Banana Raspberry Nice Cream Dessert

Frozen raspberries seem to be sweeter than frozen strawberries (who knew?!), so this combination of banana and raspberry is my latest treat. The almond butter is optional, but adds a little more weight, thus making the dessert a little more satisfying/fulfilling.

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana

1 cup frozen raspberries

1 TBS Almond Butter (optional)

1 TBS Almond/Coconut Milk (optional) 

Serves 1-2

Process/Blend all ingredients until smooth, creamy consistency, scraping sides down as needed.

Put in bowl and top with favorite nuts or cacoa nibs.  

Enjoy!

First Fast

What catapulted me farther down the "rabbit food"(raw) rabbit trail?  My first fast.  My hubby was savvy about this practice long before he met me, and had even done it a couple times (without me) when we were first married.  I'd never thought about fasting as a health measure, since it seemed like erratic anorexic/bulimic behavior. Why would I deprive myself, lose some weight, only to (probably over)eat a few days later and gain it all back?

What I've learned now is that fasting has little to do with weight loss, even though that tends to happen (much to my appreciation). And, it has nothing to do with implementing poor eating habits, unless we mean to say it helps steer us away from them.  This is a tremendously helpful website that expounds on fasting's many beneficial aspects.

My first fast occurred last summer for a span of eight days.  All I consumed were fruit and vegetable smoothies. I was receiving all the essential nutrients that my body needed while eliminating the complex carbs, fats or animal proteins that I was accustomed to.

The first three days were hard.  Among the main symptoms were intense cravings, acne, irritability, and headaches.  After day three, those symptoms subsided.  I didn't feel desperately hungry and was better able to refocus my time and energy--oh, that's the other thing--energy! I had more of it. Also, I slept more soundly, and less. Toward the middle and end of the fast there were moments of euphoria, and a mental attunement I'd never before experienced.  Ever see the movie Limitless?  Yeah, that's an exaggeration of what this was like, but similar concept. And, good movie.

So, what did I get out of the first fast? I ...

... dropped 10lbs in 8 days.  (And have kept it-and more- off.)
... felt like I accomplished a great physical and mental challenge
... experienced eating well and liked it.

The fast reoriented my palate. I don't crave the sweet, salty and fatty foods like I used to. And, when I do give in to those temptations, my body very immediately tells me I shouldn't have with discomfort, bloating and sometimes general achey-ness. I'm actually glad for these reflexes, because before I would have kept eating, gained weight and felt horrible, arthritic pain after it all.

Also, the fast challenged me in a new way beyond what I was used to (like when I trained for half marathons or other fitness goals).  All in all, I really appreciate fasting for both its challenges and benefits.  I plan to keep up this practice at least twice a year, if not on a weekly basis. (Setting aside a day to cleanse.) In fact, my second fast had even more wild effects, and was longer, so I might update y'all on that.

My Typical Day

Many people have asked me what I eat like throughout the day.  Each day it is different. This is just a general idea.  I have between 1-2 smoothies a day to help clarify as you read this.  

Breakfast:

I will sometimes have a smoothie right when I wake up or organic cereal with almond milk and fruit.  I also hate to admit it....BUT I am addicted to my large Dunkin Donuts ice coffees.  I will be kicking this addiction in May when school is out with a 10 day juice fast. I will keep you posted on that.  (A lot of times I have 2 a day!  Uggghh!)

Here are a list of raw snacks that I pick on throughout the day:  (Not all of them everyday)

Apples

Clementines

Grapes

Strawberries

Carrots with Hummus

Almonds

Bananas

Organic trail mix (non-granola)

Non raw: (limited to one time a day sometimes 2)

Nature Valley Granola Bars

One of my sweeter smoothies which still contain raw ingredients, but they may include chocolate/vanilla almond milk or organic peanut butter

Lunch:

Sometimes I do not even have a lunch because I am full from my snacks.  Sometimes I will have a smoothie or I may have a baby spinach salad with strawberries and a sweet homemade dressing...recipe to follow shortly.   Other times I  like to have black beans and chick peas with  2 spoonfuls of salsa.  My salad is loaded with baby spinach.

Dinner:

Dinner is different ever night of course.  A lot of times they are cooked meals for Matt and Noah and I will drink a smoothie because I'm off to school.  Meals are usually still heavy in veggies, sometimes cooked.  We still eat meat, but have cut down dramatically recently.  Sometime it will be a fish or chicken with gluten free brown rice and veggies.  I like making soups like chicken, minestrone (with ground turkey) or lentil.  My mother-in-law calls me the soup queen!.  Although, I have not made it recently, I made my own home-made pizza dough.  I'm looking into healthier recipes, but for now I make them on flax seed wraps and are so yummy!  I just got my veggie spiralizer in today so I look forward to making more raw recipes with that...and sharing them of course!!!

Dessert:

I usually do not have dessert, but if I ever have a craving  at any point in the day it may be my sweet smoothie with a banana, chocolate almond milk, and organic peanut butter.  It seriously may be the best thing I ever had!  I also enjoy the raw homemade ice cream recipe Melissa posted.   When I have a sweet tooth though, grapes are great in a pinch.  When I crave something smothered in garlic or salty carrots with garlic hummus works wonders!  

I am still looking to add more raw foods to my diet.  I just need to learn new recipes.  As I use them I will post them.  In a couple weeks I will be able to put more time into learning more recipes once the spring semester ends...as well as kick my terrible and expensive dunkin donuts ice coffee!  :)

In flam ma tion, cha cha cha

Prior to getting honest about my diet, I was the ever so common athlete who treated myself to cake, pizza, or any other large, calorie-dense meal after a workout well done.  Add to that the cooked and processed diet I already regularly consumed. After high school my weight always fluctuated. In college it wasn't so bad because I was strength training, gaining a lot of muscle mass and burning a lot of calories. However, after college because I didn't have the same exercise regimen and did not initially adjust my caloric intake, I was constantly borderline overweight according to the BMI. But if somebody had told me then to just eat tons of greens or fruit for energy, weight loss, health and pleasure, I would have rolled my eyes. Why? I exercise! I can just burn it off ...plus exercise makes me healthy! (Or at least overcompensates for my diet, right?)

However, throughout my 20s, I suffered severe arthritic pain in my back, arms and fingers.  Whenever the weather changed and the barometric pressure dropped or rose dramatically, I was in a world of hurt with headaches, fatigue, and discomfort in my joints.  I chalked it up to years of throwing discus, shot and hammer in high school and college, and figured this was just going to be my lot in life.  My thought process at that time was "Just keep moving so you don't stiffen up."  So I continued exercising, which helped some. Little did I know that all the cooked, processed food and high meat content I was eating was very likely causing the inflammatory response. 

I used to crack my back, neck, and fingers daily. I actually had a "routine." Also, I employed my husband to snap crackle pop my back with a bear hug squeeze weekly, sometimes more, especially in the Fall and Spring.  Since I could feel the pressure move from joint to joint, anyone who suffers from this knows how much the cracking temporarily alleviates it--but also, how it can make you feel worse as the inflammation gets worse. I was definitely headed in that direction.

Fortunately, since cleaning up the diet, my aches and pains are nearly nil now.  In fact, as I write this, the weather outside is frightful (after an 80 degree day yesterday) but I literally feel pretty dern delightful.  Yes, I crack once in a while, but I have not had a full blown debilitating day in over a year.  I asked my husband when the last time he bear hugged my for my back and he had to think about it. "It's been a long time." (Over a year.)

Am I going crazy? Maybe. But if the definition of crazy stands as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result," then no.  I was crazy when I thought I could just continue eating the way I did and inconsistently exercise without expecting constant weight fluctuations or feeling lousy.

You now know how that worked out.  Changed the diet...changed several outcomes. Since I'm currently as light as I was in high school AND no longer in severe arthritic pain, I think that not only makes me pretty sane, but an incredible testament to the potential benefits that can come from taking our diets a little more seriously.

Additional, hopefully relevant note: My last eye exam was a pleasant surprise as well. One of my contact lens prescriptions changed in my favor. Meaning, my weaker eye is seemingly getting stronger (It went from -4.25 to -3.75...I'm very nearsighted.) and is now matching my other eye. I look forward to keeping readers posted next year, since I've read that continual carotenoid consumption (surely carrots, but also greens, spirulina, chlorella and astaxanthin) can have that effect and strengthen eyesight.  

As always, friends, please avail yourselves to the research about the raw diet and check out our resources page. Don't take my word for it.  ...until I get licensed, ha ha.

Those Insufferable Foodies

The thing that drives me (and I'm sure most) nuts about people who label themselves according to their diets? The fact that people label themselves according to their diets.

Which isn't to say that labels aren't important. Whether it's due to allergies, needing to lose weight and/or maintain health, we all know labels are markers to help people understand something that their body needs or requires. And, not only the label but the practice perhaps helps us along our earthly journeys under the cross.

But dangit all, once it becomes a mystical journey ascending the Chakra Rainbow, or hearing the universe speak to you, one must draw the line. Agreed?

You see, since Charissa and I began this health trek, it hasn't been all roses.  Detox reactions, suffering through the cravings and some deprivations, social pressures, naysaying and essentially trying to stay focused are all experiences that come regularly if not on a daily basis.

No violins, please.  There are are greater sufferings, to be sure.

But if we're putting ourselves on the line like this, why even do it? (I just heard about 80 kajillion readers-ha, wishful thinking-just echo that very question.)

In short, we've never been healthier. So the benefits definitely outweigh the cost.

Long answer? Because we can't "unlearn" what we know about healthy living and have personally experienced thus far.  And, when I replay the unpleasant physical, mental and emotional side effects of the way I used to eat (and look) versus the unpleasant experiences getting to this point of eating more raw ... raw wins out each time.

I sometimes feel ridiculous talking about it because that "raw" or "vegan" label crops up and tows the lines of good common sense to extreme fanaticism. I mean, who doesn't chuckle when they hear a wide-eyed raw foodist sounding off with inexorable energy who seems preachy about this better way to living, connecting it to an ambiguous religious experience?

And yet, how enviable are they, too, as they look to be the picture of health and vitality? (Come on, be honest.)  To be sure, there are benefits to being healthy; but anyone, no matter how clean their diet who says they still don't suffer, have stress, feel empty inside or in need of something more than broccoli simply lies to themselves and others.  Not that I think raw foodists do this, but the whole foodie "movement" can certainly give off that perception.

And as far as chakras or other popular Hindu or Buddhist mysticisms, I'll pass. I'm rather relieved I won't be coming back as anyone or anything other than my whole, whole self after death. And further, that none of God's children will need to worry about suffering any longer when we are with Jesus face to face.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing
.
Until then, you'll just have to deal with our raw antics. And even if you don't thank us (or the professionals) one day for it, the greater hope above all else is that we will be rejoicing together in the marriage feast of the Lamb on the last day and away from this veil of tears.  

Potluck

When's the last time you threw a party for yourself? You know, a deliberate, "This-event-is-for-me-but-I'm-couching-it-in-some-sort-of-theme" guise?  

Anyone? 

Anyone? 

(Bueller . . .?) 

Either way, I highly recommend it.

It was my birthday recently and I invited a few friends and their kiddos over to celebrate.

The catch?

No gifts.

Just make and bring good, raw vegan food.

And after you see these photos, "good" and "raw vegan" in the same sentence will hopefully no longer be considered an oxymoron.

As the ladies trickled in, the table filled up fast. 

Entrees on one table, desserts on another.  

This little number is zucchini pasta with fresh tomato marinara sauce. If you're curious as to how I got the zucchini to look like spaghetti, you can check out the Health Investments post and see the spiralizer.

These gorgeous little nori rolls are filled with almond butter, hemp seeds, cucumber, carrots, cabbage, avocado and ginger. Wasabi was available for the spice-lovers.

I'm still a novice at making sushi, as you can see with toothpicks holding some of them together. Oops! 

What would a raw vegan potluck be without smoothies? Three smoothies graced this little party: 

1. A Berry blast

2. A classic Green smoothie with all the greens; kale, spinach, spirulina and chlorella . . .but also pineapple and bananas for a pleasant flavor (What? I didn't want my guests running off right away!)

2. A Tropical smoothie. Mango, papaya, pineapple, banana, crushed ice

The verdict?

No one left, so that's gotta be a good sign. 

This is a beautiful Pad Thai Salad made by a friend.

A colorful, fiesta-style Gazpacho, with raw corn chips on the side. 

Spring Rolls! These were great. Plus, the friend that made them brought a peanut thai dipping sauce which simply made the dish out-of-this-world good!

This is a fennel thai salad with mandarins and pecans in a lemon ginger soy dressing. Is your mouth watering yet?

Darn it. I should have taken the plastic wrap off. This was a fresh tomato, onion and avocado salad bathed in a luscious vinegrette made by friend. Mmmm-mmm. 

The StRAWberry pie.

Vegan fudge! 

I seriously was amazed and delighted with the flavor of this. Very dense and chocolate-y!

This was technically my "birthday cake." It's supposed to be a mock ice cream cake. 

I don't know what everyone else thought, but truth be told I wasn't too impressed. (Not to worry, I made it, I can say that.)

 It looked nice, but I could have tweaked the chocolate and made it a little sweeter. But the "vanilla" and chocolate almond crust layers were tasty. 

Dishes not pictured: 

Sweet potato "fries," stuffed mushrooms, Spicy Mango Ginger Soup, broccoli raisin sunflower seed salad, and ginger apple salsa.

I was impressed with all my friends' creativity and willingness to participate.

(And for not making fun of me...at least to my face.)

In light of that, I thought it was a smashing success. 

I think one other guest was okay with it, too.

StRAWberry Pie

As promised, I remade this beautiful little pie with some tweaks--not because the recipe I got it from was off--but because I did not follow the directions right the first time.

My method has its own personal flare. (Okay, really it's because I'm a little lazy and want to eat sooner than some other gourmet raw foodists. So I do things a little bit differently.)

Flare . . .Lazy. Whatev.

All told, it seems "two's a charm." 

It came out better than the first time, and sooooo luscious. 

This is my new favorite dessert.  

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Crust

Pitted Dates 1/2 cup

Water 2 TBS

Almonds 1 cup

Cocoa Powder 1/4 cup

Coconut Crystals or Agave or Stevia 1/4 cup

Ground flaxseed 1/2 cup

Filling

Pitted Dates 1/2 cup

Water 2 TBS

3 cups frozen or regular strawberries

Cashews (soaked for 6+ hours) 1.5 cups

Salt 1/4 tsp

Apple Cider Vinegar 1 TBS

Vanilla 1 TBS

Step 1: Soak cashews overnight. They should expand to about 2 cups.

Step 2: In a food processor, add dates and water and blend for about 3 minutes, scraping sides as needed till paste-y and somewhat smooth.

Add the rest of the ingredients (minus the flaxseed) and blend for about 3 minutes until almond crust resembles a crumble-y meal texture.  

Lightly spray pie dish with cooking spray.

Transfer crust to pie dish and mold to dish.

I use the flat part of my measuring cup to spread evenly like so. 

If the crust is too wet, add the ground flaxseed to the top of it to spread more easily.

Step ...I lost count:  Get ready for the filling. 

In the cleaned out food processor, prepare the date paste first, just like we did for the crust. 

After the dates are paste-y, add the rest of the ingredients then blend for 5 minutes until creamy smooth.

LUSCIOUS!

Transfer filling atop of crust. 

Spread evenly with spatula.

Make your own cool design.

I call this "Pinwheel." 

Put that lovely little pie in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours to firm up.

Or, if you are saving this overnight or for a day or so, take out 2 hours prior to eating. It will still be chilled and somewhat firm, but not rock hard. 

I don't think I've mentioned (or paraphrased) how beautiful and delicious this is and how happy this dessert makes me AT ALL in this whole post.

So let me just tell you how beautiful and delicious it is, and how happy this dessert makes me.

Very very. 

From my kitchen to yours... 

Bon appetit! 

pH pRiNcIpLeS

When I got started on this wellness trek about two years ago, my interest focused in on learning more about the diet-disease correlation.  Fumbling through pages upon pages of websites, articles and stacks of books, I found my answer.

Over and over I kept reading that disease cannot survive in an alkaline pH.  

Basically what that means is when we put more alkaline things into our bodies (most vegetables and fruits, clean air and water), we raise our pH. (Optimally between 7.0 and 7.4)  Disease loves and thrives in acidity. So, when we ingest sugars, pollution, animal products (which are all very acidic), our bodies' pH lowers and becomes a potential breeding ground for sickness; mucous, inflammation, and other chronic degenerative diseases.  If you don't believe me, check out the thousands of websites and libraries on the subject. Here's one to get you started. Our resource page has many others.   

However, the beauty is that alkalizing the body can reverse the symptoms of disease and in many cases, heal the body.  Alkalizing is labeled myriad things: "The Gerson Miracle/Therapy," a "form of detoxification," and "eating raw" ...among others, I'm sure. The principles are all the same: create an internal milieu in the body that runs disease out and provides optimal nutrition and therefore health to the individual.  

The one thing I must emphasize is that eating nutrient dense foods is one thing; but if you are sick or in a real bad way with things like diabetes, inflammation of every stripe (CFS, MS, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc) or cancer, alkalizing your body should be the focus, if not supplemental, to other recommended treatments since these diseases thrive in the acidic pH.  

Of course, I'm no professional, but dangit if I don't read a flippen lot.  I'd love to hear from others who can confirm or attest to these findings.  The one thing unhelpful is to think that this is a cure all. The body does age and weaken and die.

But it sure makes sense not to want to speed it up if we can help it! Riiight???

Oh, and if anyone is wondering if they can become too alkaline, that's not likely since even air and water can be very acidic. Look at a cut apple or old rusty bumper. I mean, that's (among other reasons and causes) why we die...as our bodies age, we are constantly fighting oxidation, which is quite literally air breaking us down. My theological mind gets some mileage out of this concept in relation to the Holy Spirit. But I'll digress since it's proper to start with theology (God's Word) than with science.  

Here's a link that lists alkaline and acidic fruits, vegetables, lugumes, nuts, seeds, sprouts, minerals and vitamins.  

Finding out your pH is fairly easy. Most convenience store pharmacies have pH strips. All you do is test saliva or urine on the strip and you can see where your body fares, and thus, what foods you may need to eat to maintain or adjust your pH.  Makes sense, right?  

I'll be defending my pH-Duh dissertation this Fall. 

Them's jokes. Salud!

Easter Hiccup

This Easter was interesting. The day started off great because I hit one of my weight loss goals, and more importantly we celebrated Christ's Resurrection! We went to church in the morning; then went to my mother-in-laws for the egg hunt, food, food, and more food; then we went to my cousins for more food and socializing. Yeah, Let's just say I did not eat very raw or plant-based foods Sunday. Everything was pretty heavy and it was hard for my stomach to handle. I did not get sick, just a little dizzy. I ate red meat for my first time in a long time. Everything tasted great, but I do not enjoy it like I used to. It just does not taste as good anymore and it took a tole on me.

When I got home I fell right to sleep, feeling wiped out from the food. In the middle of the night I woke up feeling tingly from my body swelling up. Anytime I have processed food I feel it right away...BUT it is addicting. Monday morning I woke up craving sweets despite feeling terrible throughout the night. Noah had gotten a whole bunch of candy and I picked away! Arrrrggghhh!!!

So here it is Wednesday and I am just starting to get back on track! Did I fail? Absolutely not! Yeah, I put a couple pounds back on so it is frustrating, but I am not discouraged. I just need to juice a little more the next few days to cleanse my system. It's funny, because I do not crave unhealthy foods until after I have them, and then it becomes difficult to stop. I usually crave healthy food since incorporating more of them in my life. This is just a reminder to me of how addicting sugar and salt is and how toxic it is for my system. Back to more juice tomorrow, baby!

Easter Weekend

This weekend was wonderful, emphasis on "wonder" and "full."

Every Triduum for us is. 

And along with Gods gifts this past Holy Week, we were blessed to have my husband's parents join us in the festivities. 

As you can see, my son was pretty psyched about it all. 

His jubilance is pretty standard, but as he's demonstrating below, he has a lot of faces he likes to wear. 

So, how was it keeping on track healthwise, you ask? 

Well, there were some concessions made, as Adam's family enjoy more cooked food.

For example, the main course, "Ducken" (minus the "Tur"), was the Easter feast.

It was pretty good, but surprisingly I only had a few bites.

Overall, I was satisfied with our diet (portions, fruit and vegetable options) all weekend, but am looking forward to getting back to more raw. My mind and body are at its best on that diet. 

Nevertheless, my in-laws are very flexible and adventurous, so I was able to try a few raw/vegan dishes on them, too. 

The Almond Butter Brownies, for sure.

And below, this is a mostly raw (minus the eggs) salad. Isn't it beautiful and colorful? 

They enjoyed the Liquid Gold Elixir dressing with this. 

We had a couple of these gorgeous salads while they were here.

I had to snap a picture of the wild rice side as it was tasty, beautiful and ... a feat that it came out as either.

Why?

 Let me put it this way: rice and I have a tenuous relationship.

Conclusion?

Rice is the boss of ME . . .I MUST wait until it is done.  

And I did. This time. 

Because I'm a dork and take pictures of every table setting on special occasions, I thought I'd share our Easter dinner table. 

Not sure why. It's nothing too special.  

But humor me...and just move on. 

And move on you shall to the grand finale!!!

The StRAWberry Pie

This stRAWberry pie recipe (seriously, this whole pie, crust and all--which is chocolate almond--is raw) will definitely be up on the blog this week, as I will be remaking and tweaking it. 

But need I tell you that it was refreshingly delicious and decadent?

'Twas.

A blessed Eastertide to all.

He is risen as he said!

Alleluia!  

My 3-year-old!

My husband and I got on the health nut train and now it was time to get Noah on board. Matt and I wanted to feed Noah very healthy from the moment he was born. He was not allowed any sweets until his first Birthday. I was very anal about it, despite being obese myself. I just knew that I never wanted my son to have the same issues with food that I had. As more and more foods were introduced to his palate, it became more difficult to feed him his fruits and veggies. We still hardly gave Noah sweets or candy. Instead he had processed, dyed snacks like granola bars, gold fish, fruit snacks, and yogurt, which at the time I thought were okay. But some days would go by and he had not eaten a vegetable, and if he had, it was microwaved frozen veggies. Even his fruit intake had gone down, and he was also drinking up to 5 cups of milk a day! He hated to drink water. We would have to dilute 1-2oz of juice in water. His whole diet was not terrible, but even then not having the knowledge I do now, knew that it could be better.

My husband and I are both VERY stubborn people and Noah inherited it two fold! I am not exaggerating in the least! I am hoping God will utilize it for good one day. There is no tricking this child either, because I have tried and have been unsuccessful. He is as smart and witty (and loving and cute and humorous, and creative....Now I'm being a mom!) as he is stubborn! So getting him to eat more raw was hell! Our first step was to switch him to almond milk and have him drink more water. He would rather dehydrate than drink almond milk. We are still struggling with this first step. We now allow him chocolate almond milk 2 times a day, sometimes diluted with original almond milk. He is also drinking water more often. We do dilute Naked Juice with his water now instead of the processed stuff. We have made great progress, but still need to make improvements. It is my goal to get him off the chocolate almond milk and into regular almond milk as well as drinking more water, but it is much better than before.

Getting him to eat better has been easy...er than getting him to drink better. He has organic cereal with almond milk for breakfast. In addition, he has 1-2 of my smoothies a day, fresh fruits throughout the day, and processed food is minimal. The one packaged snack he has is 1 Nature Valley bar (comes 2 per package) in the afternoon. Dinners can be a struggle sometimes, but He eats what we make him. I don't run a restaurant and I don't offer a menu, so he eats what I put in front of him. There were definitely fights at the beginning and even still now, but they are not as often. He is enjoying the food more, even my lentil soup and almonds! We just got him coconut yogurt and he devoured it. We switched his peanut butter to organic non-processed and non-homogenized and he loves it. It's easy when we do not even have bad food options and snacks in the house, because now he won't ask for it. He actually begs me to give him more fruit.

I knew that this process was going to be hard, but I knew that my son was capable. If I was able to change as an adult, then he should be able to as a child. Since he has started to eat this way, I noticed his behavior change for the better too. He is still an active, stubborn, three-year-old boy, but he is not bouncing of the walls...as much! I am so proud of us all for getting healthy, especially my little man!

RAW Banana "Ice Cream"

Since eating more raw and vegan, there is little convention in my mind that says we have to eat dessert after dinner. 

I mean, dessert can BE dinner. 

What's better than that I ask? 

Crickets.

I thought so.

If you followed the Almond Butter Brownie recipe from yesterday, I mentioned topping that sweet li'l sucker with this banana "ice cream." 

Without further adieu, I give you the mind blowing-ly simple compliment to any raw or vegan brownie, cake or pie.  

 Ingredients:

3 frozen bananas

1-2 tsp vanilla

1 TBS cinnamon

1-2 TBS Almond or Coconut milk (not pictured, optional)

It's pretty normal around here for me to buy 5-6 bunches (or is it bushels?) of bananas per week. Aldi's sells them for .44/lb.  It's totally worth it since I use them in smoothies daily, various dessert recipes, and this wonderful treat.

1. So first you peel the bananas and put in a freezer bag. Freeze for at least 3-4 hours. (I have dozens of frozen bananas in my freezer. They keep for a long time that way.)

2. Then take them out, let them sit for about 10-15 minutes for the surface area to soften.

Now break up those 'naners and place in food processor or blender.

Tic, toc, tic, toc . . .I'm sure this step is taking forever.

3. Okay, add the rest of ingredients and blend until creamy, scraping sides down as necessary to get it all into a consistent creamy mixture.

Like so.

That's it, folks! 

Now grab a spoon and taste test that goodness. 

You like?

If you want a chocolate banana taste, you can add and blend in a 1/4 cup of cocoa powder.

Now if you want to get fancy schmancy, grab an ice cream scooper and top your fav raw vegan dessert. 

Add some walnuts.

Then drizzle with a little agave nectar.

Um, folks, is it just me, or does this look decadent and delish, or what? 

Raw-la-mode in the hizzay!

Well, it certainly is delicious.

My boy and I ate this for dinner!

Protein, potassium, fiber and lots of other good vitamins. 

Complete. Success. 

Vegan Almond Butter Brownies

This easy bake dessert is sure to astound vegan dabblers, since they look like regular brownies. Thanks to friend, Jen W., for the recipe! I added a small twist incorporating almond butter. Since family will be visiting this Easter weekend I wanted to see if I could "fanc-i-fy" the classic brownie. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 

15 oz can black beans

2 whole bananas

1/3 cup agave

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 TBS cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup raw sugar (optional)

1/4-1/2 cup instant oats 

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8x8 pan (or equivalent) and set aside.

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients (except oats) until smooth, scraping side as needed.

Stir in the oats and pour batter into the pan. The more oats, the sturdier the brownie. Less oats, the more dense and fudge-y.

***Now this is my added, optional step.*** 

Take a spoon and scoop almond butter out and drizzle it on top of brownie mixture. I used a creamy almond butter, so this was very easy to do. Chunkier almond butters might be more challenging. I put about 4 tablespoons over the top. (To my liking.)

Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Allow to cool before slicing. 

And wah-la! 

Soft, warm and sweet, this treat is sure to amaze anyone. 

Goes great with a scoop of banana "ice cream"

Top with walnuts or pecans if you like.  

Yep. I think this will do quite nicely for the holiday weekend. 

(Another batch is already in the works!)