The Marvelous Mimi Kirk

Click here to read more about Mimi and to sign in for your chance to win a copy of her beautifully done new book - LIVE RAW!

Foodie Friday Goes Thai

Spicy Thai Coconut Wraps with Pickled Carrots by Esther F. Gorden (aka Esther Francis)
From Go FRESH May-June Recipe Supplement, page 31

Serves 2 – 3

Butter lettuce
Lime wedges
1 cup chopped mushrooms (Cremini, Shiitake, white button, or a mix)
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 tablespoon tamari (nama shoyu or coconut aminos)
½ cup chopped jicama
Pinch (generous) sea salt

In a small bowl, combine mushrooms, lime juice and tamari. In another bowl, combine jicama and salt. Marinate both for ½ hour. Gently squeeze the jicama in a paper towel to remove moisture, then place on a non-stick dehydrator sheet.
Drain off excess marinade from mushrooms and place on same non-stick sheet. Dehydrate at 115 degrees F for ½ - 1 hour.

In a medium bowl combine:
1 teaspoon grated ginger root
1 tablespoon lime juice
Zest of 1 small lime
1 shallot, chopped
2-3 teaspoons tamari (nama shoyu or coconut aminos)
2 teaspoons raw agave nectar or coconut nectar
1/3 cup dry shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
¼ cup coarsely chopped cashews (I forgot to add these - but they were still delicious!)
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
½ -1 green chili (jalapeño or Serrano), very finely minced

When the jicama and mushrooms have finished dehydrating, add to the above mix. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust salt, sweet and heat. Let rest for ½ - 1 hour to develop maximum flavor. Fill Butter lettuce leaves with about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling and top with Pickled Carrots. Garnish with lime wedges.

For the pickled carrots:
1 large carrot, scrubbed and cut into matchsticks (julienne)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar or coconut vinegar
1 tablespoon raw agave or coconut nectar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
Pinch (generous) crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut carrot into fine strips. Transfer to a non-metallic bowl and add rest of ingredients. Stir. Let rest at room temperature for ½ - 1 hour.
Thai Basil Smart Cocktail
2 1/2 ounces coconut water (fresh or from the bottle/can)
1 1/2 ounces Fresh Basil-Lemongrass Syrup, recipe follows
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 juicy lime)
Very thin slice lime or spear of a fresh lemongrass frond, for garnish
Kombucha or Sparkling water, optional

Fill a cocktail shaker or small pitcher with ice. Add the coconut water, basil-lemongrass syrup, and lime juice. Cover and shake vigorously, or stir, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, by the time the shaker mists up the drink is ready.) Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and top with kombucha or sparkling water if you prefer a fizzy drink. Garnish with lime on the rim or a lemongrass spear in the drink. Serve.

Basil-Lemongrass Syrup
2 stalks fresh lemongrass, smashed
1 small handful fresh basil
2 cups water
1/2 cup coconut nectar or raw agave nectar

Place the lemongrass, basil and water in a covered glass container in the sun all day or for at least 4 hours until the water has become fully infused with flavor. Strain and stir in the sweetener of choice to create the syrup. If you are in a hurry and are not 100% raw, you can do this on the stove by bringing the lemongrass, basil and water to boil on the stove. Reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture, cool, then add the sweetener. Cover and refrigerate for up to a week.

Thai Basil Ice Cream
3 young Thai coconuts, meat & water extracted and separated
1 handful fresh basil (I used the basil from the infusion)
1/3 cup basil-lemongrass syrup (add more sweetener if you desire a sweeter ice cream)
1 lime, juiced and zested
small pinch Himalayan sea salt, optional

Add all the meat and 1/3 cup of the coconut water with the basil, basil-lemongrass syrup, lime juice, zest and sea salt to a blender. Process ingredients until smooth and creamy, adding additional coconut water only as needed to blend. Pour the liquid mixture into an ice cream freezer, processing as per manufacturers instructions.

If you don't have an ice cream maker, pour the ice cream base into ice cube trays and freeze. Place the frozen cubes into a food processor and blend until smooth or push the cubes through a homogenizing juicer that has been fitted with a blank plate.

And reminding you that it is not too late to join Raw Food Rehab's current Total Health & Wellness Initiative - Go FRESH. To learn more about the objectives of our Initiatives, click here.

To join us for Go FRESH in The Vault, click here.

To purchase the Go FRESH digital materials only, click here.

Easter Weekend Special!!

I have been receiving emails from a number of people who read my blog or who are members at Raw Food Rehab that they would like to complete their library to include the entire collection of all of the digital materials that have been published during RFR's past 3 Health & Wellness Initiatives. I've decided that this weekend is a perfect time to offer an Easter/Spring special price on these books! This is the first time I've ever offered a special price, so you have 48 hours to order! (sale ends this Sunday, April 26th at midnight PST).

Revealing Your Inner Rawk Star was the first digital series, written for last summer's 11 Week Total Health & Wellness Initiative. There is within each one of us a vibrant inner persona, which is the true essence of who we really are! This collection is filled with education, inspiration, encouragement and tips to assist YOU as you bring out your own INNER RAWK STAR!

The amazing recipes found within this set of ebooks are geared towards lighter, warmer weather eating, so this book series is especially helpful during the spring, summer and for those who are living in warmer climates. (List Price $33)

Click Here to order Revealing Your Inner Rawk Star for the limited time special price of $25

The Falling Into Raw Digital Collection was written specifically for last autumn's 11 Week Total Health & Wellness Initiative. This particular collection is geared towards the autumn and holiday, so within the pages you'll find much support for your journey with raw food education, nearly 80 new seasonally inspired recipes, shopping lists, beautiful and enticing color photographs and additional support material. A great deal of love and effort went into the creation of this digital collection, so we trust that this will be a source of tangible support for you on your healthy journey. (List Price $33)

Click Here to order Falling Into Raw for the limited time special price of $25

The Resolve to Evolve Digital Collection is our third grouping of eBooks which was specifically written for the 11 Week Total Health & Wellness Initiative that began on January 1st of 2011. This collection offers education on the raw food lifestyle, goal setting, vision creation, winter eating strategies, and a 3 part comprehensive recipe collection which includes plant based, raw food along with some healthy cooked vegan offerings for those individuals who are transitioning into raw or who find maintaining a 100% raw food diet too challenging during the cold winter months. There are added recipes/photo supplements for each month - January, February & March, so it is the largest collection of the 3. (List Price $33)

Click Here to order Resolve to Evolve for the limited time special price of $25

To order all 3 Digital Collections for $75

CLICK HERE

How Are YOU Going FRESH?

As some of you already know, I'm on the board of my local farmer's market. I am very passionate about organic, sustainable, bio-dynamic & LOCAL Food! I feel so very blessed to have a market like the Cherry Street Farmer's Market in my home city and today was opening day! I know this ain't Portland, Seattle, LA or NYC - but I have to say - we've got it goin' on in Tulsa, OK! To check out what's happening in the local food scene in your area, go to www.localharvest.net

I was also surprised and delighted to run into one of the members from Raw Food Rehab at the market today. Isabel Pepper and her handsome son recognized me from the website and introduced themselves. Please go friend request Isabel at RFR and linger over her fabulous raw food photography, much of which you'll recognize from the main feature at RFR - Week One Go FRESH slide show. It was such a wonderful surprise to meet one of my awesome peeps and her family in real life!

Next I'm off to the Brookside Herb Fair to see if I can score on some basil plants and nasturtiums. I started a nice little edible garden in my front yard just last spring, and last year's rosemary, thyme, wild strawberries, garlic chives, lemon verbena, sage and MINT are already showing impressive signs of new growth! I really had no idea they would make it through the winter : ) So I am really happy and looking forward to getting my hands dirty in the garden later this afternoon.

Tomorrow I will be going to a Tulsa Driller's baseball game w/ my hubby. We have this amazing new baseball stadium for our home team and Gordon has been itching to go get his baseball fix on. I think it will be great fun.

So I would love to hear what you are up to this weekend. Tell me what you are doing to Go FRESH in your neck o' the woods in the comments below!

Come Go FRESH with Me!

I am delighted to roll out the details of Raw Food Rehab's upcoming 11 Week Total Health & Wellness Initiative - Go FRESH. This 11 program will kick off on Friday, April 1st and end on Thursday June 16th.

To commit to joining Go FRESH, you will need to become a member of the new Vault (currently under construction), which is where members participate in the Initiatives. As always, The Vault will be a fully private room in the RFR mansion that is dedicated to a more intense focus on getting down to the business of the diet & lifestyle principles that are embraced during the 11 Week Total Health & Wellness Initiatives. The additional details are:

~ Anyone who agrees to the Rules of Vault Participation and pays the $33 sign up fee can join the Vault at anytime during the Initiative. We will welcome new members to the Vault throughout the duration of the 11 weeks.

~ Members of the Vault can expect a special video message each week, digital copies of specially prepared material for the Go FRESH Initiative, (which offer support, inspiration, recipes, beautiful color photographs, journal pages, etc.), an opportunity to win fun & exciting giveaways, and additional features throughout the Initiative.

~ Members of The Vault are no longer required to post before photos, measurements or their weight weekly during the Initiative, but they are required to abide by our House & Vault Rules of Participation to remain a member in good standing during the 11 Weeks.

~ An additional & optional aspect of joining the Initiative is to participate in The Weight Room. Those who choose to join the Weight Room are required to post a fully clothed before photo, add their beginning measurements & weight and are required to log in for a weekly weigh in for support and accountability. This particular portion of our Initiative has proven to be very powerful in supporting members who are focusing on weight loss and weight maintenance.

The number of members I can accommodate in the Weight Room is limited and no new members will be added after April 1st, so time is of the essence if you are interested in joining us.

To sign up and secure your place in Go FRESH - The Vault and/or The Weight Room- you will need to send a payment of $33 to the link below. Once I receive your payment, your place in our Initiative is totally secure. You will will receive a confirmation email from me once your payment has been made.

To join the Vault for Go FRESH, Click Here.

To join both the Vault & The Weight Room, Click Here.

If you are interested in learning about our Darlene Knight Scholarship, please click here for all the details. Scholarship requests will only be accepted for those who want to go the distance, making the full commitment to both the Vault & Weight Room. The last day to submit a request for Go FRESH is March 25th.

Foodie Friday - Easy Pesto Wraps

Earlier this week I received a special delivery from Crown Publishing: The Raw Truth - Recipes and Resources for the Living Foods Lifestyle by Jeremy A. Safron. It is a lovely book and I've added a review for you in the Raw Food Rehab Library.

Since I have been so busy with travel and writing the past couple of weeks, I have really been keeping my food preparations very simple.....well, boring actually. This book has brought some new inspirations and I was delighted to find so many easy to prepare recipes. I thought it would be good if I made one of them for you today. I hope you enjoy it!

Pesto Wraps

For the wraps:

3 large zucchini, peeled

pinch of sun-dried sea salt

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 tomatoes, sliced

chopped green and purple basil, for garnish

For the Presto Pesto:

2 cups chopped walnuts

2 cups loosely packed green & purple basil leaves

3 cloves garlic

1 heaping tablespoon red miso

Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, cut thin wide strips lengthwise down the zucchini. Place the strips in a bowl, cover with water, add the sea salt and lemon juice, and soak for 2 hours, or until they taste clean (not starchy). Drain, rinse and drain again.(Penni Note: I just cut the zucchini and skipped everything else - they didn't taste starchy to me).

To prepare the pesto, plavce the walnuts, basil leaves and garlic in a homogenizer juicer or a food processor to create an oily paste. Transfer the paste to a bowl and stir in the miso.(Penni Note: I added some baby spinach leaves because I didn't have quite enough basil and my I added the juice of one small lemon - also my pesto did not seem oily).

To prepare each wrap, lay a zucchini strip flat on your work surface. Drop a teaspoon of pesto in the center of the zucchini strip. Press a tomato slice into the pesto. Fold or roll up the zucchini strip and secure with a toothpick. Serve the wraps on a serving plate with the chopped basil garnish.

Again, to check out Jeremy Safron's newly released book, The Raw Truth, click here.

And to check out the entire Foodie Friday Collection, click here.

Welcoming March - Just a Little Late : )

I wanted to offer an update for you as to what's been going on with me most recently. As many of you may know who are members at Raw Food Rehab, I've been traveling back and forth to Oklahoma City a couple of days a week, working on a special project. This week, I was there for the past couple of days - on Monday - working and yesterday - I was staying over to attend the lecture and dinner with Philip McCluskey at 105degrees.

Monday's work went beautifully (and yes, I promise that I'll fill you in on the details of what I've been up to very soon), but around midnight I awoke in my hotel room with the chills and began to feel extremely ill. For those of you who have ever had a nasty stomach bug, you can imagine the scene without me offering a play-by-play. So to make an ugly story short, I was unable to attend the sold-out Philip McCluskey event at 105degrees. I was beyond disappointed, as there were a good number of Real Food Tulsa readers and Raw Food Rehab members who traveled in for the lecture/dinner. I had been looking so forward to getting to meet and spend time with the crew, but alas, the unforgiving intestinal bug won.

Fortunately, I was able to drive myself home today and although still pretty weak, I can tell I'm on the mend. So even though it's March 2nd already, I'm happy to be starting a new month in which I hope to pack plenty of excitement! This Friday, after a month off, thanks to the marvelous Michelle K of it's a High Raw Life, I'll be back in the Foodie Friday kitchen making a recipe from the Resolve to Evolve March Recipe Supplement, so you will want to be sure to tune in for that.

I also want to share that we're gearing up for our next 11 Week Initiative at RFR over the next couple of weeks.

GO FRESH - 11 Weeks of Rejuvenation & Renewal with Raw Foods will begin on April 1st! I am really looking forward to sharing some exciting details with you about this Initiative very soon. Be sure to keep your eyes on the Main Forum at RFR, as this is always where I post breaking and headline news! You can read more about what the 11 Week Total Health & Wellness Initiatives are about Here and I also want to encourage you to learn about RFR's Darlene Knight Scholarship Fund.

I sincerely hope this post finds you well and that March is off to a fantastic start. I'd really love to hear from you in the comments below - tell us how things are in YOUR world!