How’s life treatin’ ya today? Well, things are good here. I’ve been a busy beaver whipping up new recipes in the kitch. But before I share it, I wanna thank everyone who’s been writing in and commenting on my recent posts, like my Chia-Coconut-Mango Overnight Oats and for chiming in about your shopping strategies in the comments. I agree…good jeans and good shoes are a must. And so true about the right jeans with the right fit making you feel soooo good!
I reallllllly appreciate you all showing the love and leaving your great comments. I wanna give everyone a biggggg hugggggg!
Oh and did you notice who won the Vegan Blondie Macaroons? Congrats chicas, enjoy!!!
So moving onto the chocolate food & recipe action….
Remember when I made the Raw Vegan Donut Holes?
They’ve been getting alot of praise so I thought well everything’s better with chocolate, right? And so I created Raw Vegan Chocolate Donut Holes and they’re really good, and yep, they’re really only a 5 minute and 3-4 ingredient recipe. Double bonus!!!
Now, I’m going to tell you in advance that if you like really sweet chocolate treats, then amp up the sweetener in these (i.e. lucama, stevia, more agave, white sugar, brown sugar, roll in powder sugar at the end, whatever floats your sweet boat). These are more of smooth, dark chocolate kind of vibe. Sweet, but not like zinnggggg sweet.
Averie’s Raw Vegan Chocolate Donut Holes
1 c flax seeds. Grind them well.
Add 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup (not tech raw) or Agave
Optional: 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil. Don’t add this if your batter is already very moist. You’ll end up with sloppy balls. Never good. TWSS
Blend to Incorporate.
At this point, I took half the batter out and made 3 cute little Cookies. That I topped with a fingerswipe of Maple Syrup and a Raz-Cherry from Oh Nuts. Cute, huh.
Then I took the remaining half of the batter and to it added:
2 Heaping Tbsp Cocoa Powder
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
Dash Vanilla Extract
Blended again
Took the dough out and formed 15 cute little Raw Vegan Chocolate Donut Holes
And if you really wanna get naughy, roll ’em in powdered sugar. They’d still be vegan, just not raw. Or, roll them in Carob or Raw Cocoa Powder. Or dust with cinnamon. Limitless possibilities!
I wrapped ’em in plastic for snacks on the go. Voila, done.
So in 5 Minutes I made 3 of these…
…And 15 of these.
All with 1 c of Flax Seeds. A little maple syrup, and a little cocoa powder.
Now that’s super silly easy peasy. Raw (use agave instead of maple if you’re hung-up), vegan, healthy, and fast! Always good things ’round here.
Oh, and if you’d prefer to skip the 3 little cookies and just go with all chocolate donut holes, I’d suggest:
1 c flax seeds + 2-3 Tbsp Maple Syrup + 1/4 c cocoa powder + dash vanilla + 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil (optional and check batter for consistency before you add it so it’s not too wet).
Things today were brought to you in VeganMofo spirit.
Yoga today is Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Angle Stretch)
And Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle)
Both of these asanas are great for opening up the hips, hamstrings, and lower back. Runners especially, take note. But everyone is just so gosh darn tight in the hips, hammies, and back, we can all benefit.
Tip of the Day: Just get started. I’ve had a few people write to me wondering how they should incorporate yoga into their life. My basic advice remains the same which is to just get started. If you have 15 minutes a day, then use that. If you have access to health club yoga, great! Go! If all you can manage is a yoga download or a dvd, then go with that. If you have a glorious hour to yourself 3 times a week that you can carve some yoga time on your living room floor, great, unroll your yoga mat and start! Just get started! Don’t put off til tomorrow what you can do today is some grandmotherly wisdom and I think with yoga, or with any exercise program, getting going is the hardest part and once you get in the groove it becomes second nature and you crave it. Namaste friends!!!!!
So are you a Vanilla Person or a Chocolate Person? I do love my banana-vanilla softserve, and I prefer vanilla brown rice protein powder to chocolate…but when I want a cake or a cookie, I usually go for the chocolate. And of course, munching dark choco squares takes the edge off any kind of moodiness or day-gone-wrong-drama. So I guess I’m a split personality. Which do you prefer, Vanilla or Chocolate? Do Tell!
Next post will have some Product Reviews and a Blogger Meetup recap!
I just wanted to stop by and say hi to one of my favorite raw foodie bloggers (and a very good friend!) I had a moment to hook my laptop up so I'm checking what I can while I can. My mouth is watering right now looking at all your desserts – I can't wait to get home to try out the goodies you sent! I love the pics of you and your sister!
I had a friend I knew in HS and stayed friends with her throughout college. She was one of the few people who stayed in TX during that time and so we'd go out to eat a lot together, see movies, etc. Unfortunately it got to the point where I hated being around her – she did nothing but complain all the time so one day I sent her an email telling her that I didn't want to hang out with her anymore because I felt like I was her therapist every time we went anywhere. I just sat there and listened to her whine the whole time (I didn't tell her that part!) Anyway, she was pissed at me, of course, but I've never regretted telling her that. We kind of keep in touch through FB but I don't feel like it was a great loss.
Good question!
I had a best friend my sophomore year of high school, and it was definitely my doing when I 'broke up' with her. But it was basically the best thing I ever did for myself, she was a bad influence, and everything else that came in my life after that all fell into place perfectly.
And your peacock pose, holy wow! Forearm balance is one thing I haven't got down yet. But you're rocking it!
I can't wait to get my Excalibur so I can try some of these great recipes!
I've ended a friendship recently–the person was always so negative and needy of affirmation, being in her company was an energy drain. I told her that happiness doesn't just come, that you're happy because you decide to be happy. She didn't understand, and I told her that I could do nothing more to help her, and let her know as nicely as I could that for both of our well-being I think we should spend more time apart.
Hard to do, but worth it. I hope she finds her place in the world.
Averie, oh wow, who would know that we have these conditions by looking at us?!?! We all look so healthy and vibrant, and if you don't mind me saying, live life more fully than most "healthy" people! My condition is looking to be of an autoimmune nature (they don't know too much about it right now), but I am on an immune suppressant as of 3 months ago.
The little one is my fiance's, but we help raise her :-)
So glad to meet you! I'll be following!
I love the picture of you and your sister! So glad that you were able to have a fun day together. My sister used to live in Chicago, and it was so fun to visit her. Enjoy your Sunday!
Hi! I found your blog through Lauren's blog. I'll be reading! Hello hot body!!!! You look great!
Must. Buy. Kale.
And all the other ingredients to make your fabulous, amazing treats!
Love this post! Glad you had fun with your sis! It is so cool they loved your kale chips, although, who wouldn't?
I think I need a glass straw like that for myself, so much fun! My smoothie so wants one!
I have had 2 friend 'break ups'. The first one was not really initiated by me, the second one was.
Great tip of the day! I have in the past 2 years parted ways with 2 friends that were bringing me way down. It opens up your life so much for new, amazing people to come in! And it feels SO nice to be living in alignment with who I am, instead of having to bite my tongue and put a fake smile on my face.
Averie!! You knew I missed out on all of your deliciousness this week, so you posted a summary! Ha ha! No seriously, thank you for reading my blog and commenting this week while I was on vacation.
Its been awhile since I've "broken up" with a friend. However, I currently work for someone that was one of those people. I feel guilty sometimes for not being her friend any more, but she was probably one of the worst friends I've ever had. Its challenging at times to be working with her again, but at least now I know how to handle myself while around her.
"Chillin' like a Villian" … I used to say that all the time.
Glad to hear you got to spend time with your sister. I'm lucky that one of mine is only 15 minutes away, while the other is about a half an hour from me.
Your blog is so inspiring! I decided long ago to not waste my time cultivating relationships that were not "worth it". I'm a type A personality. Stress is something I do way too often. I would at least like my relationships to be stress free!
I understand your relationship with your sister. My sisters and I are extremely close. it's a beautiful thing, isn't it?!
Lovely photo of you and your sister! :)
GASP a glass straw?? I use straws ALL the time and I hate how wasteful it is but I keep using them because I just LOVE using a straw – I totally gotta check those out! Do they break easily?? Easy to clean? OK, I'm sure these questions and more can be answered on the website so off I go once I hit "Publish Your Comment".
I find that friendships that aren't working out just naturally fizzle out. Sometimes I think a friendship has died a natural death with no hard feelings but then we pick up again right where we left off like nothing happened. I definitely try not to burn any bridges though – you just never know where life will take you, right?
Off to inspect your Kale Chip Recipe further – I missed it yesterday!
xoxo babe!
OH my!
first…love the pics of you and your sis..and the 3 of you together! connecting with family is the BEST
Kale chips are on my "this week" list. I have been wanting to try them for a bit. Tomorrow I am off to go replenish my produce bins (can you believe I am OUT..I mean OUT of produce!)
so for your girl talk of the day…I have a bag full of these stories …first of all GOOD FOR you for not being a FAKE IT gal! GAWD I used to change and bend so much to be accepted by family and spouse (EX) and friends..
NO MORE.
YES I have ended relationships (one was a co worker and she was such a controlling bully I couln't take it and when I "reclaimed" power over my own life she went sorta nuts and even went so far as to sabbotage my work (we shared the same job)
I ended our freindship..had to continue the work one. not long later i was given a great GIFT and put in another dept..as a trial and in 2 weeks was a permanent fixture there. SHEW but it took ms. bully 5 years to get over it.
NOW we can talk and it's nice and relaxed (but limited becasue she hasn't changed but she finally knows not to "mess with me"
I have learned to draw lines in the sand and uphold them.
it was the toughest thing to do.
another one was a former negihbor/friend that I had gentle words with and she just stuck her nose in the air and doesn't acknowledge we exist.
good ridence I say
FAMILY? there are a few as you know.
some days its easy and some days it's painful but each time I draw that line and MEAN IT…I feel good.
I am trying to help my Teen learn this lesson NOW and not when he's My AGE
GREAT TOPIC.
I think a whole BLOG could be devoted to this topic!
OH geez. Sorry for the novel!!!
I froze my macs today. OH SWEET HEAVEN they are good. (yours are better though)
Have a great Sunday!
So your sis is in Chicago and you're in Arizona? My thoughts are twofold: you need to come visit her so we can meet up and then I need to go visit my family so that we can meet up :o) It's the perfect scenario!
I've been seeing your goodies all over the blogosphere lately and everything looks spectacular! You are very talented. I have to also tell you that your tip of the day really meant a lot to me. It was definitely what I needed to read right now, so thank you!
Happy Sunday!
Awww, sounds like you had a great time with your sister. I bet your daughter had a fun time with her Auntie : )
I am loving all of these fancy Raw bars that you're getting. I have been eating Pure bars for months and am ready for a change.
As for the friend that isn't worth it. I don't have a hard time saying see ya' to people who are causing more stress in my life than happiness. I had a friend for 4 years that I was close to and I really started to struggle being around her. I finally told her, "Thanks for being my friend but we can't be friends anymore". We never talked again and I was okay with that. It may seem harsh but my family is 100 times more important to me than friends.