California bound...

Pismo Beach
image source: National Geographic 

Good Monday everyone.  I hope you all had a wonderful week-end.  This will be my last post for the next few weeks, as we are headed to California in a few days.  During the trip, I will be updating my Instagram and Facebook pages, so don't forget to follow along for a glimpse of how I survive eating a plant-based diet, while eating out...Good thing for me, I have already researched many vegetarian and vegan restaurants, so it will make things a little easier. 

During our trip, we will be visiting Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.  I am most excited about our drive to Big Sur, with an obligatory stop at Nepenthe, and going to as many farmer's markets as possible.  I am super thrilled because citrus and dates are in season.  We will also take a drive through Ojai's orange groves and make sure we roll down our windows and take-in as much of the delightful scents as possible.  

Santa Barbara
image source: Globe images.net

Los Angeles
image source: therichest.com

Have a wonderful few weeks and remember...

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

Small things...

                            

Happy Valentine's day everyone.  Hope everyone on the east coast is safe and sound.  In our house, to brighten up the winter, we celebrate every holiday imaginable.  From Epiphany to Cinco de Mayo, covering everything in between.  We decorate the house and make a special dish related to the holiday.  But one of my favorite holidays to celebrate is Valentine's day.  It's a day to show your appreciation and love to the ones you love, including yourself.  For us, it has never been about over-the-top gifts or out-of-this-world dates.  It is about spending time together as a family. 

To make this day even more fun, I literally turn everything into hearts.  This simple brownie recipe is easily made more special by using heart-shaped cookie cutters and pie pans.

The kids lunches are overflowing with love and hearts.  Using the same pie pans, I made heart-shaped sandwiches.

 

We eat most meals at the kitchen island, because we feel closer together than at the dining table.  It also feels more casual and conducive to better conversation.  For Valentine's day, I usually give my husband and kids a small chocolate from our local chocolatier.   I make small place cards and give each of them a small love note.

Whether it be from you partner, your kids or even just treating yourself to your favourite treats, may your Valentine be filled with hearts and love!

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

Cauliflower Mash

 

When I went plant-based a year ago, there are a lot of recipes that I left behind.  One example is mashed potatoes.  As yummy as they are, they are not a great side dish to many whole food meals, nor are they the most nutritious vegetables. You could have mashed sweet potatoes, which are awesome, but they are completely different in terms of taste!  So with all the recent rage about mashed cauliflower, I figured I would give them a try in the hopes that they would completely seduce me.  Well, I can say that I was floored.  It has the same texture, although a bit lighter, and the taste is quite similar.       

 

 

 

Cauliflower Mash

 

Ingredients:

 

1 head organic cauliflower

1 tsp. coconut oil

pink Himalayan salt

chives

oregano

garlic

 

Method:

 

Wash and cut cauliflower and place it in a steamer pot (here). 

Cook over high heat for approximately 10-15 minutes. 

Let cool for a few minutes and place in a food processor.

Add coconut and desired amount of spices.

Serve and enjoy!

 

Thanks for reading!

Amelie 

 

 

 

 

Banana Pitaya Smoothie

 

Back in September I tried red pitayas for the first time.  I think it's one of the most gorgeous fruit and really wanted to  like them, but found they tasted very bland and had not bought them since.  But when I saw yellow pitayas at the grocery store last week and figured it was time to give these another try.  Well, I was pleasantly surprise.  Unlike the red ones, these were on the sweet side, almost like a kiwi.  I loved them pure, but was really in the mood for a smoothie, so I created this super Banana Pitaya Smoothie.  It has just a hint of sweetness that is perfect for any morning (I'm thinking it will also hit the spot when I'm craving something sweet after lunch!!!)   

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Pitaya Smoothie

 

Ingredients:

 

1 red pitaya (dragon fruit)

1 yellow pitaya (dragon fruit)

1 banana

1-2 cups almond milk (depending on how thick you like it)

1 tbsp. flaxseed

 

Method:

 

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until you get a smooth texture.

Serve and enjoy!

 

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

 

Raw Strawberry-Banana Cobbler

 

Some people crave sweets and others crave salty treats...I have cravings for both.  I have recently realized that adding a pinch of salt to salad dressings totally fills that salt craving (more on that later on in the week).  As for sweets, well I can say that this desserts takes care of that.  It is so super simple to make and is as perfect with a hot cup of tea as it would be on a hot summer day!  It was inspired by Fully Raw Kristina's peach cobbler's recipe.  I had been craving it ever since I saw on my instagram feed, but when I decided to make it, I didn't have pecans, peaches or nectarines, so I improvised with what was on hand.  Even my son thought it was delicious! 

 

Raw Strawberry-Banana Cobbler

 

Ingredients:

 

Crust:

2 pounds pitted dates (I used medjool)

2 cups almonds (walnuts would also work well)

 

Filling:

5 bananas (4 cut in 2 and 1 sliced)

2 cups sliced strawberries

 

Method:

 

1. Place dates and nuts in a food processor and blend until you get a somewhat crummy thick paste. 

2. Place half of the mixture in a 9 inch springform pan.  Using a spoon or your knuckles, even the paste out in a compact crust into the pan.

3. Place 4 bananas in your blender and mix until you get a thick smooth texture (will feel like pudding) and pour on top of crust.

4. Layer with strawberry slices.

5. Repeat step 2.

6. Layer with the rest of the strawberry and banana slices.

7. Place in refrigerator for an hour.

8. Serve and enjoy!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Amelie

 

Pink Hummus or Spicing things up in the kitchen - Family style!

 

 

When my daughter mentioned to me a few weeks ago that she was tired of always eating the same thing, I really took it to heart.  But she was absolutely right, I have been stuck in a dinner rut since Christmas, and the same recipes have been on repeat week after week.  So I figured we needed to spice things up in the kitchen.  I started to make new recipes day after day.  I bought fruits and veggies that I don't normally buy and with the help of a few cookbooks gave new life to old recipes.  One of which was a staple in our household : hummus.  Because what is easier that chopping veggies and putting them on a plate with gluten-free crackers and hummus and calling it dinner.  But it does get old quite quickly, so I looked to my kid's favorite cookbook for inspiration (note that this cookbook isn't vegan nor is it vegetarian, but most recipes are or can be adapted to our lifestyle) and found this white bean and red beet hummus recipe.

 

 

 

 

It was so tasty, and what little girl (or even her mom) isn't going to love eating pink food.  And since I already had organic pre-cooked red beets in the refrigerator, it was super easy to make.  I even served it at a dinner party this week-end and it really got people talking! 

 

Thanks for reading,

Amelie