HookedOnPlants

When getting hooked is a good thing

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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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How To: Make Your Own Kombucha

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The BOOSH!

A heavenly, thirst-quenching, carbonated bevy. I think it’s a miracle this stuff exists.
If you’re into pop and can’t kick the habit. You have come to the right place.
Not only does it kinda taste like pop, but it’s endless benefits allow you to sip away while you can truly feel good about what you’re sipping on.
And, rather than spending the big bucks for store bought Kombucha, why not make your own and feel like a brewmaster?
I count down the days until I can dive into my next batch.
Let’s clarify a few questions you might have first.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha AKA ‘Boosh’ is a fermented, bubbly, tangy beverage with a multitude of benefits. It’s extremely satisfying, carbonated and brought to you by… the Scoby.
What is the Scoby?
Scoby stands for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast”… AKA the Mother. It’s actually a living culture that looks like a jelly fish mushroom pancake. This culture is the living home for the yeast and bacteria that transforms your sweet tea into fizzy, fermented, refreshing kombucha.
Where do you get a Scoby?

There are 3 ways you can get yourself a Scoby:

  • From a friend who is already brewing their own Kombucha. All they need to do is peel off a few layers (creating one thick layer) of their own Scoby, and transfer it to you with some of the liquid from their the batch. The Scoby likes to be smooth-side up (you’ll notice a smooth side and a rough/stringy side). You can transfer it in a zip-lock bag (which you will rinse and re-use, of course;) then get it into your glass jar with the rest of your tea as soon as you can.
  • Buy a Kombucha Starter kit at almost any health food store.
  • Start your own Scoby:
    1. Buy a bottle of raw, unflavoured kombucha at the store.
    2. Pour the raw kombucha into a large glass jar. (Optional – you can create more liquid/food for the Kombucha to ferment in by making 1 cup of black tea with 1-2 tbsp of white sugar, letting it cool, then adding this sweet tea to the jar with the original store-bought boosh).
    3. Cover the jar with a few layers of cheese cloth and secure it with a tight rubber band.
    4. Leave the tea to ferment in a room temperature cupboard for about 7 days.
    5. You should see your Scoby developing on top of the liquid (it will look like a clear film, then become more white and thicker as the time goes by. If you don’t see any sign of a scoby after 3 weeks, discard all of it and start over with a different store bought kombucha. Wait until the Scoby is at least 1/4 inch thick before using it to brew your first big batch of Kombucha! This could take up to 1 month.
    6. Keep your new Scoby and the tea for making your first batch of Boosh.

 

 

 

Benefits of Kombucha:

Just like all fermented things (sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kefir, tempeh, pickles, natto, coconut yogurt) …

Kombucha has a MEGA-DOSE of benefits!

  • Increases good gut bacteria
  • Contains probiotics
  • Aids digestion
  • Detoxifying
  • Immune support
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Contains antioxidants
  • More energy
  • Cleanses liver
  • Helps with weight loss
  • Helps you sleep better
  • Cancer prevention
  • Hangover helper

 

How To:

Make Your Own Kombucha

First, a few things to know:

  • Every batch tastes a bit different. This depends on brewing time, temperature, and the strength of the tea. This is all part of the excitement.
  • Always have clean, non-soapy hands when handling the Scoby and the glass jar.
  • Use hot water to wash the glass jar (AKA the Scoby’s home). If it still looks grimy, use white vinegar with hot water every few washes. No soap.
  • For the batch liquid, use filtered water, if possible. Tap water from Whistler works well for me though!
**Scroll further down for Step-by-step with photos**
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Waiting Time: 10-25 days
Servings: 3-4 large mason jars
What you’ll need:
  • cheese cloth (enough to cover the top of your jar, folded over 3 times)
  • elastic
  • large glass jar (try to get one without any metal spout- it doesn’t work anyways because the Kombucha clogs it- and make sure it’s all glass!)
  • 4 large mason jars
Ingredients:
  • 7 bags of organic black tea
  • 1.5 cups of organic white sugar (don’t worry, the Scoby will eat most of the sugar up while it ferments)
  • about 16 cups of water, as clean as you can get it (filtered is best, but my Scoby doesn’t mind Whistler tap water)

Directions:

  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a pot
  2. Once boiling, turn off the element
  3. Add the 7 black tea bags and the sugar to the water, and stir
  4. Let the tea sit and steep for 10 minutes
  5. Pour the hot tea into the large glass jar
  6. Fill the jar up with 14 more cups of cold water
  7. Place the Scoby in the water, rough side down, smooth side up
  8. Use a few layers of the cheese cloth as a lid with an elastic
  9. Place the jar of Kombucha in a cupboard or pantry for 10-20 days
    (At day 10, taste it to see if its bubbly- if not, leave it for a few more days until you like the amount of bubbles !)
  10. Once it’s finished fermenting to your liking, carefully take the Scoby out and place it on a plate (rough side down) while you get the next batch ready.
  11. Pour the Kombucha into mason jars. You can tighten the lids, keep it in the fridge and drink it as is  OR carry 0n to the next step…
  12. This is optional, but makes the Kombucha even more bubbly and delicious.
    • Secondary Fermentation – add flavour your mason jars by adding fresh ginger, 1 tsp of maple syrup, fresh fruit chunks or purée, or fresh herbs. Tighten the mason jar lids and leave them in the cupboard for 1-3 days. This will create a more carbonated and flavourful Kombucha. Then, place them in the fridge to halt the carbonation.

     

    **Step-by-step with photos!**

     

Once the water is boiling, add organic sugar and tea bags.

Remove the tea bags after 10 minutes

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Pour the hot, sweet tea into your large glass jar

Fill the jar with about 12 more cups of water

Add a little bit of the last batch’s liquid

Place the Scoby, smooth side up, into the liquid

Cover with a cheese cloth and rubber band, and place into your cupboard away from the sun for 10-20 days (I have 2 jars that I rotate between every 2 weeks).

Once it’s fizzy and ready, remove the Scoby with a bit of the liquid, set aside, then pour the Kombucha into air tight jars.
Place the mason jars in a cupboard to secondary ferment along with fruit, maple syrup, or herbs for 2 days.
OR just put them in the fridge! They’re ready to drink now, but won’t be quite as bubbly or flavourful without the secondary fermentation.
Nice work brew master!
Since the Scoby is a living culture, don’t forget to talk or sing to the Scoby to keep it happy!
Too hippy for you?
Ok, just enjoy the refreshing boosh you have just created.

Veggies For Dayz Rice Paper Rolls with Tahini Lime Dip

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Perfect for those days that you have that urge to dive into a plate-full of cleansing, vcggie deliciousness.

This dish is part of the Vancity Virtual Potluck menu!

The #VancityVirtualPotluck includes over 30 delish recipes from amazing Vancouver (/Whistler!) bloggers. The lovely ladies over at Piquant Marketing have brought us all together to form a mega-menu to devour.

I was super excited to start off the appetizer course of the Virtual Potluck, but then, just like a real-life potluck… I went ‘AH, what do I make’?

Then, ‘ahhhhhh yes rainbows are pretty. Let’s make some.’

For the appetizer that comes after these rice paper rolls, head over to Stephanie and Kiana at Karma and Soul for their amazing Roasted Balsamic Beet Hummus recipe (inspired by Melissa at Spread’Em Kitchen)!

The link for the next dish is at the bottom.

Click this photo for the full menu!

Back to these crunchy, nutrient-dense rolls. So simple and SO fresh.

Raw.

Vegan.

Oil-Free.

Gluten-Free.

And this sauce is perfection.

You can create an endless combination of veggies and fruit to stuff into these wraps. Just pack in your favourite colours of the veggie rainbow.

(I get all my favourites from Spud – use CRVAN-MURJUB for 20 buckeroos off!)

These babies are perfect to bring as a colourful appetizer to any shindig you’re going to.

The dipping sauce is also used in the Cucumber Cups canapé recipe. It’s so versatile and can be used as a spread, dip or dressing depending on the amount of water you add.

There’s no doubt that this flavourful, oil-free sauce will become a sought after staple in your abode.

Benefits:

~ Raw produce of any kind are what makes your body thrive. Eating fruits and veggies in their raw form keeps the nutrients in tact, plus gives you the water content and fibre you need for the digestion and assimilation of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients. You’ll get mega-benefits from all the enzymes and phytonutrients in raw goodness. This leaves you with more energy for healing and life! Clearer skin, more energy, less sickness, easier weight-loss, better digestion, and less inflammation are all benefits of eating an abundance of raw fruits and veggies.

~ Tahini is one of the best sources of calcium you can consume. The calcium in sesame seeds (what tahini is made of) is easily absorbed and assimilated by your body to help create strong bones well into your 90s

~ Rice paper wrappers are gluten-free, low-calorie, low-fat and easy to use. They are a great option for creating wraps with because the only ingredients are rice, and water (maybe some salt)!

Veggies for Dayz Rice Paper Rolls with Tahini Lime Dip

Serves: 2-4

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Wraps:

  • 5-8 rice paper wrappers
  • 2 beets, grated
  • 4 carrots, grated
  • 2 mangos, sliced
  • 2 cucumbers, sliced length-wise
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, sliced thinly
  • as many sunflower sprouts as you can fit
  • 1 cup water (for rice paper)

Tahini Lime Ginger Dip:

  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 4 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 cup water

Directions:

  1. Make dipping sauce: add all dip ingredients to mini food processor or blender. Blend until smooth
  2. Roll up the wraps: pour water in a plate. Submerge one rice paper in the water for 20 seconds. Take out and place on breadboard. Fill the wrap with some of each veggie. Fold the ends of the rice paper over the veggies, then roll like a burrito.
  3. Cut in half, and serve with dipping sauce.

 

Turmeric Ginger Banana ‘Mylkshake’

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The blender. Doesn’t it blow your mind?

With just a few ingredients, you’re on your way to taste bud heaven.

This time, think milkshake… but good for you. REAL good for you.

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If you can get the actual turmeric and ginger root from your local grocery store, DO IT.

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You could use the powdered, but this recipe is so much better with the real, fresh ingredients. If you have a hard time finding them, Spud carries turmeric and ginger root! Just order online from their website and it will get delivered to your door (use the code CRVAN-MURJUB for 20$ off your first order). While you’re at it, add a box of smoothie ready bananas for just 7 bucks and freeze them so they’re ready for your next smoothie session!

Then this creamy, spicy super smoothie so fast and easy to put together.

If you have a high-speed blender, this bevy is amazing blended until warm.

It’s the best thing to come back to after playing all day in the fresh powder.

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By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I’m going to share what I am chatting away about in this week’s email to subscribers (subscribe on the homepage).
Here’s s few things I can leave you with while we’re shooting into 2017:

  1. Try not to get overwhelmed about the things that didn’t happen in 2016, or the things you hope to achieve in 2017. This life of ours is all about the adventure. The best gift we can give to ourselves is to be grateful for each present moment and appreciate the relationships, achievements and things that we have now. 
  2. Don’t be like THIS GUY, trying to get it all over-with and done at once.
  3. Just ENJOY the process! We’ve all got mundane things to do in this life (think chores, some work, etc), but what if we switched our mind-set into being excited to do those things, and ignore the part of our brain that dreads what’s to come? 

I can’t waaaait to answer emails!
I’m SO stoked to do the recycling!
Cleaning the house? YES!!! 

Imagine how fun life would be if we truly believed everything was amazingly fun?  Something to think about… 

OK, now back to winter in a cup.

The benefits of this drink are endless. But, here’s just a few to be excited about…

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Benefits:

–Turmeric is one of nature’s best anti-inflammatory. Eating it with black pepper drastically improves it’s absorption into your hot bod, magnifying the benefits. It’s also great for bloating, digestion, blood purification, skin conditions, cancer-fighting, plus it aids in fat metabolism.

–Ginger is well-known for it’s anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This makes it a great answer for combatting seasonal flus and making your immune system super-human. Ginger is also a star when it comes to nausea and muscle pain.

–Bananas are packed full of beneficial carbohydrates, with fibre and a bit of protein! They really are an all round healthy food that if I lived on a deserted island, all I would need is bananas. There’s a reason monkeys go bananas over bananas, and it makes up most of their diet. Smart monkeys. They also decrease bloating (especially for that time of the month ladies!), build lean muscle mass, help your muscles recover faster and give you a boost of clean, whole food energy.

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Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Ginger Banana Mylkshake

Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1-2

Ingredients:

  • 2 bananas, peeled
  • 2-3 centimetres turmeric root, chopped (start with less, and add more if you can handle the spice!)
  • 2-3 tsp ginger root, chopped
  • 3-5 dates (depending on size, but I used 5 small bahri dates. 3 medjool would do the trick)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup almond milk (or less if you want it thicker)
  • little pinch of pepper
  • cinnamon to top

Steps:

  1. Throw all of the ingredients into a high speed blender. Blend for 1 minute (or until warm).
  2. Pour into your favourite mug and sprinkle with cinnamon

Note: This goes well with last week’s Raw Vegan Chocolate Orange Christmas Bites

Raw Vegan Chocolate-Orange Christmas Bites

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Bring this to a Christmas party and your brownie points will shoot through the chimney.

These little morsels will bring melty, sweet, whole-food goodness to your Christmas Holidays.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, and dip away.

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Right now, I’m going through the Raw Gastronomy chapter in my Plant-Based Rouxbe Culinary course. The challenge was to create a raw dessert, and I thought, why should I be the only one to appreciate the taste of my creation? It’s too good not to share with all of you.

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Eating whole foods in their raw form does wonders for your body.

Raw, or ‘living foods’ still have the vitality and energy in the food itself. If they aren’t heated over 118 degrees farenheit, their naturally occurring enzymes stay active. Heating foods can deactivate some of the beneficial, vital enzymes, plus destroy other nutrients like minerals, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. So, why not eat as much food in their natural raw form as possible?

Plus, this chocolate sauce is just 3 ingredients! So simple and it works soooo well. The coconut oil is just slightly heated enough to melt into a saucy texture.

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Even after freezing for a while, the bottom layer of these bites still stays deliciously gooey.

It’s pretty much cookie dough, that’s packed with nutrients, with hard chocolate on top. YUM.

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Benefits:

–Cacao powder is the raw form of dark chocolate. It’s the part with the highest amount of antioxidants (40 times the amount of blueberries). It’s a natural energy booster, mood elevator and is packed with magnesium for your brain and heart health.

–Dates are packed with minerals and fibre. They’re super sweet, but are actually good for you! Pure magic. Your brain, heart and digestive system will thank you. They’re actually a great source of protein, plus they’re packed with vitamin C and D to help your beautiful skin and promote elasticity for the anti-aging effects.

–Coconut has iron, healthy fats and fibre. A bit of coconut will help ward off disease and keep your tissues healthy too.

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Ingredients:

Base layer:

  • 1  1/2 cups dates, pitted (meaning without pits), soaked in hot water for 5 minutes then strained (if super dry)
  • 3/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed

Chocolate sauce:

  • 1  1/2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Steps:

  1. Pulse walnuts, coconut and orange zest in food processor until a meal forms
  2. Add dates and orange juice. Blend until all is combined
  3. Use two small spoons to press mixture into balls then into a mini muffin tin. OR you could also press the mixture into a loaf pan as one large layer
  4. Make chocolate sauce: Melt coconut oil in small sauce pan, add maple syrup and cacao powder. Use whisk to mix until smooth and creamy.
  5. Spoon chocolate layer over each base layer
  6. Sprinkle with shredded coconut
  7. Chill in freezer for 30 minutes or as long as you like. They don’t become rock solid!