Raw Vegan Chocolates

October 31, 2012
raw-vegan-chocolates

Whether you plan to frolic or not on Halloween, it’s still fun to enjoy a few sweets. As for us, we’ll be having a Halloween film-fest party. The holiday wouldn’t be complete without an evening of horror films, food and drink. That’s just what I’m in the mood for after the strenuous event earlier in the week.

This year I made my own Halloween treats – Raw Vegan Chocolates.  The secret to good candy at home is to start with a spread of high quality, delicious ingredients and use your creativity to dream up some creative confections. You’ll feel like the vegan version of Willy Wonka.

This chocolate is the real deal. It melts in the mouth, it’s rich and satisfying, and has a deep, dark aroma that can only be described as divine. Surprisingly, it only contains three basic ingredients, and is gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan and raw. Enjoy them with your friends and loved ones.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Raw Vegan Chocolates

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup raw cacao butter
  • 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
  • 4 Tbsp. sweetener of choice – agave nectar, palm sugar, xylitol, stevia, etc.
  • 1/2 vanilla pod or a tsp. of vanilla essence (optional)

Directions:

  1. In a double boiler (or a glass bowl over water) over low-medium heat, melt the cacao butter slowly until completely smooth. Add the cacao powder, sweetener, vanilla and stir to thoroughly combine. Remove from heat.
  2. Pour into molds or paper casings.
  3. Place in the fridge or freezer to firm up. Store chocolate in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

You can also add cacao nibs, goji berries, coconut, almonds, hazelnuts, orange zest or whatever your imagination desires!

 

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Dublin Marathon 2012

October 30, 2012
dublin-marathon-2012

Waking up the morning after a marathon has always been the same for me. Whether I ran a great race or one that I’m less than proud of, I wake up with a heavy load of race residue to process. Oh, and my body usually feels like I got hit by a truck.

On marathon day, things went pretty well at first. The morning dawned cold and overcast, I was eager to start running. Walking to the start line among 14,300 runners, I was feeling all sorts of emotions – anxiousness, nervousness, excitement. After hearing the gun go off, I was ready. I was feeling great — at least until Mile 11. That’s when my legs turned to iron, my mind was clouded and I barely noticed the cheering crowd. Every part of me knew that this day was going to be a fight to the end. I just couldn’t bring myself to fully let go of the goals and expectations that I had poured so much of my heart into over the last many months of my life.

Eventually, time no longer mattered and I felt myself finally letting go and just hoping to make it to the finish line. Making it from Mile 19 to the finish was the stretch of the race that I knew I would have to dig deeper within myself than ever before and test limits that I wasn’t prepared to test. The lessons I’ve gained from this marathon are things that I will take with me always.

I finished the race coming in a good 30 minutes later than I’d hoped, with a time of 4:36. Though I certainly felt proud of my achievement, I was so relieved that it was over. I crossed the finish line after running 26.2 miles feeling stronger, more determined and with a greater appreciation of what I am truly capable of. I will forever be changed by what I learned in the Dublin Marathon 2012. And I am only stronger for it.

katie-norris-dublin-marathon

Life lessons worth remembering:

  • We are stronger than we think we are. When we get to those moments in life where we doubt there is anything left to give, there is always more.
  • We are not alone in life. Faith, friendship and support of others around us will help us get through the difficult times. There is great beauty and value in the support of a community.
  • We can always change and set new goals. Letting go of goals and changing expectations can lead to new possibilities. When one door closes, there are more to be opened.
  • Being REAL is a gift to ourselves and to those around us. When we share our heartbreaks and struggles and allow ourselves to admit that we feel broken, we reveal the human side of ourselves that so many can relate to. We open the doors to be loved.
  • Hardships make us stronger. Life doesn’t always go as planned but each new opportunity allows for growth. Every time we are tested with challenges, we rise stronger than before.

Have any of you ever completed a marathon or is it something you aspire to accomplish one day? Let me know your stories below :)

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Açaí Smoothie

October 25, 2012
acai-smoothie

Personally I need routine and especially a morning one. It helps me to feel grounded and stable – two things that are vital to my overall wellness. There is something quite special about creating space in the morning for you to experience just for yourself. Lacing up my sneakers and hitting the pavement first thing in the morning is (nearly) the daily norm for me. After completing my morning training session I feel alert and ready for the day. With the Dublin Marathon only four days away, I’m tapering on the training while loading up on tons of nutrients.

Want to know my secret weapon? Meet my latest obsession, the Açaí Smoothie! Açaí (pronounced “Ah-Sigh-EE”) is a Brazilian superfruit berry that grows on palm trees in Central and South America. It tastes like a mix between bitter chocolate and blueberries and it has the highest content of antioxidants in any fruit.

Often touted as a “superfood” by marketers, these berries have high levels of antioxidants that protect cells, reduce the effects of aging and may decrease the risk of some diseases (including heart disease and cancer). But beyond their antioxidant benefits, I enjoy açaí berries because of their rich and almost chocolatey flavor. The berries have a unique but delicious taste – and, they make for a great breakfast, dessert or post-workout snack.

superfood-acai-smoothie

Açaí Smoothie

Vegan, Raw & Gluten-free
Makes 1 large smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp. Açaí powder
  • 1 cup non-dairy milk, water or juice (I used water)
  • 1 banana
  • 1 apple, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup frozen berries (I used raspberries)
  • sprinkle of hemp seeds (optional)

Directions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
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Fig and Plum Sundae

October 22, 2012
fig-and-plum-sundae

What better time for an ice cream sundae than the month of October, of course! Today I’m sharing with you a delicious fig and plum sundae recipe that will make you cozy during these cold fall days. Purchased vegan coconut ice cream becomes a party-worthy dessert with the addition of fresh plums, figs and a little granola. Want to go that extra step and make coconut ice cream at home? It’s as simple as one ingredient. This dessert will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy!

Fig and Plum Sundae

Ingredients:

  • vegan ice cream (coconut if you want something really decadent)
  • 1 fresh fig, sliced
  • 1 fresh plum, sliced
  • 2-3 Tbsp. granola

Directions:

  1. Scoop ice cream into a pretty dish or bowl and top with sliced fig, plum and granola.

Homemade Coconut Ice Cream

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (14 ounce cans) full-fat coconut milk

Directions:

  1. Grab two cans of full-fat coconut milk and place cans in the fridge overnight.
  2. Remove the chilled cans from fridge and flip them upside down. Open the cans. See the liquid at the top? You won’t be using this part. Pour the coconut liquid into another bowl. (Don’t throw it away – I like to use it in smoothies. You can also use it in baking and cooking).
  3. You are left with only the coconut cream. Scoop the coconut cream into a glass bowl and place it in the freezer until it hardens – up to 3 hours.

(Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com)

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