This past Saturday, I attended another Raw Food Class. This one was presented by Deb Klungle. This was a very interesting and informational class. I knew I was in for a treat whenever I seen all the chairs that Whole Foods set up for and also put a divider between the regular dining area and the Lifestyle Center to separate the class from the "outside" world. This was my first time seeing the divider put up as my past classes I attended were low in attendance. (Not taking away from the other teachers because both Cindy and Beth were absolutely wonderful and I am actually hoping that either Beth or Deb will be able to counsel me should I be able to afford it!!!) However, because of the large attendance, it is definitely a validation to Deb's knowledge, personality, and passion for Raw Food that I think her class was extremely popular!
This is the description from Deb's website on the class I attended:
RAW FOODS FOR REGULAR PEOPLE: LA CUCINA ITALIANA
Saturday, 8/27/2011, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., $10
Whole Foods Market - Rochester HillsWho does not LOVE Italian food? That big, heavy pasta dinner takes so long to digest though & puts you right into a food coma. Join Deb & see how to prepare Italian dishes that won't weigh you down & actually energize you for that Bocce tournament! But how do you serve traditional Italian food without processed pasta made from grain flour? Well, there are a number of delicious options for a raw diet & you'll get to taste a few of them. In this class, you'll learn to make capellini pomodoro as well as a creamy Alfredo sauce. And to help cool off in the August heat, we will whip up a batch of strawberry gelato as a classic finish to your Italian meal.
I have to admit I was a bit mortified and scared to try Kelp Noodles that were in the Alfredo. I LOVED THEM! I even bought a package from Deb after class because Whole Foods does not currently carry them....they should!!
If you are interested in Raw Food and are in Oakland County (or willing to drive) you should check out one of Deb's future classes. I know I am definitely going to be attending more of hers as much as my schedule allows!
There are two ways to get to her website. Well actually three.
1. Click on the Title link of this blog post. It should take you there unless I wrote it wrong.
2. Incase I did write it wrong, you can go to http://www.yournourishedbody.com/
3. She has a second domain name that will take you to the site by going to http://www.rawfoodteacher.com
Deb, by chance if you are reading this, THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL EXPERIANCE!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Adventures in Vegetarianism
So if you read my blog, you will know that earlier this year I was diagnosed with Kidney Disease. Last month during my checkup and bloodwork, the tests came back that my protein numbers were increasing. This is a bad thing. That means I am getting worse not better. So during our conversation about what I should and should not be doing, the topic of what I eat and how I eat came up. Limiting the amount of protein in general came up. Eating less meat came up...until doc suggested that I give a go at becoming Vegetarian and possibly Vegan.
For myself, I have always been a die hard meat eater and advocate. I still love meat and for the past month have had some. Before June of this year I ate probably an 80% meat diet compared to what I need to eat. I know I need to change if I want to live. I know that I need to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to do that and also to survive. The more protein I eat, the quicker my kidneys will burn out and I will either end up on dialysis or worse, die.
So for the past few weeks I have been doing alot of research which I am sure will be ongoing for the rest of my life. My new adventures in vegetarianism are fun and exciting. Who would have known that I would actually like avocado! For years I have been requesting that the Mexican restaurants hold that green gook off my plate please! None for me.....now that I have actually TASTED it, I LIKE IT!
Yesterday I had a horrible day. I still feel pretty cruddy. This past weekend I did eat some meat and I think that my body is retaliating from it. My feet are swollen, my face was so swollen it looks like I was a caveman (some swelling is still present if you look closely at the photo but much better today when it was taken). I am noticing that when I am a "bad girl" food wise, I feel well, bad! I am beginning to pay more attention to my body. I am drinking more water. I am drinking more fresh juice on a daily basis.
I want to live a long healthy life. I want to grow old with my husband and watch the sunsets and our great grandchildren playing in our yard. I want to live without pain, without being obese, and not lacking energy to play with my children now!
Today I decided to document via camera what I have eaten so far. I made my first green juice drink today. It was spinach, celery, parsley, cucumber, and grannysmith apple. It was good. I liked it. Not as sweet as I had hoped the apple would make it, but for my first one I think it was sucessful.
Ok, so my plating skills are not exactly the quality of a chef. I can barely cook. LOL That might be why I am so interested in the Raw Food lifestyle. No cooking. LOL
I am going from ZERO percent fruits and vegetables to having eat them all the time now. Every week I am trying at least one new vegetable to expose myself to it. Last week was eggplant which I fried and liked. This week's new veggie is spaghetti squash which I tend to use in place of a pasta sometime this week.
My game plan and overall goals is to each week up the amount of food I am eating whether it be Vegetarian, Vegan, and or Raw. Moving away from the animal products is my overall goal. I hope to be 50% raw by December and then my ultimate goal is to be 80% Raw by my birthday next May.
Reason I am taking so long for this transformation is that I want to start small and slow. I want to make changes that are going to stick with me. I also don't have the money to be able to afford the tools of the trade that are being recommended to me by my friends and family. I have purchased a food processor. Here are the things that I am wishing for:
First on my list is a Juicer. I would love to get the Hurom juicer or a Green Star but both are a bit pricey. I bascially want something that is of a really good quality, and will last for a long time that processes fruits, vegetables, and the leafy stuff like parsley, cilantro, and especially Wheatgrass!
Next on my list is a good dehydrator. My friend Poteet who is my staunch Vegan recommends the Excalibur.
And the final thing on my wishlist right now is the blender that everyone's vegan blog I am reading raves about....I really really really want a Vitamix!
Well that is all for now. Don't think I have written this much in a long time! I hope you are having a truly magical day today!
As I have posted in the past, the Cauldron will be moving towards a food theme. If you have any Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw recipes you would like to share, by all means, send them my way! I will try them out and see what makes it into my new staple menu!
For myself, I have always been a die hard meat eater and advocate. I still love meat and for the past month have had some. Before June of this year I ate probably an 80% meat diet compared to what I need to eat. I know I need to change if I want to live. I know that I need to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to do that and also to survive. The more protein I eat, the quicker my kidneys will burn out and I will either end up on dialysis or worse, die.
So for the past few weeks I have been doing alot of research which I am sure will be ongoing for the rest of my life. My new adventures in vegetarianism are fun and exciting. Who would have known that I would actually like avocado! For years I have been requesting that the Mexican restaurants hold that green gook off my plate please! None for me.....now that I have actually TASTED it, I LIKE IT!
Yesterday I had a horrible day. I still feel pretty cruddy. This past weekend I did eat some meat and I think that my body is retaliating from it. My feet are swollen, my face was so swollen it looks like I was a caveman (some swelling is still present if you look closely at the photo but much better today when it was taken). I am noticing that when I am a "bad girl" food wise, I feel well, bad! I am beginning to pay more attention to my body. I am drinking more water. I am drinking more fresh juice on a daily basis.
I want to live a long healthy life. I want to grow old with my husband and watch the sunsets and our great grandchildren playing in our yard. I want to live without pain, without being obese, and not lacking energy to play with my children now!
Today I decided to document via camera what I have eaten so far. I made my first green juice drink today. It was spinach, celery, parsley, cucumber, and grannysmith apple. It was good. I liked it. Not as sweet as I had hoped the apple would make it, but for my first one I think it was sucessful.
For lunch I decided to use what I had in the fridge. Spinach seems to be what I have the most of right now and I don't want it to go to waste. I had a left over sundried tomato Lavish wrap near the sandwich fixings so I decided to use that as my shell. On the recommendation of my friend Vicki I purchased some Vegan mozz cheese for melting. For lack of a better word, I made a spinach quesadilla. It was really good! It was not raw, but it was Vegetarian. I don't know about the lavish so I don't think its Vegan. But its a start right? I added Beth's corn salad which I learned how to make at my local Whole Foods class that Katherine and I attended last week. That seems to be my new go to favorite and will be experimenting with the seasonings to see if it will double as my new filling for tacos because it already has cumin in it, so I might play with it a bit and add some chili powder to spice it up a bit more.
Ok, so my plating skills are not exactly the quality of a chef. I can barely cook. LOL That might be why I am so interested in the Raw Food lifestyle. No cooking. LOL
I am going from ZERO percent fruits and vegetables to having eat them all the time now. Every week I am trying at least one new vegetable to expose myself to it. Last week was eggplant which I fried and liked. This week's new veggie is spaghetti squash which I tend to use in place of a pasta sometime this week.
My game plan and overall goals is to each week up the amount of food I am eating whether it be Vegetarian, Vegan, and or Raw. Moving away from the animal products is my overall goal. I hope to be 50% raw by December and then my ultimate goal is to be 80% Raw by my birthday next May.
Reason I am taking so long for this transformation is that I want to start small and slow. I want to make changes that are going to stick with me. I also don't have the money to be able to afford the tools of the trade that are being recommended to me by my friends and family. I have purchased a food processor. Here are the things that I am wishing for:
Next on my list is a good dehydrator. My friend Poteet who is my staunch Vegan recommends the Excalibur.
And the final thing on my wishlist right now is the blender that everyone's vegan blog I am reading raves about....I really really really want a Vitamix!
Well that is all for now. Don't think I have written this much in a long time! I hope you are having a truly magical day today!
As I have posted in the past, the Cauldron will be moving towards a food theme. If you have any Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw recipes you would like to share, by all means, send them my way! I will try them out and see what makes it into my new staple menu!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Convocation 2012
In the past few weeks, I have recieved a number of emails asking if I had submitted my application for Convocation 2012.
At first, with my current health condition, I was going to consider not applying this upcoming year. Seriously, I was not going to do it. But after all the emails I have received, plus a few phone calls, I have gone ahead and submitted my application for the MEC to consider for 2012.
So those of you that asked me to do it, thank you all for your constant encouragement and support! It is greatly appreciated and makes me humble that you think I am worthy to present these topics in our community and that they are actually desired or needed!
I have asked to only present one to two classes max, but submitted three for their consideration. They are as follows:
Workshop: “The Pampered Pagan’s Pantry”
This year we will focus on making an Esbat Body Scrub! You will have your choice of one of three magical moon blends or create your own. Did you know you might have all the ingredients you need to in your own kitchen pantry? Come and learn a simple recipe that will help you rejuvenate and pamper your skin. Take the time to pamper yourself, use your home spa to lift your spirits and howl at the Moon!
Workshop: “Pregnant Pagan Priestess”
Workshop: “Magical Moontime”
A woman’s cycle has been referred to as the “Curse”. She has been taught for decades her body is dirty and the blood disgusting. How do you feel about your menstruation? Do you collect your flow in your magick? There are few rituals that honor this special time we women go through. Reclaim your sacredness. Align yourself within your magical cycle by tapping into this unique power and learn about your own natural rhythm. Learn rituals honoring the Magical Moontime. We will discuss Blood Mysteries, the creation of Moon lodges, Red Tents, blood magic, First Blood rituals, sea sponges, cloth pads, and Earth bleeding.
So if there is a specific one of these you want to see, make sure to write your request into the Programming Committee at Convocation! Also, if you are wanting to present a workshop at Convocation 2012, you better submit your proposals soon! Deadline is September 1st!!!!
At first, with my current health condition, I was going to consider not applying this upcoming year. Seriously, I was not going to do it. But after all the emails I have received, plus a few phone calls, I have gone ahead and submitted my application for the MEC to consider for 2012.
So those of you that asked me to do it, thank you all for your constant encouragement and support! It is greatly appreciated and makes me humble that you think I am worthy to present these topics in our community and that they are actually desired or needed!
I have asked to only present one to two classes max, but submitted three for their consideration. They are as follows:
Workshop: “The Pampered Pagan’s Pantry”
Room Set Up: - Open to any style available
Equipment: Table
Length: 90 minutes
Category: All
Room Set Up: Any style available
Equipment: None
Length: 90 minutes
Category: Women Only Please
Are you a Pregnant Pagan Priestess or know someone who is? Come discuss ideas what you can do for yourself or that special priestess during this magical phase you’re in your life. Celebrate becoming a Mother. Topics covered include different types of rituals for Fertility to Delivery, Creating a Magical Nursery, celebrating the Sabbats as a Pregnant Priestess and so much more!
Room Set Up: Any style available
Equipment: None
Length: 90 minutes
Category: Women Only Please
So if there is a specific one of these you want to see, make sure to write your request into the Programming Committee at Convocation! Also, if you are wanting to present a workshop at Convocation 2012, you better submit your proposals soon! Deadline is September 1st!!!!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Raw Food Rehab
Greetings everyone!
Today I am signing up to join the community of Raw Foods Rehab. You can find their website by clicking on the link of this title blog.
I had my monthly check up with my doctor this past week and my protein numbers are increasing. That means bad news for me. My kidneys are getting worse, not better. After the doc and I went over all the lab tests, its in my best interest to attempt to go Vegetarian and possibly Vegan. Right now the less protein I eat, the better for my kidneys, my body, and overall health.
This week has been a really bad wake up call for me. It has shown me that I need to take better care of myself. I need to eat healthier not only for my own being, but for that of my family as well. I am still rather young and want to live a long life. I want to be able to hold my future grandchildren one day. I want to grow old with my husband and watch the sunsets on the back porch of our dream home. I simply want to live!
So over the course of the next few weeks, my blog may be changing once again. In fact it will happen most likely sooner or later. I am contenplating on using it as a chance to document my new life in the culinary aspect. Crystal's Cauldron will most likely be shifting its primary focus around food.
Please wish me luck on this new journey, Goddess knows I have not been a very good girl eating my fruits and veggies most of my life. Its time to take in her bounty to nourish not only myself spiritually but also physically!
Blessed Be,
Crystal
Today I am signing up to join the community of Raw Foods Rehab. You can find their website by clicking on the link of this title blog.
I had my monthly check up with my doctor this past week and my protein numbers are increasing. That means bad news for me. My kidneys are getting worse, not better. After the doc and I went over all the lab tests, its in my best interest to attempt to go Vegetarian and possibly Vegan. Right now the less protein I eat, the better for my kidneys, my body, and overall health.
This week has been a really bad wake up call for me. It has shown me that I need to take better care of myself. I need to eat healthier not only for my own being, but for that of my family as well. I am still rather young and want to live a long life. I want to be able to hold my future grandchildren one day. I want to grow old with my husband and watch the sunsets on the back porch of our dream home. I simply want to live!
So over the course of the next few weeks, my blog may be changing once again. In fact it will happen most likely sooner or later. I am contenplating on using it as a chance to document my new life in the culinary aspect. Crystal's Cauldron will most likely be shifting its primary focus around food.
Please wish me luck on this new journey, Goddess knows I have not been a very good girl eating my fruits and veggies most of my life. Its time to take in her bounty to nourish not only myself spiritually but also physically!
Blessed Be,
Crystal
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