The Raw Vegan Network e-newsletter
June 2008
Editor: Vickie Fisher, co- owner of The Raw Vegan Network
Welcome to the Raw Vegan Network e-newsletter. This newsletter is for informational purposes only. It is not intended for diagnosing, prescribing or healing.
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IN THIS ISSUE
-Network Happenings: 3rd annual Simply Raw Festival and Raw Pie Contest in Ottawa, Canada, September 5-7, 2008
-In the News
-In the Garden:
- Food for Thought
-Interesting Facts to Know:
-Featured Network Member: R. Bradford, Nutrition101
-Favorite Recipes: Ancho Pepper Guacamole, Hazelnut Mexican Meal
-Products: Juicers, distillers, dehydrators, raw recipe e-book
**Please email us with your feedback about the articles and recipes, and what you would like to see in up coming issues.
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NETWORK HAPPENINGS
** Raw Vegan Network member Natasha Kyssa would like to invite you to the 3rd annual Simply Raw Festival and Raw Pie Contest in Ottawa, Canada, September 5-7, 2008. For more info: www.SimplyRaw.ca .
**The Raw Vegan Network provides online raw food certifications for those who wish to expand their portfolio of expertise enabling them to serve others in there locale that wish to experience the health benefits of living a raw food lifestyle. For information: www.therawvegannetwork.com
**We also provide free contact services for people desiring help in there local area for raw food services. For information: www.therawvegannetwork.com
**Need help getting started with incorporating healthy raw food choices into your diet and maintaining the raw vegan lifestyle? Put together an entire holiday feast or a light meal. Mostly Raw Recipes by Vickie Fisher (owner of The Raw Vegan Network) is available at www.therawvegannetwork.com/productindex.htm
**Check out the “member’s events” page at www.therawvegannetwork.com/events.htm. It has the latest on what members are doing, such as raw food classes, retreats, raw food delivery, etc.
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IN THE NEWS
Health:
Lawsuit Filed to Halt Use of Dangerous Pesticides
A 1996 federal law required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study
the safety of all pesticides and to rule by 2006 whether they could be used on
foods safely. The EPA found four pesticides posed risks to human health but
decided...
Health:
Turmeric Found to Be Beneficial for Lung, Liver and Colon Health
Turmeric, containing the active ingredient curcumin, is one of nature's most
powerful healers. The medicinal properties of this spice have slowly revealed
themselves over the centuries. Turmeric is documented as effective in conditions
ranging...
Health:
FDA Pressed by Lawsuit to Address Mercury Amalgam Safety
In 2006, a Zogby poll found that 76% of Americans were not aware that their
"silver" dental fillings (amalgams) are composed of 50% mercury. The poll was
sponsored by the Mercury Policy Project and funded by the International Academy
of Oral...
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IN THE GARDEN
It’s time to explore farmer’s markets and co-ops for the freshest summer produce.
Plant tomatoes for summer-ripening. The growing time for tomato plants varies from 50-80 days. Late-maturing varieties can provide tomatoes for late-season slicing along with green tomatoes for fresh relish.
Protect your produce and flowers from rabbits, raccoons, ducks, deer and other critters that enjoy the fresh fruit and vegetables as much as you do. Moisten plants and sprinkle cayenne pepper on veggie plants to rid these critters.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
**Melons & Cucumbers: Some varieties of melons are common in Egypt, including watermelons; but the melons the Israelites craved may have been cucumbers. If you peel and scoop the seeds out of a cucumber, you’ll find the remaining part actually tastes like a melon.
**Nightshades: certain foods called nightshades seem to inflame the joints of some people. If you suffer from arthritis symptoms, try avoiding eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes and bell peppers.
**Wheat: some people who have arthritis symptoms also find when they eliminate wheat (even whole grain) their symptoms disappear.
**Mint: the two most common species of mint grown in the Middle East are spearmint and peppermint. In the Bible, the Romans and Greeks used mint to keep milk from spoiling. They also used it after meals as a digestive aid. Modern herbalists recommend peppermint for menstrual cramps, morning sickness, motion sickness, heartburn, fever, colds, flu, headache and insomnia. Mint is also an antispasmodic. Mint soothes the muscles of the digestive tract and uterus. It has been found to be helpful in treating nausea. Women who have a history of miscarriages, should avoid peppermint as a treatment for morning sickness. Fresh mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow in gardens or containers.
**For a cool treat on a hot day, keep ice cube trays filled with fresh juices in the freezer.
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INTERESTING FACTS TO KNOW
Get Your Rest:
Most people don’t get enough rest. Insufficient amount of rest can result in illness, stress, and can even shorten your life. To look and feel refreshed and alive, you will need to get the proper amount of sleep. Go to bed early. Many people don’t hear the alarm or they hit the snooze button over and over again. Try going to bed earlier so you can wake up on your own without the help of an alarm. If you fill sleepy during the day, try taking a brief nap (15 minutes) to revitalize yourself.
Remember to be comfortable. Check your bed, pillow or thermostat.
In addition, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and breathing will also help improve your rest.
Midsummer Day is June 24. Although this occurs near the summer solstice, farmers traditionally consider this day to be midpoint of their growing season, halfway between planting and harvest. It was the occasion of major festivals in England in past centuries.
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FEATURED NETWORK MEMBER
Back to Nature
By R. Bradford
One of the first books I read concerning health is called Back to Eden. In it, the author, Jethro Kloss, speaks of how important it is for a person to have knowledge of natural foods and herbs and to incorporate them into his or her diet in order to achieve healing from illnesses. I focus on the title of this book because the notion of going Back to Eden or back to nature- has been an important concept in my mind over the years. This notion helped me to change from a person who ate anything, without discrimination- to a person who instead sees her body as a vessel, valuable, worth taking care of, and whom God loves.
At just over twenty years of age, I was consistently gaining weight, often felt depressed, my skin was not clear, and I had a host of physical and mental distress. During moments like this, it was hard to figure out exactly what to do. Similar to others in our society, I dealt with conflicting messages of how to achieve health. For example, I saw images of slim people on television holding soda pops. These images were followed by happy families around a dinner table of fast food. Often times, athletes were shown drinking sports drinks. Pills were promoted for weight loss. My idea of health was so often associated with unhealthy behaviors that, at my worst time, I was too confused to know what to do about my own unhealthy state. This is the conflict I dealt with on a consistent basis. I felt loss of control over my body’s deterioration, and I did not know how to begin to fix it.
At one point, in a state of despair, I sat on my bed while looking outside of my bedroom window, staring at the sunny day. From the part within myself that still believed I was worth more than I appeared to be, I expressed to God one important belief. I expressed to Him that He is the God who created the beauty in nature and I believe it is in His will that I should have that same beauty, having been created by the same God. Little did I know the statement I uttered that day revealed an important concept- which is to view myself and nature as intertwined. Gradually, I became conscientious of the fact that when I ignore the good things in nature, which the Lord has set on this Earth to nourish us, I ignore the optimal way to be healthy. Suddenly, as if I were a baby again, I noticed that spanning the Earth are fruits, vegetables and natural foods, which are here for my benefit. It is not surprising that the more I began to partake of food in its natural state, the more I returned to my own natural state of health.
Since I began to incorporate healthy, natural foods into my diet, I have witnessed restoration, physically, mentally and spiritually. I have grown in physical vitality- having more energy, while noticing marked increase in mental alertness. Just as important, I have developed a broader outlook on life. Having learned the value of nature, I see many other good aspects in it beyond natural foods. For example, I see the benefits of the seasons- both the summertime as well as the wintertime. The wintertime is the time when the apple tree needs its dormant period in order to produce fruit the next year. Just having knowledge about nature strengthens me as I journey through life, perhaps experiencing my own summer and winter moments. Learning to see things this way began when I first understood that the aspects of nature are created for the benefit of one another.
Nowadays, I continue to seek a healthy lifestyle, although this time, extending it beyond diet, into other areas. For example, I seek the health that comes from the community of true friendship. I also seek the health which comes from caring about things which truly matter- such as considering the well-being of others. I also seek health from growing more knowledgeable about the environment around me. These things enrich my life with something that is quintessential to true health- they provide me with balance, love and peace.
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FAVORITE RECIPES
R. Bradford
Ancho Pepper Guacamole
1-2 Avocados
1 dried red Ancho chili pepper
1-2 T Dried red pepper flakes
Thyme flakes
Garlic powder
Onion powder
The juice of a lemon
Salt
In a blender, blend the Ancho pepper, red pepper flakes, and other herbs and spices into a fine powder. Mash the ripe avocado, mix in the powdered spices, and mix in lemon juice and salt to taste.
Hazelnut Mexican Meal
½ cup- 1 cup Hazelnuts
1 fresh Serrano pepper
Salt
Shredded Lettuce
Diced fresh Tomatoes
In a blender, blend the hazelnuts, Serrano pepper and salt together until it forms a thick, nut butter consistency. In a bowl, place shredded lettuce and tomatoes. Top with the Hazelnut butter. Slightly mix together the lettuce and tomato. Enjoy! You may add green onions, if desired.
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PRODUCTS
**Need help getting started with incorporating healthy raw food choices into your diet and maintaining the raw vegan lifestyle? Put together an entire holiday feast or a light meal. Mostly Raw Recipes by Vickie Fisher (owner of The Raw Vegan Network) is available at www.therawvegannetwork.com/productindex.htm
**The Raw Vegan Network is offering juicers, distillers and dehydrators for sale. Products are available at www.therawvegannetwork.com/productindex.htm .
************************************************************************BACK ISSUES
If you are interested in receiving back issues of The Raw Vegan Network e-newsletters, they are available at http://archive.therawvegannetwork.com/ .
MARCH 2005: Health Tip: Juicing
Network Member: Belinda Stinson-Head Ph.D., Decatur, GA
Recipes: Japanese Sesame Noodles, Raw Apple Carrot Cake
APRIL 2005: Health Tip: Organic Gardening
Network Member: Erica Albanese, Gold Hill, OR
Recipes: Almond Joy Smoothie, Carob-Mint Candies
MAY 2005: Health Tip: Physical Fitness
Featured Member: Faye Hunt, Naples, FL
Recipes: Tomato Salad with Mint Dressing, Kale with Raisins and Pine
Nuts, Soup Stock, On the Run Tomato Soup, Honey Mustard Dressing
JUNE 2005: Health Tip: Genetically Engineered Foods
Featured Member: Debi Chase, Williams, CA
Recipe: Sunshine Girl Pate
JULY 2005: Health Tip: Household Chemicals
Featured Member: Natalie Campbell-Djedje, Toronto, Canada
Recipe: Natalie’s Tropical Granola
AUGUST 2005: Health Tip: The Benefits of Sunlight
Featured Member: Derek Locker, Dallas, TX
Recipes: Creamy Spinach Soup, Potato Chips
SEPTEMBER 2005: Health Tip: Parasites
Featured Member: Edward Rhinehart, Destrehan, LA
Recipes: Avocado Soup, Stuffed Tomatoes
OCTOBER 2005: Health Tip: Sprouting
Featured Member: Kristi Lees, New Zealand
Recipes: Peachy-Nan Dream, Banalmond Delights, Simple Carrot &
Sesame Salad
NOVEMBER 2005: Health Tip: Healthy Colon-Healthy You
Featured Member: Leslee Creighton, Yellow Springs, OH
Recipes: Fab Foliage Salad, Carrot Dressing
DECEMBER 2005: Health Tip: Keep it Simple
Recipes: Raw Foods to Take to Your Holiday Parties
JANUARY 2006: Health Tip: Diet vs. Lifestyle
Featured Member: Joseph Lucier, Quincy, MA
Recipes: Kale Avocado Salad, Coconut Macaroons
FEBRUARY 2006: Health Tip: Simple Herbal Home Remedies
Featured Member: Caroline Wood, Ramstein AFB, Germany
Recipes: Blended Fruit Salad, Pitted Dates with Raw Almonds
Reader’s Recipe: Coconut Macaroons
MARCH 2006: Health Tip: Heating Our Food
Featured Member: Nell Neufeld, Austin, TX
Recipes: Raw Chocolate Smoothie, Papaya Ice Cream, Mint Fudge
Reader’s Recipes: Chilled Raw Choc. Fudge, Onion Bread,
Coconut Shake
APRIL 2006: Health Tip: Stress
Featured Member: Peggy McDonnell, Gold Hill, OR
Recipes: Cream of Celery Soup, Butterscotch Pudding
MAY 2006: Health Tip: Common Drug Interaction with Herbs, Vitamins and Food
Featured member: Cathy Dance, Marietta, GA
Recipes: Vanilla Beanie-Banana Shake, Nutty Chocolate Banana Shake, All Berry Shake
JUNE 2006: Health Tip: Obesity
Featured Member: Rose McMullen, Ontario
Recipes: Green Smoothie, Chocolate Mint Fudge
JULY 2006: Health Tip: Alternative Medicine
Featured Member: Anne Mark, Mountain View, CA
Recipes: Japanese Cucumber Salad, Green Smoothie, Chef Ed’s Heirloom Salad
AUGUST 2006: Health Tip: Healing Crisis
Featured Member: Vicki Robb, Middle East
Recipes: Avocado Salad, Spicy Dressing, Carrot/Coconut Energizer
SEPTEMBER 2006: Health Tip: Heavy Metal Toxicity
Featured Member: Judy Meisterheim, Lexington, MI
Recipes: Raw Taco, Carob Banana Pops
OCTOBER 2006: Health Tip: Essential Fats
Featured Member: Beth Ward, Alto, GA
Recipes: My Version of Tuna, Almond Butter Cookies
NOVEMBER 2006: Health Tip: Holiday Recipes: “Turkey”, Mushroom Gravy,
Mashed Potatoes, Butternut Soup, Raw Holiday Fudge
Featured Member: GeorGina (Georgie) Halpin, Appleton, GA
Recipes: Banana/Raspberry Smoothie, TriColor Corn Salad
DECEMBER 2006: Christmas greetings. No regular newsletter
JANUARY 2007: Health Tip: Best Choice of Food for Your Pets
Featured Member: Sasha Fisher, Raw Food Dog
Recipes: Sasha’s Raw Doggie Stew, Sasha’s Raw Fruit Delight
FEBRUARY 2007: Health Tip: Cancer
Featured Member: Scott Jackson, Northglenn, CO
Recipes: Scott’s Power Smoothie, Spaghetti, Rainbow Olive Salad
MARCH 2007: Health Tip: Food and Behavior
Featured Member: Linda Wooliever, Worcester, VT
Recipes: Fudge, Mexican “Rice”, Spicy Refried Beans
APRIL 2007: Health Tip: Spring Cleaning: Your Home and You
Featured Network Member: Angela Elliott, San Diego, CA
Favorite Recipes: Happy Porridge and Pecan Milk, The Ultimate Beauty Drink, Strawberries & Whipped Cream
MAY 2007: Health Tip: Greenhouse Gardening
Featured Network Member: Karen Shifa, United Kingdom
Favorite Recipes: Karen’s On the Spot Recipes
JUNE 2007: Health Tip: Death Begins in the Colon
Featured Network Member: Melissa Gilbert, CO
Favorite Recipes: Spring Veggie Dip, The Happy Mango Smoothie
JULY/AUGUST 2007: Health Tip: Take Time for Yourself
Featured Network Member: Vasiliki Panos, Fresno, CA
Favorite Recipes: Brownies, Vasiliki’s Special Salad Dressing, Miso Soup
SEPTEMBER 2007: Health Tip: Herbs for Health
Featured Network Member: June Roca, Glendale, CA
Favorite Recipes: Ampalaya Salad and Seafood Unfried
OCTOBER 2007: Restaurant Review: Char Surratt, Raw Vegan Network member, NM
Featured Network Member: Tiffany Hillman, Phoenix, AZ
Favorite Recipes: Pistachio Hummus, Tri Color Custard
NOVEMBER 2007: Wise Choices: Choose activity over inactivity
Walking the Walk: For injury free exercise and walking stretching is essential
Food for Thought: Whole Person Exercise
Featured Network Member: Janelle Morgan, Bothell, Washington
Favorite Recipes: Zucchini Pasta al Pesto, Not Peanut Butter Cookies
DECEMBER 2007: Creamy Spinach Soup, Nut Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, Quick and Easy Gravy
JANUARY 2008: Featured Network Member: Mary Jean D’Agostini, Caspian, MI
Favorite Recipes: Hummus, Very Versatile Vinaigrette
FEBRUARY 2008:Featured Network Member: Linda Clark, Reno Nevada
Favorite Recipes: Onion Bread, Spinach Smoothie, Awesome Fudge
MARCH 2008: Featured Network Member: Marisol Martinez, Altadena, CA
Favorite Recipes: Green Citrus Power Smoothie, Avocado Beet Salad
Interesting Facts to Know: Exercise
APRIL 2008: Featured Network Member: Rose Andras, Beverly Hills, FL
Favorite Recipes: Herb Cheese, Cashew Cheese, Raw Sweet Potato Casserole
Wise Choices: Stress Busters
May 2008: Featured Network Member: Angela Brand, Parker, CO
Favorite Recipes: Breakfast Parfait, Mamma Mia Marinara, High Desert Exfoliator
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