ALMOND YOGURT with FRUIT & CINNAMON {DO SOMETHING MORE}

This post is a bit different than my other ones. I've got an actual point.

In today's world, corporations and private organizations intentionally make it very easy for one to follow instructions and advertisements blindly, without critically analyzing their choices or the consequences of such. "Buy this, eat that, wear this, listen to that, watch this..." we are told what to do and who to be every minute we are in the public space, and even in the privacy of our homes. Naturally we choose the path that requires the least effort (human nature, wassup) and in our contemporary Westernized environment, that equates to sticking to the status quo (eating fast food, buying clothes from the GAP, throwing away plastic bags) and not asking questions (Where did the food come from? Who made the clothes? What impact does plastic have on the environment?)

The point I am trying to get at is that many of us have a tendency to do the minimum required in our lifestyles, because it is the easiest way to get by. I am not laying down any blame or judgement on you; but I am calling out a pattern I see. The following words might seem a little harsh, but I mean absolutely no offense, I am simply stating my opinions and the reasons behind the lifestyle I choose to lead. Also: my main issues are with factory farming and mega corporations that choose cheapness over responsibility, not unknowing consumers who aren't aware of the effects of their choices.

My message is: eff the minimum!

Let's be excellent! Let's bring up any repressed questions, guilt or concerns we have about the impacts we have on the planet and other beings, find real answers and change our actions accordingly. I am vegan because I do not believe someone innocent whom I love should have to die so I can eat a beef burger for lunch.  I am vegan because I respect all beings and believe we all have the right to happiness and freedom. I am vegan because factory farming and agribusiness is worse for the environment - they produce more carbon dioxide - than ALL transportation combined.

I do not buy clothes from stores that outsource manufacturing to developing countries because I want the people who make my clothes to be fairly paid and in control of their job; not separated from their families for weeks at a time, paid mere cents an hour, or suffering from back problems from sitting at a sewing machine for 15 hours at a time while the heads of the corporations make millions because they have cut so many moral corners and are doing the minimum. I buy mostly used clothing because there is more than enough new clothing to go around and recycling is more important than ever, as we are just now experiencing the first effects of human-caused climate change.

My family buys natural, eco-friendly cleaning products and I buy organic, not-tested-on-animals beauty products because I don't think the planet or any innocent creatures should have to suffer just so I can have pink lips, smell pretty and have a clean sink.

Go beyond the minimum. Let's do something more. 

I believe we all have the right to live freely, and have the opportunity for happiness, love and growth. I am proud of my values, choices and beliefs. I think they are right and responsible. I appreciate each day for the gift it is and understand that although serious inequalities of all kinds are still prevalent in our world, we can change that. I am doing my part by voting with my dollars for what I think is sustainable, compassionate, fair and just. I am doing something more because I am choosing to feel something more. More than the minimum. I will not allow myself to go the easy route and ignorantly believe baseless advertisements and claims by opportunistic corporations, or support what I know is wrong. I want you to join me. It is as simple as choosing organic almond yogurt (recipe below!) instead of pasteurized dairy yogurt, thrift jeans instead of new Levi's, and non-toxic house products instead of animal-tested chemicals. Let's do something more. Let's be the change we wish to see in the world.

ALMOND YOGURT with FRUIT & CINNAMON

Yogurt: 
1 1/2 cups almonds, soaked overnight then rinsed (remove the skins if you want smoother yogurt) 
2 cups water 
1 tablespoon coconut nectar or raw cane sugar

Add-ons:
1 mango, cubed
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
1/4 cup raisins 

To make the yogurt: blend all the ingredients together until very smooth, adding more sweetener or other ingredients as you desire. Leave in a bowl at room temperature for about 9 hours. Keep in the fridge after that, or eat right away. 

To serve: layer a bowl with the fruit, cinnamon, raisins and yogurt. Mmm... tasting something more! 

BANANA ICE CREAM SUNDAE with CHOCOLATE SAUCE

I hope I made your mouth wet with these photos. Wink wink. Best part of this recipe is that it's incomparably healthier than the average breakfast. It's basically just bananas and a bunch of super foods like coconut oil, almonds, cacao powder, and mulberries. You can add whatever else you like (ideas: goji berries, coconut flakes, maca powder, fresh fruit, dates, etc.) I ate this for dinner. 

It's a beautiful world we get to party in. 

That's right. GIFs are happening right now. I saw them on this blog awhile ago and immediately realized how genius it was for food photography. A huge component of the appeal of food is texture! You can show it perfectly with moving images. Plus, they're really fun to photograph and put together. Besides, I know you like 'em.

I stayed home from school today because I think my mono might be coming back (I know - coming BACK... this isn't the first time I've suffered this throat torture) and figured I'd better rest to keep it maintained. Banana ice cream is the perfect soother because it's cold and creamy. Ahh. It helped me get through my last Mononucleosis bout.

Mononucleosis kind of sounds like a super power... Or is that just me who thinks that. I cannot explain my own cognitions. Moving on.

banana ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce

Ice cream:

3 frozen bananas 

Chocolate sauce:

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

1 tablespoon cacao powder

1 teaspoon agave syrup or preferred sweetener

Toppings:

Almond butter

Mulberries

Anything else your heart desires

To make the ice cream: put the bananas in a high speed blender and blend until they become a creamy, fluffy, white soft serve ice cream. Nom. Scoop into a bowl.

To make the chocolate sauce: whisk the ingredients together. Drizzle over your ice cream along with the rest of your toppings. Time to spoon. 

jewel fruit tart with caramel almond filling

This simple recipe is sure to please those skeptical that delicious desserts can also be healthy. Although there is nothing like a fresh-picked bowl of berries in the summer, I love the way frozen berries glisten with frost; I think they look like gems or jewels. Jewels packed with anti-oxidants! The beeest kind. 

I made this tart for a friend's housewarming party this evening, which I am looking forward to attending. The new house is right by the beach and the weather is gorgeous today so I anticipate a beach walk tonight, after we all enjoy the berry goodness positively overflowing in the walnut raisin crust of this recipe. 

I was going to keep it extremely minimal and just make the crust then fill it with fruit and be done (to be honest, extremely minimal would be just bringing fruit... but too bad) but I decided to make an almond caramel filling that I put the berries on top of. You can leave it simple or add the sweet filling - up to you, as always!

fruit tart with caramel almond filling: 

Crust:

2 cups walnuts

2 cups raisins

Filling (optional but recommended):

1/4 cup almond butter

1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1/4 cup maple syrup or 1/2 cup date paste
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Water, if needed

Topping: 
3 cups frozen berries (or however much you want)
1/2 cup goji berries

To make the crust: pulse the walnuts in your food processor until they become a rough flour. Add the raisins and process until it stick together, forming a rough dough. Press into a tart tin. Put in the fridge and let it set for about 2 hours (this is preferable but not absolutely necessary). 

To make the filling: blend all the ingredients until smooth. Spread gently into the bottom of your tart crust and then let it harden in the fridge for 30-60 minutes. Now top the tart off with all the berries, slice and serve! 

apple sandwiches with date caramel + almond butter

These are really fun to make, and super healthy. Oh and as you can tell from the photos - so easy they hardly need instructions. Slice up some apples and layer them with caramel and almond butter. Yum! Make these with kids and you will make some new little friends. 

They actually taste like candy or something... it's almost too good to be true. But then - isn't zucchini pasta almost too good to be true? Yes. Yet it exists. Thanks, Mother Nature and innovative kitchen equipment. So eat as many of these as you want and feel great afterwards about yourself and your awesome healthy, humane, eco-friendly choices.

apple sandwiches with date caramel + almond butter : serves 2 to 4

4 apples
Almond butter or other nut butter

Caramel:
1/2 cup dates
2 tablespoons liquid coconut oil (or use water... won't be as creamy though)
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional) 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Make the caramel: blend all ingredients until smooth. 

Assemble: Slice the apples thinly from bottom to top and then core each piece. Now layer each slice with alternating caramel and nut butter. Enjoy!

cinnamon chia pudding with banana, dates & almond butter

This was what I had for breakfast this morning after finishing my short juice fast last night (I had raw zucchini noodles with kale pesto) because chia is a great cleaning food. Its soluble fire gels up when stirred with water and when you eat it, it literally goes through your digestive system soaking up toxins and junk you don't want in there. Think of it as a sponge. But then that's not very appetizing... hmm. A yummy sponge? No, never mind.

Anyways - it's delicious and SUPER nutritious. It is one of the most nutrient-dense seeds on the planet as a matter o' fact. Just look it up on the world wide interweb and see for yourself! Make it anytime of the day for a filling snack or meal.

cheery chia bowl: serves one

2 tablespoons chia seeds mixed with 1/4 cup water

1 sliced banana

Small handful each of pumpkin seeds, goji berries and hemp seeds

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon maple syrup/raw honey/other sweetener

3 pitted, sliced dates

1 tablespoon almond butter (optional)

The chia seeds and water should make a gel-like substance after sitting for a few minutes. Add in the all the other ingredients - and whatever else you like - and enjoy!