Simona Stepancic - Fresh Raw Vegan Dips & Patés

My books focus on the raw nutritious superfoods that are available today. These whole foods provide nutritional benefits for every type of illness.

Rather than count calories, the focus is on consuming food that:

• contains live enzymes such as fresh fruit, vegetables, sprouts, nuts and seeds

• is unprocessed and unrefined

• is without the use of refined oils, sugar, or dairy

• is organically grown and pesticide free, without synthetic fertilizers and chemicals

I have developed simple and easy to prepare recipes. Many of the meals involve blending, which can be faster than preparing cooked meals. It is a learning experience at the beginning, but with time and planning ahead you will become a master.

ABOUT DIPS & PATS

Creamy, or with texture, these are perfect party appetizers. They are great on soups, salads, wraps, vegetable slices, as well as with crackers. Make appetizers interesting, appealing and beautifully garnished to impress your guests.

This delicious nutritious recipes are for everyone, whether you are new to raw foods, wanting to incorporate more live food into your daily diet, or looking for an inspiration for your own personal transformation by incorporating new natural habits and an organic lifestyle.

When we elevate ourselves to a higher state of awareness we realize that what we eat has an effect on our mind and spirit. The living food lifestyle has proven itself to be a powerful approach in the amelioration of many health issues such as depression, osteoporosis, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, weight problems, low energy levels etc.

To inspire you, my warriors of wellness, I created a simple approach to amazing health through life food diet. The life force in food enhances all levels of being.

Choosing a sustainable lifestyle is what we need to increase the well-being of the planet. It is living in balance with nature, the world, the environment and the whole universe.

WHAT IS RAW & LIVING FOOD?

Raw food is living food that has not been heated at high temperatures or processed by any means. Food that is processed by heat disrupts the flow of energy to our systems.

Raw food is living food that has the frequency of life, as it has the energy of the sun.

Raw food has more nutrients and fibres than cooked food. It contains enzymes that are active when not exposed to heat above 11 F. Cooking produces free radicals in food; it damages fats and oils, changing them into trans-fatty acids, which are bad for our health. When you eat cooked food, your body requires more energy for digestion, which can leave you tired the next morning.

When we eat food that comes into our system in live raw form, we preserve our own internal enzyme stores and maximize health. Enzymes are little sparks that carry out biological processes in the body such as digestion, detoxification, nerve impulses and body repair.

Enzymes are found in live food and in every cell and organ in the body. Fatigue, lack of energy, weight gain and premature aging are all signs of enzyme deficiency.

Raw food is digested easily; it strengthens the immune system, helps with memory and concentration, and cleanses and detoxifies the body. You will feel better, have more energy and achieve a balanced weight.

When you eat fresh living foods you become more in touch with your feelings, experience more joy and develop a higher intuition. You become more deeply alive.

WHY BUY ORGANIC?

Organic food is considered to be healthier, not only for our body but also for the planet. For our body to function optimally, we need good quality protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. We need organic food that is grown in nutrient-rich soil free of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Choosing organic food is not just to avoid pesticides, but to obtain the higher levels of vitamins and minerals. Organic food still contains live enzymes, is unprocessed and natural, and does not contain genetically modified organisms. Studies show that pesticides and herbicides deprive foods of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and macronutrients.

The most pesticide contaminated fruits and vegetables:

Apples, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Cherries, Cucumbers, Dates, Grapes, Lemons, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Peppers, Peanuts, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Red Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries and Tomatoes.

The least amount of pesticide contaminated fruits and vegetables:

Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, Figs, Garlic, Kiwi, Mangoes, Nuts, Onions, Papayas, Pineapples, Sweet Peas and Watermelon.

GREEN TIPS

Eat Locally

Supporting local farmers will help to reduce the pollution caused by food travel, as well as support your local economy. Food travels nationwide and is responsible for a significant amount of fuel emissions. Eating local fresh organic food from sustainable farms offers nutrition-rich fresh foods, thus minimizing consumption of processed, packaged, and sugar and fat laden fast food.

Grow your Own Food

The best way to cut the emissions is to grow your own ingredients. Did you know that you can grow your own sprouts in your kitchen? Sprouts are a healthy living food. The sprouting process brings out enzymes in the germinated seeds, grains and legumes which make them easy to digest. Sprouts have double the amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. Use sprouts in salads, sandwiches and wraps.

What to grow: radish, broccoli, sunflower seeds, buckwheat seeds, clover, lentils and wheat berries.