Friday, February 17, 2012

homemade 'lara' bars

I love these little energy bars - they are a raw food bar that is just SO tasty! I love them and the kids love them - unfortunately, like a lot of really yummy health foods - they are on the PRICEY side at $1=1.50 each. 

So I decided to try my hand at making my own.  So far I have only tried one idea but the possibilities are endless:

1/2 cup whole pitted dates
1/2 cup raw nuts (I used Almonds)
1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut
11/2 Tbsp cocoa powder


run all ingredients through a food processor until the dates and nuts are broken down and the mixture begins to stick together.  press into a small pan and cut into small squares.  store in the fridge in a covered container.

YUMM!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Super Nutrient Kale Lentil Soup

This is a revised version of our family's favorite soup which is very good and I have blogged it before. (see original recipe here: http://www.cancerrd.com/Recipes/lentilkalesoup1.htm ) My KIDS love this soup and REQUEST it often.  Here is what I did today:


Super nutrient Kale & Lentil Soup:
2 large Leeks rinsed and coined
4 whole Carrots (not baby) rinsed and coined
1 med-large Sweet Potato diced
1 cup brown Lentils
12 cups water
1 veggie broth cube
1 teas Mrs Dash no salt seasoning
1 teas Pink Himalayan Salt
1 pkg SOY sausage (I used Trader joe's Chorizo - which is nice and SPICY :)
1 large bunch Green Curly Kale chopped or torn (dont use stems)
1 pkg sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms

Saute leeks, carrots, sweet potatoes in a small amount of water.  Add lentils, seasonings and water.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to med-low.  Crumble in soy sausage. Add mushrooms and Kale.  Reduce to low and simmer at least one hour - but the longer you let this stuff bubble away the better and better it tastes!!

chocolate green smoothie

This did NOT sound very appetizing to me when I first read the recipe. BUT I gave it a try - cause I am searching for more whole food, plant based, High nutrient recipes. 

Imagine my surprise when this was ACTUALLY yummy - huh :)

Green Chocolate Smoothie:
(serves 1 - could be doubled)
1 hand-full, baby organic spinach (about 5oz)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 banana
2 pitted medjool dates (easily found in bulk section)
1 teas unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup light chocolate soy or almond milk

Blend this up really, really well and it comes out a nice milkshak-y consistency.  The dates are very sweet - I may only use one the next time I try this :)