Hehehe DR, true!

You've raised an interesting point regarding bringing kids into the world. I think it is the hardest job in the world (no doubt the most rewarding in so many ways of course though) and am amazed at the great job so many parents do. I think it is a special thing to watch kids gain their view of the world and develop into adults. But I too for years have had great reservations about the thought of bringing kids into this world. How do those who haven't 'bypassed' the situation like me & DR cope with raising their kids in the society we live in? Even if you put raw aside there are so many other concerns.

When Spring arrives indeed, Miss Giggles! 

OMG, I was so excited to receive my link to the review e-book today. I'd really been looking forward to it and knew it would be good but was not expecting what turned up today. What a fantastic venture... it is absolutely gorgeous! So well designed, beautiful layouts and pictures, what a good job by Sheryl, the editors and testers (always gotta thank the testers, I work in the system testing field!). Not to mention all the contributors and those who tried out the recipes and took the luscious (drool) pictures. This completely blows away other raw books I've seen.

I can't wait for the 'send to a friend' option on the final version, because this book will tempt ANYONE.

Well done everyone. For those who didn't get the review copy, you are in for something really special when the final copy gets issued. Start getting excited...

That soap sounds lovely, Sheryl. However I discovered years ago that any kind of soap means more frequent scrubbing of the shower/bath. I only use natural-based vegan shower gels. They create less build-up of gunk which means less time cleaning the bathroom

I've just seen this thread. I'd love ALL the recipes, pleeease... Sheryl!?

Ah Joss, one just can't win, hey! Seems kids always rebel in the opposite to their parents. My mum's been at me for 23 years about being vegetarian/vegan. I thought she'd given up, but the other night I got a call that blew me away - she said I'd never find a man if I didn't let go of my beliefs !!??!!

I love and respect my mum but also greatly admire and respect those raising their children on a healthy path (even if they chose to abandon it hey Joss).

I've been told by Malaysian and Vietnamese friends 'never eat durian with anything else'! I guess that is because it is such a heavy food and quite difficult to digest. The first time I ate it was as a dessert, and boy did I regret that. I always have it as a meal on its own now. It's such a treat that I enjoy treating it in that way.

That said in the past I've whizzed it up with a bit of lemon juice and agave nectar to make a 'pudding', and it digests well that way. I also use it in green smoothies with no ill effect but that doesn't fit with your feast idea. Sheryl's suggestion sounds great - I must try it with the cacao.

Let us know what you come up with and how you go! I took durian into work recently for my boss, and she loved it. She was devouring it at her desk, with it all over her fingers, and some clients came up for an impromptu meeting at the messiest, most imopportune moment. It was hilarious.

How'd you go Brett? That's so adventurous!

Eugh! Thanks Sheryl!?!

I had spiralised zucchini for dinner earlier tonight. No way I would have had it after reading that story!!!

Hehe, Joss. I stood behind someone in the supermarket the other night when I was buying my loo paper - they were buying exactly the same thing and I tried not to laugh when it rang up at that ridiculous price.

How lazy could you be? Never mind wasteful of money (says she who says 'must eat mangosteens every day even at $15/kg' ). But this person also had 3 fatty looking steaks which were marked at well over $20... Remember that next time you think raw food is expensive.

Durianrider, I can really see how easy it is for you to contemplate nothing other than being raw vegan, with such an array of delights available to you in your travels. I'd love to work my way through even half of that list! I could count less than 20 of those that I've had.

Isn't nature wonderful providing us with all these delights? Everytime I see someone eating some awful artificial lolly or sweet but turning their nose up when I offer them a lychee, I think how upside down things are...

Sounds yummy! I had planned to blend the last of my fresh jackfruit up into a smoothie today, but philanthropy overcame me and I took it into work and shared it. We have a large Asian and Indian representation at work, plus my boss and peers have been intrigued at the fruit I am bringing in. I got more pleasure at their enjoyment of something rare/new, than I would have at having it all myself.

I'd love to try Chumpadek. I think it's time to start thinking about more south east asian travel.

Walking into an Asian supermarket where I've been many times, but not bought durian from (having another regular durian source in Canberra, known in fact I think to Durianrider, based on his previous posts here), grabbing a good looking durian. Having the young vietnamese shop assistant see me with the durian and crying 'what are you DOING?!!!!'. Long conversation about durian ensuing. He still wasn't convinced, but he was pleased.

Thanks Jen! Being back posting on the board can only help, hey 

Neet, I absolutely agree, Iyengar's Yoga: Holistic Path to Health is a beautiful and comprehensive book seldom equalled in the field. Recommend every cent of its cost.

And the best thing about Iyengar yoga, if one is to use study aids outside of the actual classes, is it's absolute focus on physical accuracy and avoidance of injury. If you are taking classes and have gained a good foundation, you can then  supplement with one of the good Iyengar books/videos, and pretty much be assured of a safe practice.

Sounds yummy, Brett. How long do you think the sultana juice will last (I guess only time will tell you that!!)? Other raw vegan sweeteners can work out to be quite expensive especially if you want to use a lot of them in recipes etc, so this sounds like a great alternative. I'm already thinking of a banana & cinnamon icecream, maybe with a few walnuts, drizzled with your sultana syrup....

Tomatoes definitely do well with a bit of something sweet, so I reckon that could be the answer to your tomato paste question!