Chia Seeds Giveaway!!

28 Mar 2010 22 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in Raw Desserts and Treats, Raw Vegan Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , ,

So fabulous!! You all know how much I LOVE chia!!! It has so many amazing benefits! I am so excited to announce that the folks over at Chia Seeds Direct are hosting a give-away for my Fabulous readers! They have generously offered one of my lucky readers a 2-lb bag of chia seeds! Chia Seeds Direct offers a variety of chia seeds at great prices and FREE shipping in the US.

Here you can download a free 16 page booklet on chia seeds, chia seeds benefits and recipes. You can also check out these recipes: Oats and Chia, Mango Chia Goodness, Chia Seed Pudding, Sweet Double Coconut Chia Pudding, Holiday Chia Pudding, Superfood Smoothie and Banana Date Chia Pudding. (wow, I totally love Chia!!)

You have 3 ways to enter:

1. Follow my blog and leave a comment on this page letting me know why you want to win some chia seeds!

2. Post a link to this giveaway on your own blog, facebook, twitter, etc.

3. Comment or email me with your favorite chia seed recipes.

Winner will be randomly chosen after midnight EST on Friday April 2nd
*Only residents of the U.S. and Canada

Raw Ice Cream Trio Sundae

10 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in Raw Desserts and Treats, Raw Vegan Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I love Banana Ice Cream! It is always so deelish and you can have so much fun playing around and making so many yummy flavors. Michael and I were Loving this one! Sundaes are so comforting and fun to eat. They are even more fun when they are healthy and delicious!

Pre-Topping Yummyness

Complete Sundae Love!

Raw Ice Cream Trio Sundae
2 big servings

3 frozen bananas
2-3 tablespoons nut butter (I used almond)
2 tablespoon agave nectar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
dash sea salt
2 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder

toppings of your choice

  1. Start off my combining the frozen bananas,  nut butter, agave nectar, vanilla and dash of sea salt in a Vita-mix, blender or food processor until well combined and smooth.
  2. Have 2 serving bowls ready and using a large ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop out 1 scoop for each bowl and set in the freezer.
  3. Next, add the frozen strawberries to the frozen banana mixture in your blender and process until well combined.
  4. Take the bowls out of the freezer and add 1 scoop of the gorgeous strawberry “ice cream” to both bowls and put back into the freezer.
  5. Add the cocoa powder to the strawberry “ice cream” and process until well combined.
  6. Take the bowls out of the freezer and add 1 scoop of the chocolate  “ice cream” to both bowls and put back into the freezer to set.
  7. Feel free to eat as is or add toppings. I made a strawberry sauce out of agave and strawberries in the blender. I also used chocagave on top, yum! Use nuts, cocoa nibs, etc.
  8. DEVOUR and ENJOY 🙂

Banana and avocado sweet snack

10 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in Raw Desserts and Treats, Raw Vegan Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is a super fast and easy recipe to whip up. I ate it plain for breakfast and snacks. I also made delicious sandwiches with it for lunch. I loved this so much! Raw Rob said you can also use it for a cake filling but I have not tried to yet. This may not be the prettiest of foods, but it sure was really yummy!

I told you it is not the prettiest, but it sure is tasty!!

Banana and avocado sweet snack
Recipe from Raw Rob

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 banana
  • 2 teaspoons mesquite meal
  • 2 teaspoons lucuma powder

Simply mash the avocado and banana with a fork, then mix in the powders.

Vegan Waffles OH MY! YUM!

08 Mar 2010 1 Comment

by marisashealthykitchen in Home Cooking, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

My fabulous friend Rae hosts super fun brunches in her gorgeous sunlight filled apartment! So fun! Great group of people and amazing food. Love it!

They had all the usual suspects from waffles, eggs, bacon, fruit & mimosas. Rae was so thoughtful and even made me vegan waffles so I have fun food too! They were deelish!

Check out the pics 🙂 Waffles, fruit and boysenberry syrup. YUM!

Rae’s Vegan Waffles

2cups All Purpose flour
1cups Whole Wheat Flour
1/4cup brown sugar (Rae used sucanat)
2tbsp canola oil
1/4tsp salt
1tsp baking powder
2 1/2c soy milk (Rae used rice milk & some water)

Mix the dry together, add the wet. Don’t overmix. Make sure the waffle iron is hot and cook 4-6 minutes each! ENJOY!

Natural Gourmet Institute Friday Night Dinner

07 Mar 2010 4 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , ,

YUM!!

Over the years I have taken several fabulous classes at Natural Gourmet Institute. They also offer a Friday Night Dinner at which the “Chef Instructors and students
of our Chef’s Training Program pour their expertise and enthusiasm into a three-course vegetarian dinner”. We wanted to check this out and this last Friday we got to go! It was great! They transformed the classrooms into communal tables with candles and flowers but the highlight of the evening was the meal! It was so deelish. Sorry, I did not take any pictures, but at least you will be able to drool over the menu 🙂 It is a great deal and was super fun. At the end of the meal the chefs come out to explain the meal and answer questions. It was great to meet them and to applaud the people who created such an amazing feast!

They change the menu every week so I know we will be going back soon enough. Our entire meal was vegan (yeah!) but even if there is a vegetarian part of the meal, there will always be a vegan alternative.

Check out the menu!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (this was so good! they had roasted the butternut before pureeing, so it gave it this great carmelized flavor)

Bitter Greens Salad with Pecans, Shallots,  Spicy, Smoky Dressing (of course I have had my fair share of salads, but this one was amazing! The smoky flavor was so different and deelish!)

Tempeh Scallopini with Portobello Risotto, Roasted Asparagus, Pepper Coulis (YUM!! The Risotto was made with a brown basmatti and was sooo creamy. The tempeh was insane and the asparagus were perfect!)

Maple Pecan Cookie, Vanilla Bean Sorbet, Caramel Crème, Strawberry Coulis (we loved the whole meal, but for me, dessert is typically the highlight and this one was amazing! the cookie was so sweet and mapley! ahhh! the vanilla bean sorbet was made out of young coconut and the caramel creme was divine!)

Can you tell that I enjoyed our meal?? I want to plan another night out there, who’s in??

Prix Fixe: $40.00 (includes tax)
6:30 p.m. seating
BYOB
Reservations required: 212-645-5170 (ext. 0)

Raw Chocolate Mint Coconut Cookies

15 Feb 2010 4 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in Raw Desserts and Treats, Raw Vegan Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

These are DIVINE! I love anything chocolate, mint and coconuty so this is the perfect snack for me! YUM! They were incredibly fast to throw together and were ready and set super fast in the fridge. I was surprised… normally it takes at least a half hour to an hour for my desserts to set and this one was ready so fast! I would suggest doubling this recipe if you want them to last at all 🙂

If you are not into mint, I would recommend leaving the peppermint oil out and making them chocolate coconut cookies. I am sure that would be deelish as well!

YUM!! Such chocolate goodness!

Cookie batter is always so good, but now that I know how good this was Done, I was happy I waited 🙂

Spoonfuls, ready to start setting

So easy to peel these off and munch!!!

ENJOY 🙂

Raw Chocolate Mint Coconut Cookies
1/2 cup Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Raw Cacao Butter
1/4 cup Agave
2 Tablespoons Raw Honey or agave
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt
5-10 drops organic peppermint oil
1 1/2 cup Raw Cacao Powder
1 1/2 cup Shredded Coconut

  1. Combine all ingredients except the cacao powder and coconut in a Vita-mix or food processor and process for 2 minutes till completely combined.
  2. Place the Cacao Powder and Coconut in a bowl and pour the liquid mixture on top and combine with a wooden spoon.
  3. On a small baking tray lined with wax paper, place tablespoon spoonfuls of the mixture and set in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. By the time you know it they will be ready to munch on. Be careful, they go quick 🙂

Pretty in Pink Frozen Strawberry Dessert

03 Feb 2010 1 Comment

by marisashealthykitchen in Raw Desserts and Treats, Raw Vegan Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I love frozen desserts! It’s funny, I am craving soup to keep me warm and then I end up making some frozen deliciousness to end my meal. Good thing I have my fabulous husband and my snuggie to keep me warm 🙂

This was so delightful and I loved the color so much that I had to feature it in a special glass. I always make banana ice cream as my go to dessert (see my Banana Ice Cream Love) and decided to make strawberries the star this time around. YUM!!!!!

Pretty in Pink Frozen Strawberry Dessert
serves 2

2 cups Frozen strawberries
1 banana
5 dates, pitted
4 tablespoons agave
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla
1/2 – 2/4 cup Cashews (optional)
fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)

In a Vita-mix, processor or blender combine everything except the cashews and fresh strawberries. If you are having some trouble blending add a little bit of water. Pour into a pretty glass or bowl.

If you prefer to have this a little creamier add cashews to the blender with all the other ingredients and blend away. I chose to do a half and half…. I poured out half the mixture into our bowls and then added the cashews. I poured that mixture on top of the bowls. Add fresh strawberries on top and enjoy tremendously! YUM!

Souen Organic Macrobiotic Restaurant

02 Feb 2010 1 Comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags: , , , , ,

Souen Organic Macrobiotic Restaurant 212-627-7150 28 East 13th St. (btwn University and Fifth Ave.) & 212-807-7421 210 6th Ave. @Prince St

Soeun never disappoints and has been a favorite restaurant of mine for many years. I am not alone in that either as the restaurant is normally full with happy and hungry diners and many times has a wait. I have eaten many of the vegetarian items on the menu and have always been wonderfully satisfied. The food is simple and healthy all while managing to be delicious. I am all about the healthy vegan food. You can get total macrobiotic simple foods, fun curry and noodle dishes. I think it is fabulous that although they adhere to macrobiotic cooking they serve fish dishes and even some fried foods. When picking a restaurant to dine, it always helps when there is some food like this for friends and family to keep an open mind. Everyone I have taken here has really enjoyed their meal. I love the vibe of this place. The food, the atmosphere and the faint smell of green juice 🙂 it may not be for everyone, but I am sold!

I always get the deelish Mu Tea which has licorice, ginseng, peony root and dozen other flower and plant essences in it. Divine! The home-made seitan is great! (pictured) I have heard from other friends that their sushi is super fresh and sooo good! Plus I have seen several meat eaters enjoy the fish entrees with zeal, so it must be tasty! I typically order one of their abundant salads or get the Macro Plate (pictured). But I have tried so many of the appetizers and some noodle dishes and loved them too. There is always a big board with specials and desserts (YUM!) to choose from too.

A few months back (sorry it took me so long!) I came here with 2 of my fabulous ladies, Yi-Ching and Rae. Yi-Ching, the amazing photographer took pictures of our meal so we could show to you. Thanks ladies! We need to do this again soon 🙂

In March 2009 they opened a Ramen shop. I have wanted to take part in the Ramen craze that is everywhere around me in NYC but have not been able to since everything is also surrounded by pork there! haha! I am beyond excited to get over to the noodle shop to partake finally!  Souen Organic Ramen (212) 388-1155  326 East Sixth Street

Planet Platter or Macro Platter

Home-made Seitan

Carrot Ginger Dressing, so good!

Veggie Curry

Channukah Pot-luck Part 3

23 Dec 2009 3 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in Home Cooking, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , ,

Ahhh Dessert!

Thank you Shalon and Prema!

Shalon made such a deelish Red Velvet Cake and Prema brought over these adorable and scrumptious Crumbs Channukah Cupcakes. My favorite dessert ever is Icing, and both desserts brought over were covered in it! YUM!

Thanks everyone for coming over! You all made the night so special for us 🙂

We did quite a number on this one 🙂

These cupcakes are so cute!!

So special! Michael and I bought this together in Israel! Happy Channukah!

Here is the recipe Shalon used the the Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake
Recipe from Bon Appétit

2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour (sifted, then measured)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk (she used lowfat milk instead)
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
Frosting
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

For cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Sift sifted flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into medium bowl. Whisk buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla in small bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition. Beat in dry ingredients in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk mixture in 3 additions.
Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 27 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely.

For frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
Place 1 cake layer, flat side up, on platter. Spread 1 cup frosting over top of cake, pressing lightly to adhere. Top with second cake layer, flat side down. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)

Banana Ice Cream Love

15 Dec 2009 5 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in Raw Desserts and Treats, Raw Vegan Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

mmmmm!! We  have been eating Banana Ice Cream for so long and I have never posted it! I am sorry not to have shared this beloved ‘secret’ recipe with everyone before!! It couldn’t be simpler (to make and ingredients) and is so delicious! For us it is super easy because we always keep a bunch of frozen bananas in the freezer to make smoothies and ice cream, so there is no planning for this fabulous dessert, ever! Since this recipe is really just bananas, you can enjoy it anytime; even for breakfast!! How great is that, Ice Cream for Breakfast! There are so many twists and additions you can make with this recipe, so have fun with it! Let me know anything else you try and love!

Banana Ice Cream

1-2 frozen bananas per person serving
any toppings or additions you want to add

So Simple! Just take the bananas and blend away in your Vita-mix, Blend-tec, blender or food processor until smooth. ENJOY 🙂

Suggested Topping or Add-Ins

  • The pictures in this post, we used our beloved Agave Pecan Butter, basically making an amazing frozen version of  Chocolate-Covered Katie’s Banana Butter
  • Sometimes we add in Cocoa Nibs and we get amazing Chocolate Chip Ice cream
  • ChocAgave –yummy raw chocolate sauce, or just use regular chocolate syrup
  • Goji berries for a great chewy taste
  • add other berries in the mixture to change up the taste, or as a topping
  • add cocoa powder to make chocolate ice cream
  • maca, mesquite, lucuma , protein powders
  • have fun, this is such a great treat to play with

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