RECIPE ROUND UP: home for the holidays

We just purchased our tickets for flights back home over the holidays and I am BEYOND excited. I am buzzing with anticipation and I just cannot wait to see my family and be back in the fresh, crisp California air (on the good air days, of course 😉 ) .. anyway, I love my home state and my friends and my family and everything about being back home, so much, that usually I start planning and fantasizing about my time home far before the actual date.  

So, naturally, I started thinking about different recipes I could make while home and dishes that’d be easy to make quickly for the family as well as myself (especially for myself). I’d like to stay as raw as possible this time around, as usually I incorporate a lot more cooked food when I’m home just to not draw attention to myself. Now, however, I’m a pretty seasoned raw foodie and they’re already used to my obsession so I feel like it may be more natural than ever to stick to it. 

The problem with looking at the latest recipes around the web is that now I’m drooling on my computer screen and fantasizing about dinner tonight.

Sweet Potato Hash (non raw)

Raw Cacao Mousse Cups, low-fat

And some interesting reads that will help make the holidays a smooth and loving experience:

• 23 Tips to Feel Great When You Travel (Mind Body Green) A list of tips and tricks for surviving the long travel time that is usually associated with the holidays. Personally, I drink LOTS of water, eat a pound of grapes while on the plane (to keep the toxins moving and my bowels happy), I use Lavender Essential Oil* on my wrists and neck, and I keep shea butter* in my purse for my hands.
• Why I Cleanse Before The Holidays (Mind Body Green) An interesting look at preparing your body for the holidays. It’s important to get your body in line with what you believe in, eliminating potential cravings, healing your gut, and eradicating any self-doubts. This also includes recipes guides and day-by-day planning. I highly recommend this read!
• Men’s Gift Guide 2013 (Cupcakes and Cashmere) Okay, this is where my personal fashion-centric obsession leaks into my raw food obsession … I have been wrought with anxiety, trying to come up with the perfect, affordable gift for the men in my family. We live in a time where–those of us fortunate enough–we usually just buy the little things for ourselves throughout the year. What ends up happening is there is rarely anything left to the imagination during the holidays. Well, Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere is like my own personal idol and she has provided a neat list for the men in your life.
• 3 Holiday Expectations That Are Driving You Crazy (HuffPo) Lastly, just let go. Every year there seems to be so much pressure on having the most Hallmark Image of The Holidays that it can often times end up more stressful than enjoyable. This is a great read to keep things in perspective.

We are weeks away, I realize, but it’s better to start dreaming about it now than to have a last minute scramble, riiighhht?? (shh, let me just pretend it’s time to head home already!)

xo

**disclosure: if you purchase anything I link to you via Amazon I make a small percentage out of it at no cost to you! So cool for me, so cool for you!