Reining Rawness
Hey everyone! How was your day? Hope it was wonderful 😀 I loved your feedback to this morning’s Reader’s Request post! Ya’ll are awesome… not that I didn’t already know that 😉
My day has been full of glorious raw eats….
Raw bfast cookie (on a cupcake plate!) 
-1/3 C oat groats (ground into flour)
-homemade almond milk
-1/2 bananner
-1 T maca
-1 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior
-cacao nibs
-foodgasms
Raw Lasagna from Pure Market Express (review to come!!!)
My favorite Vega bar (I thought they were gone but I found one in the depths of the bar cabinet! I almost cried for joy)
***Yes, I’m trying to stay away from bars for Lent, but we’re low on groceries and it was one of those days where either I ate a bar running out the door back to work, or didn’t eat. So obviously I chose well 😀
and my friend Kristen’s amazing creation, chocolate cherry bomb shake!! (Using the same changes I made last time)
It’s so insanely good, I may have scraped every last morsel out of the Vitamix 😉
(Bella was watching with supreme jealousy)
It’s funny because my eating habits change quite often, with the seasons and how I’m feeling. I have noticed that no matter what, they always end up to being mostly raw. I just LURVE everything about it and how it makes me feel 🙂
To continue the theme of rawness, here’s a recipe I concocted a while ago and shared with Angela, who posted it today.
(Photos courtesy of Angela, as it’s Lent and I didn’t want to torture myself by making a batch)
*Note: There are many, many versions of this recipe out there using many of the same ingredients, as it’s a common raw food treat. However, this particular version is a Gina original and uses ratios and ingredients (like almond butter) that were pulled out of my brain.
Raw Choco-cado Pudding
(Source)
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup agave (dark)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/8 cup cocoa powder
- small pinch sea salt
- 1 medium avocado
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
1. Combine all of the ingredients, except for the water and coconut oil in a Vitamix (prefered) or food processor.
2. Add the water as needed (you may not want to use it at all!) and after all of the ingredients are smooth and well-blended, add in the coconut oil.
3. Feast 🙂
© 2010 The Fitnessista
If any of you give it a try, please let me know what you think!
Have a wonderful night!
Gina
Today’s tip: Don’t give up on a fitness class if the instructor is stinky. Make sure to try at least two different instructors before deciding whether or not you like a class- the instructor MAKES the class! If you always take spin with “Billy The Spin Teacher Who Only Plays Neil Diamond” (assuming you’re not crazy about Neil Diamond), you may not like it as nearly as much as another instructor with better music.
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I love your tip it’s so true. When I first started to take spin classes, I didn’t like it because of the instructor’s music. It was so slow and boring and every class was the exact same. When I went to college I tried out different people and fell in love! Now I still do it once a week because I love it, even thought the instructor isn’t that great. P.S. That chocolatey treat looks to die for!
Yum Yum and more YUM!
i think one day soon i will have to try your breakfast cookie, it always sounds so intriguing to me.
Raw food is great, i cant wait til summer to eat more Raw. Winters in Sask make it harder because its so cold and you can’t find any good fresh produce
It’s very interesting the way that our tastes and cravings change with the seasons and with the changes in our lifestyles… and it’s SO GOOD when we’re able to recognize that and flow along with the changes! That’s when you know that you’re really in tune with your body.
Someone once made a similar raw chocolate pudding for me and it was delicious. I tried to recreate it myself and it was a disaster. Heh. Ah well. The cherry chocolate bomb shake, though, looks like something I might be able to master without too much difficulty 😉
I saw that pudding recipe on Angela’s blog today and was practically drooling! You have yet again come up with an incredible recipe. I haven’t tried it yet, but the picture and description alone are enough to convince me. 😉 I’ll be picking up these ingredients this weekend. YAY!
The pudding looks so good!
I just placed a week order from Pure Market Express. Ahh! There goes my bank account 🙂 I can’t wait though. I’m hearing such great things about them and I’m hoping it will infuse my body with goodness and energy.
Also gonna have to try out a raw breakfast cookie, delicious looking!
LOVE your tip of the day and could not agree more- the instructor makes a HUGE different!!! That raw dessert looks amazing! Can’t wait for the lasagna review. As I said yesterday, I really want to try that lasagna. Hope you and the pilot have some fun weekend plans
I feel like I’ve been seeing avocado pudding everywhere lately! There’s a recipe in Vegetarian Times mag this month too! It’s a sign that it needs to be made 🙂
I think I saw it every time, but I want your cupcake plate! 🙂 And the pudding looks ahmayyyzing! 🙂
oh. my. goodness. i’m doing a sugar cleanse…so i cannot have that pudding until almost the end of march…but i will definitely try it and i will definitely let you know how much i love it…
=)
The music MAKES a spin class. Unfortunately, I’ve only found one spinning instructor who plays music that I like. For that reason I’m leery of spin classes. Especially the Group Ride crap they have at my gym. TERRIBLE music.
i almost cried of sheer joy when i saw your pudding on Oh She Glows! It looks so heavenly and creamy and perfect…aaaaaaaah 🙂
Good advice about gym classes. I took spin and had a booooring teacher. Tried again with a new one and fell in love.
I think your tip was meant for me! I tried spinning ONE time and hated it, but now that I think about it it probably had more to do with the instructor than anything else. I’m going to have to give it another shot!
Everything today looks AMAZING!
How are you doing with your no sweets challenge? Has it been less or more difficult than you thought it would be? I don’t eat a lot of traditional sweets but do eat bars and add chocolate chips to my yogurt a lot…. and those habits are HARD to change!
it’s terrible. i can’t wait until it’s over. i just love sweets too much 🙂
I have a date with that pudding after Lent! The instructor tip is so true, I think the instructor especially makes or breaks the class in spinning. This is reminding me of the world’s most annoying spin instructor whose class I took once. ACK, made me want to put on my own headphones so I didn’t have to hear him!
Love your blog!! 🙂 I really enjoyed your last post.
so true that an instructor makes or breaks a class. i think that’s why i have a hard time getting myself to go to yoga: i’ve had really bad instructors!
I am new your blog and love it!
thanks christina!
welcome to the bloggy 🙂
hey gina!
Ive been meaning to ask you… I take a weight training class that ends sometimes at 830pm. What would be a good protein to have after class/close to bedtime?
Thank you!!
p.s. I NEED to make that cherry bomb shake, looks DELICIOUS!
hey nicole,
greek yogurt, a small omelet, or protein w milk of choice would all be good 🙂
Your rawness looks awesome! I don’t try to eat raw but I know when I do I feel more energized, it’s amazing.
Can’t wait to try that pudding. Is there something I could sub for coconut oil?
hmmmm…. maybe applesauce would work?
I love how eating raw makes me feel! I’ve been eating raw until dinner lately, and I feel fabulous! And it makes my workouts SO much easier, too!
Oh, and the instructor totally MAKES or BREAKS a class! I have my favorites, and my, um, “least favorites” for sure! 😉
Good tip! I like you as an instructor.. Zumba rocks! So I was sad this week that there was no class 🙁
Its actually awesome because sometimes I will be having a really bad and busy day and rush up to the base for Zumba.. I call it the “shake your boobs move” it will crack me up and make my whole day better! haha. Its silly, I know
cherry bomb shake looks delish
Gorgeous pudding seen twice in one day! Gosh Lent is hard isn’t it!!!! But worth it… 😉
The instructor truly does make the class. And sometimes, you simply won’t mesh with the personality, even if it is your most favorite workout! Personally, I like high high energy, pumping music (at least that is my plan for when I teach) and some kiddos out there won’t like that at all. And that’s all good…can’t please everyone! That’s why there are so many various classes/times/instructors.
pudding looks amazzinngggggg! cant wait to try it 🙂
I had my first breakfast cookie a few days ago… I almost died from the explosion of taste! Honestly it was the best thing I can remember eating in quite a while. I loved it (obviously :))
that is so awesome! i’m glad you loved it 🙂
That pudding looks awesome! How many servings does that recipe make?
i’d say 2-3… or if you’re like me, one 🙂
I think I have to try this pudding!! It looks yummy 😀 And that raw lasagna looks interesting. Can’t wait for the review 😀
so. you making this and bring it to disney?
Cant believe how fast the time is going.
Ill dm or email you my cell #
That pudding looks SO good! I agree with you about the instructor of a class completely, it can make a HUGE difference.
Gina,
Could I substitute honey or maple for the agave, or would you not recommend that? I don’t have any!
i’d do less honey (start with 2 T), or maple would work beautifully as well 🙂
Can’t wait for that Pure review!!
hey Gina!
i am new to your blog this week but have already fallen in love. you are someone who i feel like i’ve known forever. the girlfriend that sent me to your blog and i are from NC and wondering if you would be willing for us to drive down to grab a meal with you and just have some girl time as well as learn about raw eating as we have both just been meeting with nutritionists that have pushed us in that direction. please e-mail me if it’s OK. thanks, girl! have a wonderfully blessed day!
ashley
hey ashley,
that would be so much fun! send me an email (fitnessista at gmail dot com) and we can plan something 🙂
OMGG that pudding looks sinful and to die for!! ps little bella in the background is so cute, love her 🙂
You are so right about the instructor making the class! I LOVE my classes…and I have certain instructors that I make sure I attend theirs instead of others, because they’re more motivating to me. I know people who feel that way about the classes I don’t attend and the other instructors. It’s all in how you are motivated and their style, I think.
That pudding looks fantastic. I love chocolate as much as I love my classes, LOL 🙂 Have a great day!
I will be making that pudding sometime! I really like your tip’s at the end of your posts. They make sense, and I do think about them each time I read them.
You’re so right about instructors making the class!! I have found the best spin instructor at the gym by my office and I make sure to go during lunch to his Friday class every week. I had been going to the gym by my apt (there are multiple locations) and the spin instructor there would drive me insane – singing along to the music, etc. My guy makes it like a real ride and we work on cardio, strength training – whatever’s on the schedule that day!
That pudding looks fabulous – I bookmarked it as a must try!
Look at all those delicious raw eats! That’s so awesome you’ve found your groove in essentially what your eating habbits are:)I was drooling when Angela posted that yesterday! Looks. so. good.
Everything looks wonderful! I have also noticed I am shifting to more raw foods lately. Maybe it is the impending warm weather/spring? I am starting to realize I feel much better with more raw and vegan foods. Thanks to your site I realize it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, just for the love of food!
yup, i definitely crave raw foods more when the weather is warmer. in the winter, i want HOT cooked foods!
you’re totally right- it doesn’t have to be all or nothing 🙂
Yay for healthy, raw pudding! I can’t wait to try it.
I really need to make one of those breakfast cookies soon. It looks like I’m really missing out!
once you try it, you’ll never go back 🙂
Ok, I know I already commented, but quick question – is it hard to learn the moves in Zumba? I’ve never gone bc I’m always so intimidated since I’ve never done any kind of arobics class, but I reeeally want to try and my gym offers Zumba as well as a ton of other classes. Thanks!
no way! they’re very easy to learn and the more you go, the easier it gets 🙂
Is there a reason you prefer agave over stevia?
it’s a texture thing for the pudding, but i actually use stevia as my sweetener of choice 🙂
That pudding looked amazing when I saw it on Angela’s blog. I definitely need to try some of that!
Saved this post of yours on my favorites on my web browser…..I’ll be trying this delicious recipe soooooon!!!! 🙂
-emily http://www.emilyeatsclean.wordpress.com
AGREE 110%…instructors make or BREAK the workout. i have one beloved zumba instructor. she is the goddess of all things zumba. i am so lucky to have found her. her energy is contagious and she makes class a BLAST. she is super high cardio. i actually follow her to multiple gyms just to take class with her. her classes are ALWAYS packed. so much so that you have to get to one gym early to get your “spot.” love spinning too, especially if the instructor plays lots of techno and rap type stuff. sadly, it’s not offered where i currently live.
gina, love all of your recipes. could you include prep. instructions for some? i want to try your superfood oat bran but i don’t know how to prepare it. do i mash the banana, cook the oat bran in water first, how much cinnamon, vanilla, and almond milk did you use? also, how many tablespoons does 1/2 scoop of protein powder equal? sorry for all the ?’s it just looks so uh-mazingly good. something warm to eat on a cold northern night!!
hey girl,
yes, it’s kind of a multi-step process.. i might make a video on it 🙂
1. boil the water
2. add oat bran and reduce heat
3.after 1 minute, add goji berries, remove from heat
4. mash banana and stir in with protein powder
5. add milk to smooth it out
stir in chia seeds and cacao nibs
top with almond butter (i’m out!)
WOW, you are superfast. thanks for the more detailed specs!
I made my first bfast cookie earlier this week – YUM! I transferred it from the plate to a paper towel so it would travel – broke pieces off & ate it while I drove to work. I plan on making many more. 🙂
And you are SO right when you say that the instructor makes the class. There are some instructors that just don’t fit my jive so I move on until I find one that I can groove with. Zumba should be fun, so if it frustrates you, then just move on to the next class.
happy first bfast cookie!
so glad you’re a fan 🙂
Hi Gina! I’ve been reading your blog for a bit now, & love all of your recipes, but I was wondering what would be a good thing to eat before a workout? If I’m concerned with caloric burn, does it matter if I eat before or after? I’m trying to maintain my weight & want to be sure I’m eating right amount of protein at the right time/ etc.
Thanks 🙂
Anna
Ohhhh wow, that pudding looks so sinfully delicious! So does that cherry bomb shake!