One of my all-tim favorite food prep ingredients is coconut oil; I adore the nutty taste that I have come to enjoy more than butter; The way it helps emulsify my nut puddings and creamy sauces; When I do cook for family and friends, how it makes an ideal oil for sauteeing and stir-frying -- not only the fabulous flavor it imparts, but coconut oil's high burn threshold makes this a much healthier alternative to olive oil.

I was thrilled to find Kelapo, a local company that imports and packages a consistently great organic virgin coconut oil and was doubly impressed to learn that their business model is one of fair-trade practices.

Fair trade ensures good working conditions and equitable shares for the small farmers. October is "fair trade month" and a good time for raising consciousness about companies that support such integrity-based practices.

Non-hydrogenated coconut oil has innumerable health benefits: Rich in antioxidants, lauric acid and other MCTs, coconut oil helps the body absorb important nutrients and minerals, eliminate harmful bacteria, and fight the signs of aging. Professional athletes use it as fule to build lean muscle. It has also been used in smoothies and shakes to stabilize blood sugar.

Their newest offering is super innovative -- Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil baking sticks! These sticks are perfect for replacing butter in your favorite healthy recipes with pre-measured pats for spreading or baking or putting right on your corn, sweet potatoes, muffins or anywhere you would use butter or margarine. These are due out any day and will be in the refrigerated section of your local health food store. You will find Kelapo virgin coconut oil jars on the shelves. In warm weather, coconut oil will be a clear liquid and in the colder months it will resemble shortening -- either way, it's a foodie's dream ingredient.

There was a fascinating article in the St. Petersburg Times a couple of years ago about a neonatologist whose husband was losing ground rapidly with Alzheimer's disease. In her exhaustive research she learned about how medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) nourish the brain and began giving him coconut oil. She documented astonishing changes within only 37 days. Take a look at the article to see the clock drawings - truly inspiring!

Recipe for Mind

This year has passed in such a whirlwind that I didn't stop long enough to do a proper spring cleaning. I am not what anyone would call obsessive-compulsive about cleaning, but I do recognize the power of releasing clutter - something that inevitably builds up in many nooks and crannies of my home and office.

My good friend and colleague, Dr. Mary Bryant told me the other day that "a good definition of mental health is the process of creating order out of chaos." I know that one of the main principles of the "space-clearing" or Western school of feng shui is about getting rid of clutter as the number one priority in creating a healthy, productive and supportive working/living space.

So I decided that I would do a "Fall Clearing" as opposed to spring cleaning. Learn how I accomplished this.

A new site devoted to making healthy, earth conscious living more affordable, Save Green now was launched last August. Founder and owner, Karen Moore, created this eco-friendly site with the mission to be of service to the growing community of people concerned with their personal health as well as the greater health of the planet. "Though many of us are very budget-conscious these days, we are also increasingly aware that the decisions we make every day can and will make some sort of environmental impact,."explains Moore.

In addition to offering weekly products and services at great discounts for restaurants, spas, household products, clothing, etc, Save Green Now donates 3% of the profits to a different environmental charitable organization each month. Moore also founded a sister site EcoHomeResource.com in 2008 as a resource for those choosing to live a greener and healthier lifestyle.

Raw Fusion Living is honored to partner with SaveGreenNow.com during the week of October 10-16th with our "Mind Body Spirit Wellness Bundle" featuring 4 books, a relaxation CD and even a free mp3 therapy download for the first 100 orders - all at over 40% savings. Make sure to check this out during the week of October 10th!

With so many options and such misleading advertising, making a sensible choice when it comes to sweetening your beverages and foods can be daunting.

We are a nation obsessed with sweets. The average American consumes 35 lbs. of sugar per year!..Over the years some better options have appeared on the marketplace, like agave and stevia, but unfortunately when "big business"gets a hold of a trend, what they generally reproduce in their laboratories is a very fractionated (and unhealthy) version, so consumer beware -- and buy these alternative sweeteners in a local health food store or online, whenever possible.

In this NBC Daytime segment I discuss some of the great alternative sweeteners on the market and also how to make a very hydrating sun tea. You can also see more of my Daytime appearances and Raw Fusion webisodes on our You Tube channel.

Dr. LJ on NBC Daytime on Sensible Sweeteners

Healthy Hydration Tips with Sun Tea recipe

With Halloween only weeks away, here's a recipe that will not overload your loved ones with empty sugar calories. Made with fiber-ful dates, this vegan caramel sauce will astound your friends and family.

Lucuma is a superfood derived from a dried fruit in South America. It is their favorite ice cream flavor! With its enticing caramel flavor and flour-like consistency, lucuma makes an excellent sugar substitute for diabetics and people who need to curtail their sugar intake. If you are not able to get lucuma, try a drop or two of butterscotch flavoring. (Note: Butterscotch flavoring does have a tiny amount of dairy in it)

The consistency and taste of this caramel is amazingly just like "the real thing" but minus high fructose corn syrup, milk solids, sugar and any processed foods. You can substitute the almond milk with any nut milk to keep it dairy-free.

CARAMEL APPLES
1 cup medjool dates
1/3 to ½ cup vanilla almond milk (unsweetened)
1 tsp. Kelapo coconut oil 1 ½ tsp vanilla 1 TB. either lucuma, mesquite or maca (superfood powders) or combination*
pinch of salt
Apples
Optional: crushed pecan pieces or sliced almonds *If you cannot find these superfoods, you can substitute with natural butterscotch flavoring, but it will have a tiny amount of dairy.

Pit dates and cut into smaller pieces. Place in blender with 1/3 cup of almond milk and other ingredients. Blend until smooth, using spatula to scrape down sides until you have caramel consistency. Pour into shallow bowl. Insert skewer or stick in center of apple and either roll in caramel or layer on with butter knife to smooth. Dip in crushed pecan pieces or sliced almonds. You can also slice apple and dip one half in caramel and in pecan pieces.

Thursday, October 6 - 10-11 am EDT Radio interview on Spiritually Raw on Mind Dynamics and Jungian Archetypes. Full hour interview (my audition went so well they are having me back for the full hour!) Tune in and ask questions! This will also be archived on the site if you can't listen on Thursday

Thursday, October 6 - 4 pm EDT Radio interview Dimensions of Life Holistic Healing with Taras NK Raggio. Diet and Nutrition, Raw Essentials for Women.

Saturday, October 8th. 3 pm - Nature's Food Patch in Clearwater. Raw Fusion Cheezy Spaghetti Siciliano with Roasted Veggies. Vegan Caramel Apples. Free Samples.

October 10-16 Mind/Body/Spirit Wellness Bundle Special - through www.savegreennow.com features 4 books, CD and mp3 of "hypnotherapy for positive lifestyle habits.

Saturday, October 15th - 2nd Annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest - Chef Demo 2:30 pm - Succulent Green Smoothies and Flourless Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Creme Sauce. We will also be debuting our SUPERSNACK line! come out for samples!

Thursday, October 20 th - Abby's Health and Nutrition, Carrollwood area of Tampa 7 pm - Cheezy Spaghetti Siciliano w Vegan Caramel Apples. Free class with food samples.

Saturday, October 22nd - Nutritional workshop Dr. Dan Durrieu, D.C office 10-11:30 am.

Tuesday, October 25th - Rich and Gluten-Free radio show 11 am EDT w4wn.com

Saturday, October 29th 3 pm,Nature's Food Patch in Clearwater, Gourmet cooking class: Chicken Picatta, Carmelized Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce. Free samples.

Sunday, November 6th - All Star Chef's charity event at The Rolling Pin - I will be making my signature Portobello Pesto Pizza - only $5.00 per seating and all donated to the Brandon Food Bank.

Thursday, November 10th 6:15 pm - 5 Course Gourmet Raw Fusion Holiday Menu at The Rolling Pin - Reservations a must as this will fill up quickly.

PRIVATE PARTY - DINNER & LEARNS booked throughout the month. - To book your own private party, wellness workshop or Dinner & Learn send an email to lj@rawfusionliving.com. Experience a 5 course gourmet raw or raw fusion dinner with 10 or more of your friends and family members while learning a whole new way of eating spectacularly healthy and delicious foods!
Feedback from a recent Dinner and Learn: I can't thank YOU enough for last night. It was such a well rounded experience. The foods were exiquiste and you empowered us with the tools we needed. I love when someone is PASSIONATE about what they do. You shine when you speak, lovely lady. .CLW

Photograph courtesy of Lynn Kessel, Table Scraps