Seattle has been experiencing a “cold snap” this week, and by “cold snap” I mean it is crazy cold for Seattle. I don’t think it has gotten much above freezing in the past week, and my body isn’t used to it! Last night I decided I was going to just soldier through and go on a walk. I met my friend Prema for a lovely walk around the lake at about 5:15. Unfortunately the sun had already gone down and it was FREEZING. I don’t have proper clothing for weather like this, so my extremities were icy. I had on 2 layers of pants, but that didn’t stop the chill. The icy temperature laughed at my dinky Old Navy fleece gloves, and my toes…oh my poor poor toes! Usually when you walk you warm up a bit after you get going. This just did not happen last night, and so I was incredibly grateful to see my car at the end of the hour. After that walk we needed some sustenance. You’d think I would have asked for hot food, but no, we went raw.
Thai Grinder
In all honesty, I used to like Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe a lot more. They used to have many more raw items and my problem was picking one out of 4 that I wanted. This trip I was having trouble deciding which one to eat because none sounded all that incredible. The Thai grinder was good, but I have had it many times before. It was recently removed from the menu because it is too labor intensive. My favorite menu item is also missing now (I assume for the same reason). I spoke with one of the women behind the counter and she told me that the raw items really don’t sell all that well, and that if they were all raw they would go out of business. This makes me sad because they used to have so many amazing raw choices. Unfortunately for me the cooked choices usually have an ingredient I don’t eat. Their rice bowls have well…rice. You can get quinoa instead of the rice, but I have been eating quinoa for breakfast and quite honestly I can easily make cooked veggies in a bowl with quinoa any day. I go there for the raw foods precisely because they are time consuming to do at home (well the interesting dishes anyway). My other complaint is that they put agave in EVERYTHING. Agave really isn’t raw, but for some reason the raw community seems to stick their fingers in their ears and sing whenever this is mentioned. Agave also isn’t healthy. I would much prefer the less processed maple syrup or honey to the high fructose agave. In fact, for all you agave lovers…you might want to read this:
Research suggests that fructose actually promotes disease more readily than glucose. This is because glucose is metabolized by every cell in the body, and fructose must be metabolized by the liver. 3 Tests on animals show that the livers of animals fed large amounts of fructose develop fatty deposits and cirrohosis of the liver. This is similar to the livers of alcoholics.
So you can say I am not a fan. I know it was in the sauce on my grinder, and I don’t like it, but it was a small amount and I haven’t had any agave other than that since my last serving of Coconut Bliss. I am not over worried, but I am worried when I see it in everything.I mentioned it to one of the women behind the counter and she said that I am not alone and that she will mention it to the powers that be. It would really be nice to be able to eat there and really enjoy it.
Speaking of enjoying it, the other night after dinner I made a baked apple. I put date sugar, raisins, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice ojn it and popped it into the oven.
After I took this photo I added some peanut butter to it and called it dessert.
I have had a pretty busy week and it doesn’t seem to be letting up. Unfortunately last night I did not get enough sleep so I am going to have to cut a few things our of my schedule. I don’t mess around with my sleep, especially when I am stressed (like now). So unfortunately I don’t think i am going to be able to make it in to prepare raw pies this weekend. I was going to do it tonight but I really think my main priority is getting in bed by 9:00 sharp. Tomorrow I have to get up and make something for the vegan bake sale going on at Sidecar for Pigs Peace. And I have a photo shoot with my favorite Female photographer Valentina. And then I have plans with Matt (earlier than usual since there is no late football game!). There just isn’t a good 2+ hour block of time where I can get in to prep pies. It makes me sad, but since I live so far away from Healeo sometimes this happens. This time of year is brutal for scheduling. Hopefully Justin will forgive me.
Tomorrow for dinner I am planning on making Breakfast “Sausage” Patties with Biscuits and gravy. I love breakfast for dinner.
Some other recipes I have been wanting to try…
TGIF everyone!
Email
Twitter
Flickr
I bet if we lived somewhere where it was in the 80’s still (like Florida) raw foods would still sell well. It’s hard to get in the mood for raw when it’s freezing out.
Oh stop it – Healeo’s not that far away! We come visit you there! But I do understand the time crunch. I hear you on that one. Take care of yourself!
“baked apple. I put date sugar, raisins, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice ojn it and popped it into the oven.” with PB too????? NICE!!!!!
Agave not raw and not really that healthy. Sigh. Yes, I know. And have read. Thanks for the reminder. You know my feelings on this, all sweeteners in moderation. I am cool with. I know everyone has to come to her own choice on this but for me, I just do the best I can without driving myself too nutty :)