As always, 100% organic, vegan, whole foods.

• 8 oz of coconut oil
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tbl vanilla
• 1 cup pecans
• 2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

Some days I just want something to satisfy my sweet tooth in the best kind of way.  This is one of those smoothies.  Frothy, malted maca meets dates and coconut milk.  Making this at home with whole ingredients is one of the easiest and most satisfying things.  Almost as satisfying as making a frothy maca mustache with this delightful (delicious) smoothie from our book, I am Grateful.  

I am Delicious (page 106 in I am Grateful)

Ingredients

1/4 cup Lucuma powder

• 3 cups dried coconut flakes
• 1 cup coconut syrup/nectar
• 1 1/4 cup pecan flour (fine ground pecans- you can use a coffee grinder)
• 1 Tbl. Vanilla
• 1/3 cup Coconut Butter (melted)
• 1 1/2 tsp. Salt

I find that whenever I make a smoothie or a shake, I gulp it down uber-fast and hardly savor it. This is usually because the smoothie is a quick on-the-go breakfast and there’s no time to take it sip by sip. Not that gulping a smoothie is a tragedy--not much effort goes into the preparation, so I don’t feel like any hard work is being under-appreciated. But the recipe today isn’t created by just tossing some stuff in a blender. This one requires more work, like pre-soaking figs and processing some Brazil nut milk. Therefore, I think it deserves more appreciation on the tasting end. Today I invite you to invest some energy in building a delicious mocha smoothie - and then doing yourself another favor by taking some quality time to enjoy it.

This fresh fruit parfait is a hot item at our cafes - selling out just as soon as it hits the dessert case. Try this recipe with your favorite fruit, or try just the coconut meringue on top of a piece of pie or an ice cream sundae.

Recipe by Chaya-Ryvka Diehl

www.theLivingVision.com

Chaya@theLivingVision.com

Calling all raw chocolate lovers, hear yee, hear yee; If you would love to be able to take 6 simple ingredients, turn them into the most delicious chocolate treat ever, and do it in less than 10 minutes this recipe is perfect for you!

I suggest printing this recipe out and pinning it up to your fridge because I am sure you will be making it on a regular basis. Make it with your children, and enjoy it as a healthy dessert alternative! If you want a chocolate free version use carob powder, or lucuma powder (for a blonde version) instead of the chocolate (you may want to reduce the sugar a bit because carob and lucuma are both already slightly sweet).

For those of us who are gluten-free and/or vegan and need to find good baked goods to enjoy while everyone else is pigging out on the "regular" stuff, this is recipe is for us.  And all of my friends who AREN'T gluten-free or vegan totally enjoy these treats as well.  I was at my friend Debbie's house when she made these for her first time, and we both discovered our new favorite cookie.  Even if you don't have time to make the icing, these cookies are great all by themselves.  But we highly recommend the full experience.  And yes, they do taste like my favorite Girl Scout Cookie, Thin[k] Mints.  Enjoy!!!

This is one of my favorite snacks – for any time of day. It's inspired by Cafe Gratitude's “I Am Super” (dark chocolate nuggets), but my version is even more simple. These are a great energy boost and quite tasty!

I offer ratios instead of measurements so you can make whatever amount you want! I usually use ½ cup to equal one part, which makes about 20 balls.