Orange Cranberry Pecan Holiday Cookies (Raw & Vegan)

Remember my self-proclaimed horrible photography skills?

Well the photos of these Holiday cookie balls prove I am getting better, right?

(I do hope so ...)

Here's a quick and easy raw vegan cookie to serve this Holiday season.  I think the cherry red cranberries give it a festive look.  Here's what you'll need:

loving this font by Jenna Sue Design Co.

Into the food processor goes:

• 1 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup dates, pitted
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• zest of 1 orange + a squeeze of the juice
• raw honey, to taste (I used approx. 3 tablespoons)

Since I was using whole pecans, I pulsed them in the food processor first and then added everything else.  If the mixture seems too goopy, add more pecans.  Roll into balls or flat round cookie shapes.

I hope these sweet treats bring a little joy to your holiday season.

2013 Eco Holiday Gift Guide

1. Enchantmints' wooden fairy forest lodge toy
2. Organic & fair trade Holiday Spice Set (cloves, nutmeg & cinnamon) from The Spicy Gourmet
3. Vegan lip tar and nail lacquer set from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
4. TOMS+ Grey Serpentine Desert wedges for women
5. Mosey working girl bag (made from 35 plastic bottles)

Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

Updated Recipe Page (& embarrassing photos)

 Updated!

It took hours upon hours of HTML code and re-uploading photos from 2008-2010, but I finally have a modern and up-to-date list of my recipes (mostly raw and vegan) featured here on the blog.

I have a separate page for smoothies and other drinks, which I am currently working on updating as well.  I'll be sure to announce when everything is done, so stay tuned.

As all you fellow bloggers know probably just about the worst thing about having a blog is looking back at your photography from when you first started ...

Oh my!  
This is a raw vegan apple pie from my Raw Thanksgiving Post, which incidentally (and also incredibly embarrassing) is currently the most popular post on my blog!  Looking at the photo makes me cringe ... I think I might have even photographed it IN the fridge!!  I mean I couldn't even arrange the apple slices in a decorative way??!!

Anyhow as a result, I now have an irrational urge to re-photograph EVERYTHING!  I think the yogi in me can "let it go and let it be" ... except for the apple pie.  It has to be re-done.

Have you ever gone "back in time" on your blog?

  

I'M BACK: But why no pictures or stories??

(sun) Salutation bloggie friends. I'm back from my journey to India. What an amazing experience I had teaching, meeting new friends and diving in head first to adventures I never dreamed of. I'd love to tell you all about it ... well actually I already did!

Last week I wrote a lengthy post detailing all the adventures, lessons and spiritual growth I encountered during my trip. It was easily the most revealing post I've ever published on my blog. There were lots of pictures and my own personal reflections on how much I've grown and matured since I left.

And then ... Blogger deleted it!!

There was some glitch and lot of other blogs experienced the same thing. The next day Blogger Status reported that most of the deleted posts were recovered. Unfortunately for me, the post was only recovered in a very early draft, which hardly contained any of my thoughts at all. I've already contacted Blogger to see if they can access the final post that was published, but I haven't heard back from them. I guess they're pretty busy with the more popular blogs ;)

Anyhow I guess the blogosphere just wasn't meant to hear this story ... well not yet. So instead of trying to re-write the post I'm just letting go & letting be. My journey will just have to remain somewhat a mystery.

The good news is that I have lots of other new posts in the works right now, including:

• Truly raw cashews (picked off the tree myself)


• Eco crafts for charity


• Update on the Canada Organic logo (it's everywhere now!)


• And more raw, vegan and sattvic recipes

Several new people are following the blog since I've returned. WELCOME!Thanks for joining me and I hope you enjoy my musings, recipes and eco craft creations.

Gluten-Free Gift Ideas

Here's a great gift for the holidays for that gluten avoider in your life. I made this last year for my sister-in-law who avoids gluten like Superman & cryptonite :)

First find a great gluten-free recipe. I used a recipe for a baked macaroni & "cheese" from the Gluten Free Goddess blog (lots of great recipes there). Find something that suites the recipient. Type up the recipe and print it out on fun paper or a cute recipe card.

Collect a few ingredients from the recipe and assemble them together in a baking dish or something relevant to the recipe (use a cake pan for a cake recipe, a salad bowl for a salad recipe ... you get the idea).

It's actually quite fun to hunt for things. I found this gluten-free mustard in my local health food store. I don't know if regular mustard has gluten in it, but this one sure doesn't! I also added a few other cooking related things (there's some pot holders, a matching dish towel and a pot scrapper in there).

Then just wrap it up and tie a pretty ribbon around the whole thing. A thoughtful, personalized gluten-free gift that the recipient is sure to enjoy ... or you could just give them a fruit cake.

2010 Holiday Green Gifts Guide

It's time again for Angelic Monkey's green gifts guide (the third year in a row I might add. Check out the lists from 2009 & 2008, lots of good stuff that's still available). Without further ado, here's this years list:

PlanToys Recycling Truck Set

Eco minded kids will love this little recycling set that comes with the truck, driver and sorting bins for recycling, compost and garbage. Children that grow up with toys like this are destined save this planet when they grow up! All of PlanToys (& they have a lot!) are made from rubber trees that no longer produce rubber. The wood is dyed with water-based non toxic dyes and eco friendly glue (E-Zero glue).

Jane Goodall My Natural Plush Toys

The list goes on & on why these toys by animal lover, Jane Goodall are good for you, your child, the environment and the people who make the toys. Each plush animal is made from non-toxic cotton that hasn't been bleached or doused with harsh chemicals. Low eco impact dyes are used from natural minerals and soy. In addition the workers who make these toys are paid a fair wage, and enjoy the ethics and equality that most of us take for granted in the first world (as an aside, I couldn't find exactly where these toys are made). And of course the proceeds from the sale of each toy will go to the Jane Goodall Institute to support her research.

Bedol Water Clock

I love, love love this clock (I also posted it on my Facebook profile). No batteries required. This niffy clock runs on tap water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (the lemony water needs to be replaced every 8-12 weeks). Perfect for camping, travelling or just all around general tree hugging-ness!

UPDATE: Bedol has just launched a line of similar clocks that DO NOT need lemon added. Eco friendly time keeping just got easier.

Navitas Natural Cacao Lip Balm

Made from pure, cold-pressed cacao bean oil, I first found out about this chocolaty lip balm from Averie over at Love Veggies and Yoga. The balm is made from raw, vegan & certified organic cacao butter. It really leaves your smackers soft and velvety.

Plantable Holiday Greeting Cards from Botanical PaperWorks

I NEVER send out greeting cards because I think it's a waste of paper and a waste of resources to ship them ... but I know the majority of people out there do send cards for the holidays, and these plantable ones seem like a great alternative. The receiver of your holiday greeting can plant the card in soil, water and in a few short weeks watch it bloom. There's lots of designs to choose from, but the yogi in me is partial to this peace (in Sanskrit: om) design.

Rawganique Eco Slumber Masks (in hemp or organic cotton)

Don't you just hate those polyester slumber masks they give you on an airplane? Not very relaxing. Give the gift of natural rest & rejuvenation with these slumber masks made of natural fibres like hemp & organic cotton.

Dr. Alkaitis Travel Kit

Dr. Alkaitis' motto is "if you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin". Makes sense to me! Every one of these products are made with fresh ingredients that are raw, organic and plant derived. No trans-fats, no harsh chemicals and never tested on animals. The products also don't contain water (often used as a filler in lower quality products), so a little goes a long way. This travel kit contains: day creme, night creme, eye creme, facial cleanser, nourishing treatment oil, soothing gel, herbal toner and a mask. Don't eat it all at once ... I mean use it all at once :p The kit should last for 7-12 days.

Infrared Sauna

Okay, this one is a bit of a splurge (almost $1000), but if you can afford it, it's completely worth it! The place where I was teaching yoga this summer has a similar infrared sauna, and it was heaven (although hot as hell!!). Research shows that infrared saunas are good for cleaning out toxins, increasing circulation, speedy recovery from injuries, weight loss, improving the immune system and it's also incredibly relaxing! Great after a long day of karma yoga.

Raw Food Nation Post

This afternoon I was browsing the Raw Food Nation website, when suddenly I see a very familiar looking raw vegan Thanksgiving plate - mine!! The kind folks there posted a pic and a link back here to my site in their Raw Thanksgiving Round Up. Thanks raw friends xoxo.

If you aren't familiar with the Raw Food Nation site, head over there now and check out their raw recipes page (the raw tacos look yummy!), inspirational stories, and other great info.

5 Eco-Friendly Toys

Remember when we were young and toy trucks were metal and dolls were made out of cotton? If you have kids or visit friends with kids, it doesn't take long to realize that most children's toys today are made out of plastic and come from China. Why not give the kiddos a BPA-free holiday this year and buy them a toy that makes a difference in this world? Here are some suggestions ...

1. HaPe Bamboo Race Car - My nephew was given this car last December and it was a hit! The metal handles on top are great for allowing little fingers to give this car a push, and the ergonomic design helps put the petal to the metal. And since it's made from a quick growing plant, the bamboo used to make this toy will probably grow back faster than your child out grows it.
   


2. Under the Nile Organic Cotton Toys - With so many beautiful certified organic cotton toys to choose from, you'll want to just buy them all. My personal favourites are the fruits and veggies. What better way to teach your kids early about the importance of good eating habits, than have them chew on an organic green bean when they're teething. Although I'm partial to the monkey too of course!


3. Plan Toys Ring Set - Remember ring towers? Kids must place the largest ring on the tower and then continue with the next largest ring and so on until all the rings are on. When is the last time you saw one that wasn't plastic? Not only does this toy teach your child about sizes and colours, but its also made of recycled rubber tree wood. All of their toys use soy and water based biodegradable ink. As an added bonus the tower is collapsible in case anyone happens to fall on it. Of course your kids never fall ;) [I also love the fruit and veggies that your child can "cut" and serve].


4. Yellow Label Kids Teapot - Your children are probably too young to play with a ceramic tea set, but you definitely don't want them playing with (& maybe drinking out of) a plastic set either. So buy them this darling hand crocheted 5 piece tea set. The women who knit each of Yellow Label's toys are paid a fair wage, so there's no detail overlooked. Of course there's also some fruit and veggie crochet rattles that are adorable too.
   
5. I saved the best and most thoughtful gift idea for last. Make your own! Get out your knitting needles, crochet hook, sewing machine or bottle of glue and get crafty. There are fabulous organic cotton and bamboo knitting yarns available at most craft stores. Or use some leftover fabric and sew up a storm. Last year I made my niece and nephew toys made from socks. Sure it was more work than going to a store and picking something off the shelf, but they're worth it and I bet your kids are too.

**Don't forget to vote in my first web poll ** (located on the right).

DIY # 7: Bath & Body Products

Over the years I've cut back on the number of lotions and potions that I buy commercially. The unpronounceable ingredients and questionable preservatives irritate my skin, my planet and my wallet! While I still buy products like shampoo and conditioners at my health food store, other things like moisturizers, body sprays, bath salts and exfoliators are quick, easy and inexpensive to make myself - so I do. Here are some of my own personal recipes:

Bath Salts

So simple and easy you'll wonder why you ever went to Lush (which uses the dreaded SLS by the way). Combine 1 cup of Epsom salts with 4-5 drops of pure essential oil. Mix well. You can add dried rose petals or lavender flowers if you have some. Add a few tablespoons of these salts to your next relaxing bath.

Moisturizing Winter Face Mask

The next time you're cutting into an avocado, don't throw out the peel, use it as a moisturizer instead. After scooping out the avocado, turn the peel inside out and rub the inside of the peel on your face and neck. Leave it on for 5 minutes and then rinse with warm water. You should feel the results immediately. This is great for those loooong Canadian winters.

Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Face Mask

Did you know that honey is naturally anti-bacterial? That's why this face mask is especially good if you have acne. It's also incredibly moisturizing too. Honey isn't vegan, so use your own discretion on this one. I buy raw honey from a local biodynamic farm, which for me is a better choice than buying a chemical laden lotion probably made in China. For this mask, simply spread the honey on your face and neck and leave it on for 10-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. You feel noticeably softer skin immediately.

Dry Lip Scrub

Here's another one especially good for those living in cold climates. When your lips are dry and chapped mix a pinch of sea salt with a bit of olive oil. I mix them in the palm of my hand, but you can use a bowl. You only need a tiny bit. Spread the mixture on your lips and rub them together gently. The salt will help remove the dry flakes and the olive oil moisturizes and soothes your chapped lips. Rinse with warm water.

Vegan Lip Balm

Many commerically available "all natural" lip products contain beeswax. If you'd like to avoid this, use organic coconut oil instead. Coconut oil (sometimes referred to as coconut butter as it's solid) glides on smooth just like store bought lip balm. The oily nature helps to moisturize your lips and if you're into raw food, you probably have some in your cupboard anyway. You can even scoop a bit out and put it in an oil lip balm jar to keep in your purse or at the office. Careful in the summer though. This stuff will liquefy in the summer heat, so you probably don't want to carry it in your purse.

Wound Cleaner

As a kid my parents used Ozinal on us when we got minor cuts, but have you ever read the ingredients in that thing? A few years ago I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah recommending salt water. So I gave it a try and it really works. Simply mix warm water with a pinch of sea salt (don't make it over salty or it will sting). Apply to wound and let dry. Cover wound with a band-aid and re-apply as needed.

Other beautifying products/techniques that I use:

• Neti-pot nasal rinse
• oil pulling
• dry brushing
• regular ionic foot baths

Beautiful Canadian Autumn

It's Fall and those famous Canadian maple leaves are turning colours and falling. Here are few of my photos from this fabulous season ...

I hope you're having a fabulous Fall - wherever you are in this world. More raw vegan recipes coming up next week. Until then ...

Organic Vegan Halloween Candy

Halloween is fast approaching. Do you hand out candy at your house? Chances are (even if you're a health food nut like myself) you do. What is a healthy conscious vegan supposed to do on Halloween? Thanks to various whack-jobs with a large supply of needles on hand, the days of handing out apples are unfortunately behind us. Hand out raisins you might say, well you might as well hang out a sign that says, "egg my house please".

That's why this year I'll be handing out candy from Pure Fun, an organic candy company that makes vegan, kosher, gmo-free, gluten-free, and allergy free candies. Pure Fun's Halloween kit comes with 30 lollipops including a superfood flavour - goji. These lollipops are also sold at a price that is about the same as conventional Halloween treats -only $4.29. A great deal if you ask me. The ginger candy works wonders on a sore throat, although probably too spicy for trick-or-treaters.

Sure it's not "health food" but at least you'll be supporting an organic company and more than likely introducing a lot of kids to organics. Best of all you can have the leftover lollies!

Happy Halloween!

Raw Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

To my Canadian readers, happy Thanksgiving! To my readers south of the border - no you're not in a time warp. Thanksgiving is in October here in the true north strong & free. This just happens to be my first raw Thanksgiving, so I've scoured the internet and uncook books for the tastiest dishes. This Thanksgiving I'm giving thanks for quick, easy and delicious raw recipes that don't include cooking a dead bird's carcass.

Pictured above is 1 lightly steamed corn cob topped with a pat of Ani Phyo's raw olive "butter", a simple salad (cukes, tomatoes, green onion, dill and julienned carrots), raw mashed "potatoes" and raw cranberry sauce.

Raw Mashed "Potatoes" (recipe from gone raw)

• 2 cups parsnips, washed and cubed
• ½ cup pine nuts
• squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1½ cup water

Combine everything (except the water) in the food processor. Slowly add the water until the desired consistency - some people like stiff potatoes, others like them runny. I opted to julienne my parsnips first because my food processor isn't that powerful.

Festive Raw Cranberry Sauce

Holy poop! I can't believe I ever used to eat this out of a can. This recipe is so simple and so tasty. Definitely a keeper for the holidays.

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 apple, peeled (I used Ginger Gold)
• 1 orange (zest first then peel, cut & quarter)
• pinch of cinnamon
• 5 dates, pitted
• raw sweetener (to taste or none at all)

Combine everything in the food processor. If you like it chunky, then just pulse in the processor. If you like it smooth, then the blender might be a better choice.

Ani's Raw All American Apple Pie (recipe from Ani Phyo's Ani's Raw Food Kitchen)

I've had my eye on this recipe for a while now. With the leaves falling and the crisp Autumn air coming in, apples are at their peak in my corner of the world. So why wait any longer?! Serve à la mode with a dollop of raw serve. I halved Ani's original recipe, so the picture is a mini apple pie.

ALMOND PIE CRUST -

• 2 cups almonds, dry
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups pitted dates

SYRUP -

• 1/2 cup pitted dates
• 1 orange, peeled and seeded
• splash of water, as needed to make the blender go round

FILLING -

• 5 cups apples, peeled, seeded, thinly sliced, about 5 or 6 apples
• 1 cup raisins and/or dried cranberries (optional)
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

The directions for this pie aren't on Ani's website, so I won't publish them here. However, you can watch Ani making this pie on ABC here.

Happy (cruelty-free) Thanksgiving everyone!! Wishing you all lots of ...

Happy Birthday Shanghai Monkey!

It's time to celebrate. Shanghai Monkey is 1 year old! Exactly one year today, I published my very first post - vegan pumpkin pie. Since then I've dazzled you (hopefully!) with my posts on raw vegan food, organics, crafts, yoga poses and more! Hugs to everyone that reads, comments and follows the blog. There's lots more goodies to come so stay tuned ...

Blogger Absence, Raw Food & Peace One Day

Happy Peace One Day! (see end of post ...)

Things have gotten a bit hectic these past few weeks and alas, I haven't been posting my raw food Tuesday recipes. I'm still eating lots of fresh, living raw food - I just haven't posted any of them. Here are a few of the goodies I've been feasting on in my absence ...

Raw Chia Pudding 

• 1 part chia seeds
• 3 parts nut "milk" (or 1 banana mixed in the blender with water)
• dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, etc ... (whatever strikes your fancy)
• chopped fruit (if desired)
• raw sweetener (if desired)

My breakfast for the past few weeks. Very versatile, quick and easy. Mix the nut milk with the spices. Add in the chia seeds and mix with a spoon in a large bowl. Make sure all the chia seeds are covered in the "milk". Place the mixture in the refrigerator. After about 20 minutes stir it again to make sure all the seeds are incorporated - sometimes the seeds can clump together. Place it back in the fridge over night (or at least 10 hours). The chia seeds will soak up the liquid and gradually get thicker.

In the morning add chopped fruit and mix to combine. You can add a squirt of raw sweetener if you'd like. Or just eat the chia pudding by itself. Okay granted this isn't the most visually appealing dish. Grey pudding - yum! Ultimately the pudding ends up tasting like the liquid you soaked the chia in. This is also a very filling breakfast that is sure to give you the energy you need throughout the day.

Raw Rocket Rainbow

Across the pond they call arugula leaves rocket. Pretty cool name eh? This simple salad has been my lunch side salad almost everyday. I tried to combine all the colours I possibly could: rocket, baby spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, yellow pepper and julienned carrots.

When I took this salad to work EVERYONE who walked by was heard saying, "That looks so good". It is.

Raw Cuke Noodles


A switch up from my usual zuke noodles, this time I used the julienne peeler on a cucumber. I tossed the noodles with a pinch of sea salt and cold pressed olive oil, and served them on a bed of baby spinach.

Raw Vegan Chocolate Brownies

BROWNIE -

Remember when I posted about my first raw food class?? Well this was one of the dishes we made that night in class. Definitely worth the class fee for just this recipe alone - who knows why it took me so long to make it!! I ended up taking these to a get together (no I didn't eat all these brownies myself).

• ¼ cup cacao powder
• 2 cups pecans
• 20-25 dates
• pinch salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Grind the pecans in a food processor (careful not to over process). Place the rest of the ingredients (except the dates) in the food processor and mix well. Add dates one at a time until the mixture starts to clump together. Press the mixture into a square (or rectangular) pan and place in freezer. While the brownies firm up, make the icing.

CHOCOLATE ICING -

• 1/3 cup agave, maple syrup or raw honey
• ¼ cup cacao powder
• 1 ½ tablespoon coconut oil
• dash of vanilla extract (alcohol free)

Mix everything in a bowl. Pour the icing over the brownies and place back in the freezer for 1 – 2 hours. Remove from the freezer and cut into squares. Serve immediately or place in the fridge to keep firm before serving.

In another note, do you know about Peace One Day? Humanitarian, Jeremy Gilley started an international day of peace to create peace between nations, governments and people. Every year on September 21st participants celebrate in union with a day of non-violence and ceasefire. If you haven't seen the incredible, passionate and award winning documentary of Jeremy's journey, then buy, rent or attend a screening today. My local library is hosting a free screening, and I'm wagering yours is too!