This is a recipe that I have enjoyed numerous times. I first tried it at a gathering and my friend gave everyone the recipe. The quinoa is served chilled and is a delightful side to bring to any gathering. What I enjoy most about this salad is how adaptable it is. You can add or […]
Recipes
Zesty Salad with Dressing
Gud-oh! This salad hits the spot. “It’s like a fiesta in my mouth!” says my husband. What makes this salad so irresistible is… well, everything! Everything from the avocado to the sweet mango to the rich flavor of black beans to the refreshing cilantro will make this salad a necessary part of your daily menu […]
Peanut Butter Cups
Who can resist the glorious marriage of chocolate and peanut butter? I certainly cannot. There’s something just too perfect about the combination. Even my sister who loathes peanut butter cannot resist this combination! These homemade peanut butter cups blow Reese’s peanut butter cups out. of. the. water. They’re made with simple and pure ingredients that […]
Green Citrus Smoothie
This is the first smoothie recipe I’ve published that does not use bananas! Weee! So, all you non-banana eaters out there can celebrate. But, for all fellow banana lovers, I will be honest… (don’t tell!)… I added two bananas to mine! What!? I can’t help it! Bananas are just so creamy and deliciously sweet. It was beyond […]
2014 Running!
It’s 2014! Last year I challenged myself to run 100+ miles and I am happy to report that I reached my goal! I created this challenge to keep myself active and to reach longer and faster running times. I have never considered myself a runner nor have I run regularly, so running 2 miles per […]
Pumpkin Parfait with Pumpkin Spice GRANOLA
yogurt + creamy pumpkin spice + pumpkin granola = layers of goodness! I know this is a late post for a pumpkin recipe, but pumpkin themed recipes continue well into the Christmas season at my place. I seldom grow tired of the sweet, robust flavor of pumpkin, and it seems there are always recipes that […]
Sweet Potato and Carrot Curry Soup
Here is my recipe for a delightful sweet potato and carrot soup. I hope you enjoy it! Sweet Potato-Carrot Curry Soup2 Tbsp Oil (for grilling)2 Sweet Potatoes, peeled2 Large Carrots1 large Onion3 cloves garlic3 c. Water or low-sodium Veggie broth1 1/4 c. Coconut Milk1″ knob of fresh Ginger or 1/2 tsp ginger powder2 Tbsp Curry1/2 […]
Creamy Quinoa Risotto
This fall has been filled with delicious new meals, and this is one of them! The recipe makes enough for about 4-6 meals, so I was lucky to get to bring leftovers with me to school for the days following. Yum! My usual school lunch is a toss between fresh fruit or a big salad […]
Pumpkin Spice Shake
This shake is rich and delightfully creamy with crisp fall flavors. It reminds me of a creamy pumpkin pie! It is just what my body was craving after my afternoon run. Speaking of running, I haven’t posted much about running lately because, to be completely honest, there hasn’t been much running going on over here. By […]
Tea Coozie- Sock Jar DIY
I enjoy drinking herbal tea or just sipping on warm water in the mornings, so I used to carry a thermos around with me. A typical thermos carries only about 1.5 cups of water and is no heatable, as it is usually made of plastic and metal materials. One day, when I had a cold […]
No-bake Chocolate Cookies
Super easy, healthy chocolate cookies.Healthy, protein-rich, sweet cookies that can be made and devoured in 3 minutes!I was having a major craving for a sweet chocolate-y treat, but did not want to eat anything with refined sugar, so I came up with these. I made two types of cookies. One was, of course, made with […]
Banana Bread
Banana bread is my favorite dessert bread, and I can confidently say that this recipe is THE BEST banana bread I’ve ever made (and I’ve made a lot of banana bread). I like the bread soft and a tad dense, but I never could get the consistency right. Finally, after trial and error, I’ve made a […]
Roasted Red Pepper and Basil Hummus
Whoa! So good. Last month we went camping with my sister and her fiance. It was such a fun week to spend together and we made some great food for the trip. I made some of my usual camping favorites, including my homemade granola, chili, and baked potatoes. We also roasted some corn on the […]
Hearty Loaded Mashed Potatoes
These potatoes are hearty with chunks of potato, savory seasonings, and tasty fillings. They’re just the right side to enjoy with seasoned grilled tempeh, vegetables, or tofu. I paired this dish with some turmeric-seasoned tempeh (recipe soon), which hit the spot for both my husband and me. A good stir-fry would pair delightfully, too! If […]
Creamy Broccoli-Kale Soup
“When you see the picture, you don’t expect such a bright green soup to taste this good. Wow! This is amazing!”- my husband. Truer words were never spoken about this healthy, vibrantly green soup. This soup is packed with great flavor and nutrition. It is gluten-free, low-sodium, low-fat, and made with whole, savory ingredients. “Warm, […]
(No-bake) Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies
Brownies were always my favorite dessert as a kid. The richer the better, even if that meant feeling sick after eating them. Who’s with me on this one? Occasions of wiping my brownie plate clean at a restaurant and quickly regretting the decision as I attempted to lug myself to the car without bursting at […]
Vitamix Blender
The Vitamix blender is the most useful tool that I have in my kitchen. My husband and I use it multiple times per day, every day, for meals as easy to blend as smoothies and soups (it will heat up your soup as it blends!) to more power-demanding sides like nut butters and ice cream […]
Watermelon Pineapple Popsicles
These popsicles are the perfect healthy snack on a hot day. The watermelon juice is naturally as sweet as can be, so there’s no need for added sweetener. I added pineapple chunks which made for an extra sweet tang in every bite. You can use popsicle molds or dixie cups as seen in my Chocolate Fudge […]
Dukkah
Dukkah (Duqqa, Dukka) is is an Egyptian mixture of herbs, spices, and nuts (usually hazelnuts). It is typically used as a dip with bread that has been basted with oil and eaten as an hors d’œuvre. I enjoy using walnuts in the mix, but you can use any nuts of your choosing. This mix is so simple and easy to make. I’ll make a […]
Mint Chocolate Chip Shake
This shake is rich and creamy to the max! A decadent dessert shake. I am in bliss.Mint chocolate chip ice cream has always been my favorite ice cream flavor of all time. My Dad loved it, and he always made sure that we had an ample supply of mint ‘n’ chip in the freezer. Needless to say, all […]
Father’s Day- my dad
Last Sunday was Father’s Day. As a child I always loved Father’s Day because my dad was so worthy of being celebrated. It just felt so appropriate to designate a day to honor him and all that he did for his family. Now, as an adult, and with my dad no longer with us, I […]
Sweet Cinnamon Juice
Imagine… a divine slice of carrot cake meets a gooey, sweet cinnamon bun. That’s what this reminds me of, but in a juice. A healthy, light, nutritious juice. The best part about it is the fact that I can have seconds and thirds with no guilt (or tummy ache)! It might seem a bit strange […]
Celery Pear-a-dise Juice
This juice is light and sweet with a tinge of fluffy creaminess from the pears. Even with 7 stalks of celery, the flavor isn’t overbearing, and the blend is just right. I threw in 2 small nectarines, but 1 large peach or apple would be great as substitutes. You can omit that part altogether. Click […]
Healthy (and delicious) Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (No Flour)
I love being a teacher. I love it for so many reasons, I would write a novel of a post if I even began describing the many reasons why (ok, perhaps I’ll write another post about it). Anyway, one of the greatest parts of being a teacher is connecting with and building a trusting relationship […]
Savory Carrot-Tomato Juice
Ah! This stuff is a-mya-zang!! It’s so simple, but so satisfying! If you’re craving a more savory juice, this is your pal. And I must share that I’ve never enjoyed tomato juice… until now. I kept the ingredient list very simple: carrots, tomato, and basil. It was just so good, I didn’t want to ruin […]
Banana Pops
Okay, I know I am juicing right now (see post about it here), but I totally forgot to share these bad boys from last week. Plus, I figured that the majority of you are probably not juicing and might want a non-juice recipe this week. I had so much fun making them and they were […]
Juicing Update #1
It’s DAY 4 on the juice cleanse (see first post here), so I thought I’d give an update. Each day has gotten easier and more enjoyable, and I’m feeling great! A couple of my family members are juicing all month long, so doing it for only a week seems pretty reasonable in comparison. Here’s a […]
Strawberry-Orange Lemonade Juice
This is such an easy drink to make and the flavor is delightful. Not too tangy. Not too tart. Juuuust right. The best part of this juice is the way it makes me feel. It is a bona fide super-juice. Why? Because it has three nutrient-rich foods that are packed with antioxidants. + Strawberries: Vitamin C, Potassium, Ellagic […]
Running and Juicing
Today has been a good day. I’m feeling great– well, a bit shaky after a tough run, but great nonetheless. I had planned on running a 5k for charity this morning with my husband, but we missed the registration deadline two days ago. We decided to run our own 5k, and I was able to […]
Creamy Dijon Dressing and Arugula+Potato Salad
This salad is so satisfying. Creamy Dijon Dressing mixed with a variety of greens, potatoes, onion, and sweet strawberries. You can add whatever you’d like to this salad and I can bet it will still taste delicious. I mean, c’mon… strawberries with dijon dressing and potatoes? Who woulda thought? 🙂 If you haven’t tried arugula […]
Apple Strudel (B.A.D Strudel)
BAD (Bananas Apples Dates) Strudel But my husband calls it Apple Pancakes. I came across this recipe some time ago by Freelee Frugivore (The Banana Girl), a popular 80/10/10 (high fruit) raw foodie, and I absolutely adore it! It’s one of those recipes that can be altered- depending on what ingredients you have on hand- […]
Garlic Cheese Dip
So, about two weeks ago I was planning on making my nacho cheese to go with dinner that evening. Alas, we were out of red peppers and our lemons were hard as rock and needed several more days to ripen. But we wanted cheese!!! So, I whipped together a garlic cheese dip instead and used it as a […]
Cheesy Kale Salad (+ Kale Boats)
I’m not quite sure how we didn’t discover this amazing combination before now. Kale + Nacho Cheese. I cannot seem to get tired of it. It all started when my husband said he wasn’t a fan of raw kale on its own. Mind you, my husband will literally eat an entire head of romaine lettuce […]
Nutritional Yeast and Brewers Yeast
“Nutritional Yeast- what is this stuff?” you ask. Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast with a delicious cheesy, nutty, robust flavor. A similar inactive yeast is Brewer’s Yeast (labeled Imported Yeast in the pictured brand). I use either nutritional or brewer’s yeast in several of my posted recipes including my nacho cheese and tofu scramble. You can also use […]
Banana Milk *Banana Horchata*
I go through phases when it comes to my ideal smoothie texture. I used to prefer ice cold smoothies that were so thick they were almost the consistency of ice cream. Now, I’m onto a new phase of high-liquid smoothies. I still like them nice a cold, but I use about half as much ice […]
Monkey Business Trail Mix
I haven’t shared a recipe for trail mix before, because I never really put much thought into making it. I usually just throw in what I have in the cupboards and it always comes out tasting delish. I decided to share this one though, because the combination is just too tasty not to. Peanuts and […]
Guacamole
It’s avocado season in California and I am so lucky because my sister has 3 avocado trees on her property. She is very generous with them too; she lets us pick a bunch when we hang out. These avocados are the best- they’re smooth and creamy like an avocado butter. Around this time of year we start […]
S’mores… EPIC.Vegan.S’mores.
More s’mores! More s’mores! More s’mores! As a child, I was never was a big fan of marshmallows… I never liked them in Rocky Road ice cream and it felt like a curse to receive Peeps in my Easter basket, but when it came to s’mores… s’mores were the exception. There’s just something about the combination of a fluffy, gooey […]
Camping Food
Camping Food Camping is one of my husband’s and my favorite activities to do throughout the year. We started going each spring break when we first began dating, and we’ve gone every year since. Thankfully, as time has gone on we’ve begun taking more trips throughout the year. As a result, our camping food list […]
Peanut-Butter-Banana & Avocado-Tomato Sandwiches
Peanut-Butter-Banana Sandwich ~ Avocado-Tomato Sandwich ~ Both of these sandwiches have been fail-proof for long hikes and camping trips. They hold up well on long trips, plus they’re tasty and nutritious. Peanut-Butter-Banana:When my husband and I went on our first camping trip together, all we brought for food was a loaf of bread, a jar of […]
Ariel’s Chunky Chili
As you can tell, these pictures were not taken in my kitchen 🙂 I captured these pics outside during a camping trip in Joshua Tree. If I bring chili while camping, I always make it beforehand and bring it in a container, that way I don’t have to spend much time preparing it before dinner. […]
Iced Tea Lemonade (with Mint- WHOA!)
My husband and I are quite voracious water drinkers. He hasn’t had soda for several years, and I moved on from it about 3 years ago. On an occasion we’ll have coconut water, juice, tea, or wine, but with meals, we usually stick with water. As much as I appreciate water and its satiating power, […]
Blackened Chipotle Tempeh Tacos
For those of you who may not be familiar with Tempeh (temp-ay), it is made from soy beans which have been soaked and partly cooked. Tempeh is made from fermented soy (see post on fermented vs. unfermented soy here), which is much healthier than unfermented soy, and is quite high in essential daily nutrients like protein, […]
Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are so good. I enjoy them roasted with rosemary, boiled, as fries (my favorite kind of fries) and have used them in several recipes (check out my black bean-sweet potato Taquitos and sweet potato Burger). I discovered that baking them was equally- if not more- delicious than the other forms I had tried, […]
The Platinum Rule
The Platinum Rule: The rule of compassion, putting yourself in THEIR shoes. We commonly refer to the Golden Rule when assessing how to respond to others. I grew up hearing it time and time again. The Golden Rule goes, “do unto others as you would want done unto you” or “treat others as you would […]
Plantains- grilled
While in college, my husband and I enjoyed a local Cuban restaurant just walking distance from our campus. My favorite item at the restaurant was plantains. I wasn’t quite sure what they were– a waiter told me they were similar to bananas– but I knew them as a delectable side to every meal there. They […]
Carrot Cake ‘N’ Apple Pancakes
Carrot cake… Swoon!It’s always been my favorite cake, and my adoration of it has not faltered in the slightest. I recently visited a darling vegan cafe, and ordered a carrot cake muffin with my tea. It was a delectable muffin with toasted coconut flakes on top. I will admit that it was difficult to stay composed […]
Cauliflower Salad
I’ve never been much of a fan of raw cauliflower until I made this recipe. This salad is light and refreshing, and is delicious on its own. You can add more veggies into the mix (celery, tomatoes, jikama, cucumber) if you have them on hand. I was inspired by FullyRawKristina’s Holiday Salad, and thought I’d try […]
Lavash Pizza
Last week my husband was craving pizza as he was on his way home from a rehearsal. I told him that if he could bear to wait until he got home, I would have a homemade pizza ready for him. And so, he made his way homeward. I didn’t have enough time to make a […]
Citrus Spring Salad
Mmm! A super fresh, colorful salad. This salad is great when you’re craving a refreshing lunch. It’s also a great dish to include in a potluck or family dinner. The salad dressing is just the right balance of sweet and tangy, plus you can make it oil-free! I enjoy this salad as is, but you can add more […]
Thai Veggie Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a great light meal or appetizer. You can put practically anything inside of them, and they will always come out very tasty! In the pictured rolls, I made a very simple recipe of broccoli slaw, carrots, lettuce, and avocado. I’ve also used (with great results): Rice noodles (very thin) Cilantro Mint leaves […]
And More
Snickerdoodle Shake (guilt-free!)
This shake reminded me so much of a snickerdoodle cookie, I couldn’t believe it was actually guilt-free! I recently shared my Peanut Butter Banana Shake, which is delicious. For those who aren’t huge peanut butter lovers, or if you are craving the sugary cinnamon flavor of a cookie but want to stay on a healthy track, […]
Chewy Granola Bars
Yum! Granola bars are so tasty, especially when they are homemade. They are easy to take on the go and they store well for hikes, camping trips, and other outdoor adventures. These bars have a great chewy texture, a sweet and delicious taste, and are super easy to make. There’s no excuse not to make […]
Churros
It’s a May thing! Today we spent the day at Disneyland. It was such a wonderful day spent with the most special people in my life, my siblings. It’s so beautiful to share relationships with siblings. The people I once enjoyed because they were such good playmates at barbies and Cop ‘n’ Robbers are now […]
Peanut Butter Banana Shake
This shake is deee-licious! I truly cannot get enough of it!All you need are a couple of bananas, nut milk, peanut butter, and ice. I use coconut milk, but almond, rice, hemp, or soy would be great too. I would recommend throwing your peeled bananas in the freezer for the day so that your shake […]
“Pigs” in a Blanket
Happy (almost) Superbowl Sunday! If you’ve never had pigs in a blanket, today is your lucky day. I decided to “veganise” this American treat, and the results were beyond delicious. Instead of just having hotdogs and cresent rolls, I decided to add a flare with chopped onions and a few spices. These were so good; I […]
Black Bean Wraps with Chunky Mango Salsa
This chunky salsa can be used for a multitude of meals. I tossed it together to pair with some sliced bell peppers, and the combination was explosive! This sweet, chunky salsa would be great with a bowl of quinoa and black beans, on a fresh salad, or scooped onto slices of cucumber, crackers, or chips. […]
Simply Happy Juice with Carrots
I love juicing lots of different vegetables, but my all-time-favorite vegetable to juice is carrots. I could drink carrot juice straight with no other vegetables and I would be more than content. It’s one of the sweeter vegetables and its sweetness is even more evident when you’re only consuming its juice. Juicing has become quite […]
100 miles
Happy 2013! Today is the 5th of January, 2013. I just got back from a quick jog outside, and I’m feeling energized!This year I’ve decided to make a commitment to run 100 miles (or more). This may seem like a lot of running, but it’s really only 2 miles or so per week. I posted my […]
Banana Oat Waffles
I have been experimenting with waffle recipes for some time now, and I have finally come up with one that not only tastes delicious, but has a texture that is just perfect. I don’t like soggy waffles, and I don’t like when they are too hard. After several waffle breakfasts (and dinners), and helpful reviews […]
Dark Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies
Chocolate-y, minty, thick ‘n’ rich cookies. Mmm! I cannot tell you enough how fun it is to bake vegan desserts. There are so many options for ingredients and such a variety of flavors. I favor using pureed fruit in place of eggs, which works very well, and adds a great sweetness. Also, depending on the […]
Sequin Ornament
Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer… This Christmas I’ve decided to make some ornaments. My first attempt was with these fabulous sequin-covered balls. I love the way they look and glimmer on the tree. I will be completely honest in saying that this is not a quick craft. It takes a good 3 hours […]
Maple Walnut Granola
Sweet, toasty maple walnut granola. This is one of my favorite granolas– It’s delicious as cereal with almond milk, and delightful as a topping over coconut yogurt, cold Pumpkin Pie Pudding, or Banana Ice Cream. If you would like an extra sweet taste, you can add 1 Tbsp of organic brown sugar to the mix. Hope you […]
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Hot Cocoa
This is just the drink for a perfectly cozy December evening (an extra cozy evening). This season I’ve been feeling especially Christmas-y. I believe this is due, in part, to having an early Christmas tree– we put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving, which was unusually early this year. So, as it’s only the […]
Nutty Flax and Raisin Granola Cereal
Be forewarned, granola is exceptionally tasty, and is easily addictive. Lately I’ve been on a granola kick, so I’ve been experimenting with all sorts of different flavors over the past month. I have yet to be disappointed with granola. It always ends up being sweet and satisfying, no matter what I put in it. And with […]
The Teacup Tragedy
Be kind to your companions…Celebrities wear them like they’re the latest trend in jewelry, or as an eye-catching accessory in their designer bag. “Designer Dogs,” “Micro Pocket Dogs,” or “Teacup Dogs” are some of the names given to these adorable, and sadly exploited animals. Today I read a very sad article about a local woman […]
Wine Bottle Candle Holders
It’s as easy as finishing some good wine and sticking a candle on top. I really enjoy these candle holders. They’re super easy to make, and they look lovely. You can move them to a mantle, shelf, or table year round to set a rustic, romantic atmosphere in the home. Start with a clean bottle and […]
Creamy Mushroom Soup
This soup has everything that makes cream of mushroom soup absolutely delicious… Thick, creamy texture Rich, robust flavors Small surprises of roasted mushroom (and sauteed onion) in every bite And on top of being a perfect mushroom soup, it’s healthy. It’s low in fat, calories, and sodium, and it’s high in great nutrients like Vitamin […]
Stuffing
For the longest time I did not care for stuffing. I am not sure why- perhaps it was the texture, the fact that it was cooked inside of a corpse, or a combination of both. Needless to say, I didn’t consume much stuffing as a child. It wasn’t until I was in college, and began […]
Whipped Cream
I am so excited to share this recipe- it is super easy to make, cheaper than most other whipped creams, healthier, and stays much better than whipped dairy cream. For this recipe I use coconut cream (not to be confused with coconut milk). Coconut cream is similar to coconut milk, but the water content is […]
Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
A lot of people ask me what I eat for Thanksgiving. Well, growing up, my plate looked very similar to the way it looks today, but with no flesh. I remember being a kid and having a cut of meat served on my plate. I would always ask for the smallest portion, because it […]
Pumpkin Pie Pudding
This pudding is absolutely delightful! If you enjoy the flavors of pumpkin pie you will be “mmm”-ing after ever bite. I guarantee it. In the past, I’ve made puddings from avocados or bananas, but this time I decided to try out soft, organic tofu. This pudding is protein-dense, creamy, and oh so satisfying. Enjoy it […]
Coconut Almond Granola Cereal
Granola is one of the easiest, tastiest foods to make. After you’ve made it yourself, there’s a great chance that you will never buy factory-made granola from the store again. What I like most about granola is the variations of ingredients that can be used. This Coconut Almond Granola Cereal is light and delicious. I […]
Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies with Caramel Sauce
Give thanks with a grateful heart It’s November, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Thanksgiving has to be one of my favorite holidays– what better than a holiday celebrating gratitude? This day reminds us of how fortunate we are, and how generous we ought to be towards others who may be less fortunate. It […]
Macho Nacho Cheese
This is the real deal! Whenever I think of nachos, I am reminded of my older brother at the ripe, round age of 12 years. My brother and I are 18 months apart, and were very close throughout our childhood. For several years we played on the same sports teams, we were often mistaken as twins, […]
Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
I wrote a post a few months ago about my absolute favorite smoothie- BMS (Banana, Mango, Spinach) Smoothie– which I drink almost every morning for breakfast. I have not grown tired of it (it is still my favorite), but lately I’ve been enjoying blueberries! Mmm! In addition to their delicious, sweet taste, blueberries offer many benefits […]
Sausage Tuscan Panini
Tuscan bread– quite simply the simplest bread known to man. What makes is stand out from most other breads is the fact that it contains little to no salt. Tuscan bread is a bit more bland than most breads, which is why I find it to be a perfect pairing for most of the flavorful […]
Hot Cocoa
I am so excited to finally have hot cocoa again! Throughout my childhood I would drink hot chocolate from time to time, usually during holidays or on rainy days. My family had a tradition where my brothers and sisters would all huddle outside on our small covered porch while it was raining, and we’d sip […]
Pumpkin Pesto Penne Pasta
We’re back on board! “Back on board with what?” you ask. When my husband and I first got married we spent a few weeks in Belgium visiting his family and enjoying delicious Belgian cuisine (and lots and lots of bread). One evening, after spending some time in Ghent, we hurried to find our ride home. […]
Watermelon Juice
There is nothing more refreshing than cold, fresh watermelon! It not only tastes good, it feels so good to eat! In addition to being delicious and extremely hydrating (92% water), watermelon is highly nutritious. Read here for a brief overview. As the peak of watermelon season is approaching a quick halt, I decided to buy a couple […]
Tofu Scramble
There was a time when I ate scrambled eggs. My Dad always burned the eggs when he’d cook them, so most of my siblings and I favored “hard” scrambled eggs over the soft, gooey ones. I never could stand the thought of eating a runny egg– the “over-easy” kind– and, as time went on, I […]
Thai Peanut Broccoli Slaw/Salad
This is a delicious and simple meal. For this recipe I used a package of organic broccoli slaw from Trader Joe’s (with carrots), and combined it with my homemade Thai Peanut dressing. This dressing pairs perfectly with the broccoli! Mmm. I also use it with my cabbage salad and as a dipping sauce for spring […]
One Mile
“Mile Mondays” were never exciting for me. In fact, I dreaded them in middle school. I remember when the starting whistle blew, I would run in a full sprint for my minute of triumph, feeling as if I was in the lead! I was in better shape than the rest of my middle school class… […]
Cilantro Wraps
This recipe was entirely of my husband’s making. He tends to air on the simpler side of things, and he is not one to measure when he cooks. So, inevitably, he usually comes out on one side of the taste spectrum or the other. This combination was on the delicious/tasty end- I never would have […]
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Taquitos
I had never tried to make taquitos until one evening this summer when I wanted to surprise my husband with a new dinner. He really likes Mexican food, so I was excited about making these for him.I usually don’t use imitation meats, and I wanted more than just black beans in the filling, so I […]
“Boursin” Cream Cheese Spread
Tastes like cheese… really, it does! But without using anything that comes out of an animal. I’ve been making this cheese a lot lately, and I realized that I haven’t posted the exact recipe. My sister came over last week, and I pulled it out for her to try. She was in disbelief– how could this […]
Sesame Ginger Dressing
Lately I have been experimenting with all kinds of dressings- dressings with different fruits, vinegars, water, oil, spices- and I came up with one that is very easy to make, and that many people enjoy.I made this dressing with oil and then with water, and found that the oil is not necessary. If you would […]
Sweet Peanut Butter
I cannot get enough of this sweet peanut butter! Last month I made regular peanut butter, which was simple and delicious. This one is a bit sweeter. It is the perfect combination of sweet, rich, creamy, and divine! Bliss! I enjoy it so much that I might be eating it whilst writing this post. Mmm.. Enjoy over fresh […]
Pumpkin Butternut Squash Soup
Fall is here (according to the September equinox on the 22nd) and I am excited! When I think of fall, I get a warm, cozy feeling illustrated with burnt orange and red leaves, and colorful hillsides. I imagine cold, windy days, and a ground covered in motley fallen leaves. Hamilton’s Fine Art Gallery By: Iryna […]
Raw Pizza and Spaghetti
Megan Elizabeth is one of my favorite raw food bloggers and chefs. Along with her website, she runs a great youtube channel, called EasyToBeRaw. She recently posted a new recipe for pizza bites (Raw Vegan Pizza Bites BAM!), which looked really tasty. I was so intrigued that I had to make them immediately, and I’m glad I did.I […]
Cashew-Pecan Cheese
The BEST cheese e-v-e-r!I enjoyed this cheese by itself (it’s that good) and as a dip with some fresh tomato, celery, and dates. My brother came to visit last month and we were talking about raw to-go lunches. I started eating raw during my break this summer, so it’s been very easy to make raw meals that […]
What’s to enjoy about SOY?
Everyone seems to have a different take on the health factors of soy- some people love it, some hate it, many shrug their shoulders, saying something like, “I dunno. I heard something about it making men grow boobs.” If you do a google search on soy, you will find a variety of studies, equally convincing, either […]
Cream Cheese Frosting
I usually do not use tofu products, since I try to stick with eating whole foods that have not been processed. But this frosting is so scrumptious, I thought I’d share it for people who are looking for a great vegan cream cheese frosting, but aren’t necessarily looking for one that is raw. For a […]
White Cheddar-Onion Cheese Ball
Lately I’ve been having some fun making cheeses and experimenting with different pairings. The options with cashew cheese are endless, so feel free to try out other herbs to see what you like.This cheese has a mild cheddar flavor with a strong hint of onion. It is fabulous with cherry tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, or any […]
Taco Boats
Fresh Tacos, anyone? These are the most refreshing tacos I’ve ever had. My sister got me hooked on simply using a romaine lettuce leaf as a taco shell when we were vacationing in Palm Springs. We were exchanging raw food recipes and this is one of those things to which I thought, “gee, how did […]
Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream
Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream AND Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pops! After discovering that I could actually make healthy ice cream with one simple ingredient (see my post about ice cream), I decided to get a bit creative with different flavors and tried out making fudgesicles/pops. My favorite thing about making banana ice cream is that you don’t have […]
Banana Pancakes
Super easy, delicious, healthy pancakes! My husband’s birthday was last week and a few days prior, I asked him what his ideal birthday breakfast would be this year. He went from wanting watermelon, to wanting watermelon juice, to pancakes, to watermelon, and back to pancakes! The final decision was good ole’ standard American pan-a-cakes (as […]
Herb Cheese Spread
Saying “no” to cheese and all dairy was very easy once I honestly thought about the health hazards it poses and the animals that were suffering (see my post about Dairy). I always enjoyed the taste of cheese though, and I loved making cheese dips for gatherings. That’s what made me super excited about this recipe; it […]
Dairy
In my pre-vegan days, I loved cheese. I enjoyed making cheese dips, was known for my delicious baked cheese dishes, and always went for the cheese tray at parties. I can confidently say, if there was anything that was “difficult” to give up when I became vegan, it was definitely the taste of cheese. Why did […]
Rosemary Nut Pate
What is pate? Pate is a paste made up of a mixture of cooked ground animal flesh and fat. Most commonly, people think of duck liver pate or chopped live pate, but on my menu neither exist. I had never even heard of the dish until my sister introduced me to a raw nut pate that she […]
Ice Cream, You Scream
… We all scream for Ice Cream! I could hardly believe how easy ice cream was to make. How simple, yet delightful. And with 1 ingredient. That’s right, only 1. No cow’s milk, no sugar, no preservatives, no sweeteners. The one ingredient is… frozen banana! Despite reading that bananas could offer the same texture as […]