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Raw Banana Nut Pie

Posted on 12. Feb, 2010 by kris.

Howdy My Bloggies!

It is Friday morning…..does it get any better than this?

I am about to enjoy my breakfast and a cup of coffee

After breakfast I might, just might have a piece of the raw pie I made yesterday.  It is very nutritious and very delicious and made of 100% raw, natural ingredients, so I think it is totally appropriate for a morning food.  What do you think?

She was mighty tasty!

Raw Banana Nut Pie:

Crust:

1 cup pecans
1/2 cup dates (soaked for 5 min)

Filling:

1 banana
2 tbsp raw almond butter
dash of vanilla
1/4 cup coconut

Place crust ingredients in the good old food processor and pulse into a sticky dough.

Make into a pie crust.

Place filling ingredients into the food processor and process into a fluffy filling.

Sprinkle with coconut and place in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.

This pie is hands down one of the best raw desserts I have ever made.  So naturally sweet and smooth

How was your Thursday??  My mom and I headed to the mall to hit up Sephora.

I purchased more Juice Beauty face wash, and because it was my Birthday on Monday I also received a free gift!

All in all it was a great shopping day!

Today is the Opening Ceremonies here in Vancouver and I am so excited to be a part of this beautiful city right now.  The tourists love us and are so friendly and the vibe here is through the roof!  The downtown core will be impossible to reach via car today, so we think we might hop on the sky train and go see some sights (mobs of people!) and take it all in.  I heard the ceremonies are breath taking and I can hardly wait to watch them.

GO CANADA GO!!!! WOO HOOOOOO

What are your plans for the weekend?  What is your favourite pie filling??

XXOO
Kris

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My High Raw Day

Posted on 10. Feb, 2010 by kris.

Hello Everyone!

Happy Wednesday.  Wow, is this week flying by or what? I am totally loving that the Olympics are here and the cities are buzzing!  We went to the beach yesterday to enjoy the sun and let Hudson run around and the beach was packed with tourists in red Canada sweatshirts and jackets taking pictures and videos.  They are all so friendly!  I think it makes this city so much more beautiful when I see other people really enjoying it.  No better place than Vancouver on a sunny day.  Yesterday was the nicest day, you didn’t even need a winter coat down by the water.

So as I have mentioned before I am challenging myself to an all raw diet. I decided I will do this 100% when spring arrives and I can get my hands on a better variety of local fruit and veg.  During the winter I just don’t feel that the fruit and veg that need to travel around the world to get here to me is really that full of nutrients anyways, so I would rather buy local

However, I have decided to eat raw until dinner. And it has been going wonderfully well!

Here is an outline of what my day has been today:

Wake up – Tall glass of water and a Grapefruit

Green Smoothie with Vega

Raw Protein Bar

Salad with Hemp Seeds and Dressing

And some sun dried tomato crackers  Not raw, but vegan….

2nd Green Smoothie – this is how I roll  Green me up!

Water & My new Favourite tea:

Pecans and dried Figs (my fave)

Dinner is leftovers!  Woot….I love leftovers!  This is a veggie packed quinoa dish that really hits the spot.

I had some errands to do today which included me going to the post office to pick up my wonderful gift from Jenna at jennaswellness.com

My beautiful Sugar Scrub I won on Jenna’s blog came in!  I was like a little girl on her birthday, unwrapping this bad boy as quickly as I could.  I love gifts.  It is not that I am spoiled (all the time) it is the anticipation of my opening them that I get a high from.  I also LOVE watching others open gifts…..I could do it for days

Isn’t she wonderful?  You can’t smell it, but I can tell you it is so refreshing and delightful!  There are hints of peppermint, lemon and sweet sugar!  Thank you Jenna for my smooth skin

On my errand running day I also picked up a mag.  Fitness Rx.  I do not, I repeat do NOT want to get this big, but I have done Jackie Warner’s workouts in the past with phenomenal results.  So I purchased this one as well and can’t wait to get down to my gym to get my workout on.  I will keep you posted.

Well my friends, its been a slice.  I hope you are all having a great day!

What is your favourite workout magazine?  Do you change your routine up often?  Do you have a favourite Tea to share with us?

XXOO
Kris

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Dehydrate Raw Foods Without a Dehydrator

Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by kris.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Wow!  What a beautiful day here in Vancouver! The sun was out, the birds were chirping and the flowers are starting to bloom.  I think spring has sprung here early!

It was the perfect day to sit at a coffee shop with my sister enjoying the sights and some laughs!  That was what my afternoon looked like  I am now back home and back online and writing my post!

I received a really great question from a reader the other day and I loved it so much I wanted to dedicate my post to it.

“I have read many raw recipes online but most of them call for a dehydrator.  I don’t have a dehydrator and can’t afford one right now.  Do you have any solutions?”

I love incorporating raw food into my diet and it is hugely beneficial. I am raw up until dinner almost everyday and notice a huge difference in my overall energy.

Yes!  I do have a solution for all of you out there who have put the Kale Chips aside until that Excalibur makes his way into your kitchen.  No need.

How to use your Oven as a Dehydrator:

- Set your oven to the lowest temperature and leave the door open a jar.

- The oven should not be hot inside, but warm

-Put a fan in front of the oven to make sure it does not get too hot.

-You will find that you will need to regulate your “dehydrating” as the food is in the oven just to make sure the temp remains the same.  If you have a thermometer this would work really well!

-Most items in the oven will still take at least 8 hours to “dehydrate”.

Here is a great recipe I found for Fruit Leather that is made in the Oven.

Mango Leather

• 4 cups mango purée (from about 4 large, unripe mangoes)
• 1 cup clover honey
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

- Your oven should be able to maintain a temperature as low as 140 to 145°F.

Use greased cookie sheets with edges . Do not use waxed paper or aluminum foil.

Pour Fruit Leather onto Cookie Sheet.

Set oven to 140 – 145

Place the cookie sheets with purée on oven racks.

Leave the oven door open about 2 to 6 inches. Check oven temperature periodically with a thermometer to keep the air temperature at about 140°F. If the temperature gets too high, the oven may have to be temporarily turned off, and then turned on again.

For a large leather, begin checking your leather at 8 to 10 hours.

The dehydrating time will depend on your oven.  After the 8 – 10 hours you will need to check often.

Enjoy these healthy, live treats!

Non Dehydrated food today:

I made a heap of crackers today.  But I made them with Brown Rice and Quinoa!  Freaking amazing!

I think these loves will go great with the big batch of Mung Dahl that I made last night

Have you ever Dehydrated in the oven?  If so, how did it work for you?

XXOO

Kris

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Pumpkin Tartlets

Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by kris.

Good Morning All and Happy Humpday to you!!!

I stayed up late last night reading so many wonderful blog posts on so many wonderful blogs!  I didn’t realize how big this healthy eating community really is   I commented a lot on some blogs I just found, I was like a kid at Christmas unwrapping all the goodies in these blogs!  It was a lot of fun.

As I was blogging and reading my pumpkin tarts were “baking” in the freezer……LOL…i heart vegan Raw baking because is it super easy, nutritious and it tastes just as good as regular baking.  These tarts were just like eating mini pumpkin pies I had the perfect amount of sweetness and spice, a big pat on the back for me!  Experimenting in the kitchen is great fun for me and I usually produce some amazing eats.  Ryan would tell you my baking is better than my cooking, but sometimes I do surprise him with a tasty made up dinner

I also had to make Ryan another loaf of Almond Bread – 1 day and it had vanished…..it must have been tasty

This morning was another fierce Green Smoothie!  As you can see I use a beer mug to drink my smoothie…these are surprising only used for smoothies and never beer!  LOL.  Like the Pink Robe??  Ahhh La Senza I can’t live without your robes

Raw Vegan Pumpkin Tartlets   These do not look nearly as cute as the tarts found on fitnessista.com today, but they are super tasty!!  My sister Michelle made a similar pie to this, but she baked hers and used regular Pumpkin Pie filling.  On a side note if you want to read an Amazing Shoe Blogeveryone should checkout Michelle’s Blog - SoleInTheCity.ca - shout outs to the sista! 

Here is the recipe for Kris’ Vegan Tartlets:

Crust:

1 cup Almond Flour
1/2 cup Date Paste (*see my below explanation)

Filling:

1/2 can Organic Pumpkin
1/4 cup Agave Nectar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tbs Pumpkin Pie Spice (I used a bit more because that’s how I roll…spicy!)

Directions:

-Place dates into a bowl and pour enough warm water to cover them.  Let them sit for a few minutes.
-Place the Almond Flour into your mixing Bowl.
-In a separate bowl mix the pumpkin, agave, vanilla, and spices together.
-Get your muffin tin out and place 6 muffin liners in.
-Pour half of the water out of the dates and add the dates with some of the soaking water to the Food Processor, blend until smooth.
-Mix the Almond Flour and the Date Paste together.  Place some crust mixture into the 6 muffin tins.  Mold into a tart   crust.  Place even amounts of the filling into each crust.
-Cover with tin foil and place in the freezer for 1 hour.
This recipe makes 6 tarts.

I hope you all enjoy this yummy healthy treat!

Hit me back with some of your favorite tart recipes, raw or baked!  Do you all enjoy raw treats??

Follow me on twitter and on the i heart wellness Facebook page!  Keep in touch Dolls

XXOO
Kris

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Dark Deep Secrets of Greens!

Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by kris.

Happy Tuesday All,

Last night was a late night and I was away from the computer – I actually felt a part of me was missing?  Anyone else feel this when they are away from their blogs, community of friends and connections on twitter?  I sure did!

Raise of hands – who loves consuming Fresh, Dark, Greens?  I do and I know so many of you do too but I can bet this wasn’t always the case now was it?    For myself I didn’t really appreciate the Dark Deep Green until a few years ago when I really understood the benefits of them.  Yea sometimes I prefer them cooked to raw, but they are a staple ingredient in the morning bevy

Like you all know my breakfast is a big fresh smoothie which always consists of 1/2 an Apple, 1/2 frozen ninner, 3 big black kale leaves, 2 scoops vanilla chai Vega (sometimes another flavor) and good clean water (super important to make sure it is good water so you absorb the nutrients).  On certain occasions I might throw in frozen berries, goji berries, nut milk or spices but the staples are always there!

Smoothie Example:

My fave Green is Kale and I really heart Black Kale!  I use it as wraps for my nut “cheeses”, I eat it raw in salads, add it to soups, rice dishes you name it!  Ryan always asked me why I eat rabbit food?  And finally since he has been on the detox and is staying away from all processed foods and meats for 3 more months he finally understands and appreciates the greens   Finally!

Kale – The Green God

Did you know one cup of cooked kale with no added salt contains 2.5 grams protein and 2.6 grams fiber!  I probably eat 4 cups of kale a day and I really notice a difference in my energy when I miss my Kale.

It also has all of these wonderful minerals:

Potassium – 296 mg
Phosphorus – 36 mg
Magnesium – 23 mg
Calcium – 94 mg
Sodium – 30 mg
Iron – 1.17 mg
Manganese – .541 mg
Selenium – 1.2 mg
Vitamin K- 1062 mcg Also contains small amounts of copper and zinc.

And Vits!

Vitamin A – 17,101 IU
Vitamin C – 53.3 mg
Niacin – .65 mg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) – 0.069 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 0.091 mg
Vitamin B6 – 0.179 mg
Folate- 17 mcg
Pantothenic Acid – 0.064 mg
Vitamin K- 1062 mcg
Vitamin E – 1.1 mg

I researched other ways for me to get calcium since I knew I had an allergy to dairyand I found that dark leafy greens especially Kale has wonderful amounts of calcium which are not high in oxalate and is absorbed as well or better than the calcium from cow’s milk!  Go figure!!  Isn’t mother nature be-a-u-tiful?!

Calcium is mucho important for us ladies and it eases insomnia and helps regulate the passage of nutrients through cell walls. Without calcium, your muscles wouldn’t contract correctly, your blood wouldn’t clot and your nerves wouldn’t carry messages……Could you imagine – no thoughts?!  I would die, I love day dreaming!

If you don’t get enough calcium from the food you eat, your body automatically takes the calcium needed from your bones. If your body continues to break down more bone than it replaces and rebuilds over a period of years in order to get sufficient calcium, your bones will become weak, brittle and break very easily.  Plus you could get a hunch back

A deficiency in Calcium may result in muscle spasms and cramps and I know this is huge issue for bodybuilders when they drink distilled water!  Distilled water will leach all the minerals and nutrients from your bones, ligaments and skin.  I will do a water post in a couple days! 

So I would like to challenge everyone to UP your Greens intake!  I read interesting posts on Balanceisbeauty.ca and Ohsheglows.com where these lovely gals say they are adding 1 extra green drink into there daily diet to feel better, continue glowing and they will be boosting their bods with nutrients!  I am also adding 1 extra green drink into my daily diet routine and will have it most likely after dinner when I really feel like snacking   Dr.Oz also states he has a green drink in the morning and says it will turn back time and we all love Dr. OZ   Greens keep you young, healthy and vibrant! 

Ahhhh whole foods you will love me I will be the girl with bunches of kale hugged in my arms first thing in the a.m.!

On another note – www.loveveggiesandyoga.com has a wonderful give away!  Enter for a chance to win 3 Pounds of Chia Seeds!  Go Enter Now!

Anyone have some good recipes with Kale??  I am always looking for more!

Have a great Tuesday All!

Also join me on Twitter and Facebook!  If you found this interesting pass it on

XXOO Kris

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Quick, Easy, Full of Health Dinner

Posted on 16. Oct, 2009 by kris.

Good Evening All,

Today was a mighty busy day for me between working until 4:00, getting to my detox appointment (only 2 more weeks to go! WOOT) by 5:00, sitting in traffic at 6:00 to get home for 6:45…..I was so hungry when I got home I was so grateful I had leftovers from last night I could just pop into the oven.

My days have been consisting of all raw up until dinner and this is because of the importance of eating raw fruit and veg of course, but also because I do enjoy my squash and sweet potatoes and some grains.

Tonight’s (and last night’s) dinner was Quinoa with Veggies.

Easy Quinoa Dinner

2 cups dry Quinoa
4 cups water
2 med tomatoes
1 yellow pepper
1 big bunch of broccoli
1 red onion
1 avocado
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbs EVOO
1 tsp curry powder (sometimes I add more)

Before I put the quinoa into the pot I added a bit of EVOO and cumin seed and sautéed them up a little. Once they started turning brown I added in red onion and some organic curry.

Then in went the Quinoa and water and some peas.

When the Quinoa was done cooking I added the diced tomatoes, Broccoli, a Orange Pepper. I tossed it all together and then added some fresh avocado on top.

It was quick and easy and yummy! Quinoa is a staple food of mine I always have on hand in case I need a quick dinner.

What is one item in your cupboard that you know you can always rely on??

Kris

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