The Dirty Dozen

Most of you have heard of the dirty dozen list. Well, did you know that there is a list that has, not only the 12 most pesticide laden produce on it, but also the 15 most clean? Here is a handy little printable guide so you can carry it around with you when you're shopping. There's also a phone app if you're like me and you tend to loose your lists.

http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

Here's also a great video from Dr. Weil on why it's important to choose foods with less pesticides.

Q&A with Raw Melissa - Session One

We got our first question in our Q & A Series on our facebook page from Jennifer. She asked "What snacks can I give to my kids on-the-go?" To read the answers, see the notes on my facebook page. Meanwhile, here are two great recipes for feeding kids on-the-go:

Homemade Granola Bars

7 C of dry ingredients like rolled oats, raisins, pumpkin seeds, pecans, shredded coconut, chopped almonds, chopped dried apricots, rolled quinoa, hulled buckwheat, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, chopped dried pineapple, etc. GET CREATIVE! You can do it!

1 C coconut oil (organic, cold pressed)

3 C dates (soaked in water for 20 minutes)

1 tsp. salt

Drain the dates (set the water aside) and pulse in a food processor until a paste is formed. If it seems too dry, add 1 tsp at a time of the soaking water until you reach a peanut butter-like consistency. Mix all the rest of the ingredients together until well incorporated and then press into a pan lined with wax paper. You can put these in an oven on the lowest heat possible, for 1-2 hours or you can pull them out of the pan with the wax paper and cut and eat as is. It helps to put them in the freezer for a bit to help bring everything together before cutting. You may wrap individual bars in waxed paper and then store them in an airtight container for months.


Homemade Almond Butter (excerpted from my cookbook, available here)

This is probably more appropriately named, “Almond Candy.” Many of the class participants I’ve taught this recipe to have later told me this was much more like a candy than a spread. My favorite way to make it is with honey and walnut oil, although it’s great with almond oil and agave too. Try it with the proverbial celery, or spread it on some apples for a great treat. You may even roll it into long strips, cut it in 2” lengths and wrap it in brown wax paper for a wonderful refrigerator candy. To give it a punch, you may also add 1-3 drops of cinnamon essential oil.

2 C almonds

¼ - ½ C almond or walnut oil

¼ - ½ C honey or agave

1 tsp. vanilla

pinch of salt (optional)

Blend almonds as finely as possible in a high-speed blender (or a food processor). Pour into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir together until thoroughly blended. (Add a small amount of water or more oil if needed, to create a spreadable consistency). You can blend ingredients in a blender if you want a smoother butter, but you’ll need to use the larger amounts of oil and sweetener so it will blend easily. Spread on bread or crackers or use as a dip for apples in as a spread on celery sticks.

Thanks again for your question Jennifer. Keep them coming!

photos by Jefra Starr Linn

Question and Answer Sessions with Raw Melissa

I had the opportunity to attend the Start Up Princess event, Touchpoint, on Friday. I got to interact with tons of amazing women because I had a booth (we sold out of macaroons!) and as usual, I was asked many questions about nutrition and whole food eating and cooking. I love it when people feel comfortable enough to ask their questions because I appreciate being able to share the knowledge I've gained over years of research and experience, as it often enables the individual to be able to make one more change toward a better life.

It doesn't take much to get started on a path of purposeful eating, and if you've got a question or two that would help you, I really want to hear it! So, I decided to start Question and Answer Sessions on Facebook.com/rawmelissa and on my twitter account (@rawmelissa). If you've got a question, please feel free to ask on either platform. You may also ask here in the comments section.

Can't wait to read your burning questions!

Always love,
Melissa

Cookbook Signing Tomorrow

Many of you have asked if you can purchase a cookbook at the signing if you haven't already pre-purchased one. Of course!

I'll be at the Good Earth in American Fork to sign pre-purchased and just-purchased copies of FAVES: Fruits and Veggies, Energy's Secret and I'll also be giving out vanilla and chocolate covered macaroons! You definitely won't want to miss that.

Also, just to let you know, the cookbook presale was a HUGE success. I thank you all so much for your support! Hope to see you tomorrow. :)

In peace and health,
Melissa

St. George Fresh Food Workshop!

Eat More Fresh Fruits

& Vegetables and LOVE it!

Join us for a Fresh Food Preparation Workshop

September 25, 2010 from 10:30am-3:30pm

in Beautiful St. George Utah

Taught by Melissa of rawmelissa.com and

Christopher Stefanciw, former chef of Maestro’s Cafe

The cost is just $80 for the whole day, PLUS, just for registering,

you get a Free Package of Chocolate Covered Macaroons!

At the workshop you’ll receive:

°Over 4-hours of Fresh Food Prep Instruction

°You're free package of Chocolate Covered Macaroons

°TONS of Samples &

°A Packet of Handouts and Recipes

Email: heather@rawmelissa.com to register today!

rawmelissa.com

My Cookbook is Finally Done! Yay!

After two years and a lot of work, my cookbook is finally done. We're having a ten-day pre-sale starting today for all those who'd like to get in on it! Here's the info:

This is a beautiful little cookbook full of fresh recipes that will please you and your family. It's got a beautiful glossy cover filled with photos and beautiful illustrations as well as several pages of facts about the nourishing foods included in the recipes. The paper is thick with a "raw" texture and the layout is extraordinary. You'll find six sections: light meals, desserts, salads, salsas, sauces and dips and smoothies, all fresh and delicious. My favorites are the famous Thai Nut Sauce, Lime Mousse, Winter Tomato Sauce, the Raspberry Basil Smoothie, the No Bake No Bake Chocolate Cookies and, well, I like all the recipes and I think you will, too.
I'll be at the American Fork Good Earth on September 18th from 11am-4pm to sign copies and give out free vanilla and chocolate covered macaroons! If you purchase a cookbook here (see paypal icon in the left side-bar) at the discounted pre-sale price, you can pick it up that day or you may pay for shipping and we'll ship it to you. Just be sure to include your name and address.

Love to all,
Melissa

More Workshops! So Fun!

Local and Seasonal Food Made Easy
Date: July 31st, 2010
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
Where: Jacob's Cove Heritage Farm (1526 South Geneva Road Orem, Utah
(35 minutes south of Salt Lake just off of Exit 269)
What you'll learn: Cherry Tomato Salad with Red Pepper Flakes and Radish, Garlic Sweet Peas with Prosciutto, Homemade Pasta with Wilted Arugula, and Summer Squash Raisin and Nut Muffins
Cost: $20

Local and Seasonal Food Made Easy
Date: August 14th, 2010
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
Where: Jacob's Cove Heritage Farm (1526 South Geneva Road Orem, Utah
(35 minutes south of Salt Lake just off of Exit 269)
What you'll learn: Caprese Salad (Mozzarella, Basil and Tomato), Colored Pepper and Yellow Squash Saute over Millet, Roasted Beets and Broiled Green Beans with Lemon, Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Cinnamon
Cost: $20

Local and Seasonal Food Made Easy
Date: August 28th, 2010
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
Where: Jacob's Cove Heritage Farm (1526 South Geneva Road Orem, Utah
(35 minutes south of Salt Lake just off of Exit 269)
What you'll learn: Gazpacho (cold cucumber and tomato soup), Italian Checca Sauce, Eggplant Rollatini, Sweet Yellow Pepper Muffins with Ginger and Currants
Cost: $20

Local and Seasonal Food Made Easy
Date: September 11th, 2010
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
Where: Jacob's Cove Heritage Farm (1526 South Geneva Road Orem, Utah
(35 minutes south of Salt Lake just off of Exit 269)
What you'll learn: Balkan Cucumber Salad, Odessa Beets with Lemon, Quick Walnut Bread, Pickled Eggs, Honey Butternut Squash Puree with Nutmeg
Cost: $20

Local and Seasonal Food Made Easy (Taught by Jen of Delightful Delicacies)
Date: September 25th, 2010
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
Where: Jacob's Cove Heritage Farm (1526 South Geneva Road Orem, Utah
(35 minutes south of Salt Lake just off of Exit 269)
What you'll learn: TBA
Cost: $20

Expect to get generous samples of each of the foods listed! We can only take 15 participants in each of these classes so sign up QUICKLY. A BIG THANK YOU TO JACOB'S COVE HERITAGE FARM for supplying all the produce and the location for the above classes!

Fresh Food Full-Day Workshop
Date: September 25th, 2010
Time: 10:30am-3:30pm
Where: St. George, Utah
What you'll learn: Several fresh salads, condiments, entrees and desserts to help you get more fresh foods into your life
Cost: $80

Expect to get abundant samples of each dish. We can only take 20 participants in this class so sign up quickly!

To register, either:

1) Send a check to: Raw Melissa, P.O. Box 721, Springville UT 84663. Include your name, email address, phone number, and date of class you'll be attending.

OR

2) PayPal the class fee to us at register@rawmelissa.com. BEFORE you hit "send money" please scroll down and fill out the "email to recipient" section with your name, email address, phone number, and date of class you'll be attending, in the body of the email. Then hit "send money."

We will send you a confirmation of your registration in the class as soon as we receive your information.