All grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorous is bound) in the outer layer or bran. Untreated phytic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron especially zinc in the intestinal track and block their absorption. This is why a diet high in unfermented whole grains may lead to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss. The modern misguided practice of consuming large amounts of unprocessed bran often improves colon transit time at first but may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and, in the long-term, many other adverse effects. Soaking allows enzyme, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid. As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits.
I'm not usually a fan of eating solids for breakfast, for me a smoothie or juice is a perfect start. Sometimes though I get a hankering for something different so I decided to make oatmeal. Raw oatmeal is super easy to make, but it's important to soak them beforehand. Here's an extract from Nourishing Traditions which explains the reason why oats should be soaked -
All grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorous is bound) in the outer layer or bran. Untreated phytic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron especially zinc in the intestinal track and block their absorption. This is why a diet high in unfermented whole grains may lead to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss. The modern misguided practice of consuming large amounts of unprocessed bran often improves colon transit time at first but may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and, in the long-term, many other adverse effects. Soaking allows enzyme, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid. As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits.
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Who doesn't love the creamy tartness of a good lime pie? I remember one summer road tripping to Key West and spending a good couple of days sampling all the variations of the classic key lime pie. Unfortunately, with the sweet condensed milk, butter and all that sugar, it isn't the healthiest of desserts. So I've come up with a raw version that's nut free to boot!
I avoid rice because I am intolerant to this grain, even though I am Chinese and rice has been a stable part of my diet since I was child. One of the things I miss the most is sushi. On a sidenote, Aisuru Sushi (one in Northbridge & one in Subiaco) offers an array of vegan sushi rolls. Since my recent increase usage of cauliflower rice, I have come up with a great raw, vegan alternative to normal sushi rolls. Using the cruciferous vegetable, this dish packs a wallop of health benefits and is a lighter, easily digestible alternative. It's easy to assemble and delicious to eat!
These healthy alternatives taste like a chocolate brownie, seriously, they are amazing. After I had cut them all into square snack sizes and tasted one, I reconsidered blending it back together and making one huge big brownie and devouring the whole thing.
I made this a few weeks ago to with a burrito bowl made with tempeh and cauliflower rice. Coriander is one of the easiest herbs to grow in the garden and I think it's a great herb to add to any dish. Combined with the lime and avocado it's the perfect companionship for tacos, guacamole, salsa, or add it into a salad for a complimentary dressing.
Ginger can be at times an overwhelming spice, but it's full of health benefits and this cheesecake is quite light in taste despite the ginger. I use fresh juiced ginger root but the pear flavour offsets it to make it a wonderful light summery dessert. With the added benefits of pears and cashews, you really can't go wrong with this dessert.
So who doesn't love cheese right? That was one of the hardest things I had to give up, but once I started making raw cheese life was good again! Sometimes I'll use probiotic powder to culture it, but if you want something quick you can just add nutritional yeast to give it that 'cheesy' flavour. This one I did use probiotic powder but you can always omit it and reduce the water. I used macadamia nuts as it has so many health benefits.
Macadamias are high in unsaturated fatty acids and also palmitoleic acids, which actually helps to speed up metabolism and lowers cholesterol.They are an excellent source of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc as well as being rich in vitamins, especially the many B-complex vitamins.
Last night in between coming home from teaching and heading out the door for dinner, I had about 45 mins and I had promised Dad I'd make him an apple pie at some point, which he loves, but of course I'd be coming up with a raw version. Since I didn't have long I decided to keep it simple and following my Christmas theme, cinnamon was thrown into the mix. I had some pre-soaked nuts already, preparation for a cheesecake idea I want to test out so I grabbed some apples and went to work! The result... 15 mins later and a freshly prepared apple pie for dinner!
It's getting closer to the festive season and with that comes the traditional indulgent wining and dining. My goal for the end of the year is to celebrate with a raw vegan twist on the classic Christmas festive foods, so ending the year and starting the new one healthy and happy!
As I child I loved ginger cookies, warm chewy ones straight out the oven with a hot cup of tea. Even though ginger is an ancient powerful medicinal spice, the cookies sold now are full of sugars and contain very little of the real thing, so I came up with a chewy spiced ginger that has all the traditional Christmas flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Fresh ginger is great for digestion, increasing saliva and digestive fluids and have been used for centuries to treat nausea and upset stomach ailments, as well as reducing symptoms associated with motions sickness. It contains potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping with arthritis, relieving swelling and muscle pain. Ginger is also quite heating in the body which traditionally is great for the Christmas season. I put some of mine in the oven under 40˚C for 2hrs and they came out warm and and soft - nothing like a cookie oozing fresh flavours!
During this recent trip stateside and road tripping up the coast of LA I came across several fudge places. In WA we also have several fudge factories and I began to reminiscence about soft buttery toffee fudge that I use to love so much. With my goodbye potluck dinner coming up I thought I could come up with a raw version.
Almonds are a great source of protein and fiber, and are rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium and vitamin E. They contain phosphorus to help build strong bones and teeth and are good for increasing heart health, being low in sugar, reducing the risk of heart attack, helps lowering bad cholesterol and providing healthy unsaturated fats. Dates are free from cholesterol, rich in vitamins and minerals; containing B Vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper. They help in the relief from constipation, intestinal disorders, anemia and stomach cancer. They are great for muscle development and the high level of minerals makes them a great food for bone health and maintaining a healthy nervous system. |
"I am not what happened to me,
I am what I choose to become" Carl Gustave Jung I'm Binny, a full time Bikram Yoga teacher and studio owner that lives in Perth, Australia.
I started this blog to share the things I love the best in the world: being healthy and happy, food (especially raw), yoga, traveling and most importantly, learning how to love and be true to myself. I suffered from severe digestive problems when I was younger, being gluten and lactose intolerant, and developed compartment syndrome and fibromyalgia in my teens. I have lived with constant pain for over 16 years now. Over the past 10 years, I've shifted to a mainly plant based diet and realised that being well and healthy is a way of life. I have been teaching Bikram yoga since 2011, in the US and Australia. Due to my health issues I've also had a lot of bodywork done as well as explored alternative therapies. I've become much more aware of myself as a result of all this - physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Right now I love my life. In my career I love what I do and I do what I love. I have traveled to some amazing places around the world and made lifelong friends. In between working and traveling, I cook up a storm in the kitchen, especially raw desserts, spend time with the people I love the best, which now includes a yoga husband, a mini yogini Estell, and our dog! I try to listen to my body the best I can. I truly believe that we all have the power and the capabilities to heal our own bodies, to nourish the spirit and seek our own happiness and life's purpose. This my journey... Archives
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