Luckiest Lady Alive...

Not a day goes by without me saying to myself, "wow, how did I get so damn lucky!?" This strong feeling of gratitude and appreciation has been an ongoing process and it grows each day. The world of raw food has allowed me to eat the best food ever... all the time! Since moving to Colorado, I have met 3 different raw chocolatiers who put more love, passion, and healing energy into their chocolates then one could even imagine. I have met individuals who work for themselves and are consciously creating the world they want to live in. Trading and bartering has become common and I am finding that I use that strange green paper less and less. I get to trade raw food for amazing raw chocolates, energy healing classes, colonics... you name it! I love trading passions with other individuals who love what they do... anything to move away from that weird green paper...

This past week I was delivering raw lunches to an energy transformation seminar in Denver. Supplying living food to healers is a double bonus. During healing workshops... our energy level and vibration is so elevated, eating dense cooked food can instantly knock one down a few notches. The added bonus is a local raw chocolatier was attending these classes and we decided to trade raw food for raw chocolates... all week long! So while I am busy running around on my cacao buzz, I decided to share a bit about this lovely chocolate company called Cosmic Chocolates and the beautiful chocolatier Barbara.

I first tasted Cosmic Chocolates at Tonic Herban Lounge, the same "bar" where I sell my raw food. They carry these amazing peppermint patties that are completely raw and will knock your lil socks off.... literally, so I always eat them with bare feet. I had heard through the raw grapevine that Barbara was working on a new raw chocolate line, each chocolate has herbs and ingredients that correlate with our 7 chakras, talk about using chocolate for healing! I have tasted 4 of the 7 and they are amazing! I love all raw chocolate but my all time favorite is created by a woman in Philadelphia with her company Oasis Living Cuisine. Cosmic Chocolates is on the top of the list right next to Oasis's chocolates.... that's a serious status! 

One particular chocolate that Barbara creates really blew my mind, it is called Karma Melt. It's a delicious raw chocolate that is filled with dairy free, sugar free, 100% raw caramel! It reminded me so much of a Twix bar from my childhood. I thought this was the perfect time of year to indulge in raw chocolate. While I do not choose to celebrate any of our calendar holidays, February has been programmed since a young age as the month of love. What better excuse to treat yourself to the world's best chocolates?! 

You can visit Barbara's website www.LifeOpenings.com to learn more about her beautiful journey to find her tribe and people here in Boulder, Colorado and to order these incredible treats! If you live out of state and want to order chocolates, contact Barbara through e-mail so you can be sure your raw cacao treats arrive safely: barbara@lifeopenings.com

Last night I ordered a few chocolate items from Oasis Living Cuisine and they should arrive soon... expect another chocolate review when they get here! xox

It's Not Only About The Food!

Since I came out of the womb I have been creating in so many areas. In the kitchen, at the sewing machine, in nature, weaving with yarns and fabrics, throwing pottery, painting... you name it, I do it. When I create I am in the flow so I have learned to turn everything I do into a creative spiritual practice and a meditation. 

Aside from creating raw food, I have a few different projects that I am actively working on. I create magical, whimsical, powerful healing dolls under The Poppy Seed Tree. I have just designed a new doll collection and I am getting started on bringing them into this realm. I have also been busy sewing clothing for myself and Dustin. The more love and energy that I put into creating the "things" around me, the more love and abundance that comes into my life. I love supporting local farmers, artists, and those who are following their passion and creating consciously. Why buy generic jeans that were made in China when I can create a custom, unique, extra special pair?

This week I created 4 pairs of jeans for Dustin... yes four! I have never sewn pants in my life. I attended 2 years of college and focused on fashion design but I left school before we were required to sew pants. With a lot of encouragement and a surprise present that turned out to be a serger from Dustin, I was on my way. Four pairs later and I am a pro! I can whip these pants out within 3 hours!

I wanted to share this with everyone because it's important to realize that this website is about a lifestyle, not creating an identity as a "raw foodist." I am a creator, we all are! Whether I'm creating raw food, jeans, dolls, or a school bus.... it's all about expression and loving this experience. We all create in unique ways, some people are tapped into their creativity and others have completely shut it off. However, creativity can always be reawakened when given the opportunity. If your life is lacking in expression, consider stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new... you'll be glad you took the leap xox

I hope you enjoy the pictures of Dustin modeling his new cords!

But Wait... There's More!

After creating a yummy raw birthday cake last weekend, I realized how much I have been missing creating cakes. My life is never lacking in the creation department because it's all I do. BUT, what I manifest with creating is always shifting and evolving. After creating and decorating the cake last week, I said to myself "I want more cake jobs!" Of course, without delay, the universe delivered another cake job on Wednesday. 

This cake was for a magical little lady's 2nd birthday... wow! She has a cashew allergy so the cake was to be made completely with almonds. I love catering to allergies and specific raw diets because it makes the final product even more unique and special for the individual. The birthday party was being held at The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado. I decided to create a cute, whimsical, magical cake for this magical birthday party. And of course... decorated it with butterflies!

I received a lovely phone call from the birthday girl's mom telling me how amazing the cake looked and tasted. One attendee, who eats a high raw diet, said he never would have known it was a raw cake! I am so amped about creating raw cakes that I've decided to really focus energy into more projects like this. I love raw desserts because they are perfect for those with gluten allergies as well.

When Dustin and I are living on the bus we will be traveling around the country promoting raw food, artwork, and healing holistically. If you have a wedding or special event, The Raw Seed can come to you to create a 100% raw cake ♥

Raw Cakes...

In a previous life I was a "cake maker." This life wasn't all too long ago, I was in full cake mode when I began eating a raw diet. It was not challenging to create baked cakes for clients while eating 100% raw because I felt so amazing. Soon after transitioning to raw, the appeal of sugar, flour, and eggs faded completely. I decided that when I moved to Colorado I would put an end to my cake business, Tiny Little Oven Cakes, and focus completely on The Raw Seed. Since then, I have created many raw pies and a few raw cakes here and there. But, this past weekend I was asked to create a cake for a super hero named Cory Herter for his 30th birthday.

I was SO excited to create a cake again, and a raw cake at that! I wasn't sure how it was going to happen, but I knew it would because it always does. I decided to create chocolate cake with vanilla "buttercream" and strawberries in between the layers of raw cake.. super yum! As always, my favorite part of the creative cake process is decorating. I decided to put all 31 candles on the cake (one for good luck) and call it a success!

There are a few things I can improve on with this recipe (as always). The cake was super delicious but very heavy! This is always a challenge with raw desserts. The cake was also a bit dry, Dustin pointed this out... it left us wanting a huge glass of cold milk. I am going to perfect this recipe and include it in my recipe book - which I have been working on a lot lately. I still have no idea when it will be available for purchase, but it's getting there :0)

I hope you enjoy the pictures of my first 100% raw, double tiered, layer cake... woah!

Also, we were having some technical issues with the blog and our web address but thanks to Dustin we are up and running! When you search for this website, you MUST include the "www." in order for the site to load. Thanks for the patience and e-mails letting me know you were having troubles with the site! xox

Eating Raw On The Slope...

There are so many awesome reasons and excuses to not make healthy, loving, raw choices for yourself. But once you experience the clarity and sense of well being that a raw food lifestyle cultivates, the choice is clear!

Dustin and I have eaten raw "on the road" and while traveling on family visits. Traveling and staying raw is a piece of cake (raw cake of course.) This weekend we will be spending 2 days in Brekenridge, Colorado... we're hitting the slopes! We will be snowboarding for two days. My focus is not eating the world's most amazing gourmet raw food while we are snowboarding.... I want to consume high energy food that will sustain my energy throughout the day. If I can keep it in a zip lock baggie in my pocket and enjoy it on the ski lift... i'm all set!

I want snacks that are high energy, high protein, high alkaline, and extremely nutrient dense.  I decided to create "energy balls" with a chia seed base and toss in some of my favorite superfoods as well. I soaked 2 cups of chia seeds in a large bowl and added: green grasses powder, maca, cacao, goji berries, cranberries and honey. I shaped them into bite sized balls and rolled them in shredded coconut... yum! We will be eating more then just these "energy balls" while we hit the slopes but technically, if this is all we ate we would survive and even more important.. we would thrive!

Exploring living food has shown me that food isn't only about enjoyment, food is a powerful medicine and tool. Knowing which foods will help your body in certain situations allows you and your body to become one with the world. 

Also, the lovely Angela Stokes-Monarch just channeled an inspiring poem entitled:

The Tribe To Which I Belong

 One of my favorite lines in the poem goes like this:

Love is the key in every connection; 

In my tribe this is recognised and honored without exception.

Check out the entire poem at her website www.rawreform.blogspot.com

Popeye Is A Wise Man...

Eating raw food and living a "raw lifestyle" is an incredible journey. I am always evolving, changing, adapting, and gaining more wisdom about myself and the foods I choose to enjoy. I have always been highly sensitive to my environment, those around me, and energies in general. It seems fitting that food would also have a big impact on my physical, mental, and spiritual well being. 

Consuming fresh greens is one of my main "diet" priorities. I drink at least 32 oz. of fresh green vegetable juice daily, along with a green smoothie and a bowl of energy soup. BUT, two weeks ago I decided to revamp my usual smoothie by adding in a ginormous amount of baby spinach. I started adding in 3/4 pound of fresh, raw, baby spinach into my smoothie each day and the changes are HUGE. My body feels normalized, adding in more greens is really doing wonders in conjunction with working out and staying focused on goals. 

Something I love about eating 100% raw food is that I will never know it all... every day I learn something new, discover a new ingredient, or create a new recipe. I recently decided that raw food is one of my spiritual disciplines. It is an on going process that may never be mastered, there will always be more to learn. After eating 100% raw for the past 15 months I cannot believe what I have learned and how I have changed. It allows me to tap into a source of creativity that is so pure and so perfected... seeds, plants, life! It's inspiring to see what is possible and I can only image what will evolve and surface with another few years.

Meredith's Seriously Revamped Green Smoothie Recipe

3/4 pound of baby spinach

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

1 cup frozen strawberries

1 tbsp. bee pollen

3 tbsp. raw honey

1 tbsp. maca

1 tbsp. cacao

2 tbsp. green grasses powder

1 tsp. hemp seed butter

8 ounces of spring water

blend water and spinach first... then add the rest, enjoy!!! 

Exciting Updates...

My blog is still alive and kicking... though the posts are becoming few and far between! Dustin and I have been busy working on many new projects and coming up with new ideas for our future. I have a handful of new recipes that I am putting up for sale on the online store, new TV episodes on the making, we have decided to make along trip back east, and the recipe book is still on the back burner. 

This past week has been my most abundant week of raw food creation since arriving in Colorado in June. For the past 5 days, I have been creating food for about 10 individuals who were attending a healing seminar at a local hotel, they all ordered raw food to be delivered over a 5 day period. Wow was I busy! My day began around 4:45 with me and my Blend Tec making galloons of smoothies. By 7:00 I was headed out for deliveries with fresh green juice, smoothies, and a glorious selection of raw tacos, burgers, bagels with cream cheese, pies and stuffed mushrooms... yum! Creating massive amounts of raw food is challenging, exciting and a serious whirlwind of creative expression. Now that the week of raw food madness has ended, I tallied up all my creations to see the grand total:

92 smoothies

54 green juices

13 beef burgers

23 tacos

20 asian veggie noodles

12 garden salads

39 bagels with cream cheese

41 slices of pie

35 stuffed mushrooms

12 rye bread sandwiches

6 vegetable flax wraps with jalapeno cheese spread

... in 5 days!!! I cannot believe I was able to pull this off, it's just me and two dehydrators. Dustin was an excellent assistant and gave back rubs, did grocery shopping, co-piloted deliveries, and even helped with the green juice! Thank you Pa-Diesel, I love you :0)

Aside from this exciting week, Matt and Angela just released a new DVD on their website called.... 

Raw Food Transformations With The Monarchs. Dustin designed the layout and artwork for the entire project. On top of all that awesomeness...one of our favorite musicians, Nahko, contributed a song for the DVD's menu page! The DVD features lectures by Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes-Monarch as well as a raw food demonstration by the lovely pair. Visit their website to purchase the DVD today!

Dustin has been updating his online store daily with new prints, original drawings and paintings. His work is revolutionary, evolutionary, visionary and imaginary... guaranteed to integrate light and peace into your day! Visit www.dustinkellogg.bigcartel.com to view his store and purchase a high quality $10.00 print... ooh yea! The "Light Being" image at the top of this post is one of the paintings and original prints that you can purchase at his site... enjoy and much love!

The Raw Seed & Profoundly Raw

The Monarchs have teamed up with some of our favorite "raw gurus" to create a book that is jam packed full of raw knowledge and advice. The book is called "Profoundly Raw" and is available as a FREE downloadable e-book.. wow! The contributing authors and subject matter are:

Alissa Cohen on Protein, Calcium and Fats
David and Katrina Rainoshek on “Deep Food”
Angela Stokes-Monarch on Emotional Eating
David Wolfe on The Sun
Jinjee Talifero on The Yoga of Nursing
Gabriel Cousens on Vitamin B12
Kate Magic on Raw Magic
Kevin Gianni on Overcoming Potential Stumbling Blocks
Shazzie Love on How to Start a Child on Raw Food
Matt Monarch on Sensitivity and Stabilizing Out
Tonya Zavasta on A Perfect Bowel Movement
Paul Nison on The Daylight Diet

I am so excited about this project for two reasons. First, Dustin was asked to design the cover of this book.. yay! He created a beautiful, original, digital illustration that represents what it is to be, profoundly raw. Dustin's artwork is all about healing, truths, and liberation... in other words -  his design was perfect! I wrote a poem that is published on the inside cover of the e-book. The poem describes what I feel  it means to be profoundly raw. How inspiring and exciting to be a piece of this incredible project. I cannot thank Miss Angela enough for including us in this amazing book of knowledge. Even if you have chosen not to eat a raw diet, this e-book has information that is completely relevant to everyone's lives. 

Follow this link to get your free download!!

Nominated for Best Of Raw '09

Almost ONE month and no blog posts? I have been a bit off the blog wagon as of lately but for good reasons of course! I have been busy creating raw food for the Boulder/Denver area and supplying yummy raw creations to Tonic Herban Lounge. I have also been enjoying the beautiful snow that has been falling in Boulder. The best part is... it will snow for 3 days and then melt and be 70 degrees! These are all good reasons for not keeping up with blog posts, right?

Even with my current blog vacation, The Raw Seed was nominated for TWO categories in the Best Of Raw 2009 competition. WOW! I had no idea I had made it onto the list until I went to www.bestofraw.net to vote for my favorite raw food chefs, websites and restaurants and then... to my pleasant shock and surprise I found The Raw Seed. Thank you so much to those who nominated us, we are listed amongst some seriously awesome raw food gurus, raw chefs, and raw websites. We have been nominated in the categories of: Favorite Raw Vegan TV Show AND Favorite Raw Blog.

If you feel inspired to do so, visit www.bestofraw.net and vote for The Raw Seed! 

Thank you so much for the nomination. My goal for the new year is to NEVER go a month without a blog post again. This nomination has given me a kick in the 'ol arse and I am back on the blog train! woot woot!

What's Thanksgiving Without The Turkey?

Alright... so you just started in on your raw journey. You have been doing so well and feeling amazing for the past few months but now the dreaded holiday season is approaching. The question of the hour is, "what are you going to eat on Thanksgiving?" Are you going to say "screw it! I'm eating the turkey" and suffer the gastrointestinal consequences afterwards (huge emphasis on the "gas") ? OR, are you going to stick to the original plan of keeping your body clean, pure, and nourished by consuming raw foods and getting the maximum benefit from the foods you serve your body? Ok, I definitely set that up to be a bit biased.... but this is called The Raw Seed!

For a new raw foodist the holidays may seem like a punishment... full of turmoil, inner conflict, and withdraw. Really though, if you know what to prepare and how to create it, the holidays can be one of the most amazing times to BE a raw foodist. Bringing your own raw dishes to a holiday feast is a liberating way to share your lifestyle and diet choices with those around you. If you are new to the raw diet, your family will surely have 20 questions and you will probably receive at least 2 raised eye brows. But when they taste the amazing, living creations you prepared with an abundance of love.. their concerns and judgements will quickly be brushed under the rug while they chow down on some amazing raw pie. 

Also, it's important to be peaceful, present, and happy with the foods you are eating. If you are miserable while forcing down raw food it defeats the entire purpose! Our thoughts and intentions have tremendous power over our food and over our digestion. Connecting to your food and recognizing its purpose will bring clarity to even the toughest situations. If you are not able to be happy with your decision to eat raw food then you may want to consider not doing it. Following a raw lifestyle is a choice and should never be viewed as a curse or punishment. Make sure your intentions are clear!

3 tips to enjoy Thanksgiving raw

1. Showing up to Grandma's holiday feast with celery and carrot sticks is not an equation for fun. Yes, these are amazingly nutritious snacks but compared to the aroma of turkey and mashed potatoes they just won't cut it. Bring raw foods that you are excited about and bring extras! Those around you will be curious and will probably want to try whatever you are eating. This will allow you to enjoy yourself, enjoy your raw cuisine and find peace with NOT eating the traditional Thanksgiving feast that you used to look forward to all year. 

2. Bring a raw dessert! Surely someone will ask "so, like... do you just eat salads?" When this happens, and trust me it will, show them the amazing, living, raw, nutritious and guilt free pie that you carefully prepared. I guarantee that when it's time for dessert... the raw pie will be the first to go! Raw desserts are the gateway drug into the raw lifestyle. If there is one way to introduce a stubborn family member to the raw diet it is... pie. 

3. Remember, it isn't all about the food. Bring awareness to having genuine conversations and connecting with those around you. We are programmed to eat at social events and oftentimes forget the real reason we are coming together... to connect! So be conscious and present, the food comes second!

If you live in the Boulder/Denver area.. The Raw Seed has created a 100% raw/vegan Thanksgiving menu and will be doing catering. Place your order today!

Thanksgiving Menu

"turkey" with mushroom gravy

cranberry sauce

smashed potatoes with fresh rosemary and garlic

candied sweet potato casserole

green bean casserole

marinated mushrooms

autumn spice pie

Catering costs $30 per person and includes:

1 serving of "turkey" with mushroom gravy

1 slice of autumn spice pie

3 sides, choose from: 

cranberry sauce

smashed potatoes

sweet potato casserole

green bean casserole

marinated mushrooms

Contact The Raw Seed at therawseed@gmail.com or 215-802-9187 with questions or to place your order. If you attended the event at The Cafe of Life, receive a special discount on all orders!

Raw Mint Tea

Six miles into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, you will find nine year old Spencer hard at work. Spencer and his family live amongst beautiful land that is covered with plum trees, apple trees, raspberry bushes, a flowing stream and best of all.. wild mint! Spencer and his sister, Shannon, started picking the wild mint because it was growing all along their creek. Spencer had the idea to turn the freshly picked mint into mint tea. Using the heat and love from the sun, the mint leaves are dried outside. A hand grinder, a gift from his aunt, is then used to carefully and delicately process the leaves into tea. 

I was so inspired and excited about Spencer's tea that I wanted to hang out with him and learn more. Many raw foodists choose to not drink tea, most tea leaves are dried at a high temperature. Knowing this tea was dehydrated in the sun makes it not only 100% raw but full of life and magic! After having a mug of freshly ground, freshly brewed mint tea I knew this was something that other raw foodists would be excited about. The Raw Seed teamed up with Spencer's Angel Wing's Mint Tea, and decided to start selling it on our online store! 

Currently, we have two varieties of Angel Wing's Mint Tea available: traditional mint tea and apple mint tea. The apples, just like the mint, are picked by Spencer and dehydrated at a low temperature. Spencer decided to donate $.50 from each sale to the National Wildlife Federation to help raise awareness about his passion: global warming and its impact on the polar bears. 

To learn more about Angel Wing's Mint Tea and Spencer, check out our video interview on YouTube. To purchase mint tea that is made with more love and creative energy then you could ever imagine, visit www.poppyseedtree.com and click on "shoppe" OR follow this link.

FREE Raw Event Tomorrow In Boulder

The Raw Seed is excited to present:

What's Thanksgiving Without The Turkey???

Absolutely Amazing!

Join us for a FREE evening of RAW Thanksgiving catering samples, information on colon hydrotherapy by certified hydrotherapist Amy Granger, and of course... fun!

Bring a raw dish to serve 5 people if you'd like to participate in a raw potluck. Amy Granger will be offering special discounted rates for first time clients and will be available to answer any questions. The Raw Seed will be offering reduced rates on all holiday catering orders that are placed the night of the event... so don't miss it!

This is going to be a relaxing, fun evening with a focus on: 

health, nutrition, raw food, socializing and building community!

When: THIS THursday, November 12

Where: The Cafe of Life on 28th and Pearl Street

Time: 7:00-9:00 pm

Contact Meredith at 215-802-9187 or therawseed@gmail.com with questions

Making Raw Chocolate

There are many delicious raw chocolate companies popping up around the country. They each have their own flavor, texture, and personality. The only thing more enjoyable then sampling these yummy chocolate treats is... making your own!

Creating 100% raw and organic chocolate bars is simple, quick, and so easy. Check out today's episode of The Raw Seed TV Show to learn how to make your own chocolate bars and almond butter cups... yum!

So... Do You Just Eat Salads All Day?

I have been receiving many e-mails asking what I eat on a regular basis. It might seem challenging from the outside to enjoy a variety of foods and still maintain a 100% raw diet like I do. I eat more diversely now then when I ate a cooked food diet! When I began eating raw food I realized how little I explored the produce section of the grocery store. There is literally an entire row of produce dedicated to fresh greens, not just your typical romaine but chard, collards, different varieties of kale, dandelion greens, and the list goes on. I had never explored all these amazing foods because I never had a reason to step outside my "comfort zone."

I have always been a "good eater" and eager to try any new food, yet I never ate half of the fresh foods in the produce section. Until eating a raw food diet, I had never experienced the refreshing, amazing taste of a young Thai coconut OR the satisfying, energizing feeling of snacking on snow pea sprouts. When you are new to raw foods, the idea of greens may fall short of exciting or motivating. However, this lifestyle is everything but limited, it is filled with abundance, variety, and so much life force!

Two staples that I recommend for everyone, whether you are following a 100% raw diet or eating a Standard American Diet are fresh vegetable juice and green smoothies. These are two items that are imperative (in my opinion) to thriving and feeling alive. Most Americans, don't eat any raw vegetables in a single day... none! My biggest focus is eating as many fresh greens each day as possible. This can come in many forms.. not just salads. I start each day with a 32 or 40 ounce green juice. What do I juice!? Everything. My favorite combination is cucumber, romaine or spinach, ginger, and an apple. Starting my day with this chlorophyll rich beverage means that before the day gets rolling, I have already consumed a serious amount of fresh greens. 

Another delicious way to enjoy fresh, raw greens is with a green smoothie. Take your favorite smoothie recipe and add in a handful of baby spinach. A small handful is a great place to start, you will quickly grow accustomed to the sweet flavor of the greens and your body will begin to crave more. Before you know it, your smoothies will be dark dark green and your energy level will be sky high! Two of my other favorite green foods are spirulina and chlorella, these are powerful, nutrient dense foods that can take your diet to the next level. Spirulina is one of the highest forms of protein ON THE PLANET and chlorella is a mineral rich sea vegetable that is known as a powerful detoxifier of heavy metals and pesticides. When consumed with cilantro, chlorella is even more effective. These are simple, easy ways to bring more alkalizing greens into your diet... which is KEY to thriving on any diet.

Aside from these, I love liquid meals like creamy cucumber dill soup with fresh avocado as well as nut pates and vegetables wrapped in a flax wrap... these are great on the go. Dustin is especially enjoying the "concoctions" that can be created with raw food. Raw pizza, raw burgers, raw calzones, raw chick-un salad sandwiches, raw tacos, raw chocolate, raw ice cream.... notice the word "salad" isn't on this list! Salads are an amazing way to add greens to your diet, but don't think that eating raw food is only about salads. This is an amazing, fulfilling, life changing lifestyle that is full of flavor and variety.

When most people start out on a raw diet, they consume more nut based foods and dried fruit. This is because these foods create a heavier "full" feeling that can be comparable to the dense feeling of cooked foods. As you continue eating raw you will naturally gravitate towards lighter foods and enjoy simpler meals. This happens at a different pace for everyone but seems to be a common thread amongst raw foodists. When I first began eating raw food I enjoyed heavier nut based pates, pies, and dried fruit almost daily. I still DO enjoy these foods, but not every day and in moderation. I thrive and feel best when consuming fresh vegetable juice, green smoothies, soups, and lighter vegetable based foods. 

If you take anything away from this post... I'd love for it to be this: you can eat healthy, living raw food that tastes even better then your cooked food favorites. If this lifestyle was about eating carrot sticks and salads I would not be doing it. I get to eat the best foods ever all while feeling alive, full of energy, and exploding with abundance. This happens everyday! Who wouldn't want that!?

New Recipes!

New recipes have been posted at The Poppy Seed Tree's online "Shoppe". Scroll down and click on the cart and be sure to check back often because new items will be added each week. Happy creating and much love!!

Raw Marshmallows!

The marshmallows have arrived! I just finished creating this recipe for 100% RAW marshmallows. These have been up there on the list of raw challenges. The next item I'm going to take on is creating a raw hot dog... I'll keep you posted on that. 

But for now.... marshmallows! I have been receiving so many e-mails asking when my recipe book will be out and how can people purchase my recipes. The recipe book is a definite work in progress so until it reaches completion, I have decided to sell recipes online. The store is new and just got up and running so it's bare at the moment. In the next week it will be filled to the brim with lovely inspiring photographs and mouth watering recipes.  As promised, the marshmallow recipe is now available through www.poppyseedtree.com. If you click on the "shoppe" icon you will be directed to the store.

The best thing about these mallows is that they look, feel and taste like "real" marshmallows. I can't really believe it, they even melt in the mug of warm cocoa... how crazy!? There is one slight glitch... the mallows float for about 15 seconds and then slowly fall to the bottom of the warm mug. Personally, I think this is a blessing. It's like finding the pile of Reese's Pieces at the bottom of a classic Cone Head Sundae. It makes it more fun because you can "eat" the cocoa with a spoon and slowly slurp up the melted marshmallows.... raw food is seriously the best.

I would love to hear feedback or even see pictures of anyone who tries the recipe.... stay tuned for more recipes in the VERY near future.

Cold Weather Blues Rubbing Off Onto Your Skin?

When the seasons change and the air gets colder... the first that feels this transition is the skin. Dry, flakey, chapped skin can be a thing of the past. Healthy skin starts with a proper diet, plenty of water, and healthy fats. 

I found this great article on skin brushing and wanted to be sure everyone checked it out. Aarona, author of City Wellness, and I share a similar daily skin routine. I start each day by skin brushing my entire body before my shower. Skin brushing exfoliates dead cells, improves circulation, and will leave your skin feeling baby soft. In the shower, I don't use harsh soaps that would strip natural oils and dry out my skin. Instead, I use a solution of diluted apple cider vinegar and water and a natural loofa (not synthetic.) This is all I need to clean and revitalize my skin. And no... the apple cider vinegar doesn't make me smell like a salad. After washing, I use coconut oil, jojoba oil, or coco butter on my face and body and finish with a few seconds of cold water to seal in moisture, tighten my skin, and awake my cells.  

When I began eating a 100% raw food diet I received a completely new set of skin within one month. How awesome is that? I was 25 years old  when I started this lifestyle and my skin was getting younger by the day. It is now softer, firmer, and healthier then it ever has been. After years of acne and failed skin creams my skin is now clear and has a healthy glow. All I had to do was change my diet and the foods that I was putting on my skin. Amazing.

More to come in the future on natural hygiene and beauty products... for now, I hope you enjoy the article!

Raw HOT Chocolate

We had our first snow here in Boulder, Colorado... it's absolutely beautiful and REALLY chilly. Perhaps it's just that my "east coast blood" hasn't quite adjusted to a Colorado winter but I have been layering up and trying to stay toasty warm... cold air here feels so different from Philadelphia. This morning I worked at the Farmer's Market (yes it is open rain or shine) and to stay warm I decided to create some warm hot cocoa and share the recipe with all of you. What's cold weather without cocoa?! These past few days are turning into a chocolate themed weekend... woot woot!

For instructions and the demonstration, please check out the latest episode of The Raw Seed TV Show. Here is the final recipe of RAW hot cocoa, please experiment and adjust everything to your taste. 

RAW Hot Cocoa

1 batch of cashew milk

1/2 tsp. pink sea salt

1/2 tsp. ground vanilla bean

3 tsp. vanilla extract or 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

3-4 tbsp. raw cacao or carob

1. blend everything in your blender to mix well and create frothy foam.

2. pour into your heated mug OR blend for a few minutes so that the heat of the blender warms up the cocoa

3. top with RAW marshmallows* and enjoy!!!

*Visit the Poppy Seed Tree's online shoppe 

on WEDNESDAY to purchase the Raw Marshmallow Recipe.

Raw Questions!

I have been receiving many great questions lately about raw products, raw cuisine, and detoxing that I wanted to share with everyone. Chances are you may have been asking these same questions...

Why is it necessary to cleanse and detox if you are eating a 100% raw food diet. Most people "go raw" so that their body isn't taking in toxins and all the junk that clogs their colon. Why are colonics and cleanses necessary when eating such a clean diet?

This is something I wondered and asked when initially going raw. When you begin to eat raw food your body is able to dedicate more energy on "house cleaning". Basically, since your body is able to process raw food quicker and with less energy, it can devote more time to cleaning cells and to making sure your body is working optimally. In many ways, eating a raw food diet is like going on a life long cleanse. At the same time however, most of us have not bee raised eating this way. We have been eating years worth meat, dairy, soda, processed foods, breads containing gluten, and all the other junk that our country "thrives" on. It can, and will, take years for your body to reverse the impact of these foods on your system. Most people who switch to a raw food lifestyle will notice immediate changes in their physical appearance, energy level, and their attitude. But, it's important to listen to your body and help it along on the journey. Fasting, colonics, and cleanses are important because they help your body do its job... keep your cells clean, detox, and stay balanced.  Cleanses and colonics are even more effective for raw foodists because our bodies are already processing toxins efficiently and quickly. As with anything, listen to your body and do everything in moderation. Keep in mind that everyone's middle path is different and only you know your body.

I have a question for you, maybe you can help me figure this out. I make some kickass granola bars and I want to try to get them to be 100% raw. My binder is brown rice syrup. Do you have any thoughts on another binder that isn't too sweet and is considered raw?

This is a great question, it's a question that anyone with a culinary mind might wonder when transitioning to raw food. There are many good binders that I would recommend for granola bars or desserts in general. The first is dried fruit, this is a common binder that is used for desserts and pie crusts. Dried apricots, dates, raisins, or even figs are tasty, naturally sweet binders. They can be blended and chopped in a food processor with other ingredients to help everything stick. They are a dynamic ingredient because they add a natural sweet flavor to any raw creation but aren't overpowering. In a pie crust, for example, you could use 2 cups of almonds, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or ground vanilla bean, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup or raisins. Blend the nuts first until well ground, then add the remaining ingredients. The dried fruit will dice up nicely and bind everything together creating the perfect pie crust or granola bar. You can experiment with different combinations of nuts, seeds and fruit as well as coconut, cacao, and seasonings. For added sweetness, use dried fruit along side of agave nectar, yacon syrup, or local raw honey (my favorite)

Another great binder is flax seeds. These are commonly used in raw breads and crackers. When you soak flax they release a sticky, mucus like layer that is similar to hair get... weird, right? In fact, I have made hair gel using this sticky layer but I will save that for another post. To soak flax seeds, cover them with an inch of water in a container. After a half hour the water will be absorbed and the seeds will be sticky. When blended with other ingredients, flax will bind everything together like glue. Flax is commonly used in raw crackers, breads, and dehydrated corn chips. Flax makes raw tortilla chips crispy just liked fried chips. For granola bars, I would recommend fruit as a binder, for dehydrated creations I would suggest using flax. 

I live in a small mid-west town and there aren't any raw restaurants or resources. The local grocery store doesn't sell "raw supplies" or superfoods, where would you recommend purchasing these products since I can't find them locally?

When starting off on a raw journey it can seem so challenging to find all the necessary foods and supplements to thrive on the raw lifestyle. Sometimes the things we "need" are right in our backdoor, we just never realized it. When I started eating raw food I had never heard of sprouting, had no idea what wheat berries were, and had never explored 3/4 of the fresh produce section of the grocery store. This lifestyle has introduced me to foods I never knew existed. Until this way of eating and living becomes more mainstream, we will need to rely on certain companies and resources for many of the superfoods and raw supplements. There are two companies that I love supporting, the first is local to Colorado and is called Raw Utopia. Raw Utopia is run by an inspiring woman named Loriel. Loriel is on a mission to supply everyone with superfoods at the lowest price possible. In the future, she wants to offer free shipping in an effort to really get these powerful, healing foods to the masses. Currently, they have an online store that offers numerous raw foods, raw resources, and health products. You can visit the online store here!

The second company that I trust for many of my raw products and ingredients is The Raw Food World. This is run by Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes-Monarch. This was the first place I shopped when I started my raw journey. They always throw in samples and my packages arrive quickly. They are friendly, efficient, and have high quality products. I just purchased my new BlendTec from The Raw Food World. I also rely on them for products like Ocean's Alive, Go Almond Butter, and nut milk bags. I really like this online store because they carry products for avid raw foodists and for those who are transitioning into this lifestyle. Check out their store here!

I really appreciate all the feedback and the questions, I will continue to answer questions on the website so everyone can read them! Speaking of recipes and blenders... today is Chocolate "Milk" and vest Friday so check out our newest video on creating raw chocolate milk that reminds me of my Nestle Quik days back in 2nd grade!

Father Earth Organic Farm

Dustin and I have been fortunate to have met an amazing person named Farmer Frank. We met Frank when I saw an add seeking volunteers to work on his land in exchange for fresh, organic, vegetables. For a raw foodist, getting paid with freshly picked vegetables is way better than money. I called Frank to get more information, Dustin and I started working with him that afternoon. I have done quite a few posts talking about the farm and the delicious, fresh, produce we have enjoyed from this land.

Working with Frank has been an amazing opportunity. We have been learning so much about organic farming. Frank puts more love and care into his vegetables and fruits then anyone I know. You can tell how much TLC goes into his crops because Frank grows the best produce I have ever tasted... seriously, the best ever. Frank was out of town on a business trip to California so Dustin and I were in charge of harvesting the crops for the Lafayette Farmer's Market. While we were "working" we decided to shoot some footage to show what we have been up to. For anyone who has been ordering food from The Raw Seed, now you can see exactly where my ingredients and fresh produce have come from. 

Most people don't know where their food has come from, how it was grown, and who's hands were touching it. For me, this is the most important thing to be conscious of... we have to put more focus and care into our food! It can be challenging to eat locally throughout the year, but it is quite simple during the busier growing season. 

Since I eat at 100% raw food diet, I literally create everything that I eat. Processed foods are a thing of the past. If I want a pizza for dinner then I create the crust, cheese, marinara, and the toppings from scratch with uncooked ingredients. Having access to local, organic, produce is such an added bonus to living this lifestyle. Knowing that Frank has grown the ingredients without chemicals and with extra love really make such a difference. I am able to pick my ingredients with my own hands and local, fresh, raw food. Sometimes I feel like my life is so abundant I could burst!

For anyone who lives in the Boulder/Lafayette area, please visit Frank Hodge's website at www.fathereawrthorganicfarm.com for more information about the farm and where you can purchase his produce. The season is winding down but there is always work to be done on the farm. Frank always welcomes volunteers so contact him if you'd like to get your hands dirty, relax, and learn something new. I hope you enjoy the video!

Raw Transformation - Dustin Kellogg

Many of you have already experienced the tremendous healing benefits of raw food either in your own life or through someone around you. I have gone through such a transformation since transitioning to a 100% raw food diet. I am extremely blessed because I have had a co-pilot throughout this lifestyle change. My number one lover, Dustin, has been co-creating this new life with me. We both embarked on the journey about one year ago (almost to date.)

When I met Dustin five years ago he weighed about 280 pounds. He was 25 years old and had recently moved to Philadelphia from New York. Prior to the move, Dustin lived in NYC and was eating out almost every meal. Fried foods, pizza, and sandwiches from "corner carts" were his typical source of nutrition (or lack there of.) It was no wonder Dustin wasn't feeling optimal, he was depressed, overweight, and numerous health problems were surfacing. He had struggled with his weight since childhood. We were becoming more health conscious the more time we spent together, the raw food lifestyle surfaced in our lives multiple times but it wasn't until one year ago that we took the plunge to eat raw food.

Fast forward to one year later and here we are. Dustin has lost about 100 pounds... yes 100 pounds. He now weighs 175 pounds and is healthier, leaner, and happier than ever. How did he do it? Raw food. Transitioning to a 100% raw food diet has allowed Dustin's body to release weight that he has literally been carrying around since childhood. Dustin's transition to raw food was challenging initially but once we began to explore raw cuisine he became appreciative and connected to the food he was eating. Since transitioning to a raw diet he has released excess body weight, rashes on his arms have cleared, his TMJ has vanished, sinus problems have healed, and he has more energy then ever. This was done without the use of any medication, without any prescription drugs... it was done simply by changing his diet. He has gone through such a drastic transformation, I feel blessed to have been living along side him so I too could experience the healing. 

This is a photograph of Dustin at 280 pounds in 2005. The photograph on the right was taken after eating a 100% raw food diet for just 11 months. 

When someone experiences such an amazing physical transformation, a mental and spiritual transformation comes as well. I feel excess weight is a physical manifestation of emotional pain. When we carry around hurt, negativity, and pain it can literally manifest as disease, excess body weight, and as health "issues." Dustin is beginning to adjust to his new body and his new self. We joke that he is now in "club skinny." It can be a challenge to shift one's self image after a lifetime of programming. Dustin has inspired me and continues to serve as an example to others. Healing with raw food is something that everyone is capable of doing, Dustin wants to help others realize this ability within themselves. Together, we are on a mission to heal the universe and create a happier, healthier, you. In the future we will be sharing more about our raw lifestyle and how this "diet" is transforming our lives.

Dustin in 2007 before raw food * Dustin in 2009 after raw transition

(Dustin would like to give a "shout out" to Mr. Erich Reimer for the sweet Umbro shorts... thanks Erich!)

Watch this episode of The Raw Seed TV Show to hear more from Dustin about his inspiring raw transformation.

It's The Raw Seed TV Show

As promised, new things are happening at the Poppy Seed Tree and The Raw Seed. Episode #1 of The Raw Food TV Show has just been posted, it's an introduction video to... me! I have been writing and creating this online raw resource for 7 months now and have yet to have a formal introduction sharing my perspective of raw food, until now. In the future you can expect to see interviews with inspiring raw foodists, tips for being raw, interviews with inspiring raw chefs and product creators, recipes and everything else that will inspire your creativity and raw journey.

Hope you enjoy the first episode... my goal is to post a new video every other day but my secret goal is to post a new video EVERY day. Visit the Poppy Seed Tree at www.poppyseedtree.com to find a "TV" button that will take you to The Raw Seed's YouTube page OR watch the video below. 

Thank you for all the support and feedback, I will keep everyone posted on the status of the online store and the recipes that will SOON be for sale!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I am so excited to announce the birth of the Poppy Seed Tree. This is a project that has been growing, evolving, and manifesting for over a year now. It began in the east coast in Philadelphia has reemerged in Colorado bigger and better than ever. The Poppy Seed Tree is a place of pure being and creativity. It is a place of life and birth, and complete oneness. 

poppyseedtree.com is a place where you can access all our services, talents, and creative manifestations. You will find a raw food menu, information on our creative services like murals, illustration and design along with event listings, an online store, and a link to our YouTube page where you can view The Raw Seed TV Show. You can also find information about me and Dustin and our goals and intentions with this ever evolving project. There are many exciting things happening at the Poppy Seed Tree, launching this new site is one of them!

Where does The Raw Seed fit into The Poppy Seed Tree, you ask? The Raw Seed is the branch of The Poppy Seed Tree that is dedicated to spreading information about raw food, healthy living, and embracing creativity. This "blog" will continue to serve as an online magazine and complete health resource.  

Dustin has been working and manifesting day and night to create www.poppyseedtree.com Please visit our new website and explore. In the next week we will have items (like recipes!!!) available for purchase at our online store. We will also be uploading our first episode in the upcoming days. 

Peace and abundance... I hope you enjoy the tree!

Pure Raw Joy!

I wanted to direct everyone to a wonderful blog called Pure Raw Joy. Michelle, creator and writer of Pure Raw Joy did an entire post about my journey with raw food. Michelle and I met when I lived in Philadelphia. When I first began eating raw food I was convinced that I was the only person in the entire world who was embarking on this lifestyle. Obviously, I had been reading blogs of others who had "gone raw" but I still felt so lonely and isolated. That is, until Dustin and I took a short drive from Philadelphia to Lansdale, Pennsylvania. We arrived at Arnold's Way Raw Cafe and fell in love with Chef Michelle and her AMAZING raw creations. I remember the first time we had her toona salad wrapped in nori... holy wow.

I consider Michelle to be my mentor. About one month into eating 100% raw food, Michelle came to our house and taught us a few 'tricks' to creating dynamic, decadent, and amazing tasting raw food. After our class together I was unstoppable. She helped shift my brain from cooked food chef to raw food chef. I dearly miss Michelle now that I live in Colorado, but we keep in touch often. I cannot wait until we are back east and I can walk through the doors at Arnold's Way and see Arnold behind the register and Michelle behind the counter. Her pesto pizza is seriously, the best.... ever! If you live in the Lansdale or Philadelphia area, be sure to check out Arnold's Way. They have food, smoothies, and all the raw superfoods and products you could ever need.

Michelle speaks openly and honestly about her journey with weight loss and raw food on her blog. Her blog is a huge inspiration to many and continues to grow and evolve with each passing week. Thank you Michelle for the wonderful post! 

This photograph is from a Raw Festival held at Arnold's Way. Michelle and I were in the kitchen together servings hundreds of individuals who traveled from all over to hear lectures and food demonstrations by chefs like Matthew Kenney. 

Raw Dog

I am living proof of the healing benefits of raw food. My relationship with food has shifted from one of necessity to one of nourishment. I now realize that food can heal and bring euphoria that is sustaining, not a momentary fix. I have made countless changes in my life because I know I am worth it, eating the best food ever is my priority. I feel alive and so energized that it has to be a priority, there is no turning back at this point. Since transitioning to a 100% raw food lifestyle there has been one issue that has been brewing on the back burner... now that I realize the harm that can come from cooked, processed food... why do I continue to feed my dog the processed "junk food" that I have eliminated from my own life. 

Dustin and I brought Bug into our family about 4 years ago. When she first arrived, she had chronic diarrhea. We turned to our neighborhood vet seeking advice and help for our new puppy. First she had parasites, then vitamin deficiency, then uncontrollable bowel movements, then more parasites.... and then more uncontrollable pooping. After trying countless (unsuccessful) medications we were broke, frustrated, felt hopeless, and more importantly... Bug was still extremely sick. She was 2 pounds underweight and was not looking well. Finally, Dustin and I decided to try a holistic method to heal Bug. We stopped giving her medicine and replaced it with extra attention and love with the intention of healing her. It began to work! At this time, we were still feeding Bug conventional, processed dog food. After a few years of this, Bug's digestion had improved tremendously, she was holding steady at 8 pounds and her poops were better then ever. Even so, on a "good day" it took Bug 5 minutes to poop. Bug's "good stool" would be reason for concern for most dogs. 

One month ago we ran out of Bug's conventional dog food. Since we now live in Colorado, no one carries this brand. It's interesting that no one here has this brand because we were told by our vet in Philadelphia that it is one of the best companies on the market. Every dog store in Boulder told us otherwise. At that moment, I decided it was time for raw food. I already share my green juice, coconut water, and vegetables with Bug... but it was time to go full force. I started Bug on a 100% raw diet that day. Within ONE DAY, her poop was normal.... normal!!! One month later, her coat is shiner then ever, she is interested in her food and she has more energy then she ever has. Typically, Bug would sleep about 21 hours a day, literally. Now, she is more alert, plays with other dogs, runs around the house like a puppy, and her breath no longer smells like a dead cod fish. 

Initially, I was not sure if I wanted to be preparing raw meat for my dog. Since transitioning to raw food I have no desire to eat or kill an animal of any shape or size. I realized, however, that Bug would eat meat if she was living in nature. I decided I would honor the meat, prepare her food with healing intention and tremendous amounts of love, and re-connect with the animals that are now nourishing Bugs physical body. I purchase the meat locally and add everything from eggs, vegetables, flax, and even spirulina to create delicious meals that Bug can't seem to get enough of.

There is a huge debate about feeding an animal raw meat, I will leave this research to you to do on your own. All I can do is share my experience and maybe it will resonate with you. Like anything, this is a learning process for me, Dustin, and Bug. I will continue to explore new foods to add into Bug's diet. I never thought it could be this easy to feed my dog raw food. It has been lingering over me for almost a year now... I feel amazing to know that I am now feeding my four legged enlightened Buddha the best food ever!

Enlightenment...

This past Sunday I visited The Shambala Mountain Center in Colorado. The center is located about 2 hours from Boulder. Our journey to the Shambala Center ended 2 miles from the center when our car ran out of gas.... we hitched a ride with a couple who was visiting the center (thanks Darren and Hillary!)

It was the perfect time to visit the center because I am in the middle of a juice feast. Unlike a "fast," during a juice feast one consumes their daily calorie requirement by drinking fresh vegetable and fruit juice. I am nourishing my body with juice rather then food, my body is receiving an abundance of vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes in an absorbable form. I drink approximately one gallon of fresh juice each day to fulfill these nutrition requirements. This may sound difficult, challenging, and crazy. However, like anything... if you treat it as a spiritual practice and stay focused it is quite liberating. It takes about a day for my body to realize what is going on, this is my second juice feast and both times my body needed a day to adjust. Our bodies our weighed down and our digestion systems are stressed by cooked foods. Eating raw food is gentle and nourishing because raw food already has the enzymes needed to break it down. The purpose of a juice feast is to give our digestion a vacation so our bodies can focus energy on detoxification and cleaning other areas that are typically overlooked. 

While on a juice feast I have an abundance of energy since my body is using very little energy to digest the juices I drink, juice is literally absorbed within 20 minutes. I feel lighter, my muscles and joints are looser, my skin is glowing and soft (more then usual).... minus a break out that has decided to reside only on my left cheek. This is a sign of detox. Some individuals experience a strong detox while feasting: headaches, mood swings, surfacing emotions, nausea, rashes, pimples, diarrhea, and the list goes on. My detox has included a slight headache during day 2, diarrhea during day 4, and pimples on my left cheek (only the left cheek!) Aside from this, I feel vibrant, alive, and connected to what I am doing more then ever. I have also had two colonics during this feast and have released a lot of old plaque aka old poo that has been stuck on the wall's of my intestine and colon. Fun fact: the average person has about 10 pounds of hardened poo lining the walls of their colon... awesome!

Since I am feeling lighter then ever... well, enlightened, it was the perfect time to visit the Mountain Center. The grounds are absolutely beautiful, wild sage and herbs growing everywhere, birds chirping, wind chimes ringing, and one of the most enchanting temple's I have ever seen, The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing. Dustin and I meditated in the temple and explored the lands. I packed a picnic, a 100% raw calzone for Dustin and a variety of fresh juices for myself. It's easy for me to feast "on the road", I juiced before we left on our adventure and had my entire day's worth of "meals" right in my lunch bag. 

Lately, I have been getting more creative with my juices. My palette is more attuned, my senses are alive, I can smell things on the other side of the house! I am really enjoying different juice combinations. These are two of my favorite juices, sweet and savory!

Meredith's Refreshing Sweet Juice

2 large cucumbers

1/2 head of celery

1 head romaine

5 carrots

1 apple

Meredith's Satisfying Savory Juice

3 zucchini

1 yellow patty pan

1 red pepper

2 garlic cloves (to keep away the vampires... and parasites!)

small sliver onion

1 bunch of parsley

I am not sure when my juice feast will end. I will continue to listen to my body and when she is finished "cleaning" I will break the feast with  fruits like watermelon and prunes. I want to emphasize how important it is to listen to YOUR body. There is so much information available to us on the subject of health, holistic healing, and raw food. Educate yourself, read these books, but ultimately... only you know your body. The sooner you can hear you body and listen to it's needs, the sooner you will be able to heal from the inside out.

Another evening with Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes-Monarch

Last week The Raw Seed joined Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes-Monarch for an evening filled with information, love, and of course.... raw food!!!

This event was hosted at an amazing venue, why was it amazing? Because there was a kitchen directly in the venue hall! For me, this was the perfect place to showcase my raw creations. Dustin, my brother Chris, my lovely friend Lisa, and myself were all working to prepare raw creations for over 50 guests who attended the lecture. The menu debuted one of my newest creations:

The Better Than Beef Burger!

Sadly, I don't have an official photograph of this creation but you can see it in the background of this photograph. Let's just say it has everything that a good burger needs, including the special sauce. Chris was hard at work squeezing fresh watermelon juice through a nut milk bag, Dustin was servings guests and creating sandwiches (like a true alchemist), Lisa was helping with just about everything (she's a life saver), and I was answering questions about raw food all night.

It requires a serious amount of work for me to prepare raw food for an event. Typically, by the day of the event I am running on minimal sleep and a whole lot of cacao. It is worth every minute to be able to share raw food with the world. I love experiencing the reactions of people who have never experienced "raw gourmet." It reminds me of the moment I realized just what was possible with raw food... anything is possible! Cakes, pies, calzones, tacos... you name it. Although, I have met a young man recently who has challenged me to create a raw hot dog...

Dustin and I love when Matt and Angela are in town because it gives us a chance to "work" with inspiring, like minded people who are sharing a similar message. It's about taking responsibility of your life, of your health, and of the earth. We stocked up on a few of the products they typically sell on their websites. At the moment I am in love with Ocean's Alive Marine Phytoplankton! This stuff is amazing. I put it in my water at least twice a day and really notice a difference, it is full of life and so highly charged. We also grabbed a jar of Go Almond Butter which is the creamiest almond butter I have ever seen. This stuff is the best, not to mention Organic. All almonds that are grown within the United States are sprayed with chemicals, even if labeled organic, there are laws in place that require spraying of all almonds. Luckily, the almonds used in Go Almond Butter are from Italy so this is truly an organic product. Dustin has been enjoying the almond butter on slices of "rustic bread" with raw honey... delicious!

Angela showed everyone the dress she used to wear prior to releasing 160 pounds on a raw food diet. Angela has lost the weight, and kept it off for years. She is a true inspiration for many, including myself. It was Angela's CNN interview that sparked my transition to a 100% raw diet overnight. I will always remember the day Dustin and I saw that interview, our lives have changed so drastically since then, it's the best! Co-creating events with Matt and Angela has been a blessing, they are both amazing individuals and an awesome couple. Dustin and I got to spend some time with Matt on The Raw Food World TV Show, hope you like the clip!

FREE raw food event TOMORROW!

The Raw Seed has been doing so many events... three total this month! Two of those were with the lovely Angela Stokes-Monarch and Matt Monarch. Tomorrow I am excited to be hosting a FREE event here in Boulder, Colorado.

I am teaming up with The Cafe of Life on 28th and Pearl Street to create an evening based on healing naturally from the inside out. I will be giving a demonstration on the healing benefits of green smoothies as well as other raw foods... like yummy chocolate pie. I will be offering discounted rates on raw food prep classes and you can enter to win a free DAY of raw meals... WOW!

Amy Granger, owner of Love and Light Holistic Health Services and certified colon hydrotherapist will be featured at the event as well. She will be discussing the importance of colon health and colonics. Amy will be offered an amazing discounted rate for her colon hydrotherapy sessions. Amy has recently been interviewed by Matt Monarch and is healing individuals in Boulder and the surrounding areas. Dustin and I have been going to Amy for about a month now and we can't stop talking about her. She has changed our lives forever, I will be doing a feature on Amy in the future.

The event kicks off at 7:30 pm at The Cafe of Life, 2835 Pearl Street. You can contact the Cafe of Life at  303-444-7744 for more information or contact me, Meredith, at 215-802-9187 with questions or to RSVP. Hope to see you there... it's FREE!

Matt and Angela Return to Colorado

I am so excited to announce that the lovely Angela Stokes-Monarch and her equally awesome husband, Matt Monarch, will be returning to Colorado on September 15th. Matt and Angela will be stopping in Denver to spend an evening sharing their journey to healing naturally with raw food.

The Raw Seed hosted an amazing event a month ago featuring Matt and Angela. If you missed this please take advantage of their return to Colorado. Matt and Angela are true light workers and have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and personality to help and assist you on your journey to better health. If you are new to raw food, want to learn more about the raw lifestyle, or are already experiencing the many healing benefits of live food... this will be a great evening for you.

The Raw Seed will be there, on September 15th, selling an abundant selection of raw cuisine. A few featured entrees will be soft shell tacos, the Better Beleaf It B.L.T., raw/vegan ice cream, "buttered" corn on the cob, and much more! Matt and Angela will also have all the products they sell on their websites available for purchase.... so bring your pennies and stock up on your favorite raw snacks, supplements, and books!

The event kicks off at 6:30 and is being held at the Park Hill Village Clubhouse. 

Tickets are $20 per person, be sure to R.S.V.P. to :

Loriel or to Raw Utopia at 303-617-3140 or e-mail lhanon@rawutopia.com

location:

4100 Albion Street

Denver, CO 80216

(I-70 to Colorado Blvd, head south on Colorado Blvd. to 40th. Turn left, or east onto 40th. This will lead you directly to the front door of the clubhouse. Street parking and a few parking spaces available.)