Tomorrow marks 18 days in my Get Rowdy, Go Raw experiment! I feel like I've hit my raw stride. I'm used to the routine now, mind, body and spirit. I am still not having any cravings though I do miss eating out and the ceremony of it all. I'm staying focused on about two days at a time when it comes to menu planning. I am preparing food once and eating on it two or three times. That's been a huge time saver. Tomorrow marks something else too. It was March 18 five years ago that I had the surgery that successfully removed the mystery scar tissue from my trachea that was making it nearly impossible to breathe. THIS day was a big one. It carried a tremendous amount of darkness and light. This was the day that I learned about pain, physical pain...the worst I've felt to date. And this was the day that hope came back into my life. I spent 7 days with my chin stitched to my chest, my neck felt like sheet metal and everything hurt but for the first time in 4 years to that point I could really truly breathe. The half life I'd been living was over and a new full life was beginning.
When I moved back to Texas (almost a year ago) and started experiencing trouble breathing all kinds of stories came flooding in. ALL KINDS OF EMOTIONS and questions came up. What's happening? Am I ok? How did I do this to myself? OMG I CAN'T DO THAT AGAIN! The mental dialogue and conversations in my head were just a little too much to bear at times.
I'm using all the tools at my disposal to clear this thing once and for all. Thankfully, the scar tissue has not come back but my labored breathing was enough to get my ass in gear. Food, love and forgiveness are my allies on this journey. So when I share a recipe or talk about food it's coming to you from the most sincere place I know. I believe so deeply in the power to heal ourselves. It's scary as hell to feel like I can't breathe but it's empowering to know that I have the power to change it, to clear it and to live fully with air in my lungs and a big open airway to get it there.
Ok so on a lighter note, this recipe was a welcome change in texture! I let it sit in the fridge overnight for the flavors to combine and it was much tastier the next day! If you're not raw this would be awesome served with garlic toast! I kept thinking must figure out raw toast next! ; )
Zucchini + Squash Alfredo
Slightly adapted From My Poor Tired Liver*Gluten-free *Dairy-free *Vegan *Raw
Make Your Noodles with 2 zucchini and 2 squash
PREPARATION
- Peel skins off first to allow for a smooth pasta like noodle
- Use a julienne peeler or a spiral slicer to create your noodles
Alfredo Ingredients
- 2 cups soaked cashews
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups water 1 tbsp. fresh thyme
- 4 tsp. sea salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (I like the spice so go for less if you're not a fan)
PREPARATION
- Blend until smooth
- Toss 1/2 cup Alfredo with your noodles adding until you've reached the desired amount of sauce
- Garnish with 1/2 cup basil cut into strips + more red pepper flakes + nutritional yeast to taste
