APRICOT ORANGE N’ CASHEW POWER BARS - VEGAN
Sweets, snack, power bar, vegan, gluten/soy/dairy free
'Oh wow' is your surefire response when tasting these amazing organic apricot n cashew bars. Need a sweet treat? An energizing snack before or after your workout? These are it and the dense caramel taste paired with chocolate is oh-so-good! And they get even better every day you can resist over-indulging so consider making a double batch.
2 cups organic apricots
1½ cups toasted, organic cashews
½ cup organic coconut, toasted if desired
¼ cup chia or hemp seeds
Zest from 1 organic orange
½ cup organic orange juice
Pinch sea salt
2 tbsp mesquite powder, optional
DIRECTIONS
OPTIONS:
CHOCOLATE TOPPING
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup 76+% organic chocolate
¼ cup carton or canned coconut milk
DIRECTIONS:
My fave product brands for staple ingredients are Sunwarrior, Ojio, Nature’s Earthly Choices and Earth Circle Organics. Order Sunwarrior online using discount code 15433 in the US or in Teri Canada for a 10% discount.
Recipe created by Teri Gentes www.terigentes.com – permission required to reprint
Sweets, snack, power bar, vegan, gluten/soy/dairy free
'Oh wow' is your surefire response when tasting these amazing organic apricot n cashew bars. Need a sweet treat? An energizing snack before or after your workout? These are it and the dense caramel taste paired with chocolate is oh-so-good! And they get even better every day you can resist over-indulging so consider making a double batch.
- Prep time: 15 minutes, chilling time 30 mins
- Yield - approx 24 triangles
2 cups organic apricots
1½ cups toasted, organic cashews
½ cup organic coconut, toasted if desired
¼ cup chia or hemp seeds
Zest from 1 organic orange
½ cup organic orange juice
Pinch sea salt
2 tbsp mesquite powder, optional
DIRECTIONS
- Line a 9 x 11 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Measure the apricots and cashews into a food processor and blast until chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process until ingredients bind together, scraping down the sides if necessary.
- Press into an 8 x 8 pan, pressing down firmly and evenly and freeze while preparing the chocolate drizzle.
OPTIONS:
- Add a scoop Sunwarrior Blend vanilla protein powder to the apricot mix
- Pulse in 1/3 cup raw cacao nibs before pressing into the pan
- Add intrigue and heat with a pinch chipotle or cayenne to taste
- Sprinkle addition orange zest and a power shaking of Sunwarrior Vanilla protein powder over the chocolate while it’s still warm
CHOCOLATE TOPPING
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup 76+% organic chocolate
¼ cup carton or canned coconut milk
DIRECTIONS:
- Finely chop chocolate while heating the milk in a small pan over medium low heat. Once hot yet not boiling, remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate stirring well to melt.
- Using a spoon held high over the bars drizzle with chocolate as thickly as you like.
- Chill for approximately 30 minutes before scoring into bars, triangles or squares then cutting. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer as desired.
My fave product brands for staple ingredients are Sunwarrior, Ojio, Nature’s Earthly Choices and Earth Circle Organics. Order Sunwarrior online using discount code 15433 in the US or in Teri Canada for a 10% discount.
Recipe created by Teri Gentes www.terigentes.com – permission required to reprint
Creamy Lemon Berry Breakfast Parfait - A dairy free yogurt alternative!
Greek yogurt!! Most believe it’s a truly healthy food choice unaware of the potential health challenges related to dairy consumption such as: digestive challenges, allergies, inflammation, skin disorders, heart disease and cancer. For a delicious Non-Dairy (vegan) alternative that assists with hormonal balance, blend up a batch of this protein-rich, anti-inflammatory creamy mousse.
For more surprising insights on Dairy read: White Washed Dr Joseph Keon
INGREDIENTS:
2 - 300gr pkg.’s organic silken tofu, drain well (Be sure to choose Organic non GMO tofu)!
(For a non-soy alternative substitute tofu w/ 1½ cups raw cashews soaked for 8 hours, drained)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed organic lemon juice plus the zest
1/3 - ½ cup raw liquid honey (un-pasteurized), or maple syrup, to taste
Splash organic almond, soy, coconut milk, if needed
The Berry Parfait:
2 cups mixed berries – fresh or frozen
½ cup hemp seeds
½ cup granola (Various recipes at www.terigentes.com)
Cinnamon and additional hemp seeds or ground flax
DIRECTIONS:
A bit about me and food:
My dietary approach growing up was the oh-so conventional meat, potatoes and a vegetable plate as our norm. We are a big family and money was especially time in our house-hold yet my mom could stretch a dollar like no one else I know. And she had a knack for creating great home-made meals including desserts ensuring our family of eight was always well fed. Her puddings and cream pies were a Sunday tradition and cooking with love sure makes food taste better.
This all said, my definition of ‘well-fed’ changed over the years as I learned more and more about ‘quality’ nutrition. Still, an addiction to cool, creamy sweets was imprinted and continues to inspire me to create alternatives that satisfy those cravings. This citrus-y Breakfast Parfait is a perfect alternative to yogurt and cream and can suffice for mousse as a dessert. You can increase the protein in it by adding a scoop of Sunwarrior vanilla protein powder or step it up to a gourmet dessert with a generous splash of liqueur such as Cointreau, Lemoncello or Framboise.
Greek yogurt!! Most believe it’s a truly healthy food choice unaware of the potential health challenges related to dairy consumption such as: digestive challenges, allergies, inflammation, skin disorders, heart disease and cancer. For a delicious Non-Dairy (vegan) alternative that assists with hormonal balance, blend up a batch of this protein-rich, anti-inflammatory creamy mousse.
For more surprising insights on Dairy read: White Washed Dr Joseph Keon
- Breakfast or sweet treat
- Prep time: 10 mins plus chill time, 30 mins up to overnight
- Vegan, dairy, gluten free, nut free if desired
- Serves 4-6
INGREDIENTS:
2 - 300gr pkg.’s organic silken tofu, drain well (Be sure to choose Organic non GMO tofu)!
(For a non-soy alternative substitute tofu w/ 1½ cups raw cashews soaked for 8 hours, drained)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed organic lemon juice plus the zest
1/3 - ½ cup raw liquid honey (un-pasteurized), or maple syrup, to taste
Splash organic almond, soy, coconut milk, if needed
The Berry Parfait:
2 cups mixed berries – fresh or frozen
½ cup hemp seeds
½ cup granola (Various recipes at www.terigentes.com)
Cinnamon and additional hemp seeds or ground flax
DIRECTIONS:
- Set the tofu blocks in a wire sieve or cheesecloth lined colander and let drain 20 minutes to overnight, covered and stored in the fridge.
- Combine tofu (or cashews if using) lemon or lime juice and honey in a powerful blender, Vita-mix or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Approximately 4 – 6 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add a little of the liquid options suggested. Stop and start motor, scraping down sides as needed. Taste and adjust sweetness and consistency adding more honey, lemon juice or milk if desired. Chill until ready to serve.
- Set out parfait glasses or bowls. Arrange layers of berries, hemp seeds, granola and lemon crème. Garnish with a generous dousing of cinnamon and some lemon zest.
- For a refreshing change use lime juice and zest instead or lemon
- Choose a gluten-free granola, if desired
A bit about me and food:
My dietary approach growing up was the oh-so conventional meat, potatoes and a vegetable plate as our norm. We are a big family and money was especially time in our house-hold yet my mom could stretch a dollar like no one else I know. And she had a knack for creating great home-made meals including desserts ensuring our family of eight was always well fed. Her puddings and cream pies were a Sunday tradition and cooking with love sure makes food taste better.
This all said, my definition of ‘well-fed’ changed over the years as I learned more and more about ‘quality’ nutrition. Still, an addiction to cool, creamy sweets was imprinted and continues to inspire me to create alternatives that satisfy those cravings. This citrus-y Breakfast Parfait is a perfect alternative to yogurt and cream and can suffice for mousse as a dessert. You can increase the protein in it by adding a scoop of Sunwarrior vanilla protein powder or step it up to a gourmet dessert with a generous splash of liqueur such as Cointreau, Lemoncello or Framboise.