Browsing Tag

gluten-free

Raw Chocolate Mousse

September 2, 2016
healthy-chocolate-mousse

You know those times it seems you can’t ever catch a break? That’s been me the last month. In the span of just a few weeks I managed to come down with a sinus infection, chip a tooth and throw out my neck (all unrelated events, surprisingly). Talk about bad luck.

I think I deserve a treat. Sometimes you just have to treat yo-self. I know just the thing…

When I first started out as a vegan chef, I worked at a restaurant that served a rich, creamy and decadent mousse made of avocado and raw cacao. This stuff was perfection. Here’s the version I like to make at home.

Raw Chocolate Mousse

Vegan, Raw, Gluten-free, Refined Sugar-free

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium ripe avocados
  • 1 banana
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk (almond, cashew, hemp or coconut)
  • 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon cacao nibs (optional topping)

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. Blend until creamy and smooth.
  2. Spoon into a bowl and garnish with toppings of your choice.

Have you signed up for my newsletter? I’m going to be starting a new weekly series about making small changes towards a healthier life. Sign up in the side bar!

I’ll see you back here next week with new content! Have a lovely holiday weekend!

 

Photo credit: my sister, Jenny Norris.

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Orange Crush Smoothie

August 1, 2016
smoothie-orange-crush

Hey friends!

Hope you are all having a nice summer (or winter, if you are on the other side of the world from me)!

It’s been a bit quieter over here lately and I wanted to touch in. I started this little blog of mine a while back as a way to inspire and educate people around the importance of eating real food. Sadly, I lost my way as the pressure of keeping the blog updated grew to be too much. While things may appear sparkly on the surface, there are times I’ve wanted to throw in the towel or just work on someone else’s dream. The good news is – I’m back!

I adore you readers and the community we have created here. You have no idea how much joy I find in being part of your health journey. When you pour your heart out about your daily struggle with digestive issues, weight loss or body image – I totally feel your pain. You then have gone on to tell me your life has transformed after making a few small changes that were mentioned in the blog. It is in these moments when I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I was meant to do.

Wherever you are on your journey, I’m here for you.

I’m working determinedly behind the scenes to be here for you in a much bigger way… details to follow later this week!

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you this refreshing smoothie.

Orange Crush Smoothie

Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Raw

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 oranges, peel and pith removed
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 2-3 ice cubes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions:

  1. Toss oranges, almond milk, vanilla bean and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
  2. Place coconut oil in last and blend for additional 10 seconds. *Note – coconut oil may clump depending on temperature of ingredients. Don’t desire clumps? Omit ice, make sure ingredients are at room temperature and use coconut oil that is melted.
  3. Pour into large glass and enjoy.

 

Photo credit: My sister, Jenny Norris

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Easy Coconut Yogurt & Granola Breakfast

December 9, 2015
coconut-yogurt-breakfast

Why is it that as the temperature drops (or in our case in NYC, fluctuates all over the place) and we roll into the holiday season, our schedules seem to get crazy busy? It is often during these times of hustle that I am reminded to slow down. Yes, there are gifts to buy and holiday parties to get to, but sometimes we just need to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures. That usually means starting my morning with something delicious.

Meet the Easy Coconut Yogurt & Granola Breakfast. It only takes a few simple ingredients and you’ve got yourself a breakfast that looks gourmet and tastes totally indulgent, but is healthy! It’s almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

Easy Coconut Yogurt & Granola Breakfast

Vegan & Gluten-free

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup coconut yogurt or any other non-dairy yogurt
  • 1/2 banana, sliced
  • 1/4 cup gluten-free granola or musli
  • dried fruit, unsweetened – I used mango and raspberries (optional)

Directions:

  1. Place yogurt in serving dish and top with sliced banana, granola and dried fruit. Voila!

 

Photo credit: my sister, Jenny Norris

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Almond Butter and Banana Rice Cakes

August 13, 2015
almond-butter-and-banana-rice-cakes

It doesn’t get any simpler than this. It’s almond butter on a rice cake with bananas and pears.

After I’ve come home from a yoga class or run in the park, I want to eat something fast. This snack is easy to throw together and hits the spot every time. What you eat after a workout is important as it serves to supply your body with new energy that it will use to either refill its muscle glycogen stores or to repair the damaged muscle tissues. This snack is a great combination of complex carbohydrates and protein to do just those things.

Almond Butter and Banana + Pear Rice Cakes

Vegan, Gluten-Free

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 brown rice cakes
  • 2 Tbsp almond butter
  • 1 banana, sliced into pieces
  • 1 pear, sliced
  • drizzle of honey (optional)
  • hemp seeds (optional)

Directions:

  1. Spread almond butter on the rice cake and top with banana, pear, drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of hemp seeds. Devour.

*Additional topping ideas:

  • peanut butter
  • cashew butter
  • sunflower seed butter
  • coconut butter
  • chia seed jam
  • cacao nibs
  • cinnamon
  • strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
  • peaches
  • shredded coconut
  • hummus & veggies
  • avocado

 

Photo credit: my sister, Jenny Norris

I’m coming up with great new content for the site relating to fitness and nutrition for athletes. Are there any specific topics you want me to cover?

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