**~~~~Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies~~~~**Happy Birthday Jim!

So, I got locked out of this blog and couldn't figure out how to get back in for three years. True story. That's how lazy this lion can be. I asked for a little help (it was a google thing I think, too much for my non-computer brain).

Since I never forget a poets birthday, we're celebrating Jim Morrison's birthday today with music and cookies!

And since I try and come up with good gluten-free recipes but haven't had a good chocolate chip cookie I was determined to find one. I think this one I found online is a winner! I scored a bunch of coconut flour and made disastrous pancakes the other week so I was afraid my attempts at gf were a fail. Well I think I've nailed it with these chocolate chip cookies.

I hope you like!! Enjoy~

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 flax eggs (3 T ground flax + 4-5 T water)
• 1/4 cup almond butter 
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/3 cup dairy free chocolate chips

Method:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flax and water to create flax eggs if not done already. Set aside to let gel for approx 5min.

Step 2

Add all dry ingredients into a bowl and mix (excluding chocolate chips). Next, add all wet ingredients including flax eggs to dry ingredients and combine until dough is formed. Fold in chocolate chips.

Step 3

Roll into 10-12 balls, place on a baking sheet and flatten to desired thickness (these will not flatten on their own in the oven). *The thicker your cookies are, the longer they will need in the oven.

Step 4

Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown crust forms on the outer layer. Let cool completely before eating (otherwise they will fall apart easily).

Garlic and Greens Soup (thanks to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau)

I haven't forgotten about you! This Garlic and Green soup looks amazing and I'm going to try asap!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apCkt7BqdKM

~Tacos w/ Spinach - Mushroom - Potato - and Caramelized Onion~

You won't be disappointed. So good!

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/tacos-with-spinach-mushroom-potato-and-caramelized-onions/

Mushroom Quinoa Risotto

Obviously to veganize this ixnay the parmesan and use nutritional yeast instead (or better yet make your own vegan parmesan with cashews and nutritional yeast - recipe somewhere on this blog with Mimi Kirk's ceasar salad). You can also google vegan parmesan cheese recipe - it's so easy and you can store for a while in frig! Use full fat soy milk for the cream/milk. It just looked so good I knew I had to veganize it - well worth it! Enjoy ~

Vegan Nutella

25 plant-based foods that will turn anyone vegan

From One Green Planet! These just looked so amazing I had to share. We'll be whipping up the Strawberry french toast tomorrow am! :)

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/25-plant-based-foods-that-will-turn-anyone-vegan/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/25-plant-based-foods-that-will-turn-anyone-vegan/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/25-plant-based-foods-that-will-turn-anyone-vegan/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/25-plant-based-foods-that-will-turn-anyone-vegan/

Recipes with less than 8 ingredients! :)

This just made me happy seeing this. I can't wait to try at least one of these today!

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/10-great-vegan-recipes-you-can-make-with-less-than-8-ingredients/

Vegan Lentil Tacos

So yum!!! May want to cut the chipotle a tad, I love spicy but even for me it was too much! Enjoy~

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/recipe-lentil-tacos/

Lemon Yumminess from One Green Planet!

If you happen to love lemon (even half as much as I do) you'll love these recipes from One Green Planet! Now I just have to whip up this decadent lemon lavender "cheesecake" - YUM!

Enjoy~

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/uncategorized/24-fresh-vegan-recipes-for-lemon-lovers/1

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/uncategorized/24-fresh-vegan-recipes-for-lemon-lovers/1

Natural Deodorant!

You don't want this sort of Ben Stiller reaction when your partner finds out you haven't switched to the most natural deodorant around! (SEE POST BELOW!)

Homemade, vegan, non-toxic natural deodorant!

O.k., yes, I know it's not food but you technically could eat it (although of course I wouldn't recommend it;)  I stopped using conventional deodorant when I was in my mid to late 20's after learning about all the crap they add (aluminum, propylene glycol aka anti freeze, phthalates! etc.). I was also strictly avoiding all companies that test on animals. So I went towards the natural brands like Toms of Maine, Jason and various crystal sticks but found most of them didn't really work that well, some not at all. I ended up returning them and just kept trying different brands to be yet again disappointed and frustrated. I became quite the stickler when TTC our son about everything I was putting on and in my body. Well, this recipe is without a doubt the best deodorant I've ever used!!!! I've literally tried them ALL and go figure it turns out the best was from common kitchen goods. I can run, do pilates, run around after the kids all day and I still don't stink. Ever! I even passed the stink test from my hubby (he was getting a little tired of me sticking my pits in his face for weeks on end after every workout although he's as amazed as I that those three ingredients do the trick!) I'll be making batches for the kids when they hit puberty knowing they'll never have all the toxins I put into my body for way too long with brands like Secret and Degree. It seriously the best and proves we don't need half the crap being pitched to us everywhere we turn.

Enjoy :)

Homemade Deodorant
(makes about 1/2 cup - has lasted me about five months)

1/4 C. baking soda
1/4 C. organic cornstarch (or arrowroot)
5 - 6 T. coconut oil
Tea Tree Oil or Essential Oil of choice 5- 15 drops (Totally optional! Since the coconut oil has that natural tropical scent it really does works well w/out the tea tree or any essential oil added. Or if your skin has a tendency to break out just omit EO all together.)

Combine the baking soda and cornstarch, then work in the coconut oil. Once well mixed and a creamy consistency (if powdery and flakey add more Coconut oil) then add in
your essential oils. I happen to love tea tree oil which also has natural antibacterial qualities - good for the pits! A little bit goes a long way so you only need a dime size for each arm.

Chocolate! :)

One Green Planet  knows where it's at with this post. Just stop whatever you're doing right now and look at these pics…and then decide what you're going to make (I still can't). Healthy chocolate! :))) And all without the mammary secretions of a bovine (milk, milk fat, lactose added). Just look at that tiramisu! :)

Enjoy~

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/superfood-recipes-made-with-raw-cacao/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/superfood-recipes-made-with-raw-cacao/

Vegan peppermint patties!

Valentines day ALL MONTH!

I whipped these up for my all my sweethearts for V day - they LOVED them! Super good! Enjoy~

http://ohsheglows.com/2013/12/08/creamy-dreamy-peppermint-patties-vegan-gf/

Red Bean Chipotle Burgers

Really quite good! The kid loved them! Great to double up and have for week for an easy, quick  dinner. Enjoy~

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/01/red-bean-chipotle-burgers.html

Raw Vegan Cheesecake

To celebrate MLK being born and to teach the boy how to make "cheesecake" we had fun messing up the kitchen today whipping this beauty up.  I tweaked it a tad by using limes instead of lemons and throwing a few TBS of zest in the filling as well.  The consistency is perfect! We all loved it. I'm just thinking of all the ways you could make this (cacao, strawberry, blueberry!)  Enjoy~

Raw Vegan Cheesecake (from http://www.allysonkramer.com/2009/11/pretty-darn-raw-vegan-cheesecake-with-blackberry-topping/)

Ingredients:

Crust

• 2 cups almonds
• 1 cup dried Medjool dates

Filling

• 3 1/2 cups raw cashews -soaked for at least one hour
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup agave *
• 1 cup organic, unrefined coconut oil- liquefied (see below)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 vanilla bean or 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt

Blackberry sauce

• Handful of fresh blackberries
• 4 large dried Medjool dates
• 2 hefty squirts agave

Directions:

To melt coconut oil, if solid:

Measure out 1 cup of solid coconut oil and place in shallow bowl of warm water.  As it softens, stir.  Replace the water in the shallow bowl with fresh warm water and repeat until all is melted.  I needed to change the water about 4 times to make it reach a fully liquid state.

To make crust:

Blend almonds and dates in  a food processor until finely chopped.  Press mixture very compactly into the bottom of a spring-form pan.  I used the bottom of a glass to press the crust down, and it worked perfectly.

To make filling:

Take all filling ingredients and blend in food processor until smooth.  Just let it go for a few minutes…. the texture should be nice and creamy.

To assemble:

Pour filling on top of crust and spread out until smooth.  Cover with foil and freeze overnight. The freezing process will re-harden the coconut oil and  set up the cake.  After it is frozen you can refrigerate and it will be ready to serve after about one hour.  Even though you have to freeze this cake to set it up, it is not a frozen cake… once refrigerated, it takes on an extremely similar texture to a regular ol’ cheesecake.

Vegan Thin Mints

I got this recipe from One Green Planet! Another vegan thin mint recipe I have yet to tackle. Looks delish and I can't wait. I'm making a strawberry pie for Christmas/festivas and I think I'll add these in to surprise the family!

Happy Holidays Kids :)

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/vegan-thin-mint-cookies-2/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/vegan-thin-mint-cookies-2/

Vegan Tempeh Reuben Sandwich

There's a vegan restaurant in Santa Monica called 'Real Foods Daily' (if you haven't been - go!) that makes a really good reuben sandwich. If I didn't dislike L.A. so much I'd be driving down monthly to eat there. I will attempt to make this version (after I get some of these obscure ingredients) but thought I'd share with you lovely ones first. How good does this look?! I trust One Green Planet as they post some serious vegan grub...Enjoy~

Go here: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/plant-based-recipes/vegan-tempeh-reuben-sandwich/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/plant-based-recipes/vegan-tempeh-reuben-sandwich/

Vegan Chocolate Shake

A healthy (vegan) tip - keep bananas in your freezer all the time so you can whip this up at the drop of a hat for the little ones who will totally dig it and if they're anything like mine will think of it as ice cream. Or better yet, for yourself! :) The five-year-old food critic gave it his blessing, "Mommy, this is the best! Much better than the avocado one - that one was so disgusting!"
Enjoy~

Ingredients:

• -3 frozen bananas
  
• -3 dates
  
• -2 tablespoon cacao powder
  
• -1 tablespoon maple syrup
  
• -1/4 cup cashews or 1 tablespoon nut butter
  
• -2 cups water or non-dairy milk
  
• -1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• -1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
• -1 handful ice cubes

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender or vitamix.

From Shape.com

Vegan Halloween Treats!

 I got this idea from Gary Francione's facebook page and I love it: http://www.abolitionistapproach.com. Every year for the past five or so we've been giving out
pretzels  :/ and while I don't have a problem with vegan candy (in moderation, of course - moderation for us means candy only at Halloween time;) it's been kind of hard to find up until now.  I found three really good, totally vegan candies to wrap up ('Yummy Earth' is a pretty good company but keep in mind their gummy bears and worms are not vegan!). So the little five year old is super gung-ho to present his fellow halloween goers with this kinder alternative. Let me know what y'all come up with :)

A few of these:

plus these:

and one or two of these:

Equals: Happiness.

Happy Vegan Halloween!

Penne and Broccoli in Doritos Cream Sauce

Doesn't this look fab? Well, I'm going to attempt tonight.....
From Vegan Richa: http://www.veganricha.com/2012/02/penne-and-broccoli-in-dorito-cream.html

Ingredients: Serves 2

4 cups cooked Whole grain Penne or any pasto of choice

3 cups broccoli florets(blanched)

For the cream sauce:

2/3+ cup raw cashews, soaked in water for atleast half an hour

2/3 cup water

2 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

few teaspoons evoo

Doritos Spice Mix: Gluten-free

3 Tablespoon nutritional Yeast

4 teaspoons dried onion flakes or 1 teaspoon onion powder

1 to 2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cayenne

2 teaspoons paprika(to taste/color)

a generous pinch of salt

a generous pinch Rock salt/Kala namak(optional, if using lemon juice for wet uses. Not optional for dry spice since it does help add the sour. you can try lemon zest instead)

You can add Daiya cheddar, yellow mustard powder, for cheddar, lemon zest, dried parsley for ranch, red chili/black pepper for the spicy variations.

Topping Crumbs:

Toasted Bread Crumbs or Toasted Oats and rice flakes, coarsely ground.(4 Tablespoons)

Method:

Mix the doritos spice mix or blend in grinder to get a well blended mix. Taste test and adjust.

Cook the Penne per instructions. Blanch the broccoli(cook 3-4 minutes in boiling water, then rinse in cold water).

Blend the soaked cashews with enough water to make a flowy cream.

Add lemon juice, salt to taste and half of the Doritos spice mix to the cashew cream.

You can just toss the pasta and broccoli and serve at this point. I usually like to heat everything a bit so the spice taste comes out more and cashew cream doesnt taste raw.

In a pan, add 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, heat on medium.

Add the broccoli and toss for a few seconds.

Add the pasta and the cashew cream. Mix well. Cover and let it start to bubble on low heat. (1-2 minutes).

Taste test and adjust spices and salt and take off heat.

Mix some of the Doritos spice with bread crumbs or crumbs of toasted Oats and rice flakes.

Sprinkle the crumbs on hot pasta right before serving!