Raw Brownies

4 cups walnuts, soaked  6-8 hours and dehydrated
2/3 cup raisins
2/3 dates
2/3 cup cacao powder
2 tsp vanilla
pinch of sea salt
2 T water

Place the walnuts in a food processor and grind to a meal. Add the raisins and dates and process again just to combine. Add the cacao powder, vanilla, and sea salt and process again until the mixture is sticky yet still crumbly, transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the water and mix well with your hands. Spread the mixture evenly into an 8x8 baking pan (preferably lined with parchment paper) and press firmly with your hands. 

Frosting
1/2 cup maple syrup or agave (I used coconut nectar)
1/4 cup coconut oil, warmed to liquid
2/3 cup cacao powder

Whisk together and spread over the brownies. Chill for at least 1 to 2 hours. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for 1 month. This recipe is from Judita Wignall's book Going Raw. Her recipe is called Mexican Spiced Brownies which calls for Mexican cinnamon and ground star anise which I don't have :) and also cayenne. So I leave them our for a more traditional brownie. Also, these are very rich fudge-like brownies so feel free to cut back on the cacao (I do) if you like! And I usually half this recipe for a smaller batch.

Healthy eating is a journey, not a destination.

Authentic Guacamole

3 ripe avocados
2 T minced onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 small jalapeno chili, minced
2 T minced cilantro
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 T lime juice

Mash the flesh of one avocado lightly with all remaining ingredients except the lime juice. Dice the other two avocados and add to the mashed mixture along with the lime juice. Toss gently.

The avocado is one of the world’s most perfect foods.  At their peak, they contain a high amount of fruit oil, a relatively rare element that gives the avocado its smooth mellow taste, nut-like flavor, and high food energy value.  They have a perfectly balanced pH, being neither acid nor alkaline, are easily digested, and are very rich in mineral elements that regulate body functions and stimulate growth.  Especially noteworthy are its iron and copper contents, which aid in red blood regeneration and the prevention of nutritional anemia.  One of the most valuable sources of organic fat and protein, avocados as a regular part of your daily diet will improve hair and skin quality as well as soothe the digestive tract.

Salsa

4 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 small serrano chili, minced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 T minced cilantro
1/4 tsp sea salt

Combine all ingredients, allow to sit at least 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

A natural antiseptic, fresh raw tomatoes contain a great deal of citric acid, which has an alkaline reaction if digested when no starches or sugars are present.  Their chlorine content increases the alkalinity of the blood and helps to stimulate the liver in its function as a filter for body and toxic wastes.  Raw tomato (whole and juice form) is especially effective in reducing liver inflammation due to hepatitis and cirrhosis.

I love fresh guacamole and salsa! These go great with flax crackers, or I like to put a scoop of each on my salad for the dressing :)

Feed your body what nature intended. Your cells will rejoice and you will never look at food the same again!

This is a favorite recipe at our house! My boys and I sometimes sit down and eat the whole pie in one sitting :) I love having a raw dessert ready in the fridge to keep me from munching on something I shouldn't. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Strawberry Pie

Crust:
1 cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut
1/4 cup whole cane sugar (I used coconut sugar)
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup raisins
4 pitted medjool dates

Filling:
4 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups strawberries
1/3 cup psyllium husk
1/4 cup agave (I used coconut nectar)

To make the crust, place the walnuts, coconut, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Process until finely ground. Then add the raisins and dates and process until the mixture begins to stick together.

To make the filling, clean and slice 4 cups of strawberries into a large bowl and set aside. Then place 2 cups of freshly cleaned strawberries, psyllium husk, and agave in a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour strawberry sauce in with the sliced strawberries, stir together. Fill the crust with the strawberry stilling and chill in the fridge over night, or eight hours, to allow psyllium husk to absorb the moisture and thicken the strawberry filling.

recipe courtesy of Jaylene Johnson