Hello All, Nelly here reporting on the last five days of the raw food detox. It seems like I breezed through the first three days of the all smoothie and soup blended phase one. I was surprised how filling the smoothies were. The days that I did not take lunch with me, I would get home from work starving, but I was only able to have a cups worth of dinner if not less. Maybe because each smoothie and/or soup is jammed pack full of nutrients and is just enough to satisfy my body's hunger for good nutrition (it could also be that I was just sick of sipping liquid for dinner, or a combination of the two). I find myself wandering the streets of Manhattan and smelling Starbucks coffee where ever I turn. What I wouldn't give for a Grande Soy Latte, my guilty pleasure. It make's me wonder, what do these particular foods do for me physically, as well as, emotionally in my everyday life and why can I not live without them? Hmm.
There have been some positive changes I have noticed. First of all, I can't remember the last time my skin has been this clear, it has a glowing sheen that feels firm yet smooth to the touch. I think it is safe to assume that incorporating more raw food into the diet can help clear up skin problems. Another thing I have noticed, and yes I must go there, is that going to the bathroom has never been easier, and yes I am talking about #2, enough said. One unexpected outcome has been my heightened sense of smell and taste. Don't get me wrong I love having heightened senses but I am wondering, is this happening because of the Raw food I am eating or just that I miss regular food so much that I smelling it where ever I turn? I have also been sleeping a little less and feeling not as tired the next day. For those of you who don't like sleeping raw food maybe the diet for you! My energy level has been steady and I have not been experiencing any highs or crashing lows since starting the diet. However, I have been experiencing some weakness and lightheartedness, and even though I am allowed to eat as much as I want of the recipes and Raw food in general, I feel a little lethargic and find myself dreaming of grilled chicken breast at night.
A couple of days ago I started eating raw food with texture which was really exciting...my favorite recipe yet has been the creamy pesto salad and I have included the recipe below. I am look forward to eating as much salad as possible in the next few days. Now, you might be wondering what the above photos of delicious looking food are. Well, My brother in law and his girlfriend, who are also on the raw food detox with my husband and I, had recommended a vegan raw food restaurant in the east village called Quintessence. Tonight we decided to try it out with my mother and father in law and boy was my socks knocked off! It was literally THE BEST raw food I have ever had and I highly recommend it to anybody who is curious about what good raw food taste like. For our first course, we tried a mini pizette piled with a tangy nut based cheese, fresh tomato, avocado, pesto sauce, and caramelized onion. It was the best pesto I have had in a long time. For our entree we split a lasagna, I haven't the faintest clue how they were able to put this together but it was also saucy, filling, and creamy, everything you would expect of real lasagna We also tried 'The All American Burger,' a garden burger patty seasoned with smoky BBQ seasonings and served with corn chips. My husband ordered a side of live hummus with flax seed crackers and Italian Sausage Pizza with Italian 'sausage' nut meat on creamy nut cheese, and chunky tomato sauce. For our last course we dabbled in the restaurant's 'guiltless dessert' menu and ordered the Tiramisu and the Pecan Pie. Both desserts were so delicious and if I hadn't known better, I would never think it was raw. After that, my in-laws treated us to a few desserts at a vegan raw food take out place called, The Juice Press, also recommended to us by my brother in law and his girlfriend. We tried the chocolate truffles, berry 'Cheesecake,' and tangy kale chips with goji berries, curry and lemon. I have also tried their chia seed pudding and chocolate coconut mouse which were fabulous as well. Overall, it has been quite the adventure delving into the world of raw food and there will be more to follow.
The Juice Press
279 east 10th street ny, ny 10003 -
between 1st avenue and avenue a (10am-10pm 7 days)
Quintessence
263 E 10th Street
(btw. Ave A & 1st Ave)
NYC
(646) 654-1823
(btw. Ave A & 1st Ave)
NYC
(646) 654-1823
Creamy Basil Pesto Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup basil
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic
1/2 piece of lemon (peeled)
1/2 of lemon (juice)
1/2 tbsp raw honey
2 tbsp red onion
water to consistency
Process:
Blend and then make Chopped Tomato Salad below to serve over.
Chopped Tomato Salad
Salad Ingredients:
3 chopped tomatoes
3 chopped cucumbers
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 head Romaine lettuce
Dressing Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp water
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 pinch sea salt
1 pinch black pepper
Process:
Pour dressing over chopped tomato salad.
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