Raw Vegan Chocolate Brownies (with Dried Cherries on Top)

These brownies are quick and heavenly!  The recipe is from Jenn Cornbleet's book, Raw Food for 1 or 2 People- a book that I often recommend to clients or anyone interested in trying their hand at raw food for the first time!  

RAW "ONE BOWL" BROWNIES

 

Yield: 8 brownies, 4 servings

These are truly one-bowl brownies--you'll never have to wait more than 5 minutes again when that chocolate craving strikes.

1 1/2 cups raw walnuts, unsoaked
dash salt
8 pitted medjool dates, unsoaked
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa or carob powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons water
1/4 cup dried cherries

Place the walnuts in a food processor fitted with the S-blade and process until coarsely chopped. Remove 1/4 cup of the walnuts and set aside. Add the salt to the remaining walnuts and process until finely ground. Add the dates and process until the mixture begins to stick together. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and process until evenly distributed. Add the water, dried cherries, and reserved walnuts, and process briefly, just to mix.

Pack the mixture firmly into a square container. Stored in a sealed container, Brownies will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator or one month in the freezer.

- See more at: http://www.learnrawfood.com/books/recipes/raw_food_made_easy/#brownies

Yield: 8 brownies, 4 servings
These are truly one-bowl brownies--you'll never have to wait more than 5 minutes again when that chocolate craving strikes.

1 1/2 cups raw walnuts, unsoaked
dash salt
8 pitted medjool dates, unsoaked
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa or carob powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons water
1/4 cup dried cherries

Place the walnuts in a food processor fitted with the S-blade and process until coarsely chopped. Remove 1/4 cup of the walnuts and set aside. Add the salt to the remaining walnuts and process until finely ground. Add the dates and process until the mixture begins to stick together. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and process until evenly distributed. Add the water, dried cherries, and reserved walnuts, and process briefly, just to mix.
Pack the mixture firmly into a square container. Stored in a sealed container, Brownies will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator or one month in the freezer.
- See more at: http://www.learnrawfood.com/books/recipes/raw_food_made_easy/#brownies

Dynamite Superfood Fudge

 

This fudge is very dark, satisfying and literally melts in your mouth.  It includes not only raw cacao- a well known longevity and heart tonic- but also maca.  Maca naturally assists with hormone production and dealing with stressors of any kind.  The ingredients used are fairly neutral, so it tends to digest well with any type of meal.  This recipe was adapted slightly from Julie Morris's Dynamite Fudge in SuperFood Kitchen.  I love this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their healthy recipe collection.  

Ingredients:

2 T. maca powder

1 T. mesquite powder

6 T. lucuma powder

1/2 c. cacao powder

1/4 c. coconut sugar

6 T. coconut oil

1/4 c. raw agave nectar, or maple syrup

1/4 tsp. sun fire, himalayan or sea salt

In a medium bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.  Add the coconut oil and agave or maple syrup, and mix again until combined.  If mixing by hand, use clean hands to knead the mixture for 1 more minute.  

Place a sheet of wax wrap on a plate and pour the mixture on top.  Mold the fudge into a 1-inch thick pie.  Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to solidify, then slice thinly.  (Alternatively, mold it into a square and cut into 1-inch squares.)  

Optional:  Sprinkle with coconut flakes and goji berries to add some color to your presentation! 

For best results, keep refrigerated and wrapped until ready to enjoy.  

You can find all of these superfoods at:

www.lovingsuperfoods.com, www.earthshiftproducts.com or The Raw Food World.  I recommend the fermented type of cacao from loving superfoods as the top choice for regular use.

Morning Citrus Tonic with Blue Green Algae

Orange Citrus Tonic

Ingredients:  

3 freshly squeezed oranges

1 freshly squeezed grapefruit

1 tsp. blue green algae

For extra cleansing power and flavor:  add a few drops of Citrus Fresh essential oil to the mix

Variation:  For a Goji-Citrus infusion, add 2 T. goji berry juice (like Ningxia Red from Young Living) to the mix.  Keep the blue-green algae in or leave it out!

This orange-citrus is a wonderfully cleansing and energizing drink that works well in the morning or on an empty stomach anytime of the day.  The blue green algae is excellent for boosting your mood in the morning and phenomenal for increasing mental power and agility.  Citrus, including and especially citrus essential oils, keep the lymphatic system flowing- which is key to the health of every single cell in your body!  Naturopathic Doc. Robert Morse has a video series on YouTube detailing the significance of the lymphatic system in health: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-R2JMbXCLY


What is Citrus Fresh?

Citrus Fresh™ is a relaxing, calming blend loved by children and adults alike. Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it supports the immune system and overall health* while bringing about a sense of well-being, creativity, and feelings of joy.  It is available from www.youngliving.com.  Kindly use my distributor number, 820049 when ordering or signing up.  Goji berry juice, with essential oils, Ningxia Red, is also available from Young Living. 



 
The Culture of Life store carries a recommended brand Blue Green Algae:

The Sweet Benefits of Raw Honey

Honey is a divine tasting sweetener that has been used as medicine since ancient times.  In fact, honey has been found (intact) in 2000 year old Egyptian tombs.

Honey:

Is antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial

Is a natural preservative and can be mixed with fresh juices to preserve their nutrition content longer

Assists in alleviating allergies, bladder infections, bad breath, sore throats, and arthritis

Has been reported to help slow their hair loss

Is one of the highest natural sources of enzymes, used by our bodies internally for repair and rejuvenation of all tissues and organs

Aids in digestion

Assists in healing ulcers

Has anti-tumor and pronounced anti-metastatic effects

Is associated with longevity according to Russian research

Consumed daily, raises blood levels of protective antioxidant compounds

Is a healthy source of quickly metabolized energy. Its easily digested carbohydrates supply us with energy and strength, while boosting endurance and reducing muscle fatigue.

Mixed with lemon, works to shift your body into using excess fat stores, thus making it usable energy for regular body functions

Can be mixed with apple cider vinegar for therapeutic benefit in cases of stomach aches, constipation, migraines, and more

Raw Chocolate Chia Energy Balls: A Recipe for Women in Labor to Boost Oxytocin Levels

Raw Chocolate Chia Energy Balls
Makes about 12 servings

    * 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
    * 1/3 cup raw unsweetened cocoa powder
    * 1/3 cup whole chia seeds
    * 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
    * 1 cup raw almonds
    * Coconut flour or flakes for coating, optional

1. Place dates in bowl of food processor; purée until thick paste forms. Add cocoa powder, chia seeds, and vanilla and almond extracts, if using. Pulse until all ingredients are combined. Add almonds; pulse until nuts are finely chopped and well distributed through date mixture.

2. Spread a large sheet of wax paper on work surface, and dust with coconut flour or flakes, if using.

3. Pinch off small pieces of the date/nut "dough" and roll them into balls.  Serve as is or roll them in coconut flour or flakes to coat and prevent sticking. 

4.  Chill to solidify and store in the refrigerator until serving.

The Benefits of Raw Consuming Chocolate in Labor:
A steady flow of the important hormone, oxytocin, is critical for having a healthy labor that progresses at a normal rate.   Most women are familiar with the role of oxytocin in labor and are already aware that massage, aromatherapy and other comfort measures increase oxytocin levels.  But did you know that there is also a food that naturally increases oxytocin levels?  That food is raw (meaning unroasted) CHOCOLATE!

Raw chocolate enhances serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin hormones.  It also contains significant quantities of tryptophan, a powerful mood-enhancing nutrient.  Aside from its oxytocin and mood-enhancing properties, raw chocoloate has a uniquely high mineral content that benefits laboring women.  Raw chocolate happens to be the richest food source of magnesium:  Magnesium improves the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients throuughout the body, increasing energy levels.  It also has a general relaxant effect on all muscles in the body, which is generally considered to be beneficial during labor.

The Magic of Chia Seeds:

The chia is a flowering plant with botanical name, Salvia hispanica.  In the pre-Columbian times, chia plant was cultivated by the Aztecs of this region.  The Aztecs called it, "the running seed" because it was traditionally eaten to prepare people for running long distances.   The "running seeds'" or chia seeds' unique properties have now been well-studied and confirmed by modern nutritional science.  In fact, currently, chia seeds are being used by athletes to improve their stamina, endurance, and energy levels.  They are also known to sharpen focus, reduce inflammation, and increase nerve and muscle reactions.  The seed acts like a sponge when added to water and soak up 7 to 9 times their weight, allowing those who consume them to remain hydrated for longer periods of time.  As labor and childbirth require endurance, high energy, and hydration levels comparable to that of an athletic event, the properties of chia seed translate into a perfect labor food as well!

Raw chocolate and chia seeds eaten in combination create a powerful, mood and energy-elevating food that couldn't be more ideal for the physically and emotionally demanding process of childbirth.  The following recipe is delicious and contains both.



Resources:

Superfoods:  The Food and Medicine of the Future, David     Wolfe
The Magic of Chia:  The Revival of an Ancient Wonderfood, James F. Sheer
The Vegetarian Times, www.vegetariantimes.com

 

Kefir: A Legendary Probiotic Drink You Can Make at Home

Kefir came from the people of the Northern Caucasus Mountains located between Russia and Asia, who are known for their longevity.  For centuries these people have used its powerful health benefits to survive the harsh winters deep in the mountains.  It was often known as a source of family and tribal wealth.   In fact, they kept the secret of kefir grains and its process for thousands of years, even to the extent of protecting the art and the grains with their very own lives

The people of the tribes of the Caucasus Mountains, when asked about the origin or kefir, say that kefir grains (starter) was gifted by the Prophet Mohammed over 1400 years ago.  In Turkey it is said that kefir grains were a gift from angels to Noah on the ark.   Other legends are also told, all of which allude to a mystical origin of this 'miracle' food!.

Russian scientists, who became aware of the remarkable properties of kefir, attempted to replicate kefir, but were never able to do so.  It wasn’t until late 1908, when Irina Sakharova brought the first amounts of kefir to Moscow, where it was used medicinally in Russia with great success.  From there, it has spread and benefitted people around the world

  

Kefir is a creamy, slightly sour cultured milk drink that beneficial strains of bacteria and  yeasts.  Kefir has an abundance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Some of the more prominent of these are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B2, and B12, vitamin K, A and D.  The following attributes have given kefir it's reputation as a 'wonder drink':

• It cleanses the digestive tract
• It provides beneficial bacteria and yeast, vitamins and minerals, and complete proteins
• it contributes to a healthy immune system and has been used to help patients suffering from AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes, and cancer
• It has been used to treat metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, allergic disease, tuberculosis, cancer and other gastrointestinal disorders with success
• Its tranquilizing effect on the nervous system has benefited many who suffer from sleep disorders, depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Consuming it regularly can help relieve all intestinal disorders, promote bowel movement, reduce flatulence and create a healthier digestive system
• It can eliminate unhealthy food cravings by creating a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive tract
• It is an effective immune stimulant and antimicrobial against a wide variety of harmful bacteria
• Its cleansing effect on the whole body helps to establish a balanced inner ecosystem for optimum health and longevity 
• It regulates the body's immune system and improves resistance to diseases. 
• It regulates the blood pressure, blood sugar and cures diabetes. 
• It heals the lungs, bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma, allergies and migraine. 
• It has a positive influence on the heart and blood, heals circulatory conditions. 
• It helps with eczema, all skin disorders and for some people, has led to cure of acne 
• It benefits the kidneys, the urinary tract and protects prostate
• It has as a positive influence on cholesterol, osteoporosis and rheumatism. 
• It supports enzymes production and heals the pancreas
• It improves the liver and gallbladder, regulates bile production, and positively influences hepatitis
• It helps in cases of colitis, diarrhea, catarrh, reflux, leaky gut syndrome, candidasis and more 
• It produces its own antibiotics, eliminates unfriendly bacteria, cures internal and external inflammations
• It pre-digests dairy products, making them edible to individuals who have lactose intolerance 
• It produces own anti-cancer compounds 
• It slows the aging process, smoothes and improves skin, hair and muscle tone
• It  increases energy and feelings of well-being
• It produces all necessary vitamins and beneficial bacteria needed for our healthy daily life

Almost a century of scientific and medical research confirming the above is available from Dairy Research Institute in former USSR.  Kefir is gaining popularity because of its effects in lowering medical cost. With increasing resistance to antibiotics, intensive research of the real kefir is conducted in Europe and Japan. The results are supporting the experience of generations.

Kefir can be purchased from health food stores or you can make it easily at home.  When purchasing, look for brands that are free from 'nonfat milk powder' (which contains harmful oxidized cholesterol) or refined sugars.  Kefir can be made from cow's milk, goat's milk, coconut milk, coconut water, rice milk, or almond milk.


A good source of quality kefir starter can be ordered on-line from www.bodyecology.com.


Sources:
www.kefir.net
www.bodyecology.net
Diets of the Masters by Michael Paul Patterson
"History and Benefirs of Kefir: A Cultured Dairy Product," www.suite101.com

KEFIR RECIPES...

Kefir Smoothie
Begin with a cup of Kefir and add as many of the following as you wish.   

1 tsp. of unrefined coconut oil
Ground flax seeds
Natural flavorings or herbs such as stevia, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla or natural fruit flavoring
Fresh or frozen organic fruits, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, kiwi, mango etc.
Raw honey, palm sugar, or Stevia Clear flavored stevia to sweeten
Natural source vitamin C powder such as Camu Camu Berry or Acerola Cherry

Blend together for a delicious, nutritious breakfast, lunch, or snack. 

Kefir Milk Chocolate Drink
3/4 c. kefir
1/4 c. water
1 scoop raw, organic chocolate     whey powder or 2 tsp. raw
    cocoa powder
1 tsp.-1 T. (depending on your tastes)
         palm sugar or raw honey

Whisk or blend until creamy.  Serve.

 Lemon-Thyme Kefir Sauce
or Salad Dressing:

2 cups Kefir
1/4 c. water
6 T. lemon juice
Zest of 2 lemons
2 T. finely minced fresh thyme
1/4 tsp. sea salt

Blend or whisk all ingredients together except thyme until smooth.   Add thyme and blend for a few moments until thyme is well incorporated.  Serve or store in the refrigerator. 

Where can I find Kefir, Stevia, Natural Vitamin C Powder, & Flax Seeds?

      

Marine Phytoplankton for Increased Energy without Stimulation

Who doesn't want more energy in this day and age?  Unfortunately, many people turn to stimulants, like coffee and sugar, to get it.  But the truth is, energy from caffeine and sugar is borrowed energy and gives no more energy to your body than a whip gives to a horse.  Eventually, it will leave you drained!  Marine phytoplankton is a different kind of energy supplement- a supplement that has many positive 'side effects.'  Marine phytoplankton is a single celled green organism grows in oceans, lakes, rivers, creeks, and waterways and is the basis of the entire food chain.  In fact, it provides up to 90% of the oxygen in the air we breathe.  This micro-algae looks like a green liquid when it is packaged and can be consumed by the dropper-full as a health supplement.

What do phytoplankton do for your health?
It contains every nutrient needed for the creation and maintenance of healthy, new cells.
It provides energy without stimulation by delivering vital life force at the mitochondrial level of cellular energy production. 
It provides you with a natural source of wide-spectrum, plant-based vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and proteins.
It has been shown to improve immune system function and has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
It decreases aches and pains as a result of its anti-inflammatory effects. 
It aids in weight loss.
It increases feelings of calm and
well-being.
It improves digestion, circulation, and eyesight.
It normalizes blood sugar imbalances and reduces cravings.
It improves your body's ability to detoxify itself and helps protect against radiation poisoning.
It aids in nervous system repair due its content of phospholipids, DHA, and EPA- all of which are crucial to nourishing damaged myelin sheathing (the protective layer around each nerve fiber).
It improves sleep quality.
It helps you feel younger as a result of its rich content of zinc, sulfur, and silicon.  (These minerals act as internal cosmetics, naturally renewing skin cells.)
It improves memory and brain power.  The phospholipids and omega-3 fatty acids it contains have a unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, feeding the brain and master glands located deep within the brain.  This stimulates significant neurotransmitter production and increases mental clarity. 
It boosts your athletic performance and endurance levels by increasing oxygen uptake in your tissues, including your muscles.    It also provides bioavailable, living protein to your cells that is absorbed twice as well as any type of cooked protein source.
It promotes faster recovery from illnesses and injury due to its cumulative effect of properties that results in improved cellular repair.

Source:  Superfoods:  The Food and Medicine of the Future by David Wolfe.

     

Rockin' Raw Coconut Flour Chocolate Cupcakes Coated with Cashew Frosting

Have you ever read a recipe with so much alliteration in its title?

This cupcake recipe is very versatile, is a great snack, and is loved by children and adults alike!

Cupcake:

1/2 c. coconut flour
1/2 c. raw cacao powder
3/4 c. raw honey or truly, clear raw agave
1/4 c. extra virgin coconut oil
1/2 tsp. sea salt

1.  Place all ingredients into a bowl and stir until they form a dough.
2.  Place into a muffin pan (silicone is easiest for removal purposes)
3.  Place in the fridge for an hour or more to firm them up.
4.  Store in the fridge

Optional:  Add goji berries!

Frosting: 

1 1/2 Cups Cashews
1/3 cup water
1/4 to 1/2 Cup of Agave depending on sweetness desired
1/2 vanilla bean or 1 tsp. vanilla extract

1.  Blend all in blender until smooth and thick
2.  Spread onto your raw chocolate cupcakes!

Note:  As natural sweeteners and raw chocolate have come into the mainstream, many companies have jumped on the bandwagon and started selling them.  So- quality varies!  I've done my homework and chosen to trust Ultimate Superfood's brand cacao and agave.  Their agave is unheated and high in inulin (a beneficial fiber that slows absorption and feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut) AND it is packaged in non-leaching plastic... so you aren't getting hormone disrupting chemicals with your agave.  Heated agave, according to emerging research, is actually quite harmful to the body/liver and there are brands selling heated agave nectar as raw, so there is reason to be careful in this area.   Ultimate Superfood's Cacoa powder is also in non-leaching plastic.  Plus, it's an heirloom variety of cacao and clean (many on the market contain mold/microbes.  Test yours by spraying hydrogen peroxide on it and seeing if it foams.



  

 

Lucuma Raw Chocolate Melt-Aways

The benefits of eating raw chocolate have been discussed on this blog before and I do not think I need to extol the benefits to your taste BUDS of eating raw chocolate, so I'll just get on with the recipe...

I made these melt-aways for a friend's art opening and they went quickly!

Ingredients:
1/2 c. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, gently melted
1/2 c. Raw Honey
1/2 c. Raw Chocolate Powder
1/2 c. Raw Carob Powder
1/4 c. Tocotrienols
1/2 c. Lucuma
2 tsp. Raw Vanilla Powder
1/4 tsp. Himalayan Salt
a pinch of Reishi mushroom powder if you want to add some magic to them...

Instructions: Combine all ingredients. Roll into balls. Chill to firm.

Lucuma is an orange fruit with a flavor reminiscent of butterscotch ideal for sweetening natural candies, cookies, and ice creams. It is native to the highlands of Peru, Chile, and Ecuador, where it enjoys tremendous popularity and is favored over classics like chocolate and vanilla as an ice cream flavor.

Despite its sweetness, Lucuma is actually low both low in sugar and low on the glycemic index.  It is rich in both beta-carotene and iron.

Rooibos, Goji Berry, and Vanilla Tea: A Favorite Blend

When I wake up in the morning, I love to drink something appealing... and this drink fits the bill!  You can put the tea, goji berries, and vanilla in a cup of water and allow it to steep overnight OR just brew the tea with hot water in the morning.  It's up to you.

Ingredients:
1 Bag Roobios Tea
1/2 tsp. Raw Vanilla Bean Powder
2-3 T. Goji Berries

ABOUT ROOIBOS...
Research has confirmed many health benefits from this tea, including cancer prevention, and as a treatment for nervous tension, allergic dermatitis, and indigestion.   Rooibos is rich in anti-oxidants and has similar health generating nutrients as the other red foods, such acai berries and pomegranates.

Source:  Naturalnews.com

ABOUT GOJI BERRIES...

Goji berries have been grown by Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan peoples for about 5,000 years:  The Chinese hold a strong belief that gojis can significantly extend life.  Research supports goji berry legends, indicating that..

• Goji berries are adaptogens, meaning they invigorate and strengthen the body while helping it to deal more easily with stress.
• Goji berries increase immune function.
• Gojis provide liver protection.
• Gojis improve eyesight.
• Gojis improve blood quality.
• Goji berries are high in sesquiterpenoids, which stimulate the pituitary and pineal glands, increasing the production of HGH- the Youth or master hormone that influences the level of all hormones.
• Goji berries contain antioxidants that protect our DNA from free radical and radiation damage.  This assists with preventing degenerative diseases.
• Goji berries are rich in hydrogen.   Hydrogen is a water generator, so they help us stay hydrated.
• Goji berries contain choline, a nutrient that combats the type of free radical damage linked to Alzheimer's disease and other neurological degenerative conditions.
• Goji berries balance blood sugar:  In fact, goji bery tea has been used in Asia for the treatment of diabetes.
• Goji berry tea is helpful for all types of digestive problems and can aid in recovery from digestive illnesses due to their calming polysaccharides.  
• The polysaccharides in goji berries also stimulate collagen production and retain moisture, resulting in younger-looking skin!

Source:  Superfoods:  The Food and Medicine of the Future by David Wolfe.

Goji Berries, Raw Vanilla, and Red Rocks Rooibos Available from the Raw Food World.

Coconut Chia Pudding with Strawberries for Company

Did you get the memo that chia seeds are one of the most beneficial foods on the planet... while also being one of the least expensive???

"One of the best kept secrets in nutrition is the seed of a desert plant called chia, among the most nourishing, energy-giving, endurance-sustaining food products ever discovered... Royal planters of Aztec emperors grew precious chia seeds in floating gardens surrounding their capital city of Tenochitlan." - James F. Scheer, The Magic of Chia

Chia Seeds...

• Have two times the protein of any other seed or grain and five times the calcium of milk
• Are richer in potassium than bananas
• Have three times the antioxidants as do blueberries and three times more iron than spinach
• Contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in a beneficial, anti-inflammatory ratio
• Boost strength, energy, and endurance
• Level blood sugar
• Induce weight loss
• Cleanse the entire digestive tract

Chia seeds have also been found to be helpful with certain medical conditions:  overweight, thryroid problems, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, celiac disease, lowering cholesterol, diabetes, and hypoglycemia.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly, elegant raw dessert to make for a lot of company, this is it.

Coconut Chia Pudding with Strawberries:

1/2 c. heirloom chia seeds
3 cups spring water
1 1/2 c. coconut milk (1 c. water or coconut water blended with the meat of one young coconut 'til creamy) OR macadamia nut milk if you don't have a coconut on-hand)
About 1/3 c. raw honey or agave nectar (taste and adjust to your liking)
1 tsp. raw vanilla bean powder
a pinch of sun fire salt to bring out the sweetness and add minerals


1.  Soak the chia seeds in the water overnight.
2.  Whisk the now gelled chia/water combination with the coconut milk, honey, vanilla, and sun fire salt until well combined.  
3.  To serve:  Top with sliced strawberries and sprinkle with palm (coconut) sugar and cinnamon.   

The Raw Food World carries heirloom chia seeds in bulk, sea salt, honey, and everything else you need to make some amazing chia pudding!

Healthy Raw Chocolate, Vanilla, and Cinnamon Morning Latte for the MassAppeal Show!

What could be more fun or more healthy that starting your day with chocolate?  Practically nothing!.. which is why I'm sharing this recipe with your for a Healthy Raw Chocolate, Vanilla, and Cinnamon Morning Latte.

This beautiful concoction does four main things for you:

1- Gives your both instant and long-lasting energy.
2- Fuels your body with an abundance of nutrition to start your day.
3- Boosts your immune system.
4- Helps you start your day off on the right food by boosting the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain, which gently and naturally nudges your mood in a positive direction!

Another bonus of this breakfast is that it tastes amazing and can be a savored addition to your morning ritual.  There is no sacrifice in healthy eating if you know what you're doing!

All of the ingredients for this morning latte can be ordered from:


The Ingredients (for 2 servings):

2 c. warm/hot water- soothingly warm, but not so hot that it burns your finger
4 T. raw chocolate powder
1 T. extra virgin coconut oil
1/2 c. truly raw cashews
3 T. unheated, unprocessed honey (preferably wildflower and from your local area)
1/2 tsp. raw vanilla bean powder
1 tsp. organic cinnamon powder
a pinch Sea Salt

Blend well and savor.  Share it with a friend! 


Each and every ingredient in this healthy raw chocolate , vanilla, and cinnamon morning latte has a long list of health benefits.  Here is a brief summary of why I chose each of these specific ingredients when formulating this recipe:

Soothingly warm/hot water:  Drinking a warm beverage is an excellent way to help your body wake up in the morning, especially when it's turning chillier outside.  The temperature I'm recommend here is just a bit less than boiling hot because adding boiling water to the other ingredients in this drink would actually destroy some of their nutrients. 

Pure Raw Chocolate Powder:  Raw chocolate is unprocessed and additive-free.  And, perhaps more importantly, it has not been heated or roasted.  Chocolate is an amazing superfood, but it takes on some undesirable qualities when it is roasted and mixed with dairy, sugar, and other ingredients.  By using raw chocolate, you gain the benefit of 700% more antioxidants than even the best organic non-raw chocolate.  You also gain additional brain and mood-boosting chemicals that are present in raw chocolate but not in any other types of chocolate since they are destroyed by heat.  Chocolate is the number one source of magnesium in nature.  We know that 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in magnesium and this mineral is crucial for brain health, bone health, heart health, and the ability to cope and perform well in stressful situations.  Eating raw chocolate is a healthful and delicious way to begin to add more magnesium to your diet and start reaping these benefits!  If you want to learn more about raw chocolate, I suggest reading Naked Chocolate by David Wolfe and Shazzie.  There is some interesting biochemical information in the book as well as historical information.  (Did you know chocolate was considered so valuable in some cultures that it was used as currency?!)

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil:  Coconut oil got a 'bad rap' several years ago as some studies came out regarding the negative effects of hydrogenated coconut oil.  Coconut oil in its natural, unprocessed state, is probably the healthiest oil on the planet, assisting with health problems ranging form skin disorders to diabetes.  Several books have been written about extra virgin coconut oil because it truly is a panacea.  It nourishes the thyroid gland, assisting with under or overactive thyroid.  It boosts metabolism, assisting with weight loss.  And, it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal, helping to prevent common ailments like the cold and flu.

Truly Raw Cashews:  Cashews labeled raw that you find at the health food store or supermarket are by and large heat extracted and not really raw.  Cashews are rich in zinc, which helps your body to digest damaged collagen and rebuild new collagen in your skin.  Raw cashews are also rich in oleic fatty acids that are highly beneficial for your skin when eaten in their unheated state.  Truly raw cashews can be purchased on-line at specialty stores.

Raw Honey:  Honey is made from the nectar that bees sip from flower blossoms.  It is a universal medicine, sweetener, and nutrient resource.  There is a tremendous amount of research on raw honey from Russia, where it was noted that the most people living past one hundred were in fact beekeepers.  Raw, unprocessed honey is the richest food source of live, rejuvenating enzymes.  Research has indicated that it increases mental alertness, reflexes, and even IQ.

Raw Vanilla Bean:  Unmistakably, vanilla in its purest state is the most delicious type of vanilla.  Its flavor beautifully enhances the flavor of chocolate, which is why we use it here.   As a side note, vanilla, like chocolate, has aphrodisiac properties.  So, keep it in mind for Valentine's day recipes (wink, wink).

Cinnamon:  Cinnamon balances blood sugar, improves digestion, and improves circulation- warming you up on those brisk fall mornings!

Sea Salt:  Adding sea salt to a sweet recipe is a culinary secret.  The salty flavor helps to bring out the sweetness of the drink.  For health purposes, it also adds valuable trace minerals necessary for human health yet only found in the ocean, and it adds some electrolytes to our drink.

Want to learn more?  Buy these books for your home library.  If you buy just one, buy the Superfoods book on the left.  It contains information about all of the superfoods mentioned in this post:
  

Raw Vegan Cinnamon Buns with Heavenly Chocolate Sauce

These are some chewy, sweet, and chocolaty cinnamon buns (move over cinna-buns!) I made for a breakfast-for-dinner party as a dish to pass.  They were very well received by a crowd not necessarily into raw foods or even health foods. 

This is just one of MANY recipes offered in David Wolfe and Shazzie's book on the best kept health secret in the world- RAW CHOCOLATE.  And yes- the raw part is the key!!!  Raw chocolate has 700% more antioxidants than even the best organic cooked chocolate and several more bliss chemicals (anandamides).  Pure chocolate, taken in its original form also has a rich history and is a food that opens up your heart and consciousness to blissful experiences.

Read the book!... make some chocolaty concoctions... and send them to me please :)

Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Made with living, sprouted almond flour instead of wheat, these cookies remind me of some that I loved as a child from a local bakery....

CHOCOLATE KISS COOKIES:

Base:
2 c. soaked almonds
1/2 c. young coconut meat

Place in food processor and process.  Then add:

2/3 c. truly raw agave nectar
2 tsp. vanilla extract or 1/4 tsp. raw vanilla powder
2 T. raw coconut oil
1 tsp. Sun Fire Salt

Continue to process until the mixture is doughy.  Spread into rounds on dehydrator screens and dehydrate until a cookie-like consistency is achieved.  Then, remove from the dehydrator and add the topping.

Topping:

Simple- Mix 1 part raw Cacao Powder with 1 part raw Agave Nectar or raw Honey.
Gourmet- Use the raw Chocolate Ganahe Recipe from Raw for Dessert by Jen Cornbleet  (which is AMAZING!). 

Enjoy the cookies IMMEDIATELY... or store them in the fridge or freezer for later cookie indulgence.















Sun Fire Salt and the Best of the Best Coconut Oil, Raw Chocolate Powder, Raw Vanilla Powder, and Almonds Available with the Click of a Button from:

Minty Dreams (of Ice Creams)

Pictured above is a generous scoop of Raw Vegan Mint Ice Cream, flavored with therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil.  One of the benefits of eating raw vegan food is that you can have your proverbial cake... and eat it too.  The ingredients in this ice cream have health promoting properties (some of the extraordinary, in fact, such as coconut oil).  

I have eaten quite a few raw vegan ice creams in my day... but this one takes the cake!  Its mint-vanilla flavor is extra-ordinary.  This ice cream is very light and easy to digest, thanks to its main ingredients being hemp seeds and young coconut meat.  The fats in coconut actually speed up your metabolism by 50% according to coconut researcher, Bruce Fife.

Mint-Kissed Vanilla Ice Cream:

1/4 c. raw hemp seeds

2 1/4 c. fresh spring water

The meat of 2 young coconuts

1/2 c. raw wildflower honey (or your favorite)

2 T. extra virgin coconut oil

1 tsp. raw vanilla bean powder

2 pinches Sun Fire Salt

3 drops Young Living Peppermint Essential Oil

Combine the first 2 ingredients and blend until smooth.  Add the coconut meat and blend until creamy.  Add the remaining ingredients (honey, coconut oil, vanilla bean powder, and salt) and blend until well incorporate.  At this point, you will have a smooth, sweet cream.  Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze.  Ideal on a hot summer day or anytime you need to cool those jets. 

*Idea:  If you want to make this ice cream a green color, add Spirulina powder or Blue Green Algae to the mix.

Where can you buy coconut oil, hemp seeds, raw honey, and raw vanilla?

The Raw Food World!

Where can you buy raw honey?

From Bonita and Dan at the Warm Colors Apiary if you're in Western Massachusetts.  If not, connect with your local beekeeper!  Just be careful not to get stung!