In caveman days, I think I actually would have done pretty well. While my un-evolved cohorts were off worrying about getting stampeded by woolly mammoths in their quest for a meaty entree, I would have stayed at home feasting on berries and nuts and nutritious greens, and feeling – yes – totally fabulous. I probably would have looked hot in my cavelady dress too.
Ironically, it’s some of the modern social settings that can, at times, be a wee bit problematic. Like barbecues. Oh yeah – the smokey grills full of animal-bits, bowls of greasy chips, and ubiquitous offerings of “mystery ingredient” coleslaw have me basically locked into the one thing I can share with everyone: beer. And while beer is great and all it’s not exactly my idea of a well-rounded meal . . . which is why I always BYOB.
Everyone needs a healthy snack to curb cravings in between meals or a snack to carry along with you. This is a perfect snack to replace all the junk stuff you just might be tempted by. The Winter Mix is packed with energy dense ingredients, like the chocolate, cherries, goji berries, and the pumpkin seeds to just name a few. Now this is going to be quick, are you ready! Grab a handful of each ingredient and place in a small bowl. Toss and Mix. You’re done. Now you can say it, that was easy.
This is one of my favorite flavor combinations. It reminds me of when I lived in Hawaii and had all the local fresh wild mangos, pineapples and coconuts I wanted. It has a very subtle yet tropical and refreshingly fragrant taste and smell. It will make you want to layer on suntan oil and lay out on a beach all day. Well at least it does for me. It’s not often that I get to buy fresh organic pineapple. It is fairly expensive and I try to buy mostly local foods from my local farmer’s market. I do miss the beautiful tropics though and these treats bring me right back. Please choose organic whenever possible.
This is an interesting dessert using one of my favorite fruits, the mango. Mango’s are just packed with flavor and are amazingly good for you. That makes this sherbet even more special as a refreshing treat.
Bartlett Pears with Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce and Spiced Ginger Cream (raw)
I am a fan of Pears, but I seem to be the only one, since you never hear about Pear recipes. It’s always the Apple who is the star, right. Apple this apple that. Not that I hate apples or anything, I just think people are over looking the subtle rich flavor a pear has to offer. That is why I think this beautiful recipe is exactly what the pear needed to steal a little bit of the apple’s spotlight.
To start this recipe you will need 4 good size pears.
This decadent Blackforest Chocolate Cheesecake by Chef Vanessa Sherwood drew quite a knockout reaction when she posted it on the forum. I’m sure you can see why. It is bursting with sweet cherries layered between a chocolate crust and a creamy chocolate cheesecake filling. Vanessa advised the members of the forum they can purchase raw cacao butter and coconut oil for great prices at Organic Living Food. She also said it can be replaced with a dark Green & Black’s chocolate bar. I know what some of you will be making your loved ones this Valentines!
Thick and creamy soup prepared with fresh local ears of young sweet corn, celery, carrots and young coconut water topped with diced cherry tomatoes and Italian parsley with a sprinkle of fresh crushed black pepper. Its natural sweet taste and creamy-chewy texture is just like the one of a country corn soup. Gabrielle was finishing work a little early today, and so I thought I should get something special ready for her. For inspiration I went to a the local farmers’ market to see what was happening. And there they were, smiling at me! A little early in the season a farmer was beaming with his young sweet corn. Perfect!
When I surprised her with this lovely creamy and refreshing soup, decorated with a corn flower (the purple flower) she said these words: “Purple and yellow, my favorite colors. Corn is such a treat but where did you find these treats so early in the season ?” “It’s a secret”, I replied. Continue Reading / Additional Photos / Videos
Fresh Fruit Tart with Chocolate Brownie Crust (raw)
This dessert is so light and refreshing but not easily forgotten. You can make it all year round and just change out the in season fruit for the topping. Great for summer parties or dinners.
Makes 4 small tarts
For the Chocolate Brownie Crust:
2 Cups Raw Almonds
2 TB Agave Syrup
2 TB Maple Syrup
1/2 of One Fresh Vanilla Bean
1 TB Coconut Butter
1/4 Cup Cacao Powder
Pinch of Sea Salt
Crust Instructions
Chocolate Brownie Crust In a food processor, process the almonds until they become a fine meal. Then add the rest of the ingredients and process again until a ball forms. Take out the moist dough and divide it between 4 4″ tart pans with removable bottoms. This mixture is rather moist and sticky at this stage, so the easiest way to press it into the tart pans is to place plastic wrap over it and press down on top of the plastic wrap until firmly pressed and shaped into the tart pan. Leave the wrap on them and place them in your freezer while preparing the creme filling.
Smooth and creamy raw chocolate mousse served with semi-frozen raspberries is a perfect combination of raw chocolate and fresh, healthy raspberries and a perfect ending to any meal, or even when lounging around and looking for something refreshing but yet naughty.
Dark, Rich, Light and Creamy Chocolate on a spoon! This is so delicious! Just don’t tell anyone there is avocado in this dish. I was having cravings for something cold and light and chocolaty. I never liked the idea of using avocado with anything with chocolate in it. Just too often the very subtle flavor and texture of the avocado comes through. However, this one afternoon it was all I had to work with as a base, so I decided to go ahead and try to work with it to make it indistinguishable. The first bite or two didn’t convince me, but after chilling it, I completely forgot what was in it and could only taste the chocolate and dash of cinnamon. I think people would have a hard time guessing what is in this mousse.
This mousse is so easy to make, and so quick. Even if you don’t have any cashew milk ready to go, you can make the quick instant cashew milk and then just add the rest of the ingredients to it. Or you can skip it and replace it with just pure water. Make sure the cashew milk is well strained though. We want this completely smooth. If you’re not convinced enough to use the avocado, you can replace it with young coconut meat if you have it. This is a no-cook recipe, but it’s not exactly ‘raw’. The chocolate I prefer to use is Green & Blacks. You can also use one of the new raw chocolate bars coming onto the market like Ultimate Foods Raw Chocolate. The maple syrup, cashews, and vanilla extract though, that’s your call. Continue Reading / Additional Photos / Videos
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