Two Sisters going on an Adventure...

...and not just any adventure...a raw adventure! Of course, I've always been "into" raw, but lately, ahem...well, our life has been the busiest that it ever has been, mostly because of singing and travelling, and I have just been eating what every one else is eating. And now I'm ready to feel that raw energy again SO I've enlisted my best friend and sister, Anne-Marie to join in. The agreed time is twenty-five days to do all raw. It should be easy for me to do, as I love raw and have gone long periods of time doing it, but the most Annie has done is 1 whole day, so like I said, it will be a fun adventure. And that's exactly what we'll make it. We're going to drool over raw recipe books and get more exercise in and devise new and delightful recipes of our own and have heaps and heaps of fun...

Today was Day 1 and Annie tells me it was easy. So that's good. But I'm not going to report everything that she says...she's going to tell ya'll herself. She'll co-host this blog for the next while with me and give her own ideas and opinions of what she thinks of it all.

So when I'm not busy, I will try to update this blog frequently (not like lately...I apologize for my slacking and beg your forgiveness more ardently). But I won't be able to post for a couple days because we're away singing for the weekend. Also, our family just got a sweet, new camera so I'm happy to report that I will have some better pictures here.

So inspire us on, folks! And please, if you have a moment, take the time to cheer my sis Annie on! She'd LOVE that and it would make her day!

Wild To-Go

There is so much fun in going outside and harvesting your own lunch...whether it's from your garden, or from grabbing a few dandelions from your lawn and adding them to your salad, picking a few herbs from a pot, or getting fresh mushrooms from the grass (making sure you know them to be completely safe).

When we had beautiful, plump yellow roses this summer, the silky petals went into my salad (above)...and one of my last salads had bright marigold petals in it. Edible flowers look so pretty in whatever you add them too, giving your dish a snazzy flash of color. Pansies are another edible beauty.

Another thing I have discovered is wild grass. Ok, well, I have not discovered it...as it I already knew it existed, lol...but I have found out that is a very cool thing to put in green smoothies. It adds heaps and heaps of fibre, and is just another great source of greens. I'm not talking about cultivated lawn grass, but wild grass you find in the country.

All those things are great too in salads (even wild grass, cut up very small). One of my favorite ways to eat salad lately is simply massaged well with pure olive oil and salt, and then having fresh lemon wedges squeezed onto it. It is simply amazing and so fresh tasting!

So this week, make it your challenge to find some wild greens in your backyard and branch out. It's lots of fun and it's very easy and quick to do. And have buckets of fun!

Drop me a note in the comments below and tell me what wild edibles you like to get and how you use them.

Better late than ever

...or so I'm told. I'm finally back into the blog sphere of things. Once we got back from our trip (that's my sister Anne-Marie to the left and myself, in our travels) we had several more singing things, a wedding and a weekend with family to attend, and truly...I've barely been home for too long and when I was, I was really quite busy. But now I'm back, ready to make amends, lol.

Here's the "recipe" I tweaked that a few of you wanted:

Metabolism Booster

1 gallon of strong green tea

Lightly sweeten with raw, liquid honey and add as much as organic cayenne pepper as you can handle (start with 1/2 tsp). You can add a few TB. of lemon or lime juice (then it will be similar to the MC lemonade)

You can brew your tea in the sun, if you like...or use a hot water kettle. I'd use about 5 to 6 teabags of green tea. Throw in a bag or two of peppermint tea for better digestion.

Thank you all so much for your kind comments on my last post. I'll try to post more regularly, when I have time. You guys are great!

The Reason

Today is my 100th post here on Raw Royalty. Yay! Because of this momentous occasion, lol, (ok...maybe it's not that monumental) I'll just tell you why I call my blog what I do.

No. 1. I like the sound of it, don't you?

No. 2. RAW...Because I like trying to eat lots and lots of raw, and I think the more of it the better and more healthful a life you will live. ROYALTY...Because that's what I am! I'm an adopted daughter of the King, Jesus Christ. He's the reason I live and I'm so honored to be His Princess.

So there you have it...

Sometime I want to buy a plain purple or green shirt, take it to a shop, and then get the words RAW ROYALTY printed on it...I think that would be the funnest thing ever.

Today I'm doing the "cleanse" or "detox" for this month (and tomorrow). I've done one (short and long) every month since the beginning of this year. Now I've just been having fresh juices, tea, and a Metabolism Booster drink (my invention...it's lovely! I'll post the recipe sometime here) for two days (as well as blended citrus, if I want).

Breakfast~ Blended orange juice with honey

Lunch~ MB (metabolism booster drink)

Snacks today~ MB drinks and a lemon blended drink

Supper~ Carrot, celery, and apple juice

I have a gazillion things I want to write and post about, but once again, our life has gotten hectic...day after tomorrow we're going away for a weekend of singing and then away for two weeks on a trip...but once I'm back expect lots of fun things.

Till then...

Pampering with Ice-Cream

...It's been quite a few days since my sister got married, so with all the busy-ness of company, cleaning up after the wedding, and whatnot, we've been trying to adjust to life without her...which in our case is more difficult than some. Not only are we an extremely close family, but as a lot of you know, we have a family music group. Elizabeth was what we call the "key pin" of our music. She played banjo, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, piano, and violin (not all at once, of course, lol). As you can imagine that leaves quite a gaping hole...but actually I've been very surprised at how quickly we're managing without her. I've taken up her banjo and a lot of her singing parts...and in the future, will work on some of the other things she has done.

We're singing the next two weekends and preparing for that and then going to my sister's 2nd reception where her new home is (which will take a couple weeks because it's 6 days travelling total), and then afterwards we'll have more singing engagements. So I'm afraid my blogging might be a bit sporadic, but I'm sure it will be very easy to find it in your heart to forgive me.

Now to the creamy, caramelly subject (which I hope you shall enjoy)...

Caramel Ice Cream with Chocolate Fudge Chunks

1 3/4 c. cashews (soaked for an hour or so)

1/4 c. tahina

1/2 c. maple syrup

1 c. young coconut meat

1 1/2 c. young coconut water (or nut milk or water)

1 tsp. pure vanilla

pinch of pink salt

Blend this in your high-speed blender and then process in your ice-cream maker with the manufacturer's instructions (they always say that in the recipes...thought I'd sound professional, lol)

Once in the ice-cream maker, you can add Chocolate Fudgey Chunks (just mix 1-2 TB. coconut oil, 2 T. organic cocoa, pinch of salt and a little vanilla and then refrigerate until hard...cut those into little chunks) as the ice-cream spins.

Hope you love it as much as I am! This recipe makes a lot, so I put most of it right in the freezer for whenever the ice-cream craving hits me...a girl's gotta be prepared.

She's Married!

My sister Elizabeth is now on her honeymoon, the wedding over, and normal life is starting to become reality again. It was the most beautiful wedding that I've ever been to (and I'm not just saying that because she's my sister)...everything, even the tiniest detail, she had perfect...it was a magical, beautiful day where God was really honored in everything that happened.

She and her "now-husband" James shared in their first ever kiss, saved just for each other. I know that's a radical idea in this day and age, often scoffed at, but I think it's the most beautiful thing ever. They have kept themselves purely for each other, even all those small things, all those little "firsts" to share just for each other. They're such a beautiful couple, they just shine with God's joy!

This is a lot of my family......And the crazy bridal party, all siblings of both families (except one friend of the groom). We all had so much fun together.

I have to admit that after the wedding (and during) never in my life have I cared so little about healthy food or lifestyle. I was so tired from working...already missing my sister in my heart...that I didn't care, not even when I felt sick. Even my family was surprised at some of the things I nibbled on...but I honestly didn't care. But now, no need to worry, I'm more balanced...trying to get myself back on track, now that the wedding is actually over. I'm not perfect, and never will be, but at least I'm "caring" more. :)

I just want to thank you all for your sweet comments on my last post. You all are so sweet and your thoughts and "I understands" meant a lot! You keep me inspired...and for all you who subscribe, bless you, you know who you all are, and I hope you even halfway enjoy this rambling blog.

The Three Unclaimed Treasures

... or so we jokingly called ourselves, our single sisterhood. But now, day after tomorrow, our sister Elizabeth (center) will be officially married and then moving 42 hours away (3 days straight driving). We've always been very close and already it's been so hard for Anne-Marie and I to be losing our best friend. But we know that this is what God wants for her and we're SO HAPPY for her...it's just hard, you know...having her go so far, into a new chapter of life that we can't follow. Most things will always be the same, but yet...many things change. And as much as I love all the new stages and seasons of life, change is always bittersweet for me and I think, always will be.

I can't believe how fast life has gone by...it seems like only weeks ago when Lizzy and I were little, making mud pie potatoes with smatterings of sawdust "cheese" dusted on top...and then onto other things more important than mud pies, like making supper together, or making miniature dollhouse furnishing together...and then late night talks and giggles, pedicures and manicures...friends and picnics...girl movie nights...and now...she's going to be someone's wife! James, my to-be brother-in-law, sure has a treasure (and she has one in return!) and I'm so happy for them and their new happily-ever-after life God has for them. He has been so good to bring the perfect, pure match for both of them. They're so in love...

...And so, with lots of tears and big hugs, I'll be saying goodbye to her this weekend...but just till next time I see her, when she'll be a Mrs. :) I'm thankful that we are able to attend her 2nd reception which will be by her new home, that will help us adjust...knowing we can see her again, not too soon after the wedding this Saturday. Next post will definitely be non-raw/health related and I'll post a few wedding pics.

I wuv you, Rabby! (my nickname for Lizzy) I'm so happy for you and what God has brought for you!