Articles archived for December 2009
Hi, y’all! I know my posts have been scarce. For that, I apologize. But once you discover what I’ve been up to, I think you’ll be very forgiving – including the sponsoring companies awaiting my reviews of their fantabulous products! 
I started this post Tuesday evening (December 22, 2009) but couldn’t finish it. My eyes were filled with tears, my head was pounding with questions and thoughts, and my heart was simply broken into a gazillion pieces.
It’s taken a couple of days to pull my thoughts together on this. What better day to post, though, than on Christmas Eve?
Here’s the draft I started (I’ll add today’s thoughts later):
Today I walked among the homeless. No, I didn’t pass them on the street or gaze at them through the window while driving by. I mean I literally walked into a building where they were. I looked into the eyes of men and women – many of them who have served our country through various military services – and saw far more than people without homes.
My grandmother always told me that “eyes are the windows to a person’s soul.”
When I peered into the souls I crossed paths with today, I saw real people. I saw moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents – many of them have served our country. I saw people who deserve dignity, respect, kindness, smiles, hugs, handshakes – no matter the condition of their soiled, tattered clothes, hair, or skin.
No, maybe they aren’t perfect. Their hair isn’t all styled from that fancy new place everyone’s raving about, and their teeth aren’t pearly white anymore. No, they don’t have the most expensive cologne or your favorite luxurious cold cream for their dried-out, weathered skin. But they’re real people, and they have feelings. They have a heart and soul. They have likes and dislikes. They have talents. Some of them even still have dreams.
With an empathetic heart, and a little time spent with them, you can look past not only the physical layers of clothing, but the invisible layers (walls, really) they’ve cocooned themselves inside. If you take a few moments to stop and talk to them, look them in the eye, smile, and just treat them like they’re your friend – or even a relative, because they could be – you’ll find that their eyes light up. Relief washes over them. Joy bubbles in their hearts. They’ll begin to tell you that they have a passion for cooking, or that they used to work every day and even lift weights at the gym. Any one of them could be you – or me. Any one of them could be someone we know. Someone who woke up one day and learned they didn’t have a job. Someone who lost their family in a horrific car accident – and couldn’t cope. Someone who’s come home from serving our country, with nowhere to go. Someone who still can’t figure out how they lost their way, or how to find it again.
Sure, there are the negatives. Many people choose to focus only on those who are drug addicts, alcoholics, or are destructive. I’m guilty myself. But each time I’ve been in the presence of a homeless person, I haven’t felt threatened. I feel their respect. I feel their gratitude. I feel their joy and appreciation that I’m in their presence as a fellow human. Nothing more, nothing less.
Life can be so simple. Why do we have to make it so hard?
I’m not there to judge them. I’m there to be of service, any way I can. I’m there to blow on that flicker of hope any of them might have – or rekindle the hope in those who’ve let theirs die down.
I’m there to let them know, that yes, people do still care. That some of us hurt for them. That some of us realize they’re a real person. That some of us yearn to do more, but can’t figure out how to go about it on a large scale.
My head aches tonight. I feel sick to my stomach. My heart feels like it’s going to explode from all the pain it’s having to process.
But I can still smile through the tears. Why? Because when we walked into that building on a cold, dark, winter day, I watched a huge room filled with people change right before my eyes. Yes, that’s right. I saw people slumped on couches, and sitting hunched over at tables, and walking around aimlessly with their shoulders drooping, stand up or sit up straight. I saw worry and stress wash away from their tired faces as they realized we were walking in carrying Christmas goody bags, Christmas cards, and giant candy canes – just for them.
I watched everyone’s heart skip a beat. I watched the true meaning of Christmas unfold right before my eyes. That, my friends, is what it’s all about…
Christmas Eve
Even as I read the above draft I had written after leaving the homeless Tuesday, I can barely see the computer screen through my tears.
I had so many questions:
Why are Veterans homeless?
Why are Veterans forgotten?
Why is anyone homeless?
Why is anyone forgotten?
Why don’t more people do more – even the smallest amount of help is something?
How can I help more?
What if I were in their situation?
Where’s the compassion?
Many of you don’t know that my family has been in the ministry for over 20 years. Even when I was a little girl – before my parents committed their lives to God’s work – I saw them take their own bill money and give it to a young couple whose baby was near death at a hospital a few hours away. The mom was staying with the baby. The dad was working as much as anyone would let him. He wanted to get to his family. His wife didn’t even have any cash with her at all, as she sat alone in that hospital with her baby. I’ve also seen my parents do many other things over the years. We’ve taken food out of our cabinets, clothes out of our closets. If we’re able in any way, we try to help anyone we can. I’m so glad my parents have taught me to go the extra mile. My grandparents taught me as well.
You can read about the Christmas bags we took the homeless on our ministry site: Highways & Byways Ministries.
Our ministry is very, very different than most anything else out there. Why? Because we work with those who are basically considered “outcasts” – we strive to walk where Jesus walked….
Mom & Me
I wish you the best, most blessed Holiday Season EVER – and I urge you to do something – anything – for others.
Won’t you help the homeless?
Updated to Add
My family has decided to step up and take action to help cure homelessness in our area (read more here). We’re working to secure funds for our first building, which will allow the homeless who come to us to have their own living quarters – a place to call home – where they can shower, rest, plan their future, and pull themselves together and try to work toward restoring their lives.
We are MORE than people who feel empathy for them – we are their family. Our first building for our Momma’s Houses dream will house numerous people and get them off the street. They won’t be asked to get out in a few days, weeks, or months. They need adequate time to reenter society. They will have it. And, no matter what – we’ll always be their family, their support system, their friend.
If you aren’t comfortable donating electronically, feel free to send your donation to:
Highways and Byways Ministries
P.O. Box 115
Diggins, MO 65636
Yes, $80,000 is a LOT of money to raise in 30 days – but not if a lot of people give a little.
Bonus Christmas Blessing
Just stopping by? Have you tried my coconut peanut butter honey overnight oats yet? Or maybe you’d like to try your hand at my chocolate-covered raisin hemp balls or raw tuna fish-less salad. Check out my interview with ShimmerOrganics owner, Lisa Ann Turkel, or read my thoughts on Julie & Julia.
Remember a while back when I shared Eli’s story with you? You know, the young guy pictured below? The inspiring fellow with a heart of gold – yet a heart that wouldn’t work correctly?
Well… I have a fantabulous update to share with you!
Juicer for Eli
First of all, a juicer was anonymously – and very generously – purchased for Eli by one of YOU not long after I posted about his situation. What a blessing!!!
The juicer made it safely to Eli’s family and they’ve been juicing for him non-stop ever since. And… Eli is getting stronger!!!
Enthusiastic Eli
I know a friend of the family and she keeps me posted on Eli’s progress as often as she can.
Here’s the latest:
"He’s been through the mill, testing wise, but is finally coming out of it. He had to have a bone marrow tap three weeks ago and the results aren’t fully in yet – but so far, so good. His echo has shown quite a bit of improvement over the one done last month. He has also been able to keep his blood cell counts up.
This is AFTER receiving the juicer and juicing DAILY.
He will get to go home for Christmas, pending his heart cath on the 22nd. Eli is telling everyone: Never give up and always look for the positive in every situation. When the road gets rough, stand your ground and fight!"
The family friend also says:
"And Eli wants that passed along. He is truly thankful and can’t wait to feel even better as time progresses."
Isn’t that RAWsome?!
The healing benefits of raw juices are AMAZING! Those fresh juices Eli’s family is making for him is helping to strengthen his weak, little body. It’s such a JOY to know that Eli is most likely going to have the opportunity to wake up on Christmas morning in his own bed, in his own home!!!
And even through the most difficult times of his little life, Eli has a positive attitude. What a precious soul he is!
My heart and prayers are with Eli’s family, friends, and Eli himself…
And, in honor of Eli’s courage and determination, I leave you with a few of his words that touched me the most:
“When the road gets rough,
stand your ground and fight!”
Amen, Eli! Amen!!!!
Latest Update (as of 12/24/09)
“"Eli’s Cath went GREAT yesterday so he is FREE for the next 2 1/2 weeks!" He is home with his brother and Dad for the holidays!”
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ELI AND HIS FAMILY!!! AND MY 2010 BE THEIR YEAR OF ABUNDANT HEALING AND HEALTH!!!!!
Just stopping by? Have you tried my coconut peanut butter honey overnight oats yet? Or maybe you’d like to try your hand at my chocolate-covered raisin hemp balls or raw tuna fish-less salad. And you simply HAVE to try my latest, simple creation: Coconut Peanut Butter Cream. YUM! And don’t forget to take a peek at my Thanksgiving holiday eats + treats – or my interview with ShimmerOrganics owner, Lisa Ann Turkel!
It’s almost unfathomable to envision a blog turning into a book turning into a movie – when it’s yours, that is!
I finally watched Julie & Julia
I won’t spoil the entire movie for you, though! I totally think you should watch it. It’s definitely worth your time and money.
But just in case…
Spoiler Alert!!!!
I think Meryl Streep was fantabulous as Julia Child, and I loved Amy Adams as Julie Powell.
Julia Child was one very determined lady. She never gave up. That’s admirable! I wonder if she would have been a blogger had she been in our shoes? Ya think? Can you envision her blog: Mastering the Art of French Cooking? Can you see her creating YouTube videos; commenting on other blogs; tweeting; facebooking?
It was super fun to see the reality of a blogger’s life, too – especially home life. From the realization that a LOT of people are reading what you’re putting out there into cyber space, to the cluelessness others seem to have about exactly what a blog even is, or what it means to the blogger.
Explaining your overwhelming desire (need, actually) to blog is extremely difficult. As many gazillions of blogs as there is, there’s that many people who don’t know what one is, it seems! I’ve given up on trying to explain blogging. I just say: “I’m a freelance writer and blogger. I write about health.” And I leave it at that.
As a blogger who shares my heart with you, my fantabulous readers, I could relate to Julie as she pounded out her frustrations and joys over wading her way through Julia Child’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking
After she’d been blogging for a while, she began to sense that her readers actually anticipated – and needed – her posts. Can you relate?! Of course, that’s a hard thing for a non-blogger to comprehend. It makes us bloggers seem like we have our head in the clouds, like we just think we’re SO great that numerous people could possibly be on pins and needles – just for our next post, for words that flow effortlessly (okay, not always effortlessly! ) from our minds, through our fingers, onto the keyboard, out into cyber space’s infinity.
Yeah, that feeling.
Most of all, it was sooooooooooooooooo exciting to even consider that the words we share in the posts of our little corner of the blogosphere could be read by publishers, reporters, literary agents… How fantabulous is that?!
I actually think it’s a scary – and exciting – thought at the same time, really.
Have you watched Julie & Julia? Did you get to see it at the theater, or did you rent it like me? Did you read the book first? Will you read it now? I’m the type of gal who always likes to read the book first, then the movie. I’ve found most times I like the book better. But, that’s just me. 
Oh, and the ShimmerOrganics review/contest is totally in the near future – I’ve just been having some sinus trouble (swollen face and all!) and have no desire to plaster photos of my face on the Web right now. So, now my secret is out: If all goes as planned, I’ll be posting photos of my face before Lisa’s mask, while it’s on, and after it’s washed off. I actually have those already, but I wanted to show y’all before & after photos of a couple more treatments before I shared the review/contest with y’all. A little embarrassing, really, but I’m the guinea pig for y’all, ya know?! Can you wait??!! Pretty please with a (raw) cherry on top?!
And….. you might notice I put a PayPal button up in the left sidebar. I’ve explained a little over there, but I’ll be posting in-depth soon.
Happy Holidays!
Just stopping by? Have you tried my coconut peanut butter honey overnight oats yet? Or maybe you’d like to try your hand at my chocolate-covered raisin hemp balls or raw tuna fish-less salad. And you simply HAVE to try my latest, simple creation: Coconut Peanut Butter Cream. YUM! And don’t forget to take a peek at my Thanksgiving holiday eats + treats – or my interview with ShimmerOrganics owner, Lisa Ann Turkel!
Hi, y’all! So sorry I’ve just left you hanging around without an update!
Hope you’re staying cozy and warm, though! It’s cooooooooooooooold out there, isn’t it?! I’ve had some snow and some very high, very strong (COLD!) wind, plus rain. But I have a woodburning stove – thank goodness!!
Anyway, I do have lots of RAWsome reviews, contests, and recipes (including some of Averie’s recipes!!!!) coming soon. I’ve just been SWAMPED with freelance stuff, holiday preparations, and lots of other stuff – oh my!
I also got overwhelmed, to be honest, and haven’t been feeling my best either. Ugh!
Did you read the book Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously
Oh, and get ready for changes (for the better!) coming in 2010. The site will be transforming to make it easier for you to locate what you’re searching for, and lots more. It’s exciting, folks. I promise!
How are things on your end? Busy with holiday to-do lists? Are you stressed out, or are you enjoying yourself?
Just stopping by? Have you tried my chocolate-covered raisin hemp balls or raw tuna fish-less salad? Or maybe you’d like to try my latest, simple creation: Coconut Peanut Butter Cream. YUM! And don’t forget to take a peek at my Thanksgiving holiday eats + treats or my interview with eco-friendly creator of the raw, vegan beauty mask: ShimmerOrganics owner, Lisa Ann Turkel!
Hi, y’all! Hope your weekend has been fantabulous! I’m just popping in to let you know about a couple of contests I found out about….
Averie, over at the Love Veggies and Yoga blog, is having TWO fantabulous contests!
She’s giving away the Amazing Grass Chocolate Superfood Combo (such a great deal)!
Averie is ALSO having a Kay’s Naturals giveaway – and there’ll be TWO winners!
There’s ELEVEN ways to get your entries in (for BOTH contests!), so hurry up and get yourselves entered!!!
Just stopping by? Have you tried my coconut peanut butter honey overnight oats yet? Or maybe you’d like to try your hand at my chocolate-covered raisin hemp balls or raw tuna fish-less salad. And you simply HAVE to try my latest, simple creation: Coconut Peanut Butter Cream. YUM! And don’t forget to take a peek at my Thanksgiving holiday eats + treats – or my interview with ShimmerOrganics owner, Lisa Ann Turkel!
The last time I tried to make raw flax seed crackers, they ended up being a flop, thus the new Healing With (Raw) Juices category: Raw Flops.
But these… these were NOT a flop!
Delicious Flax Crackers!
I soaked my flax seeds overnight. And this time, I used red and green bell peppers (like the recipe called for). I still used apple in the place of the zucchini – but this time I left the peel on.
Into the Blender
I forgot to take a photo of the other ingredients before I blended ‘em up! But here’s what it looks like when all the ingredients are whipped in the blender….
I added my juicy concoction to the soaked flax seeds….
Then I added the ground flax.
Stirred It Up
HimalaSalt = YUM!
I bought parchment paper this time!
I decided to add a few shakes of Mexican Seasoning to one tray of the mixture.
Here’s the four trays the recipe yields!
Up close
I cranked it up more this time (about 120).
Look at my crackers! Yay!
Some raw flax crackers all plated up. 
Look at how crispy and beautiful!
I used the same recipe for inspiration as last time, from The Raw Food Revolution Diet
I’ve enjoyed these crackers with sliced avocado, by themselves, with a drizzle of agave, a smear of nut butter, with salad…. SO delicious!
This post has actually been set to publish for a few days now, but I noticed Gena (from www.choosingraw.com) just published her raw juice pulp cracker recipe. Do check that out, too! I’m going to make her version as well.
Oh, and I’m also going to make some time to experiment in the coming weeks, and I’ll share the recipes I come up with on my own….
Have you tried your hand at raw crackers yet – with or without a dehydrator? Do you have Cherie’s book? If so, what do you think about it? Do you love it? Have you made good use of it? (I have a review coming up of my copy!)
Remember when I received a package from ShimmerOrganics? You know that one that was all wrapped up in pink (my favorite color)?!
Yeah, that one!
I have already tried this raw beauty mask, but first I wanted to introduce you to the lovely lady who owns ShimmerOrganics. She graciously agreed to an interview so we can learn more about not only the raw beauty masks she created, but about her.
And it’s my pleasure to introduce you to:
Lisa Ann Turkel
Raw Juice Girl: How was your company born?
Lisa: I used to have problem skin with acne and I have tried many different products on the market, including prescription medicine from a dermatologist and over-the-counter products. Nothing worked—and many of them irritated my already sensitive skin. So, I decided to make my own skin care using only organic, raw, and pure ingredients. I did a lot of research, purchased my ingredients and started formulating my mask. And that’s how I created the Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask! I decided to make my organic masks as Christmas gifts for my friends and family, and everyone loved the masks! They all encouraged me to sell them, and that’s how ShimmerOrganics was born! My skin is healthier and looks better than it has ever looked, and it is such a wonderful feeling helping others to have healthy, youthful and beautiful skin!
Raw Juice Girl: Why did you choose the name "ShimmerOrganics" (which I love, by the way!)?
Lisa: I’m so glad that you love the name ShimmerOrganics. My boyfriend gave me the name Shimmer a while back, and I’m all about being organic. So… I put the two together to represent my company!
Raw Juice Girl: What are your company goals?
Lisa: To have a simple, raw and organic beauty skin care line that is affordable, and to help people have healthy, youthful and beautiful skin.
I care deeply about my customers and about creating high quality products. Staying connected with my customers is very important to me. I am passionate about using only the purest and highest quality ingredients.
Raw Juice Girl: Where do you see yourself and your company five years from now?
Lisa: I want to have raw and organic beauty skin care parties and have my products available in natural spas, salons, and other health and beauty businesses and institutes. I also want to have my own charities to help women, children and animals.
Raw Juice Girl: What makes your products different from others on the market?
Lisa: I create my products with love and pure and raw ingredients. I am very passionate about creating pure skin care products. There are many companies that say that their products are natural, organic and pure, but when you read the ingredients, you will find parabens and other synthetic and toxic chemicals. These chemicals are very inexpensive. There are natural antioxidants and preservatives that are safe and work wonderfully, which are the type of antioxidants and preservatives that I use. In my organic clay mask, I use organic essential oils that preserve naturally, and organic raw honey and oils that contain antioxidants and are natural preservatives. What you put on your skin is absorbed into your body. And just like eating healthy is so important, so is using healthy and pure products on your skin. Natural, pure and raw is always best!
Thank you, Lisa, for taking the time to share your heart with us. It’s always nice to learn that a quality product is created by a caring person whose main goal is the happiness and health of their customers. Kudos to you for being such a kind, passionate business owner who truly cares about the environment – and people!
Lisa’s masks are raw, organic, AND vegan. You can purchase her Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask from her online store – and they’re listed as one of THE best holiday gifts for Going Green for the Holidays!
Have you tried the ShimmerOrganics raw beauty masks yet? If you (still) aren’t sure if you’d like to try it, check out Lisa’s ARTISAN BIO on her Artisan Shop to learn more about her vision. Be sure to read the testimonials at the bottom of that page!
Upcoming Review + a Surprise
I’ve had the amazing opportunity to use Lisa’s mask and will be sharing my thorough review in an upcoming post – and there’s a surprise for y’all!!!
References:
Coate-Hermes, Angela Going Green for the Holidays (Raw People)
Just stopping by? Have you tried my coconut peanut butter honey overnight oats yet? Or maybe you’d like to try your hand at my chocolate-covered raisin hemp balls or raw tuna fish-less salad. And you simply HAVE to try my latest, simple creation: Coconut Peanut Butter Cream. YUM!
Hope you had a fantabulous holiday! I sure did.
I know a lot of you are curious about what I ate for Thanksgiving. A part of me feels proud of my choices because I didn’t eat meat and I didn’t eat dressing (aka stuffing).
No animals were harmed for my dinner.
But…
A part of me is disappointed with myself (make sense?) because my Thanksgiving dinner wasn’t 100% raw AND vegan. 
Night Before Turkey Day
On Thanksgiving Eve, my mom had leftover batter from the pineapple upside down cake (she makes hers in a cast iron skillet) and so she made cupcakes.
I wasn’t going to eat one, then I just did – it was the smallest one, though!
That was the first time I’d had any (real) cake since my birthday (in mid-August).
Choices, Choices
Aren’t we are own worst critics? Are you hard on yourself, too? Sometimes I think I’m too hard on myself. Most ALL of the time, other people think I’m too hard on myself.
I’ve been really torn about the direction my eating habits have been going and in an upcoming post, I’m going to share my feelings and plans for 2010. Since I lost my cousins (at such young ages) this year, I’ve really battled emotional eating. I’m going to address emotional eating and my food choices soon…
My Thanksgiving Dinner
I filled my plate with mostly salad: baby spinach leaves, kale, broccoli, carrots, avocado, pink sea salt, drizzle of olive oil, pecans.
Then I decided to have a couple spoonfuls of my mom’s sweet potato casserole, real mashed potatoes, baked pasta, and green bean casserole. And the cranberry sauce isn’t raw either – it’s fresh from the can.
Sounds like a lot – but it really wasn’t that much. I suppose some would say I went overboard; others would say I didn’t eat enough. I am proud that my plate is filled with mostly raw veggies. I ended up not have a vegan Thanksgiving because there’s butter in the mashed potatoes and cheese (+ butter) in the pasta. I don’t think I did that badly, though: I didn’t eat turkey, dressing, or the other stuff available.
Iced tea with stevia
Most importantly on Thanksgiving, though, I enjoyed the company. Good family and friends are hard to come by!
How did your Thanksgiving turn out? Did you get to see family and friends and have a good time? Did you eat all raw or high raw vegetarian/vegan? Did you worry about it? Did you splurge and have cooked foods and maybe even turkey? Did you go all out and work hard on mock raw or vegan options? Tell me all about it!
