And while I’m talking about Erika and the blog, I am totally loving to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of Erika moving to Patagonia. The impact she has made to our company is not only beyond measure, it’s actually totally within measure. Our sales dramatically increased the month after she arrived, and due to her impact, we have seen strong growth ever since.

This blog had fits and starts until she took it under her wing. Looking at the recipe photos, has anyone figured out how awesome a chef she is? Well, I have the pleasure of tasting many of the finished treats featured here, and I can tell you, it’s worth the trip to Patagonia if you are ever thinking about visiting (please call ahead first).

If you are a regular customer, chances are quite dandy that Erika remembers you. Don’t believe me? Next time you call the store, ask her. “Remember me? I got some Spirulina Crunchies and other stuff, like, 3 months ago or sumpin-like-dat.” See what she says

And just because I’m the CEO, that doesn’t mean that Erika won’t tell it like it is. That’s what I love about this environment, I encourage that the truth be told, even if it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. So I expect to be told that I can’t post this because it’s over the top or something. Maybe it is. Perhaps we should just get her an iPad and forgo the whole public-blog-kudos-thing. Of course, if you are reading this, it passed!

Thanks Erika. We love you.

Chris Whitcoe

So what does a company like Vivapura do when presented with this abundance of figs? Well the first thing is obviously stop selling them! We want to be sure our customers get the most fresh, nutrient-dense and delicious foods.

The second is to find someplace that would benefit from these figs. In the past when we’ve had products that required a new home I’ve reached out to a semi-local branch of Food Not Bombs. The fig situation required something different, it required pigs.

I searched for local farm rescues in our area and the first one I found was a sanctuary for pot-bellied pigs. Ironwood Pig Sanctuary turned out to be the perfect place. Home to 600 potbellied pigs Ironwood is a truly amazing place. The sanctuary covers a wide area of land where the pigs are grouped into communities based on age and health care requirements. They have multiple areas designated “assisted living communities” for elderly or otherwise unwell pigs. The staff is amazingly dedicated and knowledgeable. When asked if they get a lot of adoptions the response was no due to the high-level they require potential piggie parents to meet.

We were given a lovely tour of the Sanctuary and even got to feed some pigs some figs. See our day in pictures below!

As of late though I haven’t been using many Thai Young Coconuts. I don’t see them that often in our town and I’m a bit concerned about the way they are produced and shipped. After making many successful frostings with Coconut Creme I started thinking that I could make a nice pudding with that as a base. The result was delicious, but more of a mousse than a pudding!

Raw Chocolate Mousse

1/2 ripe avocado
5 tbs. Cacao Powder
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Powder
1/4 cup raw honey or other liquid sweetener
1/2 cup of milk-type liquid (nut or seed milk, coconut milk or raw dairy)
1/2 container Coconut Creme Original, melted
11 drops liquid stevia
pinch of salt.

Put everything except milk-type liquid into a food processor and start running. As everything is process slowly add milk through spout. Allow to process until well-blended & creamy. Eat right away! Chilling will cause this to become more solid.

So a few updates for blog readers and customers. I have had a great set of recipes submitted by Xell Calderer of Internal Hygeine. I hope to post that tomorrow. Remember that while I’m juice feasting I’m looking for recipe submissions! If you submit a recipe with pictures you’ll receive a 15% OFF coupon for your next Vivapura order. You can e-mail recipes and photos to me at erika[at]vivapura[dot]net.

In other news we have a few exciting new products on the site. The first being some amazing Dulse. The second being the second in our new series of gift boxes. This one is the Salad Gift Box. The holidays may be passing us by but what better way to jump start your own healthy eating or that of loved ones than with a gift box chock full of a superfoods with a recipe included? Next week we’ll be adding a new Seasonal Bee Pollen, I’ll post more info when that is ready.

We had a great newsletter go out today, if you haven’t signed up be sure to do so on the side bar of this blog. We send out special recipes, coupons and events. We just started a great Back to Basics sale just in time for the New Year. get 20% OFF the following items: Cacao Powder, Green Hemp Seeds, Really Raw Almonds, Wildcrafted Goji Berries, Chia Seeds, Nori and All Olives! Use coupon code “basics20″ at checkout through 1/31/10.

So those are the main up-dates. Stay tuned for guest recipes, back to basics recipes to help out with your 2010 Raw Resolutions and other tips to help your New Year get off to a healthy start!

Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

4 cups water, cool to warm depending on the temperature you would like the soup
2 limes, juiced
2 inches ginger, peeled & chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled & chopped
1 tbs. miso
1 piece wakame, broken up
1 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. yellow curry paste or curry powder
1/2 tsp salt
cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce to taste
1/4 cup coconut creme, melted
1 bag kelp noodles, soaked in warm water about 30 minutes
1 red pepper, quartered & sliced
1 sweet potato, shredded (or 2 carrots, shredded)
1/2 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 pineapple, chopped
1 avocado, sliced for garnish

In a high-powered blender combine water, lime juice, ginger, garlic, miso, wakame, olive oil, curry, salt & cayenne. While blender is running pour in melted coconut creme.

Drain kelp noodles and chop into shorter lengths. Toss in a bowl with red pepper, sweet potato, cilantro and pineapple. Pour in curry broth and mix well. Serve in bowls topped with avocado slices. In the picture I’ve also sprinkled each bowl with sea lettuce flakes.