Raw Vegan Recipes HAPPY VEGAN SHROVETIDE

 SHROVETIDE

 

   As I have promised you, some time ago, I have chosen to centre the monthly posts around events, occurring during the year.

   For this first year, I have chosen to highlight the cultural side of life in countries with predominantly Christian traditions, not because I am on a crusade here, but more to come to realise, there are deeper meanings behind some of the traditions, we often celebrate without knowing, what they actually mean and signify.
 

   46 days before Easter Sunday we celebrate Ash Wednesday, which starts a period of Lent, where we, as Jesus Christ and his disciples, are supposed to fast, pray and turn towards God and away from worldly matters.

   It is also a time for self-examination on what needs repenting and what areas of the worldly and spiritual life, a person needs to ask God's help with.

   40 of the days are for this fast and contemplation; the 6 Sundays are exempt from that, to a certain extent.

   Food is an important element of this period, as we are only allowed non-sweet food; the main part of the diet is dried fish, mainly produced from cod, laid on cliffs to dry; next they are stuck in barrels with a lot of salt. To eat this, you would have to rinse them in fresh water for days.

   I was forced to eat it as a child; it was horrible, and not vegan at all! My saving grace, and that of the cod, as well!

   Dried fish is still a huge part of the diet during Lent, and the main consumers are, not surprisingly, Roman Catholic countries.

   To kick off this period, we clean our houses, remove all food, give it to charity and celebrate with a huge bash and carnival, SHROVETIDE, Sunday or Monday before Ash Wednesday.

   It is, nowadays, mainly a feast for the children with dressing up and having a lot of treats coming out of a barrel, hung on a string. 

   That part of it I firmly advocate against, as it has a picture of a cat on it, and the kids are taught to bash the cat, which should be absolutely prohibited and unlawful and which I find totally appallingly disgusting and cruel and utterly wrong to even think of teaching kids.

  In German the word for the carnival is "Fastel Abend", meaning the evening before the fast begins.

   There are many different food traditions for this event, and they differ heavily throughout the Christian tradition, but one thing seems to be in common, and that is a certain bun. 

   This is the recipe, I follow, and apparently I am not the only one; here it is:

SHROVETIDE BUNS  

• 1 tbsp psyllium husks
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup almond milk 
• 25 g. fresh yeast OR
• 2 tbsp agave or maple syrup 
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ cup spelt flour
• ¼ cup coconut oil, softened
• 1 ½ cup white flour (you can sub spelt)
Custard
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tbsp starch (corn or potato)
• ½ tsp vanilla powder or extract
• 2 tbsp agave syrup
Glacé
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 3-4 tsp boiling water

Instructions

1. Start by making the dough: place the psyllium husks in the ¼ cup cold water and leave it for 5 minutes. Dissolve the yeast in the almond milk. Mix in salt, agave/maple/ and the psyllium husks and knead in the first 1 ½ cup of the dough. Now knead in the soft coconut oil before adding the rest of the flour. Leave to rise for half an hour.
2. While the dough rises make the custard: Mix everything in a small saucepan and stir until the starch is completely dissolved in the almond milk. Heat up while stirring constantly. When it boils whisk vigorously and boil for 5 minutes, until it thickens. Pour out on a plate and cool down in the fridge or in the freezer.
3. Roll the dough out into a big square on a floured surface. cut 20 (4X5) squares out of it and place a dollop of custard on each square. Now fold the buns by picking up the corners of the square and pinch them together. Pinch the sides together too. Place the bun with the corners down on a baking sheet with baking paper.
4. Leave the buns to rise for another half hour, while the oven heats to 200°C / 390°F. Bake for 15-20 minutes (until golden brown and brown on the bottom) in the middle of the oven. Leave to cool slightly before adding on glacé.
5. Make the glacé by mixing everything together very well. Add a bit of water at a time to make sure it doesn’t get too wet. Spread out on the buns and enjoy!

Modified from: http://sproutedfig.com/vegan-shrovetide-buns 

WATCH OUT FOR FAKE EMAILS

A SINCERE WARNING TO ALL PLANT-BASED DOCS

 

   As some you you might know, I run a personal website, registered at

http://plantbaseddocs.com/ 

 

The name of my website is

http://elisabethstage.webs.com/ 

Through that website, I have received requests for professional assistance, via email addresses which could not easily be verified, concerning institutions, which existence and location can not be verified and with no valid social media accounts either.

Be aware, there are strong financial interests out there, of people, who question your right to take responsibility for your own health through adopting a plant-based diet and healthy life style.

Through my network, I have uncovered the sender of one of the emails, and it belongs to an IP address of a sales agent within the pharmaceutical industry, with very strong personal ties to a family and a certain segment of society, which are at the top of the "medical profession" and the biggest pharmaceutical industries on this planet.

If you receive any weird emails, phone calls or other contacts, remember it is safest to always verify the identity of the sender before answering.

Luckily I did just that, and since then, I have not received any more dubious contacts from people, who are more interested in bringing others in trouble than making sure, our human population stays strong and healthy.

Let us, together, change the world, one whole foods plant-based diet at a time.

Happy Raw Vegan THE THREE WISE MEN Celebration

THE THREE WISE MEN

  CASPAR MELCHIOR BALTHAZAR

    

   A little more than 2000 years ago a new star, Stella Nova, rose above a certain barn in Bethlehem, indicating a very important event had taken place there.

   It had been predicted in ancient scriptures long before that: when this star rises in the night sky, a king is being born.

   Emissaries from India sent Caspar; from Persia came Melchior; from Arabia came Balthazar. They represented dynasties and ruling families, and were wise men, skilled in Astronomy, employed by kings as their most trusted advisers.

   They brought gold, a present suitable for a king; frankincense, to be used when worshipping in temples; and myrrh, to be used for salvation of royals.

   Taking them, separately, on the long journeys, were camels. They each brought three camels; one to ride and two to interchange, making sure there would be no delays.

   The Stella Nova rose on the 25th of December; The Three Wise Men arrived at Bethlehem on the 6th of January, meaning they were under way for 12 days and nights, hence the concept The Twelve Holy Nights.

   It is a tradition to be remembered with having mass in churches during these nights to accompany the wise men, in the spirit, on their journey, and honouring the birth of Baby Jesus.

   No matter, what religion, you practise, or if you do not practise any at all, I suggest you and your children make it a point to celebrate The Twelve Holy Nights and The Three Wise Men in the way, I always found to be most natural:

•    If you live near a Catholic church, attend mass in the evening

•    Lit candles in your windows to burn during the nights

•    Make drawings of the journey for each of the wise men

•    Talk to the children about the places they travelled

•    On the 6th of January, prepare a RAW VEGAN SOUP for them 

•    Have a family celebration at home

•    Go to church to attend mass

   And maybe The Three Wise Men have passed by your house and hidden lovely presents for you, while you were away...you never know...

RAW VEGAN SOUP

Wash, cut, blend for 1 min

Tomatoes

Peppers

Red Onion

Cucumber

Garlic

Lime

Vegetable Fond

Pour in bowls, add

Salt

Ground Black Pepper

Red Hot Chilli

Decorate with

Basil

Parsley

 

   Till my last breath, I shall remember the little boy with curly hair and beautiful eyes, pointing to the nativity scene, which had been staying in the city square since the 1st of December, saying: "Mum, the camels are moving...can we follow them, please..." fully convinced, his presents were on the camels and determined to pick them up at the end of the journey.

   Maybe, if you are lucky, you actually also get to see three camels with The Three Wise Men, riding in your area, heading for the church...

   

 

HAPPY VEGAN CHRISTMAS

HAPPY VEGAN CHRISTMAS

 

   The word "Christmas" comes from the word Christ, which means anointed, something which was done in the olden days to initiate someone into something really big, like becoming a king. 

   The plant Holly, or "Christ Thorn" is a symbol of the crown Jesus was anointed with by the soldiers, as he was carrying his own pole for his own crucifixion, initially indicating two pieces of wood hammered together to form a cross.

    Many countries use this plant as a Christmas decoration, but it should more appropriately be used for Easter and not for the birth of Jesus.

  Anyway, more than 2000 years ago a virgin named Mary and a carpenter named Josef were to get married. Before that, the Archangel Gabriel came to Mary, and let The Holy Spirit enter her, in that way conceiving Jesus. This is said to have happened sometime during March.

   Late November Mary and Josef travelled by donkey to Jerusalem, as there was a census for all peoples in Palestine. The journey took some time, and we celebrate "Advent" which means coming, and covers the four consecutive Sundays leading up to Christmas.

   Arriving at Bethlehem, there was no lodging available in any hotels, and the couple took up residence in a barn, where the child was born.

   The first to view baby Jesus were the cows, hens, sheep, goats and donkeys in the barn. The first humans to see him were the shepherds in the fields. They saw a bright star arising, followed it, and found Mary, Josef and Jesus.

   Thus: what we celebrate at Christmas is the birth of Jesus.

   Being a common Christian tradition, it is nevertheless celebrated somewhat differently: some, mainly from the Lutheran tradition, go to church on the 24th, go home and share a meal, sing and walk around the Christmas tree and exchange presents.

   Others celebrate the 25th in the morning, seemingly surprised by the gifts Santa Claus has put under the tree during night. The day is spent around the table and with family and friends.

   In the strict Roman Catholic tradition a nativity scene is performed in all churches, at midnight, with a newborn baby right out of the hospital and loads of live animals and hay and whatever is in a barn, in the church. Everyone stays up through the night and sing and celebrate.

   The main thing for that branch of Christianity, though, is The Three Wise Kings, which will be my theme for January.

The main recipe for me to share is the meal, you share with your loved ones

THE VEGAN CHRISTMAS DINNER

• White potatoes
• Red potatoes
• Pickles
• Caramelised small onions
• Fermented red cabbage
• Fermented baby beet roots
• Lingonberries Marmalade
• Steamed broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, decorated with curly kale clippings and parsley
• Caramel Potatoes: small potatoes peeled and cooked for 10 minutes, set to cool a bit. Sugar melts in a pan, low heat, plant based margarine is melted into that, and when the caramel starts forming, the potatoes are added, to stir for 15 minutes
• NUTS GRATIN: Ground breadcrumbs, cornflakes, soy milk is mixed with hazelnuts, walnuts and pecan nuts in the food processor. Onion, some soy sauce, ground celery and spices are added. Must have the consistency of porridge. Baked in the oven for approx. 1 hour at 175C.
• Dessert is Riz á la Mande with almond drink, decorated with pickled cherries

  As you might have noticed, this is a vegan dinner, not a raw vegan dinner. I have chosen this for you to be able to share it with kids, who need some cooked food to fill their small stomachs. We can be raw for the rest of the year, but for festive seasons, I find it important to connect with your loved ones, still on a completely vegan platform, of course.

  Now you have a couple of weeks to adjust this delicious dinner to what your family likes, before the big day arrives. Try it out and have fun while going on this part of your vegan journey. Time spent in the kitchen chopping and cooking and then sharing a meal is a very powerful way to connect with people. MERRY VEGAN CHRISTMAS.

  
  

HAPPY VEGAN CHRISTMAS

HAPPY VEGAN CHRISTMAS

   Dear friends and readers,

      Please bear with me, as I have been encouraged to share some recipes for a VEGAN CHRISTMAS.

      It might take me a couple of days to get this together and publish some real tasty stuff for you to enjoy around the holidays.

      And while I am at it, I have myself chosen to make the next full year a year of recipes for holidays, as they come up, month by month.

      I will include some history, some stories and a few delicious things to prepare and eat with your loved ones.

     Stay tuned; I am on the case!

       

   

 

RAW VEGAN RECIPES November 2016 THE DAILY BOX

 

THE DAILY BOX

   We are now in the season, here in the Northern Hemisphere, where autumn gradually transforms into winter. The leaves on the trees turn yellow, orange, red...and then drop onto the ground for playful beings, yours truly included, to play and walk in the leaves, when going for a stroll in the cool and fresh air.

   It is also the season for a status on your diet: are you prepared for the many dark months ahead?

The theme for November is

CHEW YOUR FOOD

   A lot of nutrients are released, some even just being created, when we chew our food. As we must prepare ourselves for the colder season, it is of paramount importance to get the most benefit from our diet, not to forget B12, Iron, K2, D3 and a Vegan Daily supplement as recommended by "The Vegan Society".

   I have packed, for adults, a DAILY BOX to take to work, study or just to have with you in your rucksack as you go about your day.

 Lunch: Vegetables & Sprouts

Dessert: Nuts & Seeds

Afternoon Snack: Fruits

  
   It will last you from breakfast right until your evening soup, which recipe will follow in December 2016.

   As you can see from the picture, none of the items have been cut, divided or in any way sliced. This is RAW VEGAN RECIPES: rinse and clean your produce, pack it and eat it...

... with your fingers (always wash your hands before and after eating) 

   It is not part of a natural diet to stick some metal cutlery into your mouth to have the saliva dissolve some of it, possibly leading to metal poisoning...

   There is some discussion on the price of a RAW VEGAN DIET, with some suggesting, it is more of a lavish life style, requiring a financial surplus, which is not for everybody. Actually, this is wrong. In order to counteract that argument, I hereby post the price for the items, and where to buy them.

Lunch:

• 2 Tomatoes                                                                               
• Spinach Leaves                                                                    
• 1/2 Cucumber                                                                         
• 4 Carrots                                                                                  
• 5 Sticks of Celery                                                                    
• Black Olives                                                                             
• 2 Leaves Red Cabbage                                                     
• 3 Bell Peppers                                                                        
• 1/2 Squash                                                                                
• Broccoli Sprouts (home grown)                                                            

Dessert:

• "fruit & nut mix" 200 gr.                                                               

Afternoon Snack:

• 1 Pear                                                                                          
•   3 Mandarins                                                                             
• 1 Apple                                                                                         

Total cost for LUNCH, DESSERT  AFTERNOON SNACK        2.39 GBP

Produce bought in Aldi and Lidl, box from Poundland.

  

RAW VEGAN RECIPES October 2016

RAW VEGAN 

RECIPES

October 2016

 

 HOT CHOCOLATE & MÜSSLI BREAKFAST 

Almond Drink, Boiled Water, Cocoa Powder for hot chocolate 

MÜSSLI

Whip Soy Protein Powder, Chia Seeds, Ground Flax Seeds in Almond Drink

Add Müssli with Oat Flakes, Raisins, Hazelnuts, Peanuts, Walnuts, 

Sesame Seeds, Goji Berries 

Top with Banana, Apple, Pear, Kiwi, Blackberries, Strawberries in slices

LUNCH

Spinach, Arugula, Curly Kale, Dandelion Leaves, Nasturtium Leaves & Flowers,

Red Cabbage, Black & Green Olives, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Squash, Red Onions,

Slices of Avocado, Bell Peppers

Sprouted Chickpeas/Mung Beans/Red Lentils/Broccoli/Cress/Fenugreek 

Black Pepper, Turmeric Powder, Moringa Powder, Red Chilli Powder

DRESSING

Blend 2 Organic Carrots, 1/2 Peeled Lemon, 2 dl. Low Fat Coconut Milk

Keep in airtight container in fridge for up to five days 

DINNER

 Chop 2 Organic Carrots, 1 Apple, 2 Peeled Oranges

Top with Walnuts, Raisins, Red Grape Fruit

BEFORE BEDTIME SOUP & TEA  

Gazpacho Soup

Chamomile Tea

MEAL SCHEDULE

It is highly advisable to keep your meals at the same time every day.

Also please consider to stop eating solid foods after 16:00 as the human digestive system slows down, at that time, to 10-20% of what it was earlier in the day. 

A healthy soup is easily digested and will keep you hydrated throughout the night for your cells to regenerate.

Please consider this timetable for your inspiration:

Breakfast 04:00-06:00

Lunch 10:00-12:00

Dinner before 16:00

Soup and tea just before bedtime.

This diet is solely for healthy adults to GO VEGAN and STAY VEGAN.

If you have health issues, are pregnant, breast-feeding, below the age of 25 or on medication, find a plant-based health care provider before making changes to your diet and life-style.

Elisabeth Stage

A proud member of

plantbaseddocs.com