Chef Rawsheed, a known raw vegan chef, split with his co-owners of Sun Cafe last year and will launch his own restaurant this summer in Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles). The restaurant will also have a vegan grocery store and a performance space next door. More details on that to come!

In the meantime, Chef Rawsheed is making his long-awaited return to San Diego for a very special dinner. His reality show is beginning filming, so he is traveling to some of his favorite spots to see the many people who helped establish him as one of the best raw vegan chefs. Come join us for this special dinner on Saturday, Feb. 18th in San Diego. The address is 2476 Presidio Drive, San Diego, CA 92103.

MENU for San Diego event:

Supreme Living Loaf
Living Chowder Cheese Soup
House of Raw Salad
Fruit Living Cake

Cooked Items:
Mac n’ Cheese

To Go Items:
Pizza Slices $5
Candy Apples $4
Sneaky Bars $5

BUY YOUR DINNER TICKETS NOW:
$35 per person ($25 if you buy your ticket online by February 15th)
$15 for children
https://www.paypal.com/
Make payment through PayPal to jennifer@lovelivevibes.com
(If you are buying multiple tickets, you can pay for them all at once).

If you have any questions, please call Prabhat at 310.872.0669 or email him at prabhat.gautam@gmail.com

_________________________________________________________-
CHEF RAWSHEED’S DINNERS IN FEBRUARY
Feb. 14th in Huntington Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/245747345501759

Feb. 18th in San Diego
http://www.facebook.com/events/248621565214998

Feb. 25th in Rancho Palos Verdes
http://www.facebook.com/events/322979037744086

Vegetarians and vegans are constantly asked, “Do you get enough protein?”

Some of us are not concerned, as we eat plenty of beans, nuts, quinoa and other sources of protein regularly. This helpful article looks at the protein issue in depth. If you want to supplement your diet, there are many protein powders vying for our attention these days. Health nuts have brought up Sunwarrior lately, so I wanted to put the company in the spotlight, along with the huge banner ad on the main page of this blog that you are welcome to click on! If you purchase Sunwarrior through that banner ad, you would thrill me by providing my first pennies off this website which started with a desire to inspire others. A few year later, the blog is overflowing with articles on events, restaurants, interviews with interesting people in the veggie movement, and beyond.

As for Sunwarrior, their Raw Vegan Protein is said to be the highest raw whole grain sprouted vegan protein (not made from soy) on the market and the first complete hypoallergenic protein made up of all 9 essential amino acids and other non-essential amino acids. This stellar product also helps absorb vitamins. The new Warrior Blend increases metabolism, builds muscle and burns fat, and curbs the appetite. Also a raw powder with a complete amino acid profile, this blend contains pea protein, cranberry protein, hempseed protein and coconut MCTs  (medium-chain triglycerides), and has a host of health benefits.

Sunwarrior also sells other products; samples of the Ormus Supergreens were perfect for a recent trip. Organic, raw and non-GMO, the greens include spinach, wheatgrass and others, along with some surprising additions like peppermint and parsley. Grown in an ancient volcanic valley in Utah, the supergreens are laden with minerals and cultured with probiotics.

Their products are great for people with allergies, as they contain no dairy, egg, soy, gluten, added sugar, wheat or yeast. Add that to so many nutritional benefits, and it seems hard to top the high quality products Sunwarrior is creating!

With a 110-year-old friend

I started this blog a few years ago to hopefully inspire others on their path to health; once in awhile I need to recharge and get inspired myself. I am not a raw foodist, but being around all the health-conscious people at Raw Spirit Festival provided just that revitalizing effect.

The setting at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Arizona was amazing and decadent, with desert mountain views, a fancy pool with an innertubing “river,” and a giant Dr. Seuss gingerbread house in the lobby.

I attended one day of the festival, at which many friendly, happy-looking people were in attendance. Many booths shared their raw food products, healing sessions and such, and some highly nutritious foods were for sale.

What probably motivated me the most to continue following a healthy lifestyle was meeting someone who looked great and was totally mentally alert at 110 years old! Bernando LaPallo told me he puts olive oil on his skin daily to avoid wrinkles, avoids stress, and eats organic foods – no meat, but he does eat fish. He was with longevity-focused folks from Akea who have a tasty supplement product that contains superfoods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and more.

Also enjoyable was the talk by Mimi Kirk, a lovely 73-year-old with a new book of raw food recipes. The festival attendees rang in the New Year by dancing to the Luminaries, who had one song about affirmations and another about kombucha — a refreshing change for hip hop. As the clock struck midnight, Fantuzzi was playing some fun African and other beats.

It is always great to be around like-minded people!

Article by Raw Spirit Festivals

For the first time, Raw Spirit participants can bring in the New Year in an exquisite desert paradise just north of Phoenix, Arizona in the most elegant, sweetly-spiritual, healthful, cutting-edge, fun-loving, conscious, abundant, musical, interconnected way imaginable December 30, 2011 to January 1st, 2012 at Arizona’s most magnificent 5 star resort, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. It features 300 Audubon Society-approved acres, lush lawns, mountains views, trails, 4 acres of heated palm-lined swimming pools and rivers, plus a gilded Wildflower Ballroom reserved exclusively for the Raw Spirit New Year’s Festival.

With a theme of “Inspiration, Education, Meditation & Celebration,” participants can expect to have plenty of fun while learning the latest information in health, eco and spiritual living via dynamic presentations and musical performances, including educational sessions by an eclectic array of doctors who are also research authors on natural health. Plus, raw vegan chefs will offer organic raw vegan demos & tastings, amidst a plethora of playshops on yoga, dancing, meditation, singing and more. Meanwhile, attendees can sample an organic raw vegan dishes and shop at vendor booths.

According to festival founder Happy Oasis, “This is much more than a vibrant vegan festival. Our vision is to integrate healthy living, eco-sustainable solutions, music, art, and world peace while creating a community of fun and loving kindness, because together these comprise a comprehensive strategy for positively addressing current global challenges. We feel that our Raw Spirit Festival belongs to the entire ever-expanding, international community.”

Billed as “the world’s leading, largest and longest-lived raw vegan-eco-peace celebration,” the Raw Spirit Festival is a 501c3 educational non profit that offered its first festival in Sedona, Arizona in May of 2005. The non profit has offered more than 200 celebrations since its inception, most of them entirely free to the public. The Raw Spirit organization gives freely to several other non profits and groups in need including Women’s Shelters, Department of Veterans Affairs, Native American groups, Big Brothers Big Sisters and more. Raw Spirit welcomes sponsors and donors so that it can continue to serve for many years to come.

The Fri. Dec. 30th through Sun. Jan. 1st weekend celebration price is only $150. Day tickets are $75 Fri. Dec. 30th and/or $85 Sat. Dec. 31st into the New Year. The group discount hotel rate is $149 per room. To register and for more information, phone (480) 363-0934 or (928) 308-2146 or email info@rawspirit.com. Tickets are limited. Pre-registration is highly recommended. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE or view the SCHEDULE.

Article by Raw Spirit Festivals

Some people like to avoid the predictable winter colds and flus by taking something extra to boost immunity and well-being. For this purpose, along with general health, I recently reintroduced spirulina into my diet, but was not loving the taste or globs left in the blender when mixing it into a daily smoothie.

It was not long before Sunfood’s Sun is Shining arrived in the mail. I am not an expert on green powders or superfoods, but it felt like the royalty of the green powders had befriended lucky me. The product hit the spot – the taste is basically neutral, which is a lot better than spirulina, and Sun is Shining blends smoothly into any beverage. Since I started taking it each day, I have noticed a sustained energy throughout the day, even when not having slept well the night before.

More importantly, a long list of healthy ingredients includes not only spirulina but broccoli, kale, wheatgrass, nopal cactus, sea vegetables, and more. The product offers a range of nutritional benefits which ensures busy people in modern times make up for what can often become a lack in nutrients. Sun is Shining also has enzymes and probiotics (friendly bacteria) which help us to absorb all the vitamins and minerals. For vegans, it is great that the product is high in Vitamin B12- one serving has 158% of the percent daily value.

Sun is Shining is vegan, gluten-free,  raw organic, and lasts for years (refrigeration recommended). Who wouldn’t want to try something with so many positive attributes? To buy this product, shop online at Sunfood for an array of products.

Photo credit: Sunfood

Photo by Peace Pies

Today was so worth a stroll around the sunny Little Italy Farmer’s Market in San Diego. One of the first stops was the Peace Pies table, full of healthy raw, vegan, gluten-free and organic (what more could you want?) treats. They are still  fixing up their Ocean Beach location which had a fire, and are celebrating the recent opening of their second location in Encinitas at 133 Daphne Street, where the Greenery used to be. It’s open Tues.-Sat. from 11 am – 4 pm.

I couldn’t miss the Majestic Garlic table for some nutritious spread (made in many flavors) for sandwiches, dipping crackers,  and various other culinary uses. Today I crammed the basil flavor into my bag with an avocado, fresh chard, and oranges. Next I was called to sample a dip called Bitchin’ Sauce, which is fortunately vegan, gluten-free, and almond-based.  The vendor constantly used the “B” word, which was a bit amusing, and the product was tasty.

Blissful Bites Book!

The final and favorite stop was to see my friend Christy Morgan, aka the Blissful Chef, who was giving a cooking demo with samples such as Mac N’ Kale Salad, a cheesy kale salad using nutritional yeast. Morgan was also selling her new book, Blissful Bites.

Helping her out was Eduardo Longoria, who will soon be opening a Casa de Luz restaurant in San Diego’s North Park, stemming from the Austin macrobiotic center of the same name. Casa de Luz San Diego will be collaborating with doctors from the University of California Center for Integrative Medicine, offering cooking classes. Stay tuned for an article on Casa de Luz, set to open by November. Longoria is also the leader of the San Diego Whole Food Plant Based Diet, Macrobiotic Cooking meetup group which looks like much fun for folks who love to prepare healthy foods. Also helping Morgan was Longoria’s amigo Efrem Nicolau, a macrobiotic cook from France/Spain, who is spending a few months in San Diego to help get Casa de Luz off the ground.

I thought I was just buying vegetables, but I came home full of inspiration!

Ray and Nrgy

Her Facebook photos of delicious meals she prepares entice many people,  so it’s good news Nrgy Gonzalez has a bilingual blog now! In Vegan a la Mexicana, she shares her positive outlook and passion for healthy food.

In the past, Nrgy hated eating animal products and also wasn’t a big fan of veggies. When she spotted “Skinny Bitch” about four years ago in a bookstore, she was so amused by the title that she bought it without looking at the content inside.

“I read it from cover to cover that night and decided to ‘become a vegan’ the next day . . . it fit right in with my yoga teachings of Ahimsa,” Nrgy said.

From her Mexican perspective, she said, “Our ancestors ate a mostly plant-based diet and would only consume animal protein seasonally or during sacred ceremony. They respected and honored the animals, they were seen as our relatives, not tortured and exploited the way we do today. It is important we recognize that, and take responsibility to once again honor these relatives (the animals), the environment, the land, our bodies, and our ancestors.”

Enfrijoladas!

To keep enjoying the typical Mexican dishes she loves, Nrgy got creative and veganized some recipes. Try one of her favorites: enfrijoladas stuffed with veggie fajitas.

Her fiance, Ray Angelo, also of Mexican heritage, is a Family Medicine Physician (M.D.). He and Nrgy eat a mostly raw food diet.

Ray is constantly encouraging his patients to adopt a healthier lifestyle with simple tips: exercise 30 minutes EVERY day, and eat LOTS of fruits and vegetables. He tailors his advice to the specific patient (example: special advice for diabetics). Patients are informed that Ray is a vegan, and learn the benefits of a vegan diet. Aside from limiting or eliminating animal products, he also encourages patients to eat fresh, raw and whole fruits and vegetables and shy away from processed and fast foods.

Nrgy will also be educating others as she is studying to become a Registered Dietitian to empower people in lower-income communities with the knowledge to stay healthy. She credits her father Juan Gonzalez, a professional Chef for over 20 years, with everything she knows about veganism.  Nrgy hopes to open a restaurant with her padre someday. For this girl and her fiance, the future is bright.

Navitas Naturals has launched “Power Snacks” that combine superfoods and organic seeds, fruits and nuts.  Cacao Goji and Citrus Chia are flavorful grab-and-go foods with certified organic and raw ingredients filled with nutrients.  A certified chocoholic, I prefer the taste of the cacao one. Blueberry Hemp will appear later this year.

The Power Snacks contain no refined sugar, and are gluten-free and dairy-free.  Find them at retail locations throughout North America including Whole Foods Markets, Wegmans and HEB, and at many online stores such as Amazon.com and on Navitas’ site.

Cacao Goji Power Snack features exotic superfoods from Central and South America – maca, chia seeds, camu-camu and lucuma powder, as well as wholesome raw foods such as date paste, raisins, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.  Citrus Chia Power Snack contains chia seeds, maca, camu-camu and lucuma, as well as apricot, raisin, cashew and coconut flakes.

Enjoy the snacks and Navitas’ superfoods glossary (they sell these all individually):

Chia is a superseed that offers a unique blend of protein, fiber, essential fats, antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals.  Perhaps most notable, chia is a rich source of essential fatty acids – more than 3 times the concentration of most grains.  Chia is more than 20% protein, with all of the essential amino acids.

Cacao is a raw form of chocolate that is one of the world’s best sources of powerful antioxidants, and is the richest food source of magnesium.  Cacao provides a vast array of essential minerals and nutrients including: Iron; Potassium; proteins; beta-carotene; and alkaloids.

The goji berry is one of the highest known sources of antioxidants and it contains 18 amino acids and all essential amino acids.  Rich in beta-carotene, polysaccharides, riboflavin and carotenoids, it fosters a long life and strengthens the immune system.

Camu-camu contains up to 60 times more Vitamin C than an orange. This antioxidant-rich berry is also a great source of potassium, calcium, protein, beta-carotene and other powerful phytochemicals and amino acids that have a wide range of therapeutic effects.

Maca is rich in amino acids, vitamins B1, B2, C and E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and iron, and is a good source of sterols and fatty acids.  It has long been used in traditional medicine to increase stamina, boost libido and combat fatigue. Alkaloids in maca are known to nourish the endocrine system – responsible for production and maintenance of hormones.

Lucuma is naturally sweet, but low on the glycemic index, and a good source of iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B3, beta carotene, fiber and protein.

John Lewis weighed 315 lbs. as a freshman in high school.  By senior year of college, this 6’5” man got down to 225 lbs and 7% body fat.

During graduate school, digestive problems led him to a doctor who urged giving up meat for 30 days.  After two weeks of avoiding meat, Lewis had become completely regular and his stomach felt much better. He was torn between his love of meat and that he had healed himself by avoiding meat all together. Lewis chose vegetarianism, and four years later dropped dairy and eggs.

“I was so impressed at how well I felt, I wanted to share with the world  how being a vegan is not a bad thing and that we can be cool, healthy and dispel the myth that we just sit around all day and hug trees,” said Lewis.

Lewis says through his countless hours of research on what animal protein does to our “human” system, he has seen the effects of how changing to a plant -based diet has reversed various ailments and diseases. Now a raw vegan for over six months, he has no intentions of going back. He started NOBESITY, a non-profit organization assisting individuals with weight issues. The basis of the organization is holistic fitness through plant-based nutrition.

“I love seeing people develop the confidence to listen to their bodies and understand that nutrition is the key to optimum health. Since becoming raw I am able to train harder than ever and recover in half the time. I have a clear train of thought and my memory is great considering the million things that I am involved in on a daily basis. I am currently still educating myself about the human body and how nutrition is the key to a healthy life (not pills or magic potions),” he said.

Keep your eye out for this ambitious man who is working on a Master’s of Science in Health Education. He wants to develop educational programs to help people learn the skills to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A finalist in PETA’s “Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door” contest, Lewis is being sponsored by PETA for his “Tour De Fit,” in which he’ll perform at marathons and various events around the country.

Joan Jackson weighed 300 pounds about six years ago and said she was “working on diabetes, heart attack and stroke.”  When her son nearly fell down an escalator and she couldn’t move to protect him, she catapulted herself into a lifestyle change, going vegan, organic and mostly raw.  In two years Joan lost 150 pounds, and has kept it off for four years! Today, she is 60-70% raw except for three months a year when cleansing.

On Monday nights at Cups Culinary in La Jolla, Joan holds a series of four weekly classes on the raw food lifestyle, primarily to San Diego locals.  I was fortunate to attend the “Raw for Youth and Beauty” portion with a few friends. We all loved the class and were inspired by Joan’s fun, relaxed teaching style and wonderful printed materials, and her sweet, helpful mom. Not to mention the food was delicious and so healthy! We learned how to make noodles from zucchini, with uncooked marinara sauce, shared a great salad with homemade dressing, and made “ice cream” in both vanilla and chocolate with interesting ingredients like cashews, cayenne, and agave syrup. Joan’s onion bread with cashew “cream cheese” was a to-die-for snack!