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Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce | 7 Ingredients

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The good ol’ days of broccoli and cheese sauce are making a comeback, this time in the form of this next-level raw vegan cashew cheese sauce.

Totally nostalgic…who’s with me on that?

In the attempt to get me to eat those veggies in any way possible… cheese sauce, and sometimes mayo, made it onto the plate beside those greens.

It worked like a dream, just like this new & improved eat-yo-veggies cashew cheese hack will.

Something special happens to broccoli when it’s paired with a creamy, tangy, cheesy sauce. Dip away with all the other veggies, and you’re easily munching away on greens like their goin’ outta style.

All you need to do for this recipe is soak the cashews, blend it all up, and then drizzle, spread, dip, scoop…

I’m all about the sauce.

If you’re looking for a veggie-based cheese sauce option, check out this Mind-Blowing Nut-Free cheese sauce recipe I posted not too long ago.

Either one is perfect for a colourful side dish for a holiday like……. Easter!

Benefits:

  • Cashews are packed with healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) to help the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and vitamin K) found in the nutrient-dense greens. Plus, these healthy fats help brain development and memory!
  • Nutritional Yeast (NOOCH) is a vegan’s best friend. Not only does it taste cheesy, but it also is packed with Vitamin B12 (which comes from microorganisms in soil), the one nutrient that you might be lacking in on a vegan diet.
  • Turmeric is a magical ingredient. Not only does it change any recipe into a smashingly colourful dish, but it’s also one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients out there. Add a bit of pepper to increase the bioavailability of the curcumin in the turmeric by 2000%!


Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce
 
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Answer that cheese craving with this super easy vegan cheese sauce, ready to be best friends with anything that calls for cheese. Pizza, pasta, veggies, nachos, you name it!
Author:
Recipe type: sauce, condiment, snack
Serves: 5
Ingredients
  • 1 cup raw cashews (soaked at least 30 minutes and rinsed)
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • ⅛ tsp sea salt + pepper
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • ¼ cup + 2 tbsp plain unsweetened plant based milk (I used almond)
Instructions
  1. Blend all ingredients in high-speed blender until smooth! You might have to turn it off and scrape down the sides with a spatula every now and then...
  2. Use it for dipping, drizzling, spreading... anything! Pizza, pasta, cracker plates, or saucin' anything up!

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Vegan Carrot Cake | Oil-Free + Moist

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This moist vegan carrot cake along with the smothering of cashew cream cheese frosting is a match made in dessert heaven.

Ah Moist…it’s usually a cringe-worthy word. But, in this case, moist is what makes this cake so dang delectable.

Ok, I’ve said moist enough. You get the idea. You’ll get that scrumptious melt-in-your mouth texture without any hidden oils (or eggs 0r milk).

 

This masterpiece is moistened (one more time) with fresh orange juice, lemon juice and banana, and sweetened with coconut sugar and maple syrup. Instead of using refined wheat flour, it’s time to grind up some oats to make it even more whole-foody.

So. it’s actually pretty fricken’ good for you!

I’m alllll about having a dessert that actually tastes good yet isn’t going to break your belt or inflame your insides with processed sugars, oils and animal products.

Maybe you’re turned off when you hear the word ‘healthy’ in front of dessert…immediately a flashback of a cardboard brownie or watered down sorbet pops into your head… but when you can’t even tell a difference (or maybe the difference is even better than the usual), why wouldn’t ya!? It just means you can eat more of it and keep feelin’ fine!

This cashew cream cheese frosting is so simple it’s stupid. The tastiness and creaminess takes the cake to the next level.

This recipe creates a cake that’s about 2 inches tall. Double the recipe for a thicker cake! Just bake it for 10 more minutes (or until you can stick a toothpick in it and have it come out clean).

Benefits:

–Carrots are packed with the phytonutrient antioxidant beta-carotene (the pre-curser to Vitamin A). This does wonders for your bone health and eye sight. They’re also high in biotin, which helps metabolize fats, reduce blood sugar, prevent baldness, prevent eczema plus helps with the formation of new skin.

–Oats are a superfood! They provide a great source of insoluble fibre for your microflora and smooth digestion. Plus they’re packed with antioxidant vitamin E, essential amino acids (to help tissue regrowth), manganese, and B vitamins (for your nervous system).

–Cashews have a lower of a fat content compared to most other nuts, and the fat they do have is mostly heart healthy monounsaturated fats. They’re packed with copper to help eliminate free radicals, assimilate iron, develop bone and skin, and create the hair pigment (melanin).

Vegan Carrot Cake | Oil-Free + MOIST
 
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A moist (yup) vegan whole food carrot cake without any oil! Fruit juice sweetens and moistens this baby! Pair it with the simple cashew cream cheese frosting, and you'll have a birthday cake winner.
Author:
Recipe type: cake, dessert
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp cardamom

  • Wet ingredients:
  • 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax seed + 6 tbsp water)
  • ¼ cup orange juice (juice from 1 orange)
  • 2 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (juice from ½ lemon)
  • ½ ripe banana, mashed
  • ½ tbsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 1½ cups finely grated carrots
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

  • Vegan Cream Cheese Icing
  • ½ cup raw cashews soaked in water for at least 30 minutes (the longer the better)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1½ - 2 tsp lemon juice
  • pinch sea salt
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ⅛ cup almond milk

  • Topping:
  • ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Create the flax egg if you haven’t already (with a fork mix flax and water together in a cup, then set aside 5 minutes)
  3. Line 8 x 4 inch baking dish with parchment paper (2 strips in an X).
  4. Blend the oats in your blender until a flour forms.
  5. Add the rest of dry ingredients to the oat flour and blend until combined.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix together all wet ingredients.
  7. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix until evenly combined.
  8. Pour the mixture into your cake pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.
  9. Meanwhile, make the cashew cream cheese frosting by blending all frosting ingredients in your blender until smooth (add a tiny bit of water if needed). If you forgot to soak your cashews, just pour boiling water over them and let sit for 5 minutes, then strain and blend.
  10. Remove the cake from your oven, let cool. Use spatula to pry the sides from sticking, and flip it upside down onto a cooling rack.
  11. Once cooled, flip over onto your serving plate and smother with cashew cream cheese frosting, then sprinkle with walnuts.

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St. Patrick’s Day Deep Green Cauliflower Spirulina Smoothie Bowl

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St. Paddy’s Day is just around the corner, so it’s time to get in as much of the colour green as humanly possible with this cauliflower spirulina smoothie bowl.

Make this uber healthy, nutrient-dense breakfast so you can happily balance it out with that green beer later!

Warning: The energy you’ll receive from this bowl o’ goodness might have you dancing on tables to those Irish fiddles until the sun comes up.

This recipe is pretty much the most amount of nutrients you can fit into your blender, blended into a thick smoothie bowl and topped off with any kind of superfoods you have in the house!

Smoothie bowls are a go-to around here.

Smoothies are great too, but bowls are better. Why? Smoothies go down too quick (unless you’re mindfully paying attention to chewing your liquid). It’s good to take your time eating blended anything, and actually CHEW your smoothie. Sounds weird, I know. But, by chewing, your mouth releases saliva with amylase (the digestive enzyme for carbohydrates). This is where it all begins (digestion, that is), so if you skip this step of physically chewing, the food by-passes the mouth without the first initial breakdown of nutrients. This makes it harder on the rest of your body during the digestion process.

Chew yo’ smoothie!

You might be thinking… Cauliflower in a smoothie WHAT?! But seriously, it creates a creamy texture and adds mega benefits. We should be eating something from the cruciferous family on the daily (cauli, broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, bok choy, collard greens…), and this is an easy way to get it in ya.

Benefits:

  • Spirulina is one of the most detoxifying ingredients you can consume! It’s a blue green micro-algae with magical powers. Plus, it’s 60% protein (!) and packed with vitamins K1, K2, B12, A plus minerals iron, manganese and chromium. It’s extremely potent, so you don’t need much of it to reap the benefits. The antioxidants and phytonutrients will help decrease signs of aging and ward of disease and inflammation.
  • Cauliflower as I said earlier is a member of the cruciferous vegetable fam. This family is packed with disease-fighting phytochemicals, drastically lowering your rise of cancer and cell oxidation.
  • Greens of any kind are king when it comes to nutrient density. Chlorophyll, phytonutrients, antioxidants, fibre… these are all ingredients your body thrives on. You’ll be bursting with energy and vitality if you pack your mouth with greens at any chance you get.

 

St. Patrick's Day Green Cauliflower Spirulina Smoothie Bowl
 
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I always wing it when it comes to smoothies! But, this gives you a good idea of proportions for a deep green smoothie bowl! Feel free to add more or less of anything, it will all work out. If you need more sweetness, add more dates or banana! Try to pack in as many green leaves as possible.
Author:
Recipe type: smoothie, smoothie bowl, breakfast, ready in 5
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 2-3 kale leaves, de stemmed
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1-inch thumb of ginger root
  • 2 frozen bananas (3 if they're small!)
  • 2 medjool dates
  • 1 cup frozen cauliflower
  • 1-2 cups frozen berries (your choice)
  • 1 tsp spirulina
  • 1½ cups vanilla almond milk, or thishemp milk

  • Optional add-ins:
  • More Greens if you can handle it! Spinach, cucumber, celery, romaine...
  • 1 inch thumb turmeric root
  • Water (if you want a drinkable smoothie)
  • Your favourite vegan protein powder
  • Carrot
  • Apple

  • Recommended toppings:
  • Raw cacao nibs
  • Coconut shreds
  • Jules Fuel Buckwheat Oats
  • Banana
  • Hemp seeds
  • Omega 3-6-9 oil (Udo's has a good blend, and an option with DHA too!)
Instructions
  1. Fill your blender with all the smoothie ingredients in this order: ginger, greens, cauliflower, spirulina, berries, banana, dates, almond milk.
  2. Blend on low-medium, and use your tamper to help the consistency become as smooth as possible. Add a bit of water if needed to help blend.
  3. If you don't have a tamper for your blender, just add a bit more liquid so it blends on it's own (you'll just have a runnier smoothie bowl)!
  4. Pour into your favourite bowl, and top it with your favourite toppings!
Notes
** You can use unfrozen bananas and cauliflower, but it won't be quite as creamy or delicious...

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Jules Fuel Buckwheat Bliss Balls | Blueberry Cacao or Matcha

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Meet your new travelling adventure buddies. These Jules Fuel Buckwheat Bliss balls are packed with superfood goodness with a mega-dose of antioxidants.


On the plane, in a camelback or pocketed on a ski day… they’ll save you and your low energy anywhere, anytime.
And they’re SO simple to make.
You’ll find some date ball recipes on here already like these Maca Date Balls or Hemp Coconut Balls , but these ones are special cuz they’re Jules Fuelled ;0)


My cereal company recently turned into a line of superfood breakfasts. The original (Jules Fuel Quinoa Superfood Oatmeal) has been breaking fasts since 2013. But, just last month 2 new Buckwheat Overnight Oat products graced the grocery store shelves!


Your choice of…Matcha Date Overnight Buckwheat Oats, or Blueberry Cacao Overnight Buckwheat Oats.


Both are bursting with antioxidants, plant protein, fibre, phytonutrients and flava flave. On the bag I tell guide you to soak your serving of buckwheat oats overnight in your favourite mason jar with your favourite plant-based mylk.
But today we’re switching it up a bit.


Adding dates to the mix allows you to roll it up into a bunch of 2-bite Jules Fuel balls for all your on-the-go energizing needs.
The buckwheat groats stay in tact to add a satisfying crunch to the texture, and the only thing you have to do is blend and roll. Triple (or quadruple) this recipe and keep them in your freezer for months!


Benefits:

  • Buckwheat is packed with all essential amino acids, creating a protein packed grain that gives you long lasting energy and regulates blood sugar levels by mimicking the action of insulin. It’s also alkaline to your body, and packed with B vitamins (to help your nervous system function optimally).
  • Blueberry & Cacao are both incredibly high in antioxidants to deactivate free radicals in your body (which are the culprits that lead to disease) plus counteract pollution and unstable molecules. This all leads to longevity by slowing the aging process! Antioxidants also help decrease cholesterol and fat accumulation (gotta love em’)! Cacao, which is the raw form of chocolate, is also well-known mood enhancer.
  • Matcha is highly beneficial ground up green tea leaves. It contains L-theanine, which is known to aid in cancer treatments by helping fight tumours. It’s way up there in the antioxidant count, highly energizing without the caffeine jitters, revs up your metabolism and detoxifies naturally. At the same time as being energizing, it calms the mind and relaxes the body. Plus, it’s rich in vitamins, fibre and chlorophyll.
  • Dates are mother nature’s candy (thanks Ma!). Since they’re incredibly high in minerals and vitamins, plus packed with fibre, they’re the best option for sweetening anything that needs some sweetness.


Jules Fuel Buckwheat Bliss Balls | Matcha Date | Blueberry Cacao
 
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These bliss balls are perfect to take on your next adventure, your next travel day, or even just to the office to curb that 4 o'clock dip of energy. They're packed to the nines with antioxidants and whole food energy.
Author:
Recipe type: snack, adventure fuel, dessert
Serves: 20
Ingredients
  • 8-10 medjool dates (depending on size)
  • 1 cup Jules Fuel overnight buckwheat oats (matcha date, or blueberry cacao)
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients into your food processor.
  2. Blend for about a minute, or until the mixture resembles a crumbly granola. You should be able to pick some up, squish it, and it will stay together.
  3. Roll into 1-inch balls.
  4. Store in freezer or fridge.
  5. Take them with you for your next adventure, a long day at the office, or travel day!

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Creamy Vegan Spinach Artichoke White Bean Dip | 8 Ingredients

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Creaminess alert! I’m in love with this Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip.

White beans come into play to create that creamy texture you’re craving, minus the dairy.

If you come across this dip in the store, the veg-sounding name will probably fool ya. The usual culprits show up in full force in the store-bought version… cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and parmesano. Yup, it’s an overload of the type of creaminess that won’t do your body any favours.

That brings me to one of life’s must-knows.

 

There are 2 important aspects of the act of eating. The physical side & the mental side.

The way you love and appreciate your food makes a big difference in how your body is going to assimilate those nutrients. If you’re stressed out or worried about that thing you’re eating while you’re eating it (‘oh god, I shouldn’t be eating this…’), your digestion won’t run smoothly (because your adrenal system ~ AKA, your stress centre ~ simply cannot work at the same time as your digestive system).

Step 1 – you’ve got to love the taste.

Step 2- you’ve got to appreciate the food and feel good about eating it.

 

It’s a lot easier to follow through with step 2 when the food you’re eating is actually good for you, and it helps when it doesn’t taste like cardboard, am I right!?

That’s what it’s all about here. This dip is even better than ‘guilt-free’, I’ll go as far as saying it’s a ‘life-giving’ dip. It’s next-level awesome for your taste buds and your health.

And oooh man, does it ever taste good warmed up with a side of rye sourdough, crackers and veggies.

The white beans give this dip the dip-able texture we’re looking for.

Don’t limit it to a dip! Spread it all over your toast, sandwiches, wraps, or even make it into a pasta sauce by adding almond milk!

 

There’s just two steps to get to this deliciousness.

Blend

Bake

… that’s it.

 

Benefits:

  • White beans (cannellini beans) are of the legume family. Enough said. Legumes have tons of antioxidants, inulin fibre (prebiotics), minerals, vitamins, and protein. They’re low in fat, cholesterol, and calories (in comparison to the meaty alternative). This is your time to get in yo’ beans! Soak them first, then rinse if you feel that you get gas from them.
  • Artichokes = antioxidants. They’re #7 on USDA’s antioxidant-rich foods list! Plus, Vitamin C in artichoke is going to help you absorb the iron in the spinach. What a combo.
  • Spinach. We all know it’s Pop-Eye’s fave. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s packed with the good stuff (iron, water content, fibre, plant protein, chlorophyll, plus… niacin, manganese, zinc, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate,potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper), but missing the bad stuff (saturated fat & cholesterol). A recipe for Pop-Eye’s physique.

 

Spinach Artichoke White Bean Dip | Vegan
 
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This dip is easy, but so impressive. We're keeping it on the lighter side by using beans as the base instead of nuts. It's creamy and delicious!
Author:
Recipe type: dip, appetizer, spread
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 can white cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
  • ½ cup + 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice (about a ½ lemon)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup packed spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup artichoke hearts (about 1 can, drained), roughly chopped
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat your oven to 375°F.
  2. In your food processor, blend beans with ½ cup nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
  3. In an oven safe serving dish, mix the bean mixture with the spinach and artichokes.
  4. Cover with tin foil, then bake for 12 minutes.
  5. Take the foil off, sprinkle with extra nutitional yeast (or vegan parmesan like Violife's or this recipe) and broil on high for 2 minutes.
  6. Serve this saucy goodness up with your favourite raw veggies, chips, crackers...you name it.

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