:) Hello wonderful Philosophie lovers! :)

Beginning TODAY, APRIL 1st, all LONG DISTANCE CLEANSES are on sale!!!!

do you live outside of Los Angeles but want to get healthy and ready for summertime? Have you been curious about a cleanse or ready to get back on track but need a little push and guidance? I'm here to help! All you need is a blender, a local grocery store/farmers market to get fresh, organic produce and a computer!!!!! Spots are limited!*

*I can only take a few clients each week so that I can give you unlimited attention (i.e. skype chats, instant messaging, gchat, email, phone calls) so book your spot TODAY!

$149 (regular $199)

for more information or to book your long distance cleanse contact: Sophie@thephilosophie.com

Kelp noodles are spectacular!!! It is virtually calorie free and doesn't taste like the sea at all. There is no sugar, gluten, wheat, rice or flour. Kelp is known to aid the metabolism, boost energy, aid in digestion and they contain an abundance of minerals.

PREP TIME = 10 - 15 minutes

WAIT TIME = 0 - 1 hour

EQUIPMENT = High powered blender,  dehydrator

LASTS = 1-2 days

SERVINGS = 4

INGREDIENTS

• 2 packages Sea Tangle Kelp Noodles
• 1⁄2 c nut cheeze
• 1⁄8 c olive oil
• 1 t fresh oregano, minced
• 1 t fresh rosemary, minced
• 2 t garlic, de-centered, minced
• 1⁄2 t Celtic sea salt
• 1 T fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 2 t Bragg Aminos or Nama Shoyu
• 3 T Nutritional Yeast

STEP 1

Soak the kelp noodles in hot water for 10-20 minutes. Drain and wring out the excess water.

STEP 2

Mix all ingredients in blender. Add sauce to kelp noodles.

STEP 3

It's ready to serve now but if you want the pasta warm and soft, place all the pasta on a big serving plate and spread it out evenly. Then put the plate (or just put the pasta on the tray if you don't have an Excalibur) with the pasta in the dehydrator for 1 hour at 120°F. Serve right out of the dehydrator so it is warm. If you don't have a dehydrator you can put your oven on the lowest setting and put the plate on the stove shelf, or serve cold for a "cheezy pasta salad"!

 

if you don't want to make the sauce "cheezy" you can substitute the cheese for fresh basil and spinach and make it a Pesto pasta. (my favorite!) Garnish with raw pine nuts, tomatoes and spinach leaves. (check out the recipe -->here!)

This is a staple healthy, raw, vegan dish in our home. Everyone loves it! My husband, friends AND PUPPY! :) It will store for a few days in your fridge after marinated and prepared. 

• 1 bunch fresh kale, de-stemmed and shredded
• 1 avocado, cubed or sliced thin
• 3 stalks celery, sliced thin or minced
• 1 green apple, sliced thin or minced (in the same size as your celery pieces)
• 1/3 C lemon juice
• 1/2 t sea salt
• 2 T Bragg's liquid aminos
• 1/3 C olive oil
• 1 T honey or agave nectar

Put the shredded kale in a large bowl with the salt. With your hands, squeeze and massage the kale and mix it well with the salt. Keep massaging the kale for up to 3-5 minutes as the kale will darken, shrink in size and the fibers will break down. Once this happens, mix in all of the other ingredients into the bowl, except the avocado.

Serve on a pretty plate and garnish with pretty avocado pieces on top. :-)

note: you might want to experiment with how much lemon juice, bragg's, and agave/honey you put in this. the above recipe is a pretty good guideline but you'll find that you'll have your own preferences. Go with whatever tastes good to you!

Tonight I wanted something light and nutritious, and this soup hit the bulls-eye.I didn't warm it, I ate it as a gazpacho (considering it was 80 degrees in LA today, my internal temperature was still toasty!)

A cucumber a day keeps the body happy! This soup contains everything you need to alkalize and energize--quickly and simply.

Philosophie Ultimagreenerizer Soup!

• 1 1/2 cucumbers (I used smaller, Persian cucumbers which are easier and a bit sweeter) 
• 2 sticks celery
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 avocado (I used half because I wasn't that hungry)
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 clove garlic
  
• 2 tbsp hulled hemp seeds
  
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  
• 1/2 tsp crystal sea salt 

Put all of the above into a food processor and blend! Pour into a bowl and add:

• 1 tbsp nori flakes (or take nori sheets and tear it up)
• more sea salt to taste
• a swirl of olive oil, mix well with a spoon

I ate this soup with a piece of whole wheat bread... dipping as I went. It's my favorite way to eat soup! If you're gluten free, there are plenty of gluten free options for bread out there. Or you could eat this with little crackers, or just as is!

check out this great interview with a Parisian Chef :)

he was incredibly curious about my way of eating... here's what we talked about! 

Reporting in from InSpiral Lounge- London, England

I'm writing this review as I sit in this lively raw organic vegetarian restaurant (and Vegan) in Camden Town, London. I'm sitting at a small wooden table with uneven chairs, by the glowing Himalayan sea salt figure light source, while the energetic African music smiles in my ears.

I just finished eating a raw nut burger, what they call their "Sunfood Burger". It was a little dry, but overall very tasty and I basically swallowed it whole.With every dish you purchase, you get 3 sides included, so I chose 3 raw salads with bright, vibrant colors and distinct familiar tastes. It's been 3 days since I've had this food I love so dearly, so I practically licked the plate.

My husband and I drove back to London today from Belgium in order for me to work for this restaurant, InSprial. This is our "honeymoon", or at least our version of it. It's not that we aren't enjoying each other, or totally infatuated with each other: it's just that we love our jobs that much. We are in Europe and by day we walk around on the bustling streets and go have European cappuccinos (mine with soy obviously) and for a few hours each day we bring our computers and tap into our clients, blog readers and the jobs we love so dearly.

Which brings me to this moment:

At first I thought it was oxymoronic to say "healthy food in London" BOY WAS I WRONG!

I emailed InSprial before leaving for England, after finding them on the internet, explaining I was coming to London for two weeks and would love to do a workshop for them on raw food or help in the kitchen. A week later, I received an enthusiastic reply, indicating they would put me in touch with their head chef. A few days later Enzo, their vegetarian cook, wrote asking if I could help the restaurant recreate their raw menu for the New Year. I obviously said Yes... with zero attempt at hiding my zealous vigor.

I met with Enzo last week and we discussed his ideas and what he needs from me. In the quickest hour of my life, I told him what I thought of the dishes they already have, he told me what he thought, and within 60 minutes we had a plan. He needed 7 new raw salads with superfoods in the dressings or in the salad & 2 new entree's-one raw sushi dish and one random dish using my incredible imagination :)

We decided on my hours for this week (so that Adi and I could go to Paris and Belgium for a few days) and voila! Here we are! I showed him all my work--the 7 new recipes and 2 entrees--and he loved all of them.

Here's a sneak preview on my ideas:

• Sprouted Mung Bean Salad with Sesame Seeds and a Raw Tahini Lime Dressing

• Edible Flower Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Raspberries, Agave Soaked Goji Berries and a Creamy Lemon-Maca Dressing

• Raw Caesar Salad with Baby Jam Lettuce, Raw Parmesan and Capers with A Cacao-Balsamic Dressing

for my "creative" entree I decided on a Mock Loaf with a Raw Mushroom Gravy...

PICTURES TO COME!!!!! Things may change a bit once I get into the kitchen, but that's when the fun & gratification really begins!

Stay tuned. :)

Reporting in from InSpiral Lounge- London, England

I'm writing this review as I sit in this lively raw organic vegetarian restaurant (and Vegan) in Camden Town, London. I'm sitting at a small wooden table with uneven chairs, by the glowing Himalayan sea salt figure light source, while the energetic African music smiles in my ears.

I just finished eating a raw nut burger, what they call their "Sunfood Burger". It was a little dry, but overall very tasty and I basically swallowed it whole.With every dish you purchase, you get 3 sides included, so I chose 3 raw salads with bright, vibrant colors and distinct familiar tastes. It's been 3 days since I've had this food I love so dearly, so I practically licked the plate.

My husband and I drove back to London today from Belgium in order for me to work for this restaurant, InSprial. This is our "honeymoon", or at least our version of it. It's not that we aren't enjoying each other, or totally infatuated with each other: it's just that we love our jobs that much. We are in Europe and by day we walk around on the bustling streets and go have European cappuccinos (mine with soy obviously) and for a few hours each day we bring our computers and tap into our clients, blog readers and the jobs we love so dearly.

Which brings me to this moment:

At first I thought it was oxymoronic to say "healthy food in London" BOY WAS I WRONG!

I emailed InSprial before leaving for England, after finding them on the internet, explaining I was coming to London for two weeks and would love to do a workshop for them on raw food or help in the kitchen. A week later, I received an enthusiastic reply, indicating they would put me in touch with their head chef. A few days later Enzo, their vegetarian cook, wrote asking if I could help the restaurant recreate their raw menu for the New Year. I obviously said Yes... with zero attempt at hiding my zealous vigor.

I met with Enzo last week and we discussed his ideas and what he needs from me. In the quickest hour of my life, I told him what I thought of the dishes they already have, he told me what he thought, and within 60 minutes we had a plan. He needed 7 new raw salads with superfoods in the dressings or in the salad & 2 new entree's-one raw sushi dish and one random dish using my incredible imagination :)

We decided on my hours for this week (so that Adi and I could go to Paris and Belgium for a few days) and voila! Here we are! I showed him all my work--the 7 new recipes and 2 entrees--and he loved all of them.

Here's a sneak preview on my ideas:

• Sprouted Mung Bean Salad with Sesame Seeds and a Raw Tahini Lime Dressing

• Edible Flower Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Raspberries, Agave Soaked Goji Berries and a Creamy Lemon-Maca Dressing

• Raw Caesar Salad with Baby Jam Lettuce, Raw Parmesan and Capers with A Cacao-Balsamic Dressing

for my "creative" entree I decided on a Mock Loaf with a Raw Mushroom Gravy...

PICTURES TO COME!!!!! Things may change a bit once I get into the kitchen, but that's when the fun & gratification really begins!

Stay tuned. :)

From January 1st to January 7th I challenge you to go Dairy-free.

That's right folks: no milk in your cereal, cream cheese on your bagel or cheese with your wine! But you better believe it will be an incredible week and I will offer PLENTY of alternatives!!!!!

Reasons to avoid dairy:

• Dairy products may have a significant amount of dairy fat, which is animal fat. Any pesticides, hormones, or other unhealthy things that may be given to animals tend to be concentrated in their fat.
• Digestive issues. This is the number one reason I went Dairy-free.
• obesity and weight issues in children and adults.
• weak bones. no, you aren't reading wrong! a study determined that women who drank 3 cups of milk per day lost bone mass.
• Diabetes. in fact, more than 90 studies have been devoted to the link between the protein in dairy products and the development of insulin-dependent diabetes.

Get the support you need at Philosophie... and we'll do it as a team!

$29 includes:

• non-dairy recipes delivered to your inbox

• daily blog post with information, studies, research and personal support

• emails sent to your inbox with reminders, motivation and tips on eating out
  

• learn about yourself and your habits

• education and skills you get to keep for a lifetime

COMMIT TO YOUR HEALTH, MAKE ONE SMALL CHANGE, WITH SUPPORT!

Now that you're ready to eat raw living foods,  you're probably wondering what equipment and food staples you'll need. You will need some basic kitchen equipment and food staples to get you started.

Kitchen Equipment

Appliances

1. Blender. If you have a good blender that is working fine, there is no need to rush out purchase a heavy duty blender. A heavy duty blender is great, but start where you are and work your way up. I am partial to the Vita Mix, but there are many heavy duty blenders on the market you can choose from.

2. Coffee grinder (optional). A coffee grinder is good for grinding flax seeds and other seeds and nuts. I have a Magic Bullet and it has an attachment for grinding seeds and nuts. You can also use a heavy duty blender for grinding, but most of the time you will need small amounts, so you may consider purchasing a coffee grinder.

3. Food processor. A food processor is good to have, but I don't believe you need to have one, when you're starting out. Why? Because a lot of things you can do with a food processor you can do with a good heavy duty blender.

4. Juicer. A juicer is good to have, but again, I don't believe this is necessary when you are starting out. Don't feel you need to purchase a top of the line juicer. Start small and work your way up.

5. Dehydrator. A dehydrator is good to have (not necessary), if you want to make dried fruit (my favorite!) crackers, breads and seasoned nuts and have other little treats on hand (especially during your transition). However, over time you will find that you will use your dehydrator less and less.

Other Tools

1. Mixing bowls

2. Rubber Spatulas

3. Knives

4. Cutting board (wood or bamboo)

5. Kitchen scissors

6. Colander

7. Garlic press

8. Mason jars

9. Measuring cups and spoons

10. Sprout bag or cheese cloth (for straining nut milks)

11. Fine mesh strainer

12. Vegetable peeler

Kitchen Staples

1. Fruit (dried and frozen)

2. Dried herbs and spices

3. Oils and Vinegars

4. Raw nuts and seeds

5. Sweeteners and Seasonings (sea salt, pepper, cayenne pepper)

6. Superfoods- carob or cocoa powder, maca,  sea vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, etc)

7. Raw grains-buckwheat groats, oat groats, etc

8. Raw nut/seed butters

**Purchase fresh, preferably organic produce on a weekly basis.

R

Check out local farmers markets in your area!

[caption id="attachment_653" align="alignleft" width="206" caption="Philosophie Green Juice"][/caption]

Where the laws of nature have been overlooked we find disease (dis-ease: a disruption to ease). There is only one disease: toxicity and enervation, a lack of nerve force.

Alkaline foods are foods that raise the the amount of oxygen that your blood takes in. The most alkalizing foods are RAW green leafy vegetables, non-sweet fruits and (wheat) grasses. The opposite of alkaline foods are acid foods.

How much oxygen your blood can absorb is measured on a pH scale that ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 0 is most acidic while a pH of 14 is most alkaline.

Eating alkalined foods is good for you and the Earth because it is completely in harmony with natural law. Fresh, delicious, organically grown alkaline food that is good for the land, promoting shade-bearing vegetation that rejuvenates soil and contributes to purifying lakes, rivers and oceans.

This way of eating is the ultimate healing program. Start with a Philosophie cleanse to experience this way of eating yourself!

The Acid - Alkaline Balance

Our blood is in balance when we're slightly alkaline: with a pH of 7.365. The blood is an organ-a liquid organ. It streams through the vascular system, throughout the arteries, away from the heart, and returns via the veins to the heart once again.

In the beginning of the 20th century, very smart scientists and nobel prize winners made a great discovery. If our blood cannot absorb enough oxygen we get sick: cancer, heart issues, arthritis and candida infections and diabetes are the result.

You know that our body tries to maintain a constant temperature 98.5F or 37C. But but do you know that your body tries even harder to maintain the right amount of oxygen in your blood (a pH of 7.365)? When our pH is too high or too low, we don't feel well, we feel tired, gain weight, have poor digestion and get aches and pains.

Most people in the US and Europe are too acidic: they cannot absorb enough oxygen. That's why cancer, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes are epidemic.

Why are we too acidic?

* Stress

* Toxins

* Parasites and

* The FOOD we eat.

Acid Foods List

It seems that what we eat is more of a health factor than people have thought. Common reasoning is that there is a multitude of disease. However, keeping blood and body tissue at a proper pH seems to keep premature death at bay and makes the difference between vitality and death. This is the secret of an alkaline body. It's too bad that the foods most people like make us most acidic and thus sick. What are these food? You guessed right:

• Junk & Processed foods
• Sugar (raises insulin levels)
• Coffee & Tea
• All animal food/flesh (meat, eggs, chicken, fish, lobster, oysters)
• Grains: (white) wheat, rice, pasta, flour, bread etc
• Some Fruits
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter)
• Bad fats
• Peanuts, cashews.

Alkaline Foods List

During most of our lives, the majority of the foods we eat are (highly) acidic. These make us sick and tired. By eating raw alkaline foods and drinks, we can help our body to heal it self from most dis-eases:

• Vegetables - especially raw green leafy vegetables
• Fresh Herbs & Spices - parsley, basil, cilantro, cayenne, ginger
• Fruits - watermelon, avocado, cucumber, young coconuts
• Wheat grass
• Sprouts: i.e. alfalfa, mung bean, broccoli etc.

The best alkaline drinks are alkaline water, vegetable juices and wheatgrass juice.

How Acidic Are You?

How do you know your body pH? I love this one, because it's incredibly easy to find out what your alkalinity is. You simply buy some pH test strips (also called litmus paper) at a health store and pee on it. The paper will tell you instantly what your pH is and thus, how alkaline or acid you are.

The Best & Easiest Alkaline Foods

Would you like to know the best and cheapest alkalizing foods? Edible wild plants. They're highly alkaline, abundant, fresh and free!

Just throwing a few of them in your salad will help balancing you. Try sea veggies for a great alkaline food!

Go to a local farmers market and check out the local organic produce.

Ready to make changes now?? Try a Philosophie cleanse. It is an incredible way to jumpstart any healing program for quick recovery from modern dietary excess. It will leave you feeling rejuvenated and looking radiant!

We are a work in progress, constantly constructing and deconstructing ourselves. Philosophie offers the high quality building materials needed for this constant cycle. It is rich with enzymes, so it costs you nothing to digest, and all of its properties are highly charged and easily used in the body.