what better?! a weekend with Averill.

It is high time I admit the truth:
My life just wouldn't be the same without Averill.
She is probably my oldest friend-
the bubbly inspiration that has helped me become who I am.

I have known her for, well, FOREVER!
And funny thing is, I don't ever remember meeting her.
That's just how long I've known her for.
Have a friend like that?
Well, then you know exactly what I mean.
Or at least somewhat.

You see, Averill is like nobody else.
She is a gorgeous girl that's BURSTING with talents-
In fact, ever since I can remember,
people would be awe-struck from her voice.
She can sing like no one else!
And from the get-go, she has been writing and plotting plays and books and stories in general!

Maybe you've heard the quote from the Los Angeles Times Syndicate-
"Some people march to a different drummer-
and some people polka."
Yes, this is Averill.
You really should meet her.
She is an inspiration after all!

We grew up going to dances and giggling over boys-
scheming and spying and laughing, day and night.
We pulled endless all nighters to watch and analyze movies-
and with Ave's film program in Boston and my videography exposure,
we continue the tradition today.

But oh no, the list doesn't stop there!
We have uncovered plots for movies-
and written stories.
We've hosted parties..and ate chocolate till we were sick!
Believe it or not, we even went through a rock climbing phase.

She has helped me through the darkest times- and the lightest times.
And I can never thank her enough for her support during the biggest time:
my wedding day.

Here are just a handful of the very found memories of us!

Lucky for me, she came out to visit us this past weekend!
We spent the time relaxing and tanning and talking and cooking-
just revisiting good times :)
With Ave, it's always good times!

Forever friends ♥

Recap: Raw Week

raw banana-cocoa smoothie

raw tacos, with cashew-walnut meat

raw banana chips

recap: raw week
So raw week was an adventure-
to say the least.
Surprisingly, it was very easy!
Who woulda thought?

My friend Averill asked if I had craved anything?
And if so, what?
Well, ya know what I told her?
I hadn't craved a thing.
(Except more raw cookie dough...the healthy kind, of course!)

Of course, I have eaten raw before,
but what I discovered this past week was shocking!
Raw food is FUN.
and DELICIOUS,
easy,
and makes me feel just so darn GOOD.

Here are some specifics I learned from eating 100% raw:

1. I had much more energy- more energy to get more things done and more efficiently, more energy to workout (and workout harder), and more energy in general. I felt lighter, happier, and more enthusiastic. My head felt clear.

2. Sleeping was easier. In all honesty, I slept ok before! However, during my raw week, I feel asleep so much easier- and slept so much deeper. I woke up earlier and more refreshed than ever!

3. Cravings went out the window! I tend to crave late-night fatty foods or chocolate. Guess what? Raw week changed all that. I ate RICHER foods and nothing else crossed my mind.

My sis asked about the hush-hush subject: bowels.
Lucky you, I will spare details.
Let's just say...
They improved.

So are you convinced? Will you succumb to the challenge?
Eat raw for one week-
And you won't regret it.

Granola, anyone?

You will never guess what I made during last week's "raw week" !
Did my title give it away?!
I whipped up raw granola-
And man, was it good.

In fact, choosingraw.com calls it "The only raw vegan granola recipe you'll ever need!"
It's a good thing I doubled the recipe!

Recipe...doubled:
{yields 6 cups}

2c. soaked and dehydrated buckwheat*
4T. ground flaxseed
2/3c. sunflower seeds
2/3c. pumpkin seeds
2/3c. raisins
2/3c. dried, chopped apples*
2/3c. cup maple syrup (or agave)
2T. coconut oil
4T. water
2t. cinnamon
1t. pumpkin pie spice
1/2t. nutmeg
Dash salt

*Before preparing, I soak raw buckwheat groats in water for approximately one hour. Meanwhile, I chop up enough apples and prepare on dehydrator sheet. Once the groats have soaked for an hour, I drain and rinse, and place on another dehydrator sheet. Set dehydrator to 145 degrees for approximately one hour. Afterwards mix ALL dry ingredients (including buckwheat and apples) in large bowl. Whisk together remaining ingredients in SEPARATE bowl, then pour over dry ingredients. Mix with hands. Dehydrate at 115 for 10-12 hours. It should be that familiar granola texture (slightly "sticky"). Refrigerate. Devour. And make another batch.

PS> Serve warm for breakfast by heating in dehydrator for 10-30 minutes prior to eating. Try adding a smoothie too!

Hello California!

So guess who moved to Cali?!?
MmmHmmm, you guessed it.
WE DID!

Alright, alright, so maybe it's old news,
But we got here about 2 weeks ago-
So I decided it was about time to post all about it.

We have settled into Anaheim Hills.
We are not too far from all of the following:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's old home.
Disneyland.
The Ocean.
Mother's Market...he he.
Six Flags.
LA.
LDS Newport Beach & LA temples.
Hollywood.
...And best of all: family!

Seems like a good opportunity to get my tan on!
Or take advantage of the heat like these people did:

Raw Carrot Cake Truffles

Had a bad day? Craving sugar?
Whatever the case,
Your life is missing these.
Seriously!

Just process/blend all ingredients, roll in cinnamon or shredded coconut, refrigerate an hour, and serve!
Caution: they'll be gone before long.
Sooooo...what are you waiting for?
Give them a try!

Raw Carrot Cake Truffles
{All thanks to Tera Warner!}

1c. almonds
1/4c. walnuts
1/4c. pecans (or sub for 1/4 c. walnuts)
6 Medjool dates, pitted
1/4c. raisins
1t. coconut oil
1/4c. coconut, shredded and unsweetened
2 large carrots, chopped
1T. flaxseed, ground
1t. cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

Raw Cookie Dough Bites...Mmmm

Thanks to "a dash of compassion" I have this wonderful recipe!
{The picture is hers, too!}
The only thing I changed was subbing the dark choco chips for raw carob chips.
Why?
I just wanted a different flavor!
But don't be shy-
Try it both ways ;)

These are absolutely aMmmmmmazing!
If you are anything like me-
and crave gooey, chocolatey cookie dough-
Well, here's exactly what you need.

It tastes EXACTLY the same or maybe even RICHER.
But, of course, with way less calories and fat.
Treat yourself the right way...
With this recipe.

2/3 c. almonds
2/3 c. walnuts
2/3 c. oats
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/8 t. sea salt
1/4 c. agave
2 t. vanilla
3 T. (raw) carob chips (you can also use dark choco chips or cacao nibs)

Using your food processor, process the nuts, oats, cinnamon and salt until fine. Add the agave and vanilla. Process. Last, add the carob chips. Pulse briefly. Roll dough into balls and place cookie pan lined with parchment paper. Freeze about an hour. Store balls in a tightly covered container in the freezer...Enjoy! Thanks, "a dash of compassion" for the recipe!

Ps. Here's a picture of mine- I actually added MORE carob and pulsed much longer. Turned out marvelous- though the picture obviously does not do justice!

Attention: Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

So greatest smoothie ever. Right here.
Don't even dare argue with me.
I mean, please, I am obsessed with smoothies-
and this one?
Well, don't mind me if I drool while typing up the recipe!

Speaking of the recipe:
It's my sisters!
Honestly, I have the best sister in the whole wide world.

Now without further adieu,
Here is the recipe...
YUMMMMMMMM.

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
{serves 2 plentifully}

1 c. coconut water (buy it by the can at almost any store)
1/4 c. agave
1 t. vanilla
1/4 c. cocoa powder
2 bananas
2 c. frozen cherries

Blend. And go to heaven.

*Chef's note: this is definitely DPW (dinner-party-worthy)! Serve this in small glasses as a dessert, topped with cherries and sprinkled with cocoa powder.

bring it: one week of RAW.

Alright, so call me crazy, but I decided to eat raw.
For one week.
What the heck, right?!

I've blogged raw food before-
And bragged on my raw foodie sister-
But never have I attempted a completely raw diet.

I started Monday. And it will last through Sunday.
Why?!
Well, first let me give a brief intro to the raw lifestyle.

What is "raw," anyway?
In general, raw food indicates itself as unprocessed and uncooked.
The whole idea is intended to keep food living-
So that all enzymes are active and no nutrients die via cooking or processing.
Therefore, to be considered "raw," food cannot be heated >40-49 degrees celsius.
Or 104-120 degrees fahrenheit.
There are debates within that range,
But basically: the lower the heat, the lower risk of killing active enzymes and nutrients.

Most people think "raw" or "living" food encompasses only carrot sticks and apples.
Think again.
My diet this week includes raw carrot cake truffles, raw granola, and raw cookie dough bites!
Among other things, of course.
So what can you eat?
Well, when someone says "raw," you might as well think "plant."
It includes fruits & veggies, nuts, seeds, grains, and more.
Of course this excludes dairy, eggs, meat-
unless we're talking coconut meat, of course!

So here's the deal:
You can make raw tacos taste 10x better than those fresh tacos you had down in Mexico-
Or feast on delicate raspberry cheesecake made from cashews, agave nectar, and raspberries!
It's an easy feat.
And you won't crave a thing.

Would I recommend raw food as a lifestyle?
Well, that's a whole new matter.
Vegans and raw foodies alike lack one specific necessary vitamin-
And that's vitamin b12, only available from animal products.
What does b12 do for us? And why is it so important?
Don't worry-
I'll fill ya in with a whole new post on the topic.

Just know that vitamins and minerals are our key to living a long, happy, and healthy life-
Especially if we get them in healthy amounts and from the purest source (food.)
So share this week with me by checking into-and trying-the recipes I post!

♥ Bethany