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Orange Pecan Chocolate Mushroom Vegan Fudge

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The other day I was flippin’ through my fave mag (Veg News) and luckily came across a drool-effect vegan fudge recipe by Jackie Sobon (Vegan Yack Attack). I say ‘luckily’ because… now you get to bask in the introduction to this decadent, melt-in-your-mouth fudge. I switched it up a bit to create what is seen here: Orange Pecan Chocolate Mushroom Vegan Fudge. It’s a mouthful…of AMAZINGNESS!!!

You can even benefit from eating this delicious dessert-y concoction.

I amped up her fudge recipe by adding in some Stay Wyld Organics medicinal mushroom goodness, and even a scoop of the simplest, cleanest Complement Protein powder.

The protein powder is a fave around here. 4 ingredients, and each one is stated on the front of the biodegradable bag in percentages.

And medicinal mushrooms? Well, they’re adaptogens, and they help bring your body back to homeostasis (in other words, balance everything out and help you deal with daily stressors).

Plus, they’re PACKED to the nines with antioxidants. Chaga especially is an antioxidant powerhouse.

Think of adaptogens as as a calming Grandmother, who brings you back down to earth when craziness hits the fan. If your adrenals are wired, they’ll help slow them down. If you’re immune system is out of wack, they’ll strengthen it up. If your mood swings are as steep as the Eiffel Tower, they’ll do their best to calm them back down to the flat-ness of the Saskatchewan plains kind of level.

Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail and Chaga… each of them have their special unique beneficial traits. Whether you want more focus, more energy, less anxiety or more immunity, they’ve got you. Today we’re adding Cordyceps to the mix to make this fudge super energizing.

Not only does this fudge bring on plant protien and mushroom benefits… but it also shines for what it doesn’t have.

No dairy: No cream. No butter. No milk.

Yet, it’s still incredibly decadent, creamy, fudge-y and mouth-wateringly heavenly.


Orange Pecan Mushroom Fudge - Adapted from Vegan Yack Attack
 
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A vegan, melt-in-your-mouth fudge with adaptogenic medicinal mushrooms! An energizing and delicious gift for the holidays, to your loved ones... or yourself!!
Author:
Recipe type: dessert, holidays
Ingredients
  • 4 cups vegan dark chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup vegan butter
  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk (the solid taken from the coconut milk can)
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract (peppermint would be great too!)
  • 2-4 tsp Stay Wyld Cordyceps powder (use code 'hookedonplants'
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries (save ¼ for the topping)
  • ¾ cup pecans, chopped (save ¼ for the topping)
  • 2 tbsp orange zest (half for the topping)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
  1. Lightly greese an 8 x 8 baking dish with butter or coconut oil.
  2. Fill medium sized pot with 2-3 inches of water, and warm it up over medium heat.
  3. Create a double boiler by placing a steel or glass bowl over the pot.
  4. Add chocolate chips, coconut milk, maple syrup, vegan butter and orange extract.
  5. Whisk occasionally until smooth (about 5-8 minutes)
  6. Add the mushroom powder, whisk until smooth.
  7. Remove the bowl from the heat and fold in ½ cup cranberries, ½ cup pecans, 1 tbsp orange zest.
  8. Pour fudge mixture into the prepared baking dish (spread evenly)
  9. Sprinkle the toppings on there (1/24 cup each of cranberries and pecans, 1 tbsp orange zest, sea salt)
  10. Place in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.
  11. Chop it up and enjoy (place chunks in mason jars for an amazing Christmas present)

If you make this tag: @hookedonplants on instagram!

… and if you want more:

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Immunity-Boosting Mushroom Smoothie

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Well, it’s official. The world is in freak out mode.

There’s no doubt we’re living in a time that will go down in the history books.

My heart goes out to those affected by the COVID-19, and immense appreciation for the doctors and nurses, as well as cashiers on the front line.

It’s important to remember to do things that make you feel good during this time of social distancing. Is there a passion project you’ve always wanted to start? Now is an awesome time! But, also don’t feel pressure to be productive during this time. There’s fear and anxiety all around, so some of the best actions are reconnecting with nature, resting your mind, moving your body, amping up your immunity and treating this like a forced staycation. What are you doing with your time? Let me know on the ‘gram @hookedonplants.

Here’s an immunity-boosting smoothie recipe that will help your body to combat any thing coming it’s way.

I’ve been especially been loving Spud right now for grocery delivery, to avoid the awkward supermarket isles, and to avoid unnecessary close contact. If you’ve never ordered from them before, you can use ‘CRVAN-MURJUB’ for 20$ off your first order at Spud.Ca

What’s so great about the ingredients?

Greens:

DUH, right?! They’re packed with phytonutrients, plant fibre, chlorophyll and micronutrients.

Turmeric with a dash of pepper:

Anti-inflammatory king! Adding a tiny amount of pepper will increase the absorption of curcumin (the active ingredient) by 2000%!

Ginger:

Immune system stimulator that can help kill foreign invaders. 

Berries:

Antioxidants + phytonutrients. The more berries in your life the better.

Medicinal Mushrooms:

I’m using Stay Wyld Organics, a company I believe in and am helping co-create.

All of these mushroom powders are beneficial for your gut health by acting as a prebiotic. Healthy diverse microbiome = strong immunity. Your gut wall houses 60-70% of the cells that make up your immune system.

These mushrooms are all packed with antioxidants to ward off free radicals and minimize inflammation. 

They act as adaptogens in your body, by helping combat stressors and bringing it back to homeostasis (balance).

They’re North American sourced, organic, vegan, and steam extracted for optimal bio-absorption.

  • Chaga: The King of Mushrooms! Chaga has the antioxidant ORAC score out of any natural food, and has been shown to selectively kill cancer cells, while leaving the healthy cells untouched. Chaga is also the richest source of (ready for this?) superoxide dismutase… aka ‘SOD’, which is known to protect cells and repel viruses! Great timing to get a daily dose of this mighty mushroom. 
  • Turkey Tail: Powerful immune-defense! In Japan, turkey tail has been used to strengthen the immune system for over 30 years, especially when given with standard chemotherapy. Turkey tail mycelium (Stay Wyld uses the mushroom fruiting body and mycelium in the powders) excretes strong antiviral compounds. 
  • Reishi: This ‘chill out’ mushroom has incredible anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also been shown to have the ability to stimulate macrophages (a type of white blood cell), an important part in combatting viruses and any kind of sickness. 
  • We also have Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps. All come in capsule or powder form! Use ‘Julia10’ for a discount.

Whole food protein powder:

When it comes to protein powder, it’s important to avoid any ‘fluff’ ingredients…extra sugars, natural flavours, words you can’t pronounce. Sticking with simple whole food ingredients is the way to go. That’s what I love about Complement Protein. 6 high protein plant ingredients ground up, with the lowest heavy metal count in the industry. Getting all essential amino acids in your diet is super beneficial for your immune system.

Feel free to use ‘hookedonplants’ on www.lovecomplement.com for a discount!

Vitamin C (amla fruit) powder:

Back to the basics! You can take a large daily dose vitamin C, but you have to make sure that your vitamin C source doesn’t have extra (not so great) ingredients like sugars or natural flavours. I’m in love with Pranin’s whole food powders, especially their vitamin C made from 2 ingredients: Amla Fruit and Moringa Leaf. A serving of two whole food powders give you the same vitamin C as 20 organic lemons!

You can use my discount code ‘hooked’ for this Vancouver company’s whole food powders here: Pranin.com.

I personally use all 3 of these products daily, especially right now, and only like to promote things that I’m actively using and loving, in hopes that it will help you guys out too. To be transparent, I do get a small kick back if you use my code for any of these, which helps support the work I do to spread veganism and nutrition tips, but don’t feel like you have to use my codes! Up to you… but you will get a discount too 🙂

I wouldn’t promote anything to this amazing community that I wouldn’t be urging my Mom to get on board with at the same time.

Much love!

OK, on with the recipe!

If you make this tag @hookedonplants + @staywyldorganics so we can see your health in a cup!

Raw Vegan Date Hemp Coconut Sneaky Greens Bliss Balls

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Dates glorious dates. Melt in your mouth. Chewy. Sweet.

Natures candy.

Date Balls!

Dates are amazing for well….  anything really. Buy them by the box, and make sure they’re as juicy and fresh as possible. These little morsels are taken everywhere. In the car, on camping trips, in my camel back, on the plane… you name it.

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Packed with fibre, minerals and vitamins, dates are not to be afraid of. They’re a whole food, unrefined and easily digested for amazing, clean burning energy. The perfect snack on the go. If you love caramel apples, take a bite of an apple with your date and call it a day. Seriously. Take them everywhere with you and you will be a happy camper.

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They are delicious as they are. But sometimes it’s nice to introduce them to a few other flavour buddies.

Hemp seeds add a great hit of flavour and essential fatty acids, oats create a cookie-like taste, and for the twist, quinoa puffs round out this delish ball with a surprising crunch and a complete protein (not that we have to be worried about protein, because it literally is naturally in every single whole, plant food).

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All you need is a food processor and a bit of a shimmy of the wrist to create these melt in your mouth hits of nutrition.

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Benefits:

~Dates are chalk full of fibre, magnesium, and selenium. Plus they are stars when it comes to smooth digestion, nutrient-density, and improving the gut flora. This is all beneficial for weight loss, satiety, and clean burning energy.

~Hemp seeds are a great balance of 3:1 omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. In the Standard American Diet, there is WAY too much omega 6 fatty acids being consumed, and not enough omega 3. SO, hemp seeds are a perfect way to ensure you’re getting enough omega 3s in your life. This will help ward off depression, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, blood fat, asthma, and ADHD. Plus it’s one of the best options for plant-based protein.

~Coconut is packed with vitamin E, polyphenols, and vitamin A, which all work together to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

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Makes: 30 balls

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 20 Medjool dates, pits removed
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/4 cup Daily Greens Powder (broccoli sprouts, moringa, spinach, barley grass and chlorella)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Directions:

  1. Process oats to a flour in food processor, then blend in Daily Greens powder
  2. Add dates to flour and process for 10 seconds
  3. Add hemp seeds, quinoa puffs and vanilla to the mix and process until a ball forms
  4. Spread coconut on a plate
  5. Shape date mixture into small balls with wet hands and drop them onto the plate (a few at a time). Shake the plate so the balls get coated with coconut shreds.
  6. Once the balls are all shaped and coated, store them in the fridge so they’re ready for snacking!
  • If youre having trouble keeping the mixture together, add 1-2 tsp of water to the mix then try molding again.

These keep their shape and travel like heroes!

So bring them on hikes, bike rides, camping trips, you name it.

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Pink Banana Oat Pancakes with Maple Cacao Drizzle

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Que the Jack Johnson and bring on Sunday morning! ….And with Valentine’s Day in our midst, then you’re in luck, because we’re flauntin’ the pink today with these banana oat pancakes!

These pancakes are so simple, it’s stupid.

Too easy not to make and packed with whole-food ingredients.

Here for it!

Top it off with a cacao maple drizzle, serve it to your Valentine, and be ready for a proposal.

It’s all about tha base bout’ tha base (que song here).

I’m talking about just 3 ingredients: ripe bananas + oat flour + plant milk.

Vanilla and cinnamon are always a must when I’m whipping up some flapjacks, so we’ll throw some of that in there, too.

Once you have that blended up, feel free to get creative.

Today, I went with beet powder + vegan chocolate chips!

Maybe tomorrow calls for antioxidant boosters, turmeric + blueberries (bonus recipe below).

The next day… Cacao powder + raisins? Maca powder + strawberries?

Whatever that creator within you comes up with, your pancake will no doubt be delicious and ready before Jack finishes off his guitar solo.


Easiest Banana Oat Pancakes | 2 Ways with Cacao Maple Drizzle
 
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Easy Banana Oat Pancakes with a Valentines Flare!
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 2 cups of oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 3 bananas, spotty and ripe
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ¼ cup Daily Greens Powder (optional, but a good way to get in potent greens)
  • 1 tbsp beet powder (order from Organic Matters or Amazon)
  • ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
  • ½-3/4 cup almond milk
Instructions
  1. Add oats to blender. Blend into a flour
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients, except chocolate chips, blend until smooth
  3. Gently chocolate chips into the batter (or sprinkle on top after flipping the pancakes)
  4. Heat a pan on low heat (level 2-3)
  5. Spoon pancakes into pan and cook for 3-4 minutes (until you see little bubbles appearing)
  6. Flip, then cook for another 2 minutes
  7. Meanwhile, make the cacao maple drizzle by whisking together a little extra Chocolate Protein and maple syrup until well combined!
  8. Go the extra mile and serve it up with Coco Whip(and fruit and drizzle!)

Tag @hookedonplants on instagram if you make these! I love seeing your recipes 🙂

Another option!

Turmeric Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Serves: 2

Making time: 3-5 minutes

Cooking time: 6 minutes per batch

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups oats (gluten free if needed)
  • 3 bananas, spotty and ripe
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 thumb turmeric root (about 2 cm long) OR 1 tsp turmeric spice
  • 1/4 cup Protein Powder (Complement has the cleanest 5 ingredient vegan protein powder around)
  • 1 tiny pinch black pepper (for turmeric absorption)
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1/2-3/4 cup almond milk

Directions:

  1. Add oats to blender. Blend into a flour
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients, except blueberries, blend until smooth
  3. Mix blueberries into batter
  4. Heat pan on low heat (level 2-3)
  5. Spoon pancakes into pan and cook for 3-4 minutes (until you see little bubbles appearing)
  6. Flip, then cook for another 2 minutes
  7. Pour over maple syrup and top with fruit
  8. Go the extra mile and pour over some delicious chocolate sauce from the Hot For You Bites chocolate layer

Chocolate Zucchini Banana Bread | Vegan + Gluten-Free

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Harvest season around here means ZUKES are flowing out of every corner.

This chocolate zucchini banana bread is THE recipe to put those zucchinis to use… Hidden veggie nutrition in a delicious chocolate loaf.

YES, PLEASE.

No eggs, no dairy, no problem.

I even added in some Love Complement whole food protein powder.

Love this stuff!

First, I’ll say: You can get enough protein on a plant based diet without protein powder! But, if you’re not eating a variety of plants, and enough calories in general, or if you’re training or growing or aging, it doesn’t hurt to add a bit of protein powder to your life.

This one is my fave because it’s 5 whole food ingredients (no isolates), no fillers, no sugars, and comes in a biodegradable bag.

Check it out here.

You can use the code ‘hookedonplants‘ for a discount (I get a slight kick back if you do so, and you also get 10% off). I love this company for the quality and effort they put into transparency! I also take their daily essentials (everyday).

You could also add some organic Stay Wyld medicinal mushroom powders to this too! I add my mushie powders to everything possible.


 
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Chocolate Zucchini Banana Bread
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
A delicious loaf packed with nutrition. Vegan, gluten free, easy and YUM.
Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups oats (use gluten-free if celiac)
  • 1/4 cup cacao powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup Complement Protein powder (use ‘hookedonplants’ for a discount!)

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup plant milk (using Earth’s Own Vanilla Oat)
  • 2 cups grated or thinly sliced zucchini

Optional (not really optional, just do it):

  • Vegan Chocolate Chips
  • Stay Wyld Mushroom Powder! I added 2 tsp of Reishi powder (use Julia10 for a discount)

Instructions:

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 350F
  2. In your food processor, add all dry ingredients and blend until it’s a flour consistency.
  3. Add all wet ingredients to your food processor and blend until smooth.
  4. Add in choco chips and pulse a few times.
  5. In a parchment-covered loaf dish, pour the batter.
  6. Bake for 35 minutes.
  7. Slice it up and devour.

If you make this, post on Instagram and tag @hookedonplants

Sweet Potato Toasts | Easy GF Snack

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It’s toast.

But it’s potato.

But…it’s toast.

Sweet potato toasts!

When I first saw this, I thought…GENIUS.

Alllllmost as genius as when Einstein said:

“Nothing will benefit health or increase chances of survival on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

Or this:

“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion”

Anyways, sometimes it’s the simplest combination of action, taste and texture that creates the best experience.

Action: Toast

Taste: Savoury sweetness.

Texture: Chewy tastiness.

These little pieces of art are perfect for summer. You don’t have to touch your oven to enjoy your taters. And, if you’re like me, sweet potato is a must for every season.

Get creative with your toppings (perfect for the kidlets to join in on).

Go sweet … cover it in berries.

Go savoury … smother it with avo & nooch.

Go tangy … sprinkle it with sauerkraut.

Go spicy … sriracha!

Whatever you do….take a picture and tag me on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations ( @hookedonplants ).

Channel your inner childhood summer camp arts & crafts hour and get crafty.

Whoever said to not play with your food…must have not enjoyed eating it. Some of the best food is the food you put the time into making pretty. You enjoy every. single. chomp.

Benefits:

Sweet Potato is the staple of some of the longest-living humans on this earth! The Okinawans base their plant-based diet around the sweet potato and their area is one of the most populated areas with centenarians around. Sweet potatoes are packed with fibre, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and ready for your body to utilize and thrive off of. Don’t be afraid of carbs when they come in their whole, unrefined form.

Sweet Potato Toasts
 
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A fun and nutritious snack that you can get creative with!
Author:
Recipe type: snack, lunch
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1 sweet potato, sliced in ¼ inch discs
  • Choice of toppings:
  • Peanut or almond butter
  • Berries & bananas
  • Avocado
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Sauerkraut
  • Basil
  • Sprouts
  • Hemp seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Fresh herbs
Instructions
  1. Toast your sweet potato 2-4 times depending on the heat your toaster or toaster oven brings! When it’s browning, you’re ready to go to the next step
  2. Top it! As I said, get creative and make art 🙂

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This week’s email was all about antioxidants, anti-aging, and lifestyle over diet.