Style – Page 2 – StyleNectar

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

ultimate rustic caramel apples w chocolate ganache

+ a simple no-fuss way to serve them at parties!

raw vegan caramel apples

Oh. my. goodness. These Rustic Raw Vegan Caramel Apples might be my favorite thing I’ve ever eaten to date… WOW! Like you’ve got to make these asap. So simple. So incredibly delicious. MMMMMMmmmmmmm.

Let’s just say I’ve ALWAYS had a thing for caramel… and this raw vegan version is way yummier! Smear it all over a crisp apple, roll it in your favorite toppings and then drizzle chocolate ganache all over – the ULTIMATE!

Forget that these are healthy, they taste BETTER than anything you’ve ever had. Forget that they’re filled with amazing nutrition and life force that is going to make you feel and look phenomenal, cause the pure utter enjoyment in every bite is enough on its own. Crisp, juicy apple wrapped in thick, gooey caramel, with a light crunch of chopped walnuts and dark, dark chocolate ganache. Again, I’ve gotta call this treat food fit for the Gods.

And a treat…

Perfect for Autumn, for kiddos, and wonderful for entertaining too! These Rustic Caramel Apples slice right up with ease for display on your favorite platter. Trust, they won’t last long!

mind-blowing raw vegan caramel apples w chocolate ganache

I almost skipped over how unbelievable these Ultimate Rustic Caramel Apples are for our bodies, minds and spirit… because they’re so darn delicious I don’t want anyone to be turned off thinking, if they’re so healthy how can they taste so great? However, here’s the thing…

Amazing flavor, ultimate health, pure joy and our highest potential beauty & vitality need not be mutually exclusive!

These Caramel Apples are enzymatically alive, containing all the power of life force, and they also happen to be incredible immune boosters thanks to the raw coconut nectar and oil. Coconut nectar is low glycemic (with a GI of 35), gluten free, dairy free, non- GMO, vegan, contains 17 amino acids, minerals, B-vitamins, vitamin C and has a nearly neutral pH. Unprocessed coconut products such as the coconut nectar and oil used in this recipe are brimming with health and immune boosting power including :(1) (2)

Heart Health: the healthy short chain and medium chain fatty acids along with large amount of lauric acid protect against heart disease.
Reduction of Sweet Cravings: insulin secretion & utilization of blood glucose is improved while the healthy fat in coconut slows down any rise in blood sugar helping to reduce hypoglycemic cravings.
Improved Digestion: Absorption of nutrients including vitamins, minerals and amino acids is supported while many symptoms and inflammatory conditions associated with digestive and bowel disorders are improved.
Quick Energy Boost: Coconut is utilized by the body to actually produce energy rather than to store it as body fat.
Promotes Healthy Thyroid Function: and helps to relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Immune Booster: coconut is Hypoallergenic and contains Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal & Anti-parasitic healing properties.

1) http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org

2) http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/a-new-look-at-coconut-oil/

Please enjoy these beautiful and delicious, high vibration Rustic Raw Vegan Caramel Apples with the freshest most amazing flavor that also feeds our highest potential health, beauty and vitality!

RECIPE for RAW VEGAN RUSTIC CARAMEL APPLES w CHOCOLATE GANACHE (Makes 4-6 apples)

INGREDIENTS

4-6 clean, medium sized apples, stems removed
4-6 clean sticks from your yard (or use popsicle sticks) for handles
3/4 of a cup finely chopped walnuts (preferably sprouted & dehydrated- plus they taste SO much better this way!), coconut or your fav other toppings

Raw Vegan Caramel

1/2 cup liquified extra virgin coconut oil (to liquify: set a glass bowl over a small pot of boiling water, add coconut oil & stir til melted) Alternatively, you may sub equivalent dates or date paste which does make for easier adherance onto apple – I just love the taste of the coconut oil- tho both are super yum!
1/2 cup raw nut butter (such as almond, cashew, sunflower or pepita butter)
1/2 cup raw, organic coconut nectar
4 pitted dates
1/4 tsp vanilla powder
1/4 tsp himalayan salt

Raw Vegan Chocolate Ganache

1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil liquified
1/2 cup cacao or carob
1/2 cup nut butter
1/4 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1/4 tsp himalayn salt
a few drops of stevia to taste

METHOD

To insert the apple “handles” with ease, first make a slit about 1/3 the way down in the top middle of each apple with a sharp knife, then insert the sticks. Find a small platter and place a sheet of parchment or wax paper on it. You will be placing your apples on this during preparatin to catch excess caramel and chocolate. Place apples in the freezer for 10 minutes as this makes it easy for the caramel to adhere.
Blend together the caramel ingredients til smooth & creamy. Set in freezer to cool for 5 minutes while preparing chocolate ganache.
Whisk together the chocolate ganache ingredients until smooth and creamy. The mixture should not be overly runny, so adjust the amount of nut butter as necessary, slightly thicker is best for easy application. Set aside on the counter at room temp.
Remove apples from freezer and place on your platter. If any of them are unstable, slice a small piece off the bottom to stabalize. Remove caramel from freezer as well & give it a stir to loosen it up a bit.
With a small metal spatula apply the caramel to each apple, placing each apple on your platter as complete. Put the platter of caramel slathered apples back into the freezer for 5 minutes to set a bit. Don’t worry if some of the caramel slides down. Just pat it back up with your finger tips. We’ll be covering these babies up with your choice of toppings in a minute and they’re RUSTIC!
Remove apples from freezer once again & take this opportunity to patch any spots where you may want to add a bit more caramel. Roll in your choice of finely chopped nuts, coconut etc. Pop back in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Remove the apples from the freezer. Whisk your chocolate ganache to be sure it’s well incorporated, and then drizzle it about your apples. (If you happen to have a squeeze top bottle use it for even simpler ganache application. Alternatively, place the ganache into a freezer bag, snip the TINIEST of little snips off the corner and then squeeze out the ganache using the freezer bag like a pastry bag.) Once complete, pop apples back in freezer for 5 minutes to set. Then move to fridge for permanent storage.
For entertaining, slice the apples as shown and arrange on your favorite platter.

**Leftover caramel? Use it as a dipping sauce or smoothie topper! Leftover ganache? Pour into little molds (or onto a wax paper lined surface) & pop into the freezer for instant raw chocolates 🙂

Do you have any holiday classics you’d like to have me upgrade to a vegan or raw version? Let me know in the comments!

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All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Philosophy/Meditation/Spirituality, Style

Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk

Mmmm… Warming Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk is yumminess so soothing, delicious and comforting before bed I find myself turning in earlier just cause I can't wait to make it! This mug of exotic spiced mylk sweetened with a touch of raw honey tingles the tastebuds and warms the insides. Minutes later, tucked into soft jammies and lavender spritzed covers, I'm falling into a deep slumber of fantastical adventures… dreams so beautiful I don't wake up until dawn. Ok, the falling asleep quickly part is definitely thanks to my Warming Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk, excellent for inducing sound, restful sleep. The continuation of a night filled with brilliant dreams leads me to a subject of an upcoming post, however, I'll give you a sneak peek…

Yet another Ayurvedic technique to promote restful sleep is rubbing a little warm sesame oil (cold pressed) on the soles of the feet (which contain reflexology points connecting all over the body). I add a few drops of pure **Frankincense Essential Oil to enhance this and I'm experiencing the affect of ultimate relaxation and beautiful dreams. I adore a night of deep sleep filled with intense dreaming, magical adventure that can't be bothered by waking up in the middle… designed by the universe just for us, stimulating our creative brain until it's perfectly time to open our eyes, look out the window, in a purely refreshed state of excitement for the daytime portion of our lives! Beautifully restful those dreamy nights where anything and everything is possible, preparing our subconscious for the grounded adventure of sunlit days. That's what sesame oil and frankincense do for me – it's no wonder the three wise men brought baby Jesus Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold. I'll share in an upcoming post, which essential oils (EO's) I use in addition to the amazing power they have. Not all EO's are created equally for there is a highly refined art to how they're grown, distilled and combined. Therefore, it's important to properly source them. However, I've already delved much farther into this subject than intended, so stay tuned for more exciting details soon!

**Frankincense oil is an ancient oil which has been used for over 5000 years for restoration of the immune system, enhancing skin care, and harnessing spiritual connection to help us release parts of our ego which hold us back from connecting with our soul, as well as releasing feelings of unworthiness and insecurity. Often used in meditation, it's useful for visualizing, improving spiritual connection, centering, and providing comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair. The uses and benefits of Frankincense date long before the time of Christ to the Egyptians and Sumerians. Today, scientific research has shown Frankincense contains 8% sesquiterpenes which stimulate the part of the brain that controls emotions, and 78% monoterpenes which are known to be calming and restorative.

What I will say – on a seemingly different subject and yet not since everything in life is so inextricably intertwined – is that awakening (pun intended) is pure joy! All the tidbits I share on StyleNectar are simple ways to Live Beautifully, to help us experience the profound joy that is our birthright. People, do not give up. Even if you feel hopeless, do not give up. Trust me I've been there. We all have. However, our problems are indeed opportunities in disguise. They inspire us to look beyond the limitations of conditioned mind – beyond simply meeting ego's needs – as it dawns on us that ego's needs can NEVER be met. It will never be enough. Ego's appetite is insatiable and its promises empty. The good news, however, is our freedom, our bliss, lies not in some external person, achievement or thing. Freedom is in our own hands – we're at the mercy of no one, no thing! It's designed that way – and in fact it's our life purpose to realize. Some might call it learning to love ourselves. I would say it's realizing we are love. Meditation weans us from our addiction to distraction, disatisfaction, drama, and living in stories of past and future. Finding freedom is SO much more fun than the futility of attempting to appease ego. It's why many people who so called "have it all" are still not satisfied, blind to the simple, beautiful fact that we had it all from the very beginning. We always have. Always will. The heart. Love. Through meditation we experience this disrobing of the layers of disatisfaction, to bathe in love, be one with who we are. Experiencing our true nature. Our highest potential. When we bring true nature to our human experience we open our eyes to everything that has been within and around us all along. The magic of life force, of being alive. We see that it's about the process, each moment. Forget the results, they're just another addiction to tear us away from the moment. When we leave the moment we disconnect from the source and dive headfirst into suffering. Meditation and living in tune with nature reinforce our oneness with the source, opening ourselves up to a magical way of living not possible, or encouraged – by the conditioned world.

Ayurvedic Spiced Sleepytime Mylk w Turmeric, Cardamom & Ginger

The science of Ayurveda, based on the ancient healing traditions of India, supports living in sync with nature, adjusting our way of living to balance the affect changes in our environment have on our doshas (doshas being the three mind-body types: vata, pitta & kapha). These changes in the rhythms and forces of nature such as the shift from morning to night and the inevitable seasons have a profound impact on us. According to Ayurveda, a key to good health, peaceful mind and higher level functioning is to live in harmony with these patterns of nature. This means continually balancing our inner ecology and our doshas to adjust to our ever changing environment.

Fall provokes the qualities of the vata dosha, characterized by such physical attributes as dryness, cold, subtlety, mobility, lightness, clarity, instability & astringency. Thus, Ayurvedic guidelines for autumn revolve around pacifying vata and grounding by keeping warm, calm, maintaining a regular routine, eating warming foods & spices and avoiding extreme cold, cold foods and too many raw foods. While there are many incredible reasons to include loads of raw foods into our diets, I'm not dogmatic about a 100% raw food philosophy. Currently, I'm experimenting with a 70% raw food, 30% cooked food breakdown. That said, don't forget, just because food is raw, doesn't mean it has to be cold – soups, entrees etc. can all be warm, yummy and comforting and stay raw. I'll be bringing more of these warming dishes to you this season.

Autumnal shifts in my diet are accompanied by going to bed a bit earlier, the addition of cozy blankets, sweaters, scarves and slippers; you won't catch me without a mug of something warm such as green tea or this Ayurvedic Spiced Mylk. I find myself wearing my hair down in its natural waves around my neck and ears like an extra scarf to keep me warm. Dinnertime brings warming stews spiced with seeds of cumin, mustard & coriander, or spicy thai noodles w/ shiitakes and coconut cream sauce (yes coming soon!)… It's a gorgeous, cold, light, blustery and dry time of the year. Leaves sparkling and rustling in the autumnal gusts. Even my kitty changes her routine, heading back to nap in her pillow-lined basket in the kitchen.

Sleepytime Ayurvedic Warming Spiced Mylk with Turmeric, Ginger & Cardamom

With these adaptations to the change in seasons I've been inspired to incorporate additional Ayurvedic structure to my days. I experience an incredible amount of life force on a 100% raw foods diet combined with my dedicated meditation practice. It's probably something one has to experience to be able to relate to… spiritual breakthroughs of a whole new level, such oneness with nature it's frequency pulses through my veins. However, from an Ayurvedic perspective, though we do live in heated homes, a 100% raw food diet might not be best in winter. While I did remain close to 100% raw last winter, as I was brand new to it and unwilling to let go of the high frequency living a raw food diet was providing, old school Ayurvedic science would feel this could provoke too much vata. On the other hand there are "living" Ayurvedas who would completely endorse 100% raw year round for the level of prana it provides. Which side to take? As Ghandi said, "My life is experiments in truth". So this year I'm experimenting, taking the middle way by incorporating more grounding cooked food into my routine. I find life is constant change, refinement, which forces us to stay awake, keep our eyes open. Far better than falling asleep on auto-pilot thinking we've figured it all out. So here's a peek at the rest of the Ayurvedic inspired daily routine I'm transitioning into:

Ayurveda would recommend waking up early, around 5 am to experience the calm stillness of the morning this time of year. I'm working on that, finding 6:00 am is my current goal 🙂 A bit of yoga is advised upon waking, which I find quite wonderful, only 10-20 minutes or so, focusing on the following asanas especially soothing of vata: Cat and Cow, Spinal Twist, Cobra, Vajrasana, Forward & Backward Bend, and Lotus. Shoulder Stand and Headstand are good in moderation. Additionally, Sun Salutations in sets of 12 at minumum for good exercise or a maximum to the number of one's age -tho work up gradually if you try that! I follow yoga with bathing & oil pulling, breakfast & meditation. If I've gotten up early enough I'll take an early walk in nature, otherwise, I'll soak up the sunshine on a lunchtime walk. After a day's work, supported by my essential oils (again more on these soon!) I have dinner (sometimes raw, sometimes cooked, always warm) relax, and aim to go to bed within an hour after sunset – yes that early! It's fantastic. Just before bed it's a short second meditation then my delicious Warming Spiced Sleepytime Mylk. As mentioned, it completely helps me sleep through the night – and even if it didn't I'd still drink it cause it's SO darn comforting, yummy and freakin delicious people! Yes, it does have turmeric in it- which is of course unbelievable for us on so many levels, and it tastes phenomenal. If you think you wouldn't like it with turmeric, try it, I think you'll be surprised 🙂

Lastly, after having my sleepytime mylk… I wash up for bed and rub the soles of my feet with the aforementioned sesame oil and frankincense to cleanse my body, sleep like a baby, and dream like I'm in a whole new world. As I said, more on the essential oils coming soon…

**Turmeric has a vast variety of uses. In general it's a good anti-inflammatory. In traditional medicine, it's used to treat liver disorders, parasitic infections, ulcers, skin problems, bruises, joint pain and inflammation, sprains & strains, cold & flu symptoms and as a general digestive aid. Scientific research shows that turmeric aids in breaking down liver toxins, strengthening gallbladder function, aiding lipid (aka fat) metabolization, and preventing blood clotting. Recent studies show turmeric may help prevent lung, breast colon, and other forms of cancer.

PS. I can't possibly discuss Indian science without mentioning one of my top (as in top 3) favorite books, the Baghatvad Gita (translation by Eknath Eswaran). Life changing. Just like us. Just like nature.

Recipe for Warming Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk

Ingredients

1 cup of almond, coconut or your fav non-dairy mylk
pinch of cardamom
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of black pepper
pinch of ginger
pinch of turmeric
raw honey

Method

Pour your favorite mylk into a small pot.
Add spices to taste and whisk to combine. Start with less and experiment with more later. I actually use 1/2 tsp of each spice which makes my mylk bright yellow and I LOVE it! However, a pinch is all you need.
Bring mylk to baby bottle temperature to keep it raw. If you don't care about it staying raw, bring it to a light steam.
Add a raw honey to taste & give mylk another whisking.
Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy heavenly sleepytime yummminess! Sweet Dreams 🙂

Do you meditate or have you ever considered meditating? How are you transitioning into the cooler weather?

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Art, Style

the apple picker

12" x 12" oil on canvas by Juliane Porter

one of my recent commissioned oil paintings. what can i say. this little guy, who's not so little any more and growing like a weed, is just as inspiring as his sweet sister (see her portrait here). each time i see these kiddos they fill me with happiness, love and light. the piece is in my living room at the moment… lighting up the space just as those dear faces do! i shall have a hard time parting with it 🙂

have you ever had a painting commissioned of you, your kids or a loved one? feel free to contact me if you're interested.

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Raw Vegan Carrot Cake w Lemon Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting

An amazing slice of Raw Vegan Carrot Cake w Lemon Cashew "Cream Cheese" Frosting

This insanely delicious and beautiful raw vegan Carrot Cake with Lemony Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting is hands down The BEST cake I've ever had… ever, ever, ever! Layers of incredibly fresh, moist, gorgeous cake tucked between the dreamiest, luscious, lemon cashew cream cheese frosting. Sweet decadence that tastes like food fit for the Gods. The stuff dreams and Birthday's are made of…

Raw Carrot Cake w Lemony Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting topped with zest, pistachios, flaked coconut & edible rose petals

Proving once again, we literally can have our (carrot) cake and eat it too… no sacrifices to our tastebuds, health or beauty here! Nope! We get to enjoy outrageous flavor, high vibrational health and beauty boosting rawsomeness galore.

Yes, we can have it all!

Please enjoy this little slice of heaven. I made a smaller 6 inch cake with a glass dish I had in the cupboard. I simply lined it with saran wrap, let the cake set, then lifted it out with it's saran handles. Alternatively, one could use a 6 inch removable bottom cake pan or free form the layers by hand. If you want to make a larger cake just double the recipe. I topped my carrot cake with a sprinkling of large flaked dried coconut, chopped lime green pistachios, the candied zest* of a lemon and an orange, and lastly, some edible dried rose petals from the very last rose of the season in our garden.

This is my submission to Tinned Tomatoes & Fuss Free Flavours Bookmarked Recipes Challenge and to Ren Behan's & Feedingboys' Simple and in Season.

Raw and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, this Carrot Cake with Lemon Chream Cheese Frosting is full of life!

Enjoy!

Recipe for Raw Vegan Carrot Cake with Lemon Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting

Serves 4 or 6 smaller pieces. This is a nutritionally dense recipe & a small piece is very satisfying)

Ingredients

Lemon Cashew "Cream Cheese" Frosting

NOTE: Below is a double frosting recipe since it would be a crime to run out of frosting mid-cake prep… + I love the extra in breakfast parfaits, as smoothie topping & as a divine mousse. However, feel free to cut this recipe in half if you wish.

2 cups cashews (soaked overnight, well rinsed & drained to remove enzyme inhibitors)
1/2 lemon peeled, seeded
1/2 tsp vanilla powder
2 Tbsp coconut nectar or to taste (or sub stevia)
pinch of celtic salt
coconut water as needed (or sub water)

Carrot Cake

4 or 5 large carrots peeled & chunked (I used 4 this time cause I forgot the 5th in the strainer basket)
1/2 lemon peeled & seeded
2 cups pitted dates
1/2 cup dried apricots (or substitute another 1/2 cup pitted dates)
1 pinky fresh ginger
2 Tbsp coconut nectar (or sub raw honey or maple syrup)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla powder
pinch of celtic salt
Optional Cake Toppings: Sprouted nuts like pecans, walnuts, pistachios, dried fruit, candied citrus zest*, flaked raw coconut… its up to your imagination!

Method

**NOTE: You can (& should) make this cake a day or two in advance as the flavors meld & become even more fantastic with each additional day.

Blend all the frosting ingredients together in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix to create a thick, smooth "cream cheese" frosting, adding only as much liquid as necessary. Pop it in the fridge while making the cake.
Add all the Carrot Cake ingredients into a large food processor and pulse til fully incorporated and sticking together.
Press half the mixture into a 6" wide by 3" deep dish (ideally, use a removable bottom cake pan, I happened to have a 6" x 3" glass dish which I lined with saran).
Spread a thick layer of cream cheese frosting over the first cake layer and pop the whole thing into the freezer to set for an hour.
Add the second half of cake mixture pressing gently on top. Place cake back in freezer for an hour or overnight.
Remove the cake from the pan or dish and place on top of your cake plate (if using my saran method, simply lift out using the saran handles)
Frost the entire cake and decorate with your choice of toppings.

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan or Raw version? Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Banana Nut Branola w Apricot & Goji

(Brittle/Granola)

Banana Nut Branola (Brittle/Granola) with Goji, Dried Apricots & Buckwheat

As I sit here in my ever-rotating office (currently sprawled across the kitchen table) I am thoroughly enjoying this fabulously delicious Banana Nut Branola alongside my Kusmi BB Detox Green Tea. This raw vegan snack is crispy, sweet and totally decked out with the gorgeous superfood power of Goji's, Dried Apricots, Sprouted Almonds, Pecans & Buckwheat… plus a bit of Golden Flax to make skin glow and tresses shine! I call it Branola, aka Brittle + Granola, cause you can either break it into granola or leave it in rustic shaped brittle for no fuss early morning (or any time of day snacking) retrieval 🙂

Banana Nut Branola is perfect for that go-to snack that curbs appetite and provides amazing nutrition. There's something about it that is superbly satisfying (well, take a look at the amazing bennies below to explain that part). Knowing I've got a big jar of this crispy superfood bark on hand makes me incredibly happy – like having a snack security blanket. The days are cooler and I just find myself wanting the crunch and substance this raw food yumminess provides. Sprouted buckwheat is incredibly nutritious and yet suprisingly light. The banana-date caramel infused with golden flax serves as the perfect crunchy foundation. It takes 15 minutes to throw it together then simply letting the dehydrator (or oven) do all the rest.

Pssst! Have you checked out the StyleNectar Shop?! Be sure to stop by often for frequently updated equipment & ingredients used in my recipes in addition to favorite lifestyle items I love. I've done all the research so you don’t have to!

Benefits as always, these are just a few of them!

Goji – Goji berries are one of the most nutrient-rich foods on earth and have been used in Asian herbal medicine for over 5,000 years. They're a vegetarian form of protein, packed with essential amino acid, rich in vitamin A (beta-carotene) and over 20 trace minerals and vitamins.
Sprouted Buckwheat Groats - Sprouting nuts & seeds (buckwheat is actually a fruit seed of the broadleaf plant related to rhubarb, not a grain) releases enzymes which make them healthier and easier to digest. Sprouted seeds are among the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet. Buckwheat groats are a gluten free whole "grain" packed with nutrients, especially protein. While it is not a true grain, it is used like one & surpasses rice, wheat & corn on almost every measure of healthfulness (including the fact that rice, wheat, and corn are high on the glycemic scale, thus causing a quick spike in blood sugar levels, a proven cause of systemic inflammation). Buckwheat, on the other hand, ranks low on the glycemic scale. Buckwheat has more protein than wheat, corn, millet or rice and is high in essential amino acids lysine & arginine, of which primary cereal crops are deficient.
Banana – Bananas help prevent kidney cancer, protect the eyes against macular degeneration and build strong bones by increasing calcium absorption. They also help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin, the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter.
Dates - First and foremost, dates are easily digested, allowing your body to make full use of their abundant minerals, vitamins, and health-benefiting phytonutrients. The fiber in dates helps move waste smoothly through the colon to prevent LDL (bad) cholesterol absorption by binding with substances containing cancer-causing chemicals. Dates' potassium, an electrolyte, helps control heart rate and blood pressure. B vitamins in dates like carotenes lutein and zeaxanthin, absorb into the retina to maintain optimal light-filtering functions and protect against macular degeneration. Dates also contain Vitamin A (which protects the eyes, maintains healthy skin and mucus membranes, and even protects the lungs and mouth from developing cancer) and Vitamin K (a blood coagulant which also helps metabolize your bones).
Raw Honey – Centuries of documentation describe honey's frequent use in soothing coughs, sore throats, burns, wounds and rashes and as a digestive aid, allergy treatment and a natural source of energy.
Dried Apricots – Dried apricots are often eaten prior to a meal to stimulate digestion because of the alkali that neutralizes acids. Dried apricots assist the digestive tract by acting as a mild laxative to flush out unwanted wastes due to the pectin and cellulose they contain. The cellulose acts as an insoluble fiber while pectin maintains water levels in the body during constipation. Dried apricots provide a very good source of potassium, a mineral & electrolyte useful to regulate proper fluid balance which helps in proper muscle function and heartbeat regulation. Dried apricots contain nutrients like Vitamin A which is required for good vision as it's a powerful antioxidant that helps to remove free radicals and maintain the health of cells and tissues. Free radical damage can cause injury to the human eye lenses which can lead to cataracts or damage the eyes, thus dried apricot intake reduces the risk of developing cataracts. Dried apricots can assist in treatment of anaemia due to minerals like iron and copper which produce haemoglobin. Dried apricots contain three times the potassium of bananas which helps reduce blood pressure due to potassium's ability to counter the water-retaining properties of sodium, keeping blood volume lower and thereby, protecting against heart disease.
Sprouted Almonds – Sprouted almonds are easier to digest than regular nuts because the soaking process releases their enzyme inhibitors enabling our body’s own enzymes to more effectively absorb all the nutrients they provide. A single ounce delivers 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of dietary fiber. Among commonly eaten nuts, almonds are the leading source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat which has been proven to lower LDL “bad” cholesterol levels and reduce risk for heart disease. Sprouted almonds can help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a great option for diabetics. Almonds are also abundant in antioxidants, protective compounds that fight free radicals and reduce risk for heart disease and stroke. They're also loaded with minerals like calcium and iron.
Sprouted Pecans – Pecans are in the top 15 foods known for their antioxidant activity, according to the USDA. One of those antioxidants is vitamin E, which scientists claim may assist neurological and cell protection. The vitamin E may also play a role in coronary heart disease prevention as it keeps blood lipids from oxidizing in the body, a process similar to rusting. Additionally, pecans contain a mega 245% RDA of manganese per serving, which is very good for the heart, 65% of the daily value for copper, critical for cellular energy production, 33% each in magnesium (for optimal immune & nerve function, heart rhythm, muscle & bone strength) and zinc (for health immune function, protein & DNA synthesis, wound healing & cell division). As if this weren't enough, pecans provide 48% RDA of thiamin (which assists cells convert carbs into energy while helping heart, muscle & nervous system function), 42% RDA in fiber, and 20% RDA of protein in a single serving. Of course the fact that these are sprouted means you'll actually absorb all of this goodness 🙂

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Delicious, beautiful raw food power that tastes amazing and makes us look and feel the same way! Just the way we like it 🙂

Recipe for Banana Nut Branola (Brittle + Granola)

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups sprouted buckwheat groats (to sprout: soak groats overnight w 1/2 t celtic salt, rinse well, then sprout in a towel covered colander placed in a bowl til 1/4 inch tails develop for 2 days, rinsing well 2 x day)
1/2 cup sprouted pecans coarsely chopped into halves & thirds (to sprout: soak overnight w 1/2 t celtic salt, rinse well, then sprout for a day in a towel covered colander placed in a bowl, rinsing 2 x day. No tails will develop. Dehydrate for 12 – 24 hours til completely dry then store in freezer. For this recipe you can add the pecans & almonds to the mixture in their softened state as they will dry during the dehydration of the Branola)
1/4 cup sprouted almonds coarsely chopped (to sprout: see pecans above)
1/4 cup apricots coarsely chopped
1/4 cup goji berries
3 bananas
8 dates
2 T raw honey
1/4 cup golden flax
1 T cinnamon
1 t vanilla powder
celtic or himalayan salt to taste

Method

Add the sprouted buckwheat groats, pecans, almonds, apricots and goji to a large bowl.
Blend the bananas, dates, raw honey, golden flax, cinnamon, vanilla and celtic salt in a high speed blender til smooth and creamy.
Add blended mixture to large bowl and fold the ingredients together til nicely combined.
Spread the mixture into a thin sheet across two dehydrator trays and dehydrate** for 1 hour on 135F, then turn down to 115F for another 8-12 hours, flipping over midway, until completely crispy and dry. Dehydration times will vary dramatically depending on season, climate, altitude etc., so check on your Branola often and gage time accordingly and to your desired crisp level.
Break into rustic brittle sized shapes for easy grab-n-go or crumble into smaller granola sized pieces. I store mine in a big glass mason jar in the fridge where it only lasts for 2 or 3 days cause we eat it all. Or put in the freezer where it may last longer since it's out of sight- lol- it will obvi stay fresh in the freezer for a longer time if you don't eat it 🙂
Store in a glass container in the fridge or freezer.

**If you don't yet have a dehyrator, spread the mixture on two silpat or parchment covered baking sheets with oven on lowest temperature & oven door propped open an inch, flipping over midway, til thoroughly dry and crispy. Check on the Branola often as the oven will still likely be much hotter than 135F & 115F and, therefore, the process may be much faster. Additionally, the product may not be truly raw as it would be using a deyhdrator.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan or Raw version? Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Art, Portraits, Style

Laughing in the Park

"Laughing in the Park" Commissioned Portrait by Juliane Porter (16" x 20" Oil on archival quality, gallery wrapped canvas. Click image for better, larger view!)

"Laughing in the Park" is my latest commissioned portrait of a beautiful young brother and sister. I had a blast painting this carefree and playful pair. Can't you feel the bond between them?!

While painting, I was reminded of a favorite Emily Dickinson poem, There is Another Sky, which she wrote for her beloved older brother.

There is Another Sky

There is another sky,
Ever serene and fair,
And there is another sunshine,
Though it be darkness there;
Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Never mind silent fields –
Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;
Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been;
In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!

~ Emily Dickinson (Written for her brother)

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Cauliflower Popcorn

Cauliflower Popcorn is loaded with all the flavor of your favorite snack chips and pop-ems with none of the downside!

Cauliflower Popcorn is so addictive I challenge you to make it so far as to get yours into the dehydrator (or oven) for step 2… without eating it all first!

This flavorful, smoky, cheesy, salty-sweet indulgence tastes phenomenal tossed up fresh… however, an hour or two in the dehydrator (or oven- see below) renders it crispy and warm with its tantalizing aromas wafting throughout the kitchen so do try to hold out! This raw food yumminess is brimming with powerful life-force, enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins galore. It's a snack that makes us feel as phenomenal as it tastes! Whenever I eat Raw Snacks I feel satiated, energized and just plain fantastic. Cauliflower Popcorn is no exception! Loaded with all the flavor of our favorite snack chips and tidbits without any of the downside… except perhaps that I couldn't hoard it all to myself once Jim had a taste. He couldn't get enough and rates it…

"Outstanding!"

The Benefits (and this is just a few mind you!)

Fights Cancer - Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, a sufur compound proven to kill cancer stem cells thus slowing tumor growth, and to inhibit the growth of cultured breast cancer cells leading to cell death. Moreover, research shows, cauliflower with curcumin (the active compound in the turmeric in this recipe) may help prevent & treat prostrate cancer. Additionally, the Indoles and isothiocyanates in cauliflower have been shown to potentially inhibit cancer development of the bladder, breast, colon, liver, lung and stomach according to the National Cancer Institute.

Boosts Heart Health – The sulforaphane in cauliflower has been shown to significantly improve blood pressure and kidney function. These benefits are related to improved DNA methylation, a process crucial for normal cellular function and gene expression especially in the easily damaged inner lining of the arteries.

Supports Detoxification - Cauliflower supports Phase 1 detoxification via certain antioxidants and Phase 2 detoxification via it's sulfur-containing nutrients while the glucosinolates in cauliflower activate detoxification enzymes in the liver.

Anti-Inflammatory - Excessive inflammatory response when no threat is present can lead to inflammation-related damage in the body linked to many diseases including cancer depending on the organs impacted. Cauliflower's wealth of anti-inflammatory nutrients keep inflammation in check.

Rejuvenates Skin Hair & Nails - As you know by now, consuming a variety of veggies & fruits is important in order to receive all their valuable vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower specifically, contains Vitamins A, E, C & K as well as B vitamins, folate, sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, fats, niacin, copper and iron. The biotin in cauliflower has been found to control dandruf and thicken nails. The plethora of antioxidants such as vitamin C in cauliflower destroy free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging. Additionally, the Vitamin C is required for growth & repair of tissues in all parts of the body including the formation of collagen in addition to making skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.

Boosts Digestion - That good old aforementioned sulforaphane has been shown to protect the lining of the stomach by preventing bacterial overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, cauliflower provides an great source of dietary fiber which is also crucial for digestive health.

Antioxidants & Phytonutrients Galore – Cauliflower is packed with tons of Vitamin C, beta-carotene and antioxidants like quercetin and cinnamic acid which provide cells adequate defense against attack from reqctive oxygen species or ROS. A proper supply of antioxidants helps banish free radicals enabling the body to resist aging caused by everyday pollutants, stress and more.

Boosts Brain Health - Cauliflowers abundant supply of choline is a B vitamin crucial in brain development. Choline intake during pregnancy "super-charges" the brain activity of animals in utero indicating it may boost cognitive function, prevent age-related memory decline, and improve memory & learning.

Overall Raw Foods Power – Nutrient dense, whole, plant-based foods that haven't been heated above 118 F retain their full nutritional value preserving all their naturally occuring living enzymes. Additionally, raw foods are still filled with vital life energy – the magic of life force, also known as chi or prana. I personally integrate a large portion of raw foods into my diet, finding at the moment as the weather is cooling, a proportion of 80% raw to 20% cooked is working best for me. In the heat of summer, I find myself eating close to 100% raw foods – though someday this too may change – and of course you'll be the first to know 🙂 Not only are we each unique with personalized needs, what works for us now may not be what works best for us a year or 5 or 10 years down the line. We always want to pay attention to the signals our bodies are providing in response to the changing seasons, our environment, habits, history, genetic predisposition etc.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This is my submission to the lovely Jacqueline at No Croutons Required and Lisa of FoodandSpice.

I've been wanting to make a raw food version of this snack favorite which is, more typically, roasted in the oven. As you can tell, the results are beyond amazing! Please enjoy this fantastic treat and leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Recipe for Cauliflower Popcorn

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower separated into 2 x larger than popcorn pieces (they'll shrink in the dehydrator)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (I like KAL brand)
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika (if you're a raw purist skip, tho it adds fabulous flavor)
1 tsp powdered stevia or xylitol
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil melted (or sub EVOO or use a combo of the two)

Method

Shake everything up in a large ziplock bag until all the pieces are thoroughly coated.
Spread out on a couple of teflex sheet covered dehydrator trays and dehydrate* at 135F for 1 hour (don't worry, the food is throwing off heat at this point & the internal temp remains under 115) and turn down to 115F for another hour or two until the mixture has dried and the popcorn is slightly crispy.

*Alternatively, if you don't yet have a dehydrator, spread mixture on a silpat or parchment covered baking sheet, place in oven on lowest setting with door propped open an inch or two. Check on the popcorn often as the oven will still likely be much hotter than 135F & 115F and, therefore, the process will be much faster.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan or Raw Vegan version? Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

How to make Spicy Kimchi (& Sauerkraut) for Powerful Probiotic Health

A delicious jar of flavanoid and probiotic rich Kimchi!

I've been super excited to share my method for Sauerkraut, and even better in my humble opinion, KIMCHI, for quite some time… the day has finally arrived!

Personally, I consider Kimchi to be Sauerkraut's amped-up cousin. My methods for making the two are exactly the same with kimchi simply requiring a few additional veggies & spices to provide its gorgeous color and kick of hot, spicy flavor. In fact, I was fascinated to learn both Sauerkraut and Kimchi are Asian in origin. Although sauerkraut, German for "sour cabbage", is thought of as a German invention, Chinese laborers building the Great Wall over 2,000 years ago ate it regularly and it was likely brought to Europe 1000 years later by Gengis Kahn.

Kimchi – and Sauerkraut too – is low in calories, helps boost metabolism, and contains immune and digestion boosting probiotics of the order of 1000 times that of yogurt! And, the longer it ferments, the greater the health benefits become. In previous articles I've discussed the important benefits of excellent Digestion, Proper Food Combining, and a Detoxification lifestyle so we're aware of the amazing affect probiotics have on our skin, digestion and health overall. In fact, by incorporating probiotic rich foods on a daily basis such as apple cider vinegar, kimchi and sauerkraut, it's actually possible to reverse poor gut health (aka leaky gut) due to unhealthy diet, illness, or antibiotic use. While there isn't any strict amount of the foods to take daily, the more we eat, the quicker the gut will mend, as these are all boasting prebiotics, probiotics and other compounds that encourage healthy immune and gastrointestinal systems. Let's look a bit closer at why, via the benefits of Kimchi (most of which are shared by sauerkraut as well).

Kimchi is a storehouse of vitamins including A, B1, B2 and C as well as being rich in essential amino acids and minerals such as iron, calcium, selenium. It boasts an impressive array of powerful antioxidants and provides the aforementioned benefit of probiotics in the form of lactobacillus bacteria. Kimchi contains numerous healthful components including capsaicin, chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids and isothiocyanates.
Kimchi is an excellent food to promote digestion. Its probiotics, produced during the fermentation of Kimchi, not only enhance the flavor but create the healthy bacteria, Lactobacillus, which is required by the body to maintain a healthy state of intestinal flora. The organic acid, lactobacilli, and lactic acid produced during fermentation suppress harmful bacteria and stimulate beneficial bacteria, prevent constipation, clean intestines and prevent colon cancer.
Even prior to fermentation, the cabbage base in Kimchi is well known for its detoxification qualities and ability to aid the body in getting rid of wastes and toxins. It helps in cleaning up the intestines, stimulating better assimilation of nutrients in the body.
Cancer: Cabbage contains healthful flavanoids which are known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Additionally glucosinolates found in cabbage break down to form isothiocyanates which are well known for their effectiveness against cancer growth. Capsaicin, contained in the red chili pepper of Kimchi, helps reduce the chance of developing lung cancer. Allicin, a chemical contained in garlic, assists to reduce the chance of developing stomach, thyroid and liver cancer. Indole-3-Carbinol contained in cabbage helps reduce the chance of developing stomach cancer.
Garlic and hot red chili pepper in Kimchi kill bacteria that cause gastritis, such as Helicobacter Pylori.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

While I do personally eat Kimchi or Sauerkraut almost daily, it's wise to start off with a small amount as any fermented food is highly detoxifying and a "die-off affect" can contribute even further to the toxic burden released. We never want to overwhelm our immune systems by detoxifying too fast, so it's important to implement changes and additions/subtractions to our lifestyle gradually and listen to our body along the way. That said, adding just a small amount of this exotic condiment can simply transform the flavor of anything from salads, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, rice, to a minestrone soup or a bowl of lentils… endlessly yummy applications!

Recipes for Sauerkraut and Kim-chi adapted from Turtle Lake Refuge

Recipe for Sauerkraut (makes 1/2 gallon)
Ingredients

2 green cabbages
2 T sea salt

Method

Grind the cabbage (red or green) in a food processor or chop it fine with a knife by hand.
Once the cabbage is ground, add the salt and mix it all together well.
Use a wooden dowel (I use the end of a French handle-free rolling pin) to pound the cabbage and salt which brings out the juices.
Once the juices are flowing, pack tightly using a wooden dowel or clean fist to pack tightly into a 1/2 gallon jar all the way to the top.
When the kraut is close to filling the jar, the juices should be covering the top of the kraut. It is key that the kraut is under the cabbage juices because culturing sauerkraut is due to an anaerobic (without oxygen) reaction rather than an aerobic (with oxygen) reaction.
Place the lid on the jar not too tightly so that as it cultures, the excess juices can escape (otherwise your jar might explode). Place the jar in a pan that can catch the overflow juices.
Cover the jar with a towel to keep it dark and let sit at room temperature for one week.
After a week has past, there may be a bit of discoloration on the top of the kraut if all the juices overflowed out. If so, just scrape off the top and keep the lower layers.**
Now you can refrigerate the jar or repack the kraut into smaller jars to store. We store our sauerkraut in the fridge, but it keeps in this form for months and months.

Recipe for Spicy Kimchi

Ingredients

1 green cabbage
1 chinese cabbage
2 large bunches of radishes
4 carrots
1/2 thumb size hunk ginger
4 scallions
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp sea salt

Method

Chop all the veggies according to your preference – I like to chop the cabbage & scallions coarsly for the Kimchi – mix in the spices & salt and follow the method above.

** If you're a newbie looking for a more "fool-proof" method I recommend the Perfect Pickler which has a little vacuum seal on the top to seal out air & induce a naturally pro-biotic world. It self-pressurizes to lock out airborne microbes. I have one and I found it worked great.

Have you ever made (or considered making) your own sauerkraut?

What's your favorite recipe variation?

Much Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!

I am not a healthcare practitioner or provider. To the extent that any information is provided through this website, it is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute or substitute for medical advice or counseling, the practice of medicine including but not limited to psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, the creation of a physician-patient or clinical relationship, or an endorsement, a recommendation or a sponsorship of any third party, product or service by me. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements available on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Salted Caramel Nut Butter Cups

Raw Vegan Salted Caramel Nut Butter Cups

Mmm-mmm, I've had a bit of a sweet tooth lately haven't I? Hey, knowing these delicious treats are all so incredibly good for me… why not make them all the time! I just love having a little piece of something after dinner or with my tea in the afternoon. These Raw Vegan Salted Caramel Nut Butter Cups are as heavenly as they look and delicious as they sound. They bring to mind a certain Easter candy whose first name rhymes with Bradbury… chocolate covered ooey-goey sweetness – minus the guilt and with all the glow!

Check it out…

The coconut nectar "caramel" is a tasty little miracle worker that's: low glycemic, non-toxic, low fructose, digestion improving, medium chain fatty acid boasting meaning it improves heart health, contains 17 amino acids, a host of minerals, vitamins B & C and is hypoallergenic, antiviral/antifungal/antiseptic/antibacterial & antiparasitic aka majorly immune boosting!

Sprouted Raw Nut butters like pecan and cashew contain easily digestible protein brimming with heart-healthy fatty acids, phenolic antioxidants, photo-chemical substances including the polyphenolic antioxidant ellagic acid, B-vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and zinc.

And, should you be avoiding cacao for any reason (albeit extraordinarily healthy for many other reasons, cacao can be overtaxing to the adrenals for some individuals) simply swap it out with this amazing raw carob powder like I do. Carob is actually an evergreen flowering shrub belonging to the legume family and native to the Mediterranean region. Carob is loaded with iron and can help fight against osteoporosis due to its high content of calcium, phosphorous and magnesium. Carob contains polyphenols which lower cholesterol and account for carob's extremely powerful antioxidant properties. Finally, carob is caffeine and theobromine-free and contains Gallic Acid which works as an analgesic, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral and antiseptic.

As always with all raw vegan StyleNectar recipes, the list of amazing benefits is seemingly endless… so should you care to delve into the incredible features of extra virgin coconut oil check them out here.

Gourmet chocolates that make us look and feel as beautiful as they taste…

YUM 🙂

Recipe for Raw Vegan Salted Caramel Nut Butter Cups

(Makes 1 dozen mini's)

Equipment: 12 mini muffin liners. Alternatively, use ice cube trays sprayed/coated with a bit of coconut oil to ensure easy release later.

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil, liquified (to liquify, simply place oil in a glass bowl over a barely simmering pot of water, stirring just til melted then removing immediately to keep raw)
1/4 cup cacao or sub a portion or all with raw carob powder
a pinch of sea salt or himalayan salt or to taste (See it's benefits here)
your favorite healthy sweetener to taste (I used 1 tsp liquid stevia)
raw coconut nectar - 2 or 3 Tbsp (Alternatively try substituting maple syrup or raw honey tho I've not tried either in this recipe yet so do so at your own risk.)
3 ounces cashew, macadamia or pecan butter ideally raw & sprouted (read about why I avoid peanuts & peanut butter here)
pinch of fleur de sel (or sub celtic or himalayan salt)

Method

Whisk together coconut oil, cacao, sea salt and sweetener until smooth and creamy. Taste to adjust flavors to your preference.
Place mini muffin tins into an 8 x 8 dish or other tray for stability.
Spoon a teaspoon of "melted" chocolate into each mini muffin tin, then place in the freezer for a few minutes to set.
Remove cups from freezer and spoon a tiny dallop of nut butter into each tin, followed by a teeny dallop of coconut nectar. Because coconut nectar is so stretchy, I assist the process by pouring with my left hand very carefully, and "cutting" the stream of nectar off w/ a knife in my right hand. Feel free to add the pinch of fleur de sel (or sub celtic or himalayan salt) at this point, or wait til step 6 and sprinkle it on the tops.
Place cups back in freezer for 20 minutes.
Remove cups from freezer and top with chocolate til covered. Sprinkle tops with a bit of Fleur de Sel (or celtic or himalayan salt) if you haven't already done so in step 4. Pop back in freezer for a good hour til fully hardened.
Store and eat directly from the freezer.

Enjoy!

What favorite sweet or savory indulgence would you like transformed into a beautifully delicious Raw Vegan version?

Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Fiery Onion Rings with Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Raw Vegan Chipotle Onion Rings with Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Who doesn't love the delicious crunch of crispy, battered onion rings?! Get ready for guilt free indulgence with these rings of fire made mega-delish with spicy smoked chipotle paired with THE most amazing Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce you've ever had! Seriously, Jim and I can't get enough. They've become a weekly staple – actually I made two batches this week they're that incredible and easy too!

You'd never guess these Raw Vegan Onion Rings are chock full of superfood power!

Fiery Onion Rings with Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce win hands down for flavor, texture and satisfaction… plus they leave us feeling & looking our best too! I purposely created a nut-free (gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free) batter as even a Living Foods Raw Vegan diet is not healthy if it relies too heavily upon a high calorie, fat-laden, nut based approach. When it comes to fats, too much can be too much no matter the type – a pitfall new Raw Foodists often stumble into. Heavy, nut-centric meals can be very difficult for the digestive system and make it challenging to achieve ideal weight/fitness goals. We all want to look and feel our best while eating delicious, nutritious food, therefore, I aim to develop balanced recipes that deliver absolutely amazing flavor while simultaneously ensuring we don't have to worry about counting calories or offsetting meals with excessive exercise in order to enjoy them.

This Raw Vegan enzyme and nutrient rich recipe is full of incredibly powerful health & beauty enhancing plant-based superfoods. Check out some of the amazing ingredient fun facts & benefits you'll receive while enjoying this delicious combo…

Onions – Major cancer fighting power. major collagen/hair/nails building power.
Buckwheat Groats- (I sprouted mine however I include options for skipping sprouting below) – Not actually a grain at all, but a fruit seed. High in protein, flavanoids, magnesium, insoluble fiber, powerful phytonutrients proven to be more powerful than that found in fruits & vegetables, heart protecting lignans and more.
Chickpeas - (I sprouted mine however I include options for not sprouting below) – Excellent for supporting the digestive tract, contain uniquely powerful antioxidants, decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, regulate blood sugar, improve feelings of satiety, excellent molybdenum &, manganese, very good source of folate & copper, good source of fiber & protein.
Kale – More iron than beef, high in Vitamin K crucial for bone health, blood clotting and prevention of Alzheimer's, powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol levels, high in Vitamins A & C and Calcium, a great detox food filled with fiber & sulfur to keep the liver healthy.
Carrots – Excellent source of Beta-Carotene for beautiful skin & healthy vision. Carrots also contain falcarinol, a natural toxin that protects carrots against fungal disease and is found in scientific studies to stimulate cancer-fighting mechanisms in the body. Carrot extract has been found useful in combating cognitive dysfunctions and may offer memory improvement as well as cholesterol-lowering benefit.
Capsaicin in Chipotle (Chili) Peppers– Powerful anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol & triglyceride levels and increases body's blood clotting ability. Cultures who use hot pepper liberally have a much lower rate of heart attack, stroke & pulmonary embolism. Protects fats in blood from damage by free radicals, the first step in the development of atherosclerosis. Clears congestion from sinuses and congested lungs. Boosts immunity due to it's high content of beta-carotene and C. Kills the bacteria contributing to stomach ulcers while stimulating the cells lining the stomach to secrete protective juices.
Hemp Seed– A Super Food. A complete protein with a concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins & enzymes with a virtual absence of sugar, starch & saturated fat. Increases and sustains energy, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces inflammation. Improves circulation, immune system and blood sugar control. More easily digested protein than meat, eggs, cheese or other high protein food. High in perfectly balanced essential fats: omega 3, 6 & Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). High in antioxidants, amino acids, fiber, iron, zinc, carotene, B vitamins, Vitamin E. Can be eaten by those unable to tolerate nuts, gluten, lactose or sugar as there are no known allergies to hemp foods.

Mmm mmm divine! We just had these Fiery Onion Rings w Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce on the side of a super delish Raw Vegan Soft-serve Chocolate Shake for a to-live-for lunch!

And, people, let me just talk about the Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce for a sec. Yes, these onion rings are unbelievably fabulous enough to stand on their own, however, this Creamy Garlic Aioli is phenom! You'll be wanting to dip everything in it – or thinning it out to use it as salad dressing – or slathering it all over your veggie wraps.

To. Live. For!!!

So, a final brief comment before I get to the recipe… I made my onion rings using the absolute highest raw vegan method possible (and it was still super easy) meaning I soaked my chickpeas and buckwheat then sprouted them before turning them into the batter. However, I've included an Express Option for anyone that feels like skipping that step. But, let's be honest about soaking and sprouting – it's literally dumping something into a big bowl of water, letting it sit, draining, rinsing, and letting it sit in a colander and rinsing again. Easy. However, options are good. And, either way you make it, they'll still be brimming with amazing flavor and stunning health and vitality power!

Recipe for Raw Vegan Onion Rings & Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

Raw Vegan Fiery Onion Ring Batter

1 cup dried chickpeas soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 1 cup chickpea flour)
3/4 buckwheat groats soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 3/4 cup buckwheat flour)
6 kale stems (left over from salads/smoothies or just use 3 whole leaves stem & all. For Express Method sub 1 1/2 Tbsp of your fav Greens Powder)
2 medium carrots (for Express Method, sub 2 Tbsp Carrot Powder)
1 1/2 inch piece of dried chipotle pepper (or equivalent in powder, starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing from there )
1 teeny tiny (they're like 1/2 inch long) dried habanero chili pepper (or chili powder to taste starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing batter from there)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for Express Method omit or substitute 5 nuts like cashews/brazil nuts/macadamia – don't worry 5 nuts spread across the entire recipe is not a big deal)
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
1/2 Tbsp raw coconut sugar (or use raw maple syrup crystals, stevia, raw coconut sugar or your fav sweetener to taste adjusting to account for differences in the strengths)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (reserved for garnishing)

*Soaking & Sprouting Instructions: Place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate bowls, top with filtered water to 3 inches above. Let soak 8-12 hours or overnight. Rinse thoroughly. To Sprout: place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate colanders inside 2 pots, add a 1/2 inch of water to each pot, cover with lids. Let sit for 2 to 3 days rinsing once in the am and pm until sprouts grow to about 1/4". Rinse again thoroughly and they're ready!

Onion Ring Soak

1 extra large sweet onion
1 1/2 cups filtered water
1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp coconut nectar
1 tsp sea salt

Creamy Raw Vegan Garlic Aioli

1/2 cup hemp seed
1/4 + cup filtered water
2 cloves garlic (3 if you like it strong)
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
5 raw cashews
a touch of raw coconut sugar, stevia or your fav sweetener (start with 1/2 tsp & adjust to taste)

Method

Fiery Raw Vegan Onion Rings

Note: It's best to do steps 1-3 the day before. Then dehydrate your onion rings the day you'll be serving or even a day ahead if you choose as they "reheat" really nicely in 45 minutes in the dehydrator.

Place all the Onion Ring Batter ingredients into your food processor and pulse until everything is uniformly broken down and well combined, scraping down the sides of your bowl several times. You should have a nice dough when the proccess is complete. You don't want huge chunks of anything. (For Express Method process ingredients into a flour and skip steps 2 and 3)
Spread the mixture onto a teflex sheet of your dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) and dehydrate at 115 F for 4 hours or until dry, checking periodically as climate/time of year/altitude etc. can vastly affect drying time. Feel free to make the Garlic Aioli at this point.
Once dry, break the dough into chunks and place into your food processor or Vitamix to process into a fine flour. Divide the flour between two medium bowls and set aside.
In a medium bowl whisk together the Onion Ring Soak ingredients.
Separate your extra large onion into rings.
Dip each onion ring first into the Soaking Liquid, then into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess, back into the soaking liquid and again into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess once more. Place each battered ring on a Teflex Sheet Lined dehydrator tray.
Once all onions are battered, dehydrate on 135 F for 1st hour (Don't worry they'll still be raw as at this point they're throwing off water and the internal temp remains below 115) then turn down to 115F for 2 to 4 hours more, checking on them periodically, until reach desired crispness.*
Dust onion rings with smoked paprika to garnish.

*There is leeway as to how long you choose to dehydrate the onion rings. They're really delicious both a little moist and quite crunchy & everything in between. I like to remove them when the interior is still a bit moist resembling deep-fried consisency as we put the leftovers in the fridge and "reheat" them in the dehydrator the next day on 135F for 45 minutes which makes them warm and crispier allowing us to enjoy them both ways.

Creamy Garlic Aioli

Place all the aioli ingredients into your Vitamix and process until smooth and creamy.
Taste to adjust for seasonings and, if making in advance, add 1 or 2 Tbsp extra water for it to be a bit thinner than desired consistency as it will thicken considerably in the fridge.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Raw Vegan version? Comment below & I'll recreate it for you!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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