Raw

Desserts, Raw, Recipes, Snacks, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Coconut Chia Pudding

Hi buns!

Thank you SOOO much for the sweet comments on my last post. I cannot tell you how much you lift me up. Sometimes it’s challenging to write about how down I am and the fact that I’m not where I really want to be, but it’s part of life. It means a lot to me that some of you mentioned how much you appreciate my honesty when I post these kinds of things. I appreciate your supporting more than you even know. You guys are 100% the reason why I love this blog so much!

I’ve been enjoying spending some time with Matt since he got home (Sunday) after a month on tour in Europe, so I’m finally going to respond to all of your comments tonight : ) I wasn’t sure if I would be able to pick him up at the airpot last Sunday night but I surprised him and popped out of the back seat of his parents car! He was totally shocked, I got him good!

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Chia seed pudding is one of the easiest healthy snacks to make. You literally throw all of the ingredients in a glass jar, refrigerate it overnight, and it’s ready for you the next day! Easy peasy! And you guys know I love easy no fuss recipes!

Some of you may still be new to chia seeds and pretty intrigued by them, or possibly scared of them! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

Soooo, what exactly is a Chia seed?
The Chia plant (Salvia hispanica) is a member of the mint family that’s native to Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds are often eaten raw, but can also be soaked in liquid to form a gelatinous mixture. Chia seeds can also be ground into a powder for baking!

What do they taste like?
Chia seeds don’t really taste like anything. Their flavor is practically non-existent, but he magic is in the texture. When combined with water or liquid, they absorb 9 times their weight in water, forming a gel-like consistency. They are great in smoothies and oatmeal because they add texture and a thicker consistency. The proof is in the pudding… ha ha ha

Why Chia?
Chia seeds are an amazing source of plant-based fat, and are especially high in Omega 3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. They also contain a large amount of fiber, which aids with weight loss by keeping your stomach feeling full. Last but not least, these tiny little seeds are filled with magnesium, potassium, and powerful antioxidants to help rid our bodies of free radicals. Talk about big things in small packages!

Depending on the brand, 1 Tablespoon of dry Chia seeds tallies up to about 55 calories, 5g of Fat, 5g of Carbohydrate, 6g of Fiber, 3g of Protein.

Coconut-Chia-Seed-Pudding-1 Coconut-Chia-Seed-Pudding-2 Coconut-Chia-Seed-Pudding-3 Coconut-Chia-Seed-Pudding-4Coconut-Chia-Seed-Pudding-5Coconut Chia Pudding
Serves 2

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (I like So Delicious)
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 Tbsp maple syrup

1. Whisk together coconut milk and maple syrup in a glass jar
2. Stir in chia seeds.
3. Cover jar with lid and refrigerate overnight.
4. Top with fresh berries or enjoy plain.

Note: If you use sweetened coconut milk, you can omit the maple syrup.
Tip: The longer you leave your chia seed pudding in the fridge, the thicker it will get!

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Desserts, Raw, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Coconut Cottontails

Coconut-Cottontails-16 I cannot believe Easter is this weekend! This year is going to go by so fast. Sorry for the lack of posts, bunnies! I am the maid of honor in my best friend’s wedding on May 2nd and I threw her a bridal shower last Sunday (a DIY from the shower coming this week)! On top of throwing the shower, I also had two house guests here from out of state so everything was a little hectic! I have seriously been dying to make more YouTube videos! I already have an absurd list of things I want to film for you guys and I cannot wait! For now, enjoy this super cute healthy Easter recipe!

These adorable little Coconut Cottontails (meant to look like fluffy bunny tails), mimic the flavor of a Coconut Cream Pie Larabar! If you are somebunny who likes Larabars, no bake snacks, or coconut, these are def for you! You may not carrot all (ha ha ha), but I just have to tell you that this recipe is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan, and made from only 6 ingredients (one of which is water)!

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Coconut Cottontails
Makes 10-11

1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
8 Medjool dates (I love Natural Delights)
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp water

Coconut Topping
1/2 – 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1. Mix the almonds, coconut and cashews in a food processor until finely ground.
2. Add the dates, coconut oil, and water and pulse until dough forms.
3. Transfer dough to a separate bowl. Pour shredded coconut into separate bowl and set aside.
4. Using a measuring spoon, scoop the dough into 1 tablespoon sized balls. Roll balls in the shredded coconut until well coated.
5. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for one week or the freezer for one month.

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Desserts, Raw, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Raw Peanut Butter Cookie {For One}

Can I start off my post by showing you these stinking cute Mean Girls tanks that I saw at Target the other day? Seriously, how come it took them 11 years to come out with these shirts? Yes, Mean Girls is 11 years old. O.M.G.! I may or may not have bought “You Go Glen Coco” for workouts…

Mean-Girls-You-Go-Glen-Coco-Tank-On-Wednesdays-We-Wear-Pink-TankAvailable at Target $12.99 each!
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink & You Go Glen Coco

So today was just NOT my day. Last night I was up until around 5am (that’s been a regular thing recently) because I was covered in hives and Benadryl just wasn’t cutting it. Oh update: I’m not allergic to almonds. None of my food allergies have changed, so I made an appointment with my endocrinologist to have my thyroid levels and stuff checked to see if that has anything to do with it. It’s literally unbearable – and of course I can’t get in to see my doctor until after Easter! Ugh.

So back to today. Being as sleepy as I am, I made the glorious mistake of buying kidney beans instead of garbanzo beans at the grocery store. I got home, got out all of my ingredients for today’s recipe, and boom, I had somehow grabbed the wrong can at the grocery store. So back to the store I went. To top things off, the super epic “cookie dough bites” I dreamed of making out of those chickpeas that took two trips to the grocery store totally failed (see snapchat for photos @EatRabbitFood). So ya, today, not so much my day. I hope all of my bunnies are having a better Tuesday than I am! Luckily I turned my day around with this super sweet raw vegan cookie that I think is well deserved right meow. And you know what? You deserve this cookie too!

If you have any nut allergies, feel free to swap the flavors to nuts/seeds of your liking! Just stick with the same ratio of dry nuts and nut butter.

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This can be an awesome little brekky cookie with a soy latte, or a pre or post workout snack! It has tons of protein, natural sugars, fiber, and plant-based fat to give you lots of energy and fuel your day or workouts!

Single-Serving-Raw-Peanut-Butter-Cookie-6 Single-Serving-Raw-Peanut-Butter-Cookie-7If you’re a coffee addict like me and looking for the best milk frother in the biz, I have this Frother from Nespresso (even better deal here if you have Amazon Prime), but don’t worry there is a less pricey alternative that I’ve suggested to some of my readers via social media and so far everyone has loved it!

Raw Peanut Butter Cookie {For One}
Serves 1

2 Tbsp almonds
2 Medjool dates
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp peanut butter

1. Pulse almonds in a food processor or magic bullet until finely chopped.
2. Remove pits from dates, add dates and vanilla extract to the food processor and pulse until evenly chopped and combined.
3. Add the peanut butter to the food processor and pulse until well combined. The dough may be slightly crumbly but should stick together when pressed together.
4. Roll the dough into a ball and press into a cookie shape. Enjoy!

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Raw, Recipes, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

20 Medjool Date Recipes // National #MedjoolDateDay

Today is National Medjool Date Day! To celebrate this naturally sweet holiday, I’ve gathered all of my super sweet recipes for you! I knew I used Medjool dates a lot, but WOW, I didn’t realize just how often I used them in my recipes! As you guys know, you will never find any recipes containing refined sugar on my blog, so Medjool dates make the perfect choice for most of my creations!

If you didn’t already know about Nature’s power fruit…
Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates, named an official “heart healthy” food by the American Heart Association, are low-medium on the glycemic index and packed full of fiber and potassium (50% more, by weight, than a banana) – making them perfect for boosting energy, satisfying hunger and helping with muscle recovery. Their caramel-like taste, consistency and natural sweetness gives them an advantage over refined sugars in recipes and pre- and post-workout snacks. Medjool dates are also gluten-free, Vegan, Halal and Kosher, making them perfect for nearly every diet.

Explore all of my sweet & savory Medjool date recipes, plus scroll all the way to the bottom for information about tonight’s #MedjoolDateDay Twitter Party brought to you by @NDmedjooldates for a fun Medjool convo with fellow blogger and host @CoryanneEttiene and a chance to win some awesome prizes (um, I heard there’s really cool fitness gear!) from Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates!

Meddjol-Dates-Lightened-Up-Date-ShakeLightened Up Date Shake

Medjool-Date-BBQ-SauceMedjool Date BBQ Sauce

Medjool-Date-Black-Bean-BrowniesBlack Bean Brownies

Medjool-Date-Brownie-BitesRaw Brownie Bites
Medjool-Date-Caramel-Date-SauceCaramel Date Sauce

Medjool-Date-Cashew-Cookie-Larabr{Copycat} Cashew Cookie Larabars
Medjool-Date-Chocolate-Chip-Chickpea-CookiesChocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies

Medjool-Date-Chocomole-1Chocomole

Medjool-Date-Crunchy-Chia-BitesCrunchy Chia Energy Bites

Medjool-Date-Espresso-Chocolate-Avocado-Mousse-6Espresso Chocolate Mousse

Medjool-Date-Hail-To-the-Kale-Salad-DressingHail To the Kale Salad & Dressing

Medjool-Date-Healthy-Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Dough-DipHealthy Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

Medjool-Date-Mini-Vegan-Pumpkin-Pies-1Mini Vegan Pumpkin Pies

Medjool-Date-Olive-Date-Tapenade-1Olive Date Tapenade

Medjool-Date-Peanute-Butte-rand-Jelly-SmoothiePB&J Medjool Date Smoothie

Medjool-Date-Raw-BitesRaw Bites

Medjool-Date-Raw-Gingerbread-MenRaw Gingerbread Men

Medjool-Date-Valentines-Day-Cookie-SandwichesValentine’s Day Cookie Sandwiches

Medjool-Date-Vegan-Banana-BreadVegan Banana Bread

Medjool-Date-Vegan-EggnogVegan Eggnog

National-Medjool-Date-Dat-2015-Twitter-Party

To mark the holiday, Natural Delights™ is partnering with blogger and power-Tweeter Coryanne Ettiene for a one-hour Twitter party TODAY Feb. 4 at 5pm PST/8pm EST. Guests who participate in the conversation by tagging @CoryanneEttiene, @NDMedjoolDates and using #MedjoolDateDay will have the opportunity to win more than $1,200 in fitness prizes, as well as downloading recently added recipes.

Don’t forget to tag @NDMedjoolDates, @CoryanneEttiene and use #MedjoolDateDay!!!

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Contests & Giveaways, Raw, Recipes, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian

Dole Super Bowl Superfood Smoothies + Giveaway

I feel obligated to start off this post by telling you that I am writing to you from Seahawks territory. Yes, I am in the hawk’s nest (Seattle). I flew here on the big hawk this afternoon, but rest assured my blog is Super Bowl neutral, and I am not a 12th man! I mean, I watch the Super Bowl for the commercials (anyone else guilty?)!

Funny story, when boarding my plane in Orange County, the person at the front of the gate announced over the speaker system “Anyone wearing a Russell Wilson, jersey may now board the plane” ahead of all of the general boarding passengers. And then after the 2 people with Russell Wilson jerseys boarded the plane, she announced “Anyone in Seahawks apparel may now board the plane!” I should’ve worn 12th man gear. I wouldn’t gotten better overhead bin space. DARN IT!

Dole-Super-Bowl-Superfood-Smoothies-Seahawks-Smoothie-Patriots-Smoothie-4 Dole-Super-Bowl-Superfood-Smoothies-Seahawks-Smoothie-Patriots-Smoothie-2Dole-Super-Bowl-Superfood-Smoothies-Seahawks-Smoothie-Patriots-Smoothie-3

We all know the Super Bowl usually consists of watching the game, drinking beer, eating burgers or pizza, and tons of chips, salsa, and junk food, but I am here to change that, starting by using the best fat burner! I mean, how cute are these Super Bowl team rivalry smoothies? Even if you’re going to snack during the game, at least give your team some good juju and start your morning off right with a Super Bowl Superfood Smoothie for your team!

I love combining fruits and veggies together in my smoothies and juices, and Dole has a huge variety of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables to choose from to make juicing and smoothie making simple and easy!

Seahawks Blue
1 cup Dole Blueberries
1 handful of Dole Baby Spinach
1/2 Dole Banana
1/4 cup coconut water
1/4 cup almond milk

Seahawks Green
1 huge handful Dole Baby Spinach
1 cup Dole Pineapple
1/2 Dole Banana
1/4 cup orange juice

Patriots Red
1 cup Dole Strawberries
1/2 cup Dole Raspberries
1/2 Dole Banana
1/2 cup orange juice

Patriots Blue
1 cup Dole Blueberries
1 handful of Dole Power Up Greens™ Baby Kale
1/2 Dole Banana
1/4 cup coconut water
1/4 cup almond milk

The trick to making layered smoothies is using the least amount of liquid as possible. You want each smoothie to be extra thick so that they can sit on top of each other without the colors mixing into each other. Less liquid is better. Think of a soft serve consistency.

DOLE_Dole-Tonic-and-Running-Man-Recipe
Dole has two brand new Get Up and Grow healthy juice and smoothie recipes combining both Dole fresh fruits and Dole fresh vegetables! Click the links to get the new free recipes for the Running Man and Dole Tonic!

Now it’s your chance to win some Dole goodies!
Dole love love loves my readers and giving you guys awesome prizes, and this one makes me so happy because it includes one of my favorite books “365 Smoothies” by one of my close friends Kathy Patalsky from Healthy Happy Life!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Must use a valid email address to enter. Must be a US resident to enter. Giveaway ends on Sunday, February 1st at 11:59 PM (PST). 1 winner will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, February 2nd.

This post has been sponsored by Dole. I received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

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