Vegan Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
March 7th, 2012
Vegan Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Its March…its almost spring…its almost strawberry season… So hopefully these Chocolate Dipped Strawberries will get you excited for the shift in seasons. I am definitely excited. The days are getting a little longer, the weather for the most part is getting warmer (although we could get snow tomorrow) and as my winter motto has been for the past few months – “Its almost April!”.
Honestly I don’t know what happens in April that I am so excited about. I guess at the time it was just the knowledge that once April came it would no longer be January or February. You see, the fact that we have the holidays in the first half of winter makes it all a little easier to swallow. Thanksgiving, Christmas, lots of gatherings with friends or family. It is a time of celebration which makes the winter weather, and early sunsets more bearable. Continue reading “Vegan Chocolate Dipped Strawberries”
Tags: agave, cacao powder, coconut oil, strawberry
Posted in dairy free, dessert, egg-free, fruit, gluten-free, raw, snacks, vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free No Comments »
Turmeric Smoothie
February 20th, 2012
Turmeric, Ginger and Mango Smoothie
Whew! Its been a busy week…and especially a busy weekend! Who knew that President’s Day was a big vacation weekend? Well I am guessing some of you out there actually did…but me? I lived in a foreign country for the first 5 years of my adult life…away from American holidays and American school vacations. And upon returning, I have not worked in those mainstream career paths that give people vacation days on national holiday… So personally I had no idea that work would be busy this weekend.
If you didn’t know already, I am (amongst other things) a massage therapist and as I near completion of my first year at the spa that I work at, I am slowly learning the trends of the business. What days, weeks, months, are busy, and when the down-time is. Note to self, things actually pick up around long weekends like Martin Luther King weekend and President’s Day. So I am pooped! And grateful…so appreciative to have the work! Continue reading “Turmeric Smoothie”
Tags: banana, coconut milk, coconut oil, ginger, mango, orange juice, turmeric powder
Posted in beverages, breakfast, dairy free, egg-free, fruit, gluten-free, snacks, vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free 14 Comments »
Peanut Butter Cookies – Gluten Free
February 15th, 2012
Santuario de Chimayo
This week I visited Chimayo, NM for the first time. It is a short ride from Santa Fe and is a famous pilgrimage site in the area. I have been wanting to visit it for quite a while as I have heard wonderful things about it, but usually my drives north are to visit Ojo Caliente, and the idea of stopping anywhere else on the way just loses out to the lure of the natural hot springs. Finally though, we decided to make a special trip to visit this pilgrimage site known for its holy dirt, and it was truly a beautiful day. Continue reading “Peanut Butter Cookies – Gluten Free”
Tags: agave, almond flour, eggs, peanut butter
Posted in cookies, dairy free, dessert, gluten-free, travel, vegetarian, wheat-free No Comments »
I Love Coconut Oil – The Book
February 13th, 2012
Its antioxidants, anti fungal properties and healthy fats are only a few of highlights...
I just read I Love Coconut Oil: 56 Simple Tips For Everyday Use by Cricket Desmarais for the third time and know it will not be my last. Cricket’s book breaks down the benefits of coconut oil into easy-to-digest bites and then offers 56 ways that we can use coconut oil to improve our daily living.
For Cricket – “It started with a quest for good health, a clear mind, and a radiant inner and outer beauty.” She was in a state that I am sure many can relate to – her body was telling her something wasn’t right, but the doctors could not figure out what was truly wrong. She chose to make personal discoveries into how she could work on improving her health and began what she calls “food and chemical recovery”.
“It was a powerful journey into knowing that I had the opportunity to make choices that would either support – or stifle – my wellness… Everyday for the last five years, I have reached for coconut oil in either my kitchen or my bathroom. And since then, I’ve seen it boost my immunity, heal wounds, decrease the adversity of a bout with illness or prevent an illness all together.”
Cricket’s 56 tips have inspired me to try coconut oil in inventive new ways. Coconut oil is obviously a staple in my kitchen pantry, but I also use coconut oil as a daily moisturizer, a massage oil and lip balm as well as for working out squeaky hinges and adding as a cat food supplement. You will be surprised at all of the amazing benefits that coconut oil offers and be sure to read Cricket’s suggestions on how to select your coconut oil so that you are sure to get the best available. And if you want to take a peek inside the book here is a link
Do you use coconut oil for more than just cooking?
Tags: book, coconut oil
Posted in gluten-free, Life, raw, Reviews, vegan, vegetarian No Comments »
Chocolates with Chia Seed and Coconut
February 8th, 2012
Chia and Coconut Chocolates
So when I was making the chocolate tartes the other day, I had some leftover filling…and one should never waste chocolate… So I decided to make up some chocolates using the same base as the tartes. I added in some chia seeds and shredded coconut to the mix and filled my little candy molds (something like this
What a great homemade chocolate treat to make your partner or friend for Valentine’s day! These chocolates are pretty much guilt-free in my book. Full of raw cacao antioxidants, medium chain fatty acids from the coconut oil, low-glycemic agave and the mighty chia seed superfood, they are bound to make you smile the day away.
Continue reading “Chocolates with Chia Seed and Coconut”
Tags: agave, chia seeds, coconut milk, coconut oil, raw cacao, shredded coconut
Posted in dairy free, dessert, egg-free, gluten-free, indulgent, raw, vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free No Comments »
Mini Gluten Free Chocolate Tartes
February 6th, 2012
Peanut Butter Cup Gluten Free Chocolate Tarte
Not too long ago I discovered Hail Merry’s Miracle Tarts at the local health food store, and was hooked. My favorite is the Mint Chocolate Miracle Tart…because what is better than chocolate and mint together? The tarts are compact, rich and good for you! Ever since then I have been trying to recreate the tart at home. Although I cannot get the perfect consistency using just the ingredients listed on their package, I have found a pretty good recipe with a few small changes. And it is yummy!
Some of the changes that I made incorporate my personal preference for ingredients. Hail Merry uses raw oils for their tarts which is great because raw coconut oil has innumerable benefits and is delicious. This was a keeper. I love using coconut oil in my recipes as much as possible and it is a great means to creating raw solid chocolates.
Continue reading “Mini Gluten Free Chocolate Tartes”
Tags: agave, almond flour, chocolate, coconut milk, coconut oil, mint, peanut butter, raw cacao
Posted in dairy free, dessert, egg-free, gluten-free, indulgent, raw, vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free 16 Comments »
Gluten Free Gingerbread Loaf
December 23rd, 2011
Santa Fe in the snow
We have had some magical snowy weather lately here in Santa Fe. Last night when I was returning from work late at night, the snow was just starting to stick to the ground, there were very few people out on the roads and the streetlights were illuminating the flurries of white. It was so sweet. And there is nothing like waking up to fresh, untouched snow on the ground. Santa Fe definitely looks pretty in a fresh coat of snow.
Santa Fe is in the thick of holiday festivities and gearing up for the big event. On Christmas Eve after sunset, locals and tourists will fill Canyon Road to wander amongst the farolitos and luminarias that line the glowing galleries and restaurants. There are bonfires in the streets where people gather to sing carols, and the light shows and shop windows are classy and artistic.
Continue reading “Gluten Free Gingerbread Loaf”
Tags: agave, almond milk, amaranth flour, buckwheat flour, coconut oil, eggs, ginger, molasses, oat flour
Posted in alternative grain, breakfast, crackers and breads, dairy free, dessert, gluten-free, vegetarian, wheat-free 1 Comment »
Apple Ginger Squash Muffins – Gluten-Free
October 31st, 2011
Gluten-free Buckwheat Muffins with Apples, Ginger and Squash
Happy Halloween!
That’s it though…that is about as far as my Halloween celebration goes. You see, I am not big on Halloween. I am not big on costumes, candy and things that are scary. Costumes for me involve dressing up and feeling fancy…so basically I would just like to go out to a nice dinner or special event every so often. Candy…I am seriously sensitive to sugar, so I really have to make my own in order to indulge in the sweets I love…and I don’t think many people are going to be giving away agave sweetened candy this Halloween. And scary? I don’t like being scared, and can no longer even watch scary movies. I watched the pilot to the tv show Grimm the other night, and that was even a little too scary for me. I will stick to Once Upon a Time and GLEE.
It might be my 5 years living as an ex-patriot in Florence, Italy that desensitize me to the American holiday excitement. Halloween, 4th of July, Memorial Day…not really big on my radar. So while other food bloggers are busy creating Halloween themed posts this week, I am just devouring my Apple Ginger Squash muffins and enjoying the seasonal bounty of local produce. Continue reading “Apple Ginger Squash Muffins – Gluten-Free”
Tags: agave, amaranth flour, apple, buckwheat flour, coconut oil, ginger, muffins, oat flour, squash, yellow squash
Posted in alternative grain, breakfast, dairy free, dessert, gluten-free, snacks, uncategorized, vegetarian, wheat-free 2 Comments »
Tropical Cilantro Smoothie
October 29th, 2011
Tropical Smoothie with Cilantro, Avocado and Mango
Mom I know you are probably making some faces right now…maybe a few sounds affects too. Something to the sentiment of “yuck!” or “eww!” But keep reading, because I think you are going to like this.
You see, my mother hates cilantro. She says it tastes like soap in her mouth, and I know she is not alone. There is definitely a contingency out there that has this adverse reaction to the taste of cilantro. But, dear Mom, after living in the Southwest for over a year, the taste has definitely grown on me. Basil still rules my heart, but cilantro has become a very good friend. A happy accoutrement to my salads, burritos, and even smoothies!
Continue reading “Tropical Cilantro Smoothie”
Tags: avocado, banana, cilantro, mango, smoothie, swiss chard
Posted in beverages, breakfast, dairy free, egg-free, fruit, gluten-free, raw, snacks, vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free 6 Comments »
Warm Chia Seed Nog – Dairy Free
October 24th, 2011
Warm Chia Nog
As soon as the weather gets cool, I am ready to start enjoying my homemade “egg nog”. I think this year it was actually early October that I made my first cup because we had an unusual cold-snap for a few days, and the instinct kicked in. We had a huge rain storm throughout the Northern New Mexico region, and we woke up to the mountains of Santa Fe covered with snow. Thankfully the snow didn’t really last, but it was definitely a surprise to even have some ice on the windshield that morning.
Since then, I have been playing around with my nog recipe and a few days ago came up with the idea to add some chia to the mix. Chia seeds are fun to experiment with. As they absorb water they puff up in size and become sort-of gelatinous… They add a thickness to beverages which I find surprisingly exciting. And then of course there are the nutritional benefits of chia seeds. Chia seeds are a powerhouse of Omega-3 fatty acids, are a great source of fiber for the body, assist with hydration and lots more! Continue reading “Warm Chia Seed Nog – Dairy Free”
Tags: agave, almond milk, cardamom, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla
Posted in beverages, breakfast, dairy free, dessert, egg-free, gluten-free, snacks, uncategorized, vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free No Comments »
