Rock Star Gingered Slaw

The other week I gave a cooking demo to a completely full, standing room only, packed house. We laugh, we talked, we ate and at the end I received a roaring round of applause. What can I say, I'm a rock star! Well, at least in my head. Not that I have millions of fans or men throwing themselves at my feet (which wouldn't be all bad). No I'm a rock star in the sense that when I give a cooking class or lecture, entertain my audience and at the end a hear thunderous applause, I am on cloud 9. Like Bono hitting a high note. Since snatching the lead in my second grade play, "Pepe and the Corn Field Bandit" (yes, I was Pepe), I have loved being in front of an audience. There is nothing like the energy of a group looking to you for entertainment, laughs, information. You as "the guru" is awesome! For years my sister and father urged me to go into acting. "Jamie, you should totally go into acting," said my little sis. "You are funny and look just like Julia Louis Dreyfus. It's perfect!" Though the idea of endless adoration sounded quite good, I never really fit in with the "drama kids". I explored theatre in college but everyone seemed so put on, obsessed with getting their "big break". Not that they were bad people, just DRAMATIC. It was all way too much pressure for my delicate constitution.

But this bug, this rock star bug, kept at me. I'd held it at bay for a while until about 4 years ago when it showed up, bigger and stronger than ever! Interestingly though it took on another form. My rock star envy was no longer about me getting adoration or applause but rather about doing something worthwhile in my life. Using my rock starness (new word) as a way to help people. I know, cheesy right? I want to make a difference in the world blah, blah, blah. The cool thing is, now that I'm fulfilling my desire, the bug is gone. For years I felt like a cog in the wheel, just a small part of a larger machine I had no power to control. Becoming a health and wellness expert set me free. Yes, running a business is hard and there are still moments of complete terror but I never feel stuck or that I'm living my life for someone else. It's my life (que Bon Jovi), on my terms, and in the process I'm helping others change theirs. It's good to be a rock star!

Here is one of recipes I made. It was definitely a crowd pleaser and a quick salad you can throw together in 15 minutes. I actually had someone come up and ask to take the leftovers home. Sorry buddy, the rest is for me. Oh so good. Enjoy!

Rock Star Gingered Cabbage Coleslaw

Serves 4

3 cups shredded red cabbage, about ½ a medium cabbage

1-2 carrots, freshly grated

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

¼ cup fresh mint, chopped

2 green onions, finely minced

1/3 cup tamari roasted pumpkin seeds

Ginger Dressing

¼ cup unrefined sesame oil

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup brown rice vinegar

½ teaspoon grated ginger

1 tablespoon tamari or shoyu

½ teaspoon of honey or brown rice syrup

Combine cabbage, carrots, onions and herbs together. In a small bowl combine all ingredients of the fresh ginger dressing together and whisk thoroughly. Pour dressing over the slaw, and top with pumpkin seeds! This hearty slaw is even good the next day so make extra.