Friday did you know? Raw Pumpkin Seeds have amazing health benefits!

Raw Pumpkin Seeds are fantastic! Raw Happiness include pumpkin seeds in most of our trail mixes because they are so amazing... here are some things you may or may not know ;-)

• natural anti-inflammatory
• great source of magnesium - 1/2 cup gives you 92% of the recommended daily value... this is a mineral that many Americans have a deficiency.
• high in zinc (naturally protecting against osteoporosis)
• good source of vitamin K
• contains L-tryptophan, naturally effective against depression
• promotes general prostrate health
• used in many places as a natural treatment for parasites
• contains phytosterols (shown to reduce LDL cholesterol and protect against many cancers)
• good source of iron and cooper
• good source of omega-3 and omega-6
• looking for new ways to get more protein - pumpkins seeds are great!

Wondering how to use pumpkin seeds, besides eating them as a raw snack? Try some of these great ideas:

• add to your sauteed veggies (if you're not 100% raw)
• add to your salads
• grind and add to your homemade salad dressings - amazing taste
• grind and add to veggie burgers, or any meat burgers or meat loaf
• chop them up and add to cookie recipes, or hot/cold cereals, oatmeals, or porridges (look in old postings for raw happiness raw porridge recipe)

Wow, I'm grateful for the votes for my salsa slaw and winning the November recipe contest in the Splendor In The Raw Recipe Club!  You can find the recipe in the September archives.

My friend Chef Tina Jo has amazing videos that teach everything about raw foods and food in general... like how to cut a mango. :-)  Check out her amazing website splendorintheraw.com

raw spicy lime tortilla chips!

These are so yummy and can be made so many ways! I'll be posting other varieties in the future :-)

So, here is the recipe for today's spicy lime tortilla chips:

3 cups fresh kernel corn (about 4 ears, cut from ear)
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1-2 jalapenos (I use 2 - cut into thirds)
2 small limes (peel limes and cut into quarters)
sea salt as desired

Combine all ingredients in a blender or Vita-Mix until blended well.

Spread out on Teflex lined dehydrator sheets - to your desired thickness... thinner for chips, bit thicker for round, softer tortillas. Spread/shape into rounds or spread all out and score for chips.

Dehydrate until desired crispness, for rounds it's best to flip them about 2/3 way through. It's that easy ;-)

raw happiness - salsa!!

Wow, I just finished eating the best salsa slaw I've ever eaten! okay, so it's the best "coleslaw" I've ever eaten. It's so simple too - shredded red cabbage, shredded carrot, and raw happiness salsa.

Yes, I really did make salsa with raw happiness trail mix and it's fantastic. I'll let you know which prize we win in the salsa contest this Sunday :-)



To make this awesome salsa, soak 2 packages Peaceful Mix and 1 package Abundant Trails Mix up to 2 hours. Then in your food processor (to your desired chunkiness), depending on the size, you may have to mix in batches.... roma tomatoes, serrano peppers, jalepeno peppers, cilantro, garlic, and the soaked raw happiness mixes. Then just squeeze fresh lime juice and add sea salt to taste or as desired. That's it!  If it's too thick, you can take about 1/4 of the salsa and put in the blender to liquefy, then add it back to the salsa.

raw happiness veggie dip

This is a great recipe for carrots, celery, peppers, cucumbers, even jicama! I love that it's so simple too, just soak your favorite raw happiness in water overnight, then blend, adding water or juice (using fresh carrot or celery juice is fantastic) until it's thick and creamy.

Sweeten the dip with a fruit juice or a little agave nectar for an awesome fruit dip.

RAW happiness porridge

This is so delicious raw, but if you must, you can warm this yummy porridge.

Before bed, I soak a bag of raw happiness mix - the pictured porridge uses Abundant Trails Mix. When I wake up, I soak a bowl of oats (or use your favorite grain cereal). After finishing my morning rituals, I just throw everything in the blender and add water to get a nice creamy consistency.

Pour into serving bowls, drizzle agave nectar and sprinkle cinnamon on top as desired.

If you prefer traditional cooked oatmeal or cream of wheat, throw in a handful of your favorite raw happiness trail mix for a fun treat!

Welcome

Welcome to the raw happiness blog! I'll be sharing raw happiness recipes each week and I invite you to share your recipes and comments. I'd love to hear how you are enjoying your raw happiness.

My raw happiness goal is to introduce healthy, easy snacks to not only raw foodists, but everyone. So, my recipes each week will include raw and non-raw options.

Visit rawhappiness.net to order our raw trail mixes: abundant trails, blissful mix, or joyful mix!