Protein Bites

These little bites pack a big punch as far as protein on the go. Made these for lunches and quick snacks and they are a huge hit.
What you will need-

1 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup protein powder
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup honey
chocolate chips or coconut flakes (if adding make sure they are a good quality chocolate and unsweetened coconut)

MIX it all together. Now this is a recipe you may have to add a little peanut butter and honey if yours is too dry or if its too wet add a little more almond flour. Roll them into bite size pieces and store in the fridge.

Kale Apple Salad

Recreating something amazing I had last week... too yummy not to share.

2 cups organic chopped kale
1 small chopped green apple
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup chopped red onion
Crumble goat cheese (optional)

Mix with dressing and devour!!!
Dressing:
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
BLEND -- serve over salad.

I need your vote! ZOUP! recipe contest....

I am just so excited I have to share that I entered one of my raw and ultra healthy soup recipes in a national contest with the restaurant chain, ZOUP. I actually made it to the top four!! They are holding one week for friends and family to cast votes. There is nothing required of you as far as entering information. Just one click.

If I win, they will give me a $1,000 Williams Sonoma Card and feature my healthy soup on the menu!!

I am really excited.

Please just take a moment, and vote by clicking below and my recipe is the on the top and labeled. Peach Melon Gazpacho by Laura Parker. 

If you want to share please feel free to share with as many as you can. I would be so happy to win this contest and see more people getting to enjoy healthy food while out!!

Here is the link-

Vote daily for the next week... please... Thanks so much!!! 

http://www.zouprecipecontest.com/?post_id=943672642340682_943672629007350#_=_

Chocolate Sea Salt Dip

The sound of it doesn't sound healthy, but what a treat this was tonight. My little ones have already developed the female love of chocolate and it's up to me that they stay healthy so when they asked if I could make them this dip I was all over it!
It is easy and tastes so great. Slicing up some fruit to go along with it and you have a power packed snack that is incredibly good and good for you! Eating clean and loving it!
So here's the deets.

Chocolate Sea Salt Dip

1 avocado ( peeled and pitted)
6 TBSP organic cacao powder
1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk (can use almond too)
5 TBSP pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt

Place it all in a food processor or vita mix and blend it up! Process till smooth! 

Green Glow Smoothie

This recipe is so delicious and I can't take all the credit. I was inspired by my church. (I know! A church with green smoothies!? It's true... And I LOVE that.) I did add a few extra touches but I hope you enjoy it.

Green Glow
2 cups chopped kale
2 cups almond milk
2 bananas
2 cups frozen pineapple
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon chia seed
1teaspoon flax seed
Blend in Vita Mix or blender
DONE!
This makes about 3 large smoothies. Reduce amounts for one.
Have fun...add or take away to your liking.

Juice for Life! Just because it is green does not mean it is gross!

 We juice often, it helps us keep our busy family strong and full of vitamins. Here are some of our favorites!

 In a JUICER-
Orange Kick in the Pants!
 Carrots-small bunch 3-4
I apple
1/2 cup pineapple

1/2 stick celery

Gingerooo
1 apple
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger root
3-4 carrots

Beet IT!

1 beet

3 carrots

1 apple

Green Smoothies- in a blender or VITA MIX- will make a bunch so cut it down for one person.
MINTY MADNESS-
1 cup frozen pineapple (or fresh)
1 cup mango frozen or fresh
2 cups raw organic spinach
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup water
4-5 fresh mint leaves

GREEN GOODIE- makes an entire pitcher so may have to cut the recipe for one
6 cups fresh organic spinach
1 cup organic strawberries- can be frozen
1 cup organic peaches-can be frozen
2 bananas
2 cups organic orange juice
1 TBSP of chia seed
1 TBSP flax seed
1 TBSP raw honey

Green Swiss ! ( again use less for one person)
3 leaves of swiss chard
2 cups spinach
1 cup pineapple
1 cup orange juice
1 cup strawberries
1 banana

Orange-Peach-Kale

• 1 orange, peeled
• 2 medium peaches
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 8 ounces of water

Pineapple-Kale

• 1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
• 1 medium apple, cored
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 8 ounces of water

Juicing and "Smoothing" is supposed to be a wonderful thing. Get some ideas that you love so it can be enjoyed by everyone. If its green it doesn't mean it has to be gross. It can taste amazing if you experiment!

Cookie dough dip...or is it?

Ok, I was skeptical I have to admit when I read the article and it described a tasty kid dip made with chickpeas that looked and tasted like cookie dough. But I have already put black beans in a blender and whipped up some brownies so it could not look or smell worse than that so I was ready to give it a shot. Oh was I surprised and I am totally hooked now. I can not take credit for the recipe but I had to share. All the moms and dads out there with the picky eater, this one is a big score and they think its cookie dough. You can tell  them they can have it without the eggs this time!! Both win...and they are getting about 7-8 grams of protein every wonderful bowl at a time. Serve it up with pretzels, apples, or pears!! And I know all you grown up's that cant stop licking the batter bowl...much healthier option! Eat the whole bowl if you want!

RECIPE: "Bean Dip" AKA Cookie Dough DIP!
In a food processor place the following:
1 can of Organic Garbanzo beans (chick peas) drain and rinse
6 tablespoons of brown sugar ( now you could do the Truvia but they are already eating a bowl of beans I would stick with the brown sugar the first time)
1/4 cup all natural peanut butter
3 tablespoons of raw oatmeal
1 tablespoon of milk (can use almond for dairy allergies)
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
BLEND IT UP!
Sprinkle and fold in the dark chocolate chips and serve it up!! What a healthy treat!

Recipe and last picture taken from April 2014 "Family Fun"

Raw Berry-Nut Treats

This is a great treat that is packed full of fruit and protein for kids of all ages big and little. They can be cut into squares or even shapes you desire with a cookie cutter. I found this recipe this week and tweaked it to our family's preference.
Needed:
1 1/2 cups raw cashews ( can use almonds to or a mix of both-consistency will be nuttier)
2 cups strawberries
1/4 cup rasperries
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup coconut butter
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

- Soak the cashews at least 6-12 hours in water. Drain then rinse well.
- Add the cashews to a food processor and blend well. A few minutes will be fine, scrape down sides and blend again. Add the remaining ingredients and blend again several minutes.
-Pour into a 9x13 pan and place in freezer for about 2 hours.
-Cut into squares or shapes and enjoy!
-Store in freezer in air tight container.

Raw Chocolate Pie

Is there such a thing as a healthy pie? I personally was not aware of such a thing until I made a switch to an all raw diet for a time of cleansing and healing. About two months ago my search began and what I have found has changed my whole life and way of thinking even about "baking." This is a raw, vegan chocolate pie that I think will surprise you. When I first saw and tasted it I could not believe what I was eating was actually healthy and good for me, but it is!

Recipe for Raw/Vegan Chocolate Pie
 CRUST-
In a food processor blend the following ingredients until fine.
1 cup soaked cashews drained (  soaked means you soaked them in cold water at least 6-12 hours in fridge)
6 pitted dates
1 cup flaked raw coconut (not the sweetened)
1 tablespoon of raw cocoa powder
Press into a pie plate and make an even layer at bottom of pan and set aside.
FILLING-
In processor blend the following ingredients until smooth
5 avocados (pit and skin removed)
1/2 cup organic maple syrup
1/2 cup coconut oil
5 tablespoons of raw cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of sea salt

Pour onto the crust and top with shaved coconut flakes. Chill at least 3 hours.

Summer Peach Melon Chilled Soup

5 or 6 Organic Tomatos
1/2 Red Onion
1/2 Red Pepper
1/2 Yellow Pepper
2 cups watermelon
1 seedless cucumber
14/ cup chopped cilantro
1 peach
1 bottle of spring water
2 crushed garlic cloves
2 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Take 4 tomatoes and pulse them in a blender (make sure you still have some chunks, you don't want it to be total liquid)  to make the base for the soup. Pour that into a bowl. Then dice up the following and add: Remaining tomatos, red onion, peppers, watermelon, cucumber, cilantro, and peach. Add water, salt/pepper, olive oil, garlic, vinegar and cilantro and stir together. CHILL.
Serves 4-6

Mango Gazpacho

With the temperature heating up I am looking for new ways to mix up some of my recipes. This is a delicious cold soup that can be thrown together pretty quickly. Enjoy. 
You will need: 
2 mangos diced 
1 small bag of corn
 1 small cucumber diced and seeded 
1 red pepper diced 
1/2 green pepper diced 
4 scallions diced 
1/4 cup chopped cilantro 
1 lemon (the juice) 
2 limes (the juice) 
1/4 cup honey 
2 cups water 
* Mix all the diced fruit and vegetables together, add the juice of one lemon and two limes, add 1/4 cup honey, cilantro, and water. Mix well. Chill and serve. Makes enough for 4. Add more water if you need more!

Cilantro Lime Thai Salad

This recipe is amazing and it keeps in the fridge for several days if you store the dressing in another container and use only when serving. Another healthy recipe to add to a list of amazing ideas for your overall wellness. Enjoy! Ingredients 1/2 head of Napa red cabbage ( chopped in strips) 1/2 head green cabbage (chopped in strips) 3 carrots thinly sliced 1 cucumber ( seeded and sliced in thin strips) 5 green onions chopped ( or 1/2 of a red onion) 1 bag of Organic Edamame ( cook first about 4 min) MIX Then make dressing as follows In a processor or Vita Mix- Blend Well: 1/2 cup Olive Oil 1 clove of garlic handful of raw cilantro 1 teaspoon of Sea Salt 1 teaspoon of Truvia Lime Juice ( about 2 limes) If you store the dressing in another container this will help the shelf life. Reheat dressing for 10 seconds if you had it in fridge, also if you have a family of more than 4, use the entire heads of both cabbages. ** Can also add chicken or avocado!!

Fruit Salsa

1 lb fresh strawberries
2 peaches
1 cup chopped pineapple
2 cups blueberries
1 1/2 TBSP Lime juice
1/2 cup agave nectar
1-3 TBSP Chili powder ( to taste)
1 tsp chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp chopped mint

Dice the fruit and combine. In a smaller bowl mix the agave, lime juice, chili powder,cilantro and mint. Pour over the fruit and toss together.