WALNUT CHOCOLATE CAKE with SWEET POTATO FROSTING

Do you like moist, dense brownies? Do you like creamy, cinnamon-y sweet potato or pumpkin pie? Then I bring good news with me today, friend. This recipe is for you. It's both those magical, wondrous foods combined into one cake. Hellooo.

OREO-ISH TARTS: VANILLA WHIPPED COCO CREAM with CHOCOLATE COOKIE CRUST

I am back from Montreal. Hey. 

For the four-ish weeks I spent there - away from home, Jack, Dante and Blender - I remembered a lot of important stuff about myself, and realized some new things. It was a whirlwind of experiences, people, places, emotions, tastes, colours, smells. I felt overwhelmed most of the time but what else is new. I often feel overwhelmed living in my particular world because I usually think [too] extensively about everything that is happening around me (and not around me). So being in a new place WITH the same over-thinking brain took it to the next level. Meditation was more difficult than normal, probably because of this. I went on a lot of walks by myself so I could have time to ponder who I am, what I want, my relationship with the external universe, and that kind of thing. I had some pretty intense and excellent discussions with my friend's roommates; we talked about the difficulties of navigating the current world in relation to gender, race, class, location, education, etc. Besides classism, I am generally optimistic about where we are going. Obviously - or maybe not that obviously - most human groups are still routinely oppressed by societal and political structures in place, but we are on the right trail; we're just at the beginning of the hike. 

CRUNCHY GOOEY SWEET CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BUCKWHEAT SLICES

So these are really decadent.

A new and now very dear friend, Sophie, stayed with me for a few days over the last week/weekend and we made these up before watching a movie called Inside Out. It's funny because when were discussing our fave movie genres I basically just listed a bunch of dark, depressing films where people die (*shrugs with helpless look*) and Sophie was like: dude, I love kids movies and chick flicks. EVEN STILL: we both really liked Inside Out. It's a kids movie but I tell ya, directors for kids movies are now A) giving the lil ones way more credit than ever before and B) considering the parents and other non-kiddie folk. This movie had a lot of mature themes and basically was about explaining the psychology of the human brain... in a really entertaining way. The main character was a girl but I was so pleased to see how traditional gender expectations were blatantly being broken: the girl was in pretty gender-neutral clothing the whole time and her fave hobby was hockey. Progress.

CHOCOLATE PUDDING BOWLS with COCONUT CREAM + CHERRIES

This recipe is everything you want chocolate pudding to be. I have nothing else to say for now, so talk soon.

X

ORANGE-BEETROOT TARTLETS with ALMOND-FIG CRUST

This post is dedicated to my mum, Nancy.

Sometimes I forget how similar we are until I find myself describing her to another person, or when Jack tells me, "You looked just like your mom when you did that!"

FREEZER FUDGE ENERGY BITES

YUUUUMMMMM. These are pretty plain to look at but the flavour is unreal. They are oh-so-gooey, sweet, and easy to grab as you're about to start a workout or head out the door. Or at any moment. Of course, they're also good for you. Mostly just dates, nut butter and a scoop of an awesome organic vegan superfood blend called Nourish. I made these a few nights ago - in just a few minutes, I might add - because I was craving something chocolate-y (the PMS struggle is real).

STRAWBERRY CASHEW CREAM CAKE with CAROB DRIZZLE

This cake tastes like a strawberry milkshake. The best part is: it's good for you and really easy to make. Oh, that was two parts.

I been tryin' to include more colour in my diet lately. Don't get me wrong, I have green smoothies and carrot juices, banana blueberry nice cream and baked jewel yams like everyday. But I DO admit I get into routines. I let myself fall into the pattern of ONLY having the things just listed, day in and day out. So I guess a better way of saying "tryin' to include more colour in my diet lately" is: I am trying to get a more colourful VARIETY out of my diet these days. Inspired by Instagram accounts like this one, I realized I'd gotten lazy with trying new fruits and veggies. So off I went to the grocery store yesterday and bagged up a bunch of fresh ingredients I haven't gotten in awhile: papaya, mango, broccoli, purple cabbage and grapefruit. And I got tangelos too, which I had never had before but lemme tell ya: they are deliciously juicy and sweet, very similar to oranges but cooler-looking.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES with QUINOA and ALMOND BUTTER

So comforting is the chocolate chip cookie. I made this recipe 3 days in a row because it's so damn delicious and simple. If you have a Blendtec and their twister jar, the recipe becomes even easier because it grinds things into flours and butters in NO TIME. I throw in almonds and they practically evaporate into almond butter. Amazing. But if you don't have a twister jar / Blendtec blender, have no fear. Any other high speed blender should do the job. These cookies are perfect with a glass of fresh almond milk. I have a bunch of stuff I must do today so I am keepin' this post short. Enjoy!

PEPPERMINT OREOS DIPPED IN DARK CHOCOLATE

This recipe is the BOMB. It tastes as good as the photos look, and I know ya'll are freaking out over the photos. Basically we've got chewy chocolate cookies sandwiching a peppermint vanilla coconut creme filling. Yupp. Oh right, then all the cookies are dipped in chocolate, making them double chocolate. Can life get any better? Well, yeah, because these are also really good for you and easy to make. Okay, now life can't get any better. Unless you throw in a bowl of banana ice cream (but that is a constant truth).

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES with BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

These are happy cupcakes. 

The ingredients are good for you in every way. They are healthy, wholesome, delicious and easy to make. They are lovely to look at, and fun to share. They are a mini celebrations of all that is good in this world! 

MEYER LEMON COCONUT CREAM TARTS with MINT + LAVENDER

These are divine, and they are reppin' the world of desserts that don't include chocolate. The non-cocoa players need love too! I'm just mentioning this because a lot of my recipes lately have included that brown powder we all secretly kiss when no one is looking. This time, Imma be kissin' my Meyer lemons instead. Honestly when I eat chocolate I usually think something along the lines of "I NEED YOU IN MY LIFE ALWAYS AND FOREVER." But in reality, I go days without it and hardly notice (cacao, please don't be hurt, you're still in my heart). My point is: ya don't need cocoa or cacao powder to make a kick-ass dessert; raw, vegan, or otherwise. This recipe proves it. 

ICE CREAM TARTS with CHOCOLATE SAUCE & PECANS

 When I started making this recipe this morning my aim was to revamp one of my first ones ever (from 2011 when I started da blog). But I just realized that this turned into an almost exact replica of my immediately previous recipe, with the addition of a tart crust. Oops. Oh well! Don't cry over repeated ice cream + chocolate recipes, I always say. Actually that is the first time I've ever said that yet now I think it should be stated more often. I do eat banana ice cream and chocolate nearly every day, and positive reminders are always... positive. Ah, I just started the new semester today so my brain is already overworked. Thank goodness no one comes here for the prose. I know you only love me for my ice cream recipes and it's OOOKAY. I love you right back.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT and PEANUT BUTTER CREAM CAKE (aka THE ORGASM CAKE)

Oh yeah, I went there. Again. I made this cake for my mum's party, so fingers crossed that her friends like it. I'm also saving a piece as my secret santa gift for a party tomorrow night. Double fingers crossed. Or... fingers crossed on both hands; that's more comfortable. I am still on my Mariah Carey binge so please make this cake then eat it while listening to this (just wait for the chorus). 

RAW VEGAN HOT CROSS BUNS

Just in time for the holidays, here's some wholesome buns for ya. I have way too much studying and essay-writing to get done today so I am gonna keep this post short and sweet (no pun intended... well okay, it was intended). As usual this delicious, easy, healthy treat is made from mostly nuts and fruit. Magical, ain't it? I know I say it like every day but I will never cease to be amazed and endlessly thankful that whole foods taste so damn good. Of course, it's not a coincidence. We have evolved to be attracted to foods that sustain us. That's why mangoes are perfect all by themselves. Try making these buns for the xmas season (or whenever you please) and see if ya like 'em. They were all devoured at my house within a couple days (thank you, Jack). 

MACAROONS with BEET, CHOCOLATE and COCONUT CREAMS

 #ZOMG. What CAN'T the plant kingdom give us!? Some people think a plant-based diet is restrictive and depriving but seriously... as a self-proclaimed herbivore I eat twice as much as everyone around me, my food is always more colourful and - in my humble opinion - loads tastier. Now, if you aren't a plant lover, I ain't judgin'. I love you long time no matter what you choose to put in your mouth. But at the same time, if you wanna discover the most nourishing, eco-friendly, ethical, DELICIOUS diet around? Just eat more fruits and veggies. No need for labels like vegan or vegetarian - it doesn't matter. What DOES matter is your happiness.

CASHEW CREAM CAKE with FRESH JUICY SWIRLS

I wasn't sure what title to give this recipe, because it's really awesome and delicious, but how do I get across the gist of it in one name? I can't call it: raw vegan cheesecake with swirls dyed by beet and carrot juice. No one would click that. Well, almost no one. I would click it. That sounds cool to me. But we are getting off track. I will explain the recipe now.

I had a vision of this... probably in a dream or something. I can't remember exactly but I certainly had a clear image of it in my head and felt the desire to make it into a reality. Originally I was imagining much darker pink and orange colours, along with green swirls (from green juice!) but I give up easily when it comes to food and let this cake happen instead. I might go back to that initial idea in a few months, but for now we will all have to deal with this recipe. Call me optimistic but I think we will manage, somehow.

RAW VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Not that these cookies really require an explanation... but I'll give you one anyway. I adapted this recipe from a fabulous vegan cookbook called DIY Nut Milks, Nut Butters & More by the wonderful Melissa King of My Whole Food Life. The book is chock-full of easy, healthy recipes (I think they're pretty much ALL raw too). If you are interested in dipping your toes into the world of nut milks and/or nut butters then this book needs to be in your shelf. If you think you're a champ at this stuff already, I say: you can always learn more. The recipes are largely for nut milks and butters - big surprise, I know - but obviously judging by the recipe I am sharing today, there are chapters on more decadent eats later in the book too. There's a ton of practical information as well. Melissa recommends equipment, techniques, soaking methods and more. Noobs and pros alike will discover useful tips and tricks.

ALMOND BUTTER + CHIA JAM BARS with CHOCOLATE

I am getting back into dreaming of recipe ideas. It used to be my main source of creativity for my blog, but after writing Rawsome Vegan Baking my mind for thinking up raw vegan sweets was basically run dry temporarily. Now I am fortunately returning to the familiar groove that is imagining new recipes as I am falling into dreamland, or just waking from it. I have also been perfecting a super healthy, super easy curry recipe for ya'll. Stay tuned. 

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE + BANANA ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Oh yeah. This is happening. Too epic to handle? No. I believe in you. Just take a breathe and allow the fact to sink in that you can make giant peanut butter cookies, sandwich them with soft serve banana ice cream... and it's healthy. THIS WORLD IS SO FREAKING AWESOME.

The only ingredients in these deliciously sexy treats are nuts, oats, fruit and... oh - that's it! Don't believe me? Make them yourself and find out. And you only need to use oats if you don't like using lots of nuts. But if "the more nuts, the better!" is your motto, then by all means the only ingredients you require are nuts and fruit. (I really, REALLY hope someone out there actually has that as their life motto.)

CASHEW SAGE COOKIES WITH LEMON DRIZZLE

Sage cookies? Huh? Maybe you think it's a weird combo, but I say: try the cookies first! They taste surprisingly delicious. My mom and my friend Amanda love them! Amanda - a brand new vegetarian - actually asked if she could eat them all, and I think she was serious. I got these sage leaves at the farmer's market last weekend, and was procrastinating all week from using them in a recipe. They were lookin' a little worse for wear so today I finally picked out the leaves that had passed their prime, and use the rest for this recipe. I used cashews and Medjool dates from Prana and I have to say, they are unbelievably good. The cashews basically melt into cashew butter upon entering your mouth. Un. Real. 

And that's it! The only ingredients in the cookies are dates, cashews and sage leaves! Sometimes I think nomalicious healthy food is almost TOO simple. The drizzle is just lemon juice, coconut oil, and banana (you can use cashews instead of banana if you don't like banana flavour). You'd think after making all the raw vegan desserts that I have, I'd have gotten accustomed to the fact that you can make amazingly decadent, beautiful, healthful recipes from just a handful of ingredients like nuts and dried fruit... nope. I am still impressed everyday by the magic that takes place in my food processor when I whirl together some cashews, sage leaves and dates. My mission is to share this fact with everyone who will lend an ear (or an eye). You can have your cake and eat it too! Heck, I will eat TWO cakes! Get it? Heh heh heeeh... I take the puns where I can get them, okay. 

I am pretty much out of thoughts to type down today, so I will tell you about my childhood. Currently I am listening to Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin and it is taking me baaaaack to when I used to watch Fantasia 2000 on the reg. As a consequence of loving it so dearly, my life is now filled with daily associations of animated musical scenes from that awesome film. Baby whales finding their way home, Teenage Mother Nature fighting Grumpy Father Destruction (I made up those names), flowers dancing in ponds... these images had a huge impact in my development. The music did too, of course, and it's probably a reason I love classical so much. I didn't really have a point to this rambling, but now you know something more about me... and I reckon - yes, I "reckon" - that a lot of you can relate. After linking all those YouTube clips, I just wanna watch Fantasia now. 

CASHEW SAGE COOKIES WITH LEMON DRIZZLE

Cookies:
1 cup cashews
1 cup dates
1 tablespoon sage leaves

Drizzle:
1 banana (or small handful of cashews if you don't want banana flavour)
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil 

To make the cookies: process the cashews and sage leaves into powder in a food processor. Add the dates and process until it all begins to get sticky. Roll into balls, then press into cookies. Put in the fridge. 

To make the drizzle: blend everything until smooth. I used cashews but that's only because I have no ripe bananas at the moment (I KNOW, IT HAS BEEN A ROUGH DAY). 

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