Category Archives: Recipes

Raw Cacao Brownies

This is for all of my choc-o-holic friends. This is devilishly chocolaty and filled with amazing nutrients and high in anti-oxidants! Chocolate is super good for you!

Research and published studies show that chocolate can:

  • Lower your risk of heart disease
  • Enhance your immune system
  • Fend off diabetes
  • Fight cholesterol
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Enhance blood flow
  • Fight fat
  • Improve cognitive health
  • Slow aging
  • Enhance physical energy, stamina and vitality
  • Act as a safe and effective aphrodisiac

How can raw cacao do all of these marvelous things for us? Its easy, raw cacao is rich in iron, which assists in the process of respiration as it carries oxygen throughout the body. This helps with circulation, lowering the instances of heart disease, enhancing blood flow, which in turn improves cognitive health, physical energy and helps with stamina and vitality. An iron deficiency creates a low level of oxygen in the blood. This results in people feeling light-headed, tired, weak and interestingly enough an intolerance to cold which is a sign of poor blood flow.

Another great benefit to raw cacao is manganese, it  plays an important role in the formation of cartilage, bone and connective tissue. This ability to form and rebuild tissue helps slow the aging process. Awesome!

Raw Cacao Brownies:

Base:

1-3/4 cups almonds (ground to a flour in food processor)

1 cup raw cacao

1/2+ cup maple syrup or agave

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

8 drops (not droppers) of Chocolate Stevia for extra sweetness.

Dash of Himalayan salt to taste

Coconut oil (for bottom of brownie pan)

Frosting: 

2 avocados

1/2 cup maple syrup or agave or raw honey

1/2 cup raw cacao

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Prepare Frosting:  Blend ingredients in food processor until smooth and creamy (if you need to add a little more maple syrup or water to get a smooth consistency).

To Prepare Brownie Base: Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until ingredients start to stick together. You may need to add a little water or a little more almond flour to get the right consistency.

In your 6 x 6 brownie pan, spread coconut oil on the bottom and on the sides to prevent brownies from sticking.

Take brownie “batter” and press it into your pan.

Once you have your brownies pressed nicely into the pan, spread your delicious frosting on top, sprinkle a some coconut flakes on top and serve! This is so delicious by itself you you may have a cup of chai tea with it or even add fresh raspberries or figs.

These brownies are so delicious even your non-vegan friends will love them!

Love, peace and bliss,

Michelle

PomTini

The word pomegranate means “many-grained apple”.
Eat the pomegranate, for it purges the system of hatred and envy. –Muhammad
 
This drink is a real crowd pleaser!

  • PomTini
  • Makes 2-3 servings
  • 1 cup fresh pomegranate , or cranberry juice, strained (fresh juice will produce a cloudier drink than bottled)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons agave nectar
  • 1 cup dry organic white wine, or sparkling wine
  • ½ cup dry sake
  • 3 teaspoons lime juice, freshly squeezed is the best!
Combine ingredients and shake with ice in a martini shaker, strain and serve in martini glasses. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig (remove lower needles and skewer fruit of choice).

Pomegranates promote the production of red blood cells; expel tapeworms; strengthen the bladder (especially for the elderly) and the gums; and soothe ulcers in the mouth and throat. The peel is used as a home remedy for treating chronic dysentery. A kitchen remedy for burning eyes is to place a drop of pomegranate juice in each eye before sleeping.
Pomegranates reduce pitta and kapha.
We have so much to be thankful for! My girls and I are spending the weekend in Bigfork, MT because they are dancing in the Northwest Ballet Companies annual Nutcracker Ballet. It is sure to be a magical weekend for all! Hope to see you there!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love you all!
Michelle

White Balsamic – Pear Dressing

Here is a great salad dressing recipe for the holidays…..
The gentle, smooth and well-balanced flavor of the white balsamic vinegar is perfect to be used with the light sweetness of the pear.

In ancient Greece, pears were used to treat nausea.

Today, pears can be useful in treating inflammation and lowering high blood pressure.

Pears are a good source of fiber and a good source of vitamin C.
White Balsamic-Pear Dressing
1/2 Pear — seeds removed — skin left on
1/2 cup white balsamic dressing
1/3 cup Hemp oil or Flax oil (or any oil that can go into the fridge without hardening)
1/4 cup organic apple juice
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sole or a dash himalayan or celtic salt to taste
Blend together and enjoy on to of your favorite bed of greens! I like to add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for some extra warmth.
Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible.
~Cherie-Carter Scotts
Have a beautiful day!
Love,
Michelle

Super Delicious Broccoli Salad

Wow. Its that time of year when we are getting ready for Thanksgiving and other holiday festivities in which we come together and share food!
Being that my youngest daughter and I are the only veg-heads in the family, the side dishes are our favorite part of the meal and this recipe is a great addition! Hearty and delicious!

Delicious Broccoli Salad:

  • 1 bunch broccoli, cut into bite sized chuncks
  • 1 handful almonds
  • 1 cup scallions, or green onions
  • ¾ cup raisins, currants or olives
  • DRESSING BLEND:
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • ½ cup tahini
  • ½ cup red onion
  • 1 whole lemon, juiced
  • ½ whole jalapeno pepper, seeds removed
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons oil, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon corriander
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, (optional)
  • 1 Tablespoon agave, to taste
Cut and toss body ingredients into a bowl.

Blend dressing ingredients in a blender, add to body ingredients, massage together and enjoy!

Broccoli is cooling in nature, and helps reduce eye inflammation. It is slightly diuretic in action. Broccoli reduces pitta and kapha. Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C as an orange, and almost as much calcium as whole milk-and its calcium is better absorbed by our bodies. Broccoli contains selenium, is a modest source of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol vitamin E, and has value as an antioxidant.
(The leafy greens–not the blossoms–offer the most nutrients)
Interestingly enough, raw broccoli and broccoli sprouts offer the highest amount of support to people with stomach problems. This is because many stomach problems have been linked in research studies with overgrowth of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, and also with excessive attachment of this bacterium to the inner stomach lining. Raw broccoli and broccoli sprouts provide special stomach support with respect to these unwanted overgrowth and over-attachment circumstances. Since half of our immune system is in our digestive tract, broccoli is a great immune system booster!
Broccoli is also concentrated in phytonutrients. In one particular phytonutrient category—glucosinolates—broccoli is simply outstanding. The isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from broccoli’s glucosinolates are the key to broccoli’s cancer-preventive benefits.
Yumm.
Noah and I also served this salad at our wedding, everyone loved it!
Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!
Pray for snow!
xoxoxox
Michelle
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