Viveca's Raw Food Journey

Potluck January 8

2012-01-07T09:56:00.002-05:00

Our next potluck will be Sunday, January 8 at 3:00 p.m. at Loggerhead Park.

Potluck--November 6 at 3:00 p.m.

2011-11-04T16:38:00.002-04:00

Our next potluck will be on
Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m.
at the Loggerhead Park!

Next Potluck, Sunday October 2 at 3:00 p.m.

2011-09-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

Our next raw food group potluck will be this Sunday, October 2, at 3:00.

We will hold it at the Loggerhead Park off U.S. 1, which is just north of Donald Ross.

Be sure to have my cell phone number with you in case you don't see us. Usually, we are near the top of the hill on the right hand side.

If you have any questions, contact me.

Next Potluck, Sunday, August 7 at 3:30

2011-08-06T00:05:00.002-04:00

Our next potluck will be this Sunday, August 7th at 3:30 at Loggerhead Park.

Contact Viveca, if you need more information.

Potluck this Sunday!

2011-04-02T09:40:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that our monthly raw food potluck is tomorrow, April 3.

Where: Loggerhead Park, under a pavilion
When: 3:00 p.m.

It will be a nice day, so bring or wear your bathing suit to go and enjoy the beach after we eat!

Potluck tomorrow, Sunday March 6

2011-03-05T09:54:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our monthly raw food potluck at Loggerhead Park.

We will meet at a pavilion (usually near the top right hand side after you fork to the left after passing the gate) at 3:00 p.m.

It may be windy, so bring a light jacket.

Bring raw, organic food. If you need an idea, you can check the many raw food recipe sites online, bring a salad or fruit, or contact Viveca for suggestions.

Hope to see you tomorrow.

Next Raw Food Potluck--this Sunday!

2011-02-01T23:08:00.002-05:00

Our next raw food potluck will be this Sunday, February 6 at 3:00 at Loggerhead Park.

Contact Viveca if you need any details or ideas of what to bring. All are welcome!

Updates

2010-12-24T07:34:00.000-05:00

First I want to wish you all a happy holiday!

Our next raw food potluck will be January 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Loggerhead Beach Park.

I want to announce that a new raw food restaurant will be opening up in Palm Beach Gardens. They say it will be open on January 6th. I am hoping for us to meet there one day after that. I will be sending an e-mail around to see if we can all come up on a date. I am so excited about this. It has been a long time coming to have a raw food restaurant on the north part of Palm Beach County!!!!

LA Fitness

2010-12-14T20:36:00.001-05:00

I've been working at LA Fitness in Palm Beach Gardens, as a personal trainer, for the past two weeks. It will take time to build up my clientele. But I really love working there.

December Fitness Motivator Newsletter

2010-12-14T20:34:00.000-05:00

The current issue of the Fitness Motivator Newsletter is now online. You can find it here.

My News!

2010-11-04T18:29:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday I took my certification exam to become a Personal Trainer. I am happy to say that I passed the exam. I am now waiting for my certification to arrive in the mail.

On the 16th I'll be leaving on a road trip to North Carolina to meet my new twin grandsons that were born October 31. A couple days after I return, it will be Thanksgiving. Hopefully, the following Monday, I'll be working at LA Fitness. I'll keep you posted.

REMINDER--Potluck on Sunday

2010-11-04T18:26:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that Sunday is our PBG Raw Food Group potluck at Loggerhead Park at 3:00 p.m.

Please remember about the time change. We will be setting our clocks back 1 hours on Saturday night. Keep this in mind on Sunday!

Next Raw Food Potluck for PBG Raw Food Group

2010-10-31T16:48:00.000-04:00

Our next potluck will be a week from today. It will be on November 7 at 3:00 p.m. at the Loggerhead Beach Park. This is located right of U.S. 1, just north of Donald Ross.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Check our website for other information.

Be sure to take your cell phone with you so you can find out where we are, if you don't see us. You can e-mail me if you need my cell phone number.

Fitness Motivator Newsletter--October Issue

2010-10-19T11:41:00.000-04:00

The October issue of the Fitness Motivator Newsletter is now online.
http://www.fitnessmotivatornewsletter.com/vol_10_issue_10.html

Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Potluck

2010-09-22T01:04:00.000-04:00

Our next raw food potluck will be held October 3 at 3:00 at Loggerhead Park.

You can check out our website at http://vivecapark.com/PBG-raw-food-group/

Everything should be raw, organic and vegan.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Green Smoothie Crusader

2010-09-16T10:51:00.000-04:00

I have been telling people about the benefits of drinking green smoothies. I have let them taste them and tell them that even if they make no other changes in their lifestyle, after 30 days, they will feel a difference. This is called the 30-day green smoothie challenge.

I have converted at least 3 people in the last couple of month, and they have had great results. One has dropped weight and reduced his blood glucose numbers.

All you need is a blender--but a Vita-Mix works so much better. I've had mine for well over 11 years and it's still going strong. You can see my review and see all that this miracle super blender can do (like make soft serve ice cream and sorbet, soup, and more!).

Next PBG Raw Food Potluck September 12

2010-08-25T07:55:00.000-04:00

Our next PBG Raw Food Potluck will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 3:00 p.m. at the Loggerhead Park.

See our website for more information or contact me.

POTLUCK SUNDAY!

2010-08-06T12:36:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder that Sunday, August 8 will be our next raw food potluck at Loggerhead Park.

We'll meet at 3:00 at a pavilion.

If you don't see us, give me a call on my cell phone.

If you don't have my cell phone, send me an e-mail to request it.

It looks like it will be a very small group this time because I know of a few people who can't make it.

I will wear my bathing suit and go down to the beach after the potluck. Everybody is welcome to do the same!

I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

No Potluck in July!

2010-06-27T22:31:00.000-04:00

Because the 4th of July falls on the first Sunday of the month, we will NOT be having a July potluck.

Our next potluck will be Sunday, August 8 at 3:00 at Loggerhead Park. (off U.S. 1 just north of Donald Ross).

Fun at Potluck!

2010-04-14T11:36:00.002-04:00

Last Sunday, we had our monthly raw food potluck at Loggerhead Park. I wasn't sure how the weather was going to be since they were calling for thunderstorms. However, I decided to go for it, since the weather was o.k. earlier.

It was nice, but very windy. It was a bit chilly, too. Luckily the rain held out until after we had finished eating.

There were about 8 of us. This is a nice amount. We can all sit around one picnic table. I had a blast. There was so much laughter going on. We also had lots of good, healthy food!!!

Cafe 118 in Winter Park, Florida

2010-03-19T09:23:00.018-04:00

A couple months ago, at a local raw food potluck, I heard about a raw food cafe in Winter Park, Florida. These two sisters were going to drive almost 3 hours to eat there. They had eaten there before the same week, and wanted to go back. So, when I was in Orlando a two weeks ago, I decided to take the opportunity to check out Cafe 118 myself. It is located in a cute park of Winter Park. I don't know much about Winter Park to know if this is downtown--but I think it is.

I got there after the lunch hour, so there weren't many customers. This was fine with me because it gave me a chance to speak with the staff.

After explaining how I came to discover Cafe 118 and how I was always seeking new raw food restaurants, I was shown this month's local magazine with a several page story about Cafe 118. It was a very flattering article with lots of colored pictures. I was quite impressed with it.

I decided to order on of my usual raw food meals, spinach lasagna, so I could compare it with what I've eaten before. I have to say that I was more than pleased with it. The flavors were more subtle, and it was quite tasty.

I couldn't decide between the key lime pie and pumpkin pie, so I ordered the key lime pie for my dessert and the pumpkin pie to take back to the vacation condo for dessert that nigh!

The Key Lime pie actually was a large tart. I enjoyed it greatly. The pumpkin pie tasted more like pumpkin cheese cake. I REALLY LOVED IT and could have easily eaten another piece!

When I go back to Orlando, I will definitely go to Cafe 118 again!!!

Next Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Potluck--March 7

2010-02-22T11:49:00.006-05:00

The next Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food potluck will be on Sunday, March 7th at 3:00 at Loggerhead Park.

Loggerhead Park is in the Juno Beach area. It is right off U.S. 1 and just north of Donald Ross.

The weather should be nice, and we may have trouble finding a pavilion., so please take my cell phone number with you to help locate us. E-mail me if you need my cell phone number.

If you know you will be attending, it is best to let me know & send me your phone number in case there are changes of any kind.

Check out our group website for more information about our group.

Kevin & Annmarie Gianni Potluck Event at Rene's

2010-02-22T10:01:00.004-05:00

One of my wishes finally came true! Saturday was the High Raw talk given by Kevin Gianni. It was great finally getting to meet Kevin and Annmarie in person after watching them on The Renegade Health Show for the past two years!

This raw potluck event was at Rene & Allan Oswald's home. There was a great turn out of about 50 people!

I made my Cauliflower Cheeze and once again, everyone enjoyed it. Since I brought my sister with me, I made a double batch, but it was all gone by the end of the evening!

Since I've been asked for the recipe, I have posted it at my Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group website.

Potluck

2010-02-08T13:00:00.009-05:00

We had a pretty good turn out for our potluck on Sunday, February 7, in spite of the cool and breezy weather across from the beach. We had our regulars, plus a couple people who have never made it.

These pictures were taken before everyone arrived. I had forgotten my camera, so took these with my phone camera. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take pictures after everyone got there.

Everyone brought something very yummy & healthful, too (of course)! My Califlower Cheeze was a hit, and it didn't take long for it to be finished. I have to admit that I had 3 servings. I want to thank Russell James for sending out this tasty recipe in one of his recent newsletters.

Next Raw Potluck

2010-01-30T08:48:00.004-05:00

The Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group will have their next potluck on Sunday, February 7, at 3:00 at Loggerhead Park.

The weather is starting to get nicer, and this should be a fun & delicious day! I hope to see you there.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

This is the dish that I will be bringing. It is called Cauliflower Cheeze.

Opening Coconuts

2010-01-30T08:38:00.007-05:00

It is wonderful to start each day drinking coconut water! If I'm lucky, there is also either some coconut jelly or chewy coconut meat to eat after I finish the water.

Last night my friend was over to have me open some coconuts for her. She wanted to take pictures of me doing this, so I'm going to post them here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-01T13:47:00.005-05:00

I started the first day of the new year by drinking coconut water from 2 coconuts. I then took a bike ride. It was the first time I rode my bike in at least 4 months, but I decided to do one of my hour rides since I've been getting to the gym consistently and staying active. I was still surprised that the ride was pretty easy.

Since I hadn't eaten before my ride, and because I'm trying to keep my weight on and build muscle, I ate 3 bananas when I returned. I was going to have my energy soup, but I decided to have the bananas first and wait an hour, so they can be digested before having my energy soup.

Tonight I am going to my daughter's house for dinner. My son and his wife are coming into town, and this will be our big dinner together (along with my parents, my husband, my son-in-law, and my grandchildren) I will be bringing a large salad and some date nut torte. I will also make sure I'm not too hungry before going, even if it means drinking a green smoothie.

I wish you all a healthy, happy, abundant & fit New Year!

Building Muscle on a Raw Food Vegan Diet.

2009-12-25T08:43:00.007-05:00

Since becoming raw again, I could tell that my strength was improving when I was working out at the gym. Many times we hear people ask us where we get our protein. It is like a broken record, but these people are serious--they don't know.

How we as Americans have been brainwashed with the nutritional guidelines! There is so much information that isn't bombarded in the media. Of course, the media is meant to make a profit. There is no profit for the meat and dairy industry, if the average person found out that they didn't need to get their protein from dead animals and dairy!

Think about it...where do the apes, giraffes, hippos, horses, cows, etc. get their protein for their enormous muscles? From greens, of course. So, instead of getting my protein second hand, I'm getting it directly from the source.

Also, most carnivores do not realize that by cooking their food, their bodies are only able to utilize about 50% of the protein they are getting.

That is enough of my little soap box. I am just happy to report that since I've been consuming a raw diet since March of 2008, I've been able to consistently push myself more with my weight training.

I'm hoping 2010 will bring even better results. I'm am working on building more muscle to make sure I don't lose any more weight.

Our bodies are miraculous. If you feed it right and treat it with the respect it deserves, it can heal itself and give you the energy and health you need to live an active life.

Here are some links that might interest you. (Use your back button to get back to my blog.)

On Pace: Can vegan diet fuel an athlete? He says yes

Steve Pavlina

Raw Food Diet

Raw Food Videos

Raw Food Pot Luck Change Today!

2009-12-06T10:20:00.002-05:00

Because of the cool front and the breeze, I've decided not to have the potluck at the beach today.

Instead, it will be at my condo, since we usually never have more than a handful of people.

Please call me for details and directions, if you plan on attending.

Thanks.

Viveca

Publish Post

Lifefood Gourmet

2009-11-27T18:56:00.008-05:00

I FINALLY MADE IT!!! Today I took my parents to the Miami airport. Since I have been wanting to get down to Miami for over one and half years, it gave me the opportunity to go to Miami and finally get to Lifefood Gourmet.

I have to say that it was well worth the wait! I got misplaced along the way since my GPS didn't want to cooperate. John was very patient and helpful each of the 3 times I called for assistance.

Once I arrived, he met me with a smile. He was behind the counter preparing food for the women who had arrived previously.

The restaurant is cozy in size, but the food is fit for a 5-star, spacious restaurant. I decided to try the pizza because the crust was different than most of the raw food pizzas I have tried. I wasn't sure what I would think of pumpkin cream "cheese," but it was very tasty--not what I expected. I was very happy with my personal-sized pizza.

Now, for the dessert....YUM. I asked if they had cheesecake. John said they didn't, but they had a special today. It was pumpkin pie. I had a couple variations of pumpkin pie at a potluck I attended yesterday, but decided to give it a try anyway.

I was VERY happy I did. The pumpkin pie far exceeded my expectations! It had been removed from the freezer about 20 minutes or so before I got it. It felt a little frosty as I put my fork into it. It reminded me of a gourmet pumpkin ice cream. It was all I could do not to take another piece home for later!

Before leaving, I found out that John sells fresh coconut water in glass bottles. I bought one for a treat for later.

I will definitely go back to Lifefood Gourmet the next time I go to Miami. I may find 3 other people to share a ride with me.

For you convenience, I have listed the link below in the link section.

New Vegan Restuarant in West Palm Beach!!

2009-11-26T11:04:00.005-05:00

I just found out that a new vegetarian restaurant opened in WPB last week. It is called Darbster. I checked out their menu and saw that in addition to salads, they do have a small raw food section. If enough of us patronize this restuarant, maybe we can influence them to expand their raw food selections.

This is the description I received:

Darbster is a unique vegetarian bistro with a creative menu that will appeal to both the vegetarian and mainstream dinner. Our goal is provide delicious, natural, organic and vegetarian friendly cuisine that will appeal to all tastes.

8020 S. Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL, 33405
561-586-2622

http://www.darbster.com

Raw Food Thanksgiving Potluck!

2009-11-09T22:47:00.013-05:00

Here is the notice about this potluck that I received from Susan & Caroline. I plan on going & hope to see you there!

It's Thanksgiving!

Let's socialize!

Let's give thanks!

Let's eat some life-giving raw and living foods!

******* There's plenty of room, bring your friends! *******

THANKSGIVING DAY potluck!

Thursday, November 26, 2009
~ from 3:00 P.M.

at Susan and Caroline's

6800 Country Place Road - off Skees Rd (between Belvedere and Okeechobee, just west of Jog Rd.)

West Palm Beach, FL 33411

561 478-7444

The same guidelines apply as other potlucks -

Bring food (food is required) - enough for 10 people, if not more...

Please bring only organic, raw, vegan food to share (no animal flesh or eggs, no dairy, no cheese). Your recipe and your name placed next to your dish is important for those with special dietary concerns.

If you haven't made a lot of raw food recipes or you prefer to eat more simply, you can bring a simple green salad and a dressing made without vinegar.

For inspiration about what to bring, go to www.rawfoodinfo.com. Also, there are great recipe books out there - Rene Oswald has one www.ReneOswald.com , Jackie and Gideon Graff have several www.SproutRawFood.org, Rhio has a wonderful book - Hooked On Raw www.rawfoodinfo.com and there are countless others to choose from.

There's only 2 very small steps into our home... and two dogs - Sophie the Lab will be playing in the backyard, Sweetie the Yorkie will join us... $2.00 per person helps to cover our expenses

We hope you can make it!! PLEASE RSVP!!

If you have ANY QUESTIONS about what to bring, or wonder if the ingredients are okay, please contact me!

You can email me at VitalLongevity@earthlink.net or call 561 478-7444

To join or learn more about our group and our monthly events, follow this link:

http://rawfood.meetup.com/211

Next Potluck Sunday, December 6

2009-11-04T15:48:00.000-05:00

Our next raw food potluck will be on Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Loggerhead Park.

Next Raw Food Potluck--November 1

2009-10-18T20:24:00.004-04:00

The next raw food potluck for the the Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group will be on Sunday, November 1 at 3:00.

We meet at a pavilion there. Contact me for further details.

Visit our website. While you're there, sign up for our Yahoo Group mailing list to be informed of our potlucks and other events in the area.

Viveca Park

Next Raw Potluck--September 27

2009-09-19T21:47:00.003-04:00

The Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group will be having their next potluck at 4 p.m. on September 27 at the Loggerhead Park.

If you have any questions or don't see us at a pavilion, give me a call at 951-0471.

Trip to Denver

2009-09-07T22:23:00.003-04:00

On August 31, I went to Denver to visit my younger sister, Jann. I was there five wonderful days! What a great little break I had. Although it wasn't a long time, it felt like a real vacation.

My sister was a very gracious hostess. I was able to make my green smoothies every day: we went out to places to eat where I could get a nice salad; we had a pedicure; we took morning walks around different lakes; we went to the movies to see The Time Traveler's Wife, we worked out at her gym, and last, but not least, she gave me a hot stone massage one day, and the next day she gave me an ionic foot spa (detox) and reflexology on my feet and hands.

I even got in a little reading in in addition to what I read on trip to and from Denver--I read two paperbacks.

The weather was gorgeous. Most days it was in the 70s. It seemed cooler at night. The last day it was 66 and overcast. It felt like fall. I wore my cotton sweater a lot since I'm used to the sub-tropics of South Florida. It was a nice change for me.

I'm back to the sweltering weather in Florida, but that is o.k. with me. I love my hot weather. And anyway, I'm inside a lot. Also, I much prefer the heat of summer in South Florida to the cold of winter up north!

Thanks, Jann, for the memorable visit!

New Gym

2009-09-07T22:09:00.003-04:00

I switched gyms last Wednesday. I now belong to LA Fitness and absolutely love it! It is a big difference from the gym I belonged to. It just opened the end of April, so it is everything is so new. I've been really pumped ever since joining.

Out of five days, I've gone four days--but I've been five times. I've changed my workout schedule. Instead of just alternating upper and lower body exercises, I'll do a push/pull 3-day split routine. I'll take at least one day off a week and on other days, I'll take a yoga or pilates class, water exercise or just cardio. I'll continue to stretch after every workout.

I know I'll be pushing my fitness to the next level.

I'm also happy that this gym is closer. It is only about a mile from where I live.

Energy Soup

2009-06-06T23:29:00.003-04:00

When I attended the Living Food's Institute, we made energy soup every day. It is really a drink and not a soup.
It is thick & creamy and not heated at all.

We used ingredients such as greens (I mainly use kale or collard greens), sprouted mung beans, sprouted lentils, sunflower greens, buckwheat greens, dulse, avocado, and apple.

It didn't taste wonderful, but it wasn't really bad either. We drank this throughout the day. By day two, I was really getting into drinking it, and actually starting to like it.

I can't say that I love energy soup, but for some reason, I crave this and drink it every day. In the close to 3 months since I returned from the Living Foods Institute, I think I've missed making (and drinking) this only 3 days.

I think my body is craving it since it is full of enzymes and nutrients.

I look forward to my energy soup every day!!

You can find the recipe here: Energy Soup Recipe

Next Raw Food Potluck CHANGE

2009-05-20T13:18:00.000-04:00

The next Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group potluck will on Sunday, May 31 at 4:00 p.m. It will be at a pavilion at Loggerhead Park, which is on US HWY 1 just north of Donald Ross.

We never know which pavilion we will get, so if you don't see us, just call my cell at 561-951-0471.

We now have a website. The link is also listed on the right below.

100% Raw & Getting Stronger

2009-05-05T16:18:00.002-04:00

I have to share this information with you because people always ask where a vegan gets their protein (not to mention a raw vegan).

I have done weight training on and off for the past 30 + years. I haven't always been consistent and there have been times when I didn't make it to the gym for periods of time.

This time when I went raw (May 2008), I decided I didn't want to lose muscle. I made sure that I was regular and consistent in my weight training routine. I have to say that I am amazed at how strong I've become Not that I wasn't strong in the past, but I am almost 58 years old and haven't been this strong for a long time.

I am writing this for those of you who visit my blog and think that by going raw or becoming a vegan, you will lose muscle. That is not the case. If you work out with weights consistently and push yourself to higher weights when possible, you don't have to worry about losing muscle.

I don't ever remember having such hard thigh muscles. I plan to continue pushing myself to see how well I can look as I reach my 60s and later years. I am committed to both my raw lifestyle with fitness cross training.

Back in town

2009-04-24T00:22:00.003-04:00

Last week my husband, Paul, & I went to Wrightsville Beach for our son's wedding. We took 2 days getting there and 2 days getting back. We stayed there 3 nights.

I must say that I worried about what I would be eating ahead of time--and it was for no reason. Although I guess by being concerned about what I was going to eat, helped me to prepare for the trip. I took a cooler and brought several raw food items, as well as fruit.

Since we had a kitchen at the beach condo, I brought my Vita-Mix. I brought my jars of mung bean & lentil sprouts. I was able to make my energy soup all 3 days we were at the beach.

I brought wheat grass and my portable wheat grass juicer and had my wheat grass juice 2 of the 3 days we were there.

I also made energy soup for the first day of the trip each way. I also made and brought smoothies and strawberry (almond milk) milkshakes.

I brought some soaked & dehydrated nuts with me. I had planned on making the milkshakes while there, but I forgot to bring my nutmilk straining bags. I won't forget the next time!

While eating out, I had some really nice salads. Since I don't really consider a salad a meal, I would go back to the beach condo and eat something else. I never lacked for good food. I was even able to get some sprouted lentils and mung beans at the salad bar at Lovey's Market & Cafe.

Of course, prior to my trip, I looked online for raw food restaurants and health food stores. There were no raw food restaurants in Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach, but I did find 2 good health food store.

It was a bit chilly there, although it was still sunny and nice--just not warm as Palm Beach Gardens. We had a 3-rd floor condo with a nice ocean view. We had a really nice time! All in all, I think I did a pretty good job eating healthfully.

Alkaline Water

2009-03-30T15:28:00.004-04:00

I have been hearing so many good things about water ionizers and alkaline water lately. I had the opportunity to drink alkaline water while at Living Foods Institute. They used the one that they found worked best.

They use the Athena model by Ion Ways. After returning home, my father told me that he wanted an water ionizer. He had been reading so much about how important it is to drink alkaline water. He did some further research and decided to go with the Athena model.

I know a lot of people sell the Kangen system. I was told that it was 12-year old technology and the Athena is under a 3-year technology. It is also the only one that cleans the minerals out while being used--it is self cleaning.

In the process of ordering one for him, I decided to become an online affiliate. So, as of today, I have a website to sell these. You can find it here.

If you have any questions, feel free to check out the website and contact me. I'm hoping to make enough sales that I can hurry and buy one for myself!!!!

More Living Foods

2009-03-30T15:09:00.002-04:00

Since I've been back from Living Foods Institute. I was right when I thought it could help me move to the next level.

I am sprouting mung beans and lentils and buying the buckwheat, sunflower and pea sprout greens. I am using these daily in my energy soup.

I have been sprouting soft wheat berries and have been making rejuvelac. Saturday I started my first big pot of vegi-kraut.

I have been eating lots of salad, doing a better job of making salad dressings.

I have bought some more Mason jars, and finally also got the wide mouth quart jars.

I feel like I have really increased my level of Living foods, and have so much energy! Since I'm consuming so much more spouts, I feel like my body has become even more alkaline and, therefore, my taste buds have changed. I'm enjoying foods that I never liked before. Such as vegi-kraut and pickled beets.

Going to the Living Foods Institute has really inspired me. I am happy that I had the opportunity to go.

Day 11--Graduation Day

2009-03-16T07:24:00.002-04:00

Today we started out with our wheat grass juice and had a chance to visit and then talk with our chef, Isia. We then went into the kitchen and prepared food. We had lunch and then started having our classmates sign our personalized aprons and signed theirs.

Our graduation ceremony started at 3:30. We served our guests and then waited until it was time to go up to give our testimonies and receive our diplomas. Before receiving our diplomas, four of our classmates did a skit. It was hilarious and had our director, Jane, in stitches. She was laughing through tears.

It was a wonderful culmination of many long days, filled with sharing with classmates, filled with experiences of all kinds. The time I spent here will never be forgotten, nor the wonderful people I met, including classmates, practitioners and staff.

Day 10

2009-03-14T19:51:00.003-04:00

Today is my day 10. Tomorrow will be graduation! Today is Saturday. We had classes as usual, and I had a reflexology treatment, a detox foot bath, and a colonic, as well as the 3 other things I do on my own (Med-Light, Chi Machine, & rebounding).

We made several things today in our uncooking class. One of the items we made was lasagna. We had a very tiny portion today, but will have more tomorrow at our graduation party.

We watched the dvd You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. I didn't see all of it because of a therapy treatment, but I had seen it before (thanks, Cathy).

We got out about 1 1/2 hours early. I had a great treat after class because I got off the train at a different stop and met my son, Mike & his fiance, Dela for dinner. It was even better because they took me to a place that I had heard about in class. This place served some raw food as well as vegetarian food, as well as non-vegetarian food. We all were pleased with our choices. I had raw cashew cheese with veggies and pear slices.

They dropped me off at my motel after dinner, and I got here about an hour earlier than usual. That in itself would have been a treat, but I really did enjoy seeing Dela & Mike.

I'm looking forward to our graduation tomorrow and to taste all the different foods we have been making. I'm not sure what we'll be making in the morning, but we're sure to have some tasty food!

Monday will be my day 12, but about half the students will be gone. There will be no classes, but I'll be having my last colonic, reflexology and Indian head massage. I look forward to that. My last treatment will be done by 1, so I'll be heading to the motel shortly after that unless I decide to do something in Atlanta first. Maybe I'll try to find the local raw food restaurant.

Tomorrow will probably be my last posting regarding my Living Food Institute experience. You'll have to visit my blog again after that to hear about my next raw food adventure.

Day 9

2009-03-14T19:43:00.004-04:00

Today we had our usual raw food classes, but after that we got some very bad news. Edna, a classmate that had gone home ill the previous day, had passed away. Her husband informed us that is had nothing to do with detoxing. She had been on chemo for a cancer, but at the hospital they found out that she also had a brain tumor that they were unaware of.

As you may guess, this was very upsetting news for us all. She had been a very friendly woman, who was a great classmate. She had been on my uncooking class team, so I had some extra time to get to know her. She had such a wonderful smile, and by her attitude in class, you might not have guessed that she was in pain.

We had bought some aprons and had them personalized. Her apron came in today. We decided to all sign it as though she was receiving it. We will give it to her family along with a plant and a card. We will all remember her in our own private ways. I'm sure she will be with us in spirit on graduation day!

Day 8

2009-03-12T18:59:00.003-04:00

I should say "day 8, and I'm feeling great!" I got back to my motel room about 10 minutes earlier than usual. Even better, a new friend decided not to eat her lunch today, and let me take it home for my dinner. That means no fruit for dinner tonight.

I'm eating a duplicate of what I had for lunch. That is salad with buckwheat & sunflower sprouts, lentil and mung bean sprouts, a miso, lemon salad dressing and spring greens; some vegi-kraut, carrot/zucchini salad, flax seed crackers, and a small nut burger. I'm in heaven!!!

I'm in my p.j.'s and plan on being in bed before 9:30. I have been getting up at 5:15, but tomorrow I'm going to try for 5 a.m.

I can't believe that I've been here over a week already. I arrived on Wednesday, March 4th, started classes on the 5th. My last day of class will be Monday, March 16, and I'll be flying back to Florida on Tuesday, the 17th.

We made a lot of things in the kitchen yesterday, and a couple of the were for today's lunch. Today we made almond milk, which we'll use it to create carob milk tomorrow.

I think we'll be in the kitchen most of the day on Saturday because Sunday we will be having a graduation party. The students invite their family and/or friends and also local people attend.

I had my 2nd DNA energy treatment today. It has to do with canceling out imprints from our ancestors. Here is the website from the person who developed this technique.

I also had a foot bath detox. I just looked at my class schedule and see that I have no therapies tomorrow. Of course, I can still do the Chi machine, the rebounder and the med-light.

I'm going to finish my dinner now.

Day 7

2009-03-11T19:14:00.004-04:00

Today is day 7 for me, but it is day 6 for many others since I started a day early for treatments. A lot of people were feeling better after the beginning of their detox. However, that was until they couldn't have solid food for lunch today. Today we had a liquid only day.

During our raw food classes, we made 3 different types of smoothies. So along with our usual energy soup, today we also had smoothies. By this afternoon, there were about 5 people who weren't feeling well due to that extra detoxing. Some have opted to eat something at dinner. It was stressed that they stick with a salad and chew very slowly and carefully.

I have decided to go the rest of the night without solids. I brought some alkaline water to drink tonight from the institute.

Today we also made cookies and savory burgers. We will have some for lunch tomorrow, but the majority of what we made will be for our graduation party on Sunday.

The fitness trainer was here first thing this morning and led us through some more exercise. It was nice to learn a few more exercises that I can do when I can't go to the gym or am traveling and don't have access to weights or machines.

Today I had my 3rd colonic, and I had my 3rd reflexology session. I'm in heaven when I have the reflexology. No comment on the other treatment.

Day 6

2009-03-11T19:10:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was day 5, and I didn't take time to post. By time I get to the motel room, I usually have 2 1/2 hours before I want to be in bed. If I get a phone call, it throws me off.

Yesterday we had a fitness trainer come and give a little demonstration and led us through a few exercises. He has a 22-minute workout that doesn't involve weights, but still gives you great strength training. He uses rubber tubing and a flex ball.

Yesterday we made raw hummus, guacamole, and salsa. We made burritos, using kale as our wraps. We also had salad along with that for lunch.

I'm sure I'm not covering 1/3 of what we did, but I can't remember many other details now.

Day 5

2009-03-09T21:07:00.003-04:00

The time is flying by. I spend most of my day at the institute and right under 2 hours commuting and a couple of hours awake in the motel room before going to bed. I'm not complaining at all--this is such a wonderful adventure!

Today first thing in the morning, I had a DNA energy healing session. I can tell you more about it later, if you're interested. Just send me an e-mail.

Then we had a little class time before going into the kitchen to prepare our daily pitcher of energy soup. I went to have a treatment. I don't have any literature on it, but I think it is called Meta-Tron. I lie back in this chair, with a blanket on, and hold these 2 things shaped like dumb bells. Only difference it that these aren't solid and they seem to be made out of brass with crystals in the part that you're holding on to. They put a sleep mask on you and put a head set on you. The music sounds like Native American chanting, as well as words spoken in the background. I was there an hour. It put me in sort of a theta state. I could hear what was going on the room around me, but I was still having my own experience--kind of like meditating.

Of course, we had our wheat grass juice a few minutes after walking through the door in the morning.

I don't eat before going to the institute. I drink my wheat grass juice and then wait 30 minutes before drinking water. I try to drink a couple cups before switching over to the energy soup. Today I drank 4 large cups of it before lunch and 2 in the afternoon. We had a very large salad for lunch and some vegi-kraut. Later in the afternoon, for our snack, we got some of the ice cream that was made during the raw food class in the morning.

On the way home today, I stopped at a stop about 1/4 of a mile away to go to CVS. I'd been putting this off, but I needed some large jugs of spring water, paper towel and some Charmin. I know Denise is smiling now as she is reading this! :-)

I better get ready for bed. As my dad always said, "5:00 comes awful early." And, that is the time I'll be up in the morning. One good thing, this experience is helping me sift my schedule. I'll be ahead of the game for the summer months! I always like getting up and out early in the mornings during the summer months, when it is hot outside and the sun rays can burn you.

Day 4

2009-03-08T20:38:00.003-04:00

I'm planning on going to bed as soon as I blog. Today has been a long day, since the time changed. Also, because it is Sunday, the buses and trains don't run as frequently, I left a bit early for the bus this morning. I ended up getting there before they unlocked their doors, so I did some stretching on their porch. I got there a few minutes before 7. That would be like a few minutes before 6, had the time not changed.

I had to get to a health food store to buy fruit, after we got out at 6. I waited over 15 minutes for a bus to go about a mile. I could have walked it, but I really didn't know where I was going. On the way back, after waiting for a bus 10 minutes, I decided to try walking it. I was hoping a bus would come by as I walked passed a bus stop, but that didn't happen.

At least now I know where the health food store is, and how to get to it, and KNOW that I can walk it.

Today I started out by lying on the Chi machine. Then I had my 2nd colonic. I must say that it went better this time. After the colonic, I had my reflexology. Then we went to the kitchen for raw food classes. We also saw the progress of the planting of sprouted buckwheat seeds, and rinsed the other 2 kinds of sprouts in the jars and drained them to start sprouting.

We made quite a lot in the kitchen and got out a little late, so that we didn't eat our lunch as early as usual. After our lunch, we got to go out and enjoy the sunshine. I took a walk with a couple of women that I've met.

Right after lunch I had the Q2 Quantum Field detox foot bath.

Tomorrow morning I will have my DNA energy session. I haven't done this before, but it sounds very interesting.

I got up about 5:15 a.m. this morning, so I'm going to get ready and get into bed. I hope to be there before 9:30. Tomorrow I get to start all over. At least, now I have a little fruit in my motel fridge, so I won't be hungry in the evening for a few days.

Yesterday--Day 3

2009-03-08T06:02:00.002-04:00

I got in from classes about 7 p.m. With the time change coming, I would be in bed in 2 hours.

Yesterday, I had an energy session, which is supposed to help get rid of certain energies within my body which causes some of my physical difficulties. This was very interesting, and I got a lot out of it.

We also had many classes and lectures. Some had to do with healing with affirmations, taken from Louise Hay. We had emotional healing classes and energy classes. We were taught how to ground ourselves, and also things to do protect ourselves from others energy.

Today I am having my 2nd colonic. I'm also having a detox foot bath and reflexology. I can hardly wait for the last two. :-)

I have to get over to the bus stop now. Buses run less frequently on the weekends, and I want to be sure not to miss my bus.

I have my phone off during the day, but you can leave me a message, if you want to keep in touch.

Day 2

2009-03-06T19:48:00.002-05:00

Today we started out by having a demonstration on how to do an enema. This was discussed extensively.

Then we went to the kitchen and prepared energy soup ourselves. We also made a tomato/red pepper salad dressing.

We had lots of lectures today. I had my first hydro-colonic today. It was a long day. We got out going on 6 p.m.

I have to be there at 7:45 in the morning.

Day 1

2009-03-05T15:23:00.005-05:00

I just finished day 1 at Living Foods Institute. It was a short day because the classes don't officially start until tomorrow. Only people attending the 12-day program went today and also on day 12. The rest of the students are attending 10 days.

So today was like being pampered! I started out by getting there over an hour early. That is because I didn't know the transit system and wanted to be sure that I got there on time. It ended up that I didn't have more than a 2-minute wait when transferring from the bus to the train.

After registering, I drank some wheat grass juice. Then I relaxed until it was time for my first treatment. It was work waiting for. My first treatment was sitting in one of those massage chairs and having an Indian head massage. The areas of concentration are the neck, shoulders, head, arms and back. It lasted 45 minutes and was wonderful.

After that, I had a detox foot bath. This helps remove toxins and is also very relaxing.

Then came Bach Flower Therapy. This was very interesting. This has to do with emotions (since emotions do affect our health). After speaking with me and getting certain information regarding how I deal with things (people, life, etc.), the therapist creates a Bach Flower Therapy. I am instructed to put 3 drops in 12 ounces of water and sip for a period of time. I can repeat throughout the day. I think I may share this information at one of our upcoming meetings, if anyone is interested.

The last treatment I had was reflexology. This was also quite relaxing, as well as beneficial. The therapist could find the tension & pain I had in my neck and shoulders. This was from lugging my suitcase & laptop & backpack more than a quarter of a mile yesterday--plus the stress of flying to a new city, etc.

Then I was instructed how to use 3 different therapies that I don't need assistance. These were rebounding (just a slight bounce without your feet coming off the rebounder), chi machine (both of these help with the lymphatic system. The last one is called MedLight. It has a led light that you hold on any painful areas to help heal them. It is also used for other things.

Throughout the whole time I was there, there was a table of raw veggies, alkaline water, and a large pitcher of energy soup. We were encouraged to have as much as we wanted.

I was so energized during the day and had fun speaking with the other students, most which haven't had much exposure to the raw food lifestyle. I was telling them about Rene's kale chip recipe, and a couple asked me to e-mail them the recipe. I will do that, as well as give them Rene's website address.

That is enough for now. I will write more tomorrow night. I probably won't get back to my motel until about 7 p.m.

By the way, I think I pretty much have the transit system down. Tomorrow, I will catch the bus at 6:36 like I did today since I actually have to be there the time I arrived today. At least getting there early today was beneficial.

Oh yeah, someone tested my antioxidant level. The person who tested me was amazed. I was at the top of the chart. It was at 65,000. She is anxious to see how high it is at the end of the 12 days. Alot of people told me theirs was near the bottom. I guess she could tell that I probably wasn't attending due to a health problem.

I think I'll lay down and read a little of Brenda Cobb's book, Living Foods Lifestyle, that they gave me. I may take a power nap--I have a feeling my eyes will get heaving, and I won't be able to keep them open for long.

E-mail me if you have any questions.

In Atlanta

2009-03-04T21:22:00.004-05:00

I arrived in Atlanta early this evening. I had a little adventure taking the train and bus from the airport to the motel. It took me about an hour and a half. The last 20 minutes was pulling my suitcase, with my laptop on it, down the street over a quarter of a mile. Most of which time there wasn't a sidewalk. You should see the bottom of my suitcase!

Anyway, I'm here, and I'm glad I brought some fruit and kale chips with me. I'm getting ready for bed, since I'll have to be up no later than 6 a.m. to start another adventure. Tomorrow I'll be taking a bus to a southbound train and then take an eastbound train. I'll have to time it and see how it goes.

I hope to add to this blog each day while I'm at the Living Foods Institute. I'll share all that I can.

Going to Living Foods Institute on Wednesday!!!

2009-03-02T14:48:00.005-05:00

This is just a reminder that there will be no March Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food meeting/discussion group. It is usually the first Thursday of the month. However, I will be gone.

I am going to the Living Foods Institute in Atlanta, run by Brenda Cobb. I will be there for 12 days. I will be attending raw food classes, eating lots of salads, energy soup and drinking wheat grass juice and juices.

I will also be having a lot of different types of therapies such as 5 colonics, 5 reflexology treatments, 5 Footbath Detox treatments, 2 Energy treatments, 2 DNA Therapies, 1 Bach Flower Treatment, 2 Indian Head Massage, 11 Chi Machine treatments, and 11 MedLight treatments.

There will be raw food prep classes as well as some other classes. You can see more at their website. http://www.livingfoodsinstitute.com The last day will be March 16th, and I will be flying back on the 17th.

As you can imagine, I'm so excited about this opportunity. I have been 100% raw for over 9 months now, and this will help take me to the next step. I expect to do some detoxing while there.

I hope to write on my blog almost every evening while I'm there.

Living Foods Institute

2009-02-07T15:07:00.004-05:00

AtlantaI am so excited! I will be attending the 12-day training program at Living Foods Institute in March in Atlanta. I was blessed with this from someone who couldn't use it after it was paid for, and it the opportunity is about to expire.

Although I still have to pay for a motel for 13 days and transportation to and from the motel and institute, it will be so worth it! What an adventure for me. There will be lots of pampering going on in addition to the treatments, classes and raw food classes. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new friends.

I now have my plane reservations and my motel accommodations taken care of.

After I return, I'll share some of my adventures on this blog.

Viveca

Next Poluck February 8th at 3:00

2009-01-29T19:37:00.001-05:00

Our next raw potluck will be Sunday, February 8th at 3:00. Please e-mail me to get the directions. It will NOT be at our normal location. vivecapark@gmail.com

Next Meeting February 5 at 6:30 p.m.

2009-01-23T12:50:00.003-05:00

Our next discussion group meeting will be on February 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Palm Beach Gardens library. This is close to Legacy Place.

Our next potluck will be Sunday, February 8th at 3:00 p.m. We will hold it at a different location, just in case it is too windy or chilly at the beach. We will hold it at a cabana at Harriett's condo. I will e-mail this information via our Yahoo Group mailing list closer to that time.

No January PBG Raw Food Group Meeting

2008-12-27T10:37:00.000-05:00

There will be no group meeting in January. The next meeting will be the first week of February.

Our January potluck will be be announced shortly. There are many raw food happenings in January. I want to schedule our potluck accordingly so there won't be any conflicts.

Viveca

Meeting Thursday, Dec. 4th

2008-12-02T11:53:00.000-05:00

Our next Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group meeting will be this Thursday (December 4th) at 6:30 p.m. at the North Regional County Library in the meeting room. This is the Palm Beach Gardens library near Legacy Place.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Viveca

Thanksgiving Raw Potluck--Saturday, November 22.

2008-11-11T14:24:00.000-05:00

We are planning our next raw potluck for Saturday, November 22. We will hold it at Loggerhead Park (where we held our last potluck). It will be at 3:00 p.m.

We are hoping that everyone will make something similar to what one would eat at Thanksgiving (but 100% raw and mostly organic). If you have questions, need a suggestion of what to make, or need a Thanksgiving type recipe, just contact me.

I will be making a pie. It is called Tastes Like Pumpkin Pie.

I hope we have a good turn out. The price is right, and it gives us an opportunity to have a Thanksgiving meal with friends and a large selection of raw foods. I know a lot of you will be sharing a traditional Thanksgiving with family. This gives you the opportunity for an nontraditional (and yummy) raw food Thanksgiving, too.

Our Next PBG Raw Food Group Meeting

2008-11-04T11:19:00.000-05:00

Our next raw food group meeting will be this Thursday, November 6 at 6:30 at the North County Regional Library (in Palm Beach Gardens).

We will be discussing our next raw food potluck. This will be a Thanksgiving potluck, and we hope for a large turnout.

It will be at 3:00 on Saturday, November 22 at the Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach.

We would like everyone to make some type of raw Thanksgiving dish. Contact me for details.

Saturday Fun!

2008-10-24T16:05:00.001-04:00

I'm looking forward to tomorrow (Saturday). I'm going to Hippocrates Health Institute for their annual open house party. This year the theme will be the 50's.

After that, I'll be going to the Soma Cafe to enjoy their wonderful raw lasagna. Then Paul Nison will be giving a raw food demo and lecture.

I will be sharing this day with a lot of my raw food friends. I'm grateful to all my new raw food friends here as well as my new raw online friends.

Raw Food Potluck

2008-10-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

We had our first raw food potluck. We found a nice pavilion at Loggerhead Park. The weather was beautiful. We had a small group, but it was delightful, and the food was yummy.

Raw Food Potluck October 18

2008-10-10T18:06:00.000-04:00

We will be having our raw food potluck at a shelter at Juno Beach on October 18 at 5:30. I will post the shelter number after I get it.

Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group Meeting

2008-09-29T10:16:00.000-04:00

This Thursday, we will be having a raw food group meeting. We are able to use a community room in the library for this meeting. I am hoping we have a good turn out. Although, we are limited to only 30 people.

Please contact me, if you will be able to attend. I will give you all the details.

I am also hoping for us to decide upon the date for our first raw potluck. We will discuss this at our meeting.

Raw Lasagna

2008-09-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I made raw lasagna for the first time. I found a recipe on the internet and wanted to give it a try. The recipe was called Vegetable Lasagna with Cashew Ricotta & Marinated Portabella. I already had the marinated Portabella mushrooms from Friday's dinner.

The cashew ricotta turned out great. I put just a little less salt and fresh basil than it called for. The marinara wasn't quite to my liking, so I added 2 dates and a small clove of garlic.

I changed the recipe slightly as I added a couple layers of fresh spinach. I massaged the spinach in a little oil first to give it more of a "cooked" texture.

Originally, I had hoped to duplicate the taste of the raw lasagna from the Soma Cafe. I knew it wouldn't be just like it since it also had the mushrooms. However, I got a different taste, but this was an unexpected good thing.

I liked everything about this lasagna. It is good that I can have something different at home and still can look forward to the other lasagna at the Soma Cafe.

Marinated Portabella Mushrooms

2008-09-26T12:28:00.000-04:00

I have found something very easy to prepare that both my husband and I love. I tasted these before, but have just gotten made them for awhile.

I marinate Portabella mushroom slices in oil, Nama Shoyu, & some fresh orange juice overnight. Then I put in the dehydrator the next morning. I made these a couple of days ago. I dehydrated them for about 5 hours at 105 degrees. I think another hour or so would have made them a bit warmer, but not necessary.

I also made creamed spinach. I got this recipe from the Hipprocrates raw food class I took. This is delicious. Last week I made this as usua

Publish Post

l, but but in the dehydrator while my nut loaf was dehydrating. The creamed spinach was absolutely delicious this way. It reminded me of spinach quiche. Of course, I have had that in over 5 years (since I became a vegan).

Updates, etc.

2008-09-26T12:23:00.000-04:00

I am looking forward to going to The Soma Cafe tomorrow night. I not only will enjoy a wonderful raw lasagna, I will also get to hear Paul Nison speak and share the evening with like-minded people.

This coming Thursday at 6:30, our Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group will meet. If you are interested, please contact me for details. Space is limited, so I need to make sure our space will be large enough to accommodate everyone.

Yummy

2008-09-08T21:08:00.000-04:00

It is a good thing that I took a picture of the cheesecake because it is gone. Luckily, I shared it and didn't eat the whole thing myself--though I could have.

Strawberry Cheesecake

2008-09-07T20:49:00.001-04:00

Here is a picture of the cheesecake before I put on the topping.

Here is the finished strawberry cheesecake.

I made the cheesecake, and it was better than I anticipated. My friend, Cathy, came over, and I gave her a piece to try. I think she liked it as much as I did.

I did think that the strawberry topping was a bit sweet for me. Next time I make it, I will use either half as many dates as it called for, or no dates at all.

This was the first time that I made this recipe. I have to say that it is the recipe that I've been looking for ever since I had a piece of raw cheesecake in San Francisco about 5 years ago!

Sunday Updates

2008-09-07T15:48:00.002-04:00

I continue on my raw food journey. I have made so many new friends since becoming raw again. I am staying more than busy. In fact, I don't have enough time to do everything that I want to do. But I am having fun.

Last Sunday night, I went to a raw potluck at Graziano's Italian Cuisine. I saw a lot of people I have been meeting lately and met some new ones. We sure had a feast!

The owner, Fay, will be serving some raw food items on her daily menu. I am looking forward to eating there soon.

Here is a picture of the carrot cake that I took to the potluck.

This last week, my laptop crashed. I had to use my (unused) desktop computer for a few days while my laptop was being repaired. I didn't realize how outdated it was with all the programs. Also, it seems so slow compared to my laptop. I spent a few days updating all the necessary programs on the computer. At least I had it to use while my laptop was gone.

I got the laptop computer back and have spent the past 4 days installing and downloading programs and software that I use on my computer. Some I had cd's, some I had on an external hard drive, and some I downloaded from the internet to get the latest version.

Unfortunately, I hadn't backed up pictures, passwords, and documents for a few months. I've had to spend lots of time remembering passwords and configurations for web hosting accounts, etc. Luckily, I did have some of these saved from a while back.

About a week before my problems, my daughter, Denise, had some computer problems. After that, I thought it would be wise to do a new backup for my computer. Well, I didn't get around to it (and I thought about it the day before the "crash.") Live and learn. When was the last time you backed up photos, documents, passwords, etc.???

I have been making more crackers in my dehydrator. The other night, I tried a new recipe that tasted good. Last night I doubled a batch of crackers, because a few of my friends expressed a desire to buy some the next time I made them.

Last week I made some apple leather, and my daughter and granddaughters enjoyed it. I made another small batch last night to have on hand for my granddaughters, when they visit me.

I have been making my wheat grass juice daily. (I buy the wheat grass from Hippocrates.) Monday I will be getting some sunflower sprouts from a local grower. I am excited about this. This will be a weekly thing.

I just finished making a raw cheesecake. I guess I don't have to say it's raw since the name of my blog is Viveca's Raw Food Journey. It is a recipe I never tried before. I found it on the internet, and it looked like the recipe that I've been hunting for. It is in the freezer now. I will let you know how it turns out. Also, I'll post a picture of it here.

I need to go in the kitchen and clean up my mess now. Then I'll look for a main course type recipe to make. Something like walnut burgers. I'm tempted to make the nut loaf recipe again, but I want to try something different.

I'll try to post more often. Especially, now that the bulk of my reconstruction of this laptop has been completed. Oh yeah, now to also start on my Fitness Motivator Newsletter for September!

Keeping Busy

2008-08-28T13:31:00.000-04:00

Tonight I am going to The Hippocrates Health Institute Open House & Lecture. This happens on the last Thursday of each month. I look forward to this.

Monday I got home after 8:30, but tonight will be 3 nights in a row that I've had somewhere to go. I am not complaining because not too long ago, I didn't know that many people here, and stayed home a lot.

My life has done a reversal, and I'm going to have to really practice balance and setting boundaries.

I am really enjoying my new friendships I am making with others interested in raw foods.

I got my Maca yesterday. I added it to my green smoothie and found it had an interesting flavor. I will continue to use it, but I will only be adding 1 teaspoon to each Vita-Mix container of smoothie I make. It has kind of a malty taste. I can see adding this to carob almond milk. It might taste something like a Frosty, if I also use ice.

Today I bought some wheat berries to sprout. I will record on my blog how they turn out, after I try sprouting them.

Today I get started on my blog!

2008-08-27T23:08:00.000-04:00

I have been putting this off. I went back to a raw vegan lifestyle early in May, but I've been too busy doing it, and procrastinating, that I just getting around to this! I have so much to say, I hardly know where to start...so, I'll just start.

I went raw 5 years ago and stayed 100% raw for 1 year. At that point, I decided that I proved I could do it, and I wanted to add a little cooked food to my diet--such as steamed veggies. Well, gradually, I added something else, and then something else.

I had become a vegetarian in 1980, and had wanted to give up eggs for years. I had a love/hate relation with them. After becoming a raw vegan in 2003, I was glad to finally give up eggs & cheese.

So, when I started eating cooked again, I decided at least I would remain vegan. I moved to Knoxville, TN. and found a wonderful vegetarian society. There was a lot of cooked vegan food at these potlucks, and I decided that if it was vegan, I would eat it. It wasn't long before I began gaining weight and getting back into some of my old eating habits.

After moving back to south Florida, my raw friend, Cathy, asked me if I wanted to go to a raw lecture & demo with her. I agreed because I thought it would be nice to do since I already knew about eating raw and knew I would enjoy it.

Four months after being back in Florida, my weight was up higher than I wanted. I decided to go raw again. This time I thought I wouldn't be so fanatical. I would do between 80-90% raw. Then I went to a green smoothie demo and within a week, I realized that I wanted to be 100% raw again.

Since I moved back, I noticed how many more raw foodists are here. There are raw food demos, lectures at different health food stores, a monthly open house and raw food prep & sprouting classes at The Hippocrates Health Institute, and raw potlucks in West Palm Beach. There is even a new raw cafe, the Soma Cafe, in Lake Worth, which is about 25 minutes from here.

I kept seeing some of the same people at these gatherings. I decided to create a raw food group here in Palm Beach Gardens for us to form a sense of community with like-minded people. Since then, my life has become so busy! Every week there is some kind of raw event around here.

Saturday night, Paul Nison gave a lecture at The Soma Center (this is also where The Soma Cafe is). He has a Meetup.com group--if you are local, be sure to sign up to find out when his lectures and events are. His next one will be September 27.

Each Tuesday night, Rene Oswald gives a raw food demo at Nutrition S'mart on Northlake. I look forward to these.

More exciting news is that an Italian restaurant called Graziano's Italian Cuisine, will start serving 3 raw menu items daily. They will kick it off with a raw potluck this Sunday, August 31. I have r.s.v.p.'d and going to bring my raw carrot cake.

Monday night I got my new dehydrator. It was at night because I had to take my husband to Miami that day and had it delivered to a neighbor. By 10:30 p.m., I had the dehydrator going with my first batch of crackers.

In the past 3 days, I've made 3 different kinds of crackers, 1 kind of cookies, a nutloaf with ketchup, dehydrated walnuts (to use for making nutbutter), and also some celery (to make celery powder). I finally turned off my dehydrator at 6:30 tonight. I wanted to get a lot done at the same time, so I wouldn't use it for a few days.

Now that I got this started, I hope to update it frequently.

Viveca's Raw Food Journey

Potluck January 8

Potluck--November 6 at 3:00 p.m.

Our next potluck will be onSunday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m.at the Loggerhead Park!

Next Potluck, Sunday October 2 at 3:00 p.m.

Next Potluck, Sunday, August 7 at 3:30

Potluck this Sunday!

Potluck tomorrow, Sunday March 6

Next Raw Food Potluck--this Sunday!

Updates

LA Fitness

December Fitness Motivator Newsletter

My News!

REMINDER--Potluck on Sunday

Next Raw Food Potluck for PBG Raw Food Group

Fitness Motivator Newsletter--October Issue

Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Potluck

Green Smoothie Crusader

Next PBG Raw Food Potluck September 12

POTLUCK SUNDAY!

No Potluck in July!

Fun at Potluck!

Cafe 118 in Winter Park, Florida

Next Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Potluck--March 7

Kevin & Annmarie Gianni Potluck Event at Rene's

Potluck

Next Raw Potluck

Opening Coconuts

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Building Muscle on a Raw Food Vegan Diet.

Raw Food Pot Luck Change Today!

Lifefood Gourmet

New Vegan Restuarant in West Palm Beach!!

Raw Food Thanksgiving Potluck!

Next Potluck Sunday, December 6

Next Raw Food Potluck--November 1

Next Raw Potluck--September 27

Trip to Denver

New Gym

Energy Soup

Next Raw Food Potluck CHANGE

100% Raw & Getting Stronger

Back in town

Alkaline Water

More Living Foods

Day 11--Graduation Day

Day 10

Day 9

Day 8

Day 7

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Yesterday--Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

In Atlanta

Going to Living Foods Institute on Wednesday!!!

Living Foods Institute

Next Poluck February 8th at 3:00

Next Meeting February 5 at 6:30 p.m.

No January PBG Raw Food Group Meeting

Meeting Thursday, Dec. 4th

Thanksgiving Raw Potluck--Saturday, November 22.

Our Next PBG Raw Food Group Meeting

Saturday Fun!

Raw Food Potluck

Raw Food Potluck October 18

Palm Beach Gardens Raw Food Group Meeting

Raw Lasagna

Marinated Portabella Mushrooms

Updates, etc.

Yummy

Strawberry Cheesecake

Sunday Updates

Keeping Busy

Today I get started on my blog!

Our next potluck will be on
Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m.
at the Loggerhead Park!