Bowl Full Of Cherries

Often I'll sit with a bowl full of cherry tomatoes.  It's my popcorn, I suppose. When's the last time you've eaten a cherry tomato?  For those of you who find them in the occasional salad and eat them with dressing,  or those who have little interest : just try one. One. Bare.
..
What do you think?

Today I combined color,  texture, and flavor,  by adding strawberries. Just look at this! Is this pretty or what?

Photo by Lady J 2017. Not for distribution.

Fully Raw Kristina Says Thank You & Farewell to Her 11 year Co-op

After I post a recipe by her, I learn that she has to close her 11 year co-op,  due to big business take over. All she asks is to "PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL & ORGANIC FARMERS."

Kristina Carillo-Bucaram aka FullyRaw Kristina has been running the largest co-op in the US, stationed in Houston,  TX for nearly 12 years--which is how long she's been eating nothing but Fruit, Vegetables,  Nuts and Seeds. She cured her Hyperglycemia with Raw Foods and she has spent so much energy in motivating others to eat healthier. She started out posting YouTube videos,  and after a long run, she branched out to making a recipe book (you can grab it in book stores or Amazon) and started her FullyRaw juice company.  She is currently spending some time in Bali focusing on healing. I'm sending out a smile and some good ol' Love and Light. If you've ever been to a farmer's market then you know where to get the good stuff, and you are supporting wonderful people who bring it to you.  Thank you Kristina for all that you've done for
us. I know great things are to come.

All photos are not to my credit. 







Her words below:
After 11 Years, why I am closing down Rawfully Organic. Many of you know me as the girl who carried around 80 lb. watermels and started a raw food community co-operative around fruits and vegetables in Texas and who educated people on how to change their health. Much has changed during the recent year, and despite my sadness in this video, I have SO MUCH HOPE for good things to come. I encourage everyone to PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AND ORGANIC FARMERS. Your dollar makes a difference. Small businesses like mine go under everyday. Think about what really matters. Don't compromise your health. I want to say a very special thank you to EVERYONE, the co-op community and volunteers, for loving this beautiful larger than life co-op as much as me, for all of your time and support and hugs. It has meant the world. Me making this video is truly because I need to share with my co-op family what I happening and I feel the need to be open and authentic, in hopes it can help to create more positive change. I took time to make this video. I will continue to make videos and recipes. Much is in store. I truly appreciate your compassion and support during this time. Much love. Order your signed copies of my book here: http://www.fullyraw.com/signed-book-s.... Subscribe to My YouTube Channel here at http://www.instagram.com/fullyrawkris... and follow my Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/fullyrawkris.... Snapchat: fullyraw. Thank you for all your love and support! I appreciate you all so much! Delicious Raw Food & Vegan Recipes on my Website: http://www.fullyraw.com Want to keep up with me daily? ❤ Co-op: http://www.rawfullyorganic.com ❤ FullyRaw: http://www.fullyraw.com ❤ FullyRaw You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/fullyrawkristina ❤ FullyRaw Kristina Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/fullyrawkristina ❤ Kristina's Bio: http://fullyraw.com/about/about-me ❤ Kristina's Blog: http://www.rawfullyorganic.com/blog ❤ ROC Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rawfullyorganic ❤ Rawfully Organic Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rawfullyorganic
❤ FullyRaw Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fullyraw

Passion Fruit Nice Cream

Frozen Bananas and fresh Passion Fruit. Blend!

All photos by Lady J 2017

The Opal Apple

The Opal Apple is one of my favorite apples. In addition to their great taste, their natural slow oxidation rate means they don’t brown after biting into it. I was chomping on this apple at work, when things got really busy and it was left out for three hours! I learned that Opals are a non-GMO cross between a Golden Delicious and Topaz. They are grown exclusively in the United States by Broetje Orchards in Washington. They're kinda pricey, but I think it's worth picking up a couple.

Photo by Lady J 2017

Keitt Mango

Biggest Keitt Mango I've ever seen. Was so good.  Appreciate fruit.

Photos by Lady J © Nov 2016

Raw Food Problems

Raw Food Problems:

When you show up at the cash register with 50 bananas, and the cashier says, "..LOTTA bananas" in a bothered tone, and looks at me like I'm a freak. Sure it's not what you're used to, but why the "I feel a fist coming your way", look? I almost said, "long shift?" 30% empathy, 70% passive aggressive. What sounds like a better excuse from poor little exhausted me, to condescending girl, who apparently gets set off by bananas, and feels like potassium is reason enough to shame someone? "Um..smoothies" or "pet monkey?"

Basil

Is there anything prettier than fresh basil? Say no.

MANGO

Can you believe that this is a mango? This is the largest Keitt Mango I've ever seen. Twas yummy. This is the stuff that has my gratitude. 

Photos by Lady J © 2016

LUSH

A few months ago, I dared myself to enter a mall. I hadn't been in one since 1999. I admit; I was a Hot Topic girl.

Prior to that, the last time I set foot into a mall was as a child.

I went to the mall because I decided I needed some real sunglasses.  For years I had been quite content with my $18.99 CVS sunglasses.  They didn't make me look like a bug, and they got the job done.

After I purchased my far too expensive,  grown-up sunglasses,  I noticed a sign that read, David's Tea. I power walked over there and bought Birthday Cake tea, which has real sprinkles in it.

It was on the second trip to David's Tea, that I spotted a store called LUSH, diagonally from my new favorite tea shop.

I saw a small studio sized store with young tattooed, and brightly colored haired girls . They were essentially, me in high school.

I was lured by the yummy fragrance,  and quickly came to find that I'd be spending a lt of cash.

LUSH Handmade Cosmetics is a place I now frequent. I don't wear makeup, and  surprisingly the vast majority of their products consists of shower, bath, hair, and skincare products.

What hooked me is that their products are made with a lot of organic fruits,  vegetables. Each product is indeed handmade,  and each container of whatever has a sticker with a characterized image of the person who made it, their name,  and the date it was made. The cutsey names of their products are often takes on songs, and  film.

I'm not a bath person, so I buy a lot of shower stuff.

 If you do want bath products,  they have bath bombs that offer pleasant fragrances,  and color.  I actually bought something that is supposed to create glittery gold bubbles.

Photos by Lady J ©  Sept 2016

The first item I bought at LUSH is called Happy Hippie. It's a shower gel that smells like grapefruit.  Refreshing pick me up. 

I went on to buy more shower gells, smoothies, and scrubs. Shampoos, conditioners, lotions,  masks, shaving fluff, and lip scrubs.

What the hell is a lip scrub? Something I find completely unnecessary, but so much fun. What you don't wash off, you can eat! 

Other products include hard soaps, hair repair treatment,  and henna. 

The things I buy are all a part of my "soothe yourself to bed" process. I read that somewhere.  It's an end of the day stress reliever. 

So shower fun, and pretty masks after.

All photos by Lady J © Sept 2016
It's embarrassing that the girls in there recognize me now. They always say, "Welcome back! " Eeesh.

Give this place a try for yourself.  

BTW: I'm posting from my phone and it has caused several errors. Different letter sizes, and a white background behind text.

Raw Rainbow

Photo by Lady J © Sept 2016

Well, hello tiny pistachios. You were expensive. 

Fingerlimes

Photo by Lady J © Sept 2016

Oh, how I've missed you..
Break open and squeeeeeze!  Elegant pearls of tangy fruit spill out. 

Cotton Candy Grapes

Every year.  I never get sick of them. I grab 3-4 bags each week.

Photo by Lady J  © 2016

Thank you,  Grapery for your genius creation.  These grapes are organic, and non-GMO. The cotten candy is a result of cross breeding. There is nothing artificial about these grapes that taste EXACTLY like cotten candy. When I actually allow myself to share a few, it's tickling to see the reactions on the faces of the very first bite.  The moment teeth sink in,  people are astonished,  and I like that I've shared something new, that is a lasting experience,  that will have them talking.  

I find mine at Sprouts and Whole Foods. They are in season from August 10th to September 20th. 

Grapery also sells other varieties.  
Moon Drops
Flavor Pops
Tear Drops
Flavor Promise 
Gum Drops

I've had them all, minus the Gum Drops, and Flavor Pops I hope they'll show themselves in my neck of the woods. 

To learn more,  go to the Grapery website. 

Lycheeeeee!

I wish I could live in a Lychee Tree.  In Southern California , I had been unable to find Lychee that weren't brown.

I was and still am in great shock that I found the good stuff at my local Trader Joe's Market. I am beyond grateful.

Photos by Lady J © 2016

Cotton Candy Grapes

It's always so sad when they go. They come in the Summer, and last for a month to a month and a half.

These taste exactly like Cotton Candy.  I hope you have been able to experience them. The moment you pop one in your mouth,  there's a burst of flavor that is so unique.

Photo by Lady J © 2016

Pitaya Smoothie!

Although I much prefer Dragon Fruit with the white flesh, the color that comes from Pitaya aka Red Dragon Fruit is too good to be true. I consider the color to be magenta, not red.

Recipe :
1 Pitaya fruit
1 cup kale
1/2 - 1 cup frozen Mangoes
Almond Milk. Use your judgement and use as much as you are happy with.

All photos by Lady J © 2016

Cotton Candy Smoothie

Photo by Lady J © July 2016

 Candy Smoothie by Lady J.  My own creation.
Blended Frozen Bananas poured into a bowl and mixed with Beet Powder.
Blended Frozen Bananas poured into a separate bowl and mixed with Blue Spirulina.
Mixed contents of both bowls together.
Fresh Blueberries inside the mason jar.
Sipped through a designed glass straw.

I needed stamps..

 Copyright © 2016 by Lady J

HAPPY WORLD WATER DAY!

HAPPY WORLD WATER DAY!
Water is something that I cherish. I am incredibly grateful that I have such easy access. We need water daily to focus clearly,  lubricant our joints, detoxify, and it aids in weight loss for those who are trying to do that.

I drink 2 liters daily. The large water bottles you find in stores are 1.5.

Not only do we need to preserve water, we need to know the politics of water. It has become a commodity,  it is being privatized, activists and law makers are going head to head, and people are dying.

I recommend the book and documentaty, Blue Gold.


Below are photos of the my Vitamin Waters.
All photos by Lady J in Lotus Pose © March 2016

Strawberries and my favorite water. AQUA.

Cucumbers in AQUA Water.

Blood Oranges and Cara Cara Oranges in AQUA Water.

Tangelos and Blueberries in AQUA Water.

Has anyone ever thought of this?

Dragonfruit with VOSS Sparkling Water.
Dragonfruit is a sweet but subtle fruit. I tried using fresh spring water, but the flavor fell flat.  Using Sparkling water did the trick.

Photo by Lady J in Lotus Pose © 2016

Fruit Water

AQUA Water with Blood Oranges, and Cara Cara Oranges. Letting this sit in the fridge over night. I'll be taking it to work tomorrow.

Photo by Lady J in Lotus Pose © 2016