CHOOSING RAW {cookbook review + smoothie recipe)

When the glowing raw vegan pioneer Gena Hamshaw asked me to review her new cookbook - titled Choosing Raw (her amazing blog has the same name) - I couldn't say no. Gena's recipes and website were a huge inspiration to me when I first started becoming interested in raw food and in blogging. She provides a plethora of easy, healthy, whole foods vegan recipes with a big focus on the importance of raw ingredients. It's no wonder she's so popular! What's not to love? When you look at her blog you can immediately tell she is dedicated to sharing the steps to a healthy and long life with anyone who wants to learn, and she makes it almost effortless for you. Her blog is a source for all things wholesome and plant-based: desserts, snacks, meals, drinks, raw, cooked, gluten-free, and more! You find it all at Gena's beautifully designed page: www.choosingraw.com. 

VEGAN BODY CARE PRODUCT GIVEAWAY from JUST THE GOODS!

Note: this giveaway is only available for US and Canadian residents - sorry everyone else! I really am! *crying sad face* 

Good news, babes! You have the chance to win $50.00 to spend over at Just The Goods, one of my favourite, all-natural, vegan beauty and body care companies. See my review of Just The goods products here. The gorgeous Milena is the woman behind the herbal elixirs and she is letting me host a giveaway for her company! Simply enter the contest by doing any of the options in the giveaway box below and you will be entered to win one of three $50.00 gift certificates. Come back everyday and enter again to up your chances. This giveaway will run from today (Oct 10) until Oct 15. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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THE GLOW BOWL: baked sweet potato with pesto pasta, tomatoes + pumpkin seeds

I called this The Glow Bowl because all the ingredients are superb for your skin so it's gonna make you glow from the inside out (sweet potatoes, greens, pumpkin seeds, and whole grain pasta - click the foods for their skin benefits!) But that awesome aspect aside, this recipe is so damn DELICIOUS I don't even care about the nutrition it gives me. I was shovelling this in my mouth in between gasps of pleasure and exclamations such as: "I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW YUMMY YOU ARE!" Seriously, I must have looked 100% nuts, but again, I don't care. This meal tasted perfect and that's all my mind - and mouth - could focus on while I devoured it. I have a little story to tell you now.

I am the worst cook ever.

I AM HOSTING ANOTHER VEGAN POTLUCK IN VANCOUVER!

What: Vegan meet-up/potluck for good times and good food!
When: Saturday Nov. 1, 2014 at 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Where: East Van, email me [emilyvoneuw at gmail dot com] for address

Yes! It's true! The last one went so well that I basically HAVE to make it a tradition. Come one, come all! As long as you bring an open mind, positive attitude and - preferably - a delicious, wholesome vegan dish - you will be welcomed with enthusiasm! Invite your friends and family, and anyone you know who is interested in healthier and/or more compassionate living. Hey, even if they AREN'T interested, they will probably still have a great evening! We will be meeting in the same gorgeous spot as last time so if you went to my last potluck, you already know where to go for this one! If you didn't go to the last one, please email me to get the address.

The last potluck was sooo fun and exciting for me, and I'm pretty confident everyone else had a good time too. I met so many amazing people that I hope to make long term friends out of, and I basically ate myself into veggie Nirvana. (Can we all take a moment to remember that creamy LASAGNA!?) There ended up being around 30 people and a table FULL of amazing dishes (dinner and dessert!) And the party didn't stop until midnight (although from now on the potlucks need to end a wee bit earlier because some people must work). There were people from all over the world and it was fun to hear the different accents and personal stories. I wanna make the potluck even bigger this time, so all the vegans in Vancouver can have a place to go every month to connect with like-minded peeps and enjoy outta-this-world tasty healthy food together! That's right: I wanna make this a monthly or bi-monthly thing!

This potluck is a joint effort between me, Zoe the wonderful vegan rock star who is letting us use her beautiful home, the gorgeous raw dessert chef Heather Pace from Sweetly Raw, and Steph the exquisite high carb vegan Instagram celebrity (@happyandhealthy96)! Come to mingle, come to eat, come to dance, come to participate in some uber stimulating conversation! I'll be playing some funky tunes on the good ole iPod to keep the vibes ridin' high. I wish I had taken more photos from last time (seriously, the three I show here are the ONLY ones captured) but I was having such a great time I didn't wanna stop to document it. I hope to see you there if you can make it!

What: Vegan meet-up/potluck for good times and good food!
When: Saturday Nov. 1, 2014 at 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Where: East Van, email me [emilyvoneuw at gmail dot com] for address

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BREAKFAST BERRY SMOOTHIE with CACAO DRIZZLE + CHIA PUDDING

Yo. This recipe is part of a Breakfast In Bed Fest series hosted by Canned Time! I am keeping it simple with a delicious fruit smoothie paired with raw chocolate sauce and chia seed pudding. This is not as big as my normal breakfast smoothies usually are but the chia seeds make you feel really full, so I was more than satisfied after drinking it up. Chia seeds are super sexy and super good for you; they help keep your hair and skin glowing, and your digestion system happily humming. The smoothie tastes more like a vegan milkshake than anything else, especially when you drizzle it with wholesome dark chocolate! This recipe is a winner. Try it out for breakfast or anything time of day, and show some love over at Canned Time right now!