Raw Blondies with Avocado Icing

Happy Monday to you!

I’m excited, as I start my new job doing respite care today!!  I wonder what fun things we’ll come up with to do!  

Anyways, it’s my grandma’s 87th birthday today – so last night we had a BBQ with her.  I knew they would all be having cake, and I knew I would want dessert.  I also knew that I had 1 avocado in the fridge that needed to be used!

I gave a shout out on twitter for a dessert idea using avocado and a few great ideas came up.  But the one that appealed to me most was this one.  I also remembered that I did make a yummy one in the raw foods course I did last summer!   So this is based off both of these recipes!

Overall the recipe is pretty good – there are a lot of flavours going on.  I think the crust may need to be lighter, but other than that – it turned out good!

Raw Blondies with Avocado Icing

Crust

1 cup soaked baking dates or 1 cup medjooled dates pitted

1 cup walnut/almond mix

1 TBSP coconut (next time I would use more)

1 tsp no-alcohol vanilla

Toss everything into the food processor and process until it starts to roll into a ball.  You may need to use a spatula the push everything down!

After it’s processed – form it into the shape you want.  I did a bit thicker for blondies – but you could also make it thinner so it’s more like a pie crust!

Just for size reference.

Avocado Icing (enough for icing on brownies, but if doing it pie style – double the recipe)

1 TBSP raw cacao

1/2 TBSP raw tahini

1 ripe avocado

2 TBSP maple syrup + added 1 tsp later

2 TSP melted coconut oil

Mix all these ingredients together until avocado is smooth. You can also do this in the food processor.

Top the blondies or pie with icing and put into freezer until about 10 minutes before you want to eat it!   Freezing it really adds to the textures!

I made sure to make myself a mini for a taste test!

Sprinkle with coconut to make it prettier!

It would also be awesome with banana slices!

I think next time I would do it pie style (aka thinner crust – more icing!) but overall I enjoyed it.

Everyone else tried it too and though it was either awesome or “interesting” haha  

Have you tried any raw desserts?  I know this one isn’t technically 100% raw because of the maple syrup – you could sub agave for this if needed!

Have a great Monday!!

Super Easy Flourless Oatmeal Pancakes

Thank you all so much for my grad post!!  It’s so exciting that it’s all over!  I learned a lot and met amazing people on that 10 month journey!  Kudos to anyone and everyone that has done more than 1 year of school! Phewf, it’s a lot of work!

Moving on!

So you know when I said I don’t like oatmeal on my ABC’s?

I lied.

I LOVE oatmeal when it’s in the form of pancakes!

A few years back when I did Body for Life – I found this pancake recipe.  I don’t think it’s the exact one I used to use – but it’s close and it’s good!

Super Easy Flourless Oatmeal Pancakes

Serves 1.

1/2 cup oats (not instant)

1 tsp baking powder

1 TBSP protein powder of choice (I used Vanilla Sun Warrior) – Optional

1 egg

1/4 cup water or milk of choice

Splash of vanilla.

That’s all folks!  Mix it together in a bowl and then cook in a pan!  Makes 2 pancakes!

Because there is no sugar – it’s nice to add something sweet to them – you could easily exclude the vanilla and make these savoury as well!

These ones are topped with Sunflower Seed Butter, Maple Syrup and Dried Cherries!

So awesome – so easy!

Do you have a super easy breakfast recipe?

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On another note – because the blogger community is so awesome I know you’ll head over to Susan’s blog and send her some love, prayers and support for her recent news.  I think the more people on her side sending her healthy vibes the better – so send her as much love and support as possible.

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Hope you have a wonderful Saturday! 

Grad 2011

Well, it’s official!

Woooooooooooooooo

I’m Edumacated and Graduated!  

Human Services Education Assistant/Community Support Graduation 2011!!

Coming to a school near you (well not all of you) in September 2011!

(Good photos courtesy of Stefanie Plestcher, crappy photos courtesy of my camera!)

Super Easy Tabbouleh

So, a little back story – when I was a nanny in Calgary – I cooked A LOT – and it was so much fun!  I went through recipes, wrote a shopping list and then the food magically appeared over night while I was sleeping or I was given a HUGE delicious food budget to feed everyone!

I cooked a lot for the family.  Lambs, roasts, pasta etc.  It was an amazing experience for me, especially since they enjoyed eating healthy, as did I.

I remember one morning when I showed up, the mom mentioned that she wanted tabbouleh for dinner.  I had NO idea what it was. I found a recipe in a cookbook and it became a dish I made regularly!  I’ve always played around with it a bit for different flavours.  Last night I created a super easy – user friendly tabbouleh recipe! 

Quick and Easy Tabbouleh

1 cup bulgur (I only use Bob’s Red Mills)

Boil about 1.5 cups of hot water and pour over bulgur – let it sit until liquid is absorbed.

1 bunch of parsley

2x tomatoes (or 1.5 cup cherry tomatoes)

2 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar (traditional is using lemon juice)

1 TBSP Oil

Salt and Pepper

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After liquid in the bulgur is absorbed, add in parsley, tomatoes, ACV, oil and salt and pepper..

Stir and let sit!!  Best if you let it sit for a bit to absorb the flavours.

Great add in’s:

Feta (for the non dairy free crew)

Balsamic Vinegar

Fresh mint

Lemon juice

Cucumber

There ya have it folks – super easy and super healthy tabbouleh – remember if you are gluten free you can always sub in a different grain for the bulgur – think Quinoa!

This is so easy, and can be done in under 20 minutes if needed!  Also is AWESOME the next day.

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I served it over salad, with some Goddess Dressing Drizzled over!!

With grilled corn and trout!

Have you tried tabbouleh before?  Thoughts?

PS. Tomorrow is grad day, so I’m not sure if I’ll post or not, but we’ll see!!

Rut cooking

Howdy!

So… I have to be honest.  I have been B O R I N G in my eats lately!  We’ve been busy busy, so I haven’t cooked anything overly exciting in awhile now.  Do you ever get in any ruts?

I think it’s because Costco just moved close to us – so the fact that I can get massive totes of salad for $3 and 1/2 gallon of hummus for $4 is part of my problem.  I’m not complaining though, I have been enjoying it!

I am LOVING this salad – mixed greens with strawberries and wild salmon (topped with Trader Joes 21 Salute seasoning).

It’s incredible – especially with Trader Joe’s Goddess dressing (with some Apple Cider Vin. to thin it out!)  Mmmmmmmmmmmmm – I probably ate this about 5x in the last week! (and way more without the salmon!)

Another thing on my plate a lot lately (big surprise) – bad picture…

I’ll let you guess ???

That would be curry!!  Each and every time we have it (which is usually 1x per week), we both say that we should eat it more!!   The peas add an awesome sweetness!

I also made potatoes salad for D’s bday!!  It was mayo-less (subbed in blended cashews/almonds with salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar and dill for the sauce).

I would give you the recipe – but to be honest – it wasn’t that good!  

Speaking of D’s B-day… He loved his gift.

Remote control Helicopter!

So fun!

Have you made any bad foods lately?  I am not impressed at all with my potato salad. And I’ve made a similar one before, and it was delicious!   Booo…

I’m leaving you with some fun cupcake pictures – Note – if you look there are cupcake mixes (and icings with no dairy)  they are full of absolute crap ingredients, but hey, sometimes a girl needs some help!!

YUM!!!!!!!!!!  

 

Have a great day!

ABC’s of Food!

The ABCs of Food

I love these kinds of things and hopefully you do too!! I have seen this on a few blogs! Feel free to copy and paste to answer these questions yourselves!

Also – if you haven’t checked out the giveaway winners – do so now!!  I may have to re-draw for 1 of them, as I haven’t heard from her yet!!

A is for Avocado: How do you like yours prepared?

• Avocados are one of my favourite things, I love it smashed up in guac, in salads, in smoothies, with agave and salt and pepper… the only avocado I haven’t enjoyed is when I had it tempura battered and deep fried (icky).

B is for Bread: Regardless of nutrition, what is your favourite type?

• I just love bread! I love a really good crusty bread that is hard on the outside and soft on the inside.  Even better if it is still warm from the oven with some butter (Earth Balance!)

C is for Chocolate: What is your favourite kind currently?

• Chocolate is a challenge for me.  I LOVE it, but I can’t have many of the kinds I used to enjoy.  I would be in heaven if I could eat some MILK chocolate that melts in your mouth.

D is for Donuts: You might not currently eat them, but what kind do you fancy?

• I have never really liked donuts.  I used to have one bite of sour cream donuts, but that’s all… never a fan....

E is for Eggs: How would you like yours prepared?

• I love eggs!  I have them for breakfast on mornings that I am going to be busy (aka school or work)  I love having omelettes too full of veggies.

F is for Falafel: Yay or nay?

• Love falafels, although I would rather they were baked and not fried.  Has anyone tried the ones from Costco?

G is for Groceries: Where do you purchase yours?

• I get most of my groceries at the store that is super close to us.  Also there is a great little store/market place that sells awesome veggies and also the health food store – many times their organic veggies are cheaper than non organic at the grocery store.

H: is for Hot Beverages: What is your favourite hot drink?

• I love hot tea!  peppermint, candy cane lane (mmm) – hot tea rocks.

I is for Ice Cream: Pick a favourite flavour and add a fun topping.

• So Good’s Butterscotch Ripple.   Pre- dairy free days – Rolo, hands down!.

J is for Jams or Jellies: Do you eat them? If so, what kind and flavour?

• I have never been a fan.  I would rather peanut butter and honey.

K is for Kashi: Name your favourite Kashi product?

• I’m not a fan of Kashi products, everyone I have tried has upset my stomach. 

L is for Lunch: What was yours today?

• I haven’t had lunch yet, probably left overs from the BBQ we had this weekend.

M is for microwave: What is your favourite microwave meal/snack?

• Pappadums – usually you fry them, but the microwave works better – also popcorn in a brown paper bag. .

N is for nutrients: Do you like carbs, fats, or proteins best?

• Hmm… that’s a tricky one.  Probably carbs!

O is for oil: What kind do you like to use?

• Coconut oil, grapeseed oil and sesame. 

P is for protein: How do you get yours?

• Chicken, Eggs, Fish/Shellfish, Tofu and Veggies! (yes veggies have protein)

Q is for Quaker: How do you like your oats?

• Call me a bad food blogger, but I don’t fully understand (or appreciate) the oats thing.  I don’t mind them, but not my favourite thing.  My favourite way is making oat pancakes – which is a recipe I should probably share one day! .

R is for roasting: What is your favourite thing to roast?

• Veggies – broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic. 

S is for sandwich: What’s your favourite kind?

• One loaded full of veggies, hummus, avocado and fun things like sundried tomatoes and artichokes! .

T is for travel: How do you handle eating while traveling?

• Most of the time I find travelling easy.  If we are visiting people I mention in ahead of time and offer to bring something so I don’t have to inconvenience them.  Most restaurants are awesome – the only major challenges so far have been sit down dinners (think wedding) or people who thing that “a little butter won’t hurt you right”!.

U is for unique: What are some of the unique foods that you like?

• Haha..  Most of the things I eat!.

V is for vitamins: What kind do you take?

• I consider Nooch a vitamin (because it’s chalked full), Vitamin D.

W is for Wiener Schnitzel: Do you ever recreate this traditional Czech food?

• Czech food?  That’s Austrian (German) all the way baby!! And I’ve had it, at Oktoberfest in Austria (where part of my family is from) – never tried to recreate it though. .

X is X-RAY: If we xrayed your belly right now, what food would we see?

• Food from the BBQ – (lots of fruit, veggies, salads, some plain chips and loads of water).

Y is for Youth: What foods remind you of your childhood?

• Mom’s Muffins
• Sauerkraut
• Maggie Sauce with Mr. Noodles (my grandpa) talk about a salt overload!

Z is for Zucchini: How do you prepare it?

• How do I not prepare it would be easier.  Roasted, baked, fried, bbq, raw, noodleized…  I heart zucchini!

Hope you enjoyed this!!  Feel free to leave your answers in the comment section – or copy and paste it for your blog!

Hopefully I’ll have some tasty foods up for you tomorrow!

Raw Rose E-Cookbook Winners!

Happy Saturday! (and Happy Birthday to my hubby!!) 

Sorry no blog post today, we are getting prepped for a BBQ tonight!  But without further ado – the winners of the cookbooks are…

Momma Hunt and Tasha @ Voracious Eats!  Congrats ladies – I hope you guys love this Raw Cookbook as much as I do!!  

 

RAK on!

Happy Friday to you!

I thought I would leave you this week with a though about Random Acts of  Kindness!!

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A friend of mine is doing her practicum at the Women’s Shelter and she mentioned to me that they needed some clothing and gently used bathroom items for the ladies that were there.  This sparked an idea in me and a clothing drive was put in place!

As of right now, there are 8 bags of clothing and toiletries to donate to these women in need, all thanks to my wonderful friends and family! And we’re still going!

8 bags of clothing will make a difference, it might mean a new outfit for a lady who has just left an abusive husband,  a new interview outfit for a women that just finished drug or alcohol rehab, or a warm jacket to keep a homeless women cozy on a cool summer night.

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So here is my thought for each of you!

If each one of you reading this right now does 1 nice thing for someone this weekend, it could start something beautiful!  It doesn’t have to be big, just something nice!

Here are some ideas – they are not all “Random” but they will make a difference to someone!

1. Send nice cards to random people in the phone book.
2. Leave some operation beautiful notes somewhere special.
3. Open the door for a mom, a grandpa or anyone.  Smile and say “have a nice day”
4. Tape a quarter to a pay phone with a note welcoming someone who needs it to use it.
5. Drop off flowers (randomly) at a friend’s place – even better drop by the thrift store to pick up some pretty little vases and then buy a bunch of flowers, this will cost much less than buying a bunch from the florist.
6. Shovel someone's drive way (this happened to us this winter – it was awesome!)
7. Clean up litter along the road – makes for a nicer cleaner walk for someone else.
8. Apologize to someone, if you treated them unfairly. Quick story for you. I was grumpy, I snapped at someone at the grocery store.  I felt bad, went and apologized to her. It ended in a hug! Hugs ROCK!
9. Send a letter (not an email) to someone who has made a difference in you life (ok ok, you can send an email too)
10. Read to a child – EASY- kids get so lost in the shuffle sometimes.  I love to read to my friends kids when I visit, or to the little kids that I work with sometimes!
11. When you ask someone how they are… mean it!
12. Smile at a stranger – SO POWERFUL
13. Pay for the person’s coffee behind you in the line up, if they have more than a coffee, oh well… how awesome would it be if someone paid for your breakfast?
14. Start a food or clothing drive!  Lots of grassroots organizations are always happy to receive snacks or food for their clients.
15. If you ever have leftover or unused gift cards or certificates – pass them on to someone in need.  $10 can mean a warm meal for someone.
16. If you go out for dinner and have left overs – consider passing the left overs to a person on the street when they ask.  It might be the only time they eat in a week. 
17. Drop some of your kids art work off at a Seniors home.  Better yet, bring the kids in to drop off the art work!
18. Cook a meal for a neighbour or a friend that has just had a baby or is going through a tough time. Add some flowers and attach a thoughtful note.
19. Donate your time if you can.  A lot of awesome human service type organizations these days are getting their funding cut to a bare minimum, which means less help for those that need it!
20. Bake cookies and drop them off at the fire hall or police station.  The kids that I used to work with and I did this, it was always so well received! 
21. Give a great teacher or a support person in your (or your children's) life a note or a gift telling them how great they are.  A lot of the good teachers and support people don’t get much thanks!

I hope these ideas inspire you!  If you have any other ideas – please leave them in the comment section!

Instagram

Lesley does awesome Instagram Posts and I though it would be fun to do one too! So here are some fun ones I have snapped the last few days!

My “Go Canucks Go” cupcakes!  Too bad they lost!!

Watching game 6 at our friends place (Canucks lost)

No, I am not a hockey fan – but having the Vancouver Canucks playing for the Stanley Cup has given me the hockey bug!!   I made chocolate peanut butter balls for game 7 – which Canucks lost!

Picture of the hubby on the way to Costco!

and me tooo

Oh the road…

In the morning doing some YOGA (I did 1 hour of zumba and 20 mins yoga!)

I also ate some Trader Joes treats!

Played with pictures on Camera + on my iTouch too!

This app rocks! (old picture – this is NOT my backyard, unfortunately!)

Anyways, I thought these pictures were fun!! I love to see what everyone gets up to in the day!

There are only 20 entries to the GIVEAWAY so make sure you get your entry in, as 2 people will win!   It’s open to NON BLOGGERS too!!  Also you can be from wherever too! (Saudi and Australian readers!!)/

Question of the day – what is your fav iPhone app? 

Have a great day!