Garden Vegetable Salad Wraps with a Tahini Maple Tamari Dressing

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I was busy as a bee in my garden today and discovered so many beautiful early treats! Gorgeous heirloom radishes, lush arugula, a cucumber, and a  few beets! I just knew a garden fresh lunch was in order so I pulled out some rice wraps and an avocado and started to play!

Once finished, the kids and I had made the most beautiful garden wraps with the treasures found in our own garden! I just had to share this recipe because it was delicious and will absolutely be added to my list of party appies or quick lunches!

Fresh, gluten free, and vegan this quick meal is both delicious as well as healthy!! 3 wraps are under 150 calories! You really can’t go wrong with this guilt free snack!

Natasha xoxo

Garden Vegetable Salad Wraps

Vegan        Gluten Free          Oil Free        Sugar Free           Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients per wrap:

  • 1 Rice Wrap
  • 3 slices roasted beet
  • 2-3 slices of Avocado
  • 4 slices of cucumber
  • 4-5 slices of Radish
  • 2-3 Arugula leaves

Method:

  • Soak rice wrap until its soft and rollable
  • layer vegetables in a row in the centre of the wrap
  • Fold the rice wrap ends over the foot of each veggie layer, then roll the wrap from the side securely.
  • Let sit for two minutes for wrap to seal
  • Can be placed in refrigerator for 24 hours
  • Serve with dipping sauce

Tahini Maple Tamari Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 Cup Tahini
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 2 Tbsp Tamari (or Soy Sauce)
  • 2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
  • 1 Clove Garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp Paprika

Method

  • Mix all ingredients until smooth and creamy
  • Refrigerate for up to two weeks

 

MAPLE COCONUT SWEET BREAD

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This kids and I missed out on the fair this past weekend, I know they had been really looking forward to those delicious little cinnamon covered doughnuts. So we decided to throw our own mini fair in the back garden complete with the  ring toss and a few other makeshift fair games.

Of course the kids were still looking for some kind of fair treat, so with the ingredients in my very empty pantry (I really need to do a good grocery shop) I came up with this gorgeous sweet bread! With all of the flavour of the fair these delicious bites are rich and chewy and perfectly dance on your tongue like the sweetness of a fair doughnut!

The best part? It’s not fried, its free from oil, has zero refined sugar (unless you choose to sprinkle some on top), and of course as always is totally vegan! I hope you love this recipe as much as they kids and I did!

Natasha xoxo 🙂

Maple Coconut Sweet Bread

Vegan       Oil Free     Refined Sugar Free   Prep Time: 10 mins     Cook Time: 30 mins  @350F

Ingredients

Dry:

  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt

Wet:

  • 3/4 Cup Canned Coconut Milk
  • 1 Cup Maple Syrup
  • 1 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Method

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 F
  • Line 11×7 baking pan with parchment paper
  • Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl
  • Combine all wet ingredients in a smaller bowl
  • Create a well in the dry bowl and pour in the wet ingredients
  • Mix well and scoop into baking pan, spread evenly
  • Bake at 350F for 30 minutes
  • Remove from oven and dust with cinnamon and sugar
  • Allow to cool for 15 minutes and enjoy!

Smokey Cheedar Mac and Cheeze

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Last week I gave you my Raw Mac and Cheeze so this week I’ve decided to take it back to the traditional comfort food and share with you my Smokey Mac and Cheeze Sauce recipe! My family goes mad for this recipe and the kids are literally licking their plates to get every last bit of this amazingly delicious sauce!

The great thing about this recipe is that this sauce is totally gluten free so if paired with a gluten free pasta even those of us with intolerance or celiac can enjoy! Its super quick and easy but tastes like you slaved away cooking for the day!

Completely picky kid approved! Enjoy!

Natasha xoxo

Smokey Cheedar Mac and Cheeze Sauce

Vegan                Gluten Free                  Oil Free               Sugar Free                Prep: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Raw Cashew Pieces
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1/4 Cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 1 Tsp Smoked Salt  ( I used Alder Smoked Sea Salt by The San Francisco Salt Co.)
  • 1/2 Tsp Turmeric
  • 1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Paprika

Method

  • Place all ingredients into high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy
  • Pour over your choice of pasta
  • Use gluten free pasta for completely gluten free meal!

 

 

Zesty Raw Mac and Cheeze with Zucchini Noodles

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On January 1st of 2018 I made the decision to go raw vegan for 30 days. I expected this to be a major challenge, that I would be hungry all the time, and suffer cravings. All of those worries could not have been further from what I ended up experiencing during my month raw.

I felt energized, my skin looked amazing, and I had a blast inventing new raw recipes ! Today as I was cleaning out my junk drawer (we all have one!) in the kitchen I discovered the Mac and Cheeze recipe I created during my experimenting with raw foods! I just had to share it with you because it is so so good!!

I made this beautiful dish for mine and the kids lunch today and was about to take photos when I discovered my daughter took the good camera to school for a project! ACK!!!! WHY!!!!!….. Anyway, I’ve since recovered from the fact that I had to use my iPhone for these photos #firstworldproblems LOL!

Anyway!! I hope you love this recipe as much as I do, my kids go crazy for this dinner!

Natasha xoxo

Raw Vegan Zesty Mac and Cheeze with Zucchini Noodles

Vegan         Gluten Free           Raw           Sugar Free           Oil Free           Prep Time 7 mins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Raw Cashew Pieces
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1/2 Cup of Raw Corn
  • 2 Tbsp Bell Pepper (I used Red)
  • 1 Tbsp Sun Dried Tomato (Softened in warm water for 10 mins)
  • 1/2 Tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 Tsp Turmeric
  • 1 Tsp Brown Rice Miso
  • 1 Tbsp Red Onion
  • 1/4 Small Garlic Clove
  • 1/2 Tsp Himalayan Pink Salt
  • 1 Medium Zucchini

Method

  • Toss everything in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Spiralize Zucchini and place into large bowl
  • Evenly coat Zucchini Noodles with Zesty Cheezy Sauce
  • Serve right away!
  • Enjoy 🙂

 

Gluten Free Vegan Chipotle Cheezy Biscuits

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I’m a huge sucker for a good biscuit, so when I started to experience some gluten intolerance symptoms I was absolutely devastated. I was the girl who could eat an entire load of bread to herself…. in one sitting. I loved my GLUTEN!! I fought it for about two years as I was in complete denial, thankfully I’m not celiac but I am bothered by it enough that I usually try my best to avoid glutenous foods. So I needed to find a few hacks!

Suddenly I found myself trying to create the perfect gluten free biscuit that satisfied my savoury taste and was vegan as well! So after much playing around I am so happy to share with you my Chipotle Cheezy Biscuits!

Enjoy!!

Natasha xoxo

Gluten Free Vegan Chipotle Cheezy Biscuits

Vegan         Gluten Free        Sugar Free         Prep Time: 10 min.       Bake Time: 15 min.

Ingredients

Dry:

  • 1 1/4 Cup Brown Rice Flour
  • 1 Cup Chickpea Flour
  • 2 Tsp Gluten Free Baking Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 Tsp Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp Xanthan Gum
  • 1/4 Cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 1/4 Tsp Chipotle Powder
  • 1 Tsp Paprika
  • 7 Tbsp Vegan Margarine (I used Earth Balance)

Wet:

  • 3/4 Cup Dairy Free Milk
  • 2 1/2 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Method

  • Combine all Dry ingredients in a large bowl
  • Cut in Margarine until  the mixture looks grainy
  • Combine Wet ingredients
  • Pour Wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine just until every thing is nicely moistened
  • Scoop nine biscuits onto a parchment lined baking sheet
  • Bake at 425°f for 15 minutes
  • Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes
  • Enjoy!

Oh look, I made a video too!

Holly xoxo

 

 

Traditional Vanilla Strawberry Cheeze Cake

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One of my pre-vegan favourites was a nice slice of New York Cheese Cake, but now that I’ve opted for a more healthy and compassionate lifestyle I’ve had to create a hack for some of my old favourites!

Now don’t get me wrong, this delicious cheeze cake recipe isn’t the healthiest thing you could eat, but it’s certainly better for you than a dairy based cheese cake. As with most of my recipes this one is super easy and quick as a a whip to pull together, no cooking and very little mess.

The delicate vanilla flavour is perfectly paired with the tang of a good cheeze cake due to the apple cider vinegar that gives rich taste of a dairy based cake. Even my ‘meat and potatoes kind of guy’ brother loves this cake, as a matter of fact the cake in the photos is for his birthday later this evening!

I hope you all have a beautiful week and Happy June to you all tomorrow!

Natasha xoxo

Traditional Vanilla Strawberry Cheeze Cake

Vegan             Gluten Free          Refined Sugar Free          No Bake

 

Pecan Cacao Crust

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Raw Pecans
  • 1/2 Cup Raw Cashew Pieces
  • 1/8 Cup Cacao Powder
  • 6 Medjool Dates (the plumper the better)
  • 1/4 Cup Water
  • 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt

Method

  • Toss all ingredients into a food processor, process until a smooth ball forms
  • Press dough into the base of an 8″ spring form cake pan
  • Chill in freezer while you make the cheeze cake

Creamy Vanilla Cheeze Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cup Raw Cashew Pieces
  • 1 Cup Dairy Free Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
  • 1/3 Cup Maple Syrup
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt

Method

  • Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender
  • Blend until smooth an creamy
  • Pour over Pecan Cacao Crust and tap to remove any bubbles
  • Place in freezer or fridge for at least an hour to set
  • Garnish with fruit and flowers

Enjoy!

Holly xoxo

Hearty Coconut Walnut Granola Cereal

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I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m just not a breakfast person, but on those morning when I need to start my day right I always turn to my delicious Hearty Coconut Walnut Granola Cereal.

As little as a half a cup of this nutrient rich cereal is more than enough to fill me and is often almost too much for the kids, meaning that this cereal goes a little further than most.  With a warm cinnamon and maple flavour mixed with the walnuts this breakfast can feel more like a dessert!

Completely kids approved by all six of my children, this quick and easy breakfast is a busy parents best friend. The cost of a nice granola can be extremely high, often leaving it an option that is off the table for many families. What most people don’t realize is that homemade granola cereal is actually quite simple and will save a ton of cash! Not to mention it’s free from any preserving chemicals.

I’d love to hear in the comments what you thought of this recipe, what would you like to see more of?

Natasha xoxo

Hearty Coconut Walnut Granola Cereal

Vegan         Oil Free       Gluten Free (if using gluten free oats)        Refined Sugar Free

Prep Time 7 Minutes               Cook Time 45 Minutes at 350F

Ingredients

  • 6 Cups Rolled Oats (use gluten free oats if you want a gluten free version)
  • 1 Cup Shredded Coconut
  • 2 Cups Chopped Walnut
  • 1 Cup Maple Syrup
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1 Tsp Ginger
  • Dash of Sea Salt

Method

  • In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients together until spices are evenly disbursed.
  • In a large liquid measuring cup mix the Maple Syrup and Water.
  • Gently pour the liquid mixture over the dry mixture and stir until all everything is moist and evenly coated.
  • Line a roasting pan with parchment paper (Woohoo! I found a use for my old roasting pan since going vegan!)
  • Pour cereal into roasting pan and evenly spread across the base of the pan.
  • Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, then remove from oven to stir cereal.
  • Bake for another 10 minutes and again remove and stir, this process helps ensure all cereal is evenly baked and golden brown.
  • Bake for a final 10 minutes.

Raspberry Maca Cheeze Cake over a Cacao Pecan Crust

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In the spirit of Mothers Day I decided to mix two of my favourite things! Raspberries and chocolate! I always try to out do myself every year with my Mothers Day cake, and I know my beautiful Mother appreciates it!

I’ve always been more for the rich decadent flavours while my Mum loves the light and fruity so since we are both mothers and should be celebrated I decided we would both get a little of what we love!

As with all of my cashew based cakes this recipe is quick and easy and requires no cooking! So if you’re reading this men, you too can dazzle you Mother, Wife, special someone, or well, anyone really!

Enjoy Natasha xoxo

Raspberry Maca Cheeze Cake over a Cacao Pecan Crust

The Cacao Pecan Crust

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Raw Pecans
  • 1/8 Cup Cacao Powder
  • 6 Medjool Dates
  • 1/4 Cup Water

Method

  • Toss all ingredients into a food processor
  • Process until dough ball forms
  • Press into the base of an 8″ spring form cake pan

Raspberry Maca Cheeze Cake Filling

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cups Raw Cashew Pieces
  • 1 1/4 Cups Dairy Free Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
  • 1/3 Cup Maple Syrup
  • 2 Tsp Maca Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen (thawed) Raspberries

Method

  • Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender
  • Blend until smooth an creamy
  • Pour over Pecan Cacao Crust and tap to remove any bubbles
  • Place in freezer or fridge for at least an hour to set
  • Garnish with fruit and flowers

 

 

 

Basic Tofu Scramble

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There are so many complicated tofu scramble recipes on the internet these days but very few base recipes. With that in mind, one of the best things about cooking is the opportunity to be creative! With my base tofu scramble recipe the sky is the limit, you can take it South and make a beautiful zesty Mexican scramble, or East if you add a little curry powder for a rich Indian flair.

No matter your taste, there are so many options available when making a tofu scramble. So I encourage you to take the base and make it special, I’d love to hear about the creations you come up with!

My scramble today is just the base recipe topped with heirloom tomatoes, asparagus, sea salt flakes, pepper, almond feta, and sprouts!

A quick note about black salt, for me this is an essential ingredient in a tofu scramble as it gives a true egg flavour, I encourage you to try it!

Enjoy 🙂

Natasha xoxo

Basic Tofu Scramble

Vegan              Gluten Free    Oil Free      Serves 4-6     Prep and cook time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Block of Firm Organic Tofu
  • 1/4 Cup Water (or 1 Tbsp of oil)
  • 1 Medium Shallot
  • 1 Large Garlic Clove
  • 1/2 Tsp Turmeric
  • 3/4 Tsp Black Salt

 

Method

  • In a frying pan cook Onions and Garlic in Water until Onions are soft and translucent, you can use oil over water for more flavour if you like.
  • Add Turmeric and Black Salt, mix and evenly Coat onion and Garlic mixture
  • Crumble tofu into small pieces and coat with spices and veg
  • Add more water if drying out or starting to stick to pan
  • Add any additional spices or veggies of choice
  • Cook on medium/ low until tofu has absorbed most of the liquid
  • Serve and garnish with veggies, spices, vegan cheese
  • Enjoy!

 

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal

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On those mornings when I am not in the mood to battle picky children, my go to breakfast is always Chocolate Oatmeal! Yes it’s a sneaky Mom hack, but it works! The kids are always bouncing in their seats as I prepare this dish truly thinking they are getting a treat rather than a decent breakfast.

Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an every day breakfast in our house as it does have a reasonable amount of maple syrup, but I do feel good about the nutrient rich Cacao Powder and the benefits of Oats so all in all it isn’t too bad 😉

Not only just a favourite with the kids, adults love it too! Try garnishing with dates and sea salt flakes for a salted caramel version!

Natasha xoxo

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal

Gluten Free Vegan                  Serves 6               Cook Time 7-10 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Rolled Oats (I used Gluten Free)
  • 4 Cups Water
  • 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
  • 1/3 Cup Cacao Powder
  • 1/8 Tsp Sea Salt

Method

  • Combine Oats and Water in a large pot, bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium / low
  • Add Cacao powder, maple syrup, and sea salt, stir well until cacao powder dissolves
  • Cook for 7 – 10 minutes, until water is absorbed by oats and desired consistency is reached
  • Garnish with fruit, seeds, nuts, cocoa nibs, coconut, dates, or sea salt.