Paleo Banana Walnut Bread

 I started Paleo baking again. The good thing about paleo baking is that once you get the hang of it, everything follows similar principals, so unlike regular baking you can create your own recipes. 

 The verdict? This was good. It's mild and sweet and has good consistency and shape. However, I personally don't love coconut flour in my baking. I don't know, it's a texture thing for me. I am going to start baking with almond flour, because I feel like It would have a closer texture to what I am looking for. Despite all this, it was good, so go HERE for the recipe. (To spare me from having to re right it) I used walnuts instead and 3 bananas.

 Happy Saturday everyone!

Do you like coconut flour??

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Yummy chia seed pudding recipe with a step-by-step tutorial from an adorable little girl. This is Really good and satisfies a sweet tooth perfectly.

Ingredients:

*1 full can ( 11/2 cups) full fat coconut milk (shake it well)
*4 tbsp pure maple syrup or raw honey (keep in mind that honey doesn't mix well as is, it clumps, so if you're going to use it, heat it a bit.)
*1 tbsp vanilla extract
* 2 tbsp cocoa powder
*1/3 cup chia seeds.


Extras:
*Berries for topping
*keep this 'vanilla' by skipping the cocoa

Directions:

 Mix together coconut milk, syrup, vanilla and cocoa powder. pour in chia seeds and mix well. Let sit at room temperature for 2 hours if you wish to eat it soon, otherwise, chill in the fridge (covered tightly) for a few hours/overnight, but be sure to eat it within 24 hours.

This picture doesn't do it justice, so you will have to forgive me (it was late when it was ready.). It's creamy and perfectly chocolate. Make it, you won't regret it!

**note: this is not a smooth putting. More like a rice/tapioca consistency

I would totally tweak this to make into a moose like or freezer cake too. Om nom-wheels turning....

Sweet Buster

Meal: Snack

Break down: Organic dried coconut chunks, dried apricot

Food Friday: Very Easy Split Pea Soup

 It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday...

I now apologize for making you think of that terrible song. I will now make it up to you with an awesome recipe!

Split Pea Soup:

This recipe is so incredibly easy, quick and tasty! Mackynzie will eat an entire bowl of this, so that speaks for itself!

• 8 cups water
• 2 bullion cubes (we use veggie)
• 1 cup dried split peas
• salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. once boiling, turn down and simmer for approximately 45 mins. Blend with emulsifier, top with Parmesan or cheddar cheese, fresh chopped cilantro, or nothing at all and serve. That's seriously how easy it is!

OPTIONAL additional ingredients:

• 1 tbsp curry
• 1 tbsp turmeric 
• 3-5 medium sized carrots (chopped in large chunks)
• spinach added in last 10 mins or so

Happy tummies!

My version of vegan 'yogurt'

 I was looking for a quick, light snack or breakfast for those mornings when Mackynzie or myself just don't feel like eating much. I wanted it to still be nutritious and I soon found myself dreaming of being able to eat yogurt. It was the perfect solution in my mind, but the whole dairy thing was an issue. Then I remembered my love for coconut milk, and the versatility of coconut 'whip cream'. And with that, I give you:

 Rainbow's vegan 'yogurt'

I make them in single containers, so they are one serving. You can tweak the recipe to suit your desired serving size.

• 1 can full fat coconut milk
• 1-2 tsp (actual teaspoons you eat with) Organic jam OR purred/mashed fruit
• 1-2 tsp organic apple sauce (if you want some texture. skip if you're looking for completely smooth.)
• 1 single-serving container with lid

shake your coconut milk really well. you want to incorporate the water and cream. skip this step if you want a thick, Greek-like yogurt. If you want it thick, do not mix can. open and scoop the 'cream' out and save the water for another purpose.

 Make sure your coconut milk is well whipped (by either shaking or whipping with fork. especially if you are seperating it from the water.)

Pour into container. Add 1 teaspoon of jam and 1 teaspoon of apple sauce and mix well. taste, and add more if desired.

pop lid on and leave in fridge for preferably one day.

Enjoy!

I love that this has the consistency and creaminess of real yogurt. Its also super versatile as you can literally put any sort of fruit you want into it.  Also, how easy is that?!

Coconut milk is packed with awesome nutrition, so sit back and enjoy eating/feeding your little knowing you aren't filling up on 'nothing'!

Vegan Pizza Awesomeness

 This pizza is so awesome, I just had to share with you all real quick! ...And it's vegan!

 It is so simple and so delicious! Creamy, savory, a tiny bit of crunch... If I had to choose one thing to eat forever right this second, it would be this.

I was shopping for our hectic schedule, and needed something quick and easy that could be thrown together despite the chaos and boxes that goes along with moving. I picked up some Nan bread with no idea of the beautiful creation I would soon be nomming on.

So, enough with the talking. Here is how I made it:

I took one piece of Nan bread, brushed it with melted butter (This part wasn't vegan, but i will replace the butter once my coconut oil comes in. you could even use water or olive oil.) and popped it in the oven, pre heated to 395F for approximately two minutes (you just want to warm it up.).

Then I washed and chopped some red and green bell pepper, onion, garlic, fresh mushrooms, and although its not in the picture above because i just laid it on the pizza (which is still good, but this is better.), about a handful of chopped/ripped spinach, and sauteed it all in pan with butter (again, i will use coconut oil to make it fully vegan when I get it!) until things started turning golden.

you only want enough veggies etc to cover your Nan bread, but you want a good amount. Also, while you're frying, your bread should be out. don't burn your bread!

Once everything was sauteed, I spread some *herbs and spices* tomato paste on my Nan bread, then evenly spooned out my veggie mix. Herb and spices tomato paste is very important. It really makes the pizza..

I popped it in the oven for about 2-4 mins (you are just giving everything a little bake since its all cooked. Just to crisp up a bit. So do not exceed 4 mins!)

I took it out of the oven, put it on a plate, and went into a state of bliss as I enjoyed this beauty with a nice cold glass of coconut milk. Om Nom Nom...

And that, my friends, is how you make my awesome Vegan pizza. If you try it, let me know. Also let me know what you add to it! My next one will have some zucchini...