Fresh as a Cucumber with Mint!

Over the weekend I took part in an inspiring workshop on Raw Food with Saskia Fraser, where she shared the health benefits for those who follow the ways of Raw. We were given the most delicious selection of raw treats, I enjoyed the hazelnut chocolate mousse in particular, YUM! 

Raw to me means eating FRESH ingredients that have not been heated above 115 degrees, to conserve nutritional value, thus enjoying  the optimum goodness in a very healthy way. 


However, as a cook, who loves to cook, I enjoy the smells and textures heat gives to food, the simmering warmth and gentleness of slow cooking in the warming hub of the home. The wafting fragrance of herbs and the happy hum of the general clickety clack of a working kitchen brings joy. 


I’m not sure where my interest with this very inspiring way of eating will take me? You will no doubt, if you choose to, read about it here. Balance is my mantra and I believe strongly that including raw meals in our diet is definitely worth while and beneficial for good general health. Why raw you may wonder?

"Because from thirty to eighty-five percent of the nutrition in foods is destroyed in cooking. That is an average fifty percent loss! Fresh, raw foods contain the highest level of enzymes. Enzymes are the catalyst for the hundreds of thousands of chemical reactions that occur throughout the body. Cooked foods and dry convenient diets have been denatured and are devoid of enzymes - life-promoting elements. While they may maintain life they do not promote optimum health or longevity!" (Alicia McWatters, Ph.D., C.N.C.)

I've shared a few raw recipes, one of my favourite tipples, Almond Milk, my Summer no bake cake and a delicious dip Hummus. So raw has definitely got a place at my table. I hope it finds a place at yours too.


I first fell in love with cooking as a young child, I used to make magical potions, or so I thought, to my Mums great annoyance, mixing Channel No.5 with flour and vanilla, then an egg cracked in for good measure, didn’t  get the response I’d expected. Ooops!

I love sharing my recipes with you, beautiful YOU!!! It is summer and maybe not a scorcher, YET! In fact it's clouds mixed in with rain today. Despite the weather not playing ball, summer is one of the best times to celebrate love. Love for the self, love for health, love for family and friends, love for the world and perhaps most of all, for the gift of life.

The other day I sipped an aromatic drink of cucumber with a spice laced sparkling fandango...

I thought, “Eureka.” With a drop of self acceptance and the realisation that life is the purest of gifts, this resonated...

My heart danced a lighter beat. Now I’m not sure if this is down to the tonic, for indeed that’s what it felt like, or simply that a very positive change is bringing immediate relief, or that light, in the daylight sense, worked some magic in the corners of my mind?


Perhaps it's really quite simple. Water feels good!

WATER?
IT GIVES ENERGY
IT REFRESHES
IT CLEANSES
IT IS OUR LIFE FUEL
IT IS GOOD FOR YOUR ♥ 

Either way, I wanted to share this with you. OK, so there is no cooking involved, and it’s not a raw recipe either. However, if your thirst needs quenching, and you have guests whose idea of Pimms is Pete Tong, then pour a splash of this into chilled glasses and drink to life, to love and to welcoming all things good.

Lots of love and freshness,

FFXOX

Zing in a Glass

Sparkling water, 1 large botttle, chilled
Lemon, 1
Cucumber, 1/2 cut in thin strips length ways
Vanilla extract, 2 tsp
Almond extract, 2 tsp,
Sweet Freedom, 1 tbsp
Ice cubes, a handful
Mint leaves, 1 handful

PEEL the zest of a lemon and add it to a jug.
CUT in half and squeeze juice into jug, mind the pips.
ADD cucumber strips, vanilla extract, almond extract, sweet freedom, mint leaves and ice cubes.
POUR in sparkling water.
GIVE it a good stir.
LUSH LUSH LUSH!
SIP slowly and refresh.