Mac Food: Share the Love

I LOVE my MacBook. He told me I would.  Of course, he reviewed all the features - the photos, the files, the virus protection, and the customer support.  But what sold me was when he said, "People who buy Macs LOVE them.  Have you ever heard someone say, 'I LOVE my [insert PC name here]?'"  I had to think about that one for awhile...but no, I had not.  Then he said, "Mac users recognize other Mac users when they see them.  It is a really nice, supportive community."  (I wasn't bargaining for all that, I just wanted a way to write papers and check email!). Of course, I was a little skeptical...

...until it happened.

I brought my purchase up to the counter and the cashier enthusiastically exclaimed, "Oh, you are getting a Mac! I LOVE my MacBook!"

Fast-forward two months and several countries away to the airport in Istanbul, Turkey.  As I was waiting for my flight, the guy at the next table asked, "Are you a Mac user?"  "Excuse me?," I replied.  "You look like a Mac user.  I can always tell," he said. (I still don't fully know what that means.)

So, I thought...there must be something to this after all.

I now find the same to be true of eating Raw and Vegan food.  Like Mac users, people who eat this way tend to LOVE their food and food choices.  They LOVE how it tastes, how it makes them feel, what it does for the animals and the environment, the effect it has on their health, and the list goes on.  On the other hand, you rarely hear people extolling the virtues of diets comprised mainly of "manufactured food products."  While they might like the immediate sugar high of pre-packaged food, they are not raving on to friends (and strangers) about how good they feel and how happy they are with their steady diet of highly-processed junk food.  

For example, I LOVED these sweet potato fries dipped in maple syrup. How often do you want to lick your plate for food that has no cholesterol, is high in fiber, low in sodium, and an excellent source of vitamin A?  Doesn't happen every day, unless you actively look for it and plan ahead.

Also like Mac users, I am starting to realize that you can spot people who are concerned with their health and the health of the planet. It shows in their skin, in their attitude, in their posture, in what they bring to the world. They may choose to do that by being Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian, or just by making better food and health choices one day at a time. Regardless of HOW they do it, wouldn't it be nice for everyone to say I LOVE my life and share that with as many people as possible?

Ancient Greece and Rome: Lessons in Raw Beauty

Let me back up before I start this post.

My grandpa (who I loved – and still love dearly) passed away a little over a year ago. Oh, he taught me many things. Things about expecting the best in life, being open to love, appreciating your family, working hard…and harder still. He also taught me about letting go, when letting go is necessary in order to grow again. Of all the lessons he taught me, I had no idea he taught me about oil…

You see, at the age of 90 my grandpa had a full head of thick, black hair. Not a grey hair in sight. (He would always note this fact as one of his greater accomplishments, and who could blame him or disagree?) When I asked him for his secret, he simply said “baby shampoo.” (shhhhh)

But was there more? Something passed down through the Ages? Something learned, remembered, and then forgotten? Or, only forgotten by some?

As part of the Raw Lifestyle, I have quickly learned about the benefits of oil of all kinds. JoJoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil…and the list goes on.



JoJoba Oil: Good for moisturizing the scalp, softening hands and feet, and my personal favorite – make-up removal.

Coconut Oil: Good for cooking, skin care (face moisturizer, natural sunscreen, body lotion, etc.), and hair conditioning. The uses are really endless. Do a google search. You will be amazed.



Olive Oil: Makes a great salad dressing and good for dipping bread, of course, but did you ever consider using olive oil as part of your beauty routine? Apparently, those living in Ancient Greece and Rome had this figured out, but I am just hearing about it now?!! (On a recent trip to Athens, I was introduced to “Traditional Pure Greek Olive Oil Soap.” I highly recommend.)



It appears that my great-grandmother (who came to the U.S. on a boat from Italy) also knew a thing or two about the value of olive oil. I just recently realized that my grandpa told me one time that she made him rub the oil on his scalp every day of his life because she said it was good for his hair.

Coincidence??

Of course, maybe it’s an “old wives’ tale” and genetics alone blessed him, but then again…the Ancients were pretty wise.

Habit or Ritual?

By habit I am a night owl and former junk-food junkie.  By ritual I am becoming a morning exerciser and raw vegan (far from 100%, but leaning in the direction of making better choices for my personal health and happiness).  As part of my morning ritual, I have been watching the sun come up - while drinking warm water with lemon (and even reading some blogs!). Not to mention that the process has helped me to get over jet lag this time around!  

It is easy to be grateful for the coming day when it starts like this.

How do you start your day when you want it to be a little extraordinary?

Defying Gravity

Anyone who knows me knows that I love, love, LOVE the musical WICKED!!!  I saw the performance in Germany, and it was THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF ANY KIND that I have EVER SEEN ANYWHERE!!!!  In fact, it was so good that I wrote the cast a “thank-you letter” to express my sincere appreciation for the *MAGICAL* evening.  I also bought the CD – both from the German performance that I saw and the English version by the original cast of Tony-award winning Idina Manzel (as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch) and Kristin Chenoweth (as Glinda, the Good Witch).  Phenomenal.  Raw talent to the extreme.

I mean, how can one not run faster on a treadmill when one is singing along with the following words?

“I am d-e-f-y-i-n-g gravity… And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free.  To those who’d ground me, take a message back from me.  Tell them how I am defying gravity.  I’m flying high defying gravity and soon I’ll match them in renown.  And nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down!!!!”

Sing for yourself and see how good it makes you feel.

What does this have to do with Raw Food?  Just ask A Vegan on Stage.  I made her awesome Elphaba (aka Elphie) Bars and can’t stop smiling, singing, or twirling around in my kitchen.  See her recipe here.  See also photo of my bars (with appropriate green suitcase in the background).

What do you do to Defy Gravity?

Art or Science?

Is there an art to Juicing and Smoothie-ing?  Or, is it a science - merely getting the right nutrients into one's cells to make for a healthy body and mind?  

Either way, I am still learning.

  

My Green Juice is not yet green, you see.  However, the experimentation is still fun and "pretty" in its own way.  Despite my encouragement, my juice asked for an accessory.  A beautiful glass straw to help with her self-esteem.

Today's Not-Quite-Green Juice included the following ingredients:  3 carrots, 1 cucumber, 2 kale leaves, 1 apple, 2 stalks of celery, and juice from 1/2 a lemon (the lemon juice makes all the difference!).

My Smoothie faired a little better.  But then again, she was assisted by The Voracious Vegan's almond milk recipe.  And everyone knows that a little help from a friend can do amazing things. 

Other ingredients included: organic blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, 1 banana, kale, and a tablespoon of flaxseed for some additional omega-3s.

Though they looked a little "out-of-the-ordinary," both the Juice and the Smoothie were glorious in their own ways and contributed to making me feel better...and better still...So, there was really no reason to be hard on themselves.  I told them that their uniqueness was a gift and that they should focus on their individual and combined successes (as they scientifically enhanced my health and longevity).  That is where the art is!

Bangladesh and Girl Power

We had a fearless leader who took us through a dizzying maze of spices, stacked fruit, veggies in vans, and buckets of berries glittering in the sun. On the outskirts of Yerevan, Armenia we shopped with the locals at a place they call “Bangladesh” (given its distance from the center of their capital city). Though our leader spoke only a few words of Armenian, it was clear that she was much loved – having traversed the market many times before, making friends along the way. They greeted her with a kiss, would not let her pay for the fruits they put in her hand, and offered blessings for her family (at least that is what I imagined them to say). I sheepishly watched and tried to take it all in.

What better reason to eat raw food when it comes with such positive energy?