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Vegetarian ✻ Grain-Free ✻ Gluten-Free ✻ Dairy-free ✻ Naturally Sweetened  This grain free date sweetened and sprouted granola is awesome for hiking, the kids love it as an afternoon snack, and it's really beautiful to give as a gift. It’s protein and mineral rich, super delicious, and great to make ahead! Below is a base recipe, but you can use whatever mix of nuts and seeds you like or have at home. I have also included some nutrient-dense optional add-ins for you to try. I always like to keep a batch of sprouted grain-free granola mix and bars on-hand and I think you will too!
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Vegetarian ✻ VEGAN ✻ Grain-Free ✻ Gluten-Free ✻ Dairy-free ✻ Paleo  The original version of this dressing comes from a recipe that my dear friend, Jennifer Rieger! She makes the absolute best Caesar dressing. Her dressing inspired these dairy-free and vegan versions. This vinaigrette is perfect for classic caesar salad with romaine (try the romaine grilled - yum!), coleslaw, as a dip for crunchy veggies, or on grilled chicken or fish for a weeknight meal. It holds well in the fridge for 3-4 days, so including this recipe in your weekly meal prep is a great way to add tons of flavor and even nutrition with not a lot of work.
One of my favorite twists on this recipe is to add handfuls of other fresh garden herbs for variety and extra punch. Fresh herbs like thyme, cilantro, basil, and dill are all wonderful. Most herbs you have on hand will work!  I love beets and beet greens for how grounding and nutritious they are - providing folate, dietary fiber, manganese, potassium, iron, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and more! This wonderful garden beet salad is a perfect way to utilize all parts of the beet plus it’s versatile and so incredibly satisfying.
Some insights on nourishment: Their beautiful color: Beets primarily get their deep red color from the phytochemicals (color pigments) belatins which are associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties helping to repair cellular damage, fight inflammation, and support our immune systems. Beets also contain beta-carotene (plant form of vitamin A, orange color pigment) supporting eye and skin health as well as immunity - to name a few functions (1),(2).  This delicious chocolatey goodness comes from combining many other vegan chocolate mousse recipes. Over time, this is what I came up with! This mousse is easy to prepare, totally decadent, and has some amazing health benefits!
Some insights on nourishment in this yummy mousse: The use of dates in this recipe as an unrefined natural sweetener is a decadent alternative to traditional refined sugars and the coconut cream replaces the dairy without sacrificing any richness. It's really just so good. The unsweetened cacao/cocoa powder elevates this divine dessert by providing an excellent source of magnesium and a good source of non-heme (plant-based) iron (1), (2). Magnesium is involved in something like 300 functions for optimal health including muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation and heart health, building proteins in the body, blood sugar management, and strong bones (3). Iron is vital for blood health, helps supply oxygen to the body, and supports tissue and muscle health. Adequate iron intake is imperative for preventing anemia and fatigue, promoting physical growth, and neurological development (4). In addition, cacao powder also contains flavanols which are antioxidants associated with improved cardiovascular health (5), (6). Here, I have used organic cacao powder. However, it will also work with regular cocoa powder (unsweetened). Cinnamon is also a wonderful addition adding aroma, a warming flavor, and may help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity (7), (8).  This is my Summer and late Spring everyday Herbal Blend.
Every time I make it I'm just blown away by how beautiful and delicious it is. Emmet said that it "tastes amazing" and I was just thinking that I couldn't agree more. Ingredients: 2 parts Alfalfa: I chose alfalfa for the nutritive value. All those vitamins and minerals! One of Alfalfa's uses is for indigestion. Alfalfa also has calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. Not to mention vitamins A, C, E, and K 🌱🌱 2 parts Rose Petal: Rose brings on such a sense of well-being, sensuality, and calm. I love Rose in everything right now. Rose petals, rose hydrosol, rose essential oil. You get it 🌹🌹 1 part Lemon Balm: Lemon Balm is calming and antiviral. Need I say more? Lemon balm is also really tasty 💋 1 part Lavender: I added Lavender to this for the calming, uplifting, and digestive support. Lavender is also a very balancing herb. It supports us to increase energy if energy is low and to calm if our energy is high or anxious. 💜 2 parts Calendula: First off, I add Calendula to everything right now. It definitely seems to be my favorite. In addition, I love Calendula for its gut healing properties, immune support through the lymphatic system, and gentle cleansing action. 🏵️ 2 parts Nettle: I always add Nettle in the spring to minimize the slight allergy symptoms that I get along with enjoying the nutritive and tonic value of this amazing herb. 🌿 I add two to three tablespoons to 16 oz of water and steep for at least 1 hour! 🍵🍵🍵 |
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