Sunday, March 2, 2008

I'm a bad girl


Why would I say that? Well, I went to Paul Nison's lecture (he looks much cuter in person; I think it's because we got to see him in a spiffy suit and with a clean shave. Paul, you should keep this look) at NaturalZing yesterday, and somehow managed to make it there without my camera.

What kind of blogger am I? What happened to always being prepared (the girl scouts would be so disappointed in me)?

And, to top it all off, I was reminded yet again of how I am basically a naughty raw foodist, breaking all the rules. Someone put a "P" on my sweater, 'cause Shannonmarie is "permanently punished" (like Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray").

My bad habits are actually addictions. According to Paul, a habit is something you do until you find out it's bad for you. Then, you try to break that habit. But, when you start making excuses as to why you need to continue with this habit, then it becomes an addiction.

Now I'm an addict, addicted to raw junkfood, chocolate, overeating, consuming food late in the evening ... what else can I add to the list? Oh yeah, bad food combining. I was even guilty of all of those things right after he finished speaking.

I went straight to Helen and Jeff's kitchen (they are the owners of NaturalZing), where I preceded to eat more food, some of it being raw desserts, after 7 p.m., and even sneaking a piece of pure raw chocolate (big mistake; I was bouncing all over the place. Everyone must have thought I was nuts - yeah, I probably consume too many of those, too).

Oh well, Paul didn't hold it against me, so I might be sticking to these addictions for a little while. I just hope my bad influence isn't rubbing off on any of you.

But, in case you have followed me down the rabbit hole, here are the recipes for a yummy breakfast (surprisingly not chocolate, although it goes great with a chocolate sauce) to eat along the way:

Pancakes
for Your Permanent Punishment

1 cup raw almonds, ground into flour
1/4 cup flaxseed, also finely ground
2 Tbsp. maple sugar (or grade B maple syrup)
drizzle of agave nectar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash of sea salt
1 cup sparkling water (reduce slightly if using maple syrup)
*grated apple and cinnamon for an apple spice version

If a bowl, whisk together the almond flour, flaxmeal and maple sugar (if using syrup, wait to add it with the rest of the liquid) to remove any lumps (you can add spices at this time if you like). Add the agave, vanilla, sea salt and water, and gently whisk to combine. Allow to thicken slightly.

Using about a 1/4 cup size scooper, pour mounds of the batter onto a teflex sheet or parchment lined dehydrator tray. Flatten into pancake rounds, as if you were making the real deal. This is the time when you can add grated apple, blueberries or even raw chocolate chips.

Dehydrate your flapjacks for a few hours until you're able to flip them and remove them from the teflex or parchment. Dehydrate another few hours (be careful not to let them get too crisp; they should still be somewhat soft) and serve warm (these aren't hotcakes). Top with grade B maple syrup, fruit and/or chocolate sauce.


Banana Rawffles
3/4 cup raw almonds, ground into flour
1/4 cup sprouted/dried buckwheat groats, ground into flour (can also use oats)
1/4 cup flaxseed, finely ground
2 Tbsp. maple sugar (or syrup, but don't forget to adjust the other liquid)
drizzle of agave nectar
1/2 small banana
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash of sea salt
dash of pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup sparkling water

If a bowl, whisk together the almond and buckwheat flour, flaxmeal and maple sugar (if using syrup, wait to add it with the rest of the liquid) to remove any lumps. Blend together the rest of the ingredients until smooth, and add it to the dry ingredients. Gently whisk to combine. Allow to thicken.

After having some difficulty molding the dough into the familiar waffle shape using my old waffle iron, I opted to sculpt them myself using a knife with a squared-off tip. But, feel free to try molding them however you chose.

Place your "rawffles" on a teflex sheet or parchment lined dehydrator tray. Dehydrate for a few hours until you're able to flip them and remove them from the teflex or parchment. Dehydrate another few hours and serve warm. Top with grade B maple syrup, fruit and/or chocolate sauce.


Breakfast Rawsage Links
1/2 cup walnuts, soaked
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, soaked
4 chopped mushrooms
1/2 small Granny Smith apple, grated
1 Tbsp. grade B maple syrup
1 Tbsp. Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Seasonings: garlic, onion powder, freshly ground pepper, cayenne, poultry seasoning, fennel seed (adjust seasonings to suit your own tastes)

Process all the ingredients in a food processor until thoroughly combined, but not completely smooth. Shape into links on a teflex sheet or parchment lined dehydrator tray. Dehydrate for a couple hours, and then remove the teflex/parchment. Dehydrate a few more hours and serve warm. Tastes even better dipped in more maple syrup.

18 comments:

Mario said...

Hi...I just have to tell you that your food is absolutely georgeous and inspiring to say the least. I have been reading your blog for a while but never knew that you lived in my home state! I currently live in Québec, Canada but I am moving back to maryland at the end of April. If you know of any events or potlucks in MD or jsut want to talk please feel free to let me know... Damouramt@hotmail.com

Colleen Miller said...

Oh no! You forgot your camera! Ah!
That's okay I'll survive. Mainly from your generous sharing of the recipes!!! Thank you!

Marie Madeleine Carmella said...

Shannon,
That is too funny! I just told Don this morning: "We should start having brunches from time to time. You know, so we get a chance to try those yummy looking recipes we never get around to making." (We usually have only fruit juices and smoothies until dinner.)

Coming upon your post is a definite confirmation that we're on the right track. lol

Way to go, girl! As always, you have a knack for making me hungry. ;-)

Rebekah said...

If what you are is bad, keep doing it!! I need something lovely to look at whilst juice feasting!! hehe..(raw porn) xx

RawBin said...

I saw a quote the other day:
Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behavior by making you happy. Therefore, it counteracts depression, in turn reducing the stress of depression. Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition, both physically and mentally. So, eat lots of chocolate! Elaine Sherman, Book of Divine Indulgences
I loved the Time Warp in Wonderland link! that was great! I was just singing that at work Thursday and nobody knew what I was talking about!

RawBin said...

Sorry about the blue word... Just wondered what the < a > did!

mandy said...

if you deal with your addictions, where will the rest of us get amazing recipes for pancakes and donuts? no, you can't do it!

seriously, raw deliciousness has to have a place in the diet. counterbalance with green juice.

Charis said...

Beautiful! Where on earth would we be without you? :0)

Jenny said...

scrumptious looking, as usual, and i just adore the randomness of your links. . .

and i think it's okay to be a "bad girl" occasionally. i'm trying to do more greens lately as the holidays sort of started a slide into the "less healthy raw foods" (hard to believe that's an actual possibility huh?!). . . so as always, very apt timing with your own thoughts!
as long as food and family and your present thoughts (and gratitude) make you smile and serene. . . there's nothing bad about whatever is in your life- no matter how improper the food combining is. . . it's all about the intention. Of course, by all means, eat more veggies!!, but the amount of love and happiness infused in your wonderful creations and adorable life- i think you're okay!! ;)
xx jenny

Kathy said...

I can't wait to try all these fantastic looking things! I actually purchased a chocolate fondue set the other day, so that the kids and I can partake in a chocolate fondue soon!

Kristen's Raw said...

Great recipes :)

I LOVE that you're a bad girl...so much fun!

Cheers :)

shannonmarie said...

Hi Mario. When you move back to MD, you'll have to go to a NaturalZing potluck. You can sign up for the mailing list on their site.

I've been to Québec before. It was years ago, but I remember it being beautiful.

Rawleen, thanks for understanding.

Carmella, enjoy your post lunch brunches. Your blog makes me hungry, too.

Raw porn? Now I do feel like a bad girl ;-)

Rawbin, I put that link in just for you.

Mandy, I agree; as bad as I've been eating, I've also upped my green intake in the past couple days.

Thanks, Charissa.

Jenny, your kind words always make me feel better.

Kathy, you've got to post your fondue night, too.

Kristen, I can always relate to you. I think you have a little of the bad girl in you, too. But, it's not a bad thing :-)

Heather Pace said...

The rawffles and pancakes are great shannon. I've made waffles before, using my waffle iron - they didn't look so great - i like the idea of using a knife to shape instead. will try that next time!

shannonmarie said...

Yeah, shaping them with a knife works a lot better than trying to mold them in the waffle iron. It's also easier to clean up. Good luck with your next attempt.

melindapollard said...

Oh my gosh, those raw breakfast pictures are making me hungry! I'm going to borrow your pancake recipe, can't wait to try it!

shannonmarie said...

Melinda, I hope you like them. They aren't exactly like the cooked variety, but they are fun.

LittleGirl l BIG VOICE said...

OK, I know its been months since you posted this, but I kept it in the back of my mind all this time and finally made the rawsages/pancakes! All I can say is YUMMY!!! My doggie even liked the rawsages. Smart poochie! You're a genius darling!

lgBV

shannonmarie said...

I had forgotten all about that post until now. My mom wants to do a brunch on Thanksgiving before I head over to my hubby's side of the family. Maybe I'll make some of these recipes. Thanks for the memories.