Just add water ...

... and some cashews, too, and you've got yourself the makings for a high protein, gluten-free, vegan cookie dough. That's what I did last night, while experimenting in my raw kitchen.

Usually, I prefer the natural Sunwarrior protein, which allows me to flavor it however I want. As a result, I've never tried just mixing it with water or nutmilk like some of my fellow bloggers. Although I considered testing out this basic concoction last night, my creativity got the best of me, and I ended up with this instead.

Both the vanilla and chocolate flavors contain stevia for sweetness and xanathan gum (often used in gluten-free baking to help bind the ingredients together) as a stabilizer. That's why it can easily be shaken up in a cup for a quick protein drink on the go. It can also be used as a convenient "unbaking" starter (complete with sugar and egg substitutes), like the cookie mixes in the store. Just add a much smaller amount of water and some cashew "flour," and you're good to go.

WARNING: These aren't the decadent raw cookies I would normally post on this blog, but they are a fun way to get your protein (pregnant women, breastfeeding moms, athletes, etc., may find they benefit from an added protein boost; I know I sure do), kind of like protein pancakes (they never turn out as sweet and fluffy as the originals).

Here's the recipe (for the vanilla version, but you can certainly make chocolate ones, too), if you'd like to give them a try:

Sunny Vanilla
Warri-"O" Cookies

• 1 scoop Vanilla Sunwarrior Protein
• 1/4 cup cashews (soaked for 1-2 hours)
• 1-2 Tbsp. water

In a mini food processor, grind the Sunwarrior and soaked cashews into a damp flour. Slowly add in the water until the flour can be formed into a dough (periodically pinch it together with your fingers to see if it molds together).

Remove the dough from the food processor and knead it on a Silpat or sheet of parchment. Flatten the dough to your desired thickness and use cookie cutters to create the sunshiny "O" shapes.

Either "bake" the cookies in a dehydrator (I put mine in for a couple hours to firm up the outsides), chill them in the fridge or freezer, or enjoy as a protein-packed dough.

*For a sweeter stevia/xanathan gum-free version, replace the vanilla protein powder with the natural flavor and the water with date paste (soaked dates blended into a smooth paste). Feel free to also add vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa powder and/or other flavor enhancers.

*****

Hayden sampled the cookies, too (she loves raw vegan cookies). Here's her grabbing one for herself:

She had mixed reviews (she was expecting something sweeter, of course).

She put it back and grabbed another.

In the end, she scarfed them up hands-free, as if she was a little puppy dog. "Woof, woof," she said, while eating her biscuits (she is a big fan of the "Biscuit" books). Too cute :-)

*****

BTW, Sunwarrior is currently having a contest to name its new protein. The deadline to enter is tomorrow, so if you have a Twitter account or Facebook page, you might want to follow/like Sunwarrior for more information. I've got my fingers crossed that the name I came up with is selected. Wish me luck :-)

Just so you know, Sunwarrior did not send me the protein for this recipe. I purchased it all by myself.

I am super ...

... 'cause I eat my greens (or at least they make me feel super).

When I was a kid, my mom would use Popeye as an example to get me to eat my greens, like spinach, of course. Little did she know that I actually loved the stuff. Not only did greens make me stronger, but they tasted good (and still do), too (seriously, the thought of having arms like his was not my reason for consuming large quantities of yummy greens, although I do have a tendency to bulk in that area sometimes).

I used to sneak into the garden and pick greens (various lettuces, spinach and such) to eat as a snack. I especially liked to grab a handful of parsley, mint or even chives out of the herb section that bordered the veggie patch in our backyard.

Lately, I've been trying to increase my fresh green intake, as I have to admit to eating more cooked during the cold winter months (homemade soups and baked sweet potatoes kept calling my name). I've been drinking more green smoothies and turning to salads for some of my main courses.

Recently, while watching "Martha," I started craving this salad made on her citrus show. I opted to make a heartier vegan version of it for lunch today.

My version of the salad had a romaine base (I didn't have any endive in the house), but kept the avocado and grapefruit. I also left in the fennel, which isn't listed in the recipe online (I think I remember them using fennel in it on the show), and continued to add texture with some celery and chopped artichoke hearts (which were cooked; please don't hold it against me).

As for the dressing, I squeezed some of the excess grapefruit juice into my trusty Magic Bullet blender, along with the olive oil and vinegar (I used raw apple cider vinegar instead of the white wine vinegar listed in the original recipe). Then, I "veganized" the rest of the recipe by eliminating the honey and swapping out the sour cream for some cashews. Do you think my vegan version of the salad was worthy of some super powers?

Okay, so it is a little off topic, but my family loves the movie, "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World." It cracks me up when Scott has to take on Todd, who believes he has vegan super powers (literally). Unfortunately for Todd, he has strayed on more than one occasion from his vegan diet, so the vegan police had to take his powers away. Ridiculous, I know, but the movie really is funny. BTW, I think Scott's ex-girlfriend (the blonde girl in the scene) looks a lot like Sarma. What do you think?



Anyway, enough about the movie. Now, back to the salad.

To really make it special, I took a walk down memory lane, adding a couple of my favorite herbs to the mix. I tossed in some torn mint leaves (they are so good with grapefruit; I've been making smoothies with tons of mint, grapefruit, strawberries and hempseeds lately. Yum!) and topped off the bowl with a mixture of chopped parsley and walnuts (the combination of the two was used on the other dish made during the same Martha segment).

Hayden seemed especially interested in what was in my bowl. As she snacked on banana and peas, I added a little grapefruit and parsley to her tray. The grapefruit was a hit, but the parsley really got her attention.

Something tells me she'll be snagging it out of my mom's garden soon (like she's snagging the camera in this pic).

That's my girl :-)

This mommy is what she eats ... and drinks

Surprise! It looks like I found an opportunity to check in with all of you with a blog post. Hayden is still asleep (there's no way I'd be able to post with her running around), and I have something to blog about.

The good people at Sequel Naturals recently contacted me again, asking if I'd be interested in reviewing another one of their products. I'm a huge Vega fan, so of course, I agreed to take on the task. I quickly verified my address and anxiously awaited my samples in the mail.

Lucky for me (and Vega, too), the samples were individual packets of Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer, a product I use on a regular basis. Obviously, I didn't read the e-mail word for word (I think I quickly checked my inbox that day, while on a break from chasing little lady; the computer was a pit stop on our laps throughout the house), as I conveniently missed the fact that the review was for something I already knew I loved.

Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer is an "all-in-one, natural plant-based formula" I heard about years ago on the GLiving website. Brendan Brazier was on there promoting the product, along with his then new "The Thrive Diet" book. I purchased the book at that time (I had to get it shipped from Canada, since I was too impatient to wait for it to be available in the U.S.), but was unable to find Vega products in my area. Thank goodness I also had his original "Thrive" book, which provided a smoothie recipe Brendan would make before teaming up with Vega to create this product.

For the longest time, I would make the bars and smoothies from the books (actually, I still make them), wishing I could try the premade products, yet eventually deciding I didn't need them, if I could make them myself. That is, until Whole Foods started carrying them. Suddenly, the excuses went away, and I made some Vega purchases.

At first, I wasn't much of a fan of the Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer, but I loved the bars (although I'm known in the Blogosphere for sweet raw treats like raw cupcakes, I sometimes prefer a more toned down flavor when it comes to energy bars). I think I just had to get used to the stevia taste in the background.

I started by using 1/2 a serving at a time, and instead of mixing it with water (it's nice to find a product like this that can be easily stirred into water in a pinch), I opted to substitute almond milk (this is how Vega serves up samples to the public) or blend it into a smoothie. This combination was much more appealing to me. Overtime, the flavor tasted better. I really like it now, especially the Vanilla Chai.


Sequel Naturals sent me a packet of the Vanilla Chai, Chocolate and Berry flavors (thank you!), but it also comes in Natural. Here are some of the things you can do to incorporate them in your diet:


I finally got a chance to test out the Frozen Chocolate Brittle from "Thrive Fitness." It's like chocolate bark, when you want the texture but not as much chocolate flavor (there really are times when I'm trying to cut back on chocolate). The frozen combination of coconut oil and the Chocolate Complete WF Health Optimizer is a fun way to consume this product. I couldn't decide if I wanted to use chia seed or hemp seed in the recipe, so I added a little of both. I also sprinkled some coconut flakes on top to match the snow outside (yes, I ran outside in the snow with this one to get the pic; I must have looked crazy in just my yoga pants and a tank top, as I was still warm from my Tracy Anderson workout).


My favorite recipes from "Thrive" and the "Thrive Diet" are the puddings. There is a Chocolate Recovery Pudding in "Thrive" that I like to modify by swapping out tofu for avocado and various other substitutions. I've actually used a little of the Chocolate Complete WF Health Optimizer in place of the cocoa powder. The results aren't quite as chocolaty, but still yummy and good for you.


I make the Recovery Pudding in "The Thrive Diet" at least once a week in my house, since I got the book years ago. Most of the time, I follow the lengthier ingredient list, but when I have the Complete WF Health Optimizer around, I sometimes whip up the simpler Vega Energy Pudding version found in "Thrive" and "Thrive Fitness." The Complete WF Health Optimizer in the Chocolate flavor takes the place of flax, hemp and cocoa powder (or carob powder) listed in the original. I even like to use the Berry flavor in this.

Of course, the Berry flavor is good in smoothies, but you can get more creative with this one, too. I once mixed it with a tiny amount of water to form an icing for a Vibrancy bar cupcake. You may have seen it before in my Brendan Brazier interview post.

I've also tried to make the bars Brendan posted on the Vega website. However, the directions can be a little confusing.

This time, I decided not to add the oats, which are only listed in the directions and not in the ingredient list. I also played around with the measurements, selected raspberries for the berries in the bars and "glued" them together with chia seeds rather than dates. They aren't as sweet as the version with the dates; I thought the berries and the stevia in the Complete WF Health Optimizer were enough for me.

The Vanilla Chai is my favorite flavor. I like to drink it in almond milk, whip it into a simple banilla smoothie, mix it into a bowl of pumpkin puree or take it a step further, adding it to some overnight oats (like in my MacaSure review) with a little pumpkin puree, of course. It really tastes yummy with pumpkin. One of these days I'll add it to my Raw Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, too.


The list goes on and on when it comes to how you can use this product. It is convenient and reassures this busy mom that she is getting everything she needs. Just look at these equivalents:


Lately, I've been consuming Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer in some form everyday. It really fuels this mommy and helps get me through me day. Thanks Vega!

Speaking of being a mommy, I gotta go get Hayden up. She can't sleep the whole day away :-)

Future blogger

As you may have noticed, I'm taking a break from blogging for now (like I meant to when I made the announcement last summer). My little lady is getting into everything these days, leaving me hardly any time to post. It won't be long and she'll be posting for me (okay, so maybe she's already done that once or twice, possibly three or four times). Looks like I have a future blogger on my hands :-)

Speaking of future bloggers, Alicia Silverstone may have one in her future as well. Drop by The Kind Life and give her your congrats!

Mommy's little helpers

I've got my own little elves. Just look at them putting the finishing touches on our Christmas Eve table decor.

Their Aunt Karen thought it would be a great idea to use personalized placemats tonight made by none other than my creative crew (Jacob and Hayden, of course). It was the perfect project for the start of our holiday break (Jacob is off from school until next year; ha ha, my dad would always say that, as if he meant a whole year from now).

The three of us (I got to help, too) had a blast yesterday making placemats for all twelve family members at the table tonight. I hope they like them. I know Jacob and Hayden are happy with theirs. What do you think?


Hayden definitely had a better reaction to her placemat than she did to Santa this year. I hope he didn't take it personally. She really has been a good girl :-)

Merry Christmas!

Baby, it's cold outside again

I had to add "again" to the title, as I've already used that song. I guess I just like it.

Anyway, it really is cold outside. I wish I was back in Florida where it was warm (in the high 70s and low 80s when we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure), until our last couple days there. I should have purchased this cute little cupcake hat for Hayden on our 86 degree visit to the Magic Kingdom, as it dropped to the 50s the day we headed to Universal Studios (it was so cold in contrast; the lady at the gate had to use her hand-warmer on my index finger to get it to register on the fingerprint reader).

The next day, we got home to 20 and 30 degree temps (we drove straight home, which was an all-day affair. This is how Hayden entertained herself on the trip; gotta love those Crayola Color Wonder markers). Brrr ...

It actually snowed yesterday for Jacob's birthday (happy b-day to my 8-year-old). Uh huh, he really believes it snowed for him; he was hoping it would.

But back to those warm Florida memories. Hayden and I had fun posing for this mock surfing pic.


Jacob helped his sister steady herself on the surf board, too.


We all got really wet on the rapids ride at the Animal Kingdom.


And, check out our four little things (My son Jacob, his cousins Cameron and Colin, and my daughter Hayden) in their warm weather tees.


I'm feeling warmer already, especially with a mug of Hot Choco-Maca Zing. I tested out the recipe on the Natural Zing blog. You can check out the post here. I also reviewed a skin cream, and added my favorite raw cookie recipe from last year. Yum!

I'm still a little worn out from the trip, Jacob's birthday festivities and holiday events (a little maca and chocolate is a good remedy for that), so I opted not to post new cookie recipes this year. At least you can check out my archives ("Cookies Galore" and December 2009).

But don't worry; I'm still in the holiday spirit. Taking a Disney vacation this time of year really puts you in a Christmas mood, as there are loads of decorations, holiday music, displays, parades and other special programs.

Here's just a sample of what we saw:

The whole gang in front of the Dr. Suess display. There's my dad, sister April, sister Lori with her son's Colin and Cameron, and husband Darren, my mom, my son Jacob, my daughter Hayden, my hubby Matthew and me.


Minnie Mouse was in the Christmas parade at the Animal Kingdom.


My hubby and I posed in front of the most amazing light display at Hollywood Studios. You'd have to experience it for yourself. It is all set to music. The bubble "snow" was the best part.

Happy holidays! :-)

Maca Sure is good

My family and I recently returned from a fun Orlando vacation at Disney World and the Universal Studios parks. The end of our trip is bittersweet, as it's nice to relax in familiar surroundings, but hard to leave the warm weather behind (thank goodness my sisters and I got Harry Potter scarves as souvenirs; BTW, did anyone catch the HP movie marathon over the weekend?).

At least I had a yummy sweet treat waiting at home for me. The kind people at Sequel Naturals had sent me some Organic MacaSure Chocolat bars to sample. I had hoped to receive them before the trip, but they were well worth the wait.

As you know, I try to only review products I actually like, so lucky for me, this was chocolate (my biggest weakness) from one of my favorite companies. Of course, I liked it.

Although my blog is mainly raw, I do sometimes indulge in cooked food lately (no secrets here), especially if it's good quality dark chocolate. I would have loved to add pieces of these bars to my overnight breakfast oats (I used to add protein powders and nut butters to my soaked overnight oatmeal years ago, but I have to give Gina, a.k.a. the Fitnessista, credit for bringing this concept back into my life with such a cute name; her signature version is called "The Breakfast Cookie" due to the way she shapes her original recipe), but I still enjoyed other Sequel Naturals additions instead.

On my vacation, I'd mix a serving of dry oatmeal with half a packet of Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer, Whole Food Smoothie Infusion or Shake & Go (you may remember my review post when it first came out; now it comes in convenient individual snack packs which are perfect for "packing"), half a pouch (that's right; I said "pouch") of individually wrapped nut butter (another trip-friendly product), a mushed ripe banana and either water, nut milk (I bought some almond milk while I was there) or coconut water (I used the packaged stuff on my trip; I've heard that Brendan recommends this O.N.E.), and let it set overnight. Sometimes I'd also stir in dried fruit, nuts or Vega bar chunks.

Today, I didn't hesitate to try a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough oats with broken bits of MacaSure Chocolat mixed in. Delish! The chocolate paired well with my combination of oats, Vega Shake & Go in Vanilla Almondilla (my fave of the flavors), almond butter, banana and coconut water.

Speaking of chocolate chip, MacaSure Chocolat would also taste yummy in my raw cookies and cupcakes (I've been known to form them into mini doll cakes), as I occasionally like to intermingle raw and cooked. Some of my fellow Vega Community members have got the same idea. Just check out these scrumptious cookies posted by Jill, as well as her MacaSure Chocolate Orange Coconut Balls. Mmmm ...

For an extra special treat, I melted some MacaSure Chocolat on a slice of cinnamon raisin Ezekiel bread topped with berries (from my freezer as they are no longer in season), similar to when Chef George Duran made chocolate breakfast sandwiches on "Ham on the Street." Usually, I wouldn't have a taste for the recipes on his show, but this time, I made an exception. Besides, my version is probably better for me, although it's still a little on the naughty side.

The MacaSure Chocolat contains maca, as if you couldn't guess. Here's what the brochure had to say:

"Indulge your senses and reward yourself - without compromising your commitment to your body. MacaSure Chocolat is permission to succumb to your chocolate craving, apology-free." (I like the sound of that).

"The complementary blend of 70% cocoa, organic dark chocolate with maca is a great way to enjoy the benefits of premium maca. Each deliciously decadent bar of MacaSure Chocolat contains 4000 mg of premium, organic maca, renowned for its hormone-balancing, energy-increasing and libido-enhancing properties." (I told you it was a little naughty. Ha ha).

These bars are definitely packed with maca; so much you can really taste it. I love its malt-like flavor and the way it makes me feel. I don't know if it's just a placebo effect, but I could get used to eating this stuff. Thanks Sequel Naturals :-)