Zuccini Cacao Cookies

by Susan on July 26, 2010

We are right in the height of zucchini season and I have pounds of zucchini sitting on my kitchen counter. My farmer friend, Gray, put in quite a few plants and they have been prolific. Inspired by an old, non-raw recipe for zucchini chocolate cake, I put together a raw food recipe for these little zucchini cacao bites. You, and your family will love them. They have a wonderful chocolate flavor and a moist, chewy texture. Feel free to add nuts!

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Are you a “Raw Foodist”

by Susan on July 25, 2010

I have been thoroughly enjoying the responses to the salt post. I knew when I wrote it, there would be varying opinions. To use salt or not is objective…as your responses to the salt post have indicated! It also brings up an important point. Are we labeling? I have wanted to address this for a while because we like to use labels and unfortunately division occurs because of those labels.

People like to separate into camps. There even is a new school-old school raw food dichotomy present these days. Unfortunately it is full of judgment. Which is why I don’t like labels and why I deviate away from calling myself a “raw-foodist”. Really what I am is a person who is interested in eating the food I like in the healthiest, most nutritious form possible. In my opinion, that is raw.

Yes, there are certain foods, like Kale that develop more of some nutrients when cooked. So does being a raw foodist mean I can’t cook my kale? Not in my book. Am I 100% raw? Sometimes. Am I high raw? Most of the time. But there you go again…another label, “High Raw”. Do we need that label just to make ourselves feel good? To stroke our own ego? To put ourselves ‘one up’ over someone who isn’t?

Google “raw-foodist” and you will come up with all kinds of silly descriptions of what eating a raw food diet means-mostly written by people who have no experience with a raw food diet. We are freaks, fadists – and, oh my – you better talk to your doctor before eating natural raw foods because, who knows what might happen when you introduce more healthy food and nutrients.* I think that people should be advised to consult their physician before they eat a fast food, super-sized meal at McDonald’s!

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Let’s Talk Salt

July 22, 2010
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We can not live without salt. It is essential to many of our bodies functions. Did you know that along with water, the right kind of salt can actually help regulate your blood pressure? It helps promote a healthy ph balance in your cells and promotes bone strength. Salt has many other health benefits. But…all [...]

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Basil Zucchini Wraps

July 19, 2010
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I love wraps. They are a quick, easy way to throw together a tasty, healthy lunch or dinner. These wraps have a zucchini-basil base with a little coconut thrown in. Black sesame seeds add a little color and nutrients. For the filling, a quick dice of some veggies combined with spinach cream is perfect. These [...]

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Rawmazing at Mpls Farmer’s Market

July 17, 2010
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Just a quick Saturday update to let you know that Rawmazing will be at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market this morning. I am demonstrating raw food preparation at 10:30, with samples! If you are in the Minneapolis area, stop by and say hi! Other Morning Thoughts: I have been having an interesting discussion with a friend [...]

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Raw Food and Nutritional Yeast

July 14, 2010
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Before we jump into today’s post, I want to take care of a little website business. If you subscribe to our feed, please note we are now implimenting Aweber. Why, you ask? Our Feedburner feed or RSS subscription will only notify you when a new blog post is up. If you subscribe through Aweber (upper [...]

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Raw Food and Cravings

July 12, 2010
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I love eating a raw food diet. I especially love eating a raw food diet in the summer. Many of you know that I frequent our farmer’s markets. Not only do I get great prices on produce, but I get fresh, just picked veggies and fruit. I also get to support local growers and see [...]

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Rawmazing Dessert Cookbook Update

July 7, 2010
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We are so close! The actual print copy proof has been ordered and should be here this week. After that, it will only be a matter of days until our first cookbook is ready! I am so excited to bring you this labor of love…and I mean that in the most literal of senses. If [...]

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White Chocolate Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart

July 5, 2010
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Years ago, one of my family’s favorite desserts was a white chocolate, raspberry, chocolate tart. I have been thinking about it lately and decided that I was going to make a raw version to bring to the 4th of July celebration at my friend Kim’s house. I was the only raw food person there but [...]

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Rawmazing on the Radio

July 3, 2010
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This morning, I was a guest on KTNF Radio 950 AM in Minneapolis. The show is called, “Fresh and Local” and is hosted by Susan Berkson and Bonnie Denh of Dehn’s Gardens. Crystal Grobe of Cafe Cyan, a local food writer and blogger who writes about fresh, local food was also a guest on the [...]

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