{VEGAN RECIPE} chocolate peanut butter with ninja kitchen

happy tuesday!

last week, the amazing people at ninja kitchen sent me their super-awesome blender to play around with!

i am loving it!! daphne has actually eaten the lids from two of our blenders AND ate the food processor ; so having it arrive at the doorstep was prefect timing! 

we have been using it everyday! i have made pasta sauce, lots of smoothies & yesterday, i made two types of nut butter.

i will be sharing quite a few recipes over the next couple of weeks {not cuz i have to, but because this blender is crazy awesome!} i actually made juice this morning! 

its so easy to use & cleans up really well.

my first ninja kitchen recipe : 

chocolate peanut butter!

{last weekend, i went apple picking and came back with 30 pounds of apples! one of my favorite ways to eat them is to cut them up & dip them in chocolate or regular pb}

instead of paying $6 per container ; i thought i would make my own!

what you need : 

**NOTE** this recipe is one of those 'add // subtract what you need to' recipes ; so adjust depending on how you like YOUR butters**

*16 oz peanuts {i used organic from the bulk section of the coop}

{if you want a smaller batch ; just use less}

*2+ tbsp coconut oil {again, adjust for creaminess // taste}{you can use olive oil instead}

*couple pinches of salt

*3-5+ tbsp of cocoa powder {i use equal exchange ; its fair trade & they are a great company}

how to do it : 

1) using the ninja blender, food processor or any other high-powered blender ; add your peanuts and mix // pulse until you have a butter-y consistency {should be a little paste-like}

2) add in your oil, salt & cocoa powder

3) if using the ninja, i had my setting on 1 & 2 ; continue blending and taste testing until you have reached your desired taste. if your butter tastes too bitter, add in some honey, maple syrup or agave to sweeten it up! 

*disclaimer : ninja sent me this blender ; free of charge ; but all recipes & opinions are my own*

tell us : do you have a blender // food processor?
what do you LOVE making?

{VEGAN RECIPE} peanut sprinkled fall balls

october = fall balls!!

these past couple of weeks, i have been working from home & love to have a 'snack-y' treat in the afternoon.

i really love salty & sweet together ; so i gathered up some cocoa powder, peanuts & sprinkles and made myself a tasty 'power ball' treat for the afternoons!

tasty peanut sprinkle fall balls 

{the recipe is adapted from here}

{makes about 25 balls}

what you need : 

*2/3 cup peanuts {i purchase organic, unsalted peanuts from the bulk bins}{you can use other nuts, as well}

*1/3 cup cocoa powder {equal exchange is my favorite brand; AND they are fair trade}

{total sidebar : the cocoa industry is nasty business! if you eat 'big name' chocolate brands, more than likely, you are supporting child slavery off the ivory coast. i suggest you do your chocolate research!}

*1 cup dates ; pitted & chopped

*1 tablespoon vanilla extract

*2-3 tablespoons of raw honey {using honey? go local!}{you can also use agave or maple syrup}

*sprinkles {optional}{but really, sprinkles are so much fun!}

how to do it : 

1) pulverize the nuts & cocoa powder in a blender or food processor until you have tiny crumbs! {if you mix too much, youll have peanut butter!}

2) add the dates & vanilla ; mix again. add your honey // syrup, one tbsp at a time, mixing after each addition.

3) your dough is ready when it 'balls' up and travels around the mixer. from the original recipe : 

Dough that resembles the consistency of nut butter is too runny and loose and dry ingredients must be added to help it solidify. Add a tablespoon or two more cocoa powder or cashews, as necessary, to dry out the dough. Dough that's too pebbly, dry, or sandy will benefit from anther couple dates or tablespoon of agave, as necessary, to moisten it.

4) you can either cover your dough & place in the fridge for a few hours to harden OR if the consistency is right, you can start to form your balls. {i did not place my dough in the fridge}. when ready to roll {get it?}, take a tablespoon-sized chunk and roll into a ball. if you are using sprinkles, pour them in a small bowl & dredge each ball through.

5) once i was finished with my balls, i placed them in the freezer for a few hours, taste-tested & then kept them in the fridge.

these are super easy & great for pre- and post- workouts. also great for fall hiking, apple picking and leaf-jumping!

happy snacking!!

a guide to minneapolis // part 2 : places to EAT

hey everybody!
last week, i posted a lit of 10 awesome things to DO when you are in minneapolis. you can see that here.
the healthy living summit is in a couple weeks {woo hoo!}, so today i have a list of awesome restaurants and cafes to add to your list!
{ps : there are a billion places to eat here in minneapolis ; many of them are really great. i obviously cant list them all.} all of the places on my list, i have been to myself OR had good friends enjoy the food. also, i believe the best way to see & support a city is to put money into small, independent businesses.

1) galactic pizza! 
there are tons of great pizza places in the cities, but galactic is by my the most underrated in town! they have vegan, veg & meat options. and sell delish vegan cheesecake from muddy paws. they are located in uptown ; so its an easy bus // bike ride from downtown.
bonus : they are super green // eco! they deliver in electric cars, you get 3d glasses to read the menu AND all of their delivery guys dress up as super heros.
also, if you go : the vegan paul bunyan is my favorite pizza on the PLANET!

here

2) foxy falafel food truck
so good! tons of food options & erica {the owner} is awesome. if you are in st paul, you can check out the space, BUT her food truck is on nicollet mall {steps from the hotel} during the week.

here

3) glam doll donuts!
do it! they are delish. tons of flavors. open super late. awesome shop & decor.

{image from their website}

4) midtown global market
the global market is an huge building with over 50 shops // vendors // places to eat. everything from american to thai to african food. lots of awesome desserts, take-home foods {figs, grains, ect} & eat-right-now foods. all in one building.
the market is located a few miles from downtown. its right off the midtown greenway {a 5.5 mile bike highway ; no cars allowed!} ; so its super easy to get to!
bonus : the uptown & midtown areas of the cities are a 15min bike ride apart!!}

5) tao natural foods
if you are heading to the spoon & the cherry {or going into uptown} ; you are already on your way to this shop. they serve vegan, gf, vegetarian, macro foods & have a great juice bar. they also sell herbs, supplements & food. if living a super green // natural life is your scene, check this place out!

photo taken from their website

6) bryant lake bowl

if you like good beer, tasty {ethical & local} bar food AND a good game of bowling ; BLB is a great spot. reserve a lane or pick a table. the location is great {its in uptown ; off of bryant and lake street ;)} AND its *right* off the midtown greenway.

{i am telling you, you can bike most places in this city!!}

7) wise acre eatery
this place is really great. mostly meat & dairy, but the staff is pretty great at working with different diets. their website is super straightforward and they are huge into the 'farm-to-table' movement.
their location isnt SUPER bus // bike friendly, BUT if you are interested, let me know & we can figure out how to get you there.
bonus : they have air plants COVERING their walls & its so beautiful!

8) pat's tap
super-extensive beer and wine list, lots and lots of locally sourced foods. and SKEE-BALL!
its got a gastro-pub feel ; great place to hang out with some new friends ;)
and hello, SKEE-BALL! where else can you do that?!?

9) ecopolitan
organic, raw, vegan and gluten-free! they serve juice, smoothies & coconut water drinks PLUS a really great menu FULL of healthy foods. also, the space is a beautiful victorian house FULL of health // wellness resources!
its located in uptown ; a few miles from downtown.

10) mickeys dining car
an icon in the twin cities ; mickeys dining car has been in more movies that most celebs. {my fave? this is where charlie conways mom worked in mighty ducks}
the car is small & doesnt seat a ton of people. they serve up 'greasy spoon' food & their milkshakes are delish. the kitsch and nostalgia of the dining car makes for a fun trip.
ps : the dining car is located near downtown st paul. there IS another mickeys diner, but its 'more cafe, less tin dining car'

bonus : french meadow cafe & bakery

tons of great outside seating, located in a great area AND they have some of the best vegan cake in the city! 

you might notice that NONE of these places are right downtown. i kinda did that on purpose. of course, there are great places to eat downtown {the FOOD TRUCKS!!} ; but this city is SO incredible and if you are visiting, i would LOVE to have you venture into different parts and neighborhoods and see what we have to offer!

what did i leave off the list? 
tell me your favorite place to eat in minneapolis!

*the* most powerful documentary is have seen in YEARS! {blackfish}

oh you guys! 

the title says it! this documentary really is just incredible! 

have you heard of blackfish?

it just came out a couple weeks ago & is in select theaters across the country {see a list here}

here is the story line {taken from the blackfish wiki page}: 

The documentary focuses on the captivity of the killer whale Tilikum, who was involved in the deaths of three individuals, and the consequences of keeping such large and intelligent animals in captivity. The coverage of Tilikum begins with his capture in 1983 off the coast of Iceland, showing how he was harassed by fellow captive whales and left in dark tanks for hours - incidents which Cowperthwaite argues contributed to the whale's aggression. Cowperthwaite also focuses on SeaWorld's claims that whales in captivity live longer; a claim that the film argues is false.

this film was beautiful. and heartbreaking. and so incredibly well done.

if you have ever been to seaworld or seen killer whales in captivity & thought 'wow, they are so amazing,' *this* is a must-see film.

i have been to orlando 5 times in my life and two of those times, i went to seaworld. i have watched the shamu show & taken pictures next to the tank. i always thought that the whales & trainers had a bond ; much like a human & their dog. it never occurred to me that these whales were being deprived. that they were bored. that they were sleeping in tiny tanks with the lights turned off. it breaks my heart now to think that i sat in the bleachers cheering on these whales, jealous of the incredible experience these trainers were having.

in the four years i have been vegan, plus the year that i have had daphne in my life ; i have become much more aware of animals. the way we treat them. the way we dont. and the incredible suffering that happens in certain environments. i am also well aware of the deep love & affection that we give to animals & the trust and love they give back to us.

i think about daphne on days that i have to work two jobs or weeks where i work 15+ days in a row ; and the way the as soon as i come home, she is glued to my side. she will lay her head on my lap & put her paws on my legs. she gives out a deep sigh & i know that she feels better because i am home. 

i am known as being pretty emotional. it really doesnt take much to make me cry. commercials. a song. reading the battle scene in the 7th harry potter. stories of lost dogs reuniting with their humans.

3 minutes in to this film ; i was bawling. and not just small tears falling ; but a snotty nose & soaking a napkin with tears. there are a few scenes where people that have been connected to seaworld & the whales are being interviewed and they are crying or tearing up & i just want to hold everybody.. ;)

this movie is so well made & the musical score is beautiful! 

i highly recommend it! 

if the movie is NOT playing in your city, you can catch it on CNN on thursday, october 24th at 9pm {check your local listings}

stay connected to blackfish!

 twitter // facebook // photo credits : 1 // 2 // 3

have you guys seen this film? heard anything about it?

{CSA recipe} quinoa-stuffed collard wraps

happy wednesday! 

about an awesome hump-day recipe?!

we have a TON of collard greens from our CSA box & i just wasnt sure what to do with all of them.

so, when in doubt ; throw some quinoa in a pot & use a wrap ;)

quinoa- stuff collard greens

inspired by this recipe // makes 8 wraps 

what you need : 

*4 collard greens leaves

*1 cup quinoa {precooked}

*2/3 cup hummus {any flavor}

*1/4 cup onion ; finely chopped

*1/2 cucumber ; chopped into chunks

*garlic salt ; to taste

how to do it : 

1) 10 min before you are ready ; soak your collards in a bowl of water with a dash of vinegar. soaking will help them become more 'roll-able' and less likely to rip

2) while your collards are soaking, prepare your quinoa according to the package

3) collards soaked? dry them off & cut off the stem

4) lay your collards flat & spread with a layer of hummus. add your quinoa, veggies & seasonings.

5) time to roll! pull in the sides & wrap top to bottom. cut in half

enjoy!!

these turned out really good! they are hearty, full of vitamins & delish! 

do you use collard greens? id love to hear your recipe suggestions! 

{vegan meal of the week} zucchini lasagna

hey everybody! 

today, i have a great recipe to share. not only is it super colorful, but its also pretty good for you!

and bonus : if you belong to a CSA or frequent the farmesr market, you have most of what you need.

blake created this delish recpie last week & we have already eaten it three different times!

zucchini lasagna

makes 8x13' cake pan // enough for a good meal + lots of leftovers

what you need : 

*8 lasagna noodles

*3 large zucchini ; cut into quarters 

*1 onion ; chopped

*1 can of stewed tomatoes [you can always create your own tomato mixture if you have a bounty from your garden]

*1 1/2 tbsp oil

*1 cup breadcrumbs [you can make your own out of day-old crusty bread or purchase a bag]

*1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese [dairy or vegan]

*garlic salt

*lemon pepper

*garlic powder

*2 eggs [or vegan egg replacer ; we buy ours at the coop, or make a flax egg]

how to do it : 

1) in a medium pan, bring water to boil & add lasagna noodles [follow directions on the package] // cook noodles for 8 min, then drain. place noodles in bottom of greased 8x13 pan

2) mix zucchini, onions & tomato in large bowl. add eggs [or your vegan substitute], oil & season to taste with spices.

3) pour mixture over lasagna noodles & top with breadcrumbs

4) bake at 450* 30-35 minutes

soooo good! 

{travelpantz} // how to make banana s'mores on the campfire!

lets make banana s'mores!

when we were getting ready for our camping trip, we filled 3 bags FULL of food for snacking & cooking over the fire!

we had bananas, chocolate, coconut-roasted vegan marshmallows and coconut ; OF COURSE we had to put them together!

[if you are doing this over a campfire or on the grill, you will also need aluminum foil][if you are doing this at home, put them in the microwave just long enough so your chocolate & mallows melt][microwave = NO aluminum foil!!]

1) split your banana down the middle, do NOT cut through the other side // 2) load up your banana with your favorite toppings [we used chocolate, mallows and coconut] // 3) wrap your creation in tinfoil and place on the grate of the grill or fire // 4) continue grilling until your banana is warm & your chocolate has melted ; ours went for 8-10 min // 5) offer your dog a piece without chocolate [daphne will do anything for vegan marshmallows!]

enjoy! these are what summer is all about ;)

awesome smoothie recipe // berry + sorrel smoothie

hi everybody! 

when i was blogging on a regular basis, i always enjoyed creating new recipes and sharing them. [feel free to check out the recipe box tab!] in the past few months [more?], i havent had a lot of time to focus on new recipes.

blake & i are CSA members ; this is actually my 4th year as a member [all with different farms] & an abundance of food is just what i need to start creating new recipes again.

do you know sorrel? it kinda looks like a 'more wrinkle-y' spinach and its delish. its got this really strong, original flavor ; almost like a lemon-y kiwi. i was eating a few leaves straight out of the bag! you can read more about sorrel here.

blake and i [mostly blake] put this green smoothie recipe together.

sorrel & berry power smoothie

serves 2 // 

what you need :

*1 cup sorrel leaves [chopped up into small pieces]

*1 cup spinach leaves [also, chopped up into small pieces]

*1 cup strawberries, frozen

*1/2 banana, frozen

*1 1/2 cup almond milk, plain or vanilla

*1/3 cup shredded coconut

*2 tbsp honey, LOCAL! 

how to do it : 

1) add everything into a blender & blend

*note : i add the milk, than the fruits & add in the greens in last!

this smoothie is delish!

i highly recommend seeking out some sorrel at your local co-op or farmers market this summer!  

you love yogurt & cheese?! this is a post for you!

happy tuesday!
can we talk about yogurt for a minute?
maybe you are thinking : diana, aren't you vegan?
yep. i am. i have been vegan for almost 4 years now. so, i dont eat yogurt. [actually, i am super intolerant to dairy & choose not to eat eggs // meat because of animal welfare issues]

i think vegans as a whole get a bad wrap, at times. people think we are preachy. rude. too in your face. douche-y, if you will. some people see vegans as paint-slinging, tree-hugging hippies that are out of touch.
if you know me in real life ; its true that i have a lot of opinions ; but i wouldn't say that i am a pretentious ass. ;)
actually, when it comes to topics like factory farming, i dont post much, because people [on both sides!] get so defensive & its not my place to judge what YOU [or anybody else] are consuming.
so listen, i am not writing this to judge you. or to call you names. or to guilt you into eating the way that i do.
my post today has one main theme : KNOW YOUR FARMER!

if you have been following me on twitter, you may have noticed that i have been going back & forth with a huge yogurt company for the past week. i am not trying to pick on anybody, i just want some answers about ethical practices.

i dont know how much you know about the factory farm dairy industry, but its worth doing a bit of research. i could tell you horrific stories & show you really awful images, but thats not really my style.

i will tell you that in most factory farm operations [we are talking large farms with thousands of cows!] ; the ethical standards are pretty low.
dairy cows [females] are treated pretty rough. they are kept pregnant [by artificial insemination] almost non-stop for a few years. [the only way a cow can produce milk, is if she has given birth] well, the dairy industry wants the milk, not the newborn calf. once that calf is born, it is taken from its mother, fed a crappy powder milk-substitute & is [more than likely!] sold for veal.

if a dairy cow is living a good life [grass, cow-friends, a place to roam], she can live for about 20+ years. most dairy cows on factory farms live less than 5 years [usually around 3-4 years]. their bodies are so damaged and broken from the constant strain of birthing and milking that they are sent to the slaughterhouse.

so, what am i saying here?
i am saying that it is SO important to demand answers from your favorite company. ask them a series of questions [i have some listed at the end of this post!] if they cant // wont answer, that is a red flag.

imagine your sister // best friend getting pregnant, so we can all benefit from her milk. once she gives birth, all she wants to do is bond with her baby, but we dont care about the baby. we are here for the milk! so, we rip the baby from her arms & pump your best friend until her body goes out. and once that  happens, we do it all again. and again. and again.
[its disgusting, right? its sick & heartbreaking]
cows bond with their calves the same way human mothers bond with their newborns. we both feel love, affection & fear.

here is the good news : there are farms that are doing it right! 
farms that are treating their cows like the intelligent beings that they are. they are giving them time to bond with their calves for 3-5 months. [and the calf is able to drink moms milk & stay with her]. letting them roam on large areas of land, eating organic grains and // or grass. giving them time between pregnancies.
if dairy is important to you [i am not judging!] ; there are ways to support the 'little guys' that are treating the animals well.

if you live in a large city, head to your local co-op, whole foods and/or farmers market. ask questions. dont take a BS stock answer ; you deserve an answer & a company worth supporting will give you that!
if you dont live in a large city, do a simple internet search for 'ethical dairy farms + your state'.
find a few & send them emails. tour the farms, if you can.

this is YOUR food! you have every right to know where it comes from!

great dairy farms in minnesota // iowa // wisconsin :
cedar summit // fruitful seasons // pastureland // zweber family farms // organic valley // castle rock farms

questions to ask : 
what are the cows fed?
how much time passes between pregnancies?
how long are the  calves with the mothers? what are the calves fed ; mothers milk or a powder substitute?
what happens to the calves once they are weaned from their mother?
what happens when the dairy cows stop producing milk?

id love to hear your opinions on this?
do you eat dairy? do you know where it comes from?
do you have a favorite farm? [if so, list it & i will add it to the post!]

cheers!

7 super-easy no-bake treats i have been eating from around the internet : awesome food round-up

happy monday!

i hope you had a great weekend.

did you read my post from last week about falling off the health // fitness wagon? [i am blown away by how many folks have read the post!]

lets talk about healthy treats!

do you follow my 'vegan treats' pin board? [i have TONS of awesome 'need-to-bake' recipes that i hope to get around to making in the next couple years ;)]

today, i have 7 awesome treats i have been baking lately.

usually, on sunday nights, i will bake a few batches of energy balls or bars & keep them in my bike bag or at work for the week.

[note : all photos are from the blogs that are linked with the recipes]

here we go : 

1) super-food energy bars with cacao from this rawsome vegan life

here

2) vegan & GF no-bake layer bars from {never} homemaker
here

3) DIY coconut apricot KIND bar [these are super good. i made mine with cranberries instead of apricots] from fit foodie finds
here

4) chocolate covered mint patties from this rawsome vegan life [seriously, LOVE their blog!]
here

5) no-bake peppermint patty bars from oh she glows [these are SO good!]
here

6) almond cocoa butter from delighted mama [this is delish on toast or used as a base for bars + balls]
here

7) raw vegan chocolate chip cookie dough balls from love veggies & yoga. [i love these ; you make cashew oat flour ; which is new to me. these have a really great flavor. you could add protein powder too, if you want more 'staying power']
here

good, right?
and easy! i love being able to make treats in place of purchasing them. i get to control the portion & the ingredients. and i also find thats its far more cost effective to create these treats vs buying them.
[it takes a bit of time, but your health is totally worth it!]

see you tomorrow!

how to make almond milk

thursday!
we have a friend from portland flying in today ; i am super excited!
i love being able to share this awesome city with folks.
[plus, the snow is melting and we are inching towards 50*!!]

i make a lot of smoothies. every morning, i make one. and a couple times a week [when im working both jobs], i will make one for supper, as well.
i use almond milk, add in fruits, protein powder, chia & flax seeds and sometimes, peanut butter.
we go through almost 4 GALLONS of almond milk a week! [seriously]

organic almond milk is around $4 at whole foods [1/2 gallon] and NON-organic almond milk is about $3 at trader joes.
i found that i can make a GALLON of non-organic almond milk for $4 or organic for $7.50.
not bad. and it only took me about 30 minutes make.

what you need :
*almonds [either purchase a 16 oz bag or shop in bulk][organic are better ; but also more expensive]
[bonus : if you buy bulk, you have NO waste at all!!]
*a blender
*measuring cups [i used 1 cup & a 4-cup glass pyrex container]
*a gallon container [or a few glass quart jars]
*a sieve [i used a small one & a larger one]
*a spoon // fork for 'mashing'
*4 cups of filtered water [1 cup of water for each cup of almonds you are using]
*vanilla ; to taste [optional]

how to do it :
1) soak 1 cup [4 cups if you want a gallon] of almonds, covered in a bowl of water for 6-24 hours.

2) drain your almonds. add 1 cup of almonds and 4 cups of water in the blender. blend for two minutes.

3) take a large sieve [or a strainer with TINY holes] & strain into a large container [i used my 4-cup pyrex measuring cup]. there will be a thick 'almond-paste' in the sieve. push it with the spoon to squeeze all the milk through.
*note : we kept the 'almond-paste'. blake added some honey & brown sugar. spread on toast or croissants & its delish!!*

4) take your small sieve [or the same one] & strain it a second time. this time, a 'foamy-paste' will settle in your sieve, just rinse it out. [we didnt keep it]
thats it!!

pour it in a gallon jug or quart jars. milk should last a week. [ours is always gone within 3 days, so i cant personally vouch for longer than that]

my first batch was good, but my smoothie tasted a bit bland [we buy vanilla almond milk at the store] ; so on my second batch, i added a bit of vanilla AFTER i had strained everything.

what do you think?
made almond milk before? any tips?
this was easy, affordable & there is such a rad feeling that comes along with making something yourself.