Follow the Flow --- Raw Strawberry Almond Cake

Life seems easier to go along with the flow than against the flow. You may seems to get what you want in your life after some determination and struggle but if it is not yours, you will suffer along the process.

I wanted very much to become a teacher as a full time job after volunteering as a Dharma teacher for a few years. I quit my smooth sailing engineering job and join MOE in despite of some

objections. I don't want to regret, for it is my dream. But in the end, I suffered from depression and had phobia going into the classroom every morning. I cried when I talked to

my friends about my situation. I am lucky that my previous company took me back after 3 months in MOE. But my luck go down in my career after that.....

For this hobby or raw food preparation, it is just like a flow to me. My son push me to work on his food. My friend, Siok Khoon, kicked my ass to conduct food preparation class at her house. I am reluctant when she suggested this to me. It took me a lot of courage to do it. What if I speak the wrong thing? What if the participant don't like my dishes? blah blah.... But after I started my first lesson, I have the satisfaction and whenever I have new dishes, I a

m eager to share with people.

I came across this book, Living in the Raw Gourmet written by

Rose Lee Calabro by incident. While I am reading another book, it recommend some raw book with easy recipes. Without knowing what is inside, it is risky to buy them. So I intended to borrow from the library. Instead of getting the recommended book, I saw this and find that the cover page is quite old fashioned or unique. So I borrowed it. The recipes inside are very easy and simple, short and sweet. I hate recipes that needs a lot of ingredients especially the uncommon ones. I w

ill not use them after trying out the recipes and will go into the dustbin after it expires or wither.... What a waste!

I leave the book aside after I have it until my friend asked for raw cake for her daughter's birthday. I quickly flip through and go for a simple one. In this situation, if I have negative thoughts, I will be complaining, have fouling mood and rushing to make one out. If I stay positive and do it willingly, I will be a more happy person. Our thinking can change our environment or our world into a hell or heaven.

It is a blessing to be able to give and in return, you will benefit more. After her party, I have free reviews on my cake, with new recipes to write and share and best of all, I have fulfilment. With all the shitty things in our life, the more we should be positive and happy. Everything shits and obstacles can be treated as a test to us. We get wiser each time we pull through an obstacles. They are there for a reason.... Without any difficulties, how can we help other with the same problem? Without much nagging, below are the RAW cake recipe.

Strawberry Almond Cake

First Layer

2 cups Almonds --- soaked overnight, blanched and remove skin

2 cups Dates --- remove seeds

2 teaspoons vanilla extract --- best if you can find from organic stall

Process almond in food processor with S blade into fine meal

Add in dates and vanilla gradually

Process until mixture is smooth and form a ball

Mould into your favourite shape

Second Layer

2 cups Almonds --- soaked overnight, blanched and remove skin

2 cups raisins

2 teaspoons vanilla extract --- best if you can find from organic stall

Process almond in food processor with S blade into fine meal

Add in raisin and vanilla gradually

Process until mixture is smooth and form a ball

Mould into your favourite shape

Icing

2 cups Cashew --- soaked for 1 hour

1 cup Strawberries

1/4 cup Dates --- remove seeds and soaked for 1 hour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract --- best if you can find from organic stall

Process all ingredient in blender or food processor with S blade until smooth and creamy

Filling

1/2 cup Strawberries --- thinly sliced

Decoration

Blueberries

Strawberries

or any fruits

Assemble

Ice the first layer of cake

Layer the sliced strawberries on top

Place the second layer over the sliced strawberries

Ice the top and sides of the cake with remaining icing

Decorate with fruits

FIRST LAYER with Icing and Strawberries SECOND LAYER placed on top

Add Carob powder to your first and second layer if you want a carob cake as shown below: