Raw Vegan Cheezecake

I’m in full summer beach bum mode and thoroughly enjoying our current heatwave.

The only negative thing about this weather is that it makes cooking feel like you’re actually in the oven yourself.

Luckily I’ve discovered raw vegan cheesecakes to help cool me down this summer in the most delicious, and healthful way. Here is a recipe for one of my faves:

CRUST

• 1 cup packed pitted dates
• 1 cup raw walnuts

FILLING

• 1 1/2 cups soaked raw cashews
• 1 large lemon (juiced)
• 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
• 2/3 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)

FLAVOR ADD-INS

• 2 Tbsp salted natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Place crust in food processor, then place on bottom of a springform pan. Next process filling and spoon on top of crust. Freeze for at least 3 hours. Serve.

Mountain Adventures & Black Bean Brownies

Hiking season is here. And after a long trek up a mountainside there’s nothing better than something sweet and delicious to treat yourself with.

This recipe hits both categories and is also really healthy, made with black beans and sweetened with maple syrup.

Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup black beans (equals one can)
• 2 T raw cacao powder
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• pinch sea salt
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a food processor and blend until completely smooth. Then add chips and  pour into a greased 8×8 pan.

Easy and delicious.

Blossoms & Bliss Balls

Every spring I chase cherry blossoms around the city, so if you aren’t a cherry blossom lover, stop reading now.

The insane beauty of the city exploding on petals ranged from soft pink to fuschia fills me with awe every year.

Chasing all of these blossoms works up an appetite so here is a recipe for delicious little energy balls to take with you when you’re on the go. There’s a lot of high level nutrition packed into these little balls:

Cashew Bliss Balls

• 1 cup cashews, ground in food processor
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 T raw cacao powder in half
• Splash filtered water

Mix ingredients together, form into balls, chill, serve.