Aside from adding them to Smoothies; making natural Dehydrated Banana Chips (which I will post a video on later); and eating them Whole…. I’m at a loss for recipes that use bananas in a healthy way. I’ve got a great no-sugar banana bread recipe, but you can only eat so many of those.

So please leave a comment on your ideas and suggestions on what I should do with them. I’ll try to post a video with my favorite idea you guys come up with so everyone else can enjoy it too!

I can’t wait to see what ideas you have. Thanks for the help!

~ Erika

P.S. Don’t worry, I am sharing the banana love and giving out tons to my neighbors and friends.

This recipe is dedicated to my brand new niece… Welcome to the world Stella, you’re a sweet little ‘peach’ and we love you very much!

Here is the ingredient list… or if you have the Living Cookbook software, you can import the free recipe file by cutting and pasting it right into your program.  Or you can view the printer friendly version here… Enjoy!

Nutty Peach Raw Ice ‘Non’ Cream

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:
1/2 cup Raw Almonds (Rinsed) or experiment with other nuts if you’d like (like pecans!)
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Agave Syrup (raw)
1 cup Almond, Soy, Rice Milk (or whatever your favorite ‘nut’ milk is)
3 ripe Peaches (washed and pitted – skin on)
2 +/- cup Ice (adjust accordingly if your mixture is too runny or too thick)

Optional Toppings:
1 Tbs Nuts (use your favorite)
1 Tbs Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)
1 Tsp Chocolate chips or Raw Chocolate (Cacao) Powder

Procedure

1. In the VitaMix, place the almonds, vanilla and agave syrup. Start at Variable Speed 1 and slowly move to speed 10 as the almond mixture blends thoroughly.
2. Bring the speed down to about 4-5 and slowly add the one cup ‘milk’ through the hole in the lid (remove cap first) and blend.  Put the cap back on and slowly work your way up to Variable Speed 10, then turn on ‘High’ until the almonds are smooth.
3. Bring the speed down and turn the machine off.  Add in your cut peaches and ice.
4. Turn the Vita-Mix on again and gradually work your way up to speed 10 again, then ‘high’.  If need be, use your tamper to guide the ingredients into the blade and mix well.
5. As the Ice Cream blends, you will hear the motor change sound and begin to mix from the bottom up.  Remove the tamper and wait for the mixture to form 4 lumps at the top.  At this point, turn off the VitaMix and you’re done!
6. Serve as you would Ice Cream – in bowls or cones.  Top with your favorite toppings and Enjoy!

Servings: 4-6
Yield: Approx 4 Cups

Ready In: Approx. 5 minutes

Tips

• Fill any remaining mixture & toppings into Popsicle molds and freeze for later!
• For a milkshake consistency, blend slightly longer and pour into a glass.
• This recipe can be easily adapted for a 100% ‘Raw’ diet.

Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have! 

Enjoy!

~ Erika

Are they really healthy?

Although I love cookbooks, I’m terrible at leaving recipes alone… I always want to modify and try out my own variations of recipes – especially desserts!    This recipe is no different:  I found a basic recipe for macaroons in a Raw Food books called “Raw Food – Real World”and tweaked it Hawaiian Style.

You don’t have to be a ‘Raw Foodie’ to enjoy this recipe – in fact, I have ‘Meat & Potato’ friends asking for more of these all the time.  The best part is that they are actually good for you!  The kind of ‘good’ that means they are actually doing good things to your body – like being full of antioxidants, energy and fuel.  To top it all off, they are chocolaty and delicious!!

In it’s ‘raw’ form, chocolate is called Cacao (pronounced Kuh-Cow) and can be expensive… so I usually buy it from one of three places when it’s on sale:

• Navitas Organic Raw Chocolate Nibs – Amazon
• Sunfood Organic Raw Chocolate- Sunfood Nutrition
• Navitas Organic Raw Cacao Powder – Vitamin Shoppe (Your local VS store may also have this).

Sometimes I use unusal ingredients so I’ll try to always list a few online buying options for you.  If you ever have a hard time finding something, feel free to ask.

Ok, here’s the recipe along with a ’how-to video’ for making ’Raw Chocolate, Macadamia Nut Macaroons’.

The special tools featured in this recipe are:

• Refurbished 12 Cup Food Processor – Brushed Nickel (I got mine refurbished directly through ShopKitchenAid.com and saved nearly 1/2 of the retail cost… plus it came in ‘brand new’ condition with a 6 month warranty)
• Excalibur Dehydrator – Model #3926T
• VitaMix – Model 5200 w/Dry Blade

Here is the ingredient list… or if you have the Living Cookbook software, you can download the free .fdx recipe file and import it:

Living Cookbook .fdx Recipe File:
Chocolate, Macadamia Macaroons (To Download: Right mouse click on the recipe and select ’save file as’ – Save to your computer and then you can import it into your Living Cookbook program.  Or you may save the text file here – Macaroon .txt file

Raw Chocolate, Macadamia Macaroons

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:
2 Cups Coconut (raw dehydrated and unsweetened- shredded or flakes)
1 Cup Raw Cacao Nibs (ground to powder)
1 Cup Raw Almonds (ground to flour/meal)
1/2 Cup Raw Macadamia Nuts (ground to flour/meal)
1 tsp Sea Salt

Wet Ingredients:
3/4 Cup Raw Agave Nectar
2 Tbs Raw Coconut Oil (cold pressed)
1 Tbs Pure Vanilla Extract

Procedure

1. In Food Processor – Combine Coconut, Cacao Powder*, Almond Meal/Flour*, Macadamia Nut Meal/Flour* and Salt.  Pulse until well blended.
2. Add Agave Nectar, Coconut Oil and Vanilla Extract to Food Processor and mix until dough forms (approx. 20-30 seconds).
3. Scoop into ‘Macaroon’ balls and place on your Dehydrating Trays (be sure to have the non-stick sheets placed on top of the dehydrating screens first).
4. Place macaroons into dehydrator.  Set drying tempature at 110° – 115° and let dehydrate for approximately 8-12 hours.  Then remove macaroons from the non-stick sheets and place directly on the dehydrating screens.  Return to the dehydrator for an additional 12-18 hours or until macaroons are no longer sticky.
5. Store Macaroons in Refrigerator in an airtight container or bag for up to 2 weeks.   You can also store the cookies in the freezer for up to a month.

* Note:  Use your VitaMix to grind the Cacao Nibs into Powder and your Almonds & Mac Nuts into a mealy flour before adding to the food processor.

Yield: 54 Cookies

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Dehydrating Time: 24-30 hours (depending on humidity)

Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have! 

Best w/ Family & a Movie

Ok, I admit it… I’m a bit of a Pizza Snob.  I really dislike the cheap pizza that comes from ‘huts’, and from the little dude wearing a toga  – but I’m also too cheap to pay for a ‘gourmet’ pizza made by a ‘knight’ who claims that his ‘table is round’ (if you catch my drift). 

Pizza is a VERY special treat in our family for two reasons:  1. We regularly eat only ‘whole’ and ‘raw’ foods in our house; and 2. ’Pizza Night’ also means an extra ‘Family Night’ – complete with a movie, dessert, and snuggles on the couch. 

After searching the internet over for the Perfect Pizza Crust, I finally found one, and then I modified it slightly to reduce the amount of yeast needed.   I can’t take credit for the entire recipe – but it’s been so long, that I can’t remember where I found the original one. 

So every now and then, when we crave a good pizza, we make it ourselves.  It’s a simple recipe, and the cost for this ‘perfect pizza crust’ is only about $1.50 with maybe another $2 for the sauce and cheese topping.   And in my book, you can’t beat the taste or the cost!  I’m hoping you’ll give it a try – perhaps it will start a whole new tradition in your family.

As aways, here’s the recipe along with a ’how-to video’ for making ’The Perfect Pizza Crust’.   The ‘Perfect Pizza Sauce’ recipe and video are coming soon.

The special tools featured in this recipe are:

• Refurbished 12 Cup Food Processor – Brushed Nickel (I got mine refurbished directly through ShopKitchenAid.com and saved nearly 1/2 of the retail cost… plus it came in ‘brand new’ condition with a 6 month warranty)
• Excalibur Dehydrator – Model #3926T

Here is the ingredient list… or if you have the Living Cookbook software, you can download the free .fdx recipe file and import it:

Living Cookbook .fdx Recipe File:
Perfect Pizza Crust (To Download: Right mouse click on the recipe and select ’save file as’ – Save to your computer and then you can import it into your Living Cookbook program.

Perfect Pizza Crust

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups very warm water
2 tsp yeast
2 tsp sugar
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour (start with 3 cups and add more as needed and set aside some for your hands and rolling out dough)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs Olive Oil

Procedure

1. If you have a food processor, this pizza dough can be made in under 5 minutes with hardly any mess to your kitchen.  Of course, you could also mix the dough in a heavy duty stand mixer, in a bread machine, or by hand (although the latter would be a serious workout).
2. Place very warm water, yeast and sugar in food processor and pulse once to mix.  While most recipes will tell you to use lukewarm water when making yeast dough, I find that by the time you take hot water, put it into a measuring cup and then into a food processor, it has cooled significantly.  I always use water that is almost too hot to the touch, and have always had great success.  Let sit while you measure out the dry ingredients.
3. After 5 minutes or so, you will see small bubbles forming in the liquid in the food processor, which indicates that your yeast is working.  Dump in the dry ingredients and turn on the food processor.  The machine will go all the work, including the kneading.  After about a minute the dough should form into a ball going around in your food processor.  Open the machine and take a look.  If you think the dough is too wet, you can add a bit a flour, but know that too wet is better than too dry, and the dough will loose some of its stickiness as it rises.
4. Place about a tablespoon of olive oil in a large bowl.  Take the dough out of the food processor (putting a little olive oil or flour on your hands will keep it from sticking) and form it into a ball.  Place in the bowl and turn to lightly coat with the olive oil.
5. Cover with a clean, damp kitchen towel and let dough rise in a warm, draft free place for about an hour or until doubled in size.  To speed up the proofing process, you can also place the covered bowl in your dehydrator at 110° for approximately 30 minutes.
6. Once your dough has risen, split the mixture into two balls and form with hands or rolling pin into pizza circle.  Top with your favorite sauce and toppings.
7. For a crust with a better taste and texture, I recommend baking on a baking stone in a very hot oven (500 – 550°F) for about 10 -15 minutes.  Be sure to check the crust regularly after 10 minutes to ensure it is evenly cooked.
8. Once you remove the pizza from the oven, place on cooling rack and let sit for 5 minutes before cutting into slices.

Servings: 8
Yield: 2 Medium Sized Crusts

Tips:
You can store any unused dough in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  Store in a Ziploc bag in fridge until ready to use.  Let dough come to room temperature before proceeding.  You also let the dough rise and freeze it for future use.  Thaw in the fridge or for about 4-6 hours on the counter.  Bring to room temperature before proceeding.

Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have! 

Guilt Free Ice Cream

If you’re a ‘lactose intollerant’; healthy ’raw’ food lover; or just a ‘weirdo’ like we are, then this recipe will satisfy your ice cream cravings and perhaps take you to the shores of Hawaii – well… at least in your minds eye.

Here’s a delicious and easy recipe along with a ’how-to video’ for making ’Lava Flow Ice (non) Cream in your Vita-Mix blender. 

Never feel guilty for giving your kids dessert BEFORE dinner again!

Here is the ingredient list… or if you have the Living Cookbook software, you can download the free .fdx recipe file and import it:

Living Cookbook .fdx Recipe File:
Lava Flow Ice Cream (To Download: Right mouse click on the recipe and select ’save file as’ – Save to your computer and then you can import it into your Living Cookbook program.

Lava Flow Ice ‘Non’ Cream

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:
2 Cups Frozen Strawberries (fresh, unsweetened)
1 Cup Frozen Pineapple (fresh, unsweetened)
1 Cup Coconut Milk (cold/first pressed, unsweetened)
1/4 Cup Agave Syrup (raw)
1 Tsp Vanilla
12 – 14 Cubes Ice cubes

Optional Toppings:
1 Tbs Nuts (use your favorite)
1 Tbs Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)
1 Tsp Chocolate chips or Raw Chocolate (Cacao) Powder

Procedure

1. In the Vita-Mix, place the frozen strawberries, pineapple, vanilla, agave syrup and ice.   Start at Variable Speed 1 and quickly move to Speed 10, then ‘High’  Using your tamper, guide the ingredients into the blade and mix well.
2. As the Ice Cream blends, you will hear the motor change sound and begin to mix from the bottom up.  Remove the tamper and wait for the mixture to form 4 lumps at the top.  At this point, turn off the Vita-Mix and you’re done!
3. Serve as you would Ice Cream – in bowls or cones.  Top with your favorite toppings and Enjoy!

Servings: 6
Yield: Approx 6 Cups

Ready In: Approx. 5 minutes

Tips

• Fill any remaining mixture & toppings into popsicle molds and freeze for later!
• For a milkshake consistency, blend slightly longer and pour into a glass.
• This recipe can be easily adapted for a 100% ‘Raw’ diet.

Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have! 

Squishy Fun for Less!

I’ve caught my son sneaking little bites of play-dough every now and then and it got me wondering ‘what the heck is in that anyway?’   The container says ‘non-toxic’, but if you’re a conspiracy theorist mom like me, you’re not entirely convinced it’s safe.

Plus, if you haven’t noticed, name brand playdough isn’t cheap… and I was tired of buying container after container every time ours dried up. 

Here’s a cheap and easy recipe along with a ’how-to video’ for safe Homemade Playdough that costs only about $1 to make! 

Now if I could just find a way to keep my son from mixing all those pretty colors into one big ‘poo-colored’ ball. 

Here is the ingredient list… or if you have the Living Cookbook software, you can download the free .fdx recipe file and import it:

Living Cookbook .fdx Recipe File:
Homemade Playdough (To Download: Right mouse click on the recipe and select ’save file as’ – Save to your computer and then you can import it into your Living Cookbook program.

Homemade Play-Dough

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
2 Tbs Cream of Tartar

Wet Ingredients:
2 Tbs Canola Oil
2 cup Water

Add Last Ingredients:
40 drops Food Coloring (10 drops of each color)

Procedure

1. Combine all ingredients (except food coloring) into a non-stick sauce pan and mix well.
2. Heat on Medium until mixture thickens and begins to stick to sides of pan.  Be sure to continuously stir the mixture as it cooks.
3. Continue stirring until it is no longer sticky and forms a firm ball in the center of the pan. (approximately 2-3 minute from start to finish)
4. Remove mixture from heat and let cool until it is just warm to the touch.
5. Knead and divide into 4 balls.  Push your finger into the center of the ball to make a well for the food coloring.
6. Add 10 drops of food coloring to each ball  in order to make the four colors (red, yellow, green, blue).
7. Knead well and let cool before giving to child to play.
8. Store in a Ziplock bag for up to 2 weeks or more (preferably in the refrigerator).

Servings
Yield: 4 (1 Cup) Balls

Preparation Time: 2 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Tips
If mixture is too dry, add a little oil and/or water… OR, if mixture is too wet, add a little flour – until the consistency is ‘playdough-like’

To preserve you or your child’s creations, you can bake it for 1/2 to 1 hour at 300 degrees until thoroughly dry.  If you have a dehydrator, you can also follow the manufacturers instructions to dry your pieces.

Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have! 

Tasty & Cheap Eats!

This recipe is very easy and can be changed into a semi-’raw’ dish if you only stir-fry the noodles and put the raw veggies on top. This is the perfect recipe if you are transitioning to a raw food (or whole food) lifestyle.

I have caught my son picking out the Broccoli, but if I take the time to chop it up a little smaller – he eats it without knowing it!  This is weird, because he will drink broccoli willingly in the ‘Dirty Juice’ (see the related video on how to make this).

I used to dread mealtimes, because I never knew what to make… I wanted recipes that would be cheap, healthy, AND easy to make. This seemed impossible, but I forced myself to sit down and write out a realistic Meal Plan – Although we aren’t 100% raw, I also wanted recipes that would satisfy our body, health and budget – but it had to taste good too!

All of my recipes, meals and shopping lists are organized in my Living Cookbook software. If you don’t already have Living Cookbook, I encourage you to check out what this Software is capable of!

Here is the ingredient list… or if you have the Living Cookbook software, you can download the free .fdx recipe file and import it:

Living Cookbook .fdx Recipe File:
Veggie Stir Fry (To Download: Right mouse click on the recipe and select ‘save file as’ – Save to your computer and then you can import it into your Living Cookbook program.

Veggie Stir Fry Recipe:

Ingredients

Vegetables
2 stalks Celery (chopped)
1/3 head Onion (chopped)
1 head Broccoli (approx. 10-15 florets)
1 each Carrot (sliced)
1/4 head Green and/or Red Cabbage (chopped)

Noodles
3 packages Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Packet (flavors vary)

Seasonings & Oil
1 1/2 packets Seasoning (Packet that comes in the Rice Noodles) or Season to taste.
1 1/2 packets Sesame Oil (Packet that comes in the Rice Noodles)
2 Tbs Soy Vay’s Veri, Veri, Teriyaki Sauce (or to taste)
2 Tbs Olive Oil
3 Tbs Water (if mixture seems dry or as needed)

Procedure

1. Open Rice Noodle packages and break noodles in half, then place in bowl.  Fill with just enough water to cover the noodles.  Let sit for no more than 5 minutes – otherwise the noodles will become mushy.  You want the noodles to be pliable, but still very chewy.
2. Clean & Chop all veggies.  Feel free to add in whatever veggies you think will be tasty and hold up during the stir-fry process.  If you want more Raw veggies, you can also hold all of the veggies until the end and just stir-fry the noodles.
3. Place Olive Oil in Large Skillet over Medium Heat.
4. Once skillet is heated, put all of the veggies in and mix well.
5. Add the Noodles, then stir in the Teriyaki, Seasoning and Sesame Oil packets.
6. Let mixture sit in skillet and stir well every 1-2 minutes until noodles start to turn golden brown and get a little ‘crunchy’.

Servings: 3
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have! 

More Dirty Juice Please!

A lot of moms want to know how it’s possible to get the recommended daily allowance of fruits and veggies into their families diet… Well, here is a recipe and ‘how to’ video for one of my favorite ways.

Ok, so there’s no dirt actually involved in the process – but since the end result is pure, unfiltered juice, my family has dubbed this recipe ‘Dirty Juice’.  Some might say this is an ‘acquired taste’, but after a while, you’ll be craving the healthy burst of energy you’ll have after drinking 8 oz of this yummy nectar! My son has been raised on this juice and has never had the ‘store bought’ kind.  He loves it, and so does my husband – who used to be a real ‘meat and potatoes’ kind of guy.

If you don’t already have a Vita-Mix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of!  For more information about Vita-Mix you can go directly to the Vita-Mix website.   For free shipping, be sure to use: Coupon Code: 06-004166

Here is the ingredient list… or if you have the Living Cookbook software, you can download the free .fdx recipe file and import it:

Living Cookbook .fdx Recipe File:
Dirty Juice (To Download: Right mouse click on the recipe and select ‘save file as’ – Save to your computer and then you can import it into your Living Cookbook program.

Dirty Juice Recipe:

Ingredients

Fruits
2 whole Red Apples (skin on – cut into half – core removed)
6 berries Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 whole Banana (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup Pineapple (fresh or frozen)
2/3 cup Red Grapes (fresh or frozen)

Vegetables
1 cup Carrots (approx. 1 large carrot)
1 cup Spinach
5 Leaves Kale
1/2 cup Cabbage (red and/or green)
3/4 head Beets (outer skin removed)
1/2 cup Broccoli (approx. 4-5 small heads)

Liquids
1/4 cup Frozen Grape Juice Concentrate (Natural, no sugar)
3 tbs Lemon Juice Concentrate (or use 2 thin slices of fresh lemon)
1 1/2 cup Water
14 cubes Ice cubes

Procedure

1. Feel free to experiment with ingredients.  Just be sure to keep a good balance between fruits and veggies – otherwise you’re juice will be too sweet or too ‘earthy’.  Don’t forget to wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly before using.
2. In Vita-Mix, combine all ingredients (except Ice Cubes) and mix on High for approximately 1 minute (until well processed) using tamper to thoroughly mix.  Stop Vita-Mix and add Ice Cubes, then blend again on high for approx. 20-30 seconds.
3. Store in air-tight container (preferably glass) in fridge for 2-3 days.
4. Variation for popsicles:  If making popsicles, blend in ice cubes until mixture is slushy – then pour into molds and freeze.  Kids love these pops and they don’t even know how good they are for them!

Servings: 10
Yield: Approx. 80 Ounces

If you don’t like the thickness, feel free to dilute the juice with more water… Or, you can always strain the juice in a nut-milk bag or through several layers of cheese cloth.

Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have!