Welcome to my crazy world of real food cooking ...

Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants. -- Michael Pollan

I wish I could take credit for that because I think it sums up how we should eat. Simply -- eat stuff that really is food, instead of stuff that is food like substance. The supermarket is almost entirely food-like-substances, and, my friends, you should probably never ever eat them.

Fortunately, there is a world of deliciousness out there, and it can all be had in a way that not only doesn't harm your health, but in a way that benefits you hugely.

I think it's important to eat stuff that satisfies you, that keeps your blood sugar stable, and that gives you stuff your body really needs to run optimally.

But baby, it's gotta taste good.

I really like getting experimental in the kitchen. I love cooking, I love layering flavours, and I love coming up with really super yummy food. I have very strong opinions about what constitutes food, and there are a lot of things I won't touch in the kitchen. Bottom line? Pretty much everything I make is ridiculously good for you even if it tastes decadent. Although there are occasional big fat cheats ... but even those stick to real food, my friends.

For food that is usual gluten free, usually free of cane sugar, usually super low on the glycemic index, full of protein, fiber, flavour, and excellent energy, join me and Alice down the rabbit hole.

Every recipe on this blog is my own original effort and idea, so please pass 'em on, giving credit where credit is due.

Many thanks, and come back often. I'm really glad you are here!

:)

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Chocolate Energy Squares (for school)-- it's a weekly ritual

Vegan, raw, nut free, gluten free, sugar free, grain free, dairy free, so packed with intense deliciousness and chocolate-goodness that your head might explode. Please consider this your waiver.






So, this allotment is with pumpkin seeds instead of sunflower seeds. Pumpkin seeds have a much stronger flavour than sunflower seeds. But cacao is stronger yet, so we'll see who wins! A small handful of these fit perfectly into my son's lunch box and help keep him evenly fueled until the end of the day.



ingredients:

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup raw hemp hearts

1 cup raw cacao powder
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp stevia powder
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup wheat grass powder

1 cup pitted honey dates

1/2 cup coconut butter
1/2 cup coconut oil


directions:

1. combine the first set of ingredients (up to not including the dates) and process until fully powdered
2. add the  pitted honey dates (check for pits) and pulse until completely chopped
3. add the coconut butter and pulse until combined
4. add the coconut oil and pulse until combined
5. press into a silicone pan (I use 2 square ones), and score into pieces
6. chill or freeze until set
7. break along score marks and store in airtight containers in the fridge

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Stacey! I'm about to try these. A couple of questions.
Can I substiture Spirulina powder for the WG powder? If so, how much should I use? I could only find Medjool dates, are they the same as honey dates? When you say ground vanilla bean, do you mean I should squish up a vanilla bean pod or can you buy it pre-ground? Thanks!
- Jillian (the other Grange sister!)

stacey said...

Jillian! I'm so excited that you are at my blog. These are delicious, and I'm sure you'll enjoy them. I absolutely wouldn't sub in spirulina for wheat grass. The flavour is too strong and savoury. Just skip the wheat grass if you haven't any. Medjool dates are not the same as honey dates, but will work wonderfully once you take the pits out. Medjool dates are the King of the date family, and honey dates are a little more lowly. In short, Medjool are usually pricier, and are also very delicious to eat by themselves. I buy organic ground vanilla bean by the pound. You might be able to grind it yourself in a coffee grinder, but I don't know if you can get it fine enough. Substitutions that work are subbing almonds or sunflower seeds for the pumpkin seeds.

Love to know how it goes. And let me know if you have any more questions!!!

best wishes and thanks for reading!!!

stacey