We have moved...... have you found us yet?

Hello wild ones!

We have moved.. have you found us yet?

Our new home is www.rawllygood.com  packed with more of your rawllygoodness, oh so much more!

Check it out, there is a new section launched today: Vlog— The Power Of...

So come on by,

Cheers
Natalie Howard

well, here it is!!! The next evolution: rawllygood.com is now live! so come on by...

Yes, rumours are true and the oh so soon! moment has arrived and the next evolution of this blog is now live and exists beyond the boundaries of my body, my mind and my heart.... I invite you to come on by, explore, connect, take a few deep breaths, notice what is noticing, dive within and find your self with a gentle smile upon your face...

rawllygood.com is a space and an exploration of different tools for alignment with our soul, our greatest potential and our most vibrant authentic expression of ourselves.

Oh! Oh! I will be sending out a weekly newsletter to come your way on graceful Thursdays, so sign up! Subscribe and enjoy your weekly dose of rawllygoodness.  The first one went out today! had you sign up, did you get it? if not, you can visit the site and stay connected, next week is coming, and so will rawllygoodness...

This blog will still be here for you, but you can find a whole lot more of rawllygoodness over at rawllygood.com, and from now on, that will be my and this Blog's new home.  If you still want to stay connected I encourage you to Subscribe to the newsletter!!!

So come on by,
rawllygood.com awaits…. Spark the {r}evolution within!

Here is just a peak...

In Kindship & Community,
Naty Howard
(explore, connect, take a few deep breaths, notice what is noticing, dive within)

Things are changing around here....for the better! New Video Series: The Power of Restorative Farming!

Things are changing around here... for the better! As we continue to grow and listen within the silence of the practice, it has become very clear to me that the Rawllygood blog is a part of something bigger.  It has become clear to me that it is important to share my journey of realignment to nature and of body, mind and spirit with you.  Sharing all the tools I have used, and continue to use as part of my daily practice, lifestyle and healthier habits.  As well, it has become clear to me to be of service to others along their journey of realignment.  It is through this process of clarity that The Realign Ranch has been born.  The Realign Ranch will be a centre that supports the journey of realignment of body, mind and soul through a variety of workshops such as yoga, meditation, raw food nutrition classes, creative expression, permaculture & edible gardens.  It’s mission is to be of service through the process of self-transformation that leads to spiritual growth, self realization and freedom.  

Through the process of becoming The Realign Ranch, I will be doing a series of video explorations on the theme The Power Of.... , part of the process of realignment is to take full responsibility for our actions, for their consequences and for the power that is within both of them.  The video series The Power of.. will explore the power of alignment with nature, alignment of body, mind, soul through many practices that have been helpful on my journey.  As well, it will be an exploration of our Power as global citizens to affect change.  Every action and habit that we have either builds our road to optimal health and spiritual liberation or builds our road to decay and disease on a personal level and a global level.  Each one of our actions contributes to the health and ecology of our communities and the planet.  So its time to act locally and think globally, for our own health and the health and future of humanity and the earth.  The Power of.. will explore themes such as Restorative Farming, mindfulness, yoga practices, meditation, permaculture, ayurvedic traditions, raw foods, creative expressions and on and on I could go.... I think you get the point.... So come along the journey of self-discovery and exploration of the tools and practices that bring us back in touch with our true self, with liberation and freedom.

Today we begin, perhaps with baby steps, this new journey of self empowerment. I welcome you to join me and Phil Collins as we discuss The Power of Restorative Farming.   Phil Collins is the owner of Foggy River Farms and co-founder of Fresh City Farms, and I will be teaching our June 8th workshop Homesteading for Raw Nutrition along with him, here at the Realign Ranch.  

Restorative Farming is based on the principles of permaculture as organic living systems that serve to to restore the land-not just sustain it, restore our bodies-phisically, mentally, our consciousness, our communities-by gathering and sharing the experience of growing food. 

Sit back and enjoy the ride...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJRksTsFOEg

Events coming up

Sunday June 8th, 9am-5pm, Homesteading for Raw Nutrition-
Presented by Phill Collins owner of Foggy River Farms and co-founder of Fresh City Farms, and myself.

Location: The Realign Ranch. 8641 Concession 2. Mt Albert, On (conveniently located 15 minutes East of Newmarket, or 12 minutes west of Uxbridge).


Join us for this full day combination seminar and hands-on workshop. Learn about the benefits of raw nutrition while Natalie demonstrates how easy it is to create simple nutritious meals for you and your family. Natalie will be demonstrating and talking about the benefits and healing aspects of juicing, smoothies, fermenting, dehydrating, super foods, sprouting and more! Phil will talk about many of the nutritionally dense foods that anyone can grow in their own landscape, tree planting and garden bed preparation, permaculture design elements and principles used to design the Mandala Gardens at the Realign Ranch. Hands on activities include meal preparation, tree planting and garden bed preparation.

We will end the day with a walking meditation.

Included in the workshop are raw breakfast and raw lunch.
Each participant will receive up to 10 select seedlings to start their own garden.
For more information and to register for the full day workshop, please visit http://restorativefarming.com/workshops/may-3rd-raw-nutrition-home-gardening-workshop

Quote of the Day

"The decisions that you make and the actions that you take upon the earth are the means by which you evolve".- Gary Zukav

Something Old: The Science of Ayurveda, 2+2= 10,000 didn't you know?, and UFO's (Unwanted Filling Organisms!)...

Something Old:  The Science of Ayurveda

The Science of Ayurveda is the ancient science of the knowledge of life that comes from India.  It is a science that delves deeply into the wisdom of life.  It is a qualitative science that provides the understanding of the elements, principles, or forces, present in the body-mind- emotions-spirit system that are unique to each individual, both at conception (PRAKRUTI) and in our current state of being (VIKRUTI). Understanding the ratio & proportions, qualities, interrelationships and tendencies of the elements, principles or forces, within the body-mind-emotions-spirit system (Microcosm) and in relationship to our immediate external environment (Macrocosm) is key to understanding Ayurveda and it’s tools to healing and to staying in balance and harmony throughout one’s life.

According to Ayurveda there are five basic elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. These elements of creation manifest in the Macrocosm (the Universe) and in the Microcosm (human beings). In the human being they manifest in our body-mind-emotion-soul system. The five elements combine in different ratios and proportions in the human being and manifest as three doshas: Vata (Ether and Air), Pitta (Fire and Water), Kapha (Earth and Water).  Each one of us is a manifestation of unique ratios and proportions of the elements. This unique manifestation is our essential constitution. Our PRAKURTI. When the elements within us are in balance with our essential constitution, we have radiant health of body-mind-emotions-soul. When out of balance, when the ratios and proportions of the elements within us are out of balance with our essential constitution, we find ourselves in the path of disharmony and dis-ease.

Our PRAKRUTI is our essential constitution, or constitution at conception. It is our unique individual foundation.  It is the specific ratio & proportions of the elements within our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies at the moment of conception.  We are born with very specific qualities that set specific physical, emotional, mental and spiritual patterns within us.  Our PRAKRUTI reveals the blueprint of the innate tendencies that have been built into our system. It also reveals our genetic imprint and ancestral conditions & limitations, tendencies & patterns, that very much affect who we are and our state of being.  It provides us with deep and specific understanding of our body-mind-emotion-spirit system and the effects the different proportions of the elements and forces have in our present condition.  Who we are, in body, mind, emotions and spirit is a direct reflection of our PRAKRUTI constitution.   Through deeply understanding our constitution we can gain further understanding of these manifestations and tendencies and reclaim ownership of ourselves and bring balance into our lives by balancing the ratios and proportions of the Elements present within us.  Knowing our constitution is key to knowing our foundation, to “knowing our uniqueness, our hidden potentials, our challenges and lessons along with our gifts” (Ayurveda Tongue Diagnosis).

Our VIKRUTI is our current constitution. It is the current proportions of the elements present in our body-mind-emotions-spirit system that leads to ease (when VIKRUTI and PRAKRUTI are the same or close), or dis-ease (when VIKRUTI and PRAKRUTI are very different).

Knowing our PRAKURTI and our VIKRUTI is key to knowing which ‘road map’ we need to follow to lead a healthy balanced life.  The closer our VIKRUTI is to our PRAKURTI the more harmony and health we will experience. 

Ayurveda also basis it’s philosophy on the Law of the Macrocosm and Microcosm. This law states that every element, natural force and principle that exists in the external Cosmic Universe (Macrocosm) also exists within us, within our body-mind-emotion-spirit system (Microcosm). Any changes or disturbances that affect the Macrocosm will have a similar affect of the Microcosm. “Everything affects everything else, and everything is in constant change” and “Like increases Like, Opposites heal” are two core concepts of Ayurveda. This interconnectedness and interrelationship is key to Ayurveda as a tool for natural deep root healing. When we become aware of the power of alignment and change in the Macrocosm, to change and balance the Microcosm, we allow ourselves to experience profound transformational healing, personal growth, well-being and transpersonal healing. We align ourselves with the laws of nature and Cosmic Universal Consciousness.

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to healing and to understanding our inherited gifts and limitations to follow a path of peace & harmony, health & happiness. It is the deepest and most complete source of knowledge and wisdom that acknowledges our individuality and the many layers of our existence. It acknowledges the journey, the healing, our inherited constitutions, and provides the tools for deep root healing instead of symptom based healing, once our present constitution is off balance.

Ayurveda is a system that believes in the prevention of disease, it is a tool that offers clarity and an abundance of information on how to stay healthy & vibrant, or bring ourselves back to well-being through cleansing practices and staying in tune with our own constitution, balancing the Elements, forces and principles within us through diet, herbs, essential oils, breathwork, movement, emotional bodywork, meditation, crystals, daily life-style practices and weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly purification practices. It is a system that flows with the energy of the seasons, the times of the day, the life stages, and our overall lifestyle.  It is a system that understands that the whole of our actions is greater than every individual action we take, there you go, 2+2= 10,000!.  Everything we do or not do, will have an effect on us, towards health building or towards misalignment and eventually disease building.

Ayurveda aims at providing the path for us to align our body-mind-emotion-spirit system in prefect harmony with Universal Cosmic Consciousness and for us to reach our fullest potential.

If you want to find out more about Ayurveda and would like to find out more about your PRAKURTI and VIKRUTI constitutions, there are two books I recommend: 

* Ayurveda the Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad

* Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis by Walter 'Shantree' Kacera, D.N., Ph.D.

From the Rawllygood Kitchen

Ayurveda uses spices and herbs to charge, cool or heat the food in ways that would be beneficial to our constitutions.  Anyone, regardless of the type of foods you eat, can benefit from the healing qualities of herbs and spices, within their subtle existence they are rich with healing power and abilities to heat, cool, energize, build and detoxify.

In India, herb & spice combination of seasoning blends are called Masalas.  Masalas are easy to make and great to use in anything from soups (raw & cooked), to salads, to beans, to stews.  Making them at home guarantees us that we are using wholesome ingredients with no extra UFO's in our food.  I know what you are thinking.... since when do we have UFO's in our food, right?, right.  Well, for the past nearly almost 70 years or so, they infiltrated our food system, and sadly they are everywhere in our food industry today.  So... I can see you scratching you head, mmh, UFO's really? what is this girl going on about?  So I must disclose:  UFO= Unwanted Filling Organisms! indigestible additives that overtime will build disease and disharmony within our body systems and that have absolutely no right to be in our food systems! :)




Raw with Everything Masala-  great with raw soups, or mixed in for raw crackers, raw sliders, raw dehydrated goodies!
8 cardamon pods
4 tsp mustard seeds
4 tsp coriander seeds
4 tsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp cumin seeds
Blend in a spice mill or coffee grinder to a fine powder. Enjoy!

Nala Masala- a great addition to any drink!, I love using this one with my teas, chai, and elixirs!

1 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 tsp cardamon
Blend in a spice mill or coffee grinder to a fine powder.

Events coming up

Sunday June 8th, 9am-5pm, Homesteading for Raw Nutrition-
Presented by Phill Collins owner of Foggy River Farms and co-founder of Fresh City Farms, and myself.

Location: The Realign Ranch. 8641 Concession 2. Mt Albert, On (conveniently located 15 minutes East of Newmarket, or 12 minutes west of Uxbridge).


Join us for this full day combination seminar and hands-on workshop. Learn about the benefits of raw nutrition while Natalie demonstrates how easy it is to create simple nutritious meals for you and your family. Natalie will be demonstrating and talking about the benefits and healing aspects of juicing, smoothies, fermenting, dehydrating, super foods, sprouting and more! Phil will talk about many of the nutritionally dense foods that anyone can grow in their own landscape, tree planting and garden bed preparation, permaculture design elements and principles used to design the Mandala Gardens at the Realign Ranch. Hands on activities include meal preparation, tree planting and garden bed preparation.

We will end the day with a walking meditation.

Included in the workshop are raw breakfast and raw lunch.
Each participant will receive up to 10 select seedlings to start their own garden.
For more information and to register for the full day workshop, please visit http://restorativefarming.com/workshops/may-3rd-raw-nutrition-home-gardening-workshop

Quote of the Day

"As we embrace our passions and delve into the mystery of life, we unite with the majestic complexity of nature; and if we follow the signs, this can help us understand who we really are".- Sebastian Pole, Discovering the True You with Ayurveda: How to Nourish, Rejuvenate and Transform your Life.

The best gift ever!!!! on the road less travelled & Happy Valentines Day!

As a mother of 3, I sing my song and dance my dance, in hopes that my journey may inspire and have an effect on my children and the choices they will make in their lives.  But truth is we just don't know.  We, or should I say, I don't know what really trickles down.  I know some things do. I know it in how I  see them making their choices, and the questions they ask me, particularly with foods, health, honouring your truth, and walking lightly on this planet yet leaving an imprint of your soul along the way.  But with the world moving ever so fast, with the constant pull between community and friends, and home lifestyles, or just simple being 10, 8, and 4 and almost 40. There is a difference in how we see the world.  There is a difference in how we engage with the world.  Yet there can also be a lot of similarities, a lot of support and companionship along the road less travelled.


A few days ago I received the best gift ever!, I was joyfully asked for a favourite green juice! my specialty of course!

I must admit, I felt such honour, warmth in my heart and  joy when my middle son Theo, after finishing his homework, asked me: mom! can you make me my favourite juice? to what I replied, which one? my favourite GREEN juice, of course!  well well…. yaaaaaaa

Of course I can! and then more voices echoed in the back .. me toooo!….. me toooo!

I am often making them, often offering them…. sometimes my fresh juices are greeted with joy, sometimes with ahhh!, sometimes with not now.. sometimes with no way!… so it was such a gift to receive the asking of what I think is one of the most important tools for health and longevity in today's world….. green juice!

Sometimes the road less travelled is a lonely road, an awkward road, a different road.. but as the world becomes one, as we open our doors of perception, and the doors to our hearts, we see there are many walking beside us, quietly gathered, moving towards an awakening in consciousness.

Our generation is opening the door to higher levels of health and awareness of spirit.. frankly we got tired of feeling sick and reached out for other possibilities where life is radiant, where life bursts our hearts open into the magnitude and alchemy of this universe.  It is our job, more so our duty, to raise our kids with the empowered awareness that health is our innate state of being, that what we put in equals the state of our health - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, that we are here to grow, to nourish, to be of service, to be in alignment with our own dharma, and our own purpose.  It is our duty to kindle the light within and allow them to shine bright.

So as I give back gift to such honours… and because today is Valentines Day, along with a mighty green homemade juice… we are feeling the love of raw cacao in our hearts…. there are many good, and great ways to celebrate love, raw cacao chocolate is one of my favourites.

Raw Cacao comes from the Theobroma Cacao tree…. (something my Theo can't get over!)… It is referred to as 'food of the Gods'.  It is magic and alchemy.  It is a powerful way to get goodness into us.    It is healing medicine and can be used as a tool to get herbs, medicinal mushrooms, roots, & super foods into the best tasting way one can only offer the Gods that live within us!  So lets roll the drum and scroll down the benefits of this mighty nut:

• It is high in antioxidants, helping us deal with free-radicals and stress.
• It is high in magnesium, which supports the heart, increases brainpower, relaxes menstrual cramping and muscles, increases flexibility, helps build strong bones, and increases alkalinity. note- our bodies need magnesium in order to absorb calcium.
• Contains high levels of Iron, Chromium, Manganese, Zinc, copper, Vitamin C
• Raw Cacao contains essential Omega 6- Fatty Acids. (note- in cooked & processed Cacao these become rancid)
• And on and on…

So here is a easy basic recipe for Raw Cacao Theobroma Magic, I am giving you a basic recipe, where your inspiration can take into great goodness heights….

1 cup of Raw Cacao Butter,  cut into small chunks.
1 cup of Raw Cacao powder
1 tsp of Maca powder
2-4 TBPS of raw honey, maple syrup, or Xylotol
pinch of salt (what? - yes, salt makes sweet food taste sweeter.)


In a pot, on LOW heat, melt the Cacao Butter.  Once melted, take off the stove.  Add raw cacao powder, macs, sweetener of choice, salt.  Mix it up.

Have your chocolate moulds ready, pour chocolate into moulds, freeze for 30 min. and enjoy!

This chocolate is best kept in the freezer until serving, it literally melts in your mouth with goodness!

You can add any superfood to this recipe, substitute maca for spiruina, chlorella, etc.  Add bee pollen, add goji berries… your imagination is the limit.

Enjoy & Happy Valentines…
May you lead your life always in joy & love.

Naty
___

"Where there is love there is life."- Mahatma Gandhi

Receiving the gifts of Alignment. What do Juice Fasting and Meditation have to do with each other?

As the door into new and magical sacred lands open up, I find myself spontaneously Juice Fasting to cleanse, to rebuild, to tap into my own sacredness, to stay deeply connected, to allow new insights into my consciousness and ground my feet deep beneath the Earth as I go along for the ride, to deeply nourish myself in times of transition and to tap into the essence of my nourishment. I am on day 6, but this time I am doing a Liquid fast, not just a Juice fast in that I am including smoothies, nut milks and raw soups into my fast. It just feels so right.  Fasting is a way to align ourselves with our true self.  It is a way to increase our Prana, our life-force.  It is a way to connect more deeply, to allow the silence within to become the humming vibration that guides my being.  I also mediate for longer when I fast.  They seem to go together, and they seem to enhance in synergy the positive effects they both have on the body, mind, emotions and spirit.  I am not sure how long this fast will last, I am deeply listening.

Fasting is considered a detoxification tool along our journey, but as we detoxify and let go of what we no longer need in many and all levels of our existence, we also create room for rebuilding our new selfs.  As we fast we allow our bodies to balance and realign themselves with our natural rhythms.  In the Science of Ayurveda these rhythms are of ultimate importance in our journey to balance and optimal health.  These rhythms govern every process in our bodies.  Think about it for a second, the beating of our hearts has its own rhythm, our breathing has its own rhythm.  From the rhythm of each and every cell process, to the patterns and rhythms of our days, rhythm is everywhere, inside and out!

In Ayurveda, the more we are in alignment with our own bodily rhythms and with the rhythms of the Macrocosm, the more we will experience radiant optimal health.  It reads so easy, doesn't it?, yet its a process to do, to stay in tune with your self and the rhythms that surround us as to stay open for the gifts of alignment to shine in.

As 2014 moves along, and we find ourselves, day in and day out, in our routines and daily habits, doing something like a Juice or Liquid Fast, breaks the rhythm of routines & habits, for better or for worse, it breaks down the wall of delusion, it allows our soul to shine a mirror to our ego, it allows us to think and question, allows us to quiet our self, our minds, our hearts, and our bodies so we can then establish new or re-establish old rhyhtms that serve us better.  Think of it as a breathing break in the midst of climbing to the summit.

The best time to start a Juice or Liquid Fast is when your body is asking you for it! Either we will be in alignment and know that it is right, or we will be spinning out of control, emotionally, physically, spiritually and suddenly something happens that points us in the direction of taking time to restore.  A good idea when fasting is to also align ourselves with the rhyhtms and cycles found in Nature.  Many civilizations prior to us, practiced fasting in alignment with the Full & New Moons, as well as, at the time of Seasonal Change.  The energy is different at these times, and the veils between the physical and the sacred become more palpable.  Aligning ourselves with these energies or change in the energies,with the intention of Alignment of Self has magical synergistic effects on every aspect of our being.

The meditation practice is a great support tool when Fasting because it allows us to be a 'witness' to ourselves and find more compassion and self-love in our process of letting go.  Meditation also restores our nervous system, something that the process of fasting and what we 'release' can sometimes challenge.  It provides the space for Sacredness and for the unseen to become seen.
 
As tomorrow's Full Moon approaches I invite you to dust-off your juicer and juice it up! I invite you to sit in meditation just for 5 minutes at the beginning or at the end of your day or both if you can!!! I invite you to participate in the 7th Annual "Winter Feast for the Soul", a free 40 day commitment to the personal practice of stillness.

It's been two years since I did my fist 40 day Juice Fast and the 'Winter Feast for the Soul'.  Since then I have found new depths in my meditation practice and the stillness within, in my awareness, in my understanding of energetics, in my relationship with food, with life, with love and with Spirit.

Juice it up and bring it on! Align yourself with the forces of the Universe and keep your heart open to receive the gifts!

n.
__

Juice it up and bring it on - check this recipe!

_
"The real skill is to raise the sails and to catch the power of the wind as it passes by."- Thomas Berry

When one door closes, another one opens... wide open!

It's an old saying.. "When one door closes, another one opens".  But what happens if we are really attached to what we do, where we are at, our passions, dreams and desires?  What happens when the door closes, when we realize that if we want to have a different result, we are going to have to change what we are doing?  At first, fears happens.  Then a lot of questioning happens.  Perhaps some anger.  But then answers also start to happen.  Then a deeper sense of how much we have changed, and what the desires behind some of our dreams really are.  A different level of peace and trust enters into my heart and I surrender, I accept, I move, I breathe, I get onto my mat, I connect with the Wisdom of Spirit within me.  I surrender to the Magic of it all, because I feel it giving life to the beating of my heart.

As some of you know I used to work as a photographer.  I still do it, but not as much as before.  Then I got sick with large quantities of Heavy Metals in my blood that were causing all sorts of reactions.  Then I got tired of being sick and having no answers.  Then I started listening deep within and my life changed.  Everything is the same, yet EVERYTHING has changed.  There was a time in my life when all I breathed, ate and dreamed about was photography.  I couldn't imagine my life without it.  As I continued to heal, I went back to painting.  I need that creative outlet of artistic expression.  It has been my calling for so long.... but for the last couple of months... I started to react to the subtle and not so subtle scents and fumes of the acrylic paint.  Ahhhhh.  What? No! Again? Yes!

I have felt fear, I have felt anger that I can't do things that I love because of how they affect my body.  I have struggled with it.  But I have also sat with it.  I asked questions and received answers.  I surrendered to the powers above, and awoke to a magical world of synchronicity, love and spirit.  As I meditate with it, I realize that most of my work as a photographer and a painter where about the human connection and my own connection to Spirit. Photographically, they were documentary stories about our social conditions, a lot where about the rituals that keep our connection alive.  As a painter, I was fascinated with painting the feeling and energy of a landscape as a way to journey to Spirit.

As that door closes, it doesn't mean that I will stop, but the ways in which I can work both photographically and through painting have to change, a bigger door opens! The softening of the heart, the forgiveness to self, others and lives's circumstances is allowing me to trust in the ability of the Universe to guide me, to allow for personal transformation and a more intimate and deep connection to Spirit.  All sort of wonderful synchronicity, magical moments & people keep showing up in my life and I am most grateful for the awe I feel inside. So another door opens and it's all Rawllygood.  This brave new world has brought me into a different understanding and relationship with myself and with Spirit.  I accept.  I surrender. My heart is open.

__

"Kindness in words creates confidence.  Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.  Kindness in giving creates love."- Lao Tzu

Happy Canada Day! and a recipe for Raw Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Ice Cream!

Happy Canada Day!

To those of us living in the great white north beautiful Canada, well, HAPPY CANADA DAY! As an immigrant to Canada I am always thankful on this very day for the opportunity of being here.  On this very day I count my blessings, and with a heart full of gratitude I bow my head down and think of the amazing things that had to happen for me to be here today.  A free and peaceful country, where I can speak my truth without persecussion, where I can walk without the worry of being followed or being assaulted, where I can build the life of my dreams and know that my children have an incredible opportunity to be a part of building a better world.  So Canada: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  May you continue to blossom, may you continue to seek peace through peaceful ways, may you continue to take care of all your citizens providing heatlh care  and education to all, may you continue to be accepting of our differences and be a leader in creating multicultural societies that thrive in all aspects of being.

On this Canada Day, what are you thankful for? a kiss from your child? a breath of fresh air? the vibrant community that surrounds you? Bring it into your awareness, feel it in your heart, and let it shine!

It wouldn't be a complete Canada Day without some Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Ginger Ice Cream, with freshly picked strawberries and rhubarb... oh.. its simply divine!

Recipe for Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Ginger Ice Cream
1 cup of coconut water
2 cups organic strawberries
1 cup organic rhubarb cut into pieces
1 1/2 inch piece Ginger
2 cups young coconut meat
2 cups of cashews, soaked for at least 2 hrs.
1/2 cup of raw coconut nectar or raw honey
seeds of 1 vanilla pod or 1 tsp of vanilla powder
a pinch of sea salt
1/2 cup of coconut oil, warmed to liquid
chopped strawberries and/or rhubarb for garnish

Add coconut water to high speed blender (or food processor), add the rest of the ingredients except for the coconut oil.  Blend or process until smooth, then while the blender or food processor is running add the coconut oil.  Blend or process until it is well mixed.  Pour the blend into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturers directions (they are all different).  Remove from ice cream maker and freeze.  Let it freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up.  Scoop, add garnish.

Enjoy outside while feeling the sun beaming on you and counting your blessings!

What are you thankful for on this Canada Day? and if you are not in Canada... today is a good day to count your blessings anyway!

Love,
Naty

__
Song of the Day:

"Oh singer you must search
for your place on the earth
while the same for your nation is true.
So lift up the soul of your country
and a place will be found here for you.
But don't go and run until your song has been sung
and the words of your soul have been said.
For a land without song can't stand very long
When the voice of its people is dead.

You may pile up your gold
but the pride of your soul
is the small bit of hope you bestow
on the children who come this way tomorrow
in search of the right way to go.
So singer sing on
like the first ray of dawn
with your promise of day just ahead.
For the land without song
can't stand very long
when the voice of its people is dead."

-Lyrics to The Singer, by Stompin' Tom Connors.  Canadian Folk musician, 1936- 2013

No No No... Of course I have not forgotten about you!... and Yes! It's Official!

The days seem to roll on and goodness, gracious we are in June already!

I hope you have been well... I have been a busy bee... and thus my lack of communication.. but it's all all right .. I am still here...

Last Sunday night, I had the privilege of hosting the first ever Rawllygood Potluck at our place. With family and friends we gathered and lead the way to one of many Potlucks to be had.  So ITS OFFICIAL! The Rawllygood Potluck is here to stay... on the first Sunday of the month between 5 -7pm.  So gather yourselves and come on by for a Rawllygood time full of inspiration, community and great people who strive to build a wholesome community.  No worries, you don't have to be Raw Vegan to come on by.. just have an open heart and a willing to try new things, that is all.  Actually, I was the only Raw vegan at this pot!, but I am full of luck in that as friends and family we respect each other's choices recognizing that we have a common desire to reconnect with the power of clean real fresh food and the power that as our community grows so does our awareness of our current environment and our awareness to be of support to one another.

Our next Rawllygood Potluck will be on Sunday July 7th, 5 - 7pm.  The potluck will be at our place (8641 concession 2, Mt. Albert/ Uxbridge, ON-- beware of GPS they will take you to the moon before they find our place!) but we have an opportunity to gather earlier at my friend's Anne and her husband Mike Lanigan Organic Farm for their Annual Farm tour.  It's bound to be a great day, can't get any fresher than that! From the farm to the table!

The Organic Farmhouse Garden Tour starts at 2.30pm and it is a Rain or Shine event.  Dress for the weather.  No pets please.  They do a great tour of their organic farm, it is an eye opener!.  Their address is 30 Scugog Line 12, Uxbridge, On.

So if you are interested in coming out, you can meet us there or meet us here for 5pm. If you are interested in coming only to the Potluck, let me know, and I will let you know where we are.  Either way please RSVP so that we have an idea of the numbers we are expecting.

Details of the Rawllygood Potluck:

Please bring a Raw Beegan dish of your own creation (I am ok with using raw honey as a sweetener, more on that follows, but keeping it Vegan otherwise) . Enough for the confirmed number of people to sample. Organic, dairy/egg free, plant based, meat free, not heated over 41C or 105F, along with a list of ingredients or recipe!! I will try my best to post some of the AWESOME recipes on the Blog.

Please AVOID the use of Agave syrup. IF your recipe calls for it you can use RAW cane sugar, dates or raw honey. Agave syrup is basically Fructose! and it will mess around with your blood sugars. More on that at http://rawllygood.blogspot.ca/2013/01/farewell-agave-farewell-hello-queen-bee.html

I know some of you are completely Vegan. We will do our best to respect that.

  

There are many websites to find inspiration such as:

www.rawllygood.blogspot.ca

www.goneraw.com

www.giveittomeraw.com

www.runningraw.com

www.hippocratesinst.org

I will be sending reminders of it on a monthly basis.

Please RVSP back to me so that I can have an idea of the numbers and we can all plan our dishes accordingly.

__

QUOTE OF THE DAY 

“True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.”- Anonymous