Chicago Raw Food Restaurants

Wow, I've been so lame about posting on here! Oh, and so many updates to make to the member directory section! Ugh. Sorry about that, really! I hope to get over this slump soon. Just have not felt like updating. So, I'll do this really quick to at least do something!!! I will add pics another day...hopefully lol.

I went to three restaurants, and it's funny because the order I went to them was from best to worst. lol I didn't plan it that way. Actually the one I was least excited about was my favorite! The one I couldn't wait to go to....well, let's just say I was less than impressed!

1. Borrowed Earth Cafe...soo good I had to try everything!! I spent about $90 for two people! lol But everything was soo good. I especially liked their ice cream and cheesecake. Justin didn't like the cheesecake but I think he was comparing it to real cheesecake too much! I think it was better than real cheesecake though-didn't make me feel all bloated and fat afterwards! The food was so good we weren't hungry the rest of the day. It was really nice inside, and the owners were very friendly as well. If I open a raw food restaurant I'd like it to be like this one!! Anyone in Michigan looking for ideas...I recommend you visit this one as well!

2. Cousin's Vitality- Very nice as well. Their were some menu items from the website not offered, the waiter didn't know what a few were (lol) and they didn't have the tea I wanted...but I do understand it's a raw food restaurant the food perishes quicker and its seasonal. I didn't get to try Rejuvelac but I did get to try Durian pudding. I really liked it, made me feel euphoric!!! Justin did not like the flavor of it lol. I think he's just not used to these exotic foods yet! But we liked everything else! I do have to say the tea they did have was really good! Pretty nice inside, and they had helpful phamplets on good water and what raw food is. I had a nice conversation with a customer-people were very friendly and relaxed. I liked all the plants they had in and outside the store. The neighborhood looked like Hamtramck, Michigan if it wasn't so scary! lol

3. Karyn's Fresh Corner- Wow, what to say that isn't mean. Let me say it was in a very nice neighborhood, and it LOOKED nice. Seemed to have a lot of good beauty products, and I got to try rejuvelac (which didn't taste horrible actually! ) That being said...the people were not helpful or friendly, and the person who rang me up messed up on my order. Let's just say he was so incompetent I didn't even bother to let him know because I figured it would be too much trouble to explain it!!! My sandwich (I got the hamburger) was HORRIBLE. I'm not trying to be mean...but I think people should know...it was single worst thing I have ever eaten! Ugh. So awful. They even screwed up Hummus. Maybe I'm spoiled for living in a city that is mainly middle eastern, so I know good Hummus...but this was so gross!!! People working in the bookstore section didn't even so much as say hello. I don't know, maybe it was an off day...a REALLY off day!!!

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Power Antioxidant Smoothie!

Before I get to the smoothie recipe, let me just say I reread my last blog and was amazed at how angry I was. Not because I never get angry (ha!) but because of where it was directed. If anything, I feel sorry for the people who have to promote Wendy's and Burger King! I'm sure the awful feeling that they get from doing that is punishment enough! They are just trying to make a living and survive the best they know how to at this point in their life! If they don't think they are doing anything wrong-well, karma will catch up with them eventually. I have always heard that if you are angry with someone it is because you see something in yourself you do not like-but usually I don't see that. So, maybe that is not true EVERY time-but there is some truth still in that phrase. I realized that I was so angry at them because my current job is one I am not proud of, and it is very draining on my emotional health and well-being doing something I do not feel is positive or uplifting-but I am going to change that SOON!! I WILL! Anyways, so my anger is more that there are even jobs like these-why food like this is allowed to be promoted-but not so much at the people doing it.


Ok, back to what you wanted to read probably! I didn't think I had any food that could be used for a recipe. You know what that's like I'm sure-you have some of this, some of that-but nothing that could make a whole recipe! So I decided to just throw it all together in a smoothie and to my surprise it actually tasted good! Usually I go for function (most amount of nutrients, antioxidants) and speed and easy to make....and not taste as much. Here it is:


Blend together:
Organic frozen acai
Organic frozen berry acai
A couple of handfuls of mulberries
A handful of goji berries (I'm not a big fan of goji berries, so you can add more if you'd like)
1 bottle of Kombucha (I used GTS Kombucha passionberry bliss http://www.gtskombucha.com/synergy.html )
Dash of raw cacao powder


You may want to add less Kombucha if you don't like it that much-because it is very strong. I didn't mind it because I wanted to use it before it expired, but if you are going for taste alone I'd suggest less!

Anthro-apologists....

So I was looking for the new hideous Wendy's commercial about "meatarians," and couldn't find it. I did, however, find a rather funny article discussing anthropologists arguments that raw food diets were unnatural and that humans have adapted to cooking. I have to say the guy defending it got pretty mad about the anthropologists lack of evidence...yet, at the same time he did not have anything to back up what he was saying in those incidences either.

I don't need to research or argue to know that cooking just doesn't make sense-but I don't really ever think like normal people anyways. I've thought humans were pretty ridiculous and things annoy me-like why do we need to brush our teeth? Wear shoes? Cook our food? We are the ONLY things on earth that really does this. Ok, so some animals use tools, build homes, etc. but the extent that we do things is a bit much! Some would argue that shows our intelligence levels and that's what makes us the dominant species-but I have to say, if we are so freakin' intelligent, how come we don't realize the negative effects some of things we do? Or is it not that we are more intelligent than most species-but rather we are just the most selfish? Perhaps they know how to do the elaborate things we do, but realize it's not in harmony with the rest of the world and therefore not a good idea? Just because we CAN do something, or have figured something out other than what is natural does not mean we HAVE to do it. I hate to be cliche' here, but with great power comes great responsibility! If it's true we ARE more intelligent, than we need to be more responsible when we mess with the natural order of things. Sure, we may be able to come up with things, but I still think we are a long way away from improving upon the natural world just as it already is!
Anyone who argues that cooking is natural and have been used for centuries, blahblahblah, go and eat a Baconator from Wendy's and the next day eat a nice salad and some fruit and tell me which one makes you feel better! That's all the research you will need to do!

Despite some of the flaws in BOTH sides of the people arguing in this article, there is some good information backing up raw foodists and it was pretty interesting (although LONG-phew, and I thought I could be wordy when writing sentences-Harvard people, you beat me on that by a long shot!)
http://www.ecologos.org/wrangham.htm



Oh, and if you really want to be disgusted today, just search "Burger King Apple Commercial" on youtube and read the ignorant reponses to it! The video has been removed from youtube, but you can still read the comments of "dude, that's awesome, apple fries!" "what a great idea, now I don't even have to eat apples in their real form! My fat, slobby self can pretend I'm eating fries, heaven forbid I have to eat a real apple! Thanks Burger King!"

Ok, so maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, people didn't say that...but anything less than being appalled by Burger King's assumption that apple fries are "good or healthy" for children is disgusting in my opinion....I'd like to kick the Burger King "Dad" and take the fries away from the bratty little girl and make her eat a real apple every day for the rest of her life...now THAT would be a cool commercial.


I'm done ranting! :)

Colloidal Gold...

Wow, this stuff is amazing! I just got my sample in the mail from someone. I was feeling tired because I didn't get any sleep last night and I took two tablespoons and I feel WIDE AWAKE now. Before you go thinking it's all in my head-let me just tell you I am the biggest skeptic- I don't believe ANYTHING until I try it myself, etc. I was fully expecting this to take a few days at the very LEAST-I know any type of supplement, especially liquid-takes time to build up in your system and notice results. Soo I was VERY surprised how I immediately felt better. I can't wait to take more of this and see if it's just a fluke or if it really did make a difference!!

Colloidal Gold
https://www.noblelifeelements.com/tasterawfood

The Highly Sensitive Raw Foodist?

I know a lot of us get involved in raw food for health reasons-but what about us who do it just because? Sure, there are those like me who get involved for mainly shallow reasons (I don't wanna age! wahhhh! Ok, yeah I want to be healthy but I really, really don't want to look old!) but maybe there is more to it? In order to do this lifestyle you have to be really dedicated. I've discovered that living in an area where I have to drive an hour just to go grocery shopping-that's a lot of work! It's HARD work for me. Mostly mental though-I know it's difficult because I'm making it-but that is still a very real problem-whether self created or not! Anyhows, I was reading about Highly Sensitive People (yes, it's a real condition so don't laugh-I might cry! lol) Seriously though, it's more than just being emotional-it's a condition (well it's not a condition in that it's really considered a disability-just makes you different-and in most societies I do consider that as bad as having a disability but to be noted it does have SOME good things too) where your nervous system is just more sensitive-sound,light, touch, to stress, and FOOD. So maybe a lot of raw foodists are highly sensitive people also? Surely highly sensitive people would be drawn to natural foods because their nervous system can't take the abuse of processed food as much. This might be why raw foodists also feel so spiritual. I really think that regular folks will notice a spiritual growth once they do raw foods as well because being at your ultimate health peak and thinking clearly for the first time in your life IS no doubt a spiritual event-but what about for someone already very sensitive? It must be mind blowing to them! Anyways, just thought it was interesting and I'd like to pass the word on because it's such a misunderstood trait to have-the more who know about it the better! Oh yeah, and if you meet some raw foodists who seem a bit moody and out there, this may be a contributing factor ;) I say this with love, but seriously, there are some crazy one's out there-but please don't let this dissaude you from raw foods!!!

http://www.highlysensitivepeople.com/
http://hubpages.com/hub/hsp

Raw Getaway this weekend!

This sounds really fun! No plans for the weekend yet? Than you have to check this out:

RAW GETAWAY RETREAT AT RONORA LODGE in Watervliet Michigan
with the Chicago Raw Community!
August 14, 15, 16
www.rawnora.com

www.rawfood.meetup.com/222

Raw Immersion Weekend!
Back to nature – hike in the woods, swim in the private lake, relax, rejuvenate
Raw Demos and Lectures, Gourmet Raw Meals, MI Organic BlueBerry Picking, Hands-on Prep Experience, Yoga, Foraging, Herb Walk, Raw Movies, Sweatlodge, Meditation, Wheatgrass, Green Juices, Green Smoothies, Infrared Sauna, Raw Ice Cream Social

Chefs Linda and Blake will wow you with their amazing raw menu
Beauty Star Lisa Persico as a speaker!!!
Other surprise speakers TBA

Held at Ronora Lodge’s Brand New Raw Villa just 100 miles from Chicago (www.rawnora.com)

All Inclusive!! Includes all meals, lectures, activities, retreat recipe booklet, resources, hands-on prep experience and carpooling coordination.

Friday through Sunday $215 camping, $250 indoors
Saturday/Sunday $175 camping, $200 indoors
Five Scholarships Still Available!

limited space – register now with Ariane rawgirlchicago@yahoo.com

Friday through Sunday $215 camping, $250 indoors
Saturday/Sunday $175 camping, $200 indoors

Pay thru paypal on the meetup (you can enter the correct amount for your stay, pls add $9 for processing)

or thru paypal to rawgirlchicago@yahoo.com

pls email me directly your cell phone info, and carpooling info
do you need a ride or can you give a ride? to how many people? what time can you leave (Fri or Sat) and from where are you leaving or would like to leave?

thanks!
ariane 847 674 2499

more info on:

www.rawfood.meetup.com/222

Tentative Menu:

Friday Eve Dinner
Stuffed mushrooms
Sesame Meatballs with two asian dipping sauces
Tomato Stacks
Crackers & Hummus
Marinated Collard Greens
Apple/Lemon drink with Mint

Saturday wake-up:
Wheat grass Juice and Coconut Water
Saturday Breakfast:
Smoothies - fruit & green
Fresh Fruit

Saturday Lunch - Mexican Fiesta:
Corn Salad
Tacos
Hot Sauce
Guacamole
Pico de Gallo
Mexican Spiced Cabbage

Saturday Dinner
Cucumber Soup
Mixed Green Salad w/vinaigrette & creamy dressings
Learn to Love Seaweed Salad
Blake’s Exciting Entrée

Saturday Evening after Sweat Lodge - Ice Cream Social:
Vanilla & Banana Ice Cream
Berry, caramel & Chocolate Sauces
Nuts

Sunday am before Yoga:
Wheatgrass Juice
Melon Soup
Green Juice

Sunday Brunch:
Almond Chai
Banana Crepes with Strawberry Sauce
Almond Berry Sandwiches
Spinach Salad
Sun Tea

Tentative Program:

Friday evening
6:00 - 7:00pm Check in with Appetizer Bar
7:00pm Social Mixer and Dinner
8:30pm Share Your Raw Food Journey

9:30pm Raw Movie or Game or drum circle

Saturday
8:00am wheatgrass shot w/ coco water
8:30am Yoga
10:00am Welcome with Green Smoothies - fruit
10:30am Berry and Peach-picking Excursion

1:00pm Demo and Lunch – South of the Border
2:30 – 5:30pm Free time: Hike, Swim, Relax, or Kayak/Canoe
5:30pm Food Demo (and Dinner Prep)
6:00pm Dinner with Guest Farmer Chad “Organic Farming”

7:00pm Top 10 Strategies for a Successful Raw Food Path by Lisa

8:30pm Sweatlodge or Raw Movie or Drum Circle
10:00pm Ice Cream Bar Social


Sunday
8am wheatgrass and green juices
9:00am Yoga or Meditation or Morning Walk
10:00am Getting the Glow with Superfoods by Lisa with Elixir Demo

11:00am Brunch
12:30pm Foraging/Herb Walk
2:30 pack up
3:00pm Depart

My refrigerator has multiple personalities..

...or maybe that's just me! The only thing I can really do is laugh when I look at it and see organic salad dressing next to regular ketchup, Kombucha next to coke, organic dates next to burger king...seriously, what is my deal?! lol


Ahh, one of these days I will go from transitioning to fully raw (ok, at LEAST 80%!)

In other news I did not have time to update the website this weekend because I had too much fun! I will get to it soon though, so check back for updated links in the directory!

Hope you all had a good weekend as well! Lot's of great events to wind down the weekend and get ready for a great new week-Yoga for Peace (check out the events calendar) Warren Farmer's Market, Gibralter Trade Center's Holistic festival, Vegan Feasts...wooohoo! Why am I still on the computer?! :)