Everyday Life

Asha Peri was literally glowing with positive energy at last weekend\’s raw food workshop –her first since she got back from a life transforming trip to Bali, and undoubtedly her best workshop so far.

First up were superfoods: spirulina, hemp seeds, chia seeds, cacao, goji berries, maca, bee pollen.  I love the idea of naturally-occurring superheroes in the plant world. These come up without fail in any conversation about natural health, but this was the first time I approached raw recipes from the mindset of having a superfood as the primary ingredient (imagine a super champorado!).

She gave us a recipe for a super yumm superfood drink (lasang peppermint candy canes!)–apart from the green smoothie, it is the best no-hassle way to get all the nutrients in your body everyday.

I remember my first time in a raw kitchen back in 2004. Visited a self-taught raw chef in Madrid and saw jars and jars of spices and seeds of all sorts– it felt like I was in a sorcerer\’s lab full of magic potions! Sharing pics of some of Asha\’s magic potions:

(Clockwise from upper left) Extra Virgin olive oil, tamari, nutritional yeast, psyllium husk, miso, himalayan salt, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar.

Below: spices spices spices!

Another point that Asha raised was the importance of focusing on low glycemic index foods even if we\’re eating raw already.  It didn\’t occur to me that we have to regulate even healthy foods, especially those high in sugar, such as bananas (boo, I love bananas!).  Honey is the most obvious alternative to sugar for me, but here are others:

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Visit The Lighter Side of Raw album to find out more about what we learned last weekend.

Fresh from 5 weeks of a raw chef certification course in Bali, Asha Peri is holding a series of raw weekend workshops that are not to be missed!

After a month-long transformative rest from my Bali trip, I am now ready to share my new knowledge and experience through a series of 10 weekend workshops called THE LIGHTER SIDE OF RAW starting July 16-17. There\’s so much to share (and still learn) about raw food and conscious eating and this series is meant to wake you up to your own possibilities as a being of pure light through the food that you eat and the consciousness that you bring into your raw preparations, which you can also share with your family and friends.

 

A light-filled life to all,
Asha

Up next on July 30-31 is a raw response to the SAD (Standard Amercian Diet), with talks on what one should eat based on his Dosha Constitution.

For more information, visit Dahon Kusina on facebook or contact Asha Peri via leaf.kitchen@yahoo.com or 916-0391 / 0917-8611212.

Asha Peri the raw food fairy is back from her Bali certification course–and she\’s ready to share her new insights and recipes!

I\’ve attended at least two raw food workshops by Asha, on top of the raw dinners and many visits to Bahay Kalipay in Palawan, and highly recommend them to anyone with even an inkling for a healthy shift.

Raw for GO, GROW, and GLOW! Yay.

What\’s the first thing every aspiring raw foodist should do? Find an organic vegetable supplier.

Because we eat our vegetables in an almost unaltered state, we need to make sure they are as clean and chemical-free as possible.   I\’ve been buying produce from the organic section of the supermarket for a while now, but sometimes I wonder how authentic their organic claims are… Some say that the only way you can be sure you\’re getting chemical-free vegetables is by finding a farmer/supplier that you trust.

During Asha Peri\’s raw workshop last Saturday, Kristine Garcia of Emporium Antipolo was ready to meet-and-greet with us, armed with her basket of veggies and a wide smile. Been in touch with her since then and two days ago, I got my first organic goodie bag delivered to my doorstep, yay!

Ordered just the night before and delivered the day after– such impressive service from Emporium Antipolo. Not to mention the follow up text and online messages on recipe and storage tips… a BIG thank you Kristine!



With the trusty spiralizer I ordered from my raw teachers, Daniw and Asha, I got ready to make my first raw cucumber pasta at home…

It was actually very easy, and even my ever-so-excited niece (who\’s 6) took a turn in spiralizing the cucumber (getting her to eat it after was another matter!).  Didn\’t have time to make the sauce, so was very happy Kristine included some Raw Pesto in my Emporium Antipolo goodie bag:

Yumyumyum… 🙂

More raw recipes soon!

Looking for a healthier diet? Here\’s a workshop to help you get started, from raw food advocate, Asha Peri:

Join me at SIMPLY RAW – a raw food preparation workshop at Dahon Kusina on February 5 from 3-6:30 p.m. Special participation of Emporium Antipolo, supplier of local organic produce. For inquiries, contact Asha at 09178611212 or Sheila at 9160391.:)

Together with Daniw of Bahay Kalipay, Asha is truly one of my raw food idols.  These two women are tireless in pushing for a healthy, raw food diet that uses local and accessible ingredients.   I attended one of their yummy raw food dinner buffets last November, and was just blown away by the different ways they prepared healthy raw food!

It\’s said that everyone who is introduced to the raw food alternative knows it is good for him; the hard part is HOW to start it.  Most internet recipes call for ingredients that are not available in the Philippines, so it is especially encouraging that we now have Filipino raw recipes to recreate at home. 🙂

Upcoming RAW FOOD workshops in Dahon Kusina:
February 5 – SIMPLY RAW (Pasig)
February 13 – yIN LOVE LOVE WITH RAW (yin yoga & raw food-Makati)
February 26 – Dance or DESSERT (part 2-Pasig)
Call 09178611212 (Asha) or 9160391 (Sheila) to inquire.

Visit the Dahon Kusina facebook page for details.

Also check out the pics of the first Dance or Dessert workshop–Isn\’t it amazing that these banana-tahini sandwiches dipped in choco-coco-orange fudge are actually good for you? And they\’re so simple to make!