kicking in, gave me a burst of “wake-up".
One observation as a new raw foodie, is the entertainment value of exploring different tastes and textures. Vinegar is naturally very tart, and the cacao nibs very bitter. Though I would never make a meal of these two, taking a quick "shot" of them, sure wakes up the whole body, mind and spirit.
Raw Note:
Apple cider vinegar has an incredible list of benefits too many to mention, and great grandpas and grandmas who live to be near 100, have been doing it for ever.
Cacao Nibs have an incredible amount of iron and magnesium
Arriving in Alpine, AZ, 8500 ft high, I was welcomed by tall pines, aspen, oak and open meadows. While breathing in the delightful and refreshing clean air, I easily settled into our cabin home for the week and relaxed a bit on the porch, catching up with my parental units.
A little later, I pulled out "The Sprouting Book" by Ann Wigmore and did some preparatory research to start my four sprouting experiments, 2 kinds of wheat, red lentils (which I later read, will not sprout) and sunflower seeds.
Raw Note:
Life Force in Sprouts: as uninformed as I was, thinking sprouts were great for reduction diets and an alternative to lettuce on salads and sandwiches, but noooo; when I think about it now, and actually "see" the life force that busts through a hard dried seed into a growing thing by introducing water, I can easily imagine my body recognizing the benefits of digesting this "life force", as Ann suggests in her book; "The life energy in fresh sprouts stimulates the body's inherent self-cleansing and self-healing abilities"
My sister's family arrives, just before sunset, and after they settle in, my dad and brother-in-law lovingly make cocktails for their wives. My 2 year old ADORABLE niece, who has added "kombucha" to her vocabulary, thanks to Auntie, as she and I have our own cocktail when I pour her a small 4 ounce portion in her sippy cup. When a string of slimy culture oozes out of her lid, I reassure everyone by stringing it up with my finger and sliding it in my mouth, saying..."it's good!", my brother-in-law asks my mom if I was ever dropped on my head when I was young, my dad seriously thinks if he can remember. Nope, though I have been told that I did have a desire to taste good old Mother Earth, and what ever might be in that sample, which I guess, on occasion has been a worm.
Raw Note:
Kombucha is a fermented tea that is often enjoyed for medicinal purposes. Though there is limited scientific proof, it is promoted to aid the digestive system, boost immunity and detoxify the body.
My comment: The popularity of this drink has soared because of it's notable demand by high profile entertainers. When shopping for yours, read the label. There are a lot of "pop style" varieties out there, the most nutritional is made of four ingredient, water, black tea, organic raw sugar (or cane juice) and tea culture
As the chips and roasted peanuts come out, snack bags were passed about. I noticed a familiar urge to stick my hand in the bag, which is so customary and communal for me in case like this. I stopped to "feel" if I was truly hungry. I was not.
At the dinner table, the "Fam" dined on burritos, cheese crisp, tomatoes and lettuce while I pulled out my greens mix that I had prepared the night before, then topped it with mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, avocado, a healthy splash of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and cayenne. I could feel my whole body drawn to the anticipation of sitting down to enjoy it. It was so satisfying.
After dinner, the men folk washed the dishes, and a game of dominoes pursued. ADORABLE niece was also included in the night time entertainment, but soon put to bed as it was a very full day for her. The grown ups then enjoyed dessert of bread pudding. My good Phoenix friend, AZJoe, sent along a care package delivered by my parents. In contained five fresh figs fresh from his garden. I quartered them, and drizzled coconut butter over them, his favorite way to serve them. I had enough to share with everyone, and everyone enjoyed. Yum!
Later than usual for me, I made my sleeping arrangements outside on the patio decking. It absolutely seemed like the right thing to do. Enjoying the cool night breeze and it's aroma would soon send me to sleep. Reflecting on my delightful evening with the "Fam", looking forward to the days to come. It is an incredible feeling to lay my tired body down to sleep with deep thoughts of gratitude on one's mind as you slip into the other world. This seems to be happening more nights than not for me.
More tomorrow.....
No comments:
Post a Comment