SWEET POTATO FRIES with LEMON CASHEW CHIPOTLE DIP

Been eating this every night this week, along with baked treats I am making from my fave cookbooks. Sweet potatoes are veeery good for you, but more importantly: they taste magical when you bake them with oil, spices and serve 'em up with a creamy, nutty, tangy sauce. Cannot. Get. Enough. Hope you like the recipe as much as I do! x

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OATS

Making oatmeal this decadent is like having a giant gooey, cookie for breakfast every morning. I still haven't gotten tired of it. I am a sugar fiend so the richer, the better. We were out of peanut butter for awhile but now we've got a fat jar and I am immediately making use of it. Chocolate and peanut butter is - needless to say - one of the most-loved food combos around, and when you add it to creamy, warm oatmeal, the party in my mouth only gets better. 

MARINATED TOFU with WALNUT PESTO + TOMATOES on SPROUTED TOAST

Gasp! A savoury recipe!? On This Rawsome Vegan Life!? WHAT. 

Yes, people. I DO eat more than just raw vegan cheesecake, brownies and ice cream. Here is the proof. But in all honesty, this doesn't happen very often. Most days I seriously do just consume smoothies, raw desserts and fruit. I should eat more veggies but... well, nobody's perfect. So if I'm gonna eat something savoury, it's gotta be damn delicious. This recipe is. 

MATCHA LATTE with COCONUT + ALMOND

This recipe is really comforting, nourishing, and makes me feel like I've just been cuddled. I've been making it often and for me that is saying a lot, since I generally can't be bothered to a) follow a recipe at all or b) make anything more than once. I originally was inspired by the recipe in Liora Bels' GORGEOUS cookbook, The Mix. I highly recommend you find yourself a copy, even if only to look at the story-telling food photography - by Mirjam Knickriem - and fall in love with Liora's "loving blend of plant-based recipes".

♡ MINI LEMON, CASHEW + BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKES ♡

*NEW FAVE RECIPE ALERT* (and it doesn't even contain chocolate!?)

I LOVE my blueberries. In winter when they aren't growing fresh in my home province of British Columbia - the biggest highbush blueberry-producing region in the world - or the bushes in our front yard, I am sad and miss them. BUT! I know I can still grab them frozen in the grocery store. And I do. Because I crave blueberries on the daily. In desserts, smoothies, on toast... basically everywhere in my life.

VEGGIE SUMMER ROLLS with CHIPOTLE PEANUT SAUCE

What is there to say about summer rolls that hasn't already been said? I don't think I can effectively add anything to the conversation about them so I won't. What I will say is: this is simply another delicious, easy, and quick vegan recipe for summer rolls. I know this recipe is not traditional, but it's gorgeous to look at and tastes great. It's a crowd pleaser for when you want to show friends (or others...) that eating vegan doesn't have to be weird and sad like so many folks think it does. 

We just are throwing together some fresh, vibrant veggies in rice paper wraps and pairing them with a spicy, creamy peanut sauce. What's not to love? Dig in. 

COCO VANILLA SHAKE with CHOCOLATE SAUCE

There are not actually words in the english dictionary that I know of to accurately describe how delicious this shake is. And I only speak english so I can't look to other languages here. Basically: you need it in your life immediately. Whether you're vegan or not, it's gonna blow your mind and take your taste buds to new heights. Please make it ASAP. If ya want more recipes like this one, I'd suggest checking out N'ice Cream, a beautiful vegan ice cream cookbook full of pretty pictures and inspiring ideas. It got me hooked on using full fat coconut milk (the stuff in the can) in my shakes and nice cream and I will never go back.

Oh wait I wanna add: I am a finalist and nominated for "Best in Health & Fitness" for BC Living's The Social List 2016! Plz vote for me if you want to. :) You can vote here.

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CRANBERRY CRÈME TARTS

This recipe was a hit! I shared it with several people, including a friend for her birthday. It's sweet, fresh, fun and cute to boot. These tarts pack a secret nutritional punch thanks to Pranin Organic's PureFood Iron, which I included in the chocolate crust. Keep your eyes peeled (that saying always makes me feel kind of uncomfortable...) for a guest blog post from me on Pranin Organic's website. I will be talking about the importance of getting enough iron and nutritionally-dense foods in your diet in order to maintain a happy and healthy existence on this bizarre and wonderful planet.

BLISS BALLS! (EQUIPMENT-FREE, RAW, VEGAN)

Eyyyy so I KNOW I haven't posted a recipe in almost a week and I just gotta say: oops. First the election on Tuesday hit me like a terrible bag of bigoted bricks so I hid in bed crying for 24 hours, trying to convince myself it was a bad dream. ("WRONG!") 

FUDGEY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SLICE

These bars are sweet, chocolatey, fudgey, chewy, rich and perfect for any time. Eat as many as you want, because it's your life and it should be delicious and fulfilling. I just ate one for breakfast and it's probably the best decision I've ever made. I know I have about one million recipes similar to this one already published on my blog, but I will never stop sharing variations of chocolate peanut cups / cakes / bars / etc. The combo is a classic for a REASON. I shared these bars with my mom and best friend: mom said "yum", BF said "one of my fave recipes from you... ever".

CHILLED GINGER BERRY WATERMELON SOUP with MINT

I always feel uncomfortable calling blended, chilled sweet things "soup", especially when I honestly just think of them as smoothies. This is the case here. Nonetheless, I decided to officially call it soup because I poured it into bowls and served it with spoons (for the photos, anyways). But if the idea of calling something cold and sweet "soup" weirds you out as well, just call it a smoothie. Problem solved. 

CHOCOLATE MINT SLICE

I am an absolute sucker for some minimalist, moody, naturally-lit food photography. Some of my first sources of inspiration were from Matthew Kenney's cookbooks. I have always loved the Laura Wright's work at The First Mess. In the past few years I've fallen head over heels with Call Me Cupcake, A Brown Table and Local Milk. My current fave food photography comes from Berlin-based Laura and Nora at Our Food Stories. 

CHOCOLATE COCONUT HAZELNUT GANACHE TART

This recipe is inspired by the tart from Meet (they have a location on Main and one in Gastown). It's a vegan comfort food establishment that incidentally serves up a killer double bacon double cheese burger. The sweet, dense, crumbly and creamy chocolate coconut ganache tart is a must for me every time I drop in. They drizzle it in some kinda white sugary magic and top it with slivered almonds. #HEAVEN. I decided to make my own version because I was craving a rich chocolate cream cake type scenario. I think I succeeded. And I added some hazelnuts because why not. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM BARS with RASPBERRY SAUCE

I am finding so much amazing music lately. Specifically the newest albums from queens like Solange, Lizzo and Jamila Woods. Been crying to all of it. Music is powerful and when it's coming from voices that are so inspiring and talented, I am just left in awe. Do yourself a favour and download all the albums from the artists I just named. Pleaassse.

♡ COSY TURMERIC CINNAMON ELIXIR ♡

I am finally healing from the seasonal cold I have had for the past week. And this drink is helping, or at least that's what I'm telling myself. Turmeric is the food of gods, I try to get some in everyday. It's super powered when you pair it with black pepper. I also added a bunch of warming spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger because fall is here! It has been rainy and stormy the past couple days which makes for suuuper cosy times inside my bedroom. I plan to curl up for a big chunk of today with a book and this drink. It's creamy thanks to pecan butter and coconut milk, sweet thanks to dates and maple syrup, and delicious thanks to the magic of the plant kingdom. 

COCONUTTY GRANOLA with QUICK VEGAN YOGURT

I am really excited about a few things: the crunchiness of this granola, how easy and fast it is to make this yogurt, and how fresh my new sun-powered Infinity Jars keep dry goods like seeds, powders and dried fruit. 

A COLD-BUSTIN SMOOTHIE

I have a head cold thing. My throat has been a tad swollen and sore for the past week, but I've been ignoring it and going dancing til 4am, getting tattoos and biking around instead of resting. Smart. So now the time has come where this sickness has morphed into something that can't be ignored. I'm stuffed up. My head aches. My throat is dry. I'm finally doin' what I maybe shoulda done a few days ago: cancelling my plans and staying home, drinking lots of fluids and trying to take it easy. Although, this mix is making it hard to sit still. I am going to watch Ru Paul's Drag Race all night long and keep chugging lemon water, tea, juice and perhaps have another lavender bath. Luxury, honey.

VANILLA NICE CREAM with CHOCOLATE SAUCE

I love ice cream. I loved it before I went vegan, and I love it now that I am vegan. You might be asking: wait, how can vegan ice cream be a thing? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Nope, let me tell ya.

FIERCE SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE

FIRST OF ALL. I just discovered an artist named Blood Orange and omg I am flipping out. Please listen to all their music asap. I hope you love it as much as I do. Moving on.

Salted. Caramel. Cheesecake. It's vegan. It's raw. It's even more delicious than it sounds. But don't trust me: make it yourself and experience the sensual seduction first hand. This recipe is adapted from one in Amy Lyons' second cookbook, Just Vegan Cakes. All Amy's creations are so luxurious and make transitioning into a more rawsome life - if you wanna - really easy because you feel totally satisfied by the recipes. This cheesecake is so decadent it leaves me wanting for nooothing.

PECAN PRALINE BARS with SALTED CHOCOLATE

This recipe is inspired by an absolutely magnificent creation I have had twice from Chau Veggiexpress. It's a vegetarian - almost entirely vegan - restaurant on Victoria Drive that has a menu with a Vietnamese lean. All their savory menu items are incredible: mainly nourishing, steamy rice noodle bowls packed with fresh herbs, vegetables, sauces and served with deliciously salty broths. I have never been disappointed. In fact I've always been delightfully surprised by the aromatics, textures, flavours and colours of my meals at Chau.

VANILLA COCONUT SHAKE with PEANUT BUTTER CARAMEL

WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING.

This recipe is too good to be true yet here it is. In all it's luscious glory: the vegan shake. This is adapted slightly from the recipe in N'ice Cream by Virpi Mikkonen and Tuulia Talvio. It's such a beautiful book. The recipes are simple and delicious and the photos are STUNNING. A must-have if you dig ice cream that happens to be dairy-free. Now lemme talk about this shake for a minute because I am absolutely head over heels.

FABULOUS OATS with BERRIES + SEEDS

I eat oatmeal every morning, and if I don't get the chance at the start of my day, I always end up making it for dinner. I guess my body just needs it's daily dose. I make my oatmeal in a particular way that gets it nice and creamy, and I LOOOVE sweet things (big surprise, look at my blog) so my oats are regularly smothered in nut butter and coconut sugar. I essentially am eating a giant bowl of warm cookie dough each time I sit down with my oatmeal. I am not mad about it.

GREEN SMOOTHIE with BASIL, PINEAPPLE + MANGO

Smoothies give me life. They keep me energized and motivated to get through my days. They give me the nutrition I need to function optimally: both physically, mentally and thus emotionally, because my mental health and emotional state are inextricably linked with my physical well-being. These days I eat and exercise for my mental health. When I make food, my main focus is: how will this make me feel? When I go to the gym or for a bike ride, it's not to alter my body to look a certain way, it's to release endorphins in my brain so I can maintain a positive mental attitude.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PILLOW COOKIES

This post is fully inspired by Amy Lyons' recipe in Fragrant Vanilla Cake. Her recipes are always so decadent and drool-worthy. I gave these to a bunch of friends during the week and everyone seemed to love 'em. I ate about half of them myself so I personally promise: they are delish. I wasn't sure about using so much flax seed in the cookie part but somehow it makes them addictive!? And hey, ya get a bunch of omega 3's or something. Most importantly: you get chocolate peanut butter bites all day long. Enjoy!

POWER SMOOTHIE with BERRIES, BEET + BANANA

Howdy hey howdy ho. 

I don't know why I just typed that in but I'm going to leave it because I believe in being my authentic self or whatever. 

CHOCOLATE CHIP + HEMP PROTEIN BARS

Hey, hunnies. How are you doing? I am feelin myself lately, tbh. A couple days ago I had a kinda blue mental health day but since then I have woken up in the best mood and simply EXCITED about bein alive! This is big for me because my regular mindset is to overanalyze everything and worry about if I said something problematic or if everyone realized overnight that I'm an asshole or have a panic attack over the reality that I and everybody I know will eventually die and no one cares, etc. You know, right?

CHOCOLATE MINT COCONUT DONUTS !

These were 100% inspired by Sam's (@sobeautifullyraw) donut photo I saw on Instagram yesterday morning. Immediately I was like: I need these in my life and I need to make a recipe for the blog today anyways. So here we are.

MAGICAL SUPERFOOD CHEESECAKE

Greetings, my darlings. 

1) I will be sharing this cake at a potluck I am hosting tomorrow at Trout Lake in Vancouver, Canada. Come on by for chill, fun times and delish vegan grub. More info here. 2) This cake is chocolate-free and I am really proud of myself for that. There is NOOOOTHING wrong with chocolate. Ever. But I am highly aware of the fact that my blog's description could accurately be "Mostly chocolate recipes". I like variety and a bit of colour, so that's what we're goin for with this cake. 3) This cake recipe is "magical" because it's pretty(?) AND secretly very nutrient-dense. It is full of healthy fats from nuts and seeds, multi-source vitamin B (thanks to Pranin Organic's PureFood B), complex carbs like oats, and dried fruits. It is creamy, rich, sweet, satisfying, easy to make and let's be real, it's also gorgeous (*pats self on back*). In short: I FRICKEN LOVE PLANTS. UNGH. 

SEXY CARAMEL SLICE (RAW, VEGAN, XO)

I wanted something decadent and sweet today so I made a pan of caramel slices. The base is mostly oats and almonds, the caramel is a mix of dates and cashews, and the layer on top is simply raw dark chocolate sprinkled with some flaked salt. The result of all these glorious whole foods coming together is a luscious, rich treat that is at once nourishing and orgasmic: food for the soul and the body.

COCONUT SHAKE

This was 100% inspired by a drink I had the pleasure of slurping a week ago with some friends at Chau Veggiexpress. Their coconut shake came highly recommended and it hit the spot on the hot beach day we were having. Chau has some of the freshest, yummiest vegan food in Vancouver and I need to go back ASAP for their pecan caramel bar.

VITAMIN-PACKED POWER SMOOTHIE

Another day where it was challenging to get out of bed. I got more tattoos last night and it was much more painful than I was prepared for. Jack has been on my mind a lot, I miss him terribly and I know he doesn't miss me at all. And my depression and anxiety are rearing their un-sexy heads more than usual this month. It's tough, I'm not going to lie. But I continue to get through each day. And that's enough for now. I'm gonna talk a little more about mental health and self care in this post, and shout out a product that helps my mood, plus that's also simply part of a more general food philosophy that benefits my mental state. 

VEGAN EDIBLES: NUTELLA MACAROONS

I have been eating so many of these in the past two days and I have ZERO regrets. They help me feel relaxed, less anxious and more fun. They also taste amazing. The recipe is quite similar to one I posted a some weeks ago, but the coconut oil in this version is infused with herbal goodness. It's optional, of course. Do what works for you. I dig it. Another adaption is that I used hazelnut butter instead of peanut butter here, so they taste a bit like Nutella. (Yesssss.) I highly recommend Prana Bio's hazelnut butter, it's the best I've ever had by far. Your mind will be blown.

SUPERFOOD DOUBLE CHOCOLATE POPSICLES

Today has been a whirlwind but also super chill. I had a bunch of social plans - beach day with comfy inspiring friends, late afternoon tea with a wise lady bud, and then a date with a new person - but I woke up feeling anxious and decided to stay in my house all day. Sometimes I just need to do my hermit mode. I would confidently say it's worked out though. I got some work done (i.e. this recipe), painted more of my room white, listened to a bunch of great albums and podcasts, and I think this evening I will do some yoga and have a bath. I just had a cyber "chat" with my ex partner and it didn't totally petrify me so that's progress too. One foot in front of the other, right? I have been trying to take it easy this week because I have my new tattoos that are healing, so I can't really sweat or be in the sun. For those of you who know me even a little bit: you know that sweating and sunbathing are all I really do in the summer. So I have been actively trying to stay cool and in the shade. I miss the gym and biking, but it's nearly been a week so I can get back to 'em soon. I'm not good at sitting still.

Enough of me, though. On to popsicles.

GINGER BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE with SECRET INGREDIENT

I had an amazing weekend. On Friday I went to a live show for one of my fave podcasts with my best friend. It's called Throwing Shade and it. is. hilarious. The hosts - Bryan and Erin - pretty much just make fun of sexists, homophobes and other bigots in ways that always make my abs sore (because... I'm laughing so hard). On Saturday I got NEW TATTOOS, BABY! Check 'em out here on Instagram. Nicer pics to come. I had them done by Ciara at Studio Nest, and the whole experience was so enjoyable and satisfying. 

BOUNTIFUL BANANA BOWLS with STRAWBERRY SAUCE + MINT

Hey, Gorgeous! HOW YA BEEN? Here I am, trying to keep up regular posting. This is a SUPER simple recipe that is inspired by an oldie. It's easy and delicious, like any decent meal/snack should be (imo). The recipe takes two seconds to make and is bursting with colour and flavour. I'd suggest adding dried berries and some crunchy granola or nuts if you like. Not to steal the limelight away from this bowl, but I need to give a(nother) shout out to my last recipe, 3-ingredient fudge. I made it again today (third time in a row) and my mind was blown yet again. It's foolproof and ADDICTIVE. Get yerself some brown syrup immediately... IMMEDIATELY... make the fudge recipe and change your world forever, for the better. 

THREE-INGREDIENT VEGAN FUDGE

Folks: I've figured it out. The secret is using brown rice syrup, it is very thick at room temperature so it gets gooey when refrigerated and makes the perfect sweetener for easy vegan fudge. The ingredients, amounts and instructions here are like my chocolate recipes, but the brown rice syrup makes the final product chewy - fudge! - instead of totally solid. 

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