A Morning Zinger

That was what the smoothie I had this morning was called (and just in case you haven't caught on, the recipe is below). This morning was quite a zinger, so the smoothie was well fitting. My alarm went off and cliff jumped up on the bed to cuddle and be my little spoon. Poor timing buddy. So I threw the cover off on him and left him, thinking he would get up and start meowing (or play the dreaded fetch game). But the cuddler just stayed and slept (for 2 hours, I might add) like this...

What a little man! 

The other zinger, actually happened yesterday, but I am still thinking about it this morning, so it counts. Just for background information sake, my brother is in film school and working on his final project, which is a movie he creates, films, edits, the whole sha-bang. This is taking place at some run down house in GA. There are 15 people on the cast. My parents offered to bring food for them each weekend for two weekends in a row. The first weekend of parent food was this past weekend. Keep in mind that all I have heard about for the last week (at least) is the menu they are planning, the food they bought, etc. So, yesterday (morning, in fact) my dad (who I love and adore) calls in a panic. He wants to know what a natural sugar is, so that he can give the crew a sugar boost in the afternoon. Below is the convo (or something like it) that occurred:

Me: Well, if you want a natural sugar give them fruit. That is easy and they wouldn't have to stop filming.

Dad: What other natural sugars are there? Someone said candy. 

Me: Candy is not a natural sugar, are you (CENSORED) crazy? 

Dad: Maybe those energy drinks, what are they 5 hour energy or red bull? 

Me: Stick with the fruit. 

Dad: I think I will get 15 energy drinks and some candy bars. Thanks! Bye! 

And I wonder why I constantly have dreams that include people not listening to me! 

Oh, and here is my mom (whom I also love and adore) on the film set. This is what she looks like without her whiskey and canada dry. 

Adam has described my family as a sitcom and he likes to just sit back, watch us and enjoy. This picture made me VERY VERY excited for their visit in April. 

As for the diet, I came to the realization that, even though the word 'raw' implies that the food is healthy, raw brownies, raw larabars, and raw fudge are not. I knew this already, but I didn't want to acknowledge it. Major bummer. So, those are all out of the house. Well, after the new bars that Ashley and I made have been eaten...

The cooking spree that took place last night yielded: mediterranean dolmas, mexican 'rice', ranch dressing, walnut dressing, the bars (PB and J and Mango and Cranberry), and some bean-free olive hummus. And this all was made in about 1 1/2 hours. Give or take a little for wine breaks. :)

Recipes:
Morning Zinger Smoothie (from Green Smoothie Revolution)

• 1 bunch of dandelion greens
• 1/2" ginger
• 1/2 pineapple
• 2 peaches
• 2 stalks of celery

Mediterranean Dolmas (from Ani's Raw Food Kitchen)

• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 2 tbsp olive-oil
• Collard leaves for wrappers

Mix all the ingredients (except the collard leaves) in a bowl. Put a portion of the mixture in a collard leaf, wrap up and eat. Pretty, pretty okay.

Mexican 'Rice' (from Ani's Raw Food Kitchen)

• 1 acorn squash (about 1 pound), peeled, seeded, and cut in cubes
• 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
• 2 tbsp yellow onion, chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp sea salt

Put the cubed squash in a food processor and process into small pieces of 'rice.' Put the squash in a mixing bowl and add the other ingredients and mix well. Keeps for 2 days in fridge.

Ranch Dressing (from Raw Food)

• 1/2 cup cashew nuts
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 sprig basil
• 1/2 sprig dill
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• pinch of salt

Blend cashews to a flour-like consistency. Add half the water and mix. Add the spices, lemon juice and salt. Add a little water at a time and blend until desired consistency.

Walnut Dressing (from Raw Food)

• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp tamari
• basil, to taste
• 1 celery stalk
• 1/4 cup water

Blend walnuts to a flour-like consistency. Add the other ingredients and add extra water until you reach the desired consistency.
***This dressing was used on a salad with butter lettuce (from the Raleigh Farmer's Market), avocado, walnuts, tomato, and cucumber. It was AWESOME!

Bean-free Black Olive Hummus (from Ani's Raw Food Kitchen)

• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 2 cups zucchini, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup kalamata black olives, pitted and chopped
• pinch of paprika

Process sunflower seeds into a powder and set aside. Process zucchini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and tahini until smooth. Slowly add sunflower seeds back into the food processor. Process until mixture reaches a hummus consistency. Pour into a mixing bowl and top with olives and paprika.

Now, my friends, it is time for SCHOOOOOOOLLLLLL!!