Raw Peach Cobbler with Chocolate Genache

Chocolate is one of my main obsessions. And since it's actually GOOD for your heart, and filled with antioxidants, why now? Now, let's make a distinction between cacao and cocoa. Cocoa is heated, and processed, and not what they mean when they say chocolate is good for you (although it's an upgrade from a chocolate bar). In a pinch, you can make this with simple cocoa and follow the rest of the ingredients and you're good to go. However, if you really want to reap the benefits of all that chocolate has in store, you definitely want to go with cacao, which is unheated, unprocessed, the raw, real deal. Cacao is one of the highest antioxidants fruits on this planet, especially if left alone (unheated and raw). So you can rest assured that this dessert is not only delicious but good for your glorious bod!

1 peach, sliced
1/4 cup walnuts, or amount that suits you

chocolate genache:

It's best if you make big batches of this in a blender and just have it in the fridge for later use (since it will be smoother) but if you're like me and just need something in a pinch, this smaller recipe can suit you just fine. You might just have to blend it really well with a spoon to let go of the lumps.  Or if you're ok with the lumps, then all the better. Otherwise, I'd probably quadruple the ingredients and blend it up in a strong blender and have enough for the week.

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1-2 tablespoon cacao
some vanilla extract, optional

Mix all ingredients together until well blended. What's great about this recipe is that you can make it thicker or thinner, just by adding more or less cacao...if you want a really thick mousse, add one more tablespoon of cacao. If you like it thin, just enjoy it as is.  Stir it really well with a spoon and drizzle a little over the peaches and walnuts.  This recipe would be good enough for two servings.  

Beet & Avocado Detox Salad

I love beets, primarily for the reason that they're so GOOD for you and super sweet when you take them right out of the garden. We've been lucky this year - all of our beets that we planted have blossomed into some amazing deliciousness. You can certainly eat them raw, but one night I decided simply to boil them and slice them up for this easy salad.  

Most importantly, beets are great for the liver. They are a blood purifier and regenerator, and do a great job supporting the liver in all of its processes. It basically takes care of your whole body, so when you eat beets and other liver-supporting foods, you know that you're taking care of it right back. Win-win. 

2 cups beets, boiled, and sliced thin

1/2 vidalia onion, sliced thin

1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon flax seed oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 avocado, cubed

The amounts here are really estimated - use what you have on hand. If you only have 1 cup of beets, that's also fine. But I love the creamy avocado with the spicy onion, sour vinegar, smooth flax seed oil, and sweetness of the beets. In a pinch, you have so many different tastes in one dish! 

Combine everything except the avocado and give it a good stir. Place the avocado on top, give it one quick stir, and enjoy!

Heirloom Tomato & Corn Salsa Fresca

I'm loving this time of year....the garden is in full bloom with crazy looking heirloom tomatoes, corn, scallions, kale, collards, peppers, jallapenos, and so many greens! 

One of the things I'm passionate about is non-gmos, and I'm happy to say that we've successfully grown organic non-gmo corn! Of course, they're a little smaller than your average ear of corn, but they are delicious raw, juicy, and absolutely sweet.  They pair very well with this salsa fresca, and uses the bounty of the garden for a delicious meal! 

Eat this up with a big spoon as is (almost like a gazpacho) or sop it up with some toasted crunchy sprouted organic corn chips, like you see here.  Either way, it's sure to be a late summer staple in your home!

corn, taken from 2 ears of corn with a sharp knife, raw

1 heirloom Red tomato diced small

1 heirloom Yellow tomato diced small

1 small chocolate pepper, diced small

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup Vidalia onion, minced

1/2 cup Cilantro, minced

1/2 Lime juiced

Cumin, red pepper, salt to taste

Optional:  1/2 mango, diced small

Combine all ingredients together well and enjoy!

Happy Hormone Infusions

Raspberry leaf and Nettle Infusions

I've been dabbling in herbalism lately (love my Herbals class).  Raspberry and Nettle infusions have been my "thing" for a little while now and I just had to share them with you.  Nettle and Rasperry leaf are extremely healing and tonifying for the female reproductive system, and I use them to maintain balance in my hormones. So for those of you experiencing irregular period, or the fluctuations of PMS, cramps, mood, and even mild depression due to hormonal imbalances, be sure to make some of these infusions. Another good one is lemon balm (Melissa), although not pictured.

I make mine in pots and in the morning, I transfer them to ball jars and keep in the fridge. You can sweeten them if you like, but I really enjoy them as they are. 

4-5 cups boiling water

1 handful raspberry leaves or nettles (or you can even mix them) in dry form

Heat the water until boiling and add the herbs in.  Turn the heat off, cover, and let steep overnight.  Strain in the morning and drink throughout the day. This infusion will last about 3 days in the fridge.  

Zesty Lean & Mean Watermelon Juice

We served a variation of this at one of our recent raw foods potluck, but I decided to kick it up a notch.  

Typically we get an organic watermelon, obliterate the inside of it, and then juice the rind. Last year, we grew our own watermelons, and the juice was this fantastic, light pink color. This year, we did a few things differently with our garden, and didn't plant watermelons, and it's tricky to find organic watermelons in these parts.  We had to make due with a conventional one, and therefore opted not to juice the rind. 

If you have an organic one, definitely juice the rind and proceed with the recipe. If you don't have an organic watermelon, ditch the rind and just juice the middle. 

Watermelon is very detoxifying and although it is high in sugar, for a limited period of time in the summer, we do indulge. If you add in the cayenne, it will be a natural fat burner (thermogenic food) and the lime will also add to alkanalize the juice even more.  

Enough watermelon to produce two glasses of juice (about 4-5 cups)

1 lime, juiced

pinch of cayenne

Juice the watermelon and divide into two glasses.  Juice the lime and add to the glasses, sharing equal quantities.  Add the cayenne to each glass, stir and drink up!

Happy National Farmers Market Week!

I love this week! What's better than fresh organic fruits and vegetables, hot from the sun and hand-picked by people you know, mixed arrangements of beautiful flowers, organic juices, coconut water, and even hearth-baked breads? 

Not sure anything is better! I love the smells, the eclectic variety of people walking about, the dogs, babies, strollers, and random watermelons decorating the pavement.  You can buy anything from jade jewery to raw local honey, to a decadent vegan donut, and to the most beautiful yellow heirlooom tomatoes in one shopping experience! 

My favorite market is the one in Red Bank, and my favorite stand is the organic produce stand...

I head straight for it.

This past Sunday, they had purple and white potatoes, kale, cucumbers, basil, garlic, oodles of colorful, heirloom tomatoes, and beets! 

I love these guys (thanks, Nicole, Lisa and Laura!) and the fact that they work hard, bring us quality nutrition, and even share some of their favorite ways to make the food is a steal at these prices.  

You can eat like a king and queen for under $10.

I also really love Herbertsville Honey, since they are local, raw, and know that they are good to their bees.  

They also make the most wonderful honey and can even share with you how to have your own beehive in a sustainable, kind way in your own backyard! 

So be sure to go out and visit a market this week and see all the glorious food that abounds! And enjoy the pics of some of my favorite market produce! 

Goji Berry Tea

One of my favorite summer treats is cool tea! I love spearmint most of all (super cooling) but when I'm in the mood for a sweet treat, goji is the way to go! Simply steeping dried goji berries in boiling water and let cool gives you a naturally sweetened cooled drink that gives you energy (from nutrients, not stimulants) and revs you up. 

Goji berries are amazing, through and through. They offer a huge dose of vitamin C, are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, are a great source of iron and a true powerhouse of antioxidants. They also have more carotenoids than any other food! For more info, please visit this site HERE. 

Handful Goji berries

5 or 6 cups boiling water

Boil the water in a pot and add in the goji berries.  For some added "umph", throw in a few slices of lemon. Turn the heat off, cover, and let steep overnight.  Drink throughout the day as a cooling beverage and enjoy - you don't need to strain it!