TAHINI TREAT

     After spending the last two weeks eating this awesome treat everyday (and sometimes two and three times a day) I've decided it is finally time to share the recipe with you. I'm warning you though, it is so good, and apparently very addictive. This should really come as no surprise to me though as I do recall being quite addicted to this yummy halvah I use to buy at the health food store years ago. I used to eat that stuff like it was going out of style too. I must have a thing for tahini. Luckily tahini is quite nutritious - for example it is a very good source of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese. It's good for your heart, it boosts nutrient absorption, it helps you burn fat, it fights cancer - it's a super food! But most importantly it tastes delicious and perfectly binds the fruit, raisins and hemp seeds together - making it spoonable and crazy yum.

TAHINI TREAT

1 apple, diced

1 banana, peeled and chopped

2 Tbsp raisins

3- Tbsp hemp nuts

about 3-4 Tbsp tahini

Method: Combine all ingredients and enjoy with a spoon.

BLACK FOREST BIRTHDAY CAKE

I know it's probably pretty obvious, but I love to bake. I especially love to bake birthday cakes. People really love it when you bake them a birthday cake too. It's a win-win situation. It's also pretty obvious that I am no vegan, but when I make chocolate cake I always use this recipe, which just so happens to be vegan - and seriously moist and delicious. It adapts really well to a black forest theme too when you slather it with coconut whipped cream and cherries. Yum.

BLACK FOREST CAKE

(makes one 6” layer cake)

¾ cup organic whole wheat flour

1 cup organic unbleached white flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

¾ cup organic cocoa powder, sifted

½ tsp sea salt

1 cup organic unsweetened coconut beverage

½ cup avocado oil

1 ½ cups local maple syrup

1 tsp organic apple cider vinegar

2 tsp pure organic vanilla

Method: Preheat oven to 350*.  Prepare two 6” round cake pans by greasing them with some oil and then lining with parchment paper cut into rounds.  Sift the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl.  Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, and then stir in the cocoa powder until dissolved.  Whisk the oil, maple syrup, vinegar and vanilla into the cocoa mixture.  Stir the wet ingredients into to the dry.  Pour into prepared cake pans and bake in 350* oven for 45-60 minutes in cake pans and for 22 minutes in the cupcake pan.  Allow to cool on a  baking rack for 10 minutes before removing cakes from pans.  Cool completely before icing.

CHERRY FILLING

 5 cups frozen organic cherries

1/4-1/2 cup maple syrup

2-3 Tbsp organic corn starch

Method: Place the cherries and maple syrup in a saucepan over medium high heat. Dissolve the cornstarch in a bit of cold water and then stir into the hot cherries. Stir until it thickens to desired consistency. Cool and refrigerate.

WHIPPED COCONUT CREAM

1-2 14 oz cans full fat coconut milk

1/4-1/2 cup organic icing sugar or a bit of maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla

Method: Chill cans of coconut overnight in the fridge. Chill a large mixing bowl in freezer. Remove just the solid coconut cream on the top and leave the liquid behind for use in a smoothie or something. Beat for 30 seconds with a mixer then add sifted icing sugar and vanilla. Use immediately or refrigerate.

To assemble the cake: Use a serrated knife to trip the domed top off of each cake. Pour 3/4 of the cherry mixture on the bottom half and then top with some whipped cream. Place the second layer on top. Use the rest of the whipped cream to ice the cake, then pour the rest of the cherry mixture in the centre of the top of the cake. Sprinkle with shaved dark chocolate and gently press some on the sides of the cake too. Refrigerate to harden the icing a bit. 

 PRINT RECIPE

FEARLESS DETOX

Detox is not as scary as you think!

     In fact, your body is doing it all the time and you're doing just fine. Traditionally the liver and gallbladder are associated with the Spring season, making now the ideal time to enhance liver and gall bladder function. Without strong liver function, detoxification is hindered in the body. Rather than thinking of a detox as something you do to your body - consider it more of a time to support and nourish the organs responsible for detoxifyIng the body (all year round). A healthy detox program emphasizes eating healthy foods and incorporating holistic practices that just make it easier for the digestive and detoxifying organs of the body to move accumulated waste or toxins out, as well as decreasing the toxic burden we generally put on our bodies.    
     After a winter of excess and hibernation, it feels good to switch gears and give our bodies a little attention in the spring. You know how nice it feels to drive your car home after getting a tune-up? The oil is squeaky clean, the fluids have been topped off, windshield wipers have been changes, tire pressure is at that perfect level, and you've vacuumed and washed the car until it shines? Well, just like our cars need some care and maintenance in the spring, so do our bodies.
     Some people freak out at the idea of a spring detox. It's not wonder - there are so many detox kits and programs out there that just scream DEPRIVATION, and I for one have no desire to live without the pleasure of food and eating. Juice fast? Forget it. Master cleanse? No way. I am happy to announce that maintenance does not mean liquid juice fast or maple syrup and lemon juice for days on end.

     As a registered holistic nutritional consultant and yoga teacher, I understand that the best way to support your body in it's effort to keep you healthy is to nourish and support with whole foods, gentle tonic herbs, and invigorating yoga. I've created a 7- Day Spring Detox that is effective and fun to do. There is absolutely no reason to be scared because you will NOT feel deprived. We are going to keep it simple and eat wholesome, delicious foods. The only thing you have to lose is some unwanted poundage, dark circles and puffiness under your eyes, and that feeling of lethargy that has been dragging you down.
     The Spring Detox has everything you will need: a step by step guide, the recipes, a shopping list and meal planner, holistic detox strategies, and yoga videos for vitality and wellness. You are invited to join the program and eat your way to vitality in 7 days!

The Keeping It Real SPRING DETOX E-Course launches on April 10th.

Early Bird Registration is on now - sign up today and save!

Regular Price $40 - You pay just $32 

 CHECK IT OUT!