Big Red Juicy Grapefruit!

Photo by: elainalove.com

Man oh man have I been on a grapefruit kick these days! I don't know if it's because I've been traveling quite a bit or because I recently was able to pick my very own grapefruits off the tree...(yes you heard me right)..or what. But me and grapefruits, see? We've become the best of buds.

Grapfruits grow on trees just like lemons, oranges, pomelos and limes do!! Photo by: the-fruit-trees.tumblr.com 

What I like about the grapefruit eating, is that you have an entire experience when you eat one...well at least I do. Since I was a little girl, my grandmother made picking and eating grapefruits such a fun and entertaining moment. We would go and she let me pick each one out, we filled the bags high with the tangy citrus fruits and at home grapefruits were one of the items I was allowed to eat as much of as I desired...so long as I "disciplined" myself. Sheesh, what an 8-yr old kid knows about discipline I'll never know...but it sure kept me regular eating all those grapefruits. Certainly better than KitKats I imagine.

Empty grapefruits bowls! Tasty! YUM! Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org

Well now that time has turned and it's me that's bringing my grandmother grapefruits off the tree, I have learned there were actually quite a few large benefits to eating them all along. Here are some of them:

1) Immune system booster
2) Anti-inflammatory properties
3) Good for those with asthma or arthritis
4) Great plaque remover, good for cardiovascular health

Look its a little sunshine! Aww! Photo by: www.heatovento350.com

5) Decrease chances of stroke, heart disease and cancer
6) Good for a man's prostrate due to Lycopene content (NOTE: this is found in pink and red varieties ONLY - not the white ones)
7) Lowers cholesterol

Fresh slice grapefruits! Ooooh! Me want some!!! Photo by: heidimix.blogspot.com 

8) Helps break down kidney or gallbladder stones
9) Can help prevent weight gain by regulating insulin levels
10) Fights CANCER!!

You can even sprout the grapefruits seeds TOO!!! Wow! GIve it a try! Photo by: www.newbeauty.com

What I've also found as a transitioning raw vegan (my diet consists of a 70-15-15 and about 80% of that being raw eating) is that I need to gain my nutrients and vitamins in essential places. Grapefruits provide a healthy balance of Vitamin C, almost 60% of our daily recommended dose as well a loads of Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is great for maintaining brain function, keeping your eyesight keen, allowing for reproduction of the cells and therefore keeping your skin bright and tight :-). We need Vitamin A in a host of situations throughout our bodies and GRAPEFRUITS provide a significant amount per dose, equivalent to about 40% of our daily recommended dose.

Grapefruit Juice, perfect for those early mornings! Photo by: www.health.com 

The Latin name for grapefruit is citrus paradisi and I guarantee you that's what I feel every time I eat one of these little sweets. Better than a candy bar or cup of hot chocolate any day, grapefruits provide a slight tart and tanginess that rivals their cousin oranges and is a great refresher and morning system wake-me-upper!

Simple greens salad with grapefruit and avocado! Easy does it! Photo by: www.bonappetit.com

The acidity of the grapefruits help to aid in digestion and therefore I believe grapefruits are best eaten (or juiced and drank) in the morning. Similar to our other early morning risers like: lemons, limes, tomatos, oranges, and tangerines, grapefruit juice in the morning is a great way to get the body flowing and the proper functions going.

Avocado and grapefruit salad. Simple food combining...raw fats with citrus fruits is a-okay! Photo by: www.mbskitchen.com 

Some of the other elements that grapefruits activate in our bodies are pantothenic acid, biotin copper, potassium, vitamin b1 and even FIBER! Have you ever had to use the restroom after eating a grapefruit or drinking its juice? Well the elements in our grapefruit juice helps to keep us regular!~ Maybe granny had it right all along!

So add some grapefruit eating to your repertoire today! Your whole body will thank you for it!

Happy grapefruit snuggles!!

Live. Love. Well.

~h

Raspberries on my mind...

Yummy in my tummy! Photo by: strawberry4bali.wordpress.com

Tart. Tangy. Melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Pickable. Snack-attackable. Just plain fun! Raspberries are a jewel to beholden. They grow on wild bushes...They can be eaten RAW, added to smoothies for a nice zest, mixed with lemon juice and other berries for a beautiful summer berry salad, they are easy to eat, easy to transport, they freeze fantastically and are a great snack for kids and adults alike!

It's hard not to like a raspberry. You can even grow them in your garden at home!

See there? Easy little ice cubes! Who knew? Photo by: www.stylecraze.com 

Did you know? ...Raspberries make great "ice cubes" for summer time drinks? We like to freeze our raspberries, blueberries and even sliced peaches and pineapples, then drop them into a glass and fill with lemonade, orange juice, coconut water or whatever summer drink suites your fancy. They keep the drink cold AND give a little flavor while adding a fun edible treat to any thirst quencher! Try it today! Everyone will love it!

Delicious raspberry, acai, kiwi smoothie! Yum! Photo by: kblog.lunchboxbunch.com 

Raspberries are such little yum yums! Use them for making a delicious sugar-free jam, add to cereals and morning-time oatmeal or quinoa eating, use to garnish a delectable dinner salad for a slight light sweetness, eat with strawberries, blueberries and blackberries for a BERRY-LICIOUS snack! Blend them up with coconut water, fresh mint and crushed ice for a simple summer-time smoothie! Oh the possibilities are endless!

Raspberry bushes at home! Photo by: www.choicefood.in 

While I munch away on my bowl o' raspberries I find it necessary to tell YOU, as a transitioning RAW VEGAN, why I just love eating them so much (and how you can too!).

Spinach salad with raspberry, avocado...oooh! Photo by: recipeideashopblog.wordpress.com

Let me put it to you this way, if you are struggling with finding balance in your weight...RASPBERRIES ARE THE ANSWER. New studies have shown how the phytonutrients found in raspberries (specifically raspberry ketone, also known as rheosim) play a major role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress (two main factors that attribute to cancer growth)!

Raspberry smoothie! Oh the possibilities! Photo by: www.thomasdux.com.au

By chasing down free radical molecules, increasing metabolism, oxygen consumption, and regulating enzyme activity that could trigger unwanted inflammation the phytonutrients in raspberries can help lower our risk for chronic diseases such as: obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Truth be told, the phytonutrients found in raspberries are unprecedented in diversity and potency; raspberries boast over 22 phytonutrients!

Peach, basil, Raspberry salad. Light, Summer,easy! Try it! Photo by: foodwinethyme.com

RASPBERRIES ARE: anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory. All that packed into such a tiny little PUNCH! You know you wanna eat some...tonight! 1 cup of raspberries = 63 CALORIES! That's it! 

If you didn't know, now you know! Photo by: reflectionswithrhonda.com

What else do we get when we eat raspberries you ask? 50% of our daily Vitamin C intake, 40% of our Manganese intake, 30% of our Fiber intake (and we all could use a little more fiber in the diet), Vitamin K, Magnesium, and guess what else...even Omega-3 fats! Some Copper, Vitamin E and even Potassium as well!


And let me just tell you something else while were talking...If you're a woman and you ever get cramps...start taking some Raspberry Leaf capsules...it will change your life. I usually recommend taking them at least 2 weeks prior to the arrival of you-know-what:Take 2 capsules, 2x daily. The addition of ginger capsules (take 2 capsules, 2x/day) will also make your life so much easier. Trust me. ;-)

Eat some berries today! Toast with peanutbutter and banana, sliced strawberries and watermelon, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, almond milk smoothie. Photo by: veggieomnom.tumblr.com

As a transitioning raw vegan simple, tasty, easy-to-digest natural meals is what it's all about...and raspberries provide that in so many ways! It's summer and high time to add some raspberries to your diet regimen today! Easy smoothie recipes, salad recipes, tea/drink recipes, jams and more are available here for you!

Pucker up!
~h

Peachy keen...you know what I mean.

Aren't they such majestic beauties! Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org 

Smooches! Love, Peaches.

Delish! Peaches engage many of the senses and make for a wondrous treat ANY time of the day. They are easy to travel with, can be sliced, juiced, mashed or munched, have a soft, supple skin and delicate juicy-ness that even young babes can appreciate. Peaches rarely leave you unsatisfied and yet somehow begging for more. They make a bit of a mess, not too much; just enough to let your sweet sticky fingers gently remind you they were there.

Heart-healthy, skin-smoothing sweet, sticky snack! Photo by: examiner.com 

Peaches have a beautiful coloring ranging from light yellow to deep rouge and range similarly in taste according to the ripeness. They are best eaten when the darker swirling colors are present (the mixture of red and orange and yellow).

Sliced peaches perfect for a tantalizing mid-day snack! Photo by: nyccityeats.com

Filled to the brim with Vitamin A, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C, Niacin, and so much more, peaches can be enjoyed year-round and are very easy to can or freeze. They make great companions in smoothies, teas, juice recipes, on salads, in homemade popsicles and even make a delightful summer soup. (If you haven't had peach soup throw you inhibitions to the wind! You will surely be rewarded. I certainly was.)

Tasty, Peachy, Juicy! Photo by: theimprovkitchen.blogspot.com 

Tried peach juice yet? No? Do it. A frothy full-bodied juice that is as refreshing and light as summer salad and a soft kiss, it will leave you wanting just a bit more. And why not? At only 46 calories per peach you can be certain this is a "Weight Watchers" approved treat we can all indulge in!

Peaches come in all sizes, shapes and colors! Just like you and me! Photo by: marigoldmom.com

Let's talk about some of the health benefits! Peach juice can act as a natural laxative to help flush toxins out of the kidneys and bladder to help prevent kidney stones! Peaches are a great source of water and fiber and allow you to get fantastic nutrients, feel "full" longer all with a wonderfully succulent taste and aroma.

Peach Tea Smoothie! Oh my Gawd! Yes. Photo by: eatsimpleloveyoga.com 

Got a bad cough? Have a peach. Peaches are known for their ability to soothe a dry cough, you can even make the juice into a warm soothing tea. Those with rheumatic pains and abdominal colic are also recommended to incorporate peaches into their diets.

Healthy food-combining approved meal: Peaches and Raspberries! Yummo! Photo by: theskinnyonlowcal.org

Peaches help ease digestion and inflammation. They protect nerve cells and if eaten early in the morning can help regulate intestinal infections and maintain alkalinization of the blood due to their low acidity. Regular consumption of peaches can help prevent the onset of many types of cancers and aid in weight loss. Peaches are good for the skin to help regenerate tissue cells; you can even rub peach juice into your skin for that soft peachy glow!

Happy to be here sliced and cored peachy keens! Photo by: inspireandindulge.wordpress.com

Peaches are rich in iron, so very good for those with anemia. Peaches can help treat high blood pressure and facilitate cardiac health due to the potassium found in them. Peaches are helpful in lowering cholesterol in blood and preventing cardiac diseases.

Peachy Mint Puree, perfect for your tiny sweet someone somewhere.
Photo by: theartofcomfortbaking.blogspot.com

Peaches contain Vitamin A,  B1, and B2 which help to strengthen the immune system, balance the nervous system and maintain magnesium levels in the body. Peaches are HIGH IN ENERGY and are great for pregnant women and those wishing to regulate their weight!

Fresh Home-canned Peaches! Makes for easy livin'! Photo by: piccantedolce.blogspot.com

So what do we know about peaches? Peaches even have their own color...Peach. How many other fruits can top that? To follow the suggestions of food combining for maximum digestion...peaches are best eaten with other like fruits: apricots, plums, nectarines, mango, pear, apple, cherries, grapes and other berries.

Fresh, tasty and nutritious! Go get some today! Photo by: statesymbol.usa.org

With health benefits for the whole family, peaches certainly fit the bill when it comes to SIMPLE EATING. That's the motto around here. So many reasons to eat so many peaches!
Moral of the story? Try adding peaches to your diet today! Your whole body will thank you for it!

Live. Love. Well.
~h

Delicious Blueberry kisses!

Fresh hand-picked blueberries! Yummo! Photo by: thecolleyhouse.org

If you're anything like I was as a kid...I hated blueberries! They were weird, tasted funny and were too mushy. Nowadays...you'd have to tie my hands to keep from eating them right off the stand! (and even then I'll still sneak in a few handfuls!)

I super love blueberries, but I understand that our tastes change as we change, and our preferences evolve as we evolve...thus...we must be ever vigilant and patience with ourselves and others...and our food choices.

Back to these little blue nuggets of wonder...

Whole body antioxidant support! Get you some! Photo by: health.usnews.com

You know the name of the game: "Raw or nothing at all!" and blueberries carefully fit the bill around here! They are actually best eaten raw as that is when they taste yummiest AND provide the highest nutritional value to your growing (and changing) body.

Berry berry delicious! Photo by: erasedisease.com

Where else can one find cognitive, cardiovascular, blood sugar, anti-cancer, and eye support all in one superfood?! At only 84 calories per 1 cup serving...how much better can it get!

Known for high antioxidant properties, we can thank Anthocyanins for their rich red, blue and even purple color. Many of the phytonutrients we find in blueberries explain this fruit's instant claim to fame among top superstar foods. We see this in the ways blueberries keep free radicals in the blood stream at bay and function as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in the body.

Don't they just look like little sunshines? Love! Photo by: breakingmuscle.com

These tiny tots pack loads of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Manganese, and Fiber!

The truth is one should readily consume at least three (3) cups of fruit EVERYDAY and blueberries should certainly be welcomed at the party 3-4 times per week or every single day. Also nice to know is most studies suggest that, though best eaten fresh and raw, blueberries are one of the few fruits that do NOT lose a significant amount of nutritional value when frozen! You know what that means!

I fall berry hard for these tasty treats! Photo by: rollingout.com 

Stock up and enjoy them all year round!

BONUS: Raw Blueberry Smoothie Recipe!

1/2 banana
1 1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup blackberries
1 cup almond milk
1 cup spinach leaves
Blend, add a bit of water if too thick or more berries if too thin! Enjoy!
More superb recipes here!

As a transitioning raw vegan I LOVE easy foods, rich in nutrients and even simpler to prepare! Pick up some blueberries in your neighborhood today!

Live. Love. Well.
~h

Leggo my Mango!

Mangoes come in all shapes and sizes, just like me and you! Love them! Photo by: www.mango.org 

That's right, you heard me! Get your own! Silly

I have loved mangoes since first taste. The adventure, the thrill, the challenge, the taste, the mess...a kid's dream of how life should be when it comes to eating! Sweet and sticky and so much FUN!

As grandma would say: "Go for what you know!" There's no wrong way to eat a mango! Photo by: darlinggourmet.com

Mangoes come in many shapes and sizes and can satisfy even my most desperate of hungers.

"Why would I want to eat a mango?" you might ask...glad you did. Here is vivacious vegan to spell it out for you:

M: Memory. Mangoes have been linked to increased concentration and memory due to the glutamine acid in them. Don't forget to eat your mangoes!
A: One word: Antioxidants. Mangoes contain tons of antioxidants like quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat. These hard-to-pronounce elements protect the body against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers.
N: Neutralizes! Mangoes are fantastic at bringing balance to a highly acidic body, as they have wonderful alkalizing properties.
G: Low glycemic levels. Mangoes are great for diabetics, especially the leaves! You can boil the leaves, then let them soak overnight in the same water, drain and drink in the morning for a natural way to regulate your insulin levels.
O: Open your EYES! Mangoes are well known for high levels of Vitamin A and C. Just one cup of mangoes can provide up to 25% of your daily Vitamin A intake and 76% of your daily Vitamin C intake. Eating one mango a day can help you see better at night and help prevent dry eyes.

Mangoes make such lush smoothies! Makes you want to get one RIGHT NOW! 

The best way to know if a mango is ripe and ready for eating is two ways (in my experience):
1) Check the firmness of the mango. Squeeze it gently and assess: is it hard as a rock, toooo soft and squishy or a bit pliable to the press yet you couldn't make a thumb print in the skin even if you wanted to. This business of fruit picking can certainly seem tricky, but as with all things, practice will bring progress.

So venture out on your first 10 for $10 mango spree and test out your skills!

See the little knob at the top? (bottom left of the fruit) That's what you'll pop off to check for ripeness.
Photo by:  www.veganyumyum.com

2) Press right at the top of the "stem" or at least where one once was. There is often a small knob that can be plucked off, if this knob is next to impossible to flick with the tip of your thumb, it's not ripe enough. If it is easy to pull off, that is a good sign the mango is ripe.

Now there are as many ways to EAT A MANGO as there are households in my neighborhood so I won't go into detail here...but like my grandma always said..."Go for what you know!"

Delicious, sweet and nutritious! Photo by: www.wearenotmartha.com

Whether you slice them or peel them with your fingers...eat them in neat chunks or suck all the juice from the top...get you some mangoes in your life TODAY!

*TIP: If they do not carry them at your local grocery, check your local Hispanic/Mexican market or Asian market. Also here's a great post on how to cut a mango. Show them some love!

BONUS: Mango Salsa Recipe:

Mango, Avocado, Lime, Red onion, evoo, sal, peppa, cilantro, jalapeno, tomato, garlic....YUM!
Click the link for the mind blowing recipe! Photo by: www.makeitnaked.com

Easy Mango Salsa recipe!

Live. Love. Well.
~h

Freakin' Leeks!

Leeks, sliced and diced! Photo by: wikipedia.org

Leeks. What the heck is a leek...You may be wondering? Not to fear Vivacious Vegan is here!

Leeks are a strange bird of sorts...and not a bird at all actually. A leek is a vegetable that belongs to the family of onions, shallots, scallions and garlic. It is bulbous at the bottom (like an onion) and has long, firm, crunchy cylinder-like leaves that grow up from the bulb. Kind of looks like this:

The roots and cut end of a leek. Photo by: wikipedia.org

They have a surprisingly mellow, 'sweeter-than-onion' taste. They can be eaten raw, blanched quickly or sauted and even baked. (Back in my dairy-eating days I once had Leeks mac n' cheese - didn't leave much of an impression) They are the kind of vegetables that blend into the background in terms of taste, but really kick butt in terms of nutrients.



One of my favorite recipes (as I am still transitioning to raw foodism) is a Curried Coconut Milk Thai Leek Soup.  It doesn't take long to make and even less time to simmer. YUM! (Recipe upon request)

Now onto the nutritional value!

Single leek flower head. Cool right? Can you find the bee in the picture? Photo by: wikipedia.org

You wouldn't believe these large long vegetables start out as these TINY LITTLE seedlings!

50% of daily value Vitamin K
30% of daily value of Vitamin A
20% of daily value of Manganese

1 cup raw leeks only 54 calories!!!!

What's nice about leeks is because they belong to the same family as garlic and onions we see many similar benefits as their fellow vegetable-mates.

 Leeks, lemon juice, evoo, olives, grated carrot, salt, peppa, basil and tomatoes! Yummy easy mid-day salad! Photo by : www.livingandeatingwell.com

How I eat them: a little bit of lemon juice and thyme or basil...chop them up and add to a salad! Crunchy delight! If you like them cooked, saute them with some fennel or mustard seeds and a little water for 5-7 minutes stirring frequently, toss with a little evoo, pepper and thyme; season to taste and add to any ready made dish of your choosing. Great to add to soups or omlettes for a suttle deliciousness!

As a transitioning raw vegan eater I am estatic (!) to:
get massive doses of antioxidants (which help in protecting my blood vessels and cells from damage), lots of B vitamin Folate (which is key for supporting my cardiovascular system) and flavonoids (which protect my blood vessel linings too!).

Fresh leeks ready for the taking! What will you make with them? Photo by: jasons-bites.com

Because leeks are highest in Vitamin K and A - they help most with helping blood to clot properly, protect your bones from fracturing, AND protect against liver and prostate cancer!

So go out and get you some little known lovely leeks today! (Tip: You can probably find them at your local Asian grocer)

Live. Love. Well.

~h

ORANGE you so sweet!?

What a beautiful ORANGE sunrise! Couldn't you just take a bite out of that sun? :-) Photo by: photography.nationalgeographic.com

Do you know that knock knock joke? Oh my gosh. It's like literally my favorite joke of all time. If I was ever trying to be cool and sophisticated...my corny sense of humor is a dead give away!

Ah well. I'm cool with that. :-)

Fresh pressed orange juice! Yummo! Photo by: www.foodrenegade.com

So I don't know anyone who doesn't like oranges. I myself enjoy a fresh pressed orange juice with my cheapo beginner juicer (gifted my a great friend and accomplice) and I must say...once you've had "fresh pressed" orange juice...it's REALLY HARD TO GO BACK.

Easy snack for grown-ups and kids alike! Photo by: eatsfoodhatesyou.blogspot.com

We all know and love oranges and they are just one of the many lovely citrus fruits one can enjoy.

Let's look at some of the benefits here:

Now, when it comes to food combining we must be vewy vewy careful to do it right, otherwise you may end up with a tummy ache.

Simple fruit combining chart. Bookmark! Very useful for understanding why kids get so many tummy aches. Photo by: www.30bananasaday.com (check out this website for good tips!)

Oranges are high in acidity and therefore should only be combined with other citrus fruits (grapefruits, lemons, kiwi, lime, pineapple, pomegranate, strawberry, tomato...) OR with sub-acidic fruits like grapes, apple, apricot, berries, cherries, pears, mango, nectarine, peach, or plums). Whew! That's a lovely long list of options. :-)


Long list of yummy fruits! Tasty for the eating! Photo by: thecitrusfruits.blogspot.com (good blog about benefits of citrus fruits - show them some love!)

Oranges are very high in Vitamin C, Fiber and Folate, Herperidin (which means strong anti-inflammatory and is found in the white pith of the skin), and Cryptoxanthin (which is a Carotenoid). They also help to decrease risk for calcium oxalate stones (kidney stones), lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, and are very low in calories. One medium size orange is about 60 calories!

Photo by: http://www.wakingtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Flickr-Orange-Peel-fdecomite.jpg



A fun trick: Save your orange peels, they can double as natural potpourri! Let them dry out and place in the bathroom, kitchen or living room.


As a transitioning raw vegan I LOVE LOVE foods that require no packaging, no fuss (except a maybe some wet wipes) and are healthy and delicious! Try adding some fresh oranges or orange juice to your diet today!

Love. Live. Well.

~h