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Hooked On People Interview: Say Hello Sweets + Vegan Coffee Ice Cream Recipe

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Say hello to Naomi! She’s the creator of Say Hello Sweets, Canada’s first 100% vegan ice cream truck! Check out the interview for more on how her pup, BabyCakes was the inspiration for it all… The truck is always moving around in the Summer, but in the winter you can find her most popular ice cream flavours (like Café No Lait, Notorious NOG, Mint to Be) online on her website or some retailers across Vancouver. Plus, she just started a Kickstarter Campaign to help her open a store front of her own (with a super cute video of how it all began). I’m always excited to see new plant-based companies taking the leap, so I had to interview Naomi! (And get a recipe from her of course…)
Hooked On Plants: Say Hello Sweets is the cutest vegan ice cream truck! What was the catalyst in starting your company?
Naomi Arnaut: My dog, actually. I know that sounds like a really weird way to start a business, but I first tried my hand at making ice cream as way to fundraise for a hefty vet bill. My dog, Babycakes, had fully ruptured her knee cap & the only option I had to get her surgery was to finance it. A few months later, the payments were really weighing me down, so I was looking for a creative way to do some fundraising. It was in the middle of an August heatwave, & I had this AH HA moment & thought, I will make ice cream & host a small social by donation. That was the start of Say Hello Sweets.

HOP: Word on the street is that you may have an ice cream delivery tricycle one day soon? When can we expect that and where did you find the tricycle?
NA: YES! The trike has proven to be more of a challenge to build than I had originally anticipated, but it’s slowly coming together. The trike itself is a late 1940’s vintage ride, & needs a lot of love. It was generously gifted to me from a family friend who’s had it sitting for the past 10 or so years. I feel very lucky to have it & can’t wait til it’s functional!
HOP: How long have you been vegan
 
NA: When I was 11, I came across an un-shelved book on factory farming at the local library. I went home & declared that I was now a vegetarian. My mom was supportive. It stuck for 7 years, with the last year being vegan. In my late teens, I was having health problems & when doctors couldn’t find an answer, I was talked into eating meat as a solution. It was right at the height of the popularity of that book “Eat Right For Your Blood Type”, which labelled me as a carnivore based on having O negative blood. I wish I had had the access to the information & the community around veganism that I do now, back then. If I had, I never would have gone back to including animal products in my diet. I ate meat sporadically throughout my 20’s, but am very happy to be back on track now & feeling better than ever. Oh, & I finally did get a proper diagnosis for my mysterious illness. I had reoccurring appendicitis, for over 2 years. I needed surgery, not meat.  

 

HOP: What do you use as the base to your ice creams?

NA: I use full fat coconut milk & for flavours where I want to tone down the coconut flavour, I use a house made cashew milk.
HOP: Where can we find your ice cream truck on a typical day? And, how can we try your ice cream if we can’t make it to your truck?
NA: Fall has arrived with full force, so the truck season has come to a close. In the summer, truck locations are posted on The Street Food App & on the website. I don’t have a stationary location, so the truck moves around the city, participating in festivals, farmers markets or just parks curb side. If you can’t find the truck, head over to Friendly, located at 2408 Main St. It is a sweet little eatery that has Say Hello ice cream by the scoop & by the pint.
HOP: What’s the crowd favourite ice cream flavour?
NA: Stay ‘Mallow, which is the toasted marshmallow flavour, really dominated this summer. Close seconds were Cafe No-lait & Chocolate Nirvana.
HOP: What are your 3 tips for starting a business?
NA:
  1. Ask for help.
  2. Build community.
  3. Stay true to your values.
 
Just for fun – what are 3-5 things you can’t you live without in your morning routine?
NA:
  1. 20 extra minutes in bed after the alarm clock has sounded is a non-negotiable.
  2. Breakfast! Always breakfast.
  3. A brisk walk with Babycakes, with a coffee in hand.
Hooked On People Interview with Say Hello Sweets + Vegan Coffee Ice Cream Recipe
 
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A dairy-free coffee ice cream. This is an ultra creamy and scoopable ice cream made with coconut milk!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: dessert
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 3 cups full fat coconut milk
  • ¼ cup cane sugar
  • ½ cup agave syrup
  • 2 tablespoons instant espresso
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot, tapioca starch or guar gum
Instructions
  1. In a blender, combine instant espresso, salt, vanilla extract, coconut milk & starch of your choice. Blend on high till everything is nice and smooth.
  2. Pour out all of this mixture into a saucepan.
  3. To the filled saucepan, add sugar, agave syrup & coconut oil. Stir over low heat until coconut oil and sugar have fully melted and mixture is warm.
  4. Whisk until the mixture comes to a soft boil. This is to cook out the starch and thicken the mix. But, remember to whisk whisk whisk so no lumps form!
  5. Once it has come to a soft boil, turn heat off and transfer mixture into a bowl or measuring cup. Cover with cling film and make sure to press it against the surface of the mixture so a skin does not form.
  6. Cool for 1 hour in the fridge or in an ice bath then churn in ice cream maker. Once out of the ice cream maker, place in an airtight ice cream or tupperware box, cover, & freeze to allow it to further firm up. Or eat it straight from the ice cream machine!

Hooked On People Interview: Rich Sievewright AKA Vegan Iron Yogi + Post Work-Out Smoothie

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Rich Sievewright is a mad man when it comes to working out, pushing himself and pushing others. I first met Rich when he and I were LuluLemon ambassadors. He puts on killer work out classes to get Whistlerites in shape for playing in the mountains. Rich is totally in tune with his body and how to fuel himself to perform his best. A lot of people go to Rich for diet and fitness advice, so I’m excited that he’s found going vegan for performance to be the best thing he’s done! Read on to learn more about being a vegan athlete, his plant-fuelled Ironman training, his new business (Richlife), and his simple, satisfying and nutritious post-work out smoothie recipe!
How long have you been eating plant-based?
2 years

Why did you make the switch? 
I watched Cowspiracy and decided that I didn’t want to be a part of the environmental problem that our planet is facing. I switched so I could be a part of the solution instead.


What are the main differences/benefits you’ve noticed after switching to a plant-based lifestyle?
1) Buying groceries is quick and simple. I go to the produce section and bulk nuts & seeds, thats it.
2) No cravings for dairy or meat, which was surprising after being a heavy carnivore my whole life.
3) I lost weight, but maintained/increased strength when it come to lifting weights!
4) Endurance level has increased. I feel lighter and faster than ever before.
5) A big difference is having to constantly explain my diet to every man and his dog. I used to hate answering the question, as I felt like I was offending people, but not now. If they ask why, I tell them straight, and if I’m met with a defensive attitude I lift my shirt and show them my abs and say it works for me, haha.

You are officially an IRONMAN. Wow!  How long did you train specifically for the ironman?
I trained for a year but it didn’t really get specific until 4 months out. A solo training camp in Mexico in April kicked me into ironman overdrive. 

What was a typical training day like leading up to the Ironman? Work outs and food? 
A typical training day was: eat, work, eat, train, eat, work, eat, eat and sleep. My diet is always the same:
  • oatmeal with nuts and seeds in the morning
  • quinoa salad 2-3 times a day
  • a protein smoothie
  • and snacking on nuts and nut butter

I’m not one for calorie counting, as I find you can get obsessive with it. I’m very in tune with my own body as I’ve been training for a long time. I eat intuitively when I feel hungry and I drink when I feel thirsty. I had no budget when it came to food, and still don’t. It’s the most important thing to spend my money on…that and rent!

How AWESOME was it crossing the finish line?!

It was incredible, 20 Lululemon babes and close friends screaming (literally) my name was so heart warming and almost brought me to tears. It also signified the end of an era in my life. Friends, family, community and connection are more important to me than a race that significantly diminished the balance and overall health of my life. 


What part was the hardest?
Physically, there is no doubt the run was the hardest (in particular the last 10km). Mentally, the bike was the hardest due to the boredom and uncomfort (my lower back and the crown jewels were in a bad way).

What did you listen to during your long biking and running hours?
I listened to podcasts by Joe Rogan. I always enjoy zoning into the intriguing people on the show, from doctors and physicians to trainers and elite athletes. 

If you were to choose just one work out to do the rest of your life, what would it be?
Definitely a short and intense metabolic workout using dumbbells, barbells, plyometrics and thousands of burpees. I love being close to the heart attack zone. I find these workouts are the most efficient way to improve my physical and mental fitness. For some crazy reason I find them really fun.


What is a day in your life like?
It’s hard to say as I’m adapting to a big change in my life. I now own my own business and I’m currently adapting to a new lifestyle that has opened up much more time for me. On a Sweat Camp day, I’m up at 4.30am and out of the house by 5. I unload the weights from the van and teach two classes before 9am. Generally, I will then train myself and the rest of the day is whatever I fancy. I’m enjoying getting into the world of social media, I eat, I nap, I go for walks in nature and I catch up with friends…it’s Whistler so that usually entails some kind of outside activity.
 
What do you eat on a typical training day?
Similar to every other day. I’m a low maintenance eater, as long as I have a constant supply of quinoa and veggies then I’m a happy boy. A long endurance workout requires fuel to take with you, so my weapons of choice are Nak’d bars. 

Favourite pre-work out meal and post work-out meal?
I don’t need a pre-workout because i’m eating constantly through the day which helps to keep my energy level consistent. Post workout is definitely a smoothie with banana, avocado, water, vegan protein powder, coconut oil, and nut butter.

Do you practice intermittent fasting? If so, what kind of results have you seen from it?
I have tried it and have seen great results. The way I do it is to eat all my food within a 9-10 hour period and nothing but water for the rest of the day. I prolong when I eat breakfast which I always thought was a big no-no, but it works for me. I find that when I eat this way, I’m more mentally alert in the mornings and my body fat percentage starts to drastically fall.

Who is your inspiration in the plant-based world? (what athletes, docs, influencers, bloggers?)
  • Rich Roll is an incredible plant-based athlete and human being. His story and transformation into a vegasaurous is very inspiring.
  • Leonardo Di Caprio is a hero of mine because for me, eating a plant-based diet was initially due to environmental reasons. Using his fame to raise awareness and influence governments is a huge step for the planet.
  • Frank Medrano is a vegan athlete who does crazy calisthenic training. The guy is completely jacked and does some offensively impressive things with his body.
  • Documentaries I continuously watch are: Cowspiracy, What the Health, Food Matters, Forks over Knives.
  • There are so many vegans out there who are under the radar, it seems to be growing…even Mike Tyson is a vegonator! 

Name 3 podcasts we should all be listening to:
1) Kelly Brogan on the Joe Rogan experience (health psychiatrist)
2) Rich Roll on the Joe Rogan Experience (vegan transformation and endurance athlete)
3) Dr Rhonda Patrick on the Joe Rogan Experience (humbling me in the workings of the human body)


You’ve recently started the Rich Life! So exciting. This is all about ‘creating a community through health and fitness that uplifts, brings togetherness and a sense of belonging’.
Tell us more, in a nutshell, about what The Rich Life is!
RICHLIFE is a fitness program for Whistler residents that combines strength and conditioning classes, yoga and social gatherings to enhance your mountain life. RICHLIFE delivers on-going 4-week Sweat Camps at The Audain Art Museum and Whistler Creek Athletic Club. The fitness classes are three times a week at either 6am, 7.30am, 11am, or 5.30pm from Mon-Fri. It includes free yoga classes, three times a week at the Sundial Hotel. People can sign up on my website www.richlifewhistler.com or on my Facebook page Richlife Whistler. 


Rich’s Pre-Workout Protein Smoothie

Hooked On People Interview: Rich's Smoothie
 
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Rich likes his food simple and nutritious. This is a smoothie to fuel your cells after your HIIT work out to build that lean muscle mass!
Author:
Recipe type: Smoothie, Breakfast, Lunch, Snack
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 banana
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 scoop vegan protein powder (Iron Vegan, Veg Essentials, Vega)
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • water (amount varies depending on the consistency you like)
Instructions
  1. Peel your banana, and scoop out your avocado
  2. Blend all ingredients on high
  3. Consume!

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Chocolate Blueberry Turmeric Smoothie

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Smoothies….The best way trick your body into eating an entire head of greens.

My day isn’t complete without one.

Typically, the blender is packed 3/4 with greens, then topped off with a big handful of berries, and a couple frozen ‘nanas.

Sounds like a whole forest of greens, but once you blend it all up they hide from your taste buds just like black beans in brownies.

Blending is one of the best ways to get your fruits and veggies in. In smoothie-town, you get to keep the fibre, along with all of the vitamins, phytonutrients, and minerals. Efficient or what!

The more whole, plant foods you can get into your day, the better your body will feel, and the more energy you will have. In other words… a blender is definite BFF material.

Adding in a scoop of this chocolate vegan protein powder that packs in sacha inchi, spirulina, chlorella, maca, greens and all 22 amino acids, takes this smoothie to the next level! The beauty of adding this powder is that you can add even more veggies, and the bitterness of extra kale or chard will be masked by the chocolatey goodness.

And it’s chocolate goodness to the max, with the only sweetener being stevia (a zero calorie plant that’s 200 times as sweet as sugar and related to the daisy!).

Smoothie tips:

  • chew your smoothie! This is why I like to add less liquid sometimes and make it into a smoothie bowl I eat like a soup. Sounds weird, I know, but it’s important to chew your smoothie to start the production of digestive enzyme, amylase, in your saliva. The mouth is where the breakdown of carbohydrates starts. Adding cacao nibs to your smoothie is a great way to remind yourself to chew your smoothie, rather than guzzling it down in a hurry. This makes sure you’re not sending undigested chunks of food down to your stomach.
  • add the greens and additional powders first, then the heavy stuff like berries and bananas on top. This order of things will help the greens blend up without air bubbles and stalls.
  • start your blender on low and pulse a few times, then crank er’ up to the top speed. If it’s not blending, use a tamper.
  • make a mega smoothie in the morning (fill your blender to the brim). Then you’ll have a smoothie in the morning and more waiting for you in the fridge for the afternoon. Having a smoothie ready to grab all day long will kick that afternoon junk food craving in the a$$ and give you a burst of clean energy.

Benefits:

  • Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. The vitamin C helps you absorb all of the iron from the spinach and other greens, and the antioxidants protect you from cell oxidation that comes from pollutants and other stressors leading to early aging, illness or cancer.
  • Turmeric is nature’s anti-inflammatory. All disease begins with inflammation, so the less inflammation you have, the healthier you’ll be and the better you’ll feel!
  • Greens are the most nutrient-dense food group, packed with minerals, vitamins and fibre. Get them in ya whenever you can. Pack that blender with greens… then add one more handful.

Chocolate Blueberry Turmeric Smoothie
 
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An easy, chocolate-y smoothie recipe packed to the brim with greens, with a kick of anti-inflammatory turmeric.
Author:
Recipe type: breakfast, snack
Cuisine: Raw Vegan
Serves: 2 large full mason jars
Ingredients
  • 1-2 cups blueberries (or other berries of choice)
  • 3 cups (or more) of packed greens (spinach, lettuce, kale, collards)
  • 1 cm of fresh turmeric, or ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 -3 frozen bananas (un-frozen works too)
  • 1½ cups almond milk or this hemp milk
  • 1 scoop of chocolate Ground Based Nutrition powder
  • 1 tbsp cacao nibs (optional)
  • water (optional)
Instructions
  1. Add everything except the cacao nibs to the blender. Start with the greens, turmeric and powder on the bottom, then top it with everything else
  2. Blend! Pulse a few times, then slowly increase the speed to max and blend until smooth.
  3. Add water if you want a thinner consistency
  4. Pour into your fave jar and top with cacao nibs

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Smoky Coconut Bacon

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I would go vegan… but BACON!

I’ve heard it countless times. Really, what everyone is saying is that they love that umami flavour… that savoury, salty, sweet, bitter flavour, all in one. Or that certain fattiness and texture of a food like bacon.

Have no fear. The re-creation of this is TOTALLY do-able in the plant-based realm.

Instead of coconut, you can experiment with this recipe by using thinly sliced zucchini, sliced rice paper, or even thinly sliced carrots.

I think coconut does the crispy trick.

Add these delish morsels to sandwiches, wraps, salads, vegan egg’s benny, or just eat it straight off the plate.

The salty, smoky, savoury kick your tastebuds will experience is somethin’ else. Trust.

 

Benefits:

-Coconut is packed with calcium, magnesium, potassium and electrolytes!

-Smoked Paprika is antioxidant rich and fights disease! Since paprika is made from peppers, it’s packed with the antioxidant beta-carotene, plus it regulates blood sugar levels and prevents diabetes. It also keeps your heart strong and is good for your eyes.

-Tamari is similar to soy sauce. It’s the saltiness you need for a recipe like this. It’s fermented, rich in minerals, has less sodium than soy sauce, and makes this recipe gluten-free.

Smoky Vegan Coconut Bacon

Time: 20 minutes (or 7 hours if dehytrating)

Serves: 2 cups worth

Ingredients:

Marinade:

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp coconut oil, melted
  • 2tbsp tamari (or coconut aminos, if you have it)
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Directions:

  1. If using an oven, preheat to 325°F, and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together all marinade ingredients.
  3. Pour marinade over coconut ribbons and mix evenly.
  4. Let it all marinade for 1 hour (this is optional, but will bring out the flavours even more)
  5. Crisp them up by either:
    • Dehydrating for 6-8 hours at 115°F  (this will keep all the enzymes in tact by keeping it raw)
    • Baking at 325°F for 5 minutes, stir them around, then bake another 5 or more (until crispy, but not burnt!)
  6. Once removed, these bacon bits will continue to crisp.
  7. Store left overs (if there is any) at room temperature for up to a week, or in a freezer bag for up to a month or two!

Hooked On People Interview with The Raw Advantage + Simple Banana Pudding

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Time to meet Chris Kendall AKA ‘The Raw Advantage’. He’s a raw foodist who is all about spreading the message of positivity, living foods, and high energy vibes. He does this through his youtube channel, his Costa Rica Retreats, his e-books, and his speaking engagements. His excitement for the raw food lifestyle is contagious, even through social media. After going through a period in his life with poor lifestyle choices and bad injury recoveries, he decided to make a change. At 18 he started making major lifestyle changes and by 23, he switched to the raw food lifestyle and never looked back.

I have so many questions to ask Chris because he’s such an inspiration when it comes to the raw food lifestyle!

But, I will try to keep it simple today and for those who want to know more they can find him on Youtube, Instagram, his website, or just join him at a Costa Rica Retreat !

Hooked On Plants (HOP): At 18 you came to the conclusion that you needed to change your lifestyle. What was the catalyst for this change?

Chris Kendall (CK): Really, the catalyst was being burnt out, depressed, and having a harder time physically in terms of recovery and energy, to skateboard. The first thing I found was yoga, which helped immensely and pointed me in the direction of healthy, compassionate living.

HOP: How long did it take for you to see the benefits of the raw food lifestyle?

CK: Over a period of 5 years I vastly increased the amount of raw food in my diet, starting with a fruit breakfast and going from there. At 23 I jumped into an all raw food diet and experienced the biggest leaps and bounds in my health, vitality, mood, spiritual connection, endurance and passion. These changes happened virtually over night for most, and within the first week for the rest.

HOP: What were the main changes you saw in yourself, and ones that people could expect to see in themselves if they decide to focus on raw foods?

CK: In those first 24 hours my heart centre literally blew open. I felt such a deep connection to the spark within and recognized it in everyone and everything around me, this was more than profound. I felt a deeper connection to my purpose and gained a clarity in my life path that I hadn’t experienced. My joy and lust for life increased and I simply felt bouncier and more prone to move and enjoy myself. Each person’s time line of experiences and shifts is different and fully dependant on their previous lifestyle and particulars. I had been steadily improving my diet and had fasted numerous times before going raw, so when I did it was like rocket fuel.

HOP: I’ve yet to go to the Woodstock Fruit Festival, but this raw food festival looks like a blast! How many times have you been? Will you be prepping the raw-food for all of the attendees this year?

CK: I love love love the Woodstock Fruit Festival, it’s such a great time with so much opportunity for connection, education, fitness, great food and more! I have been a part of every single one (flowing as chef / speaker / yoga teacher) since its conception in 2011. This summer will be their 8th festival including the one in Hawaii. Together with Naturally Ashley we will be making 3 sauces / dressings per night to accompany the daily salad bar 🙂

HOP: You met Dr. Douglas Graham at a Vegan festival in 2004, and went 100% raw overnight! What did he say to you that inspired you to do so?

CK: I first met Dr Graham at “A Taste of Health” Vegan festival in Vancouver B.C. It was as much of what he said as what I picked up from him. I went to 2 of his 3 lectures on the first day, one recipe-based and one nutritional-based. The science driven but common sensed style of his approach really hit home, and it felt like the last piece of a puzzle that I had been looking for finally fit. Beyond that he was literally glowing, in my past I ate lots of magic mushrooms and would sit in nature, at times able to see aura’s around trees and people, seeing Doug glow when I was straight and sober really left me feeling like he had something to offer.

HOP: Dr. Graham’s 80/10/10 lifestyle is one that so many people are thriving on. Even professional athletes, like the ones below, have been seeing amazing results in recovery and performance:

Many aren’t familiar with the 80/10/10 lifestyle, which is 80% carbohydrates, 10% fat, 10% protein, mainly coming from raw fruits and vegetables. Can you enlighten everyone on the benefits you’ve seen with this lifestyle?

CK: Absolutely, plus I’d like to point out these numbers are guidelines over the week month and year and not set hard rules for every meal or even day. Generally stating for optimal health, it is good to aim to get 80% or more of total calories from carbs and 10% or less from protein and fat.

  • I’ve personally become a lot clearer in my head and heart, and found renewed passion for living and growing with my purpose in loving service.
  • I have found it incredibly easy to maintain muscle mass, put some on if I want and stay at a low body fat percentage.
  • Feeling lighter, bouncier and more energetic I am able to go faster, push harder and recover faster than ever before.
  • I love that I don’t smell like I used to, in the bathroom or after working out.
  • My skin tone and appearance has improved and I have been told countless times I look much younger than my age.
  • Clean up time in the kitchen is so much easier and I have found such a joy in creating raw food meals and dishes.
  • Fruit and fruit hunting has become a real joy in my life, as has traveling to exotic places and enjoying time with other fruit hunters.
  • The biggest benefit by far though has been seeing the ripple effect around me as more friends family and acquaintances improving their diet and being more conscious of their spirit and power.

HOP: There have been countless people that have improved their digestive, adrenal, thyroid, and overall health with a raw food lifestyle. Not to mention those who have reversed diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer by eating raw foods. Who are your favourite, inspirational examples for this?

CK:

  • John Kohler is amazing and reversed major issues with raw food
  • Megan Sherow reversed stage 3 brain cancer within months
  • Janette Murray-Wakelin reversed cancer in her 70’s and went on to set a world record for consecutive marathons (366 in a row every day)

HOP: I find myself eating mostly raw foods, especially throughout the daylight hours. Most people see the raw food lifestyle as extreme. Can you give 3-5 ways to make eating this way easier, more convenient and seem ‘normal’;)?

CK: 

  1. Think about the fact that all animals eat the foods they are designed to eat one food at a time, in its whole, raw, natural state until they’re full. They don’t worry about nutrition, they simply eat what they are designed for. We, like our closest living relative the Bonobos, are designed to eat fruits and tender greens
  2. Start with breakfast, fruit is best eaten on a completely empty stomach, so breakfast is the easiest way to do it. Make a big smoothie, fruit salad or green smoothie and enjoy all you care for then a few bites more. With raw, low-fat, fruit based meals, its really tough to over eat, so it’s better to err on a little more rather than a little less
  3. Read raw recipe books to get inspiration for new recipes, then once you find 4-6 recipes you love, the lifestyle gets so much easier
  4. Look for inspiration in Youtube videos, books and by connection with coaches / other raw foodists to share experiences, ask questions and make the transition easier. In my coaching practice I often find 1 hour can make the difference between years and, in some cases, decades of struggle as opposed to streamlined growth and ease. I offer coaching by donation 🙂
  5. Realize that this is all as big of a deal as you make it. For example, I know it is a big deal health-wise, environmentally, and for the animals, but also know I do not need bring that up all the time or judge others for their choices. Being calm confident and happy while simply being the example leads to more people being curious and receptive than any lecture.

HOP: What is your favourite music right now? Who’s your favourite band?

CK: I love most forms of music although wouldn’t consider myself a music person, it’s rare I pick up a new band or search for new music, in fact I am not a avid concert goer either. I like the classics like Bob Marley, Neil Young, The Doors, and newer stuff like Fantan Mojah. Lots of old school hip hop and some new too, but mostly rock and reggae!

HOP: When is your next retreat and how many are you doing this upcoming year?

CK: My next set retreat is March 3rd – 10th, 2018 at The Farm of Life in Costa Rica. It will be another Raw Food n Yoga Surf Adventure retreat, everything but the raw food is optional hahaha:) I plan to do 1 this year, and if it fills up quick I may do another.

HOP: What’s you’re next big project you’re working on to spread the Peace, Love and Seasonal Fruit message?

CK: I always have things on the go. I have a few new books coming out, new shirts, and a huge update on my free raw recipes app for iPhone. I’m always looking at ways to grow the TRA Dream, a charity I created to actualize donation-based healing and educational raw food permaculture and yoga centres / communities around the world.

HOP: What is your favourite spring (or maybe camping) raw food recipe?

CK: I would have to say simple banana pudding as you do not need any tools other than a bowl and your hands.

Raw Advantage’s Simple Banana Pudding

Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2-4 people

Ingredients:

  • 12 bananas
  • 3/4 cup raisins
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 stalk celery, minced (optional)

Directions:

  1. Peel 10 – 11 bananas and place them in a bowl
  2. Mash bananas well using your hands, a fork or a potato masher.
  3. Add the raisins, cinnamon and optional celery, mix and enjoy!

Optional additions: carob powder, dried mulberries, date bits

Want more of The Raw Advantage?

  • Check out Chris’s Ebooks!
  • Get 2 free ebooks just by signing up to his mailing list, and a free recipe in every mailing list post too, join here.
  • For his Free Raw Recipes Playlist head here.

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7 Steps on How to Add More Plants to Your Life
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