spiced carrot slaw

One holiday down, one to go!  I hope everyone stuck to the “game plan” and didn’t over-do it!  My mom put out a healthy spread this year, which I was very thankful for!  And my mother-in-law brought a delicious beet and apple slaw and a wonderful spinach salad…I doubled up on these, they were so good!  Don’t worry, I saved room for a little pumpkin pie, pecan pie and my no-bake chocolate pecan pie bars :)

Don’t wait for the new year to start eating healthy!  Take this time in between Thanksgiving and Christmas to focus on eating real, pure, whole foods.   Putting health and wellness first during the holiday season is the best present you can give to yourself and those you love!

I think one of the easiest way to “clean” up your diet is to have at least one raw vegetable dish per day, preferably more!  This spiced carrot slaw is a great accompaniment to any meal.  We had it with garlicky kale and quinoa last night!

spiced carrot slaw Vegan Gluten Free

Spiced Carrot Slaw

4 large carrots, shredded

1/4 cup raisins

For the dressing:

juice from 1 lemon

1/3 cup sunflower seed butter

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

3 tablespoons of water (or more for desired consistency)

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

sea salt to taste

spiced carrot slaw Vegan Gluten Free

I love this little helping hand!

-Blend dressing ingredients in a food processor until well combined.

-In a large bowl, mix carrots, raisins and dressing.  Adjust flavor if needed.

-Garnish with sunflower seeds and parsley.

-Enjoy!

chocolate pecan pie bars ~GF/V~

Break out of the ordinary and try something new this Thanksgiving!  Pecan pie minus the corn syrup and unhealthy fat…how can it be?  Trust me, you will not miss the traditional pecan pie when these are around!

chocolate pecan pie bars ~vegan, gluten free, grain free~

This recipe is so simple, you don’t even need to turn the oven on!  A food processor is all that’s needed!  I added mini-vegan chocolate chips, which are optional, but highly recommended!  Although these are grain free, dairy free, gluten free and vegan, they are full of flavor!

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

For the crust:

1 cup dates, pitted

1 cup raw pecans

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of sea salt

For the filling:

1 cup dates, pitted

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 cup raw pecans

1/4 cup warm water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch sea salt

1/3 cup mini-chocolate chips

For the topping:

1 cup raw pecans

a heaping 1/3 cup mini-chocolate chips melted for chocolate drizzle

chocolate pecan pie bars ~vegan, gluten free, grain free~

-Line a baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal, set aside.

-In a food processor, add all the crust ingredients.  Blend until a dough is formed, scraping down sides as needed.

-Press dough into the baking dish creating a crust.  Place in the freezer.

chocolate pecan pie bars ~vegan, gluten free, grain free~

-In the meantime, add filling ingredients minus the chocolate chips into the food processor.  Blend until smooth.  Consistency will be similar to almond butter.

-Remove from food processor and add to a bowl, stir in chocolate chips.

chocolate pecan pie bars ~vegan, gluten free, grain free~

-Remove crust from the freezer, add filling and use a spatula to evenly spread.

-Top with pecans and drizzle with melted chocolate.

chocolate pecan pie bars ~vegan, gluten free, grain free~

-Return to freezer for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.

-Enjoy!

I used a 11×7 baking dish however, a 8×8 would work well, if not better!    

chocolate pecan pie bars ~vegan, gluten free, grain free~

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

flourless chocolate peppermint brownie bites

I almost always have a weekly meal plan and grocery list in hand before I step foot into a grocery store.  If I don’t, I end up with a cart full of random items and overspending!  We live 45 minutes away from the closest Trader Joe’s, so when I see one, I stop in!  These two ingredients caught my eye…

flourless chocolate peppermint brownie bites

I had no idea what to do with my impulse buys, so I went to my favorite website Pinterest!  A combination of a few recipes I saw inspired me to create these…

flourless chocolate peppermint brownie bites ~gluten free/grain free/dairy free~

Flourless Chocolate Peppermint Brownie Bites

1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)

1/2 cup honey

3 eggs, whipped 

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 cup almond meal

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a mini-muffin tin with cooking spray, set aside.

-In a small bowl, whisk together liquified coconut oil, eggs, honey and peppermint extract.

-In a medium bowl, combine almond meal, cocoa powder, sea salt and baking soda.

-Mix wet and dry ingredients together until well combined and a batter is formed.

-Pour batter into mini-muffin cups, 2/3 way full.

-Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

-Cool and enjoy!

flourless chocolate peppermint brownie bites ~gluten free/grain free/dairy free~

These brownie bites are so fluffy and “cake” like, you would never know they are flourless!  Plus, they are only 100 calories per pop making them a guilt-less sweet treat :)