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Vegan and Raw Food Cuisine Expert Chef Lauren Von Der Pool recently participated in the Clean Energy Economy Forum at the White House with U.S Energy Secretary Steven Chu and U. S Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.  Von Der Pool and more than 100 other youth leaders were invited to the event to discuss what can be done to improve America's green economy.  The nation's green health is important to the chef because she is the founder and CEO of the non-profit Von Der Pool Gourmet and Healthy Living Services, an organization that teaches inner-city kids how to incorporate more nutritious foods into their diet and the benefits of recycling and composting.  Von Der Pool also met President Barack Obama at the forum.  Click here to watch her ask Secretary Chu and Interior Secretary Salazar a question.   

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Von Der Pool is a partner at two Washington, DC restaurants--Java Cafe and Cafe Green which is scheduled to open next month.  Learn more about the chef and her exotic vegan and raw food cuisine at vonderpoolgourmet.com.      

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Try different salts and peppers -- Salt and pepper are staples in the kitchen, but they can get boring.  Try mixing up your recipes with flavored salts and peppers like seasoned salt, lemon pepper and smoked pepper.  Click here to see me weigh in on my favorite seasoned salt.



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Chef Lauren Von Der Pool, Vegan/Raw Food Cuisine Expert

Prunes aka dried plums -- Sweet, chewy, a bit sticky and oh so good! This natural laxative will keep you regular.  Prunes are filled with nutrients that include vitamin A, potassium and fiber.  Studies show that this dried fruit helps lower high blood pressure, cleanses the colon and strengthens the immune system.  Eat prunes or drink them in juice. They are also great baked in savory and sweet dishes.

Learn more about Von Der Pool's exotic vegan and raw food cuisine at vonderpoolgourmet.com.

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Do you have a culinary question or tip to share? 

Email your questions and tips, along with your city and state, to  drakeel@drakeelenterprises.com.  We will do our best to publish as many as we can.  

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Click here to read back issues of the e-newsletter.  

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Chef Tee often helps students at the DCCK, but this visit was especially poignant because he dedicated it to the memory of his dear friend, Chef Oscar Griffin, who recently passed away.  Griffin was a frequent DCCK volunteer.   

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