Strawberry Coconut LOVE Power Smoothie

*strawberry Love smoothie

June is STRAWBERRY MONTH!!! I can literally pound a quart back in the car before I even get them home so around this time I buy them every time I see them. I clean, trim, half  and freeze them so I can have them all through the year. A good freezing tip is to place them on a cookie sheet or plate and place them in the freezer so that they are just frozen enough to handle. Remove them from a plate and into a storage container- this way you don’t have a giant block of strawberry ice to contend with. The local berries are just incredible. I am planning a pick your own trip to maximize my habit.

Strawberry Coconut LOVE Power Smoothie

1c nut milk

1T hemp seed

1t raw agave or raw local honey

2c strawberries

1T gold flax seeds

1T coconut manna

1t vanilla

1 scoop protein powder

 —

1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Gluten Free Flour Free Jam dots

*coconut almond jam dots gluten free

Gluten Free Flour Free Jam dots
makes 20 one oz cookies
1c coconut flour
1c roasted almonds
1 cup oats
1/4t cinnamon
1/2t salt
—-
1/2c maple syrup
1/2c coconut oil
1/2t vanilla

3T jam
preheat oven to 350º
If you are starting with raw almonds, roast them on a cookie sheet @ 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, careful not to let them burn. Cool thoroughly before running through the food processor.
In a small bowl, mix all of the wet ingredients together, the maple syrup, oil, and vanilla.
Put all of the dry ingredients into the food processor, the roasted almonds*, coconut flour, cinnamon and salt and process until a fine meal is achieved. *Be sure that the almonds are completely cooled before processing; otherwise you will end up with a pasty mess. In a large bowl, sift the flours, the salt and the cinnamon. Add the nuts to this bowl.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a spatula until everything is well incorporated.
With a one ounce ice cream scoop or two spoons, place batter balls onto a *parchment lined cookie sheets. With a one cup measuring cup, slightly flatten each cookie-This process is a little easier when the cup is dipped into warm water between each cookie. Using a one-teaspoon measure, press the dome side into each cookie, this is where the jam goes. This process is a little easier when the teaspoon is dipped into warm water between each cookie.
Using a 1/2-teaspoon measure, scoop your choice of jam or fruit preserves into the center of each cookie.
Bake for 12 minutes and then rotate the pans in the oven (to insure even baking) and continue to bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool on the pans for another 5 minutes then remove to a cooling rack.

Simple Lentil Soup with Greens

*simple lentil soup with greens

I used fresh local spinach and it could not have been more satisfying. You can strip this soups down to just the onions and garlic and it would still be delicious. The turmeric adds a boost of anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties that we could all use more of and the cumin just makes it taste good. Serve topped with nutritional yeast and cracked black pepper and gluten free crackers or bread. Super fricken yum

Simple Lentil Soup with Greens

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

1c brown lentils, washed and drained

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1-2c spinach, broccoli or other chopped leafy greens

1t turmeric

1/2t ground cumin

1/4t black pepper

1/2t cayenne pepper flakes or 1/2 of a fresh chili or jalapeño

1 vegetable bouillon cube (or 1T veggie broth powder)

2-3T extra virgin olive oil

4c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6c of water to a boil, in case you need more

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions, spices, hot pepper and garlic until golden and soft. Add the lentils, mixing them into the onion mix. Add the boiling water, the bouillon cube (or powder) tamari, and Ume. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the greens.

Adjust the seasonings before serving.

Strawberry Cacao Power Smoothie

*strawberry cacao power smoothie

Strawberry Cacao Power Smoothie

1c almond or cashew nut milk

1T hemp seed

2t raw agave,or raw local honey

1t lucuma powder

2t Maqui berry powder

2T cacao powder

1T golden flax seeds

1t vanilla

1c scoop protein powder

Pinch salt

1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Spicy Raw Almond Sesame Sauce

*almond sesame noodles

Not all of the ingredients in this sauce are raw, however feel free to add in, subtract out what you need. Just the perfect amount of spicy heat. I sauced up some organic gluten free buckwheat noodles and sprinkled black sesames atop…nomnomnomnomnom

Spicy Raw Almond Sesame Sauce

1/2c raw almond butter

1/2t toasted sesame oil

1T sriracha or hot sauce

2T tamari

2t maple syrup or sucanat

2t hot sesame oil

1/4c sesame seeds

2T mirin

1t brown rice vinegar

1” piece of fresh ginger

1 clove garlic

1/2c- 3/4c water

3T fresh cilantro* opt

In a blender, combine all of the ingredients except the water.

Slowly add the water in, starting out with a 1/2c and adding more depending on the thickness desired, up to 3/4of a cup.

Delicious served over buckwheat soba, or with fresh shredded cabbage to make zesty coleslaw.

**Sriracha hot chili sauce can be found in most specialty markets, Asian markets, and even in some health food stores.

Strawberry Banana Power Smoothie

*strawberry banana smoothie

SUPER DELICIOUS before or after a workout.

Strawberry Banana Power Smoothie

1c nut milk

1T hemp seeds

1t raw agave or raw local honey

1 banana

1c strawberries, fresh or frozen

1 heaping T tocotrienols (vit-e)

1T gold flax seeds

1T coconut oil

1t vanilla powder

1scoop protein powder

 —

1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Banana Vanilla Power Smoothie

*banana vanilla smoothie

Tastes more like a giant vanilla milkshake!!! Usually I am not a fan of bananas in my smoothies, this…is SO DELICIOUS.

Banana Vanilla Power Smoothie

1c nut milk

1T hemp seeds

1t raw agave or raw local honey

2c chopped, frozen bananas

1 heaping T tocos

1T gold flax seeds

1T coconut oil

1t vanilla powder

1 scoop protein powder

1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Cacao Maca Power Smoothie

*cacao maca power smoothie

LIKE THE BEST EVER. RAW. AWESOMENESS. Pre or post workout. Fricken phenomenal.

Cacao Maca Power Smoothie

1c almond or cashew nut milk

1T hemp seed

2t raw agave or raw local honey

1T raw coconut oil

1T Maca powder

1t lucuma powder

1T tocos

2T cacao powder

1T golden flax seeds

1t vanilla

1cscoop protein powder

Pinch salt

1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Pickled Beets with Onions

*PICKLED BEETS

Pickled Beets with Onions

These keep amazingly well in the fridge- even though they may not last as long as you would like because they are SO DELICIOUS! They are a great accompaniment to lunches and sandwich type meals.

2 pounds red beets, scrubbed and washed

1 small onion, sliced very thinly

2T extra virgin olive oil

1/4c apple cider vinegar

1T red wine  or rice wine vinegar

1/2t salt

1/4t black pepper

1T maple syrup or raw agave or raw local honey

4c water

1/2t salt

Trim both ends of the beet off but leave the skin on. In a large pot, place the trimmed, whole beets and cover with water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low, simmering for 30-40 minutes partially covered, until the beets are tender all the way into the center. Drain. The skin should slip off the beets, if not, using a peeler, remove the skins and set aside. Using a mandolin or a sharp knife, slice the beets in rounds, evenly and thin. In a large bowl, place the sliced beets, sliced red onion, salt, pepper, olive oil, sweetener, and vinegar. Gently toss with a large spoon. Adjust the seasonings. This can be eaten right away but it gets better as it sits- I recommend letting stand at least 6 hours before serving.

Serve cold or at room temperature.

Tomato Red Lentil Soup

*tomatoredlentilsoup

This soup is so easy to make and a quick cooking source of  vegetable protein. Delicious on its own, or packed with freshly steamed, or sautéed greens.

Tomato Red Lentil Soup

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 large can or 1 jar (28oz) strained, pureed tomatoes

1 clove garlic, smashed

1t black pepper

1/2t cayenne pepper or fresh jalapeno

1c dried red lentils, rinsed

3T extra virgin olive oil

1t chipotle powder

1-2 veggie bouillons or broth equivalent

6c boiling water (in place of liquid broth)

1t smoked salt or pink salt to taste

OPTIONAL: 2 c fresh greens- 1 bunch kale, bok choy or escarole, coarsely chopped and (pan sautéed in olive oil and garlic is optional)- added in at the end

Bring 6c of water to a boil.

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions with the garlic and hot pepper until golden and soft. Add the lentils, tomato puree, black pepper and chipotle powder. Add the boiling water and the bouillon. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Adjust the seasonings. You can puree the entire soup until super smooth or simply run a burr mixer through it to incorporate the vegetables and lentils or serve it as is.

To serve, in a bowl, place the greens and ladle the soup over. Top with nutritional yeast and season to taste.