Raw Cacao Balls

Staying on the 'Healthy' kick for January I wanted to do my favorite snack. Now if anyone knows me at all they know that I love chocolate. Lately I've found something way better than the basic candy bars and cookies. These Raw Cacao Balls - now I have to credit Sarah H. for introducing these amazing (addicting) treats which I have put my own spin on. I make these and keep them in my fridge and snack on them often without any guilt. They are raw and wheat free, so they fit into a category of nutritional bars etc. Here goes: with a Cuisinart grind up 1/2 c dried coconut flakes. Set aside. Then 1/2 c of almonds or pecans, grind into a flour. Put coconut flour back in, add 1 1/2 c of Raw Agave Nectar, 1 1/2 c Raw Cacao powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cardamon, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla & 3 T Coconut Oil. Blend well, then using a spatula remove from Cuisinart and put into a mixing bowl. Now here's the hard part - since you don't want to break the Cuisinart....add 1c millet flour and mix with your hand, squeezing the dough through your fingers mixing until its dark & smooth. Now you can add chopped nuts if you want or switch out the millet flour for Vega Smoothie Infusion to give it more nutrients. Wash hands, add about 1 c dried coconut in a separate bowl, and using a melon baller, scoop out  dough and roll each ball between your hands and when your done toss into the coconut - coating well and set on tray. Once you roll all the balls - stick tray into fridge overnight to chill and harden. Now enjoy...I know I do :)

Raw Kale Chips

Well HAPPY 2012! And to begin our new year we always try to make our diet better. One way is to have 'snacks' that don't leave us sad and deprived. So I'm  giving you my recipe for Kale Chips. They are yummy, they are crunchy and they taste amazing. I have trouble keeping them around for very long because they get eaten in about 24 hours. BUT to have the kids snacking on these as apposed to potato chips - I will make them more often. I use a dehydrator and set it at 115*  for about 8 hours, but you can put them in your oven on the top rack at the lowest setting but keeping the door of the oven slightly open. They won't "technically" be raw but they will still be yummy and it will cook in a lot less time, so stay close so they don't turn to dust.
For 1 bunch of kale - wash first, then holding the stem grasp the greens closest to the bottom of the stem and slide you hand (with the greens) clean off the tip of the stem. Do this for each stem - removing it. Then break up leaves into good sizes - 3 in pieces or so. Set into a bowl. Now in a blender - 1c cashews, 1c nutritional yeast, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. curry (more if you love it), 2 T Bragg Amino's (or tamari), and juice of a lemon. add 1-2 c water and blend totally. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. then pour over kale, mix well so it is totally covered. Spread out on dehydrator sheets or oven cookie sheets. Check them often, some will dry quicker so remove the crispy ones. I like them slightly chewy but that's me...a little chewy around the edges :)