Rancho Zabaco, Sonoma Heritage Vines, 2004 Zinfandel

The 2004 Zinfandel by Rancho Zabaco (their Sonoma Heritage Vines) has become a staple at home these days. Usually around $15, sometimes on sale for $11 or thereabouts.

Juicy black currants, mellow enough to savor on its own... nice value.


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Terra Nostra Chocolate -- Pomegranate Truffle

I am definitely not choco-phobic. I'm also not a choco-holic. I don't eat candy bars or candies, and I think of chocolate as real food... so I only eat the real stuff.

One of my faves is the organic chocolate from Terra Nostra. I'm particularly fond of their Pomegranate Truffle Bar, which pairs quality dark chocolate -- not too sweet -- with a very perky flavorful pomegranate filling. The bar easily breaks into 4 pieces, so you can have just a taste if you wish.

Or, you can make it your meal... heh. :-)

Check out the Terra Nostra website for info about their other products.

Ezekiel Toast with Raw Coconut Oil and Raw Honey

Ezekiel toast is a favorite of mine, whether or not I'm focused on being high-raw. Ezekiel bread is made by Food for Life from sprouted grains rather than flour, making it far more nutritious and digestible than regular bread, and giving it a nutty, even meaty flavor. Personally, I only eat the bread toasted. I don't care for its untoasted texture. But toasted, I use it as a base for many things.

This is a great meal-on-the-run at any time of day. The coconut oil fires up your metabolism, and the anti-inflammatory aspect of raw honey soothes bronchial passages... great before a workout. Good quality cold-pressed coconut oil is extremely fragrant, as is raw honey, so this meal is very flavorful as well as filling & fast.

2 slices Ezekiel bread (regular, sesame, or cinnamon raisin)
2 T. raw cold-pressed coconut oil
2 t. raw honey

Toast the bread til a nice crunchy texture. Smear each slice with half the coconut oil and half the honey. Eat!

Mediterranean Sardines

I never had sardines til recently, but I fell in love with them immediately (although I am quite sure that picking the right sort makes all the difference).

Sardines are rich in Omega-3 EFAs as well as in Vitamin D. The brand I stumbled upon are extremely flavorful without being fishy (tuna can't compare, in my opinion...). And I feel just great after eating them. Fixed up with fresh parsley, red onions, black olives and olive oil, they are a quick & very satisfying meal.

The brand of sardines I found is "Season", from Morocco. I buy the skinless, boneless and saltless variety, which enable me to salt with my own beloved "himmy" salt. This brand tastes like the small fresh fish my Greek family make on Samos. One bite and it takes me back immediately...

Mediterranean Sardines

• one can Season brand sardines, skinless, boneless, no salt added
• very generous sprinkling of Himalayan Crystal Salt
• thinly sliced red onion, to taste
• handful of cilantro (or very tender parsley), chopped
• 2-3 sun-dried, home-cured raw peruvian olives (or other black olives)
• drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Assemble in order of ingredients, and eat with pieces of excellent quality bakery bread, or crackers. One day I'm sure I'll find a nice live sprouted cracker recipe, but until then... I enjoy my bread. :)