• This cute monkey face was found via Crafzine. Add a little excitement to your summer picnic, this monkey man is so easy to make, if you don’t have grapes for eyes try using, almonds, raisins or blueberry’s. He’s so lovable even the pickiest eaters would find him delectable.

• Haha, vegetarian kitteh. My cat eats cashews and loves, loves mana bread.

• The NY Times posted 101 Simple Summer Salad recipes. They happen to be mostly vegan, you can get some great ideas for adding variety to your salad menu. I think the “number 9″  salad would be incredible.

• Not raw, but so freakin’ adorable. This panda bread is just too fun not to link. Another gem from Craftzine. I suppose you could make a raw almond flower freezer cookie using this same method, hmmmm. Any suggestions on how to utilize this panda in raw foods?

• I saved the best for last. I started skin brushing twice daily with Tonya Zavasta’s skin brush.  If you don’t skin brush, start right away. This simple routine has tightened my pores, improved circulation, skin texture, color and clarity. I don’t think my skin has ever been this smooth, it’s incredible. On Tonya’s website she gives detailed instructions on how to skin brush and why it works so well. I’ve also been using her skin cream and mask, there good but I love, love, love that skin brush.

♥ Lesley Anne ♥

New recipes with exotic ingredients that require a trip the “little India” area of Manhattan are my new favorite thing. Maybe I was Indian in my former life, who knows, but I love everything about their culture, the clothes, jewelry, dancing, Ayurveda, make up and yes, the food.

Martha Stewart had Suvir Saran on her show and he made a dish called cardamom roasted cauliflower.  With a few small adjustments I made an awesome raw version. I really enjoy this vegetable but usually only as a snack because it requires so much chewing. With this recipe it marinates making it softer and a great main course.

Cardamom Cauliflower

● 1 Head cauliflower

● 1 Red onion

● 1 Dried red chili pepper

● 3 Green cardamom pods

● 1 1/2 Tsp Cumin seeds

● 1 Tsp Coriander seeds

● 1 Tsp Turmeric

● 1/2 Tsp whole pepper corns

●  1/3 Cup olive oil

● Celtic sea salt

Cut your cauliflower into small bite sized pieces then place in a large mixing bowl. Dice the red onion and add it to the cauliflower. With a coffee grinder or food processor grind all your spices until fine. Pour the olive oil and spices into the mixing bowl, stir and coat all the cauliflower pieces. You can serve right away or let it sit over night in the refrigerator. The spices will intensify and they cauliflower will soften.

My version is very similar to Suvirs except for a few differences:

1. I added less chillies because as this sits in your refrigerator the chilies will intensify making this dish too spicy.

2. My version has more cumin and I added turmeric because I love those flavors together.

3. Dicing the onion and cauliflower smaller makes it easier to eat.

Enjoy!

♥ Lesley Anne ♥