Well, we are now closer to Berkeley and I think that I am becoming more of a hippie by proximity. As we were comparing prices for cacao nibs at Whole Foods a fellow shopper asked us if we were locals. Afraid she was going to ask us for directions we stumbled to respond with an affirmative. She then said there is a local raw food coop where we could get said nibs and other superfood goodness on the cheap. We went home and googled Raw Manna and I think our life may have changed directions. Ok that sounds silly. Although I believe that if you are open to it things will come to you that can positively change your life and direct you on a path that is good and right for you. How’s that for hippie speak?
So I have spent a couple hours today researching the products they have available and we will definitely be visiting them to pick up some things. Funny thing is we would have gone there today, however we were not able to get a hold of them. They ask that you call ahead and in typical laid back hippie fashion they haven’t returned my message yet, I find that totally funny and ironic. What will we be getting? Chia seeds - I think I may use these in place of the Arbonne fiber we have been using in smoothies, they are also a good source of good fats. Maca - a root that is great for energy and apparently better sex drive (oh my, yes I did write that in a blog I know my mother reads, hi mom, love you!). Kale Chips - these are simply baked kale, a good treat for those who have given up starchy tubers like potatoes the more common chip component. And lastly Elliott has requested Wizards Paste, which I believe is a chocolate type mixture with 12 or so “superfoods”. When the hippies get around to calling us back we will go check out their store/house, purchase some of these items and work on bringing them into our diet. I am pretty excited to try something new.
On another note, the jury is still out on whether or not coconut oil is “good” for you. Some people say its a saturated fat so its not good, others say its one of natures best foods. I tried it in my smoothie and liked it. Then one night I was talking to our friends who are from India about it and she told me that she uses it in her hair. She also shared a story that one time she went to someones house and they drizzled it on food, she thought that was disgusting. Since I had tried it in food first I was thankful that it hadn’t been ruined for me and I then proceeded to try it as a beauty product. I rubbed it on my skin area problems for several days before getting in the shower. I think there is a small chance the residual on my hands made my face break out… although other than that it was soothing. Then today I put it on my hair for a few hours. I showered tonight and afraid it was going to be too greasy I shampoo’d twice, do you think that negates all the benefit? So then I conditioned to try and get the benefit back. I didn’t blow dry or do my hair and its still slightly damp so I can’t comment on if I think it was helpful or not, although it did feel fun. I kind of want to take a bath in the stuff it feels so rich.
Lastly, my final hippie act for the day is researching how to make our own almond milk. We go through so much of this stuff I thought it would be good to see if making it ourselves is an option. I first compared the potential price savings and I don’t think the savings is so great as to be a motivator in itself. However I do think that the amount of the containers we throw away would be greatly reduced and thereby I think worth it. That is easy to say having not yet made it. It doesn’t look that hard though. Some people blanch the almonds, others don’t. I think I would skip the blanching. I think I would soak them overnight though. And then you blend in water and strain in cheese cloth. Sounds pretty easy. We just bought a bunch of almond milk today, including a case (that’s how much we use) so when we almost exhaust that supply I am going to try making a batch to see if I think it is a viable option rather than purchasing it.
Given my recent aversion to spandex, I am afraid I may soon be caught up in a raw food, hemp clothing, tree hugging movement and no longer be recognizable to my friends and family. If that happens I am sorry. I love you all. Peace, love and gratitude, love your hippie sister, daughter and friend, teresa (aka raindancer)
