Vanilla Bean Chia Parfait

Vanilla Bean Berry Chia Pudding - serves 2

A perfect light snack! It’s parfait!

1 cup coconut milk, plus more if desired

1 banana

1/4 large vanilla bean, seed scraped + pods reserved

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 T coconut sugar or brown sugar

pinch of salt

3 T chia seeds

1 T unsweetened coconut

1 T slivered almonds or granola

1/4 C fresh red berries or mango or other fruit of choice.

In blender, combine first 6 ingredients.

In large mixing bowl, add chia, and then pour liquid mixture over top, whisking as you do so.

Allow chia to rest for 15 minutes in refrigerator. To serve, pour 1/4 chia into bottom of serving glass/take-away container, add 1/4 of the coconut, berries, and almonds. Top with 1/4 more of the chia, and add a last layer of berries, almonds, coconut. Serve.

Chia keeps for up to 3 days in sealed glass container in refrigerator (do not layer until ready to serve)

Banana Pancake Smoothie

Banana Pancake Smoothie

Thick, creamy, and satisfying! This drink will fuel you through the morning!

1 C almond or coconut milk

1.5 frozen bananas

1/4 C old-fashioned oats

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/4 ground nutmeg

1/8 t salt

Blend!

Curried Sunseed Pate

This recipe is a fave for entertaining! Heck, I served these little heart-shaped savory treats at my MAP Wellness Morsels book launch party 3 years ago, and it was these bites that had my mom finally admit that, yes, raw food is delish!

So why not whip up a batch or two of this pâté for the holidays - it freezes well, so you can make it in bulk and have an appetizer always at the ready!

Curried Sunseed Pate

• 1 ½ C raw sunflower seeds

• ½ inch fresh ginger

• 1 T hemp hearts

• 1 clove garlic

• 3 dates

• 2 T nutritional yeast

• ¼ t turmeric

• 1 t onion powder

• 1 T yellow curry powder

• 1 t cumin

• 2 T fresh basil, firmly packed

• 1 ½ T fresh lemon juice

• Sea salt to taste

Add all ingredients to small bowled food processor. Process until well incorporated and smooth.

Roll pate out between parchement paper or plastic wrap, and cut into desired shapes. Serve with crudite, on crackers, or fresh cucumber rounds.