Tag Archive for: lifestyle

Featured Superfood – Green Powder Blend Vitamineral Greens

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High-Quality Organic is a ‘must’ with Superfoods!

Did you know that low quality superfoods can legally use cheap ‘fillers’ and low quality ingredients? Especially when buying Superfoods, beware of low quality green food products. There is not currently a lot of regulation on these powders. Many superfood companies are taking advantage of that, offering high-priced products with lots of cheap fillers and very small amounts of pure ingredient. Watch for added fillers such as rice powder, bran, oats, apple pectin, barley malt, large amounts of lecithin or added sugar. This is an example of when 100% organic really does make a difference. Be sure your superfood is 100% certified organic!

Vitamineral Greens Powder Superfood

I recommend Health Force Nutritionals Vitamineral Green as an all-over high-mineral high-quality superfood to add to your Green Smoothies. The quality is superb – 100% TruGanic (beyond organic), 100% pure Super foods. Nothing added, No fillers, not Diluted. No synthetics. Just like we like it! You don’t have to be Raw or Vegan to experience the benefits of this product.

A green powder blend is a great addition to any diet because it helps you to build your mineral reserve, increases the variety of green you are getting on a daily basis, provides extra chlorophyll in the diet, adds a good source of vegan protein and helps to maintain a healthy alkaline pH.

Some people even claim to have a reduction in sugar cravings when adding high-mineral green powder blend to their diet. Read this testimonial:

‘I have used this product with great results. After one week using 1 tablespoon per day, I noticed a huge drop in cravings. I didn’t crave sweets or junk. I was just simply not hungry. This can probably be attributed to high mineral content within the product. I have read that constant food cravings are related to mineral deficiencies. Maybe its mind over matter. Either way it works.’

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Featured Superfood – Green Powder Blend Vitamineral Greens

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High-Quality Organic is a ‘must’ with Superfoods!

Did you know that low quality superfoods can legally use cheap ‘fillers’ and low quality ingredients? Especially when buying Superfoods, beware of low quality green food products. There is not currently a lot of regulation on these powders. Many superfood companies are taking advantage of that, offering high-priced products with lots of cheap fillers and very small amounts of pure ingredient. Watch for added fillers such as rice powder, bran, oats, apple pectin, barley malt, large amounts of lecithin or added sugar. This is an example of when 100% organic really does make a difference. Be sure your superfood is 100% certified organic!

Vitamineral Greens Powder Superfood

I recommend Health Force Nutritionals Vitamineral Green as an all-over high-mineral high-quality superfood to add to your Green Smoothies. The quality is superb – 100% TruGanic (beyond organic), 100% pure Super foods. Nothing added, No fillers, not Diluted. No synthetics. Just like we like it! You don’t have to be Raw or Vegan to experience the benefits of this product.

A green powder blend is a great addition to any diet because it helps you to build your mineral reserve, increases the variety of green you are getting on a daily basis, provides extra chlorophyll in the diet, adds a good source of vegan protein and helps to maintain a healthy alkaline pH.

Some people even claim to have a reduction in sugar cravings when adding high-mineral green powder blend to their diet. Read this testimonial:

‘I have used this product with great results. After one week using 1 tablespoon per day, I noticed a huge drop in cravings. I didn’t crave sweets or junk. I was just simply not hungry. This can probably be attributed to high mineral content within the product. I have read that constant food cravings are related to mineral deficiencies. Maybe its mind over matter. Either way it works.’

More on Healthy Living:

Raw Food, Vegan and Organic Options in Seoul, Korea

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There is hope. You can find some healthy restaurants and vegan, organic foods in Korea. Hopefully this guide will help get you started.

Loving Hut Mushroom Salad

For a healthy vegan restaurant, be sure to check out the Loving Hut. They have a nice green salad which is all raw, and 2 mushroom salads which are not raw but I do recommend that you give them a try. According to their mission statement, they put loving intention into their food. I’m going to honest and say that I don’t think they are MSG-free, so watch out for those vegan sausages, soy proteins and other flavored faux meats. The Loving Hut also sells some vegan cakes, vegan bread, vegan ice cream and some organic body products too. There are locations throughout South Korea and many in the Seoul area.

The Loving Hut
http://lovinghut.kr
Locations throughout Seoul (check website)

Cafe des Verts, Seoul

If you are looking for organic coffee, there are a few options. One is Cafe des Verts in Gangnam-gu. They have organic coffee to enjoy in the cafe but also sell it to take home. 18,000 KRW will get you 200 grams of organic coffee from either Colombia, Ethiopia or Brazil.

On their online shop, they have the organic coffee and also many organic teas for sale including Organic Blueberry Rooibos Tea. Remember, if you are doing coffee enemas, you absolutely should be using organic coffee!

Cafe des Verts
http://www.verts.co.kr/
2F Donghoon Tower, Gangnam-gu (check website for other locations)

Another place for organic coffee in Seoul is the Cafe Il Cipriana in the Jongno-gu area. This is a quiet little cafe tucked just off the main road, and they sell all organic coffee, smoothies, salads and panini sandwiches.

Cafe Il Capriani
10-6 Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu
+82 (0) 2 762 5825

Organic Veggie Store

Between the Angsuk Station Exit 2 and Cipriana, I found another Organic Store selling fresh produce and some products. The produce looked very good and I would definitely recommend that, but the packaged items they sell were a bit of a mix, and many of them are things which I would not ‘approve’ as healthy. Just an example to not trust all items in a shop because the sign outside says ‘organic.’ Look for hidden sugars and MSG for sure. They did have Olive Leaf Extract though which I highly recommend as a natural anti-biotic and immune booster.

If you are looking for supplements, try the Noble Shop. They have flax oil capsules, vegan B12 tablets and Evening Primrose Oil amongst other things. They also carry some good body products, including the ‘Kiss my Face’ line, Lamas Beauty and an entire range of make-up products that were not tested on animals. On their website, I even found a Garden of Life at-home Detox Kit called ‘Raw Cleanse’ for 70,000 KRW!

The Noble Shop in Korea
http://veganshop.co.kr/

Hansalim store in Seoul

Another good resource for organic body and home products and also organic fruit and veggies is the Hansalim Store. They probably have the best prices of all of the places I visited, so I highly recommend them. The only catch is that you have to be a member to buy there, and I think you need to be a permanent resident of Korea. So try to find someone who can sign up for you – it will be well worth it. They do home delivery for members and you can also order from their website.

Hansalim
http://www.hansalim.or.kr/
Many locations throughout South Korea (check website)

Don’t forget that in normal supermarkets throughout Seoul you can buy buckwheat noodles for just 5,000 KRW. This is a great alternative to wheat for anyone cooking at home.

Finally, a new service has just recently been launched in Seoul and that is fresh organic fruits and vegetables home delivery service. This I highly recommend – I mean, how could they make it any easier?! The project is called Veggie Hill, and they work with local farmers outside of Seoul to get the best quality fruit and veggies. You can order by email, phone or online.

Veggie Hill
http://veggiehill.com/
010 2781 0772

For information on yoga classes, healthy events and to buy Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamps, check out the Mind, Body Seoul Studio in Itaewon.

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Top 10 Surprising Causes of Constipation

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‘Insufficient bowel function results in a variety of chronic and degenerative diseases. Cleansing and rebuilding the bowel should be one of the most important goals of anyone who has become health conscious. When the bowel functions optimally, then and only then can the liver and every other organ have the ability to also function optimally.’

– Dr. Richard Anderson

All information in this article is for educational purposes only.
It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

When your colon is healthy, you should be having at least one bowel movement per day. It should be soft and easy to pass. Constipation can make a person feel irritable, uncomfortable, tired, weak and toxic. Over time, it can lead to a condition known as ‘auto-intoxication’ where the feces can start to re-infect the body. Yuck!

Top 10 Surprising Causes of Constipation

1. Under-Active Thyroid

2. Painkillers

3. Fast Food

4. Supplements (Iron & Calcium)

5. Laxative Overuse

6. Too much Dairy

7. Anti-depressants

8. Depression

9. Antacids

10. Blood pressure, Allergy medicines & Anti-histamines

It’s important to know some of the lesser known contributors to a slow-moving colon. Many medications have constipation as a side effect. A slower metabolism (thyroid) can slow bowel function. Dairy products act like ‘glue’ in an already sluggish colon. Depression can slow down metabolism and therefore contribute to the problem. Some vitamins and mineral supplements, especially iron and calcium, will slow down bowel movements. If used for long periods of time, stimulant laxatives can lead to dependence, meaning your body simply won’t function properly without them.

Fast food is high in fat, sugar and calories but low in fiber. Eating too much fast food will cause chronic constipation. Low-fiber fast foods include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, fried chicken, fried fish, french fries, pizza, tacos, milkshakes and mozzarella sticks.

Clean Colon = Good Health

Focusing on getting your colon moving is an investment in good health for life. Anyone who has ever taken antibiotics or eaten refined sugars, pesticides, processed foods, artificial flavor enhancers, preservatives, color additives, fried foods or free radicals is an excellent candidate for a good colon cleanse. One should clean their colon at least once a year. Ideally, every six months is best.

In between cleansing, eat a diet high in fiber and low in processed, refined and fried foods. Drink plenty of water.

Consider taking probiotics to re-balance the natural balance of good bacteria in the gut (especially after antibiotics). Exercise to get the metabolism moving. Love your colon and it will love you!

It’s that easy!

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Raw Food Snack: Recipe for Sesame Balls or ‘Raw Halva’ Dessert

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Sesame Balls

This is my ‘healthy’ version of Halva, a very popular and traditional Middle Eastern Dessert made with ground sesame and sugar. In this version, we will use raw sesame seeds and raw honey or agave (whichever you prefer). This is a great snack for kids and it’s healthy! Sesame seeds are a great natural vegan source of calcium.

Raw Sesame Ball Yum!

How to Make Halva – Raw Sesame Balls

  1. In a mini food processor, first blend/grind:
    • ½ cup organic raw white sesame seeds
    • small dash of Himalayan Salt
  2. Then add 3-4 Tablespoons Raw honey (or agave nectar) and blend again. Add more sweetener if the mixture is too dry. The mixture should be moist enough to roll into small balls (about the size of a walnut).
  3. Place a handful of whole sesame seeds on a plate and roll each ball (walnut size ball) onto whole seeds to coat the ball with sesame for a nice, appetizing look.

Sesame balls topped with goji berry or mulberry,
Cacao version rolled in raw coconut flakes

You can decorate each Raw Halva Sesame Ball with goji berries, raisins or dried mulberries. To get even more creative, try adding raw cacao powder for a Raw Chocolate Sesame Ball Dessert…yum!

Serve and enjoy! This recipe is so fast and easy, you will be amazed. I have shared this with family, friends and at raw food potlucks and it is always a favorite.

Affirmation: ‘I accept myself for where I am on my journey knowing that just being on the path is a good thing!’

More Raw Food Desserts:

Super Energy Raw Cabbage Salad Recipe – A mini-detox meal

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Featured in this recipe is the Super Energy Salad, one of my favorite Raw Food Salads. I often make this for friends, and they love it too!

The ingredients are easy for you to find no matter where you live in the world.

Super Energy and Super Taste in this yummy raw food creation!

Super Energy Salad (serves 2):

Salad Ingredients:
4 cups Finely Chopped Green Cabbage
1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
2 Roma Tomatoes, Quartered

Dressing:
Blend together in a Blender or Mini-Food Processor:
1-2 fresh cloves garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup Tahini (if you don’t have, try a nut butter like almond butter)
2-4 tablespoons water or more (to thin dressing if desired)
Pinch teaspoon Himalayan salt (to taste)

Toss cabbage and parsley with the dressing before serving.
Place the roma tomatoes on the side and drizzle some dressing around the plate for garnish and appeal.

Another way to serve this delicious Raw Cabbage and Parsley salad – yum!

This is a great cleansing salad thanks to the healing power of parsley and cabbage. Parsley is an excellent internal cleanser, it’s high in Vitamin C and calcium and is very strengthening for the kidneys.

This is a true cleansing salad, a natural detox, as Mother Nature intended!

Cabbage is a food naturally high in sulfur which makes it a powerful cleanser for the body. Sulfur foods help the body to clear out environmental toxins, chemicals and even some heavy metals. Cabbage is also very good for digestion and for strengthening the colon.

Healthy Habits Check

Have you been…

  • Making one new raw food meal per week?
  • Experimenting with foods you have never tried before?
  • Sharing your creations with family and friends?

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The Happiness Factor: Eat well but don’t forget to have fun & enjoy life too!

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Being healthy is fun. Having energy to enjoy life is what it’s all about. Yes, being healthy is the best part of being alive!

Joy is also Bliss!

So what exactly does being healthy mean? I spend a lot of time working with people to get their physical body back into alignment – strengthening organs, detoxing, rebuilding mineral and vitamin reserve and teaching clean and natural living.

But, there is another very important element in the overall health equation, and that is The Happiness Factor.

Everything in life is always about balance. Yes, we need to respect our body as the physical temple to our soul and give it only the best foods from Mother Earth. And we also need to give it the best thoughts too!

What I would like to say to everyone is this: Have some fun on your healing journey!

How you have fun is up to you, but I can tell you that being sober and healthy is actually more enjoyable than the alternative. It’s a wonderful feeling to be confident in your natural self, to engage deeply with others on a soul-spirit level, to laugh from the center of your core, and to wake up feeling clear, fresh and alive, ready to start another day!

Having fun is essential for good health!

‘Fun’ does not always have to be centered around drugs or alcohol. You can have amazing fun playing in nature, going hiking, camping, or skiing, swimming, reading a great book, watching a funny movie or just having a laugh with friends. Think about trying something new for yourself this year – find a way to have fun that is healthy for your body, mind and spirit!

Can you imagine how wonderful it would feel to be happy in your heart and also in your stomach, when you are giving yourself the best thoughts, feelings and foods?

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Especially if you are over-worked, too stressed, suffering from depression or anxiety or just generally not feeling joyous in your life anymore, it’s time to look at making some lifestyle change. Fun, love and laughter are all healing energies for the body!

Plan a day for yourself this month, a day just for you, a healthy day on every level of consciousness, where you also do something you have never done before, something challenging, new and fun!! You may get interested in a new hobby for life and make new friends along the way too!

More on Motivation:

Green Smoothie Recipes and Inspiration

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New healthy habit: Drink one Green Smoothie every day. No more excuses. Time to experience the Green Smoothie Power!

General recommendations for Green Smoothies:

Green Smoothie Bliss!

  • Blend 60% fruit to 40% greens.
  • Use 2 varieties of fruit and up to 2 types of greens.
  • Blend different fruits and greens every day.

HAPPY MORNING SMOOTHIE:

  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • 3 bananas
  • ½ fresh pineapple
  • ½ lime squeezed
  • ½ cup water

FIBER BLEND SMOOTHIE:

  • 5-6 leaves large kale
  • ½ bunch parsley
  • 1 Tbsp. cold-pressed hemp oil
  • 1 Tbsp. ground hemp protein
  • 2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
  • 1 red apple
  • 2 cups red grapes
  • ½ lemon squeezed
  • ½ cup water

QUICK CLEANSE SMOOTHIE:

  • 1 bunch celery leaves
  • ½ bunch parsley
  • 2 cups fresh papaya
  • 2 cups fresh pineapple
  • ½ cup water

GREEN BLISS SMOOTHIE:

  • 2 Large handfuls of kale
  • 2 lemons, squeezed
  • 1 avocado
  • ¼ cup water

Enjoy these wonderful creations made from the healing foods of Mother Earth and blended especially with love!

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Setting Goals & Intentions: Creating Positive Manifestations

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Sit in a quiet and safe space and take a moment to feel the gratitude of abundance for everything which you already have in life, then allow yourself to fully feel all the love you are currently receiving and giving in life.

With those vibrations gently running through your body, you are in the perfect position to begin the process of manifesting what you really want.

Visualize everything you desire as if you already have it, thanking your Divine Source for all the wondrous abundance and love you are receiving.

Every day take a moment to visualize yourself in that place. Watch in awe how you will begin to attract the people you need to meet and be offered the opportunities you desire in order to make everything you wish for a reality!

Think about getting a Manifestation Crystal to amplify your requests for life and positive change and help bring about very quick manifestations. It should be a special crystal which has a high energy charge, which is particularly effective in releasing energy blockages.

More on Spiritual Health:

Feature Elimination Organ: Kidneys

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Parsley is great for kidneys

The kidneys are an important eliminatory organ for overall body health. They regulate the body’s fluid volume, mineral composition and acidity levels. By eliminating wastes and adjusting fluid balance, the kidneys play an essential part in maintaining homeostasis in the body.

All information in this article is for educational purposes only.
It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

If your kidneys are stressed or toxic, you may start to experience problems with lower back pain, elevated uric acid levels and even kidney stones. The kidneys can easily get overloaded with debris from unfiltered water, protein overdose (too much meat in the diet), and chemicals from low quality, de-vitalized food. Crystals can then form in urine from the various salts that build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. Eventually these crystals become large enough to form stones in the kidney. And that can be a painful experience!

Drink more water!

Remember that all of your organs are working together at all times, so be aware that a sluggish or toxic colon will automatically put stress on the kidneys and other organs. Anytime you do a cleanse, you are giving all your organs a chance to rest and renew. You may want to also consider doing some additional cleansing specifically for the kidneys.

On a daily basis, drink more water! Water is the main avenue that the kidneys have to flush out acids and toxins, so give it a good supply!

If you experience any lower back pain, discoloration or cloudiness in the urine, or even early symptoms of gout, it is important eat a cleaner diet, staying away from salty, flavored potato chips, excessive meats (especially red meat) and to support the kidneys with parsley tea, juniper berry tea or uva ursi tea.

Once a year, you may want to do a kidney cleanse, especially after having done a colon cleanse. You can buy kidney cleansing supplements in health food stores, already blended into a 2-week supply for your use. During that time, avoid coffee and alcohol. Try to eat supporting foods for the kidneys, especially parsley. Drink plenty of clean, filtered, good quality water.

Send your kidneys love and they will reward you with good health for life!

More on Lymphatic Detox/Cleansing:

Raw Food Recipe – Delicious Waldorf Salad

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WALDORF SALAD Recipe – Vegan & Raw (serves 2)

Yummy Recipe for Raw Food Salad: Waldorf Salad

Ingredients:

  • 2 apples (any style)
  • 3 celery stalks
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins, ideally soaked for 2-3 hours (can replace with dried cranberries as well)
  • 2 cups fresh chopped pineapple or 2 cups green grapes (sliced into halves) or 4 kiwi fruit (peeled and chopped)
  • 1 1/2 cup dried walnuts
  • 1/4 cup fresh green onion (chives) finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh grated carrot

Dressing:

Blend together in a Blender or Mini-Food Processor:

  • 3-4 walnuts
  • 1 Tablespoon sweet mustard (or 1 tsp. dried mustard seeds)
  • 2 Tablespoons organic raw apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons organic extra virgin olive oil (or less)
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons raw honey or 2 soft dates
  • 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
  • A few Tablespoons of water – to get the consistency you want. (Alternatively you can add some pineapple and apple chunks into the blender)

A delicious raw food lunch!

Toss salad ingredients with your homemade dressing before serving.

This can be eaten as a healthy, filling breakfast or a nice tasty lunch. If you want to serve for dinner, you could serve the salad on a bed of romaine lettuce, just for good presentation.

Note: In this recipe, I don’t soak the walnuts. Their taste is better enjoyed when crunchy, not soft. Of course, you can always do what feels best for you! Enjoy!!

More Healthy Recipes:

Organic Vegetarian Food & Raw Restaurant in Dubai, UAE

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Organic Supermarket & Cafe

Yes! You can be healthy in Dubai…I saw it for myself on a recent trip there! My first stop was at the Organic Foods & Cafe, a cafe and health food store. I was very impressed to see a good selection of organic fruit and veggies and not overly expensive for Dubai. Try the organic mandarin oranges – wow, so delcious! The supermarket has a good selection of superfoods, supplements, vegan foods, gluten-free items, grains, seeds, nuts and vegetarian products.

The Organic Foods & Cafe has 2 locations: the Dubai Mall and the Greens. The Cafe has a nice selection of salads and juices in addition to some vegetarian foods as well. They have a delivery menu for pizza. I asked them if it was possible to order other menu items for delivery and they said ‘yes,’ so don’t be afraid to ask!

More info at organicfoodsandcafe.com. Dubai Mall, Lower Ground Floor: 04-4340577. Greens:04-3617974.

In the Dubai Mall, I also managed to find Juice Master, a fresh juice bar that serves juices, smoothies and wheatgrass shots. Try JM’s ‘Dreamy Detox’ juice, made from apple, celery, cucumber, ginger and lemon. Finish that with some fresh wheatgrass, and wow…you’ll be ready for the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building)! Jason Vale, otherwise known as the ‘Juice Master,’ is the UK’s best-selling author on juicing and health.

Find out more at juicemaster.com. Dubai Mall: Lower Ground Floor.

Magnolia Cafe, Dubai UAE

My favorite stop in Dubai was at the Magnolia Cafe in the Madinat Jumeirah Resort. Magnolia is not exclusively raw; it does have cooked vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Every selection is labeled with a V (vegan), N (contains nuts), R (raw) and/or O (diabetic friendly). Gluten-free items are also available upon request. For those reasons, Magnolia is a great choice for anyone with food intolerances or allergies. Be sure to call ahead if you have special dietary requests.

Magnolia at Madinat Jumeirah

The prices at Magnolia immediately make you remember you are in Dubai, so don’t expect any bargains. But, if you are looking for some gourmet, well-presented raw food dishes, then you won’t be disappointed.

For vegetarians, Magnolia offers cooking classes by Chef Gaby. She offers a class called ‘Rich Flavors – Low Fat’ with Asparagus Jelly, Datterini Tomato Broth, Biarritz Stuffed Baby Peppers and Summer Pudding with Lavender.

Magnolia Cafe is only open for dinner and closed on Tuesdays. For more information, go to jumeirah.com. Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 4-366-8888.

Beach Yoga in Dubai

While at the Madinat Jumeirah, be sure to try their Yoga Class on the beach.

It’s a relaxing, beautiful and natural setting right on the beach with a full view of the sea and Burj Al Arab in the distance. The class is one-hour Hatha and Astanga infusion and it’s within the private beach of the resort. They have sunrise and sunset classes, and also offer a 90-minute full moon yoga class.

When you enter the hotel, go to the Talise Spa to register; from there you can either take a buggy or walk to the beach.

Contact 4-366-6818 or go to their website for more details.

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Raw Food Slicer Salad Tool – Preparation Made Easy

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One of the things that I try to teach in my Raw Food Cooking Class is texture. When you learn to create new textures with raw foods, you can get away from the rabbit-like crunchy salads. Long-term, having different textures to play with will keep your food more interesting and you are much more likely to stay with the raw food diet.

Green Papaya, Daikon & Carrot sliced fast & easy!

The main tool that I use to create the texture of raw pasta is the ‘Som Tam’ or Green Papaya slicer.

This little tool is a must-have for any raw food kitchen.

You can use the slicer to make fast and easy strips for making Traditional Thai ‘Som Tam’ or Green Papaya Salad, but you can also use it to slice carrot, beetroot, cucumber, daikon or zucchini for your raw pasta or just a nice shredded-type of salad.

It takes no time at all to use. I travel with mine all over the world, and no matter where I am, I can make a nice carrot, beetroot, zucchini salad in minutes. In the video above, I show how to use the Som Tam Slicer to make Green Papaya Salad with my friend Ms. Ta from Thai Organic Life.

The blade is a zig-zag design made of stainless steel. It is made in Thailand, where it is commonly used for making the long strips of green papaya for the Thai ‘Som Tam’ salad. No cleaning of a spirulizer, just fast and easy raw pasta that tastes great! I highly recommend this little gem!

Raw Food Cooking Tool – Raw Pasta /Green Papaya Slicer
$7.95

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