Salsa Verde - Delicious and Raw

9 medium to large tomatillos (16 - 18 tiny or small) OR 2 medium zucchini*
1 large bunch cilantro
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp salt (or as desired)
1 or more jalapeños (cut seeds out of some or all to decrease the spicy heat: start with 1 jalapeño, seeded, and taste the mixture, then add more chiles as desired.)
1 bunch green onions (optional)

Pulse until in very small pieces
Taste your mixture before serving and adjust the flavors to your liking. Remember, it is easier to add than to subtract when dialing in a recipe.

I made this spicy dish for a Christmas party and it was the belle of the ball. Although it is one of my raw recipes, the omnivores at the party put it on anything and everything - from chips to mashed potatoes to turkey.

This low calorie recipe can really spice up a meal, especially for those struggling with weight loss who find low fat often means low flavor!

*For those who aren’t partial to tomatillos(small green and tomato like), a substitution of zucchini works fine - 2 medium or 3 small should do the trick.

The Importance of Soaking Nuts

Often in our attempts to “get healthy,” important details get lost in the shuffle.  When choosing nuts and seeds as a part of your healthy diet, remember that they must be raw to have the benefits you desire.  Rather than cooking them, you must soak them.

Nuts, seeds, legumes, grains all contain enzyme inhibitors which appear to be somewhat toxic. They inhibit the beneficial components of these foods as their natural way of preserving the nut, seed, grain, or legume until it has optimum growing circumstances.  I have collected information from a number of helpful websites which you can use as further resources.

“Raw nuts, seeds, and whole grains are widely recognized as healthy foods, but they’re not truly healthy unless you prepare them properly.”
from: http://naturalbias.com/a-hidden-danger-with-nuts-grains-and-seeds
“Phytic acid is a substance found in the bran of grains and the coating of nuts and seeds. It inhibits the absorption of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc. And this doesn’t only apply to the minerals in the nuts, it also applies to the minerals in the foods you eat with the nuts.”

“Nuts and seeds naturally contain enzyme inhibitors. And by soaking them, you not only release the toxic enzyme inhibitors, but also increase the life and vitality contained within them! The purpose of these enzyme inhibitors is to protect the nut and/or seed until it has what it needs for growing (ex. sunlight, water, soil, etc.). Since the water that you soak your nuts in will contain the enzyme inhibitors, and is very acidic to the body, please be sure to rinse your nuts and seeds well after soaking and to discard the water.”
from: http://www.tinamarieblog.com/?p=61
“Walnuts, Brazil nuts, and pecans do not contain the large amount of enzyme inhibitors as other nuts, yet they do in fact have some. You can rinse and soak for a short while 3 - 4 hours to reduce the enzyme inhibitor but as I do not always soak my walnuts or pecans, and have not have bad stomach reactions, not soaking them for use raw or in recipes is fine too.”

“By soaking them, these enzyme inhibitors are removed and the beneficial enzymes we want from them are actually doubled….
The performance of every organ in our bodies is linked to enzyme activity. In essence, without enzymes, there would be no life. Period.”
from: http://www.sustainablyraw.com/blog/?p=8

For those of you ready for some serious sprouting, the site http://www.raw-food-living.com/soaking-nuts.html has a comprehnsive chart showing various seeds, grains, legumes, and their necessary soaking and sprouting durations.
http://www.raw-food-living.com/soaking-nuts.html

Raw Recipes - Avocado Soup

Avocado soup is served cold - it is spicy, full of vitamins and fiber, and it is low in calories.

1 1/2 large ripe avocados
2 tsp salt
2 medium carrots
1 stalk celery
1 bunch cilantro or parsley
Juice from 1 lime
1-2 jalapeño chiles (adjust for your preference - remove seeds to reduce piquancy)
2 cups water

Chop vegetables into a few large pieces. In a food processor or a high speed blender (like a Vitamix) process the carrots first, then add celery. Add water as needed to get the vegetables to blend. Add the lime juice, jalapeño, cilantro or parsley, salt, remaining water and blend until smooth. Add the avocado and blend until well mixed.

Garnish with some sprigs of parsley or cilantro and minced red bell pepper.

For more information on avocados and recipe ideas (not raw) http://www.herbalhouseholdremedies.com/salsa-plus-avocado-equals-lower-cancer-risk-and-other-healthy-pairs/
“While salsa alone is super healthy, this pairing helps you soak up four times more cancer-fighting lycopene and almost three times more immune-boosting beta-carotene, finds an Ohio State University study.”

“Avocado is rich in magnesium that reduces risk of excess belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar.” Read more and find a delicious Avocado Smoothie recipe at www.bewellbuzz.com