Raw Potluck at Grace Grove

With very little time to resettle into my routine, I am off and runnin’ with AZJoe from Phoenix. We head to Grace Grove, a beautiful oasis/healing center in Cornville, AZ. The gig: Raw Potluck and Campout.

We assessed our groceries before heading out and came up with our contribution to the potluck; Tomatillo and Plum Salad. AZJoe had three pounds of Royal Anne cherries just in case.

Grace Grove (http://www.gracegrove.com/) is beautiful! Streams, ponds and small waterfalls play symphonic overtures with the gentle breezes as they comb through the leaves of cypress, oak, bamboo and dried grasses. Wild berry bushes landscape the water banks. You can see why this is a place of such healing, as Grave Grove is just that. It made me think about the important role of the healer in the community of the future. In my idyllic perception, I believe that the healers of the future will not heal us, but remind us about our own abilities to heal thyself, if/when one forgets.

The potluck was inspirational, reaffirming and VERY filling, yes beyond that “Satisfied Feeling” that I have come to recognize. So many flavors, so many different ingredients, YUM! Latecomers arrived throughout the afternoon, keeping the selection fresh and new, as if by design.

Stories were shared of health, raising vibrational energy, and life force in foods. There was so much laughter, smiles and hugs amongst friends, once strangers, as well as demonstrations in new ways to prepare new foods.

My favorite was raw corn salad made with avocado, onions, cilantro and fresh lime juice. I also enjoyed guacamole served over sprouted lentils, coconut pie, chocolate mousse, and cinnamon ice cream (all raw!)

By the time AZJoe and I could not eat another bite, we grabbed our cameras and went exploring down by the waters edge. Amazingly the fullness left, and I only felt very satisfied, as I drifted off to sleep that night, under the stars.

Raw Notes:
Cacao, though a potent super food, should be regarded as an occasional nutrient, because it can cause some strain to the digestive system.

Kombucha: because the manufactures have a tendency to crank them out so fast to get to market, that the probiotic "live" culture is not as beneficial as it once was. It was suggested, if buying from the market, select the Kombucha with fewest ingredients and let it continue to ferment for another 6 months, unopened in your pantry. The best is to purchase the culture starter and make it yourself.

Raw honey is raw, but not vegan. Now thinking about some poor daddy bee not being able to feed his family because I had honey does not sit well with me, no matter how off base that perception might be. God bless the bees.

Agave Syrup; watch it’s glycemic index, much higher than once believed, again probably due to commercialization.

The one grounding thought that rescued me from the confusion of what is the right thing to eat, or not to eat was…. “Trust your body" I have noticed the longer I am on raw food, the more aware I am of my body’s messages. When I eat a particular food, and don’t feel energetic afterwards, I am beginning to trust that.