Category Archives: Recipes

How you can enjoy Beauty, Immunity, and Longevity with only 5 minutes of your time each day!

I have something very special to share this week!

An Exclusive Interview with the stunningly Radiant and the uber knowledgable Bethanne Wanamaker, Co-Author of Superfood Beauty Elixirs.

Superfood Beauty Elixirs is my FAVORITE recipe book for super nutrition. I blend several radically beautifying and rejuvenating Elixirs from this cutting-edge Ebook every day. These Elixirs are the foundation of my diet and the nutrition I consume for ultimate health and beauty. You can survive on standard whole foods, smoothies, and juices, but to truly THRIVE at our highest potential, Elixirs like these are essential!


Interview with the Radiant Bethanne Wanamaker, Co-Author of Superfood Beauty Elixirs

Bethanne Wanamaker is a passionate Certified Nutrition and Natural Beauty Educator and Author who is wholeheartedly devoted to empowering women to take control of their own health, make conscious lifestyle decisions, and become responsible and accountable for their actions and results.Her mission is to help women understand the power they hold with regard to their health and the irresistible potential that lies within when we commit to ourselves! Her story, as written in Volume 3 of Thank God I: Stories of Inspiration, was the catalyst experience for transforming her own health, as well as finding her true purpose in this blessed life.

Bethanne is the founder EdibleGoddess.com, a company dedicated to sharing the truth about nutrition, cutting edge health and natural beauty strategies, and a growing range of products that lead to everything you could want for yourself. She studied at Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition to become a Certified Nutrition Educator and has pursued an immense level of continuing education and teaching others in topics relating to holistic nutrition, cleansing and detoxification, longevity, raw foods, Superfoods, super tonic herbs, natural beauty, flower essences, human potential, self-development and discovery.

1. What inspired you to create Superfood Beauty Elixirs?

We had been making simple versions of our elixirs for some time with MSM and whole food vitamin C and then just kept taking it to the next level – for taste, benefits, and to maximize the synergy between the ingredients we chose. It really started with these MSM/Vitamin C drinks (such as the Morning Beauty, Orange Snow Breeze, Pink Limeade) and then a cascade of ideas poured in!

The Green Supreme was created because I was traveling to Southern CA to work the LongevityNOW Conference and wanted to make a powder blend that covered all my needs while I was on the road and working super long hours. I needed to be able to mix it with just straight spring water and have it taste good, and keep me going throughout the weekend. This is one of our longest list of ingredients for our recipes (which I’d like to change in a future edition of the book) because of this. It’s the “all-in-one” – the one to make ahead of time if you have limited access to your Superhero goodies while away from home. I remember driving back home with friends, drinking my Green Supreme (which did not have a name at the time), and my friends kept saying, “you know, everyone loved your elixirs this weekend – you could really do something with this.” And from the moment I got home, Christian and I played in the kitchen taking our original simple elixir ideas combined with our recent inspiration, and created the book.

2. Do you drink elixirs like these every day? Give us an example of how you work them into your schedule.

I do drink the elixirs every day, and typically between 1-3 each day. During the 6 months it took to write our book, we made elixirs every night to test, re-test our sweet creations. Ever since, we’ve gotten in the habit of making an elixir as a “night cap” just a few hours before bed (maybe an hour after dinner or so) and we’ll enjoy it that evening and then I save a cup for myself in the fridge so I have something ready for me when I awaken the next day. We brew tonic herbal tea multiple times per day: we use it as part of the base in a seed/nut mylk for a Superfood smoothie, on chilly afternoons to keep warm and cozy, and in the evening as a nice hot cup of satisfying tea (sweetened with stevia). We go in phases with the kefir, but usually have at least one batch per week which will make us a few ultra-refreshing coconut kefir elixirs. The kefir recipes have become some of my favorites in the book and because of the high probiotic content, each drinks FEELS massively healing, which I love. There is something unbelievably quenching about the kefir recipes, and it’s always an exciting moment when we have the kefir ready to make chilled elixirs.

3. Why Superfoods and Superherbs? Can’t we just eat plenty of fruits & vegetables or drink plenty of juices?

This is a question that will always come up in the raw food movement and that’s great because many of us want simple answers to complex issues. Yet, in each of our own experiences with eating solely fruits, vegetables, and freshly made juices, it was great in the very short-term, but felt there were something missing ultimately – even with a diverse selection of local produce. Bringing wild foods, Superfoods, and tonic herbs into the diet really do take your health to the next level and it’s usually a level of health that was not imaginable beforehand. With environmental pollution so prevalent, and the fact that our soils are not even close to being as healthy as they were 100 years ago, even organic fruits and vegetables do not have the potential to allow your body full gene expression. Christian and I want seriously be as healthy as we can be, and that means hand-selecting from different dietary approaches and taking the very best of them, and compiling our own version of the optimal individual diet. Wild foods, Superfood, and tonic herbs bring with them an immense potential for activating the innate healing regenerative energy within us all and considering it is we that have the ability to heal ourselves, we are willing to step outside the super extreme purists diet and emphasize foods correlated with longevity, genius, and spiritual growth.

4. One common comment I hear about people being resistant to superfoods is are that they’re too expensive and not realistically affordable. What do you have to say about that? How do you make it work?

Packaged Superfoods certainly can have a high price tag, yet so can all packaged raw and organic foods as well. All wild foods are considered “Superfoods” and they are free and offered to us in abundance. Consider that if you buy a bottle of wild blue green algae (which happens to be very pricey because it also happens to be one of the foods EVER we could consume – a little goes a long way, so you’re not going through the bottle in 1 month. Each bottle lasts a long time (even has a great shelf life), so it’s not like you’re going out buying this stuff on a weekly basis. There IS a start-up cost, just like anything though – you may pay more initially and then the expenses go down depending upon your usage and chosen maintenance amount.

I also feel that I am my greatest investment, so I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep myself not only well, but getting younger and healthier as each year passes. Since putting health as my #1 priority, I’ve gone through my expenditures for the month and taken a close look at how I spend my money – and found ways to whittle down other expenses so I could create the life I wanted. We all spend money every day, it’s just a matter of HOW you spend it. I could look at anyone’s finances and help you determine ways to eat healthier and continue to up-level your health, even on a strict budget, and after being laid off (or any financial downfall). With my own health, I am not willing to compromise – that would be too easy and full of symptoms to do.

5. If you could pick just a handful of superfoods or superherbs to have at home, say top 5, what would they be?

Wild blue green algae, seaweeds, fresh aloe (from whole leaf), spirulina/chlorella (have to have both for various reasons), and medicinal mushrooms (#1 being Reishi)

6. What differences have you noticed in your health and beauty with these elixirs in your life?

I have definitely felt more deeply nourished since incorporating these elixirs into my life, without question. I love that I can get an infusion of mouth-watering goodness in a divinely delicious way, and not have to rely on taking pills. Consuming tonic elixirs are a liberating choice and they have the ability to address so many issues and layers at once. Specifically, my diet feels much more well-rounded since making them a staple in my routine. I have less cravings because of the deep nourishment they offer – like they’re filling in nutritional gaps that supplements just aren’t able to do. The elixirs are made with 100% food – no “supplements”, so our bodies respond much more favorably to whole food nutrition than vitamins and minerals in isolated form. Also, I’ve noticed a preserving youthful effect on my skin (which is just a reflection of what is going on internally) and that is an amazing and clear sign that I am more mineralized and truly healthier, and therefore my skin skin appears more radiant. There is also a mental satisfaction when drinking the elixirs – they’re like non-alcoholic sweet, yet super low-glycemic cocktails, so you get the magic potion in a glass that is actually going to leave you feeling much better the next morning!

7. Are elixirs like these essential for external beauty? If so, why?

I believe they are based upon what I’ve personally experienced and what I’ve witnessed in others. As we all know, radiant beauty comes from within, so not only do we want to release accumulated toxins and poisons from the body, but just as importantly we want to infuse our body with super nutrient-density to restore, regenerate, and repair us from top head to toe. We’ve found the elixirs to be the most delicious, cost-effective, and practical way to get medicinal quality foods into the diet with the greatest potential for producing immediate results – something which is likely enticing to us all. Not to mention, with liquid nutrition the absorption level is at an all-time maximum (highly bio-available), so the drinks really deliver on their promised results.

8. If you had to chose one elixir recipe that is the ultimate for gorgeous skin, hair, and nails, and overall radiance, what would it be?

#1 Green Supreme, #2 Ancient Wisdom, #3 Tropical Quench (I had to list three… ;) But if you were to say the “ultimate” one – it’s a hard choice, but I feel Green Supreme is THE overall best beauty tonic elixir in our book with Ancient Wisdom a close 2nd.

9. What’s next for you?

The Conscious Goddess Cleanse: Bethanne is leading women from all over the world in a purifying detox program. It includes all the Healthforce products you’ll need to complete the cleanse, private phone sessions with her, and weekly teleseminars with leading experts – including me!

Be sure to check out Bethanne’s Conscious Goddess Cleanse - where I’m a featured guest speaker!

Here is Bethanne’s phenomenal Ebook, Superfood Beauty Elixirs:

Superfood Beauty Elixirs

Superfood Beauty Elixirs <- Click here to THRIVE at a new level!

Here are some of the Superfoods featured in the Ebook. These are some of the basic ingredients you’ll need to make the Elixirs:

Vitamineral Green & Vitamineral Earth
Vitamineral Green is a superior, nutrionally dense therapeutic green superfood powder. Vitamineral Green nutritionally supports blood sugar, detoxification, the immune system, liver, kidneys, blood, bones, colon, regularity, circulation, and longevity.
Earth Sacred Healing Food contains essiac herbs, healing roots, barks, and seeds. Soothes colon, supports blood sugar, colon health, detoxification, immune system, and longevity. Earth can can be used on its own as a grounding superfood blend, or ideally taken in the same day as Vitamineral Green for a balance of yin and yang, a grounding to Vitamineral Green’s more etheric qualities.

<- Click here to CLEANSE, REJUVENATE, and THRIVE at a new level!


Plant-derived MSM Crystals: The Ultimate BEAUTY Mineral!

MSM works to build collagen, helping to create smooth skin, thick lustrous hair, and strong nails. MSM also restores and maintains healthy joints, increases flexibility, speeds recovery time from sore muscles, and is excellent for recovery from injuries. MSM makes the tissues more permeable so that they may move nutrients in and toxins out with greater ease. MSM has a remarkable effect at neutralizing foreign proteins (i.e. allergens, toxins, undigested food) making it anti-inflammatory. It provides a source of organic sulfur for the amino acids that are essential for internal cleansing.

I mix these MSM Crystals into drinks twice a day. This is the highest quality MSM available and is the only one I have found that is NOT derived from Petroleum sources.

<-Try MSM for true beauty from the inside out!

Truly Natural Vitamin C
The essential companion to MSM. MSM and Vitamin C work together synergistically. Vitamin C helps the body fully absorb the MSM. Truly Natural Vitamin C is food, not an Vitamin C synthetic or isolate. This is a naturally occuring Vitamin C in powered form. Unlike synthetic or isolates, neither of which occur in nature, this Vitamin C is non-toxic in any dosage amount and is highly absorbable. I take Vitamin C at least 3 or 4 times a day. Vitamin C not only boosts our immune systems, but it also required for collagen production. Vitamin C also speeds up skin healing and protects it from environmental aggressors.

<-Get your Vitamin C the way nature instead – an essential nutrient for health and beauty!

Beauty Breakfast Porridge

Photo Credit: little blue hen

Photo Credit: little blue hen

Chia Seeds and Goji Berries two of the most beautifying foods in the world.

Chia seeds contain the highest amount of essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) known. They are loaded with over 60% essential fatty acids. Chia seeds are an excellent source of complete protein (about 20% protein) and contain strontium which helps to assimilate protein and produce high energy. Chia seeds are an excellent source of antioxidants containing even more antioxidants than fresh blueberries. The high amounts of antioxidants in Chia seeds also keeps the oils from going rancid – contributing to a long shelf life. 
 Chia seeds also provide fiber, iron, calcium, niacin, magnesium, copper, zinc and phosphorus. They stabilize blood sugar
 by slowing down the rate at which complex carbohydrates are digested and then assimilated into the body. The soluble fiber helps to stabilize blood glucose levels resulting in steady, sustained energy. Chia seeds can absorb over 10 times their weight in water making them a body hydrator. They absorb the water we drink holding it in our system longer. The Chia seed gel is a hydrophylic colloid that has a medicinal affect for many digestive health issues, helping to cleanse and soothe the colon, and absorb toxins while lubricating and strengthening peristaltic action.

Like Chia seeds, Goji berries are also extremely high in antioxidants and protein. They are one of the highest antioxidant containing foods. They are a complete protein, with nineteen different amino acids, including all eight essential amino acids. Goji berries contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E, as well as 21 or more trace minerals. They also contain polysaccharides, iron, betaine (liver-healing), linoleic acid (EFA), beta-sitosterol (anti-inflammatory), sesquiterpenoids & tetraterpenoids (anti-aging). They are the only food known to stimulate our bodies to naturally produce more Human Growth Hormone, making it one of the best anti-aging foods on the planet.

Breakfast (or snack or dessert) Beauty Porridge

(All Raw and Organic, as always)

Base
3 Tbs Chia seed
1/2 cup fresh vanilla almond milk (see recipe below)
1 Tbs Goji berries

Flavor options
fresh ground vanilla
cinnamon
nutmeg
dash himalyan or celtic salt

Sweet options
stevia
flavored stevia (English Toffee flavor)
raw honey

Additions

(depending on your preference and what you have on hand)
sliced banana
soaked (and dehydrated if prefered) walnuts and or almonds
cashews
soaked Pumpkin seeds
Black Sesame seed
raw Cacao nibs
handful of fresh berries
raisins or other dried fruits

Vanilla Almond Milk Instructions

Soak almonds in pure water for at least 8 hrs.

Drain (or water plants with soak water) and rinse several times

1 cup soaked almonds

3 cups water

1 vanilla bean, seeds scooped out or 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground vanilla

Stevia or honey to taste

  • Blend the soaked almonds with the water until smooth. Pour into a nut milk bag over a bowl. Twist and squeeze until all liquid is in the bowl. Save the almond pulp in a container and put in the refrigerator for use in other recipes.
  • Pour the almond milk back into the blender and blend with the vanilla and sweetener until smooth.
  • Milk will last in the refrigerator for about 5 days. Shake well before using.

Porridge Instructions

With Love:

* Pour Almond Milk over Chia seeds and Goji berries in a bowl. Mix and let sit for 10 min to an hour (depending on how thick you would like the porridge). Chia seeds will thicken into a gel-like consistency. The longer they soak, the more they will absorb the liquid. Stir as the porridge begins to thicken to make sure all Chia seeds are covered and do not clump together. When it reaches desired consistency, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. I find it best to add in any other liquid and powder ingredients first, mix well, and then add in solid ingredients.

Enjoy!

Angelina Elliott and her Magical Soaps: Exclusive Interview and Recipe

Exclusive Interview with the Goddess Herself


Could you please tell us little bit about how your soap-making adventure began?

I would be delighted to! :-) I learned to make soaps years ago, but the real adventure began when I thought of an idea to make food based soaps, because before that SOAP WAS JUST SOAP. I thought of when I had this idea back when I was 15 1/2 to wear your food, and how marvelous it would be to not only eat superfoods, but to also bathe in them as well. Your body absorbs everything through the skin, so why not feed it while you are cleansing, rather than cleansing and depleting?

What inspired you to make these soaps?

The idea of lathering chocolate all over my body was just such an exciting idea, I had to run with it. When I first started, I had no idea how it would turn out, I just did everything from my intuition and when the soap was finished curing, it was pure heaven. I thought from there, why not do cranberry, lemon, tiramisu, cinnamon, and more, so I did and I just love what they do for my body and my senses. Such an exhilarating experience-one of BLISS!

Could you please tell us about some of the ingredients you use and why you use them?

I love superfoods for my inner body and I enjoy wonderful full fat foods like olives and avocados, one of the reasons I believe I have good skin. I also enjoy berries and unusual fruits, I actually go to sleep with fresh durian on my face, because I truly believe it gives me a glow when I wake up. I’ve never told anyone outside of family that this is one of my beauty secrets!! I use ingredients like coconut oil, African Shea butter, macadamia oil, rose hip seed oil, walnut oil, avocado oil, marula oil, kalahari oil, and  Superfoods like Goji, cherry extract, cherry powder, MSM, sea buckthorn, schizandra berry, camu camu, noni, pomegranate extract and powder, mangosteen powder, and then I pour all the love I possibly can into the mix! The reason I use such mind blowing and expensive ingredients is because I truly believe you are what you consume whether it is by mouth or externally worn, so why not wear the absolute best. Organic, wild, Biodynamic, and fair trade are all especially important to me when it comes to ingredients, I couldn’t use any substitution.

What makes these soaps so special?

The love and the energy that goes into each bar first and foremost and secondly the ingredients we use, and thirdly the process we use to make these soaps. These soaps are truly the only raw superfood soaps in the world. I am sure there will be many imitations to come, but I doubt anyone will go to the extremes we go to, to produce heavenly bars. We personally use each and every one of these delectable bars and wouldn’t have it any other way, so what we get, you get and I refuse to compromise! :-)

What inspired the flavors/scents of the soaps?

Many people know me as a gourmet chef, I have been a gourmet chef for many years, so food excites me, especially desserts! I thought there must be a way to create delicious, enticing, sexy, out of this world soaps and the rest is as they say, history. :-) ) The first food soap I ever made was inspired by my famous chocolate cheesecake, now featured in my Decadent Gourmet book.

Angelina Shares an Exclusive Recipe that inspired the first soap flavor

From Angelina’s book, The Decadent Gourmet

Sexy Goddess Chocolate Cheesecake

Crust:
•3/4 cup carob powder •1 cup almonds •1/2 cup honey dates, pitted •4 tablespoons cacao butter, melted •2 teaspoons vanilla flavor by Frontier • teaspoon Himalayan salt
•Place cacao butter pieces in a bowl in the dehydrator at 104 degrees until melted. •Process almonds, salt and carob powder into small crumbs, add dates, cacao butter and vanilla extract and process again. •Press into the bottom of 9” square pan and place in the freezer.

Cheesecake Filling:
•2 cups cashews •2 cups cacao powder •1 1/2 cups grated cacao butter •2 tablespoons vanilla flavor by Frontier •1 cup date syrup or one cup agave
Directions:
•Melt cacao oil by placing cacao butter pieces in a bowl and place in a dehydrator at 104 degrees until melted. •Soak cashews and dates for the cheese. •Process cashews, cacao butter, date syrup or agave, and vanilla flavor until smooth like cream cheese.

•Pour cheese over the crust and gently tap the pan a few times to let ingredients settle. •Place cake in the freezer to set for about 2 hours. •Take the cake out of the freezer and remove it from the Spring Form pan, place cake on a platter, pour sauce over the cake and decorate with whipped cream, if desired.
•Serve the cake immediately or store in freezer until ready to eat.

Middle Eastern Summer Platter

Middle Eastern Summer Platter

ALL RAW AND ORGANIC, AS ALWAYS. . .

Salad:

Mixed salad greens
sliced cucumber (I used Japanese Cucumber)
sprouted chickpeas
diced or wedged heirloom tomatoes
chopped fresh parsley, dill, or cilantro sprinkled on top
optional – handful sunflower sprouts

Salad Dressing:

1 tablespoon tahini
4-5 sun-dried tomato halves (soaked in spring or purified water 2 hrs beforehand) or 1 cup fresh tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon fresh mint
1/2-1 teaspoon cumin
3 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil

Blend all ingredients in a high-power blender until
smooth. Mix with the salad by hand when ready to serve.

Marinated Veggies:

2 Portabello mushrooms – large cubes
4 sliced sweet baby peppers in yellow, red, and orange or 1 sliced red bell pepper
1/2 sliced or cubed fennel bulb
1 sliced or cubed zucchini or yellow summer squash
1 cubed heirloom tomato or a 1 of halved cherry
1 very small or 1/2 cubed eggplant

Marinade:
4 Tablespoons extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil
3 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt
Optional
:
2 Tablespoons Coconut Aminos
teaspoon of finely chopped fresh oregano

Place all veggies in large bowl. Pour marinade over the veggies and toss thoroughly, so they are all coated. Cover and place in the refrigerator several hours (at least 2). Optional: after marinated for several hours, then place in dehydrator at 100-108 degrees for at least 2 hours to get the “grilled” veggies effect.

Falafel:
10-13 sun-dried tomatoes (soaked in spring or purified water 2 hrs beforehand)
1/2 cup walnuts (soaked in spring or purified water 4 hrs beforehand)
1 cup pumpkin seeds (soaked in spring or purified water 4 hrs beforehand)
1/2 – 1 cup olives – remove pits (I like the Green Peruvian Olives)
1/2 – 2 clove garlic (depending on how much you like garlic)
3 shallots
1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 Tablespoons fresh dill
4 Tablespoons fresh cilantro
2 
teaspoons fresh oregano
2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional:
Pinch chipotle chili powder
1 fresh tiny hot red pepper – seeded

Process all ingredients in a food processor. Create Falafel sized balls from the mixture and dehydrate at 100-108 degrees F for approximately 7 hours.

Hummus:

1/2 cup truly raw cashews (soaked for at least 2 hours or up to 6 beforehand)
12 sun-dried tomatoes (soaked in spring or purified water 2 hrs beforehand)
2 – 3 Tablespoons tahini
4 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato soak water

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Hair Growth Tonic

Photo Credit: felibrilu

Thinning hair is always a result of something that is happening inside the body. If you have thinning hair, take a look at:

  • Your diet and level of nutrient density.
  • If you have recently changed your diet and could be detoxing.
  • If you are aware of any chronic or acute bodily conditions.
  • If you have experienced any highly stressful situations recently.

Once you have investigated into the above factors, the following recipe can also be of service:

* 2 drops Thyme essential oil ( Thymus vulgaris )

* 2 drops Atlas cedarwood essential oil ( Cedrus atlantica )

* 3 drops Lavender essential oil( Lavandula angustifolia )

* 3 drops Rosemary essential oil ( Rosmarinus officinalis )

* 3 ml teaspoon Jojoba oil

* 20 ml Grapeseed oil
Mix essential oils into a small glass jar. Then add the remaining carrier oils. Mix thoroughly.
Massage into your scalp for at least two minutes every night. Wrap your head in a warm towel after treatment to enhance absorption. Sleep with it on your scalp or leave on for an hour before washing.

This recipe comes from: http://www.aromatherapy-at-home.com/

Beauty Foods Recipe: 5-minute yum salad with Ginger Mint Tahini Hemp Dressing

fast easy yum salad

I literally made this salad spontaneously while sitting on the floor of our tiny RV (the RawVee). Don’t worry – the floor is very clean, carpeted, and no food touched it. :) I just used the ingredients we happened to have here in our little refrigerator and fruit and veggies basket. My husband, Jed, gushed over how good it was, so I thought I’d share it. It took me only about 5 minutes to make!!

Salad

All Organic & Raw:

  • Add any greens you happen to have around to a bowl the size of your hunger. I used Spinach.
  • I did not have an abundance of spinach, so I added handfuls of fresh curly Parsley and fresh Cilantro.
  • I tore all of these up into pieces.
  • Next, I diced 2 stalks of Celery and tossed it in.
  • Then, I diced a Radish or two.
  • I cut plenty of Cherry Tomatoes in half and added them to the bowl.

Dressing

Add the following to your Vita-Mix or blender.

All Organic & Raw:

  • 1/2 inch fresh Ginger
  • 6 -10 fresh Mint leaves, depending on your love for mint
  • 2 Tbl Tahini
  • 3 Tbl Hemp Seeds
  • Half a Lemon (seeded) or Lemon Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 – 1 clove garlic
  • 1 Tbl of Flax, Hemp, or Olive Oil (optional)
  • 1 tsp Billy’s Infinity Greens
  • 5-8 Shakes of Herbamare (to taste) or Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt
  • add Living Spring Water, or at least purified water to just cover the ingredients in blender, or depending of how liquidy or creamy you want it.

Blend until smooth, pour over salad, and toss.

Enjoy in love and gratitude!

Beauty Recipe: Chocolate Coconut Body Scrub

body scrub

Delectable Ingredients:
• 1 cup Turbinado Sugar
• 1/2 cup organic raw extra virgin Coconut Oil (in liquid form, warm at very low temp if necessary)
• 1 tsp organic Vanilla
• 3 Tbsp raw organic Cacao Powder

To Craft:
1. Mix all ingredients except for Cacao, adjusting amounts until ‘scrub’ consistency is reached.
2. Carefully mix in Cacao powder.
3. Store in refrigerator in a glass jar with lid.

To Enjoy:
1. Scoop out a tablespoon of the scrub from the jar and massage over body in a circular motion.
2. Rinse.

Skin will be left soft, smooth, and deliciously scented!

Recipe: Apple Pie Smoothie

Photo Credit: Bashed

Photo Credit: Bashed

I just created a spur-of-the-moment yummy smoothie for my Honey. He LOVED it!

Apple Pie Smoothie

Ingredients

All Raw & Organic:

1 large apple or 2 small apples (my favorites are Pink Lady and HoneyCrisp – use your favorite)

5 dates (we are blessed enough to have fresh, local dates)

2 handfuls of pecans ( I used 1 handful of walnuts and 1 handful of chashews because I did not have pecans)

1 tsp Vanilla ( I have fresh ground vanilla beans, so I only used a tiny dash because it so so much more potent when it is not an extract)

1 – 2 tsp cinnamon (depending on how ‘spicy’ you would like it to be

1/4 – 1/2 tsp nutmeg

a dash of Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt

Roughly 2 cups of water (depending on how thick you like your smoothies)

(If you like super sweetness add a bit of Honey or Agave to taste)

Instructions

  1. Soak the pecans (or whatever nuts you have) the night before or a few hours in advance. If you want it now and don’t have soaked nuts, use un-soaked nuts – they are getting blended.
  2. Drain and rinse the pecans
  3. Pit the dates, cut in half or pieces
  4. Core apple(s) and cut into pieces
  5. Add all of the above and the rest of the ingredients to a powerful blender (preferably a Vitamix or similar). Blend until completely smooth.
  6. Enjoy drinkable and healthy apple pie!

Recipe: Raw Chocolate Pudding (and the truth about ‘raw’ cashews)

Photo Credit: sweetonveg

Photo Credit: sweetonveg

Jed loves this treat. He adores dipping fresh, organic berries, especially strawberries, in it.

Ingredients

1/2 cup – 2 cups  soaked Raw, Organic Cashews*
4 Tablespoons Raw, Organic Carob Powder (We use Carob, but you may use Raw Cacao Powder, if you like, for even more chocolaty-richness). We like the Raw European Carob, as it has a “roasted” flavor like chocolate, but it is raw.
2 teaspoons Vanilla (I use pure dried/powdered vanilla bean)
Sweetener of your choice (I use Stevia, but you could also use raw, organic Honey, Yacon Syrup, or Agave Nectar)
a dash of Cinnamon
spring or purified Water

Instructions
Soak 1/2 – 2 cups of truly raw, organic Cashews* overnight. (The amount of cashews depends on how many people you want to serve or how much you want left over).

  • Drain and rinse the Cashews.
  • Place all ingredients in your Vita-Mix (or very powerful blender) and blend until completely smooth. Start with approximately a 1/2 cup of water. Add more water if the consistency is too thick or it will not blend easily.
  • Enjoy as is or as a sweet, chocolaty dip for fruit

* All cashews are steamed to remove the skin, unless the package says that they have been skinned by hand. Therefore, cashews are not raw unless they are labeled “truly raw” and are treated by hand. Eating only truly raw cashews ensures that the fat has not oxidized due to the heat applied to them and that their enzymes are intact.

*The oils found in the cashew shell are poisonous. Cashews are in the same family as poison ivy and poison sumac. This is why you always see them shelled and skinned. I was concerned about this fact for while and stopped eating them. But, I soon came to my senses. Being cashew-free only lasted a few months – they are so luscious. I eat them alone as dessert sometimes, they are so naturally sweet. They really are totally safe and extremely healthy to eat when the skin is removed and when they are truly raw, so no need to go without these sweet, creamy nuts.

Recipe: Sweet & Creamy Raw Oatmeal

Photo Credit: digiyesica

Photo Credit: digiyesica

This breakfast delight is my husband’s favorite. He has been eating it every morning for at least the last six months!

Ingredients

1 cup Organic, Raw, Steel-cut Oats (rolled oats are steamed and thus, not raw)

1/4 cup Organic, Raw Walnuts (Pecans are also nice)

2 tablespoons of Organic, Raw Chia Seeds

1 tablespoon (or to taste) Organic, Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil Or Organic, Raw Almond Butter

1 dash Organic Pure Vanilla Powder (dried vanilla bean ground to a powder)

1 dash Organic Cinnamon

1 dash Himalayan or Celtic sea salt

Sweetener options: 1 dropper-full English Toffee Stevia, 1 teaspoon unrefined Stevia Leaf Powder, 1 teaspoon Organic, Raw Honey, or 1 teaspoon Organic Yacon Syrup

Optional

One small handful of Organic Raisins (soaked or unsoaked)

Jed likes extra protein, so 1 add one scoop of delicious tasting Raw Power

Fresh, Organic Blueberries

Organic Banana slices

Instructions

Soak Oats and Walnuts overnight in an uncovered glass container (in the same container is fine) with plenty of the purest source water possible

Soak Chia Seeds separately overnight

In the morning:

  • Drain oats/nuts and rinse/drain 2-3 times with purified/spring water.
  • Put into bowl, and add 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil or 1 Tbsp almond butter.
  • Add water to the oatmeal (heat water to under 100 degrees if you need help melting the coconut oil and/or if it is a cold day and you need warming up). Oats are a “warming” food to the body, so warm, room temperature, or cool, the oats will warm you body from the inside out.
  • Add chia seeds
  • Mix in your sweetener of choice
  • Add dash of vanilla and cinnamon
  • Add Himalayan or Celtic sea salt to taste.
  • Optional: Add raisins, protein powder, blueberries, or banana slices

Enjoy!