carrot ginger soup – two ways!

the weather here was amazing this weekend, i actually enjoyed a couple hours of sunning pool side! and please don’t hate me if you’ve just come in from digging your car out of a snowbank- i did close to 18 winters in maine, i can feel your pain.  and your frozen toes.  ahhhhhhh!  don’t worry, this soup will warm you up.

as much as i love this warm weather it’s strange because it’s JANUARY!  so to make it feel wintry in the best possible way i cooked up this carrot ginger soup. it’s my first time making a cashew cream and i apologize in advance if my next ten recipes are nothing more than excuses to drench something (anything!) in it.  i’ve fallen ass over teakettle in love. i may have even proposed marriage somewhere between tasting it with a sprig of thyme and mixing in curry powder.  *sigh*

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raw, vegan, salted peanut butter cookies

when i get on a sugar kick i’m like buddy the elf!  and during the holidays i always loosen up a bit and eat more of the stuff i generally try to avoid- refined sugar, white flour, processed goodies!  its yummy fun but i also find that after a few weeks of treating myself my regular food doesn’t taste nearly as good as it used to.  which means it’s time for a cleanse!  so i return to really clean eating- lots of juicing, fruits and vegetables.  but i inevitably miss the sweets.  that’s why i knew the second i spotted this that i had my answer.  a raw cookie with no sugar, no flour, no processing at all?  genius i tell you, genius!  they aren’t the same as a true dry, flaky peanut butter cookie but they’re close enough for me!  and the best part: after eating one i feel satisfied instead of feeling like i probably need to eat three more.  that sugar addiction, it’s a crazy thing!  i hope you love them as much as i do!

recipe after the jump:

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cous cous stuffed acorn squash

when acorn squash is cooked right i think it’s in my top 3 favorite roasted squashes.  is it weird that i have a top 3 favorite roasted squash list? probably. do i let it stop me from threatening the butternut with a revocation when it doesn’t cook up sweet enough? absolutely not.

ok, enough of that crazy talk. this meal is super easy, it just takes a little patience during the cooking time.  and it satisfies in a way that only carbs and roasted vegetables can.  so i love it for that too.  and in spite of the heaviness, it’s still really healthy! so eat up you weight-loss-new-year-resolutioners!  xx -sarah

recipe after the jump…

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green juice recipe

i had a few requests for this when i posted about my new healthy habits. we have this juice (or a variation of it) every morning and it’s the perfect start to our day.  a few juicing tips, if you’re interested:

- juice your greens first to get the most out of them, and on the lower speed setting if you have that option.  then ginger next!

- if the green taste is too much at first (my dad said it tastes like the “freshly mowed lawn”) add a bit more fruit or a carrot to sweeten it and then phase them out as your taste buds adjust

- if you’re the type of person who can’t get enough sour- add more lemon!

- if you have a significant other to share the juicing responsibilities with it sure does help- we try to split up the work.  if i juice, he cleans.  it really helps!

- i think the juice tastes significantly better when served in a frosty canning jar. 

- if you’re considering purchasing a juicer, we love our breville.  and it’s on sale here for $89!

if you have any favorite juice recipes, please share!  i’m thinking of doing another short cleanse to ring in the new year.  OH, and please note:  this recipe makes 2+ very large glasses of juice, so halve it if you’re juicing solo!  

spicy black bean soup

i’m pretty sure lou’s heart grows 3 sizes (a la the grinch who stole christmas) when he dips his tortilla chips into this tasty soup.  and it fits my requirements: easy, healthy, delicious.  oh, and black beans are super high in antioxidants so eating this soup is pretty much like slapping cancer in the face or poking heart disease in the eye.  that’s science my friends and you read it here first.  you’re very welcome.  xx- sarah



(recipe after the jump)

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vegan gingerbread cookies

have you done any holiday baking this year?  these cookies are on my list (recipe here).  i’ll frost them all cute, wrap them pretty and give them to our neighbors, mail-lady and any other person who crosses my path before christmas! i’m also looking for an amazing (vegan) chocolate chip cookie recipe if you have one you’d recommend.  have a fantastic weekend filled with lots of treats my friends! xx -sarah