Vegan

Vegan

Raw Bites

Hoppy Easter healthy little bunnies!
I hope that everyone is having a fantastic weekend and enjoying time with their family and friends!

We all know that along with Easter, comes the oversized brunch portions, chocolate bunnies, and those darn Cadbury eggs… We might as well just call it Feaster. Instead of reaching for typical Easter candy and cookies filled with refined sugars, preservatives and saturated fats, have a raw bite! They can be made in 10 minutes, require no cooking or baking, and your family and friends will love them because they taste just like cookie dough! This is a great fun recipe to make with kids too!

When you consume raw unprocessed that are not cooked above 104° F, your body metabolizes them much more efficiently, allowing your body to focus energy on other parts of your system, other than digestion. These gluten-free, raw, vegan bite-sized treats provide healthy fats, natural sugars, and macronutrients that will satisfy your sweet tooth, give you a little burst of energy, and keep you away from the candy dishes!


Raw Bites
Makes 10 bites

6  pitted medjool dates
¼  cup unsalted almonds
¼  cup unsalted cashews
¼  cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 Tbsp mini vegan chocolate chips or carob chips (optional)
1 Tbsp water

Combine almonds, cashews, and coconut in a food processor or high powered blender (I used my Vitamix). Pulse or blend until ingredients break down into small pieces but not into butter. Add dates and 1 Tbsp of water for moisture. Blend until a thick dough is formed. Remove the dough from your blender and stir in chocolate chips. With a measuring spoon, divide the dough into 10 balls, at 1 Tbsp each. Place in mini cupcake liners and store in a container in the freezer. Cool for 20 minutes before consuming.

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 bite
Raw Bites (Without Chocolate Chips)
Amount per serving: Calories, 80, Fat 4g, Carbohydrate 11g, Sugars 8g, Fiber 1.5g, Protein 1g

Raw Bites (With Vegan Chocolate Chips)
Amount per serving: Calories, 95, Fat 5g, Carbohydrate 12g, Sugars 9g Fiber 1.5g, Protein 1g

Recipe adapted from TIU 

Chocomole

Since it’s a holiday weekend and I know you worked out extra hard this week, you deserve a little treat! Can you guess what the superstar ingredient of this decadent chocolate dessert is? I’ll give you a hint… it’s loaded with 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid.

Avocado!

Yes, this indulgent chocolates creation is made from heart healthy avocado, antioxidant rich cocoa, sweet fiber dense dates, and creamy almond milk! This is the perfect afternoon pick me up to give your body the boost it needs.

Chocomole is so much fun, and so versatile, the possibilities are endless!
Use as:
pudding
spread on a slice of whole grain toast
dip for whole grain pretzels or strawberries
mousse or filling
vegan frosting


Chocomole

makes 4 servings

1 large ripe Hass avocado
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup pitted medjool dates
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

Remove pits from dates. Slice avocado and remove the pit. Using a spoon, scoop the green flesh from the skin. Combine the avocado, dates, and all other ingredients in a food processor or high powered blender and blend until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour and serve.
Note: I like to refrigerate my avocado beforehand.

Kale Waldorf Salad

This is a healthier updated version of the traditional salad.
Instead of the usual mayonnaise based dressing, we have lightened it up with a healthy mixture of walnuts, Dijon, vinegar, apples, and raisins that keeps it’s classic creamy texture.

 


Kale Waldorf Salad
Serves 4 to 6

4 cups dinosaur kale (packed)
1 large red apple, chopped, divided
1/2 cup walnuts, divided
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp raisins, divided
1 cup chopped celery
½ cup shredded carrots
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/8 tsp ground sea salt

Wash and dry kale. Finely chop into bite-sized pieces. Place kale in a large bowl. After chopping the apple, add to the bowl of kale along with half of the walnuts and ¼ cup of raisins, and celery. Put remaining apple, walnuts, 2 Tbsp of raisins, Dijon, water, vinegar and salt in a blender. Blend until well combined and slightly thick, adding water if needed to thin. Pour dressing over kale salad and toss to combine.

Chocolate Cake Batter Overnight Oats

I love overnight oats. I love how chewy the oats get. The texture is reminiscent of soggy cereal once it has sat in milk for some time. I have realized that some people may not love the texture as much as I do, so I wanted to give my readers another option for eating overnight oats.

I made 2 identical batches of overnight oats but blended one until smooth before refrigerating. I did a taste/texture test the next morning and loved both! The blended oats might as well be called oatmeal without the oats. It was creamy and smooth, and tasted like chocolate cake batter! I really liked both versions, but favor the classic unblended overnight oats because it is chewy and makes me slow down while eating.

Do a taste/texture test and see which way you like your oats!

 

Chocolate Cake Batter Overnight Oats
Serves 1

1/4 cup whole rolled oats
1/4 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
1/2 ripe banana
1/2 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 Tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar or container and refrigerate overnight.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: banana
Whole Grain: whole rolled oats
Protein: almond milk
Plant Based Fat: chia seeds

Cauliflower Poppers

This is a great snack when you want something salty to nosh on. I have found that cauliflower is incredibly versatile and easy to prepare. These are a great alternative to chips and you can snack away, guilt free!

Cauliflower Poppers

1 head of cauliflower
1/3 cup miso paste
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp curry powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Chop cauliflower into bite sized florets. In a separate bowl, whisk together the miso paste, water, and curry powder. Combine with the cauliflower and coat thinly and evenly. Place the florets on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Flipping half way to ensure even crispiness. Cook until golden and crisp.

I used Cold Mountain “Kyoto White Miso Paste – less sodium” which is available at Whole Foods.
If you are looking for a lighter cauliflower popper recipe to try, spray the florets with olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle with your favorite salt free seasoning such as garlic, red pepper flakes, turmeric, or curry just to name a few. Now, go snack away!

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