So did you enjoy your weekend? What were you up to? Fill me in on everything!
Remember Saturday morning when I tried to go to a yoga studio but was locked out? Well Sunday morning I took a class hot 75 minute power yoga class at the gym I’m teaching at, and it was awesome! Sweaty, vinyasa, flowing fun & bliss. I loved every hot hanumanasana second.
Sunday as a family, Scott, Skylar, and I went to the Artfest of Scottsdale. It was so much fun walking around looking at the handcrafted and one-of-a-kind pieces of art ranging from glass to sculpture to paintings. Didn’t buy anything, but it was fun to kick tires and be impressed. Did you do anything fun?
So now that it’s time to gear up for another week, hopefully one filled with Thanks & Gratitude, I’ve created a great recipe that you can make in 10 Minutes, and more than likely, with everything you already have in your cupboard and really impress your friends-n-fam on Thanksgiving. But before I get to the recipe, I’m glad you enjoyed the Highlights of the Week Post.
Everything from
Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
to Kale Salads
to Vegan Espresso Drinks were covered
But let’s talk about my new recipe!!!
Averie’s Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies-5 Minute Recipe (Gluten & Soy-Free)
1/2 c Flax Seeds. Grind them well.
Then Add
2/3 c Almond Meal (this is Almond Flour kids. Ground Almonds. Many names, same thing. You can buy it in the pre-ground state or grind your own almonds)
3 Tbsp Maple Syrup (if you are hung up on keeping this totally raw, use 6 Tbsp Agave instead and omit the Maple)
3 Tbsp Agave
2 Tbsp Almond Butter
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
Optional: 1/2 Tsp Vanilla, Almond, or Hazelnut Extract
Yields: Approximately 16 Silver-Dollar Sized Cookies or 4 “big cookie”-sized cookies
Here’s what the Process Looks Like:
After your grind the flax seeds, combine all the rest of the ingredients in your VitaLove, Food Processor, Magic Bullet, or you can even make this entire by hand. Simply use pre-ground flax seeds and pre-ground almonds (almond meal) and you don’t need to break out a single appliance.
After everything is incorporated
Take out your Cookie Dough and form Cute Cookies (or balls, or patties, whatever works for you)
I thought the cookies were looking a little naked…
Optional other Garnishes & Tweaks include:
Dusting with carob, cocoa nibs, or coconut flakes
Smearing more nut butter on top
Substituting a different kind of nut butter for the Almond (i.e. Peanut, Cashew, etc.)
Adding Dried Fruit to the Mixture or as a Garnish on Top
Adding 2 Tbsp of Cocoa Powder to the Batter to Create Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies
Lots and lots of options…
And after I got done making them, I wrapped the cookies up into pairs for lunches and snacks. If I had anywhere to go on Thanksgiving, I’d bring these as a Hostess Gift rather than the standard Planters Salted Nut Mix or a lame floral centerpiece type of gift.
So not that you probably care because you’re totally fixated like a dog in heat on those Almond Butter Cookies, but, I did also make a couple great salads over the weekend. This one had Mixed Greens, Cukes & Zukes, Orange & Yellow Peppers, Carrots, Tomatoes, B.S., and I dressed it with the Juice of 1/2 orange, agave, EVOO, and cracked black pepper.
And this pile of rabbit food was a little salty. From all the Dulse Flakes that is. Greens, Cukes & Zukes, Orange & Yellow Peppers, Carrots, Tomatoes, and I dressed it with Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing. The sweet tangy-ness of the dressing, the cool cucumber vibes, and the salty dulse flakes was a great combo!
After I ate my veggies for dinner…
…it was time for dessert and a few Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies went down like buttah. Almond buttah that is.
I really hope you make these cookies because they are fast, easy, no exotic ingredients were used, they’re chewy, melt-in-your-mouth and just delish! Not to mention, raw, vegan, and gluten & soy free. Success!
Yoga Today is Astavakrasana (8 Angle Pose)
Tip of the Day: If you’re feeling stressed out about “getting everything done” or making the perfect meal, or rushing around to 3 different markets for the “right ingredients”, ask yourself if in a week, or a month, or a year, will you care? Will anyone else care? Will anyone remember? The answer is probably a resounding No!
So rather than get all stressed out and worried about small potatoes like whether your napkins match the tablecloth or that you’re not making everything from scratch, or that your outfit won’t be as cute as your sister-in-laws, or whatever it is…,just take a deep breath, take a step back, and give yourself permission to let a few things slide. No one else will likely notice and you’ll be a more more relaxed & happy person! Ahhh, sigh, breathe, let it all hang out….now that’s better.
What are you going to let slide this year as we go into the holiday season? For me, I am not over-cooking & stressing about trying to cook it all. Meaning, it’s just me, Scott, and Skylar. So rather than making too much food and obsessing about food that will never even get eaten, I picked a handful of key recipes & dishes and am focusing my energy on those few things and letting everything else slide. What are you giving yourself permission to let slide this season?
Stay Tuned For Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts…
Skylar is too darling! Love that big grin. Glad you had such a wonderful day with your family!
You ARE a good wife, dealing with that bird. Hope you and the AmEx card had a great day together :)
Averie, what a nice day and beautiful meal for BOTH you and your husband! I am so happy you treated him to a traditional plate. Way to go Mama!
It all looked beautiful and delish!
I am also loving that you made just what you wanted. It really is just about being together.
I loved how our day turned out too.
Shopping? boy, I always feel obligated to give to everyone in our family and we have been trying year after year to temper it. I just found out my men voted unanimously to begin a tradition in OUR family to not shop till AFTER Christmas and take advantage of sales. HA sillies.
OKAY, why not!
we are tight in the budget this year and I will either make what I can (home made stuff) or only get easy toys for the kids. But Im a sentimental fool and love to make each gift count. It gets hard thought.
I love your take on it all and I am just going to have to learn I won't be loved less or looked at as "cheap" if we don't go into HAWK over dumb gifts.
sheez
ps…MY FAMILY ADORED your Holiday Spice Orange Vinaigrette!
I left our hosts with the rest of it and am sad, but OH YEAH, it's so stinkin' easy to whip up another batch , I just might tomorrow!
LOVED IT THANKS!
Looks like you guys had a great Thanksgiving. Isn't it nice just spending it with your immediate family – we loved the calmness of it. Your turkey does look amazing and, yes, you get the big gold Amazing Wife star!
As far as Christmas shopping goes, I'm done. I thought I was really behind, and then before I knew it I was covered. A co-worker's kids were selling gift cards that gave a portion to the school so I ordered a bunch of those (in $15 and $25 denominations for places like Starbucks and REI), did some online shopping last night at disney.com, and picked up a couple extra things at a craft fair today. My 10 year-old nephew asked for MRE's because he's military-obsessed, and I bought my dad a jaunty cap when he came to visit last month. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I think we got everyone in under $500 (that's 16 family members plus my hubby). Chris still needs to finish up some photo books for his parents, and I bought him mom some seashells for 97 cents a bag at a thrift store. I'll probably put those in an antique Ball jar that I have lying around. I even have our Holiday cards waiting to be addressed (stamps purchased at the PO last weekend). I'm a Virgo, tried and true, what can I say? (Plus I'd rather be dragged through turkey carcasses than go to the mall between now and the New Year!)
I LOVE your take on gift-giving. Yes I love getting gifts, but it is so important to share more with your family than rack up debt.
Your meal looks DELICIOUS. I love the potato recipe. As usual, each time I stop by I am more and more impressed. :)
holy. awesome. meal.
your hubs is one lucky dude girl! youre so awesome for making him a bird and its so great that he enjoyed it so much.
i'm coming to your house for dessert.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I think it's pretty amazing you cooked a turkey! And check out those arms, WOW what strength!! Admirable! :)
I had kale salad for the first time yesterday and loved it! I didn't eat any traditional Thanksgiving food, but that was fine with me:) Good job on the turkey for Scott. I'm sure he was very blessed!
Nice work on the carcas! :) And as usual, your desserts look fab.
We have cut down a ton on gifts as we all realize we are lucky enough to buy something as we need it and not wait until December. And I am all for homemade gifts. In fact, my father and FIL love my baskets filled with treats each year.
Great job on the turkey..even if you didn't eat it :) I would have shared with Scott :) Your daughter is adorable! Do you just do yoga or some form of strength training too…you are a power-house!…and I am lazy – but I'm cool with that ;)cheers to you and your family.
I love this post. First of all your food looks delicious. I have to take a look at that vegan apple crumble because it looks amazing.
Also, you are so right about shopping for the holiday season. I don't tend to majorly overdo it, but this year I am being even more careful. The point is to spend time together and enjoy the season, not to spend a ton of money!
First of all, thank you SO much for your amazing comment on my post about my upcoming surgery. It's beyond stressful and frustrating to have to even think about enduring at least another month of healing, but it helps so much to know that I have you there to support me! :)
Next, I am SO impressed by your Thanksgiving Averie!!! I just love how you made it your own by giving in to everyone's needs. Sounds like the perfect family event.
I totally agree with you on the holiday shopping. The simplest gifts can be the most meaningful often times. You aren't going to enjoy giving a present you can barely afford, and the person receiving it isn't going to feel right accepting it. It's so much better just to give what you feel comfortable with and to put your heart into the season!
xxoo
Heather
Okay, so the ONLY reason my pants are feeling snug is because of those darned almond cookies!! I ate every last one! Okay, so they were killing me and I only stayed on the MC for 5 days, yep 5 little days ; ) My kidneys were hurting so bad and my hubby said enough is enough. He was probably right.
High five on that delicious looking Thanksgiving meal! For a leaf eater, your pretty skilled at cooking turkey : )
Funny thing, I am making everyone's gifts this year. I figured food is always welcome and if I can give them all healthy food that's the first step : ) I'm going to put pictures up after the holidays because I don't want everyone to know what they are getting : )
Nicole
Averie, you are a total sweetheart and I am so glad you are in my life!!
And your raw treats have no rival in how amazing they look!
Your a wonderful wife! Props to you.. looks a lot of work BUT worth it for your hubby! :)
This yr for gift giving, we kinda lucked out. Both sets of parents are getting their own wedding albums (ordered from our professional photographer). For my sis in law, Im doing a massage certificate and my brother will be getting several 6 packs of "good beer". lol
Tis the season.. Have a super weekend, Averie :) :)
You most certainly had a marvelous Thanksgiving celebration!! Mine was terrific as well – can't ask for more! So much to be thankful for.