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…
Your dessert recipes never cease to amaze me! I just wish I could eat them all:)
Holidays can be hard, but being gluten and sugar free really narrows my choices. I have had family who didn't understand my food allergies trying to get me to eat cake etc. In a way, Celiac saves me from a lot of unhealthy eating! I try to always make sure I have some kind of treat for myself though–or else I will end up cheating.
I truly believe there is not one single dessert out there that you can't make vegan and/or raw. You know those "Eat This, Not That" books? You could so easily do that with desserts only it could be like an "eat THIS (recipe provided) and not that." Ok probably overkill but I just think you're amazing.
I love the last little bit you wrote about staying slim during the holiday season and that it's important we not deprive ourselves. I also completely agree that it's important to stay mindful and indulge in a taste, bite or piece of something rather than thinking you have to eat as much as you can because you'll never get it again. I get caught up in that mentality way too often and it's NEVER true!! I think that's why diets always fail. People always want a "last supper" to eat as much as they can because they don't think they'll ever get it again.
You know the drama of my week with the in-laws here…let's just say that skydiving was a breeze compared to having 6 in-laws and a one-year old screaming baby in the house! :)
gahhhh…those creme de menthe bars are ridiculous. seriously. you are a genius. i must bow down to you each and every time you make something because they always look that good!
and yes, i think it is important to remember there will be more meals, more snacks, more times to eat healthy, more times to indulge – don't stress…it's just food!
Oh my, those mint bars look scrumptious!
Thank goodness there will always be more kale chips! : ) Yes, moderation is the key and when that doesn't work just get the flu over the weekend ; o
I'm working on buff arms like yours, I'll let you know how it goes…..
Wow.. this whole post made me want to eat my monitor. Thanks so much for all the great recipes!
oh my, my, my … those creme de menthe bars look AMAZING!
I have a question too. In the Creme de Menthe bar recipe you used oat or oat flour. Is that gluten free? The oats I have say it's not considered gluten free since it's processed in a factory that also processes wheat for wheat flour & since it gets into the air.. it can get mixed into the oats. Any amount of wheat drives my body crazy, I have to be really careful. Thanks, Heather :)
What a wonderful holiday recap Averie! I'm so glad you enjoyed your Thanksgiving with your family. :)
OMG, these bars look amazing! I'm truly amazed by your skills at adapting nearly any recipe to fit your needs. That's something to take pride in!
xxoo
Heather
Genius! You are a genius, Averie! This is a perfect recipe to make and bring to my parents' house over Christmas. My mom is oooobsessed with Creme de Menth!
As far as practicing moderation during the holidays, I go ahead and splurge on the dishes that are really worth the calories to me – the dishes I don't often get to have for one reason or another. And you're so right about the other stuff-there will always be more! :)
have a great Monday!!
Averie! Your creations, never cease to amaze me!
I conquer the holiday season by only having what I truly want, or what I feel is worth the calories. I try to avoid anything I can make at home or that doesn't look fabulous. When I had an office job I made a rule for myself (Despite the fact that I don't like rules) that I would not eat anything that was brought to the office unless it was a 10 on a scale of 1-10. That was rarely the case.
On another note, I wish I could find an affordable boutique fitness apparel store!
mint bars look awesome… I love chocolate and mint together! :)
Love your eating philosophy… and your un-baking talents :) amazing.
adult style girl scout cookies?! count me in!! I mean I could eat a whole box of the thin mints but they look no where as pretty and delicious as this!! you never cease to amaze me averie!!
i am making teh orange holiday dressing today with my salad for lunch! I try to not let the holiday time get in the way of me staying healthy and on track. If I receieve something that I just know I won't eat or dont want to eat, I simply re-gift it! yes, i said it haha! its the perfect thing to do sometimes because then I don't even break into it! just simply pass it on(obv to someone I know won't know I am regifting!)
i alawys try to remember when I am eating something delicious "I can have this again! why have so much of it right now?" and thats just what I do, i take a little bite or taste and then move on!
I just sent you an email with my guest post!
xo
Yum as always!!! It's funny that you bring up being mindful about what your eating- I had at least a handful of people mention on Thanksgiving that i have amazing will power against everything that was being served. But I don't see it like that. There are very few times in life where I wish I could eat something… mostly it doesn't phase me. I don't see it as a big deal… it's just something that comes naturally. I like to share my goodies- but honestly, most people I know don't homemake stuff- so I know it's not great anyway!
Check out this informative and inspiring video on why people choose vegan: https://veganvideo.org/
Also see Gary Yourofsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bagt5L9wXGo
wow you totally rocked that yoga pose ;)
i wanne have a vegan christmas now after seeing this yummy spread here
xoxo