Cookie Dough Rawnola


This vegan and gluten free raw granola (hence the name 'rawnola') is SO good. 

It's perfect on top of banana nice cream, with some homemade cashew milk and fresh fruit, or even just on it's own! 

I mean, how can you go wrong with cookie dough anything?!

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COOKIE DOUGH RAWNOLA

serves 2

Ingredients:

1 cup oats
5-15 pitted dates (depending on the kind you use)
2 tbsp. unsweetened coconut shreds
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add the oats, coconut shreds, cinnamon, and 5 dates to a food processor or blender (I prefer using my food processor).

2. Blend on low speed until all of the dates are nice and chopped up.

3. Continue adding dates, 2 at a time, until the mixture is nice and soft, but crumbly
and chunky.

4. You can eat this stuff with homemade (or store-bought) plant milk and fresh fruit,
or roll it into balls and keep them in the fridge for a yummy snack. Enjoy!

I effin' love this stuff - and I hope you do too! 

xo

Kristen

Homemade Almond Milk

MAKING YOUR OWN ALMOND MILK SOUNDs INTENSE, BUT OMG IT'S THE BEST!

It's super easy, it's really good for you, and it tastes amazing! 

...so much better than the plant milks you buy at the store. 

#trust

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HOMEMADE ALMOND MILK

Ingredients:

1 cup almonds (soaked at least 8 hours)
4 cups water (filtered is best)
1/4 tsp. salt, optional (can soak with almonds)
3-4 pitted Medjool dates
1 tsp. vanilla extract or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean, scraped

Some optional add-ins: 

- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- maple syrup instead of dates
- turmeric
- kale
- spinach
- cacao
- fresh strawberries

Tools:

Nut milk bag, double layer of cheesecloth, a tea towel, or an old but clean t-shirt
High speed blender
Glass jar for storing

Directions:

1. Soak almonds for at least 8 hours, preferably over night. To soak, simply place the raw nuts or seeds in a large mixing bowl and add enough water to cover them 2 to 3 inches.  After soaking rinse the nuts/seeds in a colander or sieve and allow them to drain completely before blending. (Soaking nuts makes them easier to digest and improves their flavor.)

2. In a high-speed blender, blend all ingredients on high till totally smooth (around 60 seconds). It'll be all foamy and creamy looking. Make sure to hold the lid on the blender so there aren't any explosions!

3. Strain the mixture in your nut milk bag and squeeze until all of the milk is out of the pulp.  You can compost the pulp or dehydrate it, pulse it in the blender, and you'll have almond flour.

4. Transfer the nut milk to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for about a week.

Enjoy!

NOTE: I use this almond milk mostly for smoothies and topping oatmeal.  If you want a less sweet version for soups, or other savory dishes then just leave out the dates and the vanilla, or adjust them to taste.

NOTE: Separation is totally normal with homemade plant milks. Make sure to shake it up before serving.

Health benefits of almonds:

- Helps to lower your cholesterol
- High in antioxidants
- Great for your cardiovascular health
- Good source of calcium (higher than any other nut)
- Helps to control blood sugar
- High in Vitamin E
- Good source of protein
    - 1/4 cup of almonds contains around 8 grams of protein

Health benefits of Medjool dates:

- High in fiber, vitamins, carbohydrates, and contain more potassium than bananas (3x more!)
- They are virtually fat, cholesterol, and sodium free!
- Natural energy booster
- Full of naturally occurring sugar that your body loves to use!
- Help to regulate blood pressure
- An excellent source of iron!

See, homemade almond milk really is the BEST! 

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments below - and share this recipe with all of your peeps! 

xo

Kristen

Vegan Buffalo Chicken Salad

You guys! This salad is the BOMB. 

You seriously have to try this Sunflower Seed Ranch Dressing.

It's out-of-this-world delish - and it's pretty damn healthy too!

I'mma put that stuff on everything!

The combo of the cool and creamy ranch with the spicy, crispy Gardein 'chicken' tenders is one you don't wanna miss! 

Check out the recipe below! 

 

- BUFFALO CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE - 

 

  1. Cook Gardein 'Chicken' Tenders according to package.

  2. Make the Sunflower Seed Ranch Dressing (recipe below).

  3. Make the buffalo sauce (recipe below).

  4. Chop veggies for salad.

  5. Coat tenders in buffalo sauce and chop.

  6. Toss greens with a little bit of dressing.

  7. Plate in this order:

    1. Greens

    2. Other veggies

    3. Buffalo chicken

    4. Drizzle with more dressing

    5. Enjoy!

 

SUNFLOWER SEED RANCH DRESSING

 

Ingredients: 

- 2 cups raw sunflower seeds, soaked overnight

- 2 - 3 cups of water

- juice from 1 lemon 

- 1 1/2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

- 1 tsp. salt

- 1/4 tsp. pepper

- 1 tsp. dried dill 

- 1 tsp. dried parsley

- 1 tsp. dried chives

- 1/2 tsp. onion powder

- 4 cloves garlic 

- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (aka nooch)

Directions:

  1. Rinse and drain the sunflower seeds.

  2. Add them to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients, adding more water as needed.

  3. Blend on high speed until super smooth and creamy (this usually takes a few minutes).

  4. Adjust seasonings to taste.

  5. Store in the fridge for 5-7 days.

  6. Enjoy!

NOTE: The dressing will definitely thicken up as it sits in the fridge, so keep that in mind! 

 

BUFFALO SAUCE

 

Ingredients: 

- 2 tbsp. vegan butter

- 1/3 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce

Directions:

  1. Melt the butter over medium-low heat.

  2. Add in the Frank's Red Hot Sauce, stir to mix well, and remove from heat.

 

VEGGIES WE USED IN THE SALAD

 

- chopped romaine

- chopped spinach

- slivered red onion

- shredded carrots

- cherry tomatoes

- green onion (for garnish) 

 

Boom! The BEST Vegan Buffalo Chicken Salad ever! 

I hope you love this salad as much as we do! 

xo

Kristen 

Homemade Cashew Milk

This cashew milk is the easiest plant milk recipe EVER. 

#forreals

The best part?!

No. Straining. Necessary.

Yay!

It's super quick, really healthy, and you'll absolutely LOVE how creamy and delish it is. 

Make it and you'll see what I mean. 👍🏼

 

Homemade Cashew Milk

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews (soaked if you don't have a high-speed blender)
4 cups water (filtered is best)
2-3 pitted dates
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Put all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth and creamy. No need to strain (but you can if you want it extra creamy).

ENJOY! 

❤️

Kristen

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

This is my favorite smoothie EVER! 

It's healthy. It's vegan. And it's DAMN delish. 

Check it out! 

If you make this epic smoothie then leave a comment and let me know what you think! 

And make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven't yet!

I'm loving connecting with all of you there! 

I hope you guys enjoy! ❤️

xoxox

Kristen

P.S. FREE STUFF ALERT: Click here to get my FREE printable Vegan Fridge and Pantry Essentials list! 

Crispy Baked Fries

How to make the BEST Crispy Baked Fries! 🍟

They're even oil-free & vegan! 

#winning

I usually just mash up half an avocado and dip it in that.

SO good!

Healthy, whole foods for the win!

How to make thE best Crispy Baked Fries

- Use 3 gold potatoes

- Cut them into wedges

- Toss them in a little salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder

- Bake them at 450 F on cooling racks covered in parchment paper for 20-30 mins

So yum!

I hope you guys totally enjoy these bomb-ass fries. 

Let me know if you do! 

And make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven't already! ❤️

xo

Kristen 

The Best Vegan Carrot Dogs

WANNA KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE BEST VEGAN 'HOT DOGS' EVER?!

Hint: They may or may not be made out of carrots. 

Yes. I said carrots. 

#trust

They're easy.

They're delicious.

They're super perfect for summer BBQs! 

- Subscribe to my YouTube channel here! -

So get some of these babies marinating in the fridge ASAP.

And yes, I promise they're super yummy!

I was skeptical at first too.  

But trust me on this one. They're SO damn good, and totally omnivore approved.

You can thank me later.  :)

 

THE BEST VEGAN CARROT DOGS

VEGAN | GLUTEN FREE 

INGREDIENTS: 

For the dogs

  • 6-8 large carrots

For the marinade:

  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth

  • 1 tablespoon olive or sesame oil

  • 1/4 cup Bragg's liquid aminos (soy sauce and tamari work too!)

  • 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar

  • 1 tbsp. maple syrup

  • 1/4 tsp. liquid smoke (hickory style is best!)

  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder

  • 1/4 tsp. oregano

  • 1/4 tsp. salt

  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Peel and cut the carrots to fit the size of buns you're using. 

2. Boil the carrots for 10-20 minutes (depending on the size of your carrots), until soft, but not mushy. 

3. Drain the carrots and immediately run cold water over them to stop the cooking process. 

4. While the carrots are boiling, make the marinade by whisking all of the ingredients together in a bowl until combined. 

5. Once the carrots are cooled, put them into a ziplock bag and pour the marinade in. 

6. Pop 'em in the fridge for AT LEAST 18 hours. The longer the better! I usually let mine marinade for 24-48 hours. Make sure to flip the bag every so often to evenly coat the carrots. 

7. When you're ready to cook your dogs, either grill 'em or sautè 'em until they're heated through and a little bit crispy on the outside (or however you prefer 'em!). #norules 

BOOM. 

Heavenly, mother-effin carrot dogs! 

Go make some ASAP! 

Have a delicious summer! 

xoxoxox

Kristen 

P.S. If you try these let me know how you like 'em!  And share this with all your peeps too! 

Love you!