Category Archives: Sweet Stuff

Raw Juice Pulp Cake

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I’m always looking for ways to reinvent my juicing pulp since I have so much in my freezer. I usually make raw burgers by mixing sunflower seeds and a few other things together, then dehydrating them. I’ll post that recipe soon but until then you’ve got to try this! This turned out great but I’ll also be experimenting with many new additions!

When you use leftover pulp containing beets it comes out a beautiful red velvet color! You can’t even tell there are veggies in this, everyone will be fooled AND you won’t waste your pulp!! Sorry about the bad pics but you know the story! ;-)

Raw Juice Pulp Cake

Raw Juice Pulp Cake

INGREDIENTS

 Cake

  • 3 cups of leftover juice pulp (I used beet, basil, fennel & carrot pulp – pulp with beets in it are really good in this recipe!)

  • 1/2 cup almonds or cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours

  • 3/4 cup dates, chopped

  • 1/2 cup psyllium husks

  • 1 teaspoon of nutmeg

  • zest of one lemon or orange

Date Icing

  • 1 cup dates, soaked for at least 1 hour

  • juice of one lemon or orange

  • 2 teaspoons of psyllium husks

Optional mix-ins – Haven’t tried these yet but I think they would be good?

* Unsweetened shredded coconut – add to cake mix or icing

* 1/2 banana into the cake mix

* Almond butter

* Cacao powder

Instructions:

  • Cake – place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until well mixed, stopping to scrape sides and push mixture along if it gets stuck

  • Press cake mixture into a pan – I used a 8″ x 8″ pan but you could use a pie pan

  • Icing – blend dates, psyllium husks and lemon together until you have thick frosting consistency – I used my magic bullet for this, next time I’ll use my mini food processor

  • Spread icing on top of cake and let cake sit for 10 or so minutes. I let mine sit in the fridge for 30 minutes but I don’t think that’s necessary. Cut and serve!

Original recipe idea from The Raw Food Mum

So pretty!

So pretty!

Couldn't resist eating more, it's so good!

Couldn’t resist… it’s so good!

"Uh... Mom.... What in the heck is this?"

“Uh… Mom…. What in the heck is this?”

"Ok.. here goes!"

“I guess I”ll try it…”

"OOH! I LIKE IT!"

“OOH! I LIKE IT!”

Ava's still working on her dinner, cake later

Ava’s still working on her dinner, cake later

Raw Juice Pulp Cake

Raw Juice Pulp Cake

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Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

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This pudding is AMAZING! Both of my kids refuse to eat avocados and often balk at their green smoothies so I needed a new way to hide avocados. The first time I made this, I had to put it in the fridge and force myself to walk away. It’s dangerously good!

I apologize for the terrible picture but trust me, you’ll understand why I didn’t have time to set up and take a good one when you taste it! I was preoccupied!

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado, pitted – (do not use brown avocados, it will make the pudding taste bad!)

6 to 10 dates, chopped (I’ve used 8 medjool dates, 6 dates and a little under 1/8 tsp stevia or 10 deglet dates)

1/2 tsp vanilla or 1/2 scraped vanilla bean (I prefer the vanilla bean)

4 Tbsp cocoa powder

1/4 cup raw cashew, soaked for at least 4 hours & drained (cashews are optional but good)

1/4 – 1/2 cup water

Directions:

Place all ingredients (except water) in a food processor and blend.
Slowly pour the water in, stopping to scrape sides of bowl if need be, until the mixture resembles a thick, chocolate pudding. Let it continue mixing until smooth and creamy.

Cash LOVES it!

Cash LOVES it!

Thumbs up!

Thumbs up!

Healthy Carrot Cake Donuts

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5

 

I’ve been searching for easy’ish, healthy, plant-based, whole foods breakfast and lunch ideas to pack for our daughter to bring to preschool. It’s not easy, that’s for sure! I came across these donuts and had to try them! The school provides meals but I wasn’t too happy with the menu so I opted to send food with her. Donuts and chocolate milk were one of the breakfast options… yeah, um no thank you. THESE donuts she can eat!

These donuts are awesome! You can also make this batter into muffins if you don’t own a donut pan. I bought one from Amazon just to make these, I was so excited about the idea!

Carrot Cake Donuts

I found this recipe on Straight Up Food whole foods, plant-based food blog. She has a bunch of really great recipes, take some time to check out her site!!

Carrot Cake Donuts

Ingredients
5 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup water

1 3/4 cup rolled oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground clove

1/2 of a ripe banana, diced
1 cup rice milk or almond milk
1 1/2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in center position. In a small bowl, combine the 5 dates, 1/4 cup raisins and 1/2 cup water. Let soak while you prepare the other ingredients (at least 15 minutes).

2. Grind the rolled oats in a high-speed blender until it resembles flour; transfer to a large bowl. Add to this the baking powder, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, and mix with a fork.

3. Transfer the soaked dates, raisins and water to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth (about 30 seconds). Add the banana and non-dairy milk and blend further until everything is smooth. Add this wet mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients and gently fold together using a big spoon; now fold in the carrots, raisins and walnuts. The batter should be somewhere between a cake batter and cookie batter in consistency.

4. Using a soup spoon, spoon batter into a non-stick donut pan, filling to the top and smoothing batter flat. Bake for 20-25 minutes (I like to bake mine for 20 because it produces a moister cake). If you press on the cake lightly and it bounces back a bit (instead of staying indented), it’s likely ready. These continue to set up as they cool.

5. Remove from oven and cool for 5-7 minutes before removing the donuts from pan (if left in too long it will be hard to get the donuts out). Using a plastic fork, gently go around the donuts (outside and inner circle) to loosen them from the pan. Even though we’re using a non-stick pan, we are not using any oil so we need to help them out a bit. After loosening the edges, invert onto a cutting board (shake a bit if still not coming out the first time) and let cool at least 5-10 minutes more before serving plain or with the below frosting.

Carrot Cake Frosting

I tried making this with all tofu (no cashews) and the tofu taste was too strong. When I tried it will just cashews (which are great soft nuts to use in gravies, dressings and desserts), the flavor was also too much, too cashew-y. But with the addition of just 2 tablespoons of tofu with the cashews, the flavor of traditional carrot cake frosting has been approximated (I think; you let me know what you think). Feel free to vary the nuts and tofu to your liking. Both add to the thickness and richness of the frosting.

Ingredients
5 dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup raw cashews (not salted or roasted)
3/4 cup water

3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons tofu (silken or firm)
1/4 cup water (plus 2-3 more tablespoons as needed)

Directions
Soak the dates and cashews in 3/4 cup water for 15-30 minutes. After soaking, drain off the soak water into a bowl. In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients (measuring out the 1/4 cup water+ from the soak water) and blend until very smooth, adding more water as needed to reach desired consistency. Frost donuts or muffins just before serving them. (Since there is no oil or sugar in this frosting it will not harden up like regular frostings.) Frosting will keep refrigerated for 3-5 days.

Prep time: 25 minutes (donuts), 15 minutes (frosting)
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes (donuts)
Makes: 10-12 donuts or muffins; 1 cup frosting

Soak dates and raisins

Grind oats into flour

Combine flour and spices together with fork

Process dates/raisins with flour mixture – add banana and milk

Fold in carrots, walnuts and raisins

Spoon into donut tin

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan

Let cool on rack before frosting

Add soaked dates and nuts, lemon juice and other frosting ingredients until smooth

Yummy frosting!

Frost and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw Lime Avocado Pie

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I had a few ladies from my Crossfit gym over last night and we had a blast! Most of them follow the Paleo Diet so I tried to find a recipe that would please everyone’s dietary needs. This pie looked really good so I decided to try it and I’m glad I did because it was delicious! Very rich but delish! Who would’ve thought to use avocados in a pie?!

This recipe uses a ton of limes so prepare yourself, I got quite a workout zesting them all!

Raw Lime Avocado Pie

Original recipe from Health Damy.

Crust Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups Raw Cashews
  • 1 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (a little extra to top it before serving too, if you wish)
  • 1/2 Cup Pitted Dates
  • 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Tbsp Lime Zest
  • 3 Tbsp Lime Juice
  • Dash of Salt
  • 4 Packets of Stevia
  • 2 Tbsp Agave (You can use maple syrup)

Mousse Ingredients:

  • 4 Large Ripe Avocados (Pealed and Pitted)
  • 1/2 Cup Lime Juice
  • 1/3 Cup Lime Zest (You’ll need 8-10 limes for this entire recipe)
  • 1/4 Cup Agave (or maple syrup)
  • 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Dash of Salt
  • 8 Packets of Stevia

Directions:

  1. Place the crust ingredients in your food processor and blend until dough-like.
  2. Spray your 8 inch spring form pan with non-stick cooking spray – I’m sure any pan would work, really.
  3. Using your hands press the dough evenly into the pan.
  4. Place all mousse ingredients in your food processor and blend until smooth (stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides).
  5. Pour mousse over-top of crust.
  6. Chill in your refrigerator or freezer (depending on your desired texture) for at least 3 hours.
  7. Cut and serve immediately.
  8. Enjoy!

Crust making in progress

Crust done!

Smooth into spring form pan

Filling ingredients

Nice green color!

Ready to chill!

Oh so pretty!

Serve with coconut on top (if you wish!)

Spicy Sweet Cranberry Chutney (Great on oatmeal!)

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Just in time for your holiday meal! This cranberry chutney is really good and would be an excellent addition to any holiday dish – any dish for that matter! This recipe was written to go with seitan. We ordered Indian food last night and added it to that, it was delish! I don’t make things like this often so this was a real treat! (Trying to reduce the amount of sugar I use in my recipes.) This freezes well too.

*UPDATE* I recently made a batch of this with 1/4 tsp Stevia instead of sugar and it turned out great! I’ve been adding it to my daughter’s oatmeal. She loves it!

Spicy Sweet Cranberry Chutney

This is another awesome recipe from Melomeals, of course! :-)

Cranberry Chutney

  1. 2 c cranberries
  2. 2 apples – I used organic Gala apples 
  3. 2 Serrano chilies – I deseeded mine
  4. 1 T chopped fresh ginger – I love ginger so I added 1 extra Tbsp
  5. Juice of 2 oranges
  6. 2 3 inch pieces of orange zest
  7. 1/2 c apple cider vinegar
  8. 1 t cinnamon
  9. 1 1/4 c sugar – Use 1 cup of raw sugar OR use 1/4-1/2 tsp Stevia 
  10. 1/2 t salt
Instructions:
  1. Place in saucepan and cover. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes or so. Stir often.
  2. If you want to tone it down, remove the serrano chilies and reduce ginger to 1 teaspoon.  If you don’t have oranges you can use water or any fruit juice you have around.

Place all ingredients into saucepan and cover. Cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes

Stir often

All done!

Crock Pot Kheer (Rice Pudding)

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This is a healthy version of rice pudding using unsweetened coconut milk and Stevia to sweeten it. You can use brown rice or basmati – I use long grain brown. This recipe is from Healthy Slow Cooking. This is definitely toddler approved!

Brown Rice Pudding

Vegan Slow Cooker Kheer
soy-free gluten-free
serves 8

  • 1 cup long grain brown rice
  • 6 cups nondairy milk (I used So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut milk)
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 cup slivered or chopped almonds (pistachios and/or cashews work great too)
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • sweetener to taste – I used about 1/8 tsp Stevia – you can use agave, regular sugar, brown rice syrup, etc.

Place all the ingredients except for your sweetener of choice into a 3 1/2  to 4 quart slow cooker. (Double the recipe if you have a larger slow cooker.)

Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for about 2 1/2 hours. The size of your slow cooker and how hot it runs will change the exact cooking time. Add sweetener and stir in. Then taste and add extra sweetener if you feel that you need it. (If you are using stevia I would recommend adding 1/8 teaspoon at a time. Just a little too much and it becomes bitter.)

The pudding will still be a little loose in the slow cooker. But it will thicken in the fridge. Serve it cold topped with extra raisins and nuts. You could even go crazy and add some fresh berries too!

Everyone in the slow cooker! ;-)

About done...

It will set as it cools

Yummy!

Creamy Dreamy Superfood Pudding

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Happy Birthday to our daughter, she turned two years old today! I made this pudding yesterday for her birthday dessert tonight – her dessert is usually fruit so this was a treat!

She LOVED it! Can you tell?

 

When I saw this recipe on HealthyMammas.com, I just had to make it! As they put it “ how else can you find a way to get in your Chia Seeds, Hemp Seeds, and Coconut Oil in one sitting?” My thoughts exactly!

Ingredients
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup cashews (use RAW cashews, bulk section at Sprouts)
  • 1/2 cup hemp seeds – (I used whole and shelled, all I had)
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar – (I used brown sugar, all I had but I will use coconut sugar next time! Buy at Sprouts)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil (I used a little less)
  • 2 ½ Tbsp chia seeds (You can buy them here on Amazon, best price I’ve found and free shipping!)
Instructions
  1. Soak the cashews in water for 4-6 hours. When finished rinse the cashews with water and strain. (don’t leave this part out! I made it without and with soaking – huge difference!)
  2. If coconut oil is solid place in a pan or double boiler on the lowest temperature possible. (or stick in the microwave for about 6 seconds) Once oil becomes a clear liquid turn the heat off. Coconut oil should melt at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Place the water, the soaked cashews, the hemp seeds, the coconut sugar, the salt, and the vanilla extract in a high-speed blender. (My Vitamix was PERFECT for this)
  4. Blend on high until you have a nice creamy consistency.
  5. Turn the blender on low and while it is running slowly pour in the melted coconut oil. Place the lid back on and run the blender on high for a few seconds.
  6. Turn the blender on low and slowly pour in the chia seeds. You will want to make sure the chia seeds stay whole. (important, I also tried this with and without keeping them whole. My recommendation is to keep them in tact.)
  7. Place mixture in a sealed container (a quart size mason jar works great) and refrigerate over night. Super Food Chia Pudding is great topped with cacao nibs and hemp seeds or fresh berries.
  8. It will be runny when you pour it out of the blender but don’t worry, it will set up in the fridge.
Notes

Makes 4 cups, or approximately 6-8 servings.

I topped this with mini vegan chocolate chips, yummy! I can’t wait to try berries!
 Thank you Healthy Mammas!!!

White Bean Pumpkin Pie Dip

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I’ve made this a few times for snack or dessert and it’s always a hit! I love that it’s so easy, healthy and delicious! My toddler loves it with apple slices!

This is another delicious recipe from Healthy Happy Mama food blog, she also created the Orange Banana Walnut Breakfast Quinoa… double yum!

White Bean Pumpkin Pie Dip

1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, or 1 (15 ounce) can, rinsed and drained

1 cup pumpkin puree (plain, not the pumpkin pie mix)

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a food processor, process the beans until they are almost smooth.  Add the other ingredients and continue to process until you have a smooth texture.  (If you don’t have a food processor, go ahead and use your blender to make this)  Enjoy!

Coconut Cardamom Breakfast Farro

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Farro, you may not know what it is but trust me, you’ll like it! It’s one of the oldest cultivated grains on our planet. It is high in fiber and protein and a great source of complex carbohydrates (think good carbs – whole grains). It has a chewy, hearty texture and looks like this…

I tend to rotate breakfast grains and this is high on my list of favorites! I was in a coconut-type of mood this morning so I came up with this Coconut Cardamom Breakfast Farro! Hope you like it, I did… and my toddler REALLY liked it!

I used Kal Brand Stevia, instead of sugar, to sweeten it up a bit. You could almost chill this and make it into a dessert pudding!

Ingredients:

* 1 cup farro, rinsed

* 1 – 14.5oz can coconut milk (lite or regular)

* 1 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you want to use)

* 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

* 1/4 tsp coconut extract (optional but good)

* Little less than 1/8 tsp Stevia

* Big pinch of salt

* Shredded coconut, unsweetened (to top)

* Cinnamon (to top)

Directions:

* Add farro, milk, cardamom, stevia and salt to saucepan. Bring to boil.

* Reduce heat to a low boil, cook for 25 minutes or until your desired texture, stirring occasionally.

* Stir in coconut extract, serve with shredded coconut and a dash of cinnamon on top!

SUPER Fudgy Brownies

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These brownies are so moist, no one will ever know they are whole-wheat, dairy free and VERY low-fat! My hubby LOVES these brownies and the guys at the fire station do too. Come on, just look at them… they scream fudgy!

Super Fudgy Brownies

This recipe is from one of my favorite plant-based food bloggers recent cookbook “The Happy Herbivore: Over 175 Delicious Fat-Free & Low-Fat Vegan Recipes“.

Here is the recipe:

* 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour

* 1 cup brown sugar

* 1 cup raw sugar

* 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

* 1 tsp baking powder

* 1 tsp fine salt

* 1/4 cup chocolate non-dairy milk

* 18-oz cup plain soy (or almond, rice or coconut) yogurt

* 1 tsp vanilla extract

* 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional) – I did not add these

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F

2. Grease a standard 9-inch square baking pan, set aside

3. Whisk flour, sugars, cocoa, baking powder and salt together in large bowl

4. Add 1 cup water, chocolate non-dairy milk, soy yogurt and vanilla, stirring until just combined

5. Add chips if you’re using and continue to stir until fully incorporated

6. Transfer to the greased pan, using a spatula to even out the batter and smooth the top

7. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes

These are SO GOOD!!!

Fresh from the oven

Look how moist they are!

Yummy!!

I like it warm with a little soy ice cream on top!

Hey There Sweet Stuff!

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We usually have some sort of iced tea ready in our fridge at all times. My Dad gave me this special loose-leaf green tea from his acupuncturist, I cold brew that one in the fridge. I also make batches of green tea/lemon zinger in my Iced Tea Maker. We both love our iced tea but can’t drink it without sweetener. I hate all that weird chemical sugar and I feel like I have to dump so much regular sugar in to get it to where I want it to be, same with my hubby.

Have you heard of Stevia? It’s an all natural sweetener (actually it’s an herb) that’s like 200-300 times sweeter than actual sugar with zero chemicals and ZERO CALORIES. Stevia is made from a plant and it’s simply awesome!

Stevia is an all-natural herbal product with centuries of safe usage by native Indians in Paraguay. It has been thoroughly tested in dozens of tests around the world and found to be completely non-toxic. It has also been consumed safely in massive quantities for the past twenty years.

I recently purchased this Kal brand Pure Stevia Extract and I’m in love! You can even cook with it! I’ve added it to coffee, tea, oatmeal, breakfast quinoa, Skinny Girl Margaritas (sorry, they aren’t very good without it!) and I’ve even tried baking with it… it’s awesome!

Kal brand Pure Stevia Extract

It’s $18.82/free shipping for 3.5 ozs on Amazon – which sounds expensive but this bottle has about 3500 serving in it! The scoop inside is so tiny and if you use any more than that little scoop its way too sweet.

Tiny Scoop!

There’s NO unpleasant aftertaste and NO CALORIES!! It also won’t raise your blood sugar!