How’s this Holiday, and hopefully short, week been for you so far? I just got back from sitting in on the yoga class I’m going to be teaching next week, like I mentioned before. It was a great group of people and a lovely facility and I am so excited to get started teaching there!
And, there are just a couple more days til Turkey Day Tofurkey Day. Just kidding, there will be no Tofurkeys here. But, I’m actually making a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner for One: My Husband. Skylar and I are of the veggie persuasion, but Scott adores traditional Thanksgiving Day fare, and since we have no family in town that I could just send him to to mooch a meal from, yours truly is cooking. I have to brush up on my turkey & stuffing making skills. I’ve got the raw vegan desserts down pat, though!
Speaking of which, I’m glad you enjoyed my Thanksgiving Desserts & Grocery Finds post. I had great comments from so many of you. Thanks for your suggestions about which dessert I should make. Lots of you said, Make Both Apple and Pumpkin. Love your thinkin’ on that!
My Vegan No-Bake Pumpkin Pie (Gluten & Soy Free, too!) is really easy and in case you still have an extra can of pumpkin puree laying around, that recipe will help you use it right up, for sure.
And the Raw Vegan Apple Crumble. Totally a fave of mine. I love that dessert!
Especially the slurpy cinnamon-infused agave juice that I love to drink sauce. Uhhh-huhhh, love it!
But moving along….
In case you’re not interested in making a Vegan Pumpkin Pie or a Raw Vegan Apple Crumble, then maybe I can twist your holiday dessert arm with my…
Raw Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes – 5 Minute Recipe It’s extremely fast & easy. And, other than the cooked pumpkin puree, they’re raw. Some people get very technical & uptight about verbiage so I wanted to clarify for the undies-in-a-raw-bunch-crowd. They’re no-bake but rather than screwing up all my existing labels & tags, I am just sticking with the word Raw.
And they are pumpkin-ey and slightly sweet, without being over-powering in either of those departments. Try a Raw Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donut Hole, you’ll like ’em!
Options, Tweaks, & Tips:
Substitute canned sweet potato, fresh or canned squash puree you may have on hand, or something else that floats your boat instead of the Pumpkin Puree.
Roll donuts in coconut flakes at the end
Roll donuts in cinnamon & sugar
Add Chocolate, Carob, or Raw Cocoa Nibs either in the mixture or dust over the top at the end
Add a Smear of Nut Butter or as a Dipper on the Side
Whatever you do, if you’re looking for a last minute dessert, these Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes are sooo fast & delish!
But maybe you’re not in the need of any dessert recipes and you’d like to roast some potatoes as a lovely side dish…
Well, I roasted these potatoes. Maybe these will float your tater boat.
Or maybe you’re a Curly Girly and the Curly Sweet Potato Fries are where it’s at for you.
You need Raw Veggie & Salad inspiration, you say?
Try a lovely massaged Kale Salad with Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing
Or a Vegan “Cesar”-Dressing Inspired Salad
Or just a lovely, simple, Green Salad with…
Averie’s Vegan Holiday-Spice Orange Vinaigrette
1/4 c Orange Juice
2 Tbsp EVOO
1 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp of Agave
Pinch of Ginger and/or Nutmeg and/or Cinnamon and/or Black Pepper
Whisk Until Combined
Yoga and Tip of the Day: Camel (Ustrasana). Open your heart chakra, let the love in. And give extra special thanks & gratitude to the Universe this week for all the lovely blessings you DO HAVE in your life.
What’s your picture taking strategy on the holidays with Friends & Fam? Some families are very into getting that staged, perfect shot. Other people roll with the impromptu & candid photos, but some people despise getting their picture taken, and nothing worse than an relative getting all bent out of shape over a “bad picture”. Usually though, I think the candid shots are the best shots. And for those of us with kids, we all know, that trying to plan or stage a photo op is like asking for trouble because it never pans out. So I guess I lean more towards candid shots but I do enjoy getting a big massive, staged group photo, too. What’s your strategy with holiday photos?
Stay Tuned For Holiday Food & Photos…
I love chocolate and mint! Fabulous recipe!! Thanks for sharing. It looks so pretty too=)
You are right, I love your outlook on food…we are so lucky to always have access to food so no need to pack in it like crazy. When I do eat around the holidays I pick out a few things that are my favorite and I just limit myself to a small tasting of those treats. That way I never feel deprived or have that guilty feeling after. Seems to work for me.
And that tea is my absolute favorite! I drink it year round…its ssoo good!
Hey Darlin'!! These bars looks amazing and I bet I could eat the whole tray!! I must experiment with mint, that is the perfect combo for the holidays!
I love your comments at the end of this post about listening to your body. I think it is so important and you can really watch the waist line during this time if you pay attention!
This scale pose is intense!! You are so fit!
You are very welcome for the shout out – that is way too funny that we were thinking chia puddin at the same time!!
XXOO
hola and welcome to a really long comment. gotcha open in my reader.
post 1: you know i am addicted to sweet potato fries! and the photo thing. omg we tried to get the dogs to cooperate with a fam photo the other weekend. uh. not happening!
post 2: "Hanumanasana" that is all.
post 3: that was nice of you to do a bird for scott. i am sure he appreciated that! loved your thankful list :)
post 4: YOUR FEAST LOOKS AMAZING! and honestly that really is so thoughtful of you to make the turkey for your hubz. and you just commented on my blog haha i am mid comment!
post 5: thanks for the reminder on those cute cookies. one of these days i am going to get into the kitchen and make some treats. but still have not broken out the vita since the move! LOVE the move bustin' ala skylar!
post 6: yum. i love this layered dessert. it is so pretty! coooookbook averie!
i love the frame of mind that we are not going to go hungry. so many times people will eat like it is their last time to eat.. not a good way to do things! thanks for the reminder!!
ok, all caught up, love you so much! xoxo
Hahahaha the "vegan- but not cal" quote. I'm in love. So true though! Just because its superdiduper healthy, doesn't mean we can eat the whole pan?! But hey- if you want to eat the whole plan, I say take it one day at a time.
My strategy- I like to sink my teeth into my favorite foods, so I indulge only in what I know I really really want. If I'm not excited about something- I always pass. Sooo not worth it to me!
Saaaaa-wooooooon! Lady, those look so freaking good! I need to add some creme de menthe to the ole shopping list! I definitely agree with you on the there will always be more philosophy. When it comes to food that I love, like peanut butter, I know that the world is not in a massive pb shortage and I can eat more tomorrow!
OMG. I must try that dessert. NOW! my boyfriend will love it! He is such a chocolate-mint addict.
Thanks for always having such wonderful posts! You are the raw/vegan dessert queen! you should really write a cookbook! You are so inspiring.
Love!
Brooke
OH I DO LOVE MINT and CHOCOLATE!
I either need to find some almond flour or make my own. Do you think coconut flour can be used in part?
I keep trying to find uses for it.
I wish I had the umph tonight to make some!
I think we do have Creame de minthe! YUM.
I am all about a BITE of everything I love to eat, healthy or not…just a bite is all I ever need. (okay maybe 2) but really that does it.
Sees candy will and always is my biggest hurdle. I Love it…but also went from 1 or 2 a day to 1 a day to now…just 1 or 2 for the season. I have really gotten pretty good at dealing with the office crap food!
GAWD…I can't wait to try that dessert!
Thanks for another decedent dessert
I try and keep your advice to be mindful in mind, but it is sooo easy to overindulge, especially as I have a habit of doing so in holidays past. It's almost like a holiday ritual, and one that I am determined to break this year! I didn't have the best start with Thanksgiving, but I will use it as a lesson learned and forge ahead with my head on straight through December. Having reminders help!
Is the freezing in your bars just for set up? Or do they have to stay frozen? Like for example, if you were to take them to a holiday party, they would be fine left out for hours?
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OOH, thin mints for adults! Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of mint, but yours do look delish!
My strategy for the holidays is not to deprive myself at a function. Eat normal most days and at a party or something, try whatever I want in small quantity. Hopefully it keeps me from a much bigger splurge.
Oh, those minty bars! That middle layer looks so fluffy — love the layering! They look marvelously minty :)
Love how easy and no-fuss your recipes are — you really need to write a cookbook…a No Fuss Dessert Recipes book :)
Cheers to your "There Will Always Be More" theory. Love it, and live by it myself!
Averie, you never cease to amaze me! Creme de Menthe bars? They looks so amazing, I almost don't want to make them in fear that I will eat the entire batch!
Thank you so much for the sweet comment you left on my blog. I really appreciate it! :)
Once again – your desserts have blown my mind!!!
I went to my first yoga class in a while and thought of you! I loved it and will definitely make it a habit!
I have always followed your blog and think you are amazing. I have just started a blog and maybe you will visit some time.
So glad you had a nice Thanksgiving :) We did too! The company was the best part, but the food a close second ;) It was my first fully vegetarian Thanksgiving and I loved every minute. Great bars!!!!!!! Your prove that you can make a vegan/healthier version of any recipe. I am book marking your dressing to try. Have a nice Sunday night!
That dessert looks amazing! All of your creations make eating vegan/raw very tempting!
I have a question… are Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips vegan? I always put them in my vegan baked goods. I get asked this question a lot, but have never researched it since I am not vegan.
Enjoy the rest of your night!