So much to do when traveling!  and to top it off I twisted my ankle yesterday.  “Don’t overdo it by walking too much today” a fitness trainer told me:   rest; use ice and compression and elevate your foot. It’s called R-I-C-E.  You don’t want it to swell on you tomorrow on the airplane. Rest; Ice; Compression; Elevate:  R-I-C-E.”

Not easy when there is so much to do getting ready to be away from home for awhile.  

Thankfully, I have been working for quite a while now, hoping to avoid some of the stress often experienced in traveling–though this entailed lots of past midnight evenings (not good).  I wanted to share some tips I picked up along the way which I hope will be helpful for you.

To help plants stay alive while traveling, fill a kitchen sink halfway up with water.  After giving your plants a last good watering, set them in the sink where they can absorb the water while you are gone.  

I just gathered up all of the fruits and vegetables that were in the crisper and threw them in my Oyster juicer (Target $99 – easiest to use and to clean ever , with a huge chute for whole beets, apples, oranges etc.).  In go the oranges, kale, ginger, carrots, celery, kiwi, which would otherwise be ruined and unpleasant be ruined and unpleasant to come home to. Throw in that cucumber for lots of liquid. (A cucumber has very high water content.).)  Now, drink it for a high energy boost as you continue packing and doing all of the things that must be done for traveling.

I want to share with you a delicious chocolate sauce that can be used for those kiwi and strawberries you need to take care of or for a snack for the children or grandchildren or for a delicious dessert.  It has no flour or cornstarch, no added sugar and no oil.

Chocolate Sauce:

1/2 cup plant based milk 1/2 cup date paste

1 Tablespoon maple syrup

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

date paste:  one pound of pitted dates, soaked in one cup water until much of the liquid is absorbed.  Process until smooth.

Combine all ingredients in a blender, blending until smooth.  In a small saucepan warm over medium low heat for 3-5 minutes.  Cover pan to keep warm. May add a few chocolate chips if desired.

I hate to leave my garden with all of the beautiful lettuces.  A note to friends and family to come and pick hopefully will be sent.  Here is a salad with no oil and very delicious:

Onto a collection of salad greens put a  peeled mango (or is it a papaya-either would do) and one small avocado and the juice of half of a lemon.     Massage this into the lettuce. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper if desired.

I could go on and on, but must go.  Need to elevate my leg. God bless. Nan