Thanks to Studio Leroux for these videos.

Summer is almost here! Could you use a refreshing drink? I know that I could. This delicious and easy to make mango lassi comes from the excellent raw food chef, Diana Stobo.  She is a classically trained chef studying culinary arts at Cornell University.  She eventually became interested in nutrition and healing and turned to raw foods.

“No Sugar,  No Wheat, No Dairy, No Alcohol, No Meat” is her motto which is covered in more detail in the new award winning book, Get Naked Fast.  The book focuses on raw nutrition and raw beauty.  What I really like about Diana Stobo is that she makes raw food accessible and quick with common tools, techniques and ingredients.  Visit her site here.  This healthy, speedy recipe is a thirst-quencher on a hot day and requires the following ingredients:

* Larry and Luna Coconut Bliss ( a real favorite of mine although, another coconut ice cream will work as well)
* Diced mango
* Rejuvelac (substitute for yogurt)
* Almond Milk (unpasteurized)
* Cardamom
* Agave or other sweetener as desired

April is over! It has gone to the animals! Over at the ASPCA, April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Here at les violettes, every month and every day is about the prevention of cruelty to animals. Did you know that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the oldest humane organization in the United States? Henry Bergh founded the society in 1866 around the same time that the first legislation was passed against cruelty to animals. As an aside, Bergh was also involved in the welfare of children and founded a similar society for children.

The ASPCA focuses on three core areas: community outreach, animal health services and anti-cruelty initiatives.  Another area is animal adoption such as the cute, feral kitty pictured above.  Please sign the animal pledge to end cruelty.

2010 marks a year since “Ours To Keep” the 75th anniversary celebration of the East Bay Regional Parks District – one of the finest cures for Nature Deficit Disorder.

Established in 1934, the East Bay Regional Parks District became the first regional parks agency in the United States. It consists of 65 parks with more than 100,000 acres and remains the largest in the country. Once home to the Ohlone and Miwok people until the “Mission Era” of the late 1700s to the early 1800s, the area became a territory of Spain, Mexico and finally the United States. Contained within Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the parks are open to everyone with many activities to enjoy.  Parks are fairly easy to access.  Several parks are accessible via public transportation. Here are 7 reasons why I truly like East Bay Regional Parks.

1. Tilden National Park is one of the oldest of the 65 parks. Located in Berkeley, it features the Little Farm with cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits and chickens. Of course the animals love to eat! So please bring lettuce or celery to feed them. Some other notable features are the famous Jewel Lake Nature trail, the Brazilian Room for weddings and banquets, a Merry-Go-Round, the Botanical Garden and the Steam Train.

2. Meet the Naturalists. Many of the parks have Naturalists who teach classes and guide tours. Are you into sailing, swimming, archery, golfing or hiking? Good! Try these activities at various parks. Chabot and Tilden Regional Parks are known for having beautiful golf courses. Del Valle Regional Park and Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline are popular for boating.

3. Lake Chabot was once a primary source of water for the East Bay.  It is still used an emergency source for water.  Mainly built by Chinese laborers, the park is now popular with boaters, hikers, picnickers and bicyclists.  Did you know that many of the trees were originally transported from several foreign countries?

4. Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. You guessed it! Until the end of the 1800s, it was a coal “black diamonds” mine. It then became a sand mine for glass production until the 1940s. Today this preserve is a favorite among wildlife lovers. In addition to lush vegetation, coyotes and snakes, some mountain lions, foxes and over 100 bird species can be seen here. Be sure to visit this beautiful 6,286 acre stretch of wilderness located in Antioch.

5. Alameda Creek Trail opened in 1973 however, much of the area’s history dates back to centuries earlier.  Once home to the Ohlone people, this area became part of Mission San Jose de Guadalupe in the late 1700s.   After the “Mission Era” ended, it became private territory. One time the governor sold the land to private owners. U.S. courts declared this sale to be illegal in 1858 and designated the land for public use. Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson made films in the town of Niles near here before the film industry settled in Hollywood. Athletic types come by now to enjoy running and cycling.

6. What has 978 acres of marshland and grass-covered hills and was once home to elk and condors?  What has a rich history and was once a quarry, a settler ranch and a missile site? Where is a stretch of Alameda Trail Creek located?  Coyote Hills Regional Park. Visit the 2,000-year old Ohlone shellmounds site. Check out the birds and butterflies at the Nectar Garden. Visit the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Marsh Boardwalk. Sightseers and nature lovers won’t be bored!

7. The Regional Parks Foundation provides a vital function for the park district. Environmental restoration, camping programs and low cost group transportation are among the projects that the foundation supports. Interested in staying fit? or getting fit? Take the self-paced Trails Challenge and explore what the parks have to offer!

Extra: Bob “4 Wheel Bob” Coomber. Complications from diabetes eventually caused Bob Coomber to be confined to a wheelchair. Yet, the optimistic “4 Wheel Bob” thought of the wheelchair as a challenge rather than a limitation. He’s the first person in a wheelchair to climb California’s 3rd highest peak, the 14,000 ft. White Mountain. He’s also one of 27 Americans to receive the President’s Council on Physical Fitness Community Leadership Award in 2008. What’s next for him? Plans are in the works to climb Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro and to distribute over 200 wheelchairs in Tanzania via the Wheelchair Foundation. Find out more about “4 Wheel Bob” here.

Coconut Secret introduces Coconut Aminos a raw seasoning sauce that is an excellent alternative to soy sauce.

Some of you are unable to use soy sauce for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you have an allergy or you take medication that forbids the use of soy. Could it be that you simply prefer not use anything that is soy-based? Are you like me wanting to try something new? About a month ago, I purchased Coconut Aminos, and it’s a great low glycemic substitute for soy sauce.

Coconut Aminos only contains coconut sap and sea salt.  Keep in mind that you will spend more money however, there are some advantages such as it’s: low sodium, gluten-free, 100% organic, dairy-free, vegan and it contains 17 amino acids.  Seems like this product has a lot of pluses right?  Yes, it does and the best thing of all is the taste.  I actually prefer the taste to soy sauce – it’s sweeter, lighter and milder without the sharp taste.  If you are a diabetic or you need to reduce your sodium intake and want a tasty sauce for marinades, sautés or seasoning, be sure to try this.

Kale is a real favorite of mine. If you like it as well then, you’re in for a treat. Vegetarian chef Cherie Soria has been teaching for over 35 years and states that one of her greatest accomplishments has been “saving the lives of countless innocent animals.”  Would you like to learn more about healthy raw foods?  Tomorrow, February 22nd @ 10pn Eastern, she will be teaching a free teleseminar titled, The Raw Food Revolution Diet on Global Teleclass.  Note that there are long distance charges; for time zone conversions, go to www.timeanddate.com.  Another option is to watch this video and learn about the 5 tastes and make this healthy recipe.

For the salad:

2 cups large kale leaves
1 1/4 cups whole head cabbage
1 large ripe tomato
1/2 cup currants
2 tablespoons whole red onion
1/2 red jalapeño chile, seed and minced or pinch of cayenne
Pinch of salt

For the dressing:

1 tablespoon light miso
2 teaspoons flaxseed oil
1 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground golden flaxseed
1 small clove garlic
Pinch powdered mustard

Even though Mardi Gras celebrations ended this past Tuesday, it is not too late to have some Mardi Gras fun. Chefs Mike C. and Olivier Said over at Kitchen on Fire put together this easy Vegan Rataouille. Laisser Le Bon Temp Rouler. The ingredients are:

1 or 2 cloves garlic
1 or 2 red bell peppers
1 or 2 zucchini
1 or 2 Japanese or Asian eggplant
2-3 tablespoons oregano
2-3 tablespoons thyme
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup black olives
1 pinch salt (or to taste)
1 pinch pepper (or to taste)

Getting ready to go out for a party or a night on the town…and you want to look great? Shue Uemura is a great makeup line. However, you want to use cosmetics suitable for vegetarians, right? Do you prefer natural cosmetics? Or are you gluten-free? Fortunately, you have this handy guide that makes things quick and simple. Click on photos or the links below. Here are the same looks as in the video but, vegetarian style.

For a look similar to the one worn by the first model, try these cosmetics. MyChelle Dermaceuticals is ” paraben-free, non-toxic, 100% natural, eco-friendly and cruelty-free.” It is also “free of phthalates, parabens, propylene glycol, ureas, EDTA, fragrances, encapsulated nano particles and artificial colors.” Vegans keep in mind that the matte, skin brightening cream foundation does contain beeswax. Ecobella eyeshadow in Earth or Deep Taupe is similar to the model’s look. Each eyeshadow is vegan and free of preservatives and gluten. Looking for a mascara that is free of heavy metals and parabens? Germany-based Lavera makes one that is vegan in black, blue and brown. Ecobella’s vegan face powder is free of gluten, parabens, talc and fragrance. It comes in four shades. Also from Ecobella, are mineral-based lipsticks in Sangria and Mauve Rose. If you decide to use another color, double check as some of the colors are not vegan. However, all FlowerColor lipsticks are free of parabens, petroleum, preservatives, fragrance, FD&C dyes and gluten.

Our next model has quite the glamorous look. Ecobella’s bronzing powder for sensitive skin is fragrance-free, vegan and available in two colors: Hibiscus and Sunflower. Susie Wang’s 100% Pure line makes an eyebrow gel powder that contains anti-oxidants and vitamins. It comes in two colors: Taupe and Brunette and is gluten-free, free of synthetic chemicals and vegan. Find this line on QVC. MyChelle makes eyeshadows (Blaze and Drama are similar to what the model is wearing) that are mineral-based and petroleum-free. Vegans again take note that beeswax is one of the ingredients. UK-based and affiliated with Lush Cosmetics, B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful has eyelash extensions that come with vegan glue. Try EcoBella’s lip liner in Plum, Mauve and Terracotta. Mauve is the only lip liner color that isn’t vegan. Gluten-free, there are no FD&C dyes or preservatives contained in these lip liners. Suki skincare line makes a beautiful stain for lips and cheeks. Vermillion or Dahlia would be good choices here. Beeswax is also one of the ingredients. That is all for now. See how easy it is to put together these two looks with easy to find vegetarian cosmetics. Next week come back for two more looks.

February will focus on food and a few of the finer things in life. Why? With so many celebrations occurring this month, why not? Chocolate is definitely one of my guilty pleasures: Is it one for you too? If not, you may change your mind after this. Find out about the health benefits of dark chocolate with Mary Engler, a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of California San Francisco. Follow Timothy Childs of TCHO chocolates in San Francisco as he shares the process of making chocolate from the cacao fruit to the cocoa bean and finally to the finished product. Afterward, there are two delicious chocolate recipes for your enjoyment.

I used to love S’mores a child and remember making lots of them over the stove. S’mores are great with vegan marshmallows. Chocolate plus gingersnaps! Both treats are healthier with dark chocolate. Can’t wait to try them? Check out the recipes below.

The end of the month is here, and it’s time for some rest and relaxation. A facial and detox is a great way to unwind. You can go to your favorite spa or you stay at home. Take a few tips from Remede Spa in San Francisco. Next month I will return with more posts and ideas. Until then, relax and enjoy.