Raw dessert tasting event

yes! all raw. mostly organic, the healthy and decadent raw dessert tasting event in Melbourne. have you never tasted raw desserts before but always wanted to? or you have and love them? or you just want beautiful and satisfying desserts that are nutritious. this event is for you. register your interested ASAP. because the number is limited.
desserts such as chocolate truffles, cheesecakes, cookies, bars, shortcakes, tarts..... price range from $1.50-$8.00 plus a small entry fee applies.

When
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Time1:00pm until 4:00pm
Where
northen melbourne

dehydrated vegetable chips

corn tortilla filled with red onion and coriander guacamole. topped with dehydrated vegetable chips
buckwheat and flaxseed round with red capsicum dip. topped with fresh tomatoes and dehydrated vegetable chips

a good dish consists with different texture. these crispy dehydrated vegetable chips add nice crunch to any dishes. healthier than baked and no comparison to deep fried chips!

Here is a brief recipe
vegetables such as zucchini, broccoli, carrot, sweet potato, onion, garlic etc.
buckwheat crispies (shop bought or make your own (simply soak, sprout buckwheat kernels and dehydrate)
salt, other seasonings of your choice,
oil of your choice (extra virgin olive oil, macadamia oil, sesame oil etc,)

grind the crispies to the powder mix with other ingredients. toss and coat with the vegetables
dehydrate till they are dry and crunchy

cooking class summer session 2011

Thanks for people who came to do a cooking class with me today. Many times my clients or people who are interested in my services are already either vegetarian, vegan or health conscious people. Today I had a quite interesting mix. Only one person was on a vegetarian diet but they all have a passion for great food and cooking. One person was working as a naturalpath, one used to live in Japan and practice macrobiotic, one is already an amazing cook making most of the dishes from scratch. It was great to have their input.

We made..
marinated kale with paprika spiced cashew mayonnaise (raw)
millet couscous with cubed sweet potato and garden herbs
walnut furikake (seasoning) (raw)
Red kidney bean curry with freshly grounded curry spices
mango chutney with cumin and ginger (raw)
Big summer salad dressed with apple dressing (raw)
(today we used rocket and lettuce mix with corn, beetroot, radish and wakame)

And of course we finished with decadent dessert
cashew and strawberry slice (raw)
chocolate truffles (raw)

Summer is the time to include more raw and lighter cooking method. reduce the amount of salt and oil and use more water compare to colder months. A little spicy and pungent flavour can work well in summer.


yummm :-)

let's check your toilet bowl :-)

Ok. Don't be shy. Because it's very important.
let's discuss your stool.
firstly what is an ideal bowel movement?
It should leave the body easily with no straining or discomfort. It should have the consistency of toothpaste, and be approximately 4 to 8 inches long. Stool should enter the water smoothly and slowly fall once it reaches the water. There should be little gas or odour.







What are different types? Is yours one of the listed? hope yours is one of the above, but if not check these out.

Rapidly sinking stool
It may be indicating that you are not eating enough fiber rich foods or drinking enough water. Fibre rich foods include vegetables, fruits (pectin) , wholegrains and legumes.
This stool is often dark because they have been sitting in the intestines for a prolonged time.


Pale Stool
It may be caused by insufficient bile output. Conditions such as cholecystitis, gallstones, giardia parasitic infection, hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, or cirrhosis can affect the amount of bile released from the liver
Pale stool may also be shiny or greasy, float, and be foul smelling, due to undigested fat in the stool.


Soft, Smelly Stool
If your stool is soft, foul-smelling stool that floats, sticks to the side of the bowl, or is difficult to flush away it may mean there is increased fat in the stools, called steatorrhea. Stool is sometimes also pale.
If reducing your fat intake does not improve the appearance there may be an underlying disorder.

Lipase, a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas, and bile salts from the liver are needed to break down and absorb fat. Any condition that results in decreased lipase or bile salts can cause steatorrhea, such as:

Pancreatic insufficiency
Chronic pancreatitis - may be due to alcoholism or gallstones. Symptoms may include bouts of abdominal or back pain, and later, abdominal bloating, changes in stools, weight loss, diabetes.
Pancreatic cancer - Symptoms may include abdominal pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, metallic taste in the mouth, diarrhea.
Sclerosing cholangitis - symptoms may include fatigue, itchy skin, right sided pain, fever/chills, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools. Often associated with ulcerative colitis.
Choledocholithiasis (obstruction of the bile duct by gallstones)
Bacterial overgrowth - unwanted bacteria in the small intestine deconjugate bile acids interfering with fat absorption. Causes include hypochlorhydria, chronic stress, diabetes, immune deficiency, inadequate fiber, and use of oral contraceptives and other medications.
Steatorrhea can also be caused by infections, medications, or conditions that disrupt the absorptive lining of the intestines, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease.

Fat soluble vitamin, vitamin A, D, E and K, deficiencies may develop over time. Signs include: night blindness, acne, and lowered immune function (vitamin A deficiency) and excessive bruising or bleeding (vitamin K deficiency).



Mucus in Stool
it may indicate there is inflammation in the intestines. Mucus in stool can occur with either constipation or diarrhea.
Common causes of mucus in stool includes bacterial overgrowth and food allergies and sensitivities. They are often easily corrected with dietary changes and supplements. With bacterial overgrowth, bloating and gas usually worsen after eating any sugar, whether it's white sugar, bread, pasta, rye, rice, or milk (which contains the sugar lactose). People with food allergies and sensitivities react to specific foods.

If there is no underlying disorder present, mucus in stool, abdominal bloating, and constipation are often helped by increasing water intake and taking herbal or food demulcents, substances that form a soothing film which soothes the intestinal lining.

Demulcent herbs include slippery elm and marshmallow. A demulcent tea can also be made by adding one cup of hot water to one teaspoon ground flaxseeds and soaking overnight.

Greasy foods, dairy products and wheat can contribute to the mucus in stools. Avoid these products to see if the condition improves.


Bacterial or parasitic infections can also cause mucus in stool. They are often accompanied by a sudden onset of diarrhea, lower abdominal cramping, urgency and possibly blood in the stools



Green stools

Usually brown stools are considered health. That is because efficient amount of bile, which is to absorb fats and fat soluble vitamins and also help to soften stools, give brown colour.
As bile makes its way through the intestines, it progressively changes color from green to yellow to brown, due to the action of bacteria in the large intestine on the bile salts.
Green stool often indicates that food has passed through the intestines faster than normal (called decreased bowel transit time), before it could be changed from green to brown.


causes of green stool include:

diarrhoea
Laxative use
Antibiotic use
Medication side effects
Food poisoning
Celiac disease
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease
Malabsorption
Irritable bowel syndrome
Bacterial overgrowth
Infectious diarrhea - especially salmonella and giardia
Traveler's diarrhea
Cancer


Foods and supplements that can cause green stool include:

Chlorophyll
Iron supplements
Algae




loose stools




Loose stools, abdominal bloating, lack of energy, and poor appetite can be signs of a condition known as spleen qi deficiency. It doesn't necessarily involve your actual spleen, but it is a condition of general tiredness and weak digestion brought on by stress and poor diet.

Other symptoms of spleen qi deficiency are:

easy bruising
mentally foggy
bloating, gas, loose stools
fatigue
poor appetite
loose stools with little odor
symptoms are worse with stress
undigested food in the stools
difficulty ending the bowel movement
Spleen qi deficiency is thought to be brought on by stress and overwork.


These foods may contribute to spleen qi deficiency as they are often considered to increase cold and damp conditions.
fried or greasy foods
dairy
raw fruits and vegetables
cold drinks

Dietary treatment involves eating warm foods. Ginger tea and cinnamon tea are thought to be warming.
make sure to replace lost electrolytes and fluid.

Besides spleen qi deficiency, other conditions that cause loose stools or chronic diarrhoea include:

Gluten intolerance
Lactose intolerance
Pancreatic insufficiency
Bile salt deficiency
Celiac disease
Whipple's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease
Cancer
If food sensitivities are involved, treatment includes identifying possible food sensitivties using the elimination and challenge diet and then avoiding or rotating these foods. Although symptoms may improve, it's also necessary to identify the cause of the food sensitivities.

it also may indicate imbalance in gut bacteria. Eat whole grains, Avoid having too much fruit, raw vegetables and juices for a while. Supplement with probiotic capsules or powder to repopulate the gut with good bacteria.



Pencil Thin Stool

Like loose stools, stool that is pencil thin can be caused by spleen qi deficiency.

Other symptoms of spleen qi deficiency are: easy bruising, mental fogginess, bloating, gas, loose stools, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools with little odor, symptoms that worsen with stress, undigested food in the stools, and difficulty ending the bowel movement. See loose stools for more information
Pencil thin stool can also be caused by a bowel obstruction. Benign rectal polyps, prostate enlargement, colon or prostate cancer are some of the conditions that can cause obstruction.



infrequent stools
With constipation, there is the passage of infrequent or hard stools with straining. Conventional medicine considers having a bowel movement every second day normal, for optimal health and digestion there should be at least one bowel movement a day.
If you are concerned about your bowl regularity get an advise from a professional. Self- prescribe laxatives and strong herbal "dieters" tea can injure the intestines, result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.


pellet stools

Pellet stool is stool that comes out in small, round balls. It's associated with constipation.

Pellet stool can be caused by liver qi stagnation. It's often brought on by stress. Lack of exercise worsens the problem.

Signs of liver qi stagnation include:

symptoms are worse with stress
symptoms improve with exercise
feeling bloated all the time
copious amounts of gas, which is often odorless
symptoms are worse before or during menstrual periods
Excessive intake of red meat, wheat, sugar, and alcohol are believed to cause congestion and heat in the body and worsen the liver qi stagnation. Reducing intake of these foods can help. Some alternative practitioners recommend a detox diet plan.

Herbs that reduce stress and help digestion by easing intestinal bloating and cramping are chamomile and lemon balm. Both can be found as teas or taken as capsules or liquid extracts.
Stress reduction techniques, such as yoga, breathing, massage therapy, shiatsu, and aromatherapy, are necessary.

Other tips:

drink enough water 5 tips
don't suppress the urge to have a bowel movement
exercise

Most commonly constipation is caused by a lack of fibre, insufficient fluid intake and a slow transit time. Increase your intake of water, herbal teas, raw fruit and vegetables, cooked grains such as brown rice, quinoa and millet, sprouted pulses, flax seeds. Avoid meat, dairy, wheat, eggs, refined carbohydrates and sugar.
An ayurvedic herbal remedy called triphala is considered a gentle laxative that can be used on a longer term basis, unlike some of the more harsh, habit-forming alternatives. Triphala is a combination of three fruit, one of which is amla, a fruit naturally high in vitamin C. Triphala improves bowel tone strengthening digestion, and enhances liver and gallbladder function. It is used for constipation, detox, and a broad range of conditions. Triphala is contraindicated in people with chronic liver or kidney disease, pregnant or nursing women, and people taking blood-thinning medication. It is found in capsule form at the health food store.

If increasing fiber and water intake worsens constipation, the problem may be insuffient bile output. This is because bile makes stools soft by allowing water to bind to stools. Nutritional supplements choline, methionine, and artichoke all increase bile output, but it's important to see a doctor before trying any treatments to identify the cause of the decreased bile output.

Constipation can also be caused by the following underlying conditions:
magnesium deficiency
diabetes
hypothyroidism
Parkinson's disease
multiple sclerosis
scleroderma
amyloid
colon cancer
side effects of medications - most common are antidepressants and codeine
If comstipation occurs suddenly, see a doctor immediately as it can be a sign of bowel obstruction, nerve paralysis, drug toxicity, infection, or other serious disorder.


Yellow Stool

Yellow stool can indicate that food is passing through the digestive tract relatively quickly. Yellow stool can be found in people with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain, sore throat, chronic cough, and wheezing. Symptoms are usually worse when lying down or bending. Foods that can worsen GERD symptoms include peppermint, fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, and chocolate.

Yellow stool can also result from insuffient bile output. Bile salts from the liver gives stool its brownish color. When bile output is diminished, it often first appears as yellow stool. If there is a greater reduction in bile output, stool lose almost all of its color, becoming pale or grey.

If the onset is sudden, yellow stool can also be a sign of a bacterial infection in the intestines.



Dark Stool

Stool that is almost black with a thick consistency may be caused by bleeding in the upper digestive tract. Medical conditions such as duodenal or gastric ulcer, esophageal varices, Mallory Weiss tear (which can be linked with alcoholism), and gastritis can cause tar-like stool.

Certain foods, supplements, and medications can temporarily turn stool black. These include:

Bismuth (e.g. Pepto bismol)
Iron
Activated charcoal
Aspirin and NSAIDS (which can cause bleeding in the stomach)
Dark foods such as black licorice and blueberries
Dark stool can also occur with constipation.

If you experience this type of stool, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Bright Red Stool

When there is blood in stool, the color depends on where it is in the digestive tract. Blood from the upper part of the digestive tract, such as the stomach, will look dark by the time it reaches exits the body as a bowel movement. Blood that is bright or dark red, on the other hand, is more likely to come from the large intestine or rectum.

Conditions that can cause blood in the stool include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulitis, colon cancer, and ulcerative colitis, among others.

Eating beets can also temporarily turn stools and urine red.

tricky social situations when you are on "special diet"

Your diet may be vegetarian, vegan, raw, macrobiotic or just simply healthy. You may try to select organically, locally grown seasonal produce.
I suppose I can be all of the above and my journey has been both rewarding and learning experience.
I eat the way I do because my body is too important to mess with. Healthy body and mind will let me do things that I like to do in my life. I also do so because of my own ethical reasons and also because it was not hard for me to do it. It just was a natural progression which I felt the benefit straight away. People asked me if it was hard to remove foods that I used to eat altogether. No. For me it wasn't. But social and family situation was the hardest of all.

You have your own reasons. I have heard of so many stories about people who had life threatening illnesses and Changing their diet made a tremendous improvement, sometimes a complete cure from the diseases. There are people who are concerned about environment and animal welfare after knowing the "truth". It produces immense impacts.
But when you are so excited about this choice and want to spread the word you will soon realise that it makes people uncomfortable.

I have made mistakes in the past and these are what I have learned along the way..

example
You may not say much but if you are healthy, fit, calm and happy. people may ask you what your secret is. show them good example and they may like to follow you.

no judging of others.
Everyone is different. some are not ready and they may never be. You have to respect that if you want to be respected for your own choices and decisions.

listening to your heart and do your research
Others may criticise you or give you negative comments. They may even tell you some negative "facts" about the diet you are on. It is important to listen to them and be open minded. Do your research. If you still believe in what you are doing and your body is responding positively trust yourself. You are the most important person in life. respect your feelings.

Everyone deals in a different way. For me drawing the line made it simple and easier. Some may decide to be more flexible. What I don't recommend though is lying or hiding your believes. I have done things I didn't want to do just because I wanted to please others. I tried it many times, hoping that it would bring peace and they would respect and love me back. I can now say that it didn't work. When I was not strong enough to respect and put myself first how could I expect others to do the same for me? And how could I respect and honour other people's choices?

I am interested in your thoughts on this subject. How are do you cope? let me know if you feel like sharing...

gathering at amarant

What a wonderful day I had yesterday. There was a gathering at amaranth, where I once did a catering for a while ago. Amaranth is a retreat place that promotes spirituality growth and good nutrition through raw foods in healsville.
we brought a dish each to share and all our stories to share and inspire each other. The great thing about it was there was no judgements there. We all came from different background and even we are on the similar path at the moment the point we are standing are quite different. But it did not matter and it just created more of the wonderful individuality and inspiration to others.
I met some, who have combated terminal illnesses, some have just started the journey to a good health, beautiful families with children, strong women and men who believe in this way of life and want to share this experience and help others. It was so motivating.

Along my journey one of my most important and also difficult lesson was a self-confidence. Even I believed on something strongly depending on a circumstances or people around I used to sometimes hide my passion or do something that I didn't want to, to please others. By doing that I thought I was showing that I loved them and I cared for them. When I was criticised or thought I was criticised (when I created that story myself) I either quickly retreat and hide behind a mask or became offended and started an argument. I am pleased to say I am better now. I have learned to appreciate ME. I may make mistakes, I may not be perfect, I may be different but there is no need to be an excuse or explanation for who I am. I have learned that I cannot please everyone.

Hopefully I will be doing more with this wonderful institution and keep you updated with what's happening.

Thanks Jules and Hannah for organising this event and all the people who inspired me and for who they are yestersday.

today's raw lunch

spring -summer season is one of my favourite.
many of my favourite food grows this time. At ceres there was corn, peas, still kale and bok choy, strawberries, cabbages, cauliflower and brocolli. all the staples like carrtos, sweet potatos etc etc...

here is what I had for lunch today.

kale juice with coconut bread
cauliflower, corn and asparagus rice with miso and pumpkin seed dressing. topped with slices of avocado served with basil and tomato wrap.

reminder! cooking class and christmas pudding

REMINDER!!!!
Cooking Class
I know December is quite a busy time for people but I am running a summer cooking class.
relaxed and fun environment. lots of great tips to improve your diet and lifestyle. the best part is to meet wonderful people and of course to share meals together.

Summer is a season to include more raw and quick/lightly cooked meals.
learn to create dishes with ingredients and cooking styles that will help you with warmest season.
the meals are all vegan using mostly organic produce. the combination of lightly cooked and raw meals.

Summer cooking class will be held at
103 Evans St, Brunswick 3056

DATE
10th December 2011 (saturday)
2pm-5pm

Please book early 0403569019 or shokuiku.life@gmail.com
check out our website www.shokuikuaustralia.com


christmas is fast approaching! still wants a cake and eat it? still taking orders for vegan, wholesome christmas pudding. raw or traditional. all with organic ingredients of course :-)

while gardening... just my thoughts.

Apart from cooking and maybe going thorough recipes I like gardening. Fortunately I have medium size garden that provide me with many fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits.
Nothing is better than going around the garden and just pick what I feel like for a meal and use it straight away.
Only thing though... they are covered with soil and little creatures! takes a while to wash it all off (probably I don't manage to... well I have to say more B12 for me)
I don't know how those veges can be so much cleaner looking at shops.

While washing my thoughts wonder off to many different places. while I was doing my "washing dance"-to keep the mosquitos away from my legs :-) I often think about my mum's friend who also loves gardening. I remember her saying she doesn't like killing mosquitos. "I just let them have a bit of my blood. They don't take much" I am not there yet!

Then I may think about what my daughter and I were talking about the night before. How busy she is at the fairy land, where she visits almost every night because she is the queen there. Her amazing imagination makes me smile.

Then I may think about my own life. How things are going.
If you are close to me you may know it hasn't been easy lately. I can see the end of the tunnel though, Just a little bit more to go.
While on this journey one of the things that I have learnt is that there is a support around me if I ask for help. Asking help is like knowing that I am not perfect and I don't have to be. and it allowed me to be more humble and appreciate the generosity of my friends and family. opening up my protective self wasn't easy but when I did I received so much more that I expected.

So thank you
arigatou

essene bread

I was talking to someone about how we both love essene bread. It is a loaf that is made from sprouted grain, such as wheat, rye, kamut and spelt. You can buy one from health shops but they are easily made yourself.


Essence bread is a dense and slightly sweet. Here is the requested recipe.

SPROUTED ESSENE BREAD

You will need
4-6 cups of sprouted grains

that's it?
Yes!

Method

grind the sprouted grain using juicer, food processor, a blender, or a big pestle and mortar. place in a greased pan. you can either leave it to sit for up to 24 hours or start baking straight away.

raw version

slow-cook the loaf for 24-36 hours. You can put it in the sun, or use a VERY low oven if your oven can turn down to approx 41 degrees. If you have a gas oven you can leave the loaf with just a pilot light on.


cooked version

bake the loaf at 110-115 for two hours. This makes a sweet, almost caramelised, dense loaf. it is similar to many store bought essence bread.

you can have different variations.
I sometimes make smaller roll bread, that makes the drying/baking process shorter too.
or you can add dry fruits, nuts and seed or other seasoning.

And this is my lunch with my raw essene bread. This time I made it with spelt and just left it outside with a mesh to cover to keep the insects away.
served with sprouted quinoa salad and avocado.

grain / gluten in your diet

There is so much debate over grain and grain products.
Books such as "dangerous grains", "Going Against grain" have been read by millions of people and grains, especially ones with gluten seem to be something that needed to be avoided by everyone.
Of course if you have celiac disease and gluten intolerance you will want to avoid them but if you don't would it still be a good idea to eliminate it from your diet?

Let's look at different types of grains.

CORN fine source of vitamin B1, B5, C, E, folic acid and magnesium and phosphorus. Phytochemicals and carotenoid are found as well. is gluten free

OATS Very good source of manganese, selenium and phosphorous. Also good source of magnesium and iron. Oats' is high in dietary fibre, which is known to help to lower cholesterol by binding bile acids and removing them from the body. Studies also found that it stabilises blood sugar levels.

RICE high quality amount of Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6 as well as manganese, iron, selenium. magnesium, phosphorus and trace minerals. It can help treat hypercholesterolemia and gamma-oryzanol, which is known not only lowers cholesterol but exerts growth-promoting properties as well. is gluten free

WHEAT healthy level of vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and E and folic acids as well as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, protein, magnesium and iron.

AMARANTH this tiny but mighty grain (not true grain, amaranth is seed) is high in easily absorbed protein (lysine and methionine). High in fibre, healthy fats, iron, calcium, magnesium. excellent sores of vitamin B2, B3, B5 and good source of B6 and folic acids. It also contains tocotrienols and squalene, which are known to reduce cholesterol. is low GI and gluten free.

BARLEY good source of fibre, selenium, magnesium, copper, phosphorous and vitamin B3

BUCKWHEAT not true grain but a fruit seed contains flavonoids rutin and quercetin which has significant health promoting actions- Very good source of magnesium, manganese, fibre, phosphorus, pantothenic acid and protein, which contains all eight essential amino acids. is gluten free

MILLET good source of protein, phosphorous and magnesium as well as B vitamins. is alkalising and gluten free.

QUINOA this seed of a plant is a very good source of magnesium, manganese and has a very fine protein source (all essential amino acids and highly absorbable) and healthy levels of vitamin B2, E and fibre. Also good source of iron, phosphorous, copper and zinc. is gluten free.

RYE very good source of dietary fibre, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamin B1

SPELT distant elder cousin of modern wheat is an excellent source of complex special kind of carbohydrates, mucopolysaccharides, which has been found to stimulate immune system as well as help to lower cholesterol levels, and to play a role in blood clotting. also a good source of vitamin B. It has gluten but is more fragile than gluten wheat so it may be easier to digest.

TRITICALE hybrid of wheat and rye. higher protein content compared to wheat and has lysine. similar nutritional values as other grains.

So why some people say NO to grains???

-high in carbohydrates and high in calories, especially when compared to the nutrients they provide
-has anti-nutrients-substances that impair the absorption and utilisation of many nutrients
-low on many vitamins such as vitamin C, A
-most of the grains are acidic
-contributes many diseases such as obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, autoimmune syndrome, dermatitis etc

I haven't found any reasons to stay away from grains. I do consciously vary the types so that I don't just eat one type of grain and include more gluten free grains because I found that they are easier to digest. and also those gluten free grains or seeds such as quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat etc are so high in amazing nutrients. I don't avoid gluten especially sprouted and/ or sprouted form. By soaking, sprouting and fermenting you can reduce the amount of anti nutrients substances that can inhibit the absorption of some vital minerals. Some studies found that by these techniques the content of gluten is significantly reduced and more digestible, not to mention increased amount of overall nutrient contents. Even in raw diet you can include these sprouted grains in recipes.
Because I am quite active I feel that I need carbohydrate to sustain my energy and all the nutrients found in grain products are vital to my health. Of course as I said if you are gluten, carbohydrate sensitive you need to be careful with the intake of these grains. and also some can tolerate grain better than the others.
Listening to your body is very important.

amazake recipe

When I did a demonstration at World vegan day in Melbourne I took a few food samples to show how cooking can change the energy of the food.
One example was brown rice.
you can have savoury cooked brown rice and also fermented sweet drink/sweetener amazake which is also made from brown rice.
which one do you think is more yin?
remember yen food tends to be colder, sweeter and has more expanding and relaxing energy.

Even though they are both made from the same ingredient, brown rice, amazake is more yin because it has been fermented, sweet and more liquid.

cooking method changes it as well. pressure cooking, cooking in a pot, in a rice cooker, in the oven... They all create different end product.

Anyway, Here is Amazake recipe that was requested on the day.

Make brown rice porridge
-brown rice soaked over night 1 cup
-water 5 cups

rinse and drain the brown rice
cook with water for about 50 minutes.
turn the heat off and rest for 15 minutes.

alternatively you can cook left over brown rice with extra water till it becomes porridge texture

Amazake
-brown rice porridge 2 cups
-koji 2 cups
-salt (optional)

Mix in Koji with brown rice porridge
leave in a warm place for about 6 hours (depending on the temperature and humidity)
When it is done boil the amazake to stop the fermentation (optional)
when it is cool put in a blender and blend till smooth

If you use amazake as a drink add enough hot water. It can be served hot or cold. specially good with grated ginger

my lunch today

Beetroot always make it so beautiful.
Raw sweet potato and beetroot with sprouted beans and broccoli sprout. served with cashew sour cream dipped avocado and kale.

Just like its colour beetroot is a blood purifier.

summer cooking class 2011

REMINDER!!!!
Cooking Class
I know December is quite a busy time for people but I am running a summer cooking class.
relaxed and fun environment. lots of great tips to improve your diet and lifestyle. the best part is to meet wonderful people and of course to share meals together.

Summer is a season to include more raw and quick/lightly cooked meals.
learn to create dishes with ingredients and cooking styles that will help you with warmest season.
the meals are all vegan using mostly organic produce. the combination of lightly cooked and raw meals.

Summer cooking class will be held at
103 Evans St, Brunswick 3056

DATE
10th December 2011 (saturday)
2pm-5pm

Please book early 0403569019 or shokuiku.life@gmail.com
check out our website www.shokuikuaustralia.com


christmas is fast approaching! still wants a cake and eat it? still taking orders for vegan, wholesome christmas pudding. raw or traditional. all with organic ingredients of course :-)

Ayurveda

Even though many of of my knowledge on asian nutrition comes from macrobiotic and chinese point of view Ayurveda is another concept that I keep in mind as well

It is based on the idea that the body has certain rhythms and your body is healthy when they are balanced. And good health can be maintained through diet and lifestyle.

Rather than treating the symptoms of disease directly, Ayurvedic treatment aims to rebalance your doshas according to your individual constitution, resulting in a body and mind that is healthy and sound.
The three main types of dosha are :

Vata – air type which means all movements in the body and mind - for example, breathing, heart beat, elimination, pulsation, blood circulation, and thinking. These are all due to air. Our body weight is due to air and the pressure it creates on our bodies. When the air element is too high all of the things listed above will increase and the person will become sick or mentally imbalanced.
Pitta – the fire/heat type. This is responsible for the metabolism and digestion in the body. Without adequate heat, your food cannot be properly digested and will become toxic in your system. Pitta is also responsible for keeping the body warm.
Kapha – the water type. Our body is made up of 70% water and this is controlled by Kapha dosha. It is also responsible for lubrication in the body and provides stability. Lubrication is needed in the joints, skin and mouth.

everyone is composed of these three doshas. yours can be mono, which means one of them is predominant, bi (two predominant types and tri- (all three types)

So what is your type???

It is just a brief question so if you'd like to obtain an accurate observation please contact your professional ayurvedic consultant.



Vata:

body frame is light with prominent joints
lose weight easily and find it hard to put it back on
skin complexion is dull and varies in colour
don’t have a lot of hair and it is dry and wavy
circulation is poor and I often have cold hands and feet
prefer warm climates and sweat little
appetite varies and I like warm food
find it hard to fall asleep but have many dreams when I do
tend to have gas and constipation
move quickly and try to do many things at once
tend to be chatty and speak quickly
have a good imagination but become distracted easily
learn new things quickly but forget them easily
tend to be nervy and worry about things
find it hard to concentrate



Pitta:

I have a medium size frame that is moderately developed
weight is stable
skin colour is yellowy, red or pink and warm in relation to other people of my race
hair is thin, fine and light coloured in relation to other people of my race
circulation is good and I generally feel warm
enjoy cool climates and sweat profusely
have a strong appetite and I like cool foods
sleep well but not for long
have regular bowel movements with a tendency to loose stools
move calmly and am very focused
articulate, speaking clearly and precisely
able to focus easily and carry out plans fully
learn quickly and have good mental retaining capacity
become angry easily and can be critical
have an intelligent and stable mind



Kapha:

have a large and solid frame
heavy and gain weight easily
skin is pale, smooth and soft
hair is thick, soft and wavy
circulation is slow and I tend to feel cool
prefer warm climates and sweat moderately
have low appetite and prefer warm food
sleep deeply and enjoy sleeping for long periods but often feel lethargic when waking
have slow bowel movements with solid and well formed stools
move calmly and steadily
speak slowly and methodically
slow to get started but have good mental stamina
take time to learn but have good long term memory capacity
can be possessive
tend to be calm and content

so how did you go?
me? I am mixed of all three.
Apparently that means I am either very unbalanced or perfectly balanced. well, I'd like to think positively.
It is quite fun to do.
After determining your dosha type you can apply that to your diet and your lifestyle to bring it more in balance, choosing certain food to meet your body and mind needs. some foods are good for certain types and some are considered to have negative effects.

If you are interested in what foods are good for your type let me know. Maybe I will list them next time.

world vegan day 2011

Thank you to everyone who came to see me at World vegan day on Sunday.
I have enjoyed connecting with people with such enthusiasm and willingness to learn more about their health and diet.
I had my daughter as an assistant. What more can I ask for!

The festival itself was very busy. The good weather helped as well I suppose. Interesting to see all sort of different characters turning up and also the amount of volunteers who were helping out all day was amazing.

thank you!

In the demo there was a request for amazake recipe. I will be posting it soon.

emotional detox after changing diet (raw or eliminating certain foods you used to be addicted to)

I always talked about how changing ones diet has a huge effect on their well beings physically and emotionally. When you improve your diet and start eating healthy it may take a while but your body will start responding positively. For some people the transition process is easy but some it is harder as they experience detoxification.
there are lots of information out there when you go through physical detoxification.
All the toxins that you may have accumulated over the years may come out in different ways such as acne, digestive problems, headaches, other bodily aches and pains, bad breath and body odour etc.
Emotional detoxification can occur as well and the same sort of reasons can be applied. Depression like symptoms, extreme emotions, frustrations, anger may come out. And also because you have eliminated foods that were harder for your body to digest and process you may experience the detoxification faster. That is why in many detox programmes they recommend either single ingredient (in macrobiotic its brown rice only) or liquid (juice or water fasting).
Another thing that can contribute to the emotional up and down is society pressure to eat "mainstream". It doesn't matter if you decide to become vegan, macrobiotic, raw or just eat healthy there are people who may comment on your decision negatively. It may isolate you from some occasions and social events.


There are a few things that I would recommend to do when you are going through the tough times

1, know that you will be OKAY in the end of this tunnel and it is beneficial to your health. Maybe it is a good opportunity to really go low and think about why you are going thorough this detox and the negative feelings are coming out. Remember these emotions are something that you have accumulated in the past and didn't get to process. Possibly it is the time to sort it out.

2. slow down the detox process
If you are not prepared to do a drastic change, especially the previous diet was very different from what you are trying to do now, you can transit more slowly. If you have decide to go 100 % raw you may start with 80% then 90% then 100% when you are ready.
Also you can add more food that take more time to be digested. you will lose some energy in that way but it can slow down the detox effects as well.
exercise is good as the body needs to repair and build after the exercise so detoxification process will slow down and endorphins which can help a person to feel more peaceful and happy, are released.

3 take some herbs.
There are many safe herbs you can take such as st Johns wort, valerian, camomile etc.

4 Make sure your nutrition is adequate. Many vitamins and minerals are associated with depression like symptoms. Vitamin D, B, essential fatty acid, DHA, folic acid

5 simplify your surroundings. If you are surrounded by things and people who don't support you and your decision are they really worthy of your time and energy?

6 don't beat yourself up. One mistake does not kill you. In an ideal world it has to be easy to live naturally and healthfully. But you are not in the ideal world... We are doing the best we can and that is the most important thing. One fall then you can get up again, right?

Good luck

Omega 3 and DHA

Ok I know I have posted while ago about this issue.
I am posting this again because it is so important! Everyone needs to monitor their omega3 intake, especially if you are vegetarian and vegan or if you eat lots of processed food.
There is a study done on vegetarian and vegan. We all know now that increasing the amount of vegetables, legumes, fruits and decreasing animal products is good for us. But vegetarians and vegans don't necessarily live longer. And one of the reasons they said was low level of omega3 and vitamin B12.
Normally people have high intake of omega6 because it is everywhere in nature. Beans, vegetables oils (if you have lots of processed food and food that is cooked with vegetable oils your intake of omega6 shoots up), seeds and nuts. they are all high in omega6. I am not saying that omega6 is not a good thing. we all need it. but ratio of omega3 and 6 are important. If you have too much omega6 compare to omega3 you cannot expect optimal health.
Omega3 is harder to find.
Fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel is high in omega3. But I don't recommend having fish often because fish can be contaminated with methyl mercury, PCBs and dioxins, all of which can present a risk of health. Of course if you are vegetarian or vegan having animal product isn't an option.

So what we are going to do?
Flaxseed!!
Oils from flax are rich in alpha linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is not identical to DHA and EPA but it has similar biological activity so it too can have an effect on mental acuity and heart diseases. Furthermore some ALA is converted to DHA and EPA in the body. (please note that amount of ALA conversion varies. Some can convert very well and some don't)
Other good sources of ALA are canola, soy (though it also has quite high omega6), leafy green vegetables and walnuts.

Flaxseed is more than ALA. It is high in fibre. This indigestible part of plant provides a laxative effect by allowing wastes to absorb water through the digestive tract. It binds cholesterol and prevents it from being absorbed
Also flaxseeds are sources of lignans, which are compounds that are found to have anti cancer properties.

Omega3 oil oxidise quickly so I usually store the oil in the freezer. it doesn't take long to be liquid again before using it. (do not use if for cooking) Even better way is to either grind to make fresh flaxseed meal or soak them whole and let them sprout for easier digestion. This way you get the great fibre they provide as well. If you have tried to eat the whole seeds as they are you may remember seeing them again in your toilet bowl... :-) Yes. they just go straight through.


Another way to get DNA and EPA is to get it from Krill. Krill has naturally occurring antioxidant so it doesn't oxidise as quickly as fish oil and it is more environmentally friendly to produce.
You can also get it from algae. which is a vegan source of DHA. That is where fish get their DHA from!

My choice is algae. the one that I am taking is a liquid concentrate, which only needs 0.50ml per day. I do have to remind my daughter to take it as well as it is very important for developing children. it is only 0.25ml for her. it is easier than getting her to swallow a pill.
I sell these DHA concentrate as well if you find it hard to find elsewhere. ( sorry to advertise...)

vegan day in Melbourne demo

I will be doing a brief demo at World Vegan day on 6th of November. My schedule time is at 1pm.

Here is the info on my demo

Yoko Inoue
Yoko Inoue always had a passion for good food. But she first discovered the importance and relationship of the good health, diet and lifestyle choices when her daughter was born. The desire to feed her and herself right she explored the world of healing natural foods. She studied macrobiotic, which emphasizes the use of organic unrefined grains, beans, vegetables and seaweed, with Kushi institute in Japan. After studying to become a holistic nutritionist as well she discovered another world of raw and living foods philosophy.

Her company introduces whole foods cooking, using healing organic ingredients like unrefined grains, soy products, beans and legumes as well as fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as those super foods such as goji berries, raw cocoa, coconut, maca powder etc. It offers the diet that includes nutrient-rich whole foods, creating balance through an awareness of the natural energies of food, taking into consideration the individual’s constitution and health condition. The cooking style is based on japanese cooking, which is enhanced with contemporary and traditional ideas from cuisines around the world using macrobiotic and raw diet, living foods philosophy, integrating the knowledge from both East Asian system and modern nutrition.

The services include catering, regular cooking classes, meal deliveries and private chef services.

Yoko Inoue will be talking about the importance of not high calorie but high nutrition diet as well as foods as medicine to heal your body and mind, changing ones diet and cooking style according to the environment and his/her individual needs. Small sampling of some of healing ingredients she often uses in her cooking will be offered throughout the demonstration. (numbers limited)


check out their website
http://www.wvd.org.au/whats-happening/food/cooking/

There will be heaps of things happening throughout the day.
different talks, arts, kids activities, and of course food stalls!

look forward to seeing you there

Amarant retreat catering

1475 Don Road, Yarra Valley, VIC 3136


what a great weekend I had!
I had a pleasure of catering for a workshop at Amarant retreat near healsville. such an amazing place...
This retreat is set in lush mountain ash forest, next to Yarra Ranges National park. totally secluded and is the perfect location to relax, unwind. The view from Dining and commune living area is just stunning, so cozy with beautiful wood heater warming up the rooms, hearing parrots and cockatoos in the morning. The place is very eco friendly with all the double grazed windows and their rain water tanks. Their drinking water is so clean and delicious as well. They have been planting herbs, vegetables around the house.
They run workshops and different amazing events through out the year.

The catering was for Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea

Dinner
Split pea and grated carrot bake with crusty brown rice and amaranth topping
cumin and rosemary rubbled roasted sweet potato and zucchini
Green salad with arame seaweed served with tahini and mustard dressing
raw goji and chocolate cheez cake

Breakfast
homemade granola served with freshly made almond milk
sprouted sourdough bread with mustard and coconut butter spread
lightly steamed kale with lemon juice
tofu scramble with coriander

Lunch
tri colour quinoa
warming almond stew with vegetables
green salad with grated beetroot and segmented navel orange
raw tropical fruit and coconut bar

Afternoon tea
carrot and celery sticks served with
-beetroot dip
-cashew and macadamia cream cheez balls

ADHD in children and nutrition

I always stressed how important nutrition is to your body and mind. This is another connection between what you eat and a behaviour.


Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is diagnosed more than the past. Estimates of the percentage of children and adolescent who have ADHD in australia is 1.7% to 17.8%.

ADHD is characterized by restlessness, fidgeting, difficulty focusing, poor impulse control, distractibility, and in some cases overactivity; These symptoms often have negative consequences on the child’s academic performance, social skills, and relationships with family members, teachers, and peers.

It is a complex disorder and the exact cause is unknown, however thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy, micronutrient deficiencies, excessive television watching early in life, and inadequate omega-3 fatty acid intake etc.

Nutrition and ADHD

Some of the dietary factors that have been linked to ADHD risk are

High sugar intake is also associated with hyperactive behavior

Inadequate micronutrient intake. Supplementation to correct micronutrient deficiencies has been shown to improve ADHD symptoms.2,8

A low-nutrient diet high in processed foods and soft drinks at age 4 ½ has been associated with hyperactivity in children

Food additives and dyes: many colored foods are marketed to children, and hyperactivity in children following ingestion of food dyes is well documented in placebo-controlled studies.

There is preliminary evidence that certain pesticides (called organophosphates) commonly found on some fruits are associated

Omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA) are the building blocks a child needs to build a healthy brain. Insufficient omega-3 levels are common in children with ADHD, and there is evidence that omega-3 supplementation, especially in combination with the omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA; found in borage oil and evening primrose oil) improves behavior and ADHD symptoms.

Children diagnosed with ADHD are given a management plan, with the aim of reducing the effects of ADHD on the child's social, emotional and academic functioning.

There are some medications that doctors give to those children such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate (Attenta, Ritalin). These are thought to act by normalising the imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitter chemicals. They may need to be continued for months or years.


Like all medications the stimulants can have side effects.
I am not against science and western medicine. They do work wonders and sometimes there is no choice but to take them. However there are alternative treatments available as well. Nutrition, exercise, stress managements are all proven to be very effective in ADHD in children as well as adults.

feed your mind!

thanks to Real Foods at RMIT I went to a great event on Tuesday.
there were food demonstrations and great crowds. well done for organising this Event!
I was fortunate enough to supply their bento boxes, salads and brown rice sushi rolls that night.

RAW BENTO BOXES
-veggie loaf layered with marinated brown mushrooms, creamy spinach and cashew filling with a miso almond crust.
served with almond mayo and salad
-walnut, cranberry, orange "rice" with spiral vegetables in a spicy tahini sauce

RAW SALADS
-Beetroot and apple with creamy ranch style dressing
-Cabbage and seaweed coleslaw with Asian style garlic dressing

Brown rice sushi
-sweet and salty tempeh/tofu cubes, grated beetroot and natto miso paste
-sunflower pate, curry oven baked zucchini strips and coconut flakes

Hope they will be organising more of these fantastic events next year!

sprouted legumes raw or cooked?

There are so many reasons why including more raw foods are so beneficial to your body. Refining and cooking affects phytochemical contents of foods dramatically. It also reduces the activities of beneficial enzymes that have been found to be anti cancerous, anti arthritic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and lipid lowering abilities.
And of course the oxidation of foods from cooking with high heat, especially the foods with high protein and fat contents, form free radicals, which are very damaging.

There are times that cooking is beneficial. Today I want to write about sprouted legumes.
Sprouting is a great way to activate and increase vitamin and mineral contents of foods, as well as improving digestibility.
Though you need to be aware of health consequences when you are eating raw sprouted legumes.
Legumes are high in anti-nutrients. They inhibit the action of enzymes that help break down protein and starch. These anti-nutrients can be toxic to the body.

One of the anti-nutrients is hemagglutinins. It is destroyed by a conventional cooking. Germination can reduce it by 75-100 percent.
The activity of trypsin (enzymes to break down protein) is inhibited by compounds in legumes. Boiling can reduce it by 80-100 percent. Where as soaking only reduces it by 10-25percent and germination 15-65 percent (average of 30 percent). How harmful it is to your body also depends on how much of these compounds are already present in different legumes.
Soy beans are most concentrated and peas are low.
About 5-10 percent reduction of trypsin activity was reported after eating sprouted lentils and mung beans. 20-25 percent with sprouted chickpea.

It is not my intension to scare you away from sprouted legumes and seeds. Sprouts are a living, enzyme-rich food with so much energy. Their vitamin A, various B and C are higher.Their protein content becomes easily digestible, and rich new nutrients such as enzymes and phytochemicals are created. They contain significant amounts of bio-available calcium, iron and zinc, potassium.
A study found that small amounts of trypsin inhibitor and phytic acid can help to lower cholesterol and may provide some protection from cancer.

It is a good idea to make a note on which you find digest the best, or which have any side-effects. Try lightly cooking the less-digestible raw sprouts in stir-fry's; the light cooking makes them much more digestible. Keep changing which beans you use, so that your body is not exposed to using the same sprout for days or weeks at a time. I would not recommend use or raw soy beans or red kidney beans.

service update. meal delivery, catering and christmas pudding order!

Due to more demands on a wholesome meal delivery options we are excited to tell you that we have started meal delivery services.
All our meals are prepared with fresh, local, seasonal and organic produce as much as possible, using wholesome and healthy ingredients that are so nutritious for your body as well as tasty and enjoyable.
They are vegan meals with no dairy, eggs, refined sugars.
The options are balanced cooked and raw meals as well as we offer 100% raw meals.

raw vegan meal delivery yesterday...
+cauliflower and coriander rice with three nuts burger, served with green leafy salad and apple and citrus dressing
+zucchini pasta and fresh green peas dressed with cashew cream sauce and goji berries
+creamy sweet potato soup with almond and macadamia milk. served with zucchini and almond bread
+marinated broccoli, seaweed and red cabbage coleslaw with tahini miso dressing
+sprouted red lentil pate with flapjack bread
+lemon kiss
+chocolate truffle

A festive season is coming up. So if you are planning a function or an event and looking for a caterer I'd be delighted to cater your next event. Places fill up pretty fast over this season so contact me early to secure your spot.

Also like last year, I will be taking orders for best ever christmas pudding! Please order before November.
They are vegan with no eggs, dairy or refined sugar.

why do we eat?

Not many people think about what food is. and why we eat. everyday.
Is it because you are hungry?
because it looks good?
because everyone else is eating?
or
maybe it is time to eat?

eating is one of the most basic requirement for our survival. We need to eat in order to live. There is no other ways around it.
But in a country like Australia, where there are overflow of foods and different options it is so easy to forget this basic reason.
Do you eat to live? or Do you live to eat?

To find out the purpose of living and achieving my own personal goals and dreams my health is very important. I believe what we eat can support the health of your body and mind in so many ways.
Of course it is not just foods or diet that are cause of unbalances. How we live- our desires, how we treat others and ourselves, how we think- can all have an effect on your health.
It corresponds with all that we receive in our lives. If the results are not desirable for you, you can make better choices so you can change your health and awareness for the better.

Besides from what you are eating, how you eat cause different effects in how you feel.
Even the most nutritious and delicious food can seem tasteless if we are rushing or not being aware of where that food is coming from and thanking for it. the enjoyment of good food and company can create such a joy in our lives.

When people eat for their desire for an instant pleasure they often overeat and overlook where the food comes from. What we choose to eat reflects so much of our ideas and values because it is a message that we are sending to the world around us, affecting many things including all the living things on earth and our environment.

spring cooking class

We had a spring cooking class yesterday in brunswick. What a wonderful way to spend one afternoon, meeting new people, creating meals together and enjoying it together.
It is such a basic simple pleasure but I don’t get to do it often enough. Even just sitting down to eat and really taking the time to chew, tasting the flavours and enjoying every mouthful. Also having the time to think about how that meal has effected you physically and mentally. Always feeling like you should be doing something more important or get to somewhere you have to be.
It it also a good opportunity to motivate ourselves to keep believing yourself as well as learning and growing.

thanks you to those, who came to share their time with me and hope to see you soon!

Our menu yesterday was

vegetable bake with coconut millet and mung bean topping
stringy root vegetable salad with thick almond and curry dressing
Spring green salad with sweet and sour apple dressing
and of course a dessert to finish off with

raw chocolate mousse cake

everyone got the recipes for dishes we created and I think the first think they will be making will be the mousse cake :-)

I am still planning a lunch or dinner (for hopefully this year, before it gets too hot...) and maybe we should do dessert cooking class.....???

rejuvelac

Rejuvelac is one of the best things you can take to assist your digestion.
It is super simple to make and makes a good refreshing drink, full of friendly bacteria for healthy intestinal flora, as well as you can use it to ferment things, such as bread, and cheese.
There are different recipes out there but one that I used this time was

Ingredients
2 cups spelt grain (other grains such as rye, wheat, millet work too.)
10 cups water

that's it!?
Yes!

-soak the grains and then sprout them till little tails appear. Rinse twice a day.
-cover with 6 cups of fresh water, cover then let it ferment for about 2 days. It should have a bit of bubbles but doesn't give off off smell.
I made cashew cheese with it.

my garden produce

I have been pretty slack. well... I sort of have an excuse with a broken arm and all.. and also it has been cold I haven't been doing much in my garden.

many of the vegetables I have planted a while ago are ready! It is so good just to go into your garden and pull them out as much as you'd like. washing them with water from my rain water tank, dreaming of a self sustained country living.... (preferbly somewhere warm..)

another lunch...

All raw lunch today...

sprouted let lentil dip served with basic crunchy flaxseed crackers and soft celery crackers
sunflower and coriander pesto
avocado rubbed cabbage and sauerkraut salad

realfoods

thanks to Real foods at RMIT. Real fit food demo was on last Tuesday and great to see so many people turned up for it. Great work, lucy.
I have been supplying some lunch there and for the tuesday event they were kind enough to let me supply some bento boxes which were all raw.
-Almond and flaxseed burger with cashew and sunflower seed cheeze paste on mizuna and sprouted quinoa salad
-Almond and vegetable curry served on herb salted cauliflower rice with sweet and cayenne spiced chutney
-fluffy coconut rice with vegetables served with marinated brown mushrooms and creamy avocado and beetroot salad. topped with tangy almond and coriander pesto.

I also had brown rice sushi.
Fillings change everytime but examples...

curry spiced baked tofu, cabbage and mushroom drizzled with creamy mustard sauce
Avocado slices with sweet carrot chutney, asparagus shoots and coconut
slow baked tempeh with tamarillo and apple chutney and caramelised onion

etc...

meals on this cold day

no mango and banana smoothies for me today!
it felt so cold this morning but glad to see the sun in the afternoon.

definately a warming soup for breakfast
quinoa and kudzu soup with mochi crotons.
all the ingredients have warming quality. especially ginger, kudzu and mochi with immunity boost from chopped garlic.




a bit warmer this afternoon.
people ask me if I have much bread. I try to avoid mainstream bread. Maybe sourdough bread now and then but usually if I have a craving for a slice or two I might make essece bread with sprouted grains or bread that made of fermented grain instead of starter that uses flour, which I had for lunch today. millet and brown rice was fermented for 3 days and turned into a dough with kudzu and mesquite and millet flour and kudzu. the dough was steamed this morning (steaming is not as contracting as baking)

the bread was topped with tahini and my raw dehydrated crunchy onion rings

catering for RMIT real cafe

if you live, work or study near RMIT melbourne, I have started catering a couple of times a week at real cafe at RMIT. At the moment its Mondays and Wednesdays or thursdays
As you know my menu changes everytime, depending on what's available and season etc.
today...

Brown rice sushi with slow baked tempeh, caramelised leeks and tamarillo and apple chutney
cashew cream, avocado and grated carrot and beetroot
purple sweet potato with chick pea and arame with creamy mustard coconut butter dressing
brownies
raw pudding with apple and raisin
coconut macaroons

my lunch today

today's lunch

A glass of kale juice with sliced picked ginger
purple and red sweet potato salad with sprouted chickpea and arame, dressed with garlic balsamic dressing.
quick purple cabbage salad with olives and nuts
pate from yesterday as well as cashew mayo

tasty....

today's raw lunch

Weather is warming up at last! I do love seeing the sun come out after the long winter..
As I said before spring is a good time to detox all the heavy foods that you may have been indulging over the cold months. Raw cooking (or uncooking) is beneficial for assisting the process.

here is my lunch today. 100 percent raw for a fun of it.
buckwheat and sunflower crackers
cumin spiced almond and vegetable pate
kale salad with citrus dressing
grated beets and carrot
saurkraut

photo shoot

the biggest thanks to Greg Sims who took his valuable time to come and take these amazing photos...

This is the third photo shoot that I have done for my sweets and meals. After the cold weather and having richer foods I couldn't wait to make some dishes which are lighter and some raw as well. Many people have started realising the benefits of having more fresh vegetables and sprouts. There are so many reasons to include this exciting diet in your whole foods cooking. I have added a brief information on my website so be sure to check it out.

-almond cream filled puff pastry topped with spiced sliced pear
-raw marble cheesecake with goji berries and chocolate
-sourdough sprouted sandwich filled with pate, tamarillo and apple chutney and sunflower seed yoghurt.
-tiramisu
-mushroom and avocado quiche topped with millet white sauce served with romera and wild rice salad
-raw zucchini pasta marinated in teriyaki sauce
-black bean and almond burger coated with dessicated coconut, served with buckwheat dhal
-sprouted quinoa stack with avocado and grapefruit
-coconut macaroon
-amazake and fruit kanten