Cheese-free Cheesecake!

Cheesecake always seems to be a go to dessert that is a big hit with everyone, but what happens when you take the cheese out of cheesecake?  A healthy alternative, that's what! This recipe is guaranteed to satisfy all your cheesecake taste buds without the dairy issues.
Bottom layer:
1cup raw whole almonds
1/4 cup walnuts
1/2 cup of shredded coconut
blend until crumbs
add 1 cup of raisins
blend until clumping occurs

pour into pan and use a spoon to  press it down evenly into the bottom of the pan

Filling layer:
1cup coconut milk
1 1/2 cups of whole raw cashews
1/2 tsp  of vanilla extract
2 tbsp of maple syrup
blend until creamy (approx 5 mins)

once blended pour into the pan on top of the flattened bottom layer, smooth out, and place in freezer

After about an hour in the freezer you  can add the toppings.

Toppings:
any kind of fresh fruit
or
you can mix your fruit with some hot water, a lil maple syrup and slippery elm powder to make a layer of fruit on top.
Freeze the whole thing  for  about 3 plus hours or until solid all the way through.
Cut and enjoy! This ones peach.

I also made a blueberry one that turned out great!

Strawberry Chocolate Pecan Tart

Ever feel like treating yourself to something special? Well you don't have to leave the house and go to a fancy bakery to do so! I felt like I deserved a little special dessert the other night but I  didn't want to have to leave the house to find something without sugar or milk, that was gluten free and would still satisfy my taste buds.  I ended up putting together this little creation  and thought I would share it with you!
First start with the....
Crust:
In a food processor first mix
1 cup of pecans
1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
1/4 cup of ground flax seeds
Then after they have been mixed to a crumble add in
1/3 cup of raisins
2 tbsps of maple syrup
1tsp of vanilla extract
-after mixed form into little tart shapes with your hands....see below

Next is  the....
Chocolate pudding filling
1/2 cup of cashews
1/2 cup  of water
mix till all blended
add a half of avocado
1tsp vanilla extract
1tbsp of maple syrup
1/4 cup  of cocoa powder
-once finished fill tart shells about 3/4 full of filling...see bellow

 Strawberry Jelly from a previous post:
a cup of water in a pot, 2 tbsps of maple syrup and 4-5 frozen strawberries...bring to a boil and boil for 5-10 mins (stirring and chopping strawberries with a spoon when mushy)
then turn off and as water cools add 1 tbsp of slippery elm powder.  Stir in and let sit, stirring every couple mins until it is cooled and thick.
-once cooled add to top of tarts and then freeze for 10-15 mins to let everything set then serve and keep left overs in fridge

Remember that you dont need  company to whip up a little treat, you deserve to treat yourself once in awhile and please try not to eat your feelings whenever your feeling down! 

Wholey Guacamole

I recently had to do a food demo for class and decided to choose my fav recipe I created, which is my version of guacamole.
Because this is a raw a snack it is 100% healthy and has many health benefits!
First of all because this is raw it still has the enzymes in it to help your body break down the food (all raw foods have this benefit which is why every meal should contain raw food).
The main ingredient Avocados! They contain fat...good fat that is (omega 3) which takes longer to digest therefore leaving you full longer.  They have lots of health benefits such as supporting cardiovascular health, good absorption of antioxidants, helps with blood sugar regulation, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Next up Onions! Yes raw onions... They have sulfur containing compounds which give off their strong odor (and make you cry while cutting them and I tend to cry alot when cutting them).  They also have health benefits such as good heart health (anti platelet clumping agents), benefits connective tissue, supports bones, anti-inflammatory benefits and prevent bacterial infections.

 Then we have garlic! Raw garlic the trick to having great breath! (im kidding, always serve something with mint or parsley in it after a garlic dish because it helps to mask the smell).  Garlic also has sulfur containing compounds that lower blood pressure, help cardiovascular health, its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-viral, helps iron metabolism and helps prevent cancer.


(info found at  www.whfoods.com)

Recipe
Ingredients: -3 Avocados        -1 small onion (I use a cooking one)
-1or 2 cloves of garlic (depending on your taste)
-2 tsps of salt (I prefer pink himayalian)      
-3 tbsps of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Optional- ¼ cup of sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, ½ cup of chickpeas or tomatoes (chopped)
Directions: -Chop onions and garlic cloves   -Put all ingredients in food processor and process for 5 mins (or until smooth, less time is you want it chunky) -serve with organic corn chips, veggies to dip, crackers or mix with pasta for a pasta salad
*also just made it with some dill today which added a unique taste to it!