Hippie on Campus

So i am loving my new diet/eating life style, and i am not the only one who has noticed that when i do eat too many non raw meals i get angry and not as fun to be around. So i am not as strict but i am doing as much raw food and ZERO gluten, which is why i am blogging today.

My first day of school (again) was on Tuesday, and unlike most students going to a new school i wasn't worried about finding my classes or getting a parking spot, or even having all the required books (I'm a slacker). i was worried about what i was going to be able to eat. Here in Texas we don't get a summer, its more like Hell rises from the underworld and takes over the state for months. So walking from building to building with food in my backpack did not sound like fun to me. i decided that for the first day of school i was just going to wing it. i made myself an obnoxiously large batch of green tea and packed three KIND bars, hoping that would be enough to keep me from starving on a 8hr school day. i was all set and made it till around 3ish when i stumbled upon the Subway at school. The school i went to before had a Subway that provided gluten free bread, so i thought i would check it out. it did not have gluten free bread but it did have salads! i got myself a chicken salad and water bottle, i was excited about having some sustenance before my 3hr dance class. in my mind i was jumping for joy at the thought of having a salad every Tuesday and Thursday till i got to the register and the girl asked for $10somthing, ya a salad and water $10something at a school, as if students pooped cash. so scratch that idea off the list...

Today i took  different approach, even though the salad was tasty. My mom is still in town and the family was blessed with some delicious Latin (Bolivian) home cooking, Locro ( i don't know how you spell that). Its a yummy chicken, rice and veggie soup with a Spanish flare was served for dinner last night and is lunch for today, paired with some sub pare gluten free crackers, and yet anoter giant bottle of green tea (3cups) i have obtained victory over the how to eat gluten free at school battle. i am also having a more eco friendly lunch by not having any garbage to throw away. Winning!

YAY ME!

Fresh and clean

i am going to start this blog by saying, no i am not a saint, no not everything in my possession is 100% eco friendly and organic and yes, i have shopped at walmart once or twice. Not everyone is perfect but what i am getting at is that i have a passion to learn and grow. As i look forward to moving into my first house with my fiance, it is a fresh clean start to living in a way it will not only bring harmony to our life but help make a positive impact on the earth, living together has a natural progression of, marriage, babies, and happily ever after... with all of that on my mind i would like from here out to just be full of ways to keep our home clean safe happy and healthy and do the same to the plant.

My mom, being the hippie i have always known her to be and my dad born in Portland Oregon, raised us with all the basics of a hippie life, love all, do no harm to people, animals, or the earth because all of those things lend a hand in the quality i life we have. The term you body is a temple was always push onto my sisters and i but obviously as children it made no sense. Some days i wake up and wish i had been some sort of baby genius and had retained and not fought everything my parents tried to tech me, that it all clicked when i was a toddler and that way i wouldn't have to start fresh so many times. But, life happens, we live and we learn.

My adventure for today is organic/eco friendly bedding. i mentioned this to my fiance and like a typical man his response was "whats wrong with the ones we have?' then i proceeded to explain to him what was so wrong with cotton, and i still dont think anything clicked. So for those of you who are like my fiance and need proof i have done a little home work for you. Some of this stuff i knew but still shocked me, it breaks my heart that we just let companies like the continue...

Whats wrong with cotton?


"The nonprofit Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) reports that cotton uses 2.5 percent of the world’s cultivated land yet uses 16 percent of the world’s insecticides—more than any other single major crop."

"Three of the most acutely hazardous insecticides, as determined by the World Health Organization, are well represented among the top 10 most commonly used in producing cotton. One of them, Aldicarb, “can kill a man with just one drop absorbed through the skin,” says OTA, “yet it is still used in 25 countries and the U.S., where 16 states have reported it in their groundwater.”

"that the fertilizers used on cotton are the most detrimental to the environment, running off into freshwater habitats and groundwater and causing oxygen-free dead zones in water bodies."

"A third of global cotton cropland and 45 percent of world cotton production now uses genetically engineered seeds. This poses a whole other set of issues, as some scientists fear that the proliferation of such “Frankenseeds” can lead to pest immunities and even the unleashing of so-called “super pests” that can resist virtually any pesticide."

Cooking to clean your system

There are a few things i want to blog about today, but knowing me i will only get through one topic. i finished my full week of just RAW food and passed with flying colors. i was not hungry and i was not sick, a few times my organs were tender but that is just the toxins being released from all the bad stuff i had eaten trying to get out of my system. i loved it i felt lighter and more alive. When i was younger my mom made my family do a raw food detox at least once a month. i didnt really know what for then but i know now and i will be keeping up with it. The day right after my Raw week i went to my in laws for fajitas, and i LOVE me some steak so naturally i had just a plate of fajita meat with the beans, no tortilla because i have been very good about being strictly Gluten Free. The next day i did not feel good, its my own fault i should not have gone from Raw food to fajita meat the next day, so now i am trying to get back on track, and what i have noticed is i am reaching for more Raw foods  now on my own. i feel better when i eat better. i still have not reached my goal weight but, i do feel lighter.

i was craving a way to put all my yummy veggie together and eat them at once, so i looked for ways to make some sort of bread... and i found one. it is absolutely delicious and you can edit the formula to make it sweet bread or thinner to make a pizza crust. i have already made it three times.
The Rawtarian

Feel good Foods

I went shopping at Whole Foods with my mom yesterday to get some things for a recipe i will post next blog, and i came across something really interesting while i was in the snack bar isle looking for my absolute favorite treat the KIND snack bars. i looked on the shelf above me and saw something i hadnt seen before (mostly because i have blinders on when i shop so i dont over spend) a granola bar called Kutoa, but that wasnt even the most interesting part about this treat. What is said on the box and wrapper is what caught my attention the most. "buy a bar, feed a child." So naturally i grabbed one and began reading. Every bar you buy, send a nutrition pack to a hungry child. The nutrition packs that WFP delivers are packed with the vitamins, minerals and micronutrients essential for maintaining bodily functions, growth, immunity, productivity and prevention of mortality among vulnerable populations. They are delivered to children between the ages of 6 and 59 months and effectively alleviate malnutrition and the diseases that coincide.

That wasnt even the best part, right next to the Kutoa bars was another box with a pleasant message Two Degrees Food's box said "for every bar you buy we donate a meal to a hungry child". Their mission is to empower you, the consumer, to help feed 200 million hungry children through just Two Degrees of separation. After all, in today's world, none of us are that far away. Instead of grabbing just any snack, you can go for one that feeds your hunger and helps do the same for another.

Other foods that give back:
Specially Foods

Rishi Tea

Savannah Bee company

KIND snacks

Do Goodie Brownies

Numi Tea

Kindness is alive and thriving

Tim and Mackenzie recovery

Friday the 27, Mackenzie Kelly and Tim Bales were headed back early from our family vacation at Lake Buchanan. Around 9:45 am on highway 67, Bono, TX (outside Cleburne) they were in an accident with two tractor-trailers headed West while Kenzie and Tim headed east toward home. Kenzie's car reportedly drifted into the lane of oncoming traffic and clipped the back end of the first 18-wheeler. This first hit sent them spinning into the second semi that had been following the other. This is all according to the two truck drivers, the only witnesses, but highway patrolmen have agreed that all marks on the highway support their story. The back half of Kenzie's car was left in the road.

while Kenzie and Tim, in the front half, were thrown 500-700 feet from the road.

Both were intubated by care flight paramedics on the scene the who descirbed the accident as "the worse accident i've ever seen somebody survive from 15 years of working", and delivered them to the trauma ICU unit at Harris Methodist Hospital in Forth Worth. As of Saturday August 4, both Kenz and Tim have been moved out of the ICU unit.

Tim and Mackenzie recovery

Kenz is looking forward to finishing her stay at Harris hospital while Tim is making progress with inpatient rehabilitation. Both are expected to make a full recovery.

but as is the nature of our health care system this comes at a high monetary cost. That's where we come in. Anything we can give to these two families, wether it be donations or prayer, would dramatically relieve the burden that has been pressed upon them.Please find it in your time, wallet, and heart to give a little to somebody in great need. Tim and Kenzie have been fighting for their lives, it's time for us to join the battle. Thank you in advance for all of your support.

Please be a hero

Hippie in the kitchen

Growing up in a Latin family and traveling all over the world food has been one of the biggest influences in my life. i may not remember where exactly we were or who it was with but i remember the aroma and tastes of the meal, the warm or cooling sensation as the food traveled to my tummy and filled me with a yummy joy. My mother and grandmother always instilled a sense of pride in the food we prepared, being careful not to cook anything in a bad mood so we don't feed anyone negative energy. Every house my family has lived in has always been very warm, open, and friendly, no one comes in with out being ask if they are hungry or thirsty, and even if they are neither a drink and meal is brought to them anyways. Not matter how your day goes a good meal and a smile can change everything.

For years i have wanted to cook but i feared that if i finally let my little secret be known then no one would take me seriously. What kind of life will cooking provide for me, its not a real job. i figured it was best for me to just keep my passion for food under wraps and continue to look for something else to do. Wasn't till my mom came to visit and flat out said i needed to go for it that i let myself believe in me. So now i am working on going to a Raw Food culinary school and i am so excited i cant stop thinking about it, but because i am a little superstitious i will stop talking about it for now.

This is what i have been up to this week, busy busy busy. My mom has pretty much dared me to eat nothing but raw food this week so i am having fun finding different ways to eat my fruits and veggies.

 Raw veggie sushi. i marinated the carrots in apple cider vinegar, red chili flakes and honey to give it a bit of an Asian kick, and some extra flavor so i wouldnt have to use soy sauce. 

(Right:) the beginnings of raw creme brulee. Cashews, pine nuts, honey, vanilla, lemon juice, and coconut oil. it turned out the way it was supposed to but, it still ended up tasting like cashews. So i am going to stay away from sweet treats made of nuts and stick to more fruit based items. But over all not too bad.

(Above:) the finished product of my Raw creme brulee. looks good and tastes good 

One for One

it didnt take long for me to hit the jack pot on wonderful companies that give back to suffering communities. Each link led me to more and more foundations that touched my heart. People tend to forget that those in need dont just need food and water, but also need, shelter, schooling, books, work, medical attention, protection, and love. if i wasnt a broke college student then i would be broke from pouring my money into products that produce good.

When i was in Morocco a few years ago we stumbled upon a hole in the wall store where all the organic, handmade, products were created by women for women and to benefit the female community of Morocco. That little hole in the wall company was such a motivation. i love people with passion and good work ethics, not that i am any kind of super women or have created anything marvelous, but i do tend to dream big. i came upon this site and have become some what infatuated with it and what it stands for. Sseko, the products are beautiful and the story behind the shoes is equally beautiful.

As i have mentioned multiple times, i tend to be a hippie, i dont need many material things, i keep a positive attitude, very appreciative of the free love movement, and i love all things classic/old school. So when i fell upon this website i was very tickled. Out Of Print takes a lot of the things i enjoy and puts them on a t-shirt, that not only looks cool but gives back.

i dont like conflict, i am not much of a debater, and confrontation it an event i dont want a ticket to, so i like to use other methods to show where my loyalties lay. Things like wristbands t-shirts and bumper stickers are right up my alley....      
(Threats for thought $8 tank)

i in no way claim to be fashion savvy or great with clothes in anyway. i see something i like and i wear it. But i know there are people out there who put a lot of effort into how they look before they leave, and i wish i had that kind of dedication, but i dont. i hear the word trendy, or fashionable and i think expensive. So i found this website that has trendy fashion friendly clothing that is organic, vegan, recycled and fair trade. So all you dedicated clothes lovers, here is something for you too :)
Fashion Conscience

Actions speak louder then words

i am not going to get into it because i dont know enough about the details, (i tend act on my hippy instincts and just promote free love for all) but this whole Chick-fil-a thing has got me thinking. i want to make sure that at least 90% if not all of the things i use, wear, eat, and do to reflect how i feel in my heart and promote health and happiness through out the world. i already buy most (if finances let me) groceries and cleaning products at Whole Foods, which supports local farmers and small family owned companies, i have even found some of my favorite items there that i dont think i could live with out. So now i would like to start buying all organic Eco-friendly, clothing such as organic cotton, hemp, soy, or bamboo. The Natural Clothing Company says "the conventional cotton is one of the most toxic crops on Earth, using insecticides which might cause cancer, skin problems, and deprive soil of life."   i know most of the items wont be very fancy or as fashionable (not that i have ever wont best dressed) but i will wear my new earth healthy threads with pride knowing that i can help sustain a family or villages simply by buying products that are focused on changes for good. i know i am just one person but that is all it takes to at least start. For the rest of my life i will be needing to buy clothes, so why not buy some that will not only clothe me, but will help others at the same time leaving No One Without. For my first tiny mark of change i bought a tank from Threads For Thought.

Clothing for a causes

Sseko's

Kayu

silver lining

Things have calmed down a tiny bit in the trauma department, and by calm down i mean my cousin is once again heavily sedated. as long as she is feeling little to no pain it eases my heart and I'm sure brings my uncle the tiniest sense of peace.

i blogged a few weeks ago about my parents being in the country (they live in Romania at the moment i don't know if i mentioned that) my father and littlest sister are getting ready to head back tomorrow and i thought i should update on my diet that my mom has been so helpful with... i honestly could not be happier! in 3weeks i have lost 5lbs, and its not just the weight i am delighted with but i have lost 3 inches around my middle i can finally SEE the difference. i did not get a gym membership i am not "working my ass off" and i am not on any pills or juices or weird serums. All i am doing is using the My fitness pall app on my phone (get it! its amazing! My Fitness Pal) to restrict my calorie intake to between 800-1000 calories a day. i am eating only one cooked meal with an animal protein (i love meat, good hormone free meat is SO good for your body) a day so most of the foods i eat are raw, such as salads and veggies with humus. Nothing fancy just enough to not be hungry, which i haven't been hungry. I have COMPLETELY removed all addicting foods such as bread, sugar, dairy, caffeine and alcohol. i have not in anyway touched wine, beer, or liquor in three weeks, not only do i feel fantastic but it has helped my getting healthy process tremendously. i cant believe i didn't know that the key to wight loss was all in getting rid of the sauce. i was eating healthy and running but i was still having drinks on the weekend which was 2 steps forward and 12 steps back. So my tip to everyone trying to get healthy, in shape, and loose weight. Keep moving and stop drinking.


In the middle of all the family chaos i wanted to cook, cooking brings me a little harmony so i made some raw brownies with raspberry sauce. Very simple, it also takes a cup of dates but i threw the bag away before taking the picture. So you dump all ingredients into a food processor, smoosh into a baking dish, then let it set in the fridge for a few hrs. All i did for the raspberry sauce was process fresh raspberries with some agave and pour on top. it looks like meatloaf but i promise they are brownies.