Articles in the Farm Category

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!

Hello! How’s your day going? Mine is fantabulous so far. Mr. Sunshine is visiting today. How very kind of him – yay!

Anyway, a while back, Danica from www.DanicasDaily.com hosted The Great Pumpkin Giveaway. I entered. There were THREE winners – and I was one of ‘em! 

My Package from Danica

I love that she sent her (nicely typed) recipe and a beautiful, kind letter. Thank you, Danica! I love my prize – and all the thought you put into it!

The pumpkin butter was put to good use right away. The family had it smeared on pancakes. I’m trying to avoid those, so I swiped a spoonful straight from the jar. *giggles*

I have to say this, though: Trader Joe’s has nothing on my mom’s homemade pumpkin butter! (But, I could be a tad bit bias.)

Turkey Day

A lot of you are wondering if I’ll eat turkey on Thanksgiving. I’ve received emails and messages and questions on social media sites.

The answer is no.

There have been times over the past few years that I’ve allowed a little fish or turkey into my diet. I’ve been at minimum 75% raw and the majority of the time, I’m 90-100% raw most every day.

But after studying meat and fish for articles I’ve written (and for personal curiosity) and coming across such heartfelt, informative articles (such as Gena’s Reconsidering Veganism at ThanksLIVING at Choosing Raw) I’ve found it very easy to reevaluate my level of Raw Foodism and have really thrown myself into focusing on raw food, my health, and am working very, very hard to learn to be at peace with others’ perception of the way I choose to eat. Gena’s article really resonated deeply within my soul and I thank her (from the bottom of my heart) for sharing that beautifully written post – and for all the effort she pours into her entire site. (Thank you, Gena!!)

Here a Turkey, There a Turkey

I thought I’d start by showing you my pet turkeys: Gobbles and Goblet.

How could I eat Gobbles or Goblet? Nope. Not happening!

What Will this Raw Vegan Eat?

Honestly? I don’t know yet! I’ve searched my heart (and raw, Vegan recipes!) and have decided that I’m simply not going to worry about it. The holidays are a time to come together with precious friends and family and laugh, talk, catch up, and just be. It’s a time to reflect on grandparents, parents, siblings, or other relatives and friends who are no longer with us – an opportunity to cherish all those memories that we hold deep in our hearts.

Thanksgiving is about forgetting about material possessions and being thankful for all those things that have nothing to do with food, things that money can’t buy – like hugs, kisses, laughter, joy, and sparkles in the eyes of those you love.

Sure, I’m thinking of making a raw pecan dessert. And maybe a raw coconut cream pie dessert. I’ll probably just have a ginormous salad with a few nuts and other yummy toppings. I might nab a bite of momma’s sweet potato casserole….

But overall, I’m pleased to just be entering this Thanksgiving with a purpose: to enjoy my family and friends and just be in the moment.

I will try to take photos and document what I eat, though – I’ll blog about it later.

If you’re super interested in a true raw, Vegan Thanksgiving menu, check out Gena’s. It RAWks! Averie’s raw, Vegan ideas are RAWkin’ too!

I’m Thankful For

1. my faith
2. my heritage
3. two living parents who’ve been together for close to 40 years*
4. a warm, cozy home
5. family and friends
6. the best brother in the world
7. that I’ve maintained a 100+ weight loss for a few years now
8. that I survived domestic violence and can be an inspiration to others, that they can too
9. for blog readers who are so encouraging, inspiring, sweet, and loyal
10. for another Thanksgiving to reflect on memories and cherish the new ones
11. and soooooooooooooo much more!!!!

What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Will you be traveling? Or, is family and friends traveling to your house? Will you be preparing a turkey? Even if you aren’t going to eat it? Are you stressing over food, or like me, are you just feeling blessed to have special people to spend the day with?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Stay safe, laugh often, and enjoy the moment!!!!

*I meant to write living, not loving – although they are!

By

Michele L. Tune

Yes, you read that title right. I’m confessing that I’m living on an Amish farm…. I know you’ve wondered where I have been, why posts haven’t been published as often as they used to, and why the juicing ebooks are still on hold.  So, now you know why: I’m living on an Amish farm–without electricity! Amazing, eh?

Check out the windmill. Isn’t it beautiful?

Photo Copyright 2009 HealingwithJuices.com All Rights Reserved

Freelancing is pretty crazy on an Amish farm. Cherish your office. Seriously. I’ve somehow managed to get my assignments in on time, though.

If you’re thinking this is crazy, imagine how I feel. I still can’t comprehend the fact that I’m actually living in an Amish-built house on an Amish farm–without electricity. Did I mention there’s no electricity? Well, the Amish don’t wire their homes. There’s no plug ends, no light switches, no super duper easy and convenient modern amenities…

So, here’s the million dollar question: why? Why would I give up convenience? That’s what you want to know, right? Well, haven’t you ever wished you could sit on an old-fashioned porch in the country where life is simple, days are quiet, and you can sip iced tea while watching the clothes gently sway this way and that on a clothes line like your grandmother talked about? Have you dreamt of lessening your carbon footprint, doing more to preserve the environment, and living as green as you possibly can?

I realize this life isn’t for everyone. Some days I think it isn’t for me either. But for all the sacrifices, there are so many more rewards. Yes, sometimes I think I’d pay a million dollars for a plug end if I had that much money to spare. Other days I realize how truly blessed I am and wouldn’t trade my life–missing plug ends and all!–for all the money or anything in the world.

Your second question is probably: so, how do you get on the Internet;  how do you charge your laptop? (Okay, that’s TWO questions.) Well, there’s an answer for them, too! For the Internet, I use a USB modem. It is limited, though, so sites like YouTube really gobble up the usage I’m allowed. And I charge my laptop compliments of solar panels and/or wind generators. Yes, the sun and wind are awesome resources and although it still blows my mind that the sun and wind can charge a panel and travel through a wire to then juice my laptop up with energy so I can continue writing and blogging, I’m forever grateful that it’s possible! It’s almost like magic, really.

There you have it. This is my confession. And, let me tell you… Amish living is HARD WORK!! The Amish community is fascinating, though–and yes, horses and buggies are to and fro all the time!

What’s that? You wish you could read even more about life on an Amish farm? Really? You’re in luck! A new blog is in the works. It’ll document day-to-day events on an Amish farm. I’ll be sharing the link here when it’s live. Be sure to subscribe (see the end of this post or the top of the sidebar to your left, for subscription options) so you can be one of the first to visit!

In writing news…

I have a couple of stories in the latest Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader: Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader. One of the stories is about how the Amish lifestyle is eco-friendly! You can check it out–or pre-order by clicking on the previous title, the book below or the link following it.

(Available for pre-order HERE.)

Next time, we’ll get back on topic with raw juices, smoothies, and juice fasting–promise!

Don’t miss out on upcoming posts! Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get  free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.

Thoughts? What’s going through your mind right now? Spill the beans!