There are few things more refreshing on a scorching day than sweet, melty popsicles. They are really easy to make and they can be way healthier and tastier than many of the store bought options out there. This version only requires two ingredients- equal parts coconut water and pineapple. The secret is using really ripe fruit, when it is at its peak of flavour. Continue Reading →
Creamy Strawberry Lime Tarts
Raw vegan treats are basically made from blends of nuts, seeds and fruit, and require no baking. They set then stay fresh in the freezer, making them a perfect cold, sweet snack for summer. These tarts have a date and almond base with a strawberry cashew mousse for the filling. Lime juice adds some fresh, bright flavour, maple syrup sweetens up the strawberries and chia seeds thicken up the mousse. The tarts are very nutrient dense and filling but they feel lighter on the body and won’t leave you feeling heavy like many more traditional treats can. Continue Reading →
Cherry Smoothie Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is usually made by soaking chia seeds in nut milk along with whatever flavorings are desired. The seeds become gelatinous when they come in contact with liquid and after around 20 minutes the mixture thickens up to a pudding-like consistency. Back in the days of the Aztecs chia seeds were revered for the energy they provided and were a secret weapon of warriors. The chia pudding of today is a great way to consume these tiny seeds, since it is easy to digest and full of nutrients. Continue Reading →
Hazelnut Mocha Trail Mix
This trail mix has enough chocolate to satisfy dessert cravings but has enough nutrients to offer some good health benefits. It features hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds plus dark chocolate chips and covered espresso beans for a mocha flavor, and finishes off with some dark raisins. Continue Reading →
Spiced Apple Energy Balls
Energy balls are a fast and easy way to combine simple ingredients to create a portable, low-maintenance, nutrient dense and energy dense snack. Soft Medjool dates and nut butter provide a lot of flavor and bind all the drier ingredients together. Dried apple lightens them up, pecans add some buttery crunch, oats make them more substantial and the vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg give some depth of flavor and make them taste more complicated to make than they are. Continue Reading →
Dragon Fruit Salad Bowl
Dragon fruit adds some interest to a regular fruit salad, both because of it’s name and it’s unique look and texture. This tropical fruit has hot pink skin with large green scales, the characteristic that earned its name, and the white fruit inside dappled with tiny edible black seeds is full of nutrients. Continue Reading →
Peach Mango Coconut Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread is a huge part of Southern American cuisine but before that land was known as the New World, Native peoples used ground corn for thousands of years. Early American settlers learned about it and started using it in European style breads, and cornbread was born. These muffins are dense, moist and slightly sweet, with some untraditional ingredients. Continue Reading →
Chocolate Almond Granola Bars
When making granola the trio I regularly turn to is oats, maple syrup and nut butter (3 ingredient granola recipe). With just a few ingredients more they can be transformed into dense, chewy and decadent granola bars. Medjool dates add sweetness and help bind the other ingredients together. Puffed brown rice adds some contrast in texture and a nice light crunchiness. Almonds add some bulk and vanilla adds a subtle depth of flavor. Continue Reading →
Orange Cranberry Spiced Nuts
Spiced nuts are a versatile food, they’re fancy enough for antipasti platters, low maintenance enough for picnics, healthy enough to top oatmeal or yogurt for a good breakfast and comforting enough for rainy day snacking curled up with a book. They are very rich so it can be nice to balance them out with some dried fruits. This version uses the traditional combination of cinnamon and nutmeg on buttery pecans and sweet almonds. Continue Reading →
3 Ingredient Vitality Smoothie
This is the kind of food to go for after you have been sick. After a spell of nausea or food poisoning, a wicked hangover or even just an energy depleting virus or really intense workout, we need sustenance that is easy to digest, absorb and use. When I was little this meant saltine crackers and gingerale but I wanted a more nutrient dense and chemical free option to aid in recovery. This is easy on sore tummies and it does wonders to help get one back to regular speed quickly. Once we are already dehydrated, drinking water can make us feel instantly worse but some studies, and my own empirical research has shown that coconut water helps to rehydrate without any negative symptoms like increased nausea. Continue Reading →