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Superfood: Bee Pollen and so much more!

6/10/2012

2 Comments

 
June 10, 2012

SUPERFOOD: Bee pollen

Equipment: Vitamix blenders and Spiralizers

Fiber

Recipes: raw zucchini pasta with marinara sauce and cashew parmesan “cheese”

One more great raw food website

Again, quoting from David Wolfe’s book, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future, this week I offer material on bee pollen.  Let me begin by saying I’ve cured myself of seasonal allergies using bee pollen.  It acts like an immunization shot, exposing our bodies to a little of the allergen so that our immune system can build up tolerance.  The usual protocol for this is to begin with 2-3 grains of bee pollen, twice a day.  If no allergy symptoms occur, increase this amount SLOWLY until you are taking one teaspoon am and pm.  Continue for an entire year.  Be certain that the bee pollen is local (I use pollen from Hackenberg Apiaries from Lewisburg, but purchase at the Natural Food and Garden Store.) Here is David Wolfe’s take on bee pollen:

It is an alkaline food considered to be one of the most complete foods found in nature.

High antioxidant levels.

Increases strength, endurance, energy and speed, quick recovery time from exercise, increases muscle growth.

**Reduces the production of histamine, thus neutralizing many allergies.

High in B vitamins to boost the immune system.  Helps in treating asthma, constipation, bronchitis and sinusitis.

Bee pollen is granular and sulphurish yellow in color.  The grains are large and should be somewhat moist.  I put mine in the morning smoothie – you will NEVER taste it!  I’ve also eaten bee pollen in applesauce or yogurt.

Anyone who suffers with seasonal plant-based allergies should give bee pollen a try.  It can trigger an allergic response so be very, very VERY careful when you first start taking it!

 Equipment necessary to be a happy raw foodie:   I have a lot of equipment, which makes my raw food lifestyle easy!  However, this can get a little $$, and I’ve been at this for nearly 5 years.  People often ask me if I had to chose just one piece of equipment, what would it be?  A VITAMIX blender – hands down!  These blenders are expensive, but… I’ve had mine for five years, I use it 3-10 times every day, and it does an amazing job!  Repairs and shipping are free, Vitamix is an awesome company.  I use it for smoothies, raw veggie and nut sauces, making nut butter, make raw cracker batter, make raw pizza batter, and soup.  For me, being raw isn’t even possible without a Vitamix.  The website is vitamix.com where you can watch videos and learn about the many things this blender can do.  Additionally, Vitamix now offer reconditioned (previously used) blenders for a substantial discount from new.

The other piece of equipment I absolutely LOVE is called a Spiralizer.  It is inexpensive and basically makes spaghetti-shaped strands out of raw zucchini.  Raw zucchini has absolutely NO taste, and therefore makes a great “raw” carb-free, vitamin rich pasta!

Purchase from: http://www.amazon.com/World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade-Vegetable/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337964974&sr=8-2

Watch how to use it here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIGD_FSFNQ&feature=related

Here is a great recipe for raw zucchini pasta with marinara sauce:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTZ8qgNsl6s

A few tricks I’ve learned which I think makes a better “pasta” – cut your zucchini noodles into 4 inch lengths, put in a bowl and coat with a little olive oil and salt.  Let sit for 10 minutes, then go ahead and add sauce, etc.  I use zucchini noodles to make delicious Indonesian Pad Thai or Spaghetti Alfredo. 

The cashew parmesan cheese is super easy to make: 

1 cup cashews

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 clove garlic

Chop all this up in a food processor or blender, store in fridge. 

Fiber… the “delicate” subject people don’t want to talk about.  I will spare you all kinds of personal stories and just tell you that I use a raw fiber, twice per day in my shakes.  It’s an awesome product.  Name of the product is Garden of Life Raw Organic Fiber.  I’ve found the best price from Swasonvitamins.com.

Finally, here is another favorite raw food website created by author and raw foodist, Candice Davis.  What I especially love about Candice and her information is that her recipes are clean, easy, minimal prep time and delicious!  She is common sense and practicality through and through.  Candice also crafts an excellent newsletter, for which you can register on her website.  Best of all, Candice is an absolutely gorgeous testimony to the power of a raw food diet.

Here’s her site: therawdifference.com.  

I am currently studying the Raw Food Chef Course from Russell James.  Here are some of the absolutely delicious things I’ve made lately:  caramelized onions, pineapple cilantro dressing, chocolate torte, Indonesian Pad Thai, marinara sauce and spiced sunflower seeds.  As I study, learn and test the recipes on myself, I will pass along and share with you.

Thanks for reading!

2 Comments
Ashley
6/25/2012 09:44:52 am

Thank you for sharing! I am a vegan, but try to eat raw 2 out of 3 meals. I am looking forward to saving up to buy a vitamix, as my juicer came first!! Happy "un"cooking! :)

Reply
nancy giuntini
6/29/2012 06:04:53 am

Ahsley, that's an excellent way to eat! One is considered "high raw" if they eat 85-90% raw, which you do! Good for you! Do save for the Vitamix... I absolutely could NOT do this were it not for my beloved red Vitamix! It definitely gets a workout with me - no days off, unless I'm not here! Thank you for reading and posting!

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