Tag: pumpkin

Supercharged Pumpkin Cacao Brownies

I've been REALLY craving something sweet the past few nights but not wanting to feel like absolute crap the next day because of that said sweet craving. These are delightful tasting, clean + actually give you ENERGY versus a tummy ache! The cacao can easily be swapped for carob and pumpkin for sweet potato. Gluten-free flours are optional. Have some fun + get creative! Be sure to share the love! 

 

{PIN THIS}

{GATHER}

  • 18oz organic pureed pumpkin (or you could use sweet potatoes! I would use 2-3 medium-large)
  • 2/3 C ground almonds
  • 1/2 C brown rice flour (I used 1/4 C brown rice and 1/4 C buckwheat flour)
  • 14-15 medjool dates
  • 4 T Cacao Magic
  • 3 T pure maple syrup
  • 2 pinches pink sea salt

{DO THIS}

  1. listen to Sigur Ros (just so we're on the same page)
  2. if you're using sweet potatoes or a whole pumpkin, cut into chunks and place into a steamer for about 20 min until they are soft. Once they are perfectly soft and falling apart, remove them and add to a food processor (or insert boxed/canned here) with the pitted dates.  
  3. Add remaining ingredients into a bowl, before mixing in the sweet potato/date combo. Stir well.                        
  4. Place into a lined baking dish and cook for about 20 minutes, until you can pierce the borwnie cake with a fork bringing it out dry.                                       
  5. Remove the tray and allow it to cool for 10 min, this is really vital as it needs this time to stick together! Remove the brownies from the tray, leaving it another few minutes before cutting them into squares.     
  6. Then enjoy with a glass of almond mylk (or wine, ahem) + share your pics! remember to tag @philosophiemama so we can see your gorgeous photos! xx                 

 

 

Cacao Magic Pumpkin Cake

This is an awesome cake the whole family will enjoy! Great for when you are entertaining over the holidays or as a snack with tea in the afternoon as a pick-me-up. Tis the season! :)

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 C applesauce

  • 2 T coconut oil (I like Garden of Life brand)

  • 1/3 C Cacao Magic powder

  • 1/3 C + 2 T boiling water, divided (see note)

  • 1 C organic pumpkin puree

  •  

    1 C sugar in the raw or brown sugar (coconut sugar is also cool)

  • 1 t pure vanilla extract

  • 1 1/2 C gluten free baking flour (premixed for baking)

  • 1/2 t ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 t ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 t ground ginger

  • 1/8 t ground cloves

  • 3/4 t baking soda

  • 3/4 t pink sea salt

  • 1/2 C dark chocolate chips

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F) and lightly grease an 8 inch loaf pan. Also, boil some water in a tea kettle.
  2. Put applesauce, coconut oil and Cacao Magic powder in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, spices, baking soda and salt.
  3. Measure out 1/3 cup boiling water and pour into the bowl with the chocolate mixture, mixing quickly to make a smooth chocolate sauce. Add pumpkin, sugar and vanilla and mix well.
  4. Dump about half of the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture and gently stir just to incorporate, then measure out 1 tablespoon of boiling water and stir again. Now add the rest of the flour mixture and another tablespoon of boiling water and stir just until smooth. Take care not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  5. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. It will be good and thick. You can smooth the top out with a spatula.
  6. Bake for 55 minutes to an hour. Stick a steak knife into the center of the loaf to check for doneness. A little bit of wetness is okay since it could be from a chocolate chip, but the knife should come out mostly dry.
  7. Let cool for 10 minutes, then invert pan and place loaf on a cooling rack to cool most of the way. It’s yummy a little bit warm, or thoroughly cooled. Slice and serve!

Superfoods: what are they and what are the health benefits?

What are superfoods?

Superfood is a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that may provide health benefits as a result. For example, blueberries are often considered a superfood (or superfruit) because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants,, vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber. You don't need specific foods for specific ailments. A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the following superfoods will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing they all have in common: Every superfood is going to be a 'real' (unprocessed) food, you don't find fortified potato chips in the superfood category.

How can I use and incorporate superfoods in my daily life?

if you click on the words above I offer other posts I've written with more info about the wonderful superfoods and also a few recipes to use them in!

 All of my superfood blends have all the best superfoods in one place. No need to purchase them all separately, just buy one bag instead of 8! 

Cacao Magic superfood blend has raw Cacao powder, raw cacao nibs, tocos (vit E for hair, skin, nails) chia seeds (good fats to burn bad fat), maca (balances mood), reishi (chinese immunity herb), cordyceps (chinese herb for weightloss) and chaga (energizing herb with no caffeine).

The Green Dream superfoods have chia seeds, maca, mesquite (high in iron), tocos, spirulina, hemp powder and fresh vanilla bean.

Our Berry Bliss superfood blend has camu camu (top antioxidant food in the world), pomegranate, acai (combats stress), goji (prevents heart disease) organic whey protein (recovery & rejuvenation-very clean protein source) tocos (improves digestion, glowing skin & strong nails from Vitamin E) camu camu (immunity) and mangosteen (antibiotic & anti-fungal).

 

 

the Yummiest Superfood Yet ... Dark Chocolate

Research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure. It's recommended that you look for chocolate with 60% or higher cocoa content; the darker, the better! In addition, the darker it is, the lower the fat and sugar content. Now that's my kind of health food!

here are two recipes using dark chocolate/cacao (chocolate in it's most raw form):

1. Peppermint Patty Recipe

2. Delicious Chocolate Cake

and Here's an awesome breakfast I've been making lately--super filling and superfood rich!

Superfood Oats

  • 1 C Steelcut oats (follow instructions on the box)
  • 2 T Cacao Magic blend
  • 1 T goji berries (see pic below)
  • 1/2 Organic Canned Pumpkin
  • 1 t coconut oil (i like Garden of Life brand)
  • 2 T almond butter (i get Trader Joes brand, raw & creamy)
  • 1 T Agave or Raw Honey (i buy from our local farmers market) or Stevia if watching sugar
  • Cinnamon to taste
  • fresh berries for topping (like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)

1. follow instructions on box for cooking steelcut oats. (can also use quinoa or instant low-sugar oats)

2. The last minute or so, add the pumpkin, almond butter, goji berries and cinnamon. Stir all ingredients until mixed.

3. Remove oats from heat. Mix the coconut oil, cacao powder and agave/honey/sweetener in the bowl you'll be using and mix well with a spoon until it forms a chocolate sauce. Pour oats in bowl. Add fresh berries. Enjoy!

*double/triple the amount so you can save in containers for easy power-breakfasts in the next few days!

Superfoods: what are they and what are the health benefits?

What are superfoods?

Superfood is a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that may provide health benefits as a result. For example, blueberries are often considered a superfood (or superfruit) because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants,, vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber. You don't need specific foods for specific ailments. A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the following superfoods will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing they all have in common: Every superfood is going to be a 'real' (unprocessed) food, you don't find fortified potato chips in the superfood category.

How can I use and incorporate superfoods in my daily life?

if you click on the words above I offer other posts I've written with more info about the wonderful superfoods and also a few recipes to use them in!

 All of my superfood blends have all the best superfoods in one place. No need to purchase them all separately, just buy one bag instead of 8! 

Cacao Magic superfood blend has raw Cacao powder, raw cacao nibs, tocos (vit E for hair, skin, nails) chia seeds (good fats to burn bad fat), maca (balances mood), reishi (chinese immunity herb), cordyceps (chinese herb for weightloss) and chaga (energizing herb with no caffeine)

The Green Dream superfoods have chia seeds, maca, mesquite (high in iron), tocos, spirulina, hemp powder and fresh vanilla bean. 

Our Berry Bliss superfood blend has camu camu (top antioxidant food in the world), pomegranate, acai (combats stress), goji (prevents heart disease) organic whey protein (recovery & rejuvenation-very clean protein source) tocos (improves digestion, glowing skin & strong nails from Vitamin E) camu camu (immunity) and mangosteen (antibiotic & anti-fungal)

 

 

the Yummiest Superfood Yet ... Dark Chocolate

Research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure. It's recommended that you look for chocolate with 60% or higher cocoa content; the darker, the better! In addition, the darker it is, the lower the fat and sugar content. Now that's my kind of health food!

here are two recipes using dark chocolate/cacao (chocolate in it's most raw form):

1. Peppermint Patty Recipe

2. Delicious Chocolate Cake

and Here's an awesome breakfast I've been making lately--super filling and superfood rich!

 

Superfood Oats

 

  • 1 C Steelcut oats (follow instructions on the box)
  • 2 T Cacao Magic blend
  • 1 T goji berries (see pic below)
  • 1/2 Organic Canned Pumpkin
  • 1 t coconut oil (i like Garden of Life brand)
  • 2 T almond butter (i get Trader Joes brand, raw & creamy)
  • 1 T Agave or Raw Honey (i buy from our local farmers market) or Stevia if watching sugar
  • Cinnamon to taste
  • fresh berries for topping (like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)

1. follow instructions on box for cooking steelcut oats. (can also use quinoa or instant low-sugar oats)

2. The last minute or so, add the pumpkin, almond butter, goji berries and cinnamon. Stir all ingredients until mixed.

3. Remove oats from heat. Mix the coconut oil, cacao powder and agave/honey/sweetener in the bowl you'll be using and mix well with a spoon until it forms a chocolate sauce. Pour oats in bowl. Add fresh berries. Enjoy!

*double/triple the amount so you can save in containers for easy power-breakfasts in the next few days!

Vegan Butternut Squash Muffins

Orange fleshed squash such as acorn and butternut are a large storehouse of beta-carotene. On top of being an antioxidant to help fend off those pesky cell-damaging free radicals, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body that helps with immune defense and good vision. You could also do this entire recipe with pumpkin... or half and half!

Ingredients

Adapted from MarthaStewart.com

1 Large Butternut Squash (about 1-2/3 cups to 2 cups)

2 eggs worth of Ener-G or Smash up a banana and 1/4 cup applesauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup agave nectar

1/2 Cup Softened Vegan Butter (earth balance)

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Pumpkin Spice

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 tsp Ground Ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Baking Powder

2 Cups Gluten-free Flour (I suggest something neutral like brown rice flour or regular flour if you're okay with gluten)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400º degrees. Wash, dry and cut the squash in half length wise and remove seeds and place on a baking sheet. Brush on some extra virgin olive oil. Bake for about an hour. Check to see if the squash is done by piercing it with a fork.

2. Scoop the squash out, allow to cool and puree in your food processor. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, chia seeds, baking soda & powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and pumpkin spice and set aside.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together the agave, vanilla, eggs substitute and butter. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Then whisk in the butternut squash puree. My batter was a little dry so I added a little almond milk and Organic canned pumpkin.


5. Prepare your muffin pan and add the batter a little over halfway. I made 12 cupcakes, you can make more. Bake at 350º for 18 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center and check to see if it comes out clean.

That's it! Allow to cool and then smother with pumpkin butter, almond butter or just eat plain! Enjoy!!! :)

Healthy, vegan pumpkin pie recipe

For Thanksgiving this year, I will be making a raw, vegan pumpkin pie... here's the recipe I'll use!

Raw Pumpkin Pie RecipePUMPKIN

If you canʼt get your hands on a fresh pumpkin you can use  butternut squash or sweet potato.

Raw Pumpkin Pie Crust

  • 1 Cup raw almonds, 1 Cup raw pecans (both soaked)
  • 1/2 cup soaked 1 hour medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Dash of sea salt
  • date soaking water if necessary

Blend the crust ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor. Process the nuts first, allowing them to get mealy. Slowly add in the dates, water, vanilla and cinnamon until the ingredients form a dough like consistency. The dough will form into a "ball" in the food processor.  Take the ball and whatever else is left over and evenly distribute in the bottom of a pie plate.

Raw Pumpkin Pie Filling

  • 2 cups shredded pumpkin, butternut squash, or sweet potato flesh (or Organic Pumpkin Pie in a can if you're lazy)
  • 1/4 C raisins, soaked 1 hour
  • 1 cup dates, soaked 1 hour
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. freshly diced ginger
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil or 1 tbsp butter
  • Dash of vanilla
  • 1 persimmon (optional: you can leave this out if you don't find them)
  • 1/4 cup almond milk or date water when needed to blend

If you donʼt feel like shredding the pumpkin by hand, simply cube and place in a high speed blender or food processor until itʼs nicely chopped. (or get it in a can, make sure it's organic)

Then add the rest of the ingredients and blend until nice and smooth. You might need to add more liquid to get it to blend well.

pumpkinpie

Pour into crust, then chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.

Almond Or Cashew "Whipped Cream"

  • 1 cup almonds or cashews
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla (optional)

For the smoothest consistency, use cashews or peeled almonds. Because of their alkaline nature, almonds help keep your blood at a neutral pH. And if you buy them raw, they'll germinate when you soak them. Note for raw friends: Cashews are heated after being picked, even those labeled "raw".

Soak 1 cup of almonds or cashews in 2 cups of water. If you're in a very warm climate, soak them in your refrigerator. After 8-12 hours, discard the soaking water and rinse the nuts. In a blender, place the nuts and enough fresh water to allow the blender to operate. Blend, gradually adding enough water to achieve a smooth consistency. Makes 1 ½ - 1 ¾ cups.

Have an incredible day... but remember, EVERYDAY we can find reasons to be thankful, we don't need a day to be told it's okay!

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