Life is a journey

Although we won't have super exciting pictures of exotic locales, at least for a few months anyway, we invite you to check out what we are doing. We started a food blog at wwww.rawinspiration.blogspot.com and a blog about sustainable living and creating solutions at www.restorationinprogress.blogspot.com
Even when we are living in one place for a time, we enjoy embracing every aspect of life as an amazing journey, so our other blogs are a reflection of the journey we are engaged in now... The best food ever, gardening and Love!

Beach Day!

We hit the beach at Ft. Desoto State Park in St. Pete this weekend with my sister Annette and her two children, Seamus and Julianna. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a wonderful time playing with the kids. They really love the water. It was hard to convince them that it was time to get out so they would not frizzle fry.



Heading out. Seamus was so excited.



The only picture of Peggy the photographer.



The ball was a hit but it kept wanting to go surfing.



Ft. Desoto is always such a treat. We had a blast. Thanks Annette and crew for coming over and visiting! Next time we will see Kevin hopefully.

Reunion of the Rogers Family

We took a trip up from Tampa to Atlanta to a gathering of Curtis' family on his mother's side. We had such a wonderful time seeing so many familiar faces and some new ones too. It was so fun to be with family. Karen and Bob were so generous and thoughtful to bring this all together and to host it at their beautiful home. It was reminicent of the gatherings at the river in Columbus. We hope you all enjoy these photos of the celebration.


Karen and Bob thought of everything. Fans for the heat and bug spray even though the bugs were not bad and it was a mild day. And what a spot!



Their house was very lovely and spacious. A perfect place to be.



Lynn and Maridonna getting the deviled eggs ready.



Just a small portion of the "spread"



Bob was giving lessons to the little ones on the proper technique for eating ice pops.



Now this must be some very serious discussion right here. Terry just thinks it is funny.



I love this candid shot of Chris and family.







A great image of Walter, Dot and their crew.



We got to ride up with Lynn and Terry which was a whole lot of fun. Thanks guys!



Paige made a delicious version of the famous (or infamous depending on your taste) Nonie cake! I loved it.



Hanging out at the dining room table.



Three of four generations. I really love this picture.



When the slip and slide came out the kids were having a blast!



The whole family together.



Having everyone together again was such a treasure for us. We had such a great time and wish only that those who could not make it could have been there.



Until next time everyone keep in touch!
Love,
Curtis and Peggy

Mmmmmmmmm!

We are back in Tampa after an epic trip to Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. We had a wonderful time and are ready to start the next leg of life's journey. Stay tuned for updates and pictures as the adventure never ends. Enjoy these images of some raw food dishes we have had since returning to Florida.


Raw peach cobbler. Fresh sliced peaches topped with a cinnamon cashew cream. Garnished with crushed walnuts.
1-2 cups chopped ripe peaches
1 cup cashews soaked 1-4 hours then rinsed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp vanilla
1 T agave syrup
enough water to blend the consistency you want

Blend everything but the peaches well in a vita-mix, blender, or food processor with enough water to make it as thick or thin as you desire. Then pour onto peaches.
Any variation with any fruit you want can be done. Use your imagination and have fun!


Chinese eggplant salad. Marinated eggplant, broccoli, and hijiki on top of a bed of romaine. Also topped with a sunflower herb spread.
Marinade:
3-4 T olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1 T minced ginger
1 T raw apple cider vinegar
2 tsp tamari or braggs liquid aminos
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 T basil
Enough water to cover veggies
Marinate eggplant, broccoli, and hijiki overnight and then serve on a salad.

Sunflower Herb Spread:
Soak sunflower seeds overnight and rinse then add:
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 clove garlic minced
Several leaves of basil
Several sprigs parsley
1 T olive oil
Dash salt
Blend in a Vitamix or blender adding just enough water to blend

Chocolate cashew cream pie. A coconut crust beneath a chocolate candy layer filled with a chocolate pudding and topped with vanilla cashew cream. Garnished with chocolate candy slivers.

Crust:
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 large ripe banana
1 tsp agave syrup
1 T raw coconut oil or coconut butter
Blend ingredients together in food processor and press into a pie pan. Put into freezer while you make the filling.

Candy layer:
Equal parts-
Cocoa powder
Agave syrup
Coconut oil
Mix together well, spread onto wax paper or teflex and refrigerate. Also spread some onto the pie crust and refrigerate.

Filling:
2 ripe avocadoes
Juice of one orange or some coconut water or nut milk
2 T Cocoa powder
2 T Agave syrup
2 tsp vanilla
Blend in food processor and pour into pie shell on top of candy layer. Place in freezer.

Cashew topping:
1-2 cups soaked cashews 1-4 hours then rinsed.
1 tsp vanilla
1 T agave syrup
1 T coconut oil
Blend well adding just enough water or coconut water to blend and no more. Spread onto top of pie once the pie has set. Add the candy from the sheet as a garnish.
Enjoy!

Kalalau Valley

We went to the end of the road on the western side of the island of Kauai. There we got a view into Kalalau Valley which is the west end of the Na Pali coast. We also took a hike from here into Alaka'i swamp. This is ajacent to the wettest spot in the world so there were some amazing plants.



























Overall a terrific day!

Kauai's Waimea Canyon

We had a wonderful day visiting Waimea Canyon on the west side of Kauai. The "grand canyon" of Kauai is not as big as it's cousin but definitely just as spectacular. We found wild Nastursiums growing on the trail as we hiked down to get a different view.



A view of the canyon and looking down you can see that somebody has a sweet little homestead setup in the valley below. We had a hard time figuring out how they even get down there.



Waimea Canyon gets its red walls from iron in the eroding rocks rusting. The views were amazing.



Kauai is one of the older Hawaiian islands. It's volcanoes went dormant long ago giving the elements of water, wind, and plants a chance to really erode the mountains leaving beautiful results.



Here is water in action! Our hike took us out onto the red hump just to the left of the falls in this photo, and then down to the top of the drop.



This is a view looking down the mouth of the canyon from over near the falls.




This is a little waterfall just above the big dropoff seen in the previous photo.

Pesto Portabello with Curry Broccoli

Oh me oh my this was a winner.

Marinate the mushrooms first in olive oil, Apple cider vinegar, and water for at least a few hours.
Pesto sauce:
1 avocado
1 handfull fresh basil
1 clove garlic
2 T extra vigin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 T Dulse
2 T Nutritional Yeast
Mix all but avocado in the food processor adding a little water to get it kind of soupy. Then add the avocado and blend again. Pour onto Mushroom and garnish with tomatoes.
Leave a little sauce to the side and add:
1 T olive oil
2 tsp curry powder or paste
Finely chop broccoli and mix in with the curry sauce. If you massage the broccoli a little it give a nice texture.

We enjoyed this dish in Kauai.
Stay tuned for more posts and pics from Kauai.