…Dandelion Communitea in all its green glory. Cute tiki.
I’ve loved the Dandelion since it first opened sometime in 2006. It has grown to be quite popular, progressively evolving into the “communitea”. My husband and I stopped in yesterday for a bite, and the first thing we noticed is that they added more tables [...]

Filed under: Fab Restaurants, Orlando | 7 Comments »

See more of these durian photos on Flickr!
When I went to my favorite Asian foods market today in Viet-town for young coconuts and bento boxes, I didn’t expect to find a whole barrel full of live, REAL, fresh durians! I’d finally come face to face with the elusive fruit I have only heard of [...]

Filed under: Foodie Talk, Fruit, Methods | 11 Comments »

(raw vegan, gluten-free*)
With Garlicky Broccolini, Sweet Vidalia and Fennel Gratin, and Blueberry-Macadamia Rawscarpone Crumble.
That’s right, now you’ve heard it all! After last night’s success, I’ve decided to shoot for a weekly “TV Dinners Gone Raw” night, inspired by these cute compartmented plates I found on sale at Bloomingdale’s recently. You can’t deny the [...]

Filed under: Italian, Pasta, Raw Vegan, Recipes, Vegetables | 6 Comments »

Julie’s Raw Ambition is officially proclaiming the role as Sea Vegetable Queen. . .the passionate voice of advocacy for that weird, squiggy, shriveled-up dark brownish leafy stuff found in plastic packages that read “Wakame”, “Wild Atlantic Kombu”, or “Laver” in the Asian section of your local Whole Foods or health food store. You know [...]

Filed under: Health Matters, Methods, Sea Vegetables | 9 Comments »

(raw vegan*)
This is a delicious, simple salad that’s perfect to try if you’re just getting acclimated to sea vegetables. Wakame is soft and tender with a mild, sweet flavor. When I first served this to my family, it was gone in minutes after they once looked down at it cock-eyed because in no [...]

Filed under: Japanese, Raw Vegan, Recipes, Salads, Sea Vegetables | 4 Comments »

(raw vegan*)
Warning: This bold and spicy seaweed salad is not for the faint hearted!
I love spicy foods, which is clearly reflected in many of my recipes. Of course, you can modify the spiciness by reducing or omitting the jalepenos and chili oil and it’ll still be delicious. Arame is a quick and easy [...]

Filed under: Japanese, Raw Vegan, Recipes, Salads, Sea Vegetables | 4 Comments »

After seeing the review in the Orlando Weekly, my husband and I were excited to take a drive across town yesterday to check out this new kid in town. It’s about time Orlando gained another vegan venue!
Ethos Vegan Kitchen (1235 N. Orange Avenue) is located in a cute little niche area just north of downtown [...]

Filed under: Fab Restaurants, Orlando |

This absolutely cool Zumex orange juice machine is nothing too new. You may have even seen them in juice bars or restaurants. This particular one has been with me for almost two years, and even longer for my husband since he bought it way before we were married. Why am I just [...]

Filed under: Fruit, Methods, Stuff I Like | 2 Comments »

(raw vegetarian, raw vegan modifiable*)
My husband is Greek and takes his cheese very seriously. Manouri cheese is a traditional semi-soft Greek cheese of which he found a raw version one day while visiting the Greek community in Tarpon Springs, FL. If you are a raw vegan, this salad is just as delicious without the cheese.
2 [...]

Filed under: Greek, Mediterranean, Raw Vegan, Recipes, Salads |

(raw vegan, gluten-free*)
One of my favorite Indian dishes is bhindi masala, typically made using okra as the main vegetable. I created this variation with baby zucchini in season, which has a sweet flavor and delicate-crisp texture. Dehydrating is optional but recommended to give it the right texture and serve warm.
½ lb. baby zucchini, cut in [...]

Filed under: Gluten-Free, Indian, Raw Vegan, Recipes | 5 Comments »