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Vegan Pumpkin Pie (Mostly Raw)

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Guess what season is upon us… PUMPKIN PIE SEASON.

This Vegan Pumpkin Pie isn’t your typical pumpkin pie. This one here packs in that nostalgic, comforting flavour AND benefits.

Every season should be Pumpkin Pie season, am I right?

Of course, with Pumpkin Pie season also comes with ThanksGivin’er, friends, Mom’s birthday, crackling fires, warm socks, scarves, toques, crispy air bike rides, ‘I’ll have a 2nd latte’ kinda days…ahhhh Fall things. 

The beauty of this recipe is that it ticks all the taste + texture benefits, without refined sugar, butter, eggs, or flour.

I’ll have seconds please, because … Pumpkin Pie with benefits. 

This is a no-bake pie with mostly raw ingredients. Raw ingredients, by the way, have all their nutrients in tact which means their bursting with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

The only non-raw ingredient is the puréed pumpkin. Because hey, we want easy too, right? If you find some sugar pumpkins in the grocery store, and feel like baking + blending those up, feel free!

It melts in your mouth.

It pleases your friends.

It’s easy to make.

It’s pumpkin pie, I mean come’on.

OH YA, AND… COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM.

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and, Hello Thanksgiving dinner parties (Covid style)!

Benefits:

Pumpkin has a whopping 200% of your vitamin A needs in just one cup (does wonders for your vision)! It helps prevent cancer with the antioxidant beta-carotene. It also helps with weight loss because of combo of high nutrient density, low calorie density, and lots of plant fibre. Not to mention the vitamin C it carries to help your immunity during these colder months!

Dates are Nature’s candy. They’re packed with fibre, so the uptake of their natural sugars is slowed, and helps keep you energized. There’s a bunch of essential minerals and vitamins in these little juicy morsels as well.

Nuts are great for your brain, skin, and heart. They help create a decadent feeling raw dessert with their unsaturated fats.

Time: 20 minutes prep, 5 hours freeze

Makes: 8 – inch pie pan worth of pie

Ingredients:

Crust:

  • 1.5 cups pecans
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 10 dates
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp allspice

Pie Filling:

  • 1/2 cup cashews (quick soak in hot water for 10 minutes, then strain)
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp allspice)
  • 1.5 cups pumpkin puree, *not the pre-made pumpkin pie filling (equal to 398mL can)
  • 1 banana (ripe with spots)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • Pinch of salt

Coconut Whipped Cream:

  • 1 COLD can of full fat coconut milk (store in fridge at least 2 hours before making!)
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Soak cashews: Place in bowl, pour hot water over, let sit 10 minutes
  2. Make crust: blend all crust ingredients together in food processor. It’s done when a ball starts to form
  3. Spread crust mix on the bottom and up the sides of the pie pan (easier with wet fingers)
  4. Make pie filling: Strain cashews, blend them in food processor for 2 minutes, or until a cashew butter is formed. Then add the rest of the pie filling ingredients and blend until smooth.
  5. Spread pie filling over the crust evenly
  6. Place in the freezer for 3 hours
  7. Make coconut whipped cream: Flip coconut can upside down after it’s been chilled in the fridge, open the can and skim the liquid off the top (drink it!). Use just the thick, white cream. Blend the cream and maple syrup together in kitchen aid mixer, or whipping cream blender until stiff peaks form.
  8. Slice, add a dollop of whipped coconut cream, and enjoy!

*** Feel free to add in even more benefits with medicinal mushroom powders! I think Reishi would be great in this recipe.  You can use ‘Julia10’ for a discount here. 

Need help going plant-based?

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Bangin’ Banana Tahini Chaga Granola (Oil & Refined Sugar-Free)

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Who doesn’t love a good crunch in the mornin’?

I do.

But, I don’t love all the sugars + oils snuck into a typical store-bought granola…

Enter: THIS BANGIN’ BANANA TAHINI CHAGA GRANOLA

This recipe is:

-Easy

-Delish

-Free from refined sugars and oils

-Made up of whole foods baby!

Pour some milk on top (Earth’s Own new 4 ingredient oat milk are a fave), or sprinkle it on top of your coco yogurt bowl or smoothie bowl. How ever you enjoy granola, you’ll be able to enjoy it knowing you’re packing your body with quality nutrients and good energy. 

As for the mushroom part, totally optional, but any opportunity I can get, I’ll add in mushroom powders to my recipes. 

The Stay Wyld Organics Mushroom powders are North American sourced, steamed for best absportion, organic, and packaged in glass with a tin lid (plastic-free packaging for the win). I’m using Chaga here, but really could throw all 5 in this recipe!

 

Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi AND Chaga all give you a mega dose of antioxidants and act as adaptogens in your body, bringing your body back to homeostasis (balance). They’re also immune-boosting and good for the gut. 

Cooking time: 16 minutes

Servings: 5

NOTE: This recipe is very double-able. Do it. 

 

Whistler Virtual Vegan Fest June 20th

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First off, I hope you are all doing well amidst the firey world we’re all living in at this moment.

I have taken some time to step back from content creation (thank you to those who reached out), and continue to try my best to educate myself more on everything that is Black Lives Matter. With that, moving forward I will now be more proactive in featuring and lifting up the Black Voices in the vegan community. There are many!

That’s what the last blog post is all about.
15 Inspiring Black Vegans You Need to Follow
PLUS, places to donate and Black-Owned businesses to support.

Sending out love and compassion to all of you!

BIG NEWS
The Whistler Virtual Vegan Fest
June 20th
5 PM

For Free or by Donation.
100% of the proceeds will go to The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary or the Whistler Food Bank.

Head here to reserve a ticket!

Follow @whistlerveganfest for updates on speakers and more details.

What to expect:
A star-studded line up of inspiring vegan voices.
A mantra, a breathwork session, nutrition tips, recipe demos, art demo, veganism in the Black Community, animal activism, relationship chat, environmental facts, gut health tips, vegan transitioning with 80/20 Plants, all topped off with a DJ set from our fave vegan DJ. 

Here’s a graphic to share on your insta:

Who will you come to the fest with?? (Virtually)

#wvvf #wvfvirtual

CHECK OUT THE FULL LINEUP:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Too many awesome people, I can hardly contain my excitement.

See you there???

Here is the link for the sign up again (if you’re not available on the 20th you can still reserve a ticket, as it will be available for replay on our YouTube Channel after).

Please join the conversation on social and share that line-up graphic (don’t forget to tag @whistlerveganfest and I @hookedonplants )

Let’s have some fun, and raise some funds for animals + humans.

Join the instagram community:

15 Inspiring Black Vegans You Need to Follow

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Well, 2020, you’ve been a wild one, thus far.

Change is brewing.

 

Now, more than ever is a wonderful time to support and lift up the Black Community, and as a vegan, I wanted to highlight some inspiring Black Vegans who are putting out amazing energy, education and positivity into this world.

You won’t regret consuming the content, their updates and educational information put out by these incredible humans.

First of all, the most powerful thing to do right now is to not only show support, but to speak up, and take action.

Here are a few resources and areas for you to educate yourself, and go support in some way:

Places to donate: 

Justice For Regis

Black Lives Matter Toronto

Black Lives Matter Vancouver

Official George Floyd Memorial Fund

Belly Mujinga’s family including her daughter

The Minnesota Freedom Fund (provides funds to pay bail for those protesting in Minnesota

The Bail Project, which provides funds to pay bail for those who have been arrested during the protests.

You can split your donation between the 39 bail funds clicking here.

National Bail Fund Network

The Movement For Black Lives to support Black organizations to conduct conversations about current political conditions.

North Star Health Collective (coordinates and provides healthcare services, resources, and training to those protesting in Minnesota)

 

Head here for a great list of Vegan Black-Owned Businesses to support.

 

Now onto 15 INSPIRING BLACK VEGANS

out there doing amazing things:

Jenné Claiborne AKA @SweetPotatoSoul

Vegan Chef, Cookbook Author, YouTuber, Blogger, Mother.

A bright light.

 

Tabitha Brown AKA @IAmTabithaBrown

Actress, Mother, Tik Tok star, and truly a gift to this world.

 

Torre Washington AKA @Torre.Washington 

Professional Body Builder, Centr Fit coach, Public Speaker.

A joy to dance with on stage.

 

John Lewis AKA @BadAssVegan

Speaker, CEO Live Vegan Smart, Producer/Director Hungry For Justice Film. The Biggest Smile Around.

 

Danaé, Danya & Danielle AKA @DZVeganKidAthlete

3 vegan west coast sisters sharing the vegan lifestyle through gymnasitcs, acro yoga and dance.

 

Chef Charity Morgan AKA @ChefCharityMorgan

Chef for NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Featured on the Game Changers. She’s a 15 year culinary chef who makes ridiculously delicious vegan food!

 

Jasmine C. Leyva AKA @TheInvisibleVegan

Actress and Film Maker of the documentary, The Invisible Vegan chronicling her personal experience with plant-based eating. ** Look forward to her speaking at the Whistler Virtual Vegan fest June 20! AND, Listen to Jasmine on our first episode of Whistler Vegan Fest the PODCAST

 

Genesis Butler AKA @GenesisForAnimals

One of the youngest TedX Speakers.

Founder of Genesis for Animals and Activist at Million Dollar Vegan.

** Look forward to her speaking at the Whistler Virtual Vegan fest June 20 to raise funds for The Happy Herd Farm Sancuary and our Food Bank!

 

Domz Thompson @DomzThompson

Athlete, activist, founder of NYC based Crazies and Weirdos (eco friendly clothing), and Eat What Elephants Eat.Scruff McFly Dog Dad. I had the pleasure of sharing the Veg Expo stage with this amazing human.

 

Koya Webb @KoyaWebb

Yoga + Holistic Wellness teacher at Get Loved Up & Author of Let Your Fears Make You Fierce. A positive force of nature.

 

Rachel Amla @RachelAma_

Vegan recipe creator / blogger / youtuber. Most likely to be found in the kitchen dancing to loud tunes. 

 

Afia Amoako AKA @TheCanadianAfrican

Vegan Blogger and YouTuber

 

Russel Simmons AKA @UncleRush

Record Executive, Fashion Mogul, Hip Hop Star Maker, Film Producer, Author of The Happy Vegan.

 

Dr. Judy Brangman AKA @ThePlantBasedMD

Health Coach, Internal and Lifestyle Medicine at New Well Health

 

Lewis Hamilton AKA @LewisHamilton

Formula One race car driver. Animal Lover. Purpose seeker. Positive thinker. An inspiration.

Tune into the Whistler Virtual Vegan Fest on June 20th to hear Jasmine Leyva and Genesis Butler speak among the epic line up.

All donations will go to the Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary and the Whistler Food Bank. 

 

Thank you to all of these amazing vegans of colour speaking up and puting their energy into the world. 

 

For more, follow @hookedonplants on instagram.

Hooked on People: Lauren Toyota of Hot for Food + Her Pesto Pea Linguine

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Lauren Toyota is hot for food (as long as it’s vegan).

She moved from being a MuchMusic VJ to starting her own YouTube channel in 2015. Since then she’s grown to 473,000 subscribers and over 36 million channel views. Her debut cookbook, “Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes To Feed Your Face” is officially a best seller! Not only is she an incredible chef with an awesome personality, but she’s authentic and so relatable. 

She’s on a bit of a spiritual journey as well, and has a beautiful perspective on life. So let’s get to know Lauren a little bit more …

Photo credit: Vanessa Heins

LIFE STUFF:

Hooked on Plants: But first: what’s Snickles doing right NOW?

Lauren Toyota: Sleeping and dreaming of the next time he will be eating!

 

HOP: Do you remember the day you decided to switch from MuchMusic gigs to YouTube? What’s one tip you can give someone jumping into a new scary change or challenge?

LT: Well I sort of didn’t decide this. I was part of a company wide restructuring and lost my job at Bell Media in 2014. By that time I had launched the new incarnation of hotforfoodblog.com in February 2014 about 6 months before this happened. It had gained some momentum and I had already built a good following on @hotforfood IG as well since 2013 so when I was left without a full time job I figured I would just blog and create social content full time since I felt I had something to work with. That was as far as I thought. I didn’t even think about going on to YouTube until a couple months after the layoffs. If you find yourself in a similar situation or you’re trying to decide if you should make a career leap my advice is you probably should and NEED to. Life is calling you, but that’s just fear whispering to you about all the reasons why it won’t work. You have to try and work with it but kind of push it out the way. Push through the fear if you can and take the risk. The reward is always much better when you put yourself in these uncomfortable situations. It’s how you grow and expand as a human. You need to push beyond your comfort and safety zone. 

 

HOP: Let’s chat meditation for a sec.

For those who haven’t dabbled at all… what’s your tip for starting?

LT: Just start. Again it’s kind of the same annoying voice trying to convince you that you don’t NEED this practice or that it’s BS or silly. It’s that ego self, the small self, trying to keep you small and protect you. But it’s not serving the higher version of you that you desire to expand into. Meditation WILL allow this process to unfold. It will help ease that resistance and allow you to flow. There are many many ways to meditate and many practices and so I get that it’s intimidating but you might as well start with something, see if you like it, and you can always keep exploring until you find something that resonates. I always recommend going on YouTube and just search meditations or you can get a free app called Insight Timer. There is SO much content out there and you’re bound to find something that lights you up and resonates, but you have to take the leap or step in that direction and then it’s just a personal intuitive exploration from there. You’ll start seeing the momentum behind it and you’ll be guided to new things to try or you’ll read something or you’ll end up meeting someone. As you notice all these signs and synchronicities being revealed you’ll feel like you’re aligned to something higher. But you did it for yourself just by starting a new habit or practice. It really starts to take on it’s own life and you flow with it, discovering more and more about who you really are.  

HOP: As for manifesting your reality: this is something I try to practice daily by focusing on the things I’m grateful for, rather than the things I lack.

But, for someone who may feel this is ‘woo woo’, what’s the best tip you can give to them that will help them open up to this powerful perspective on life?

LT: Well I’m finding more and more that the idea of these practices is becoming less taboo or ‘woo woo’ so that’s a nice shift. I feel like I’m noticing people from all walks of life speaking this language and identifying their own power. Gratitude is a powerful practice and can help shift perspective from victim stance to creator stance. A couple of small things one can do to open up is writing down 5 things each day that you appreciate and are grateful for. It can start making dramatic shifts in how you see the world. I think spending time in nature is also key. Nature is so abundant but we don’t always see it that way if we focus on problems like climate change and the negative effects of fossil fuels, but if you can walk in nature or spend time in grass even. You can see how abundant it is. There are infinite blades of grass just in your immediate vicinity or what appears like thousands of trees, leaves, and insects if you’re walking through a forest, say. Notice that. Appreciate that. It’s very powerful to see the world with those eyes.  

HOP: You’re one of the first recipe bloggers I started following when I was exploring veganism, so THANK YOU for the ongoing inspiration.

How long have you been vegan now?

LT: Thank you. That’s so cool! I have been vegan since January 1, 2010. I started transitioning in the fall of 2009 but set the start of a new year as my “no going back” date!

 

HOP: What was it that inspired you to make the switch to veganism in the first place? And what is it that makes it easy for you to stick with it?

LT: It was really how I felt that sparked the change. I was pretty good at ignoring my body for years, but eventually enough was enough. I didn’t feel good physically, mentally or emotionally eating animals and animal by-products. But it’s conditioning that makes us good at ignoring things. I remember watching Food Inc. and then reading Omnivore’s Dilemma and that’s what changed  my mind. The fact that I got so INTO my new way of life that I started blogging my transition from the beginning as hot for food, helped me stick with it. I was really excited by trying so many new foods and cooking techniques so that’s what made it stick. Once I saw how delicious it could be and I was really in control now of how I could feel, it just made sense and I never even considered switching back.

 

HOP: Would you tell people to go vegan overnight? Or take their time?

LT: I think everyone is different. I’ve heard many vegans tell me they just did it overnight. But I always recommend to take it at your own pace. You have to do what feels right for you. For some people, like me, if you force yourself to do something before you catch up mentally then it doesn’t’ work. So don’t worry about what anyone else is doing or telling you to do. You gotta do you! 

HOP: When will your new book be out?

LT: I’m hoping February 2021. The exact date isn’t set yet. 

HOP: People can check out your YouTube channels (Hot for Food and Lauren Toyota)  for TONS of What I Eat in A Day Videos… but short n’ sweet, what is a day in quarantine in food language sound like for you?

LT: Breakfast: coffee 

Lunch: salad with roasted potatoes and a creamy dressing

Snacks: homemade cookies, salt & vinegar chips, oranges

Dinner: pasta with veggies and sometimes beyond meat sausage

Dessert: more homemade cookies 

 

Fave Quarantine Recipe?


Hot For Food Vegan Green Pea Pesto Linguine
 
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Makes 4 Servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time 12 minutes
Ingredients:
1 pound linguine
2 cups fresh or frozen peas
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup vegan parm (could use this one)
1/4 lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
Ground pepper
Instructions:
1 Bring large pot of salted water toa boil
2 Cook linguine until al dente and add 1 cup of the peas to the water in the last minute of cooking
3 Drain, but do not rinse
4 While the pasta is cooking, combine the remaining 1 cup peas (thawed and drained of excess water, if frozen), salt, 2 cups basil leaves, garlic, 1⁄4 cup of The Parm, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor until well combined and smooth but textured.
5 Place the drained pasta and peas back in the pot while it’s still warm.
6 Add 3/4 of the pesto and toss to combine well.
7 Serve the pasta with an extra dollop of pesto on top.
8 Garnish with the remainder of The Parm, ground pepper to taste, and basil leaves.

Excerpted from hot for food Vegan Comfort Classics. Copyright © 2018 by Lauren Toyota. Published by Penguin Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.

If you make this, tag @hookedonplants and @hotforfood so we can see your creation!

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