Happy Birthday!!!

 So, after looking over my blog I have noticed a few things, first off: my blogging amount is seriously lacking. Second, I mostly have posted about pointless things. Third, most of my posts have had to do with birthdays. Well. . . Oh well! Here is another one for you! 

So, Prince Charming recently turned the big 18! And I knew from the moment I opened my own present (the juicer), that getting him a gift equally amazing and thoughtful was going to be a challenge. So after weeks of trying to find the perfect gift, I was relieved when he told me all he wanted was a cake. Now, don't be fooled, he specifically asked for a vegan cake, wait! He asked for a RAW vegan cake. Holly-Shmolly! (For those of you who are not aware, a raw vegan is someone who does not eat anything that is cooked above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. So. . . In short, this was going to be a challenge.) 

So I began my Google search for recipes that I could tweak and make my own; I looked and looked. . . And finally settled with a Lemon Blackberry Cheesecake (Minus the Cheese). Sounds good right? 

And it was! It turned out perfect and was exceptionally tasteful. However: Let it be known that you will be in the kitchen for a awhile, and you may need more than one food processor. :) 


I adapted this recipe from a recipe I found online, (but actually can't find anymore!) so let's be aware that I was not the first maker of this cake, it was some other creative genius. Nevertheless, here is the recipes and instructions for how to make the cake. Have fun! 

Lemon Blackberry Cheesecake 

Ingredients: 

Cake:

2 1/2 cups raw cashews (preferably soaked overnight)

1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp lemon zest

1/3 cup plus 3 Tbsp agave nectar

1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp coconut oil (warmed to liquid)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract and seeds from half a vanilla bean (other half reserved for topping)

2 Tbsp organic dried lavender flowers

1 cup fresh organic blackberries

Blackberry puree:

1/4 cup blackberries

1 Tbsp agave nectar

Cream Topping:
1/2 cup raw cashew pieces (preferably soaked overnight)
1/2 cup coconut water

3/4 cup fresh young coconut meat* (or additional soaked cashews if not available)
2 tablespoons agave syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla and seeds of half a vanilla bean (the other half of the one you used for the filling)
1/4 cup coconut oil (warmed to liquid)

The Process: 

To prepare the crust, spray a 6 inch spring form pan with nonstick spray.  Process hazelnuts and sea salt in a food processor until the hazelnuts are fine crumbs, then add the dates and process until the mixture holds together when squeezed between your fingers. Firmly press crust into the bottom of prepared pan. Set aside.

To make filling, drain cashews and combine them with lemon juice, and zest, agave nectar, coconut oil, sea salt and vanilla in a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Remove the filling from the food processor, stir in lavender and divide evenly between 2 bowls. Place half back into the food processor and add 1 cup blackberries. Puree until smooth and scrape back in the bowl. For the blackberry puree, using an immersion blender (or you can rinse out the food processor) combine the 1/4 cup blackberries and 1 Tbsp agave nectar and puree until smooth. Drop the filling alternating between the vanilla and blackberry in about 3 tbspful amounts over crust in pan, until all is used up, sort of in a checkerboard fashion. Tap on the counter to level (keeping pan level).  Drop some of the puree in teaspoonful amounts over the top of the cake (reserving some for serving) and swirl with a knife to create marbling. Place in the freezer until it is set, 6 hours about.  After that store in the fridge until ready to top. 

To make topping, drain cashews and blend all ingredients until smooth in a food processor, and set in the freezer about 30 minutes until a frosting consistency. Place in a pastry bag and pipe decoratively on top of the cheesecake.  Store in the fridge when not enjoying.

Crossing the Bridge

Well, I finally did it. I crossed the bridge and am now an adult, and yes, if you care to know I do feel old! The Dancing Queen song doesn't even apply to me anymore because I am not seventeen! UGH! However, one good thing did come out of today, Prince Charming got me a present. A present that is the king of all presents out there. . . He got me a juicer! 

TADAHH!!! 

Needless to say, girls: I know jewelry is pretty and sparkly but we're going for practicality here. A new promise ring or something you can make delicious apple carrot juice with? Hm? Point made! 

Morning Glory

I am an unusual teenager, or well, I am in my book. In the morning instead of grueling and dreading waking up; the moment my alarm goes off I am up and wide awake. I think I got it from my Dad, the inability to sleep in, even on weekends, because my Mom can easily sleep in till noon or later. Of course, it would be nice to sleep in one or two days to catch up on some sleep. But I also feel that why waste your time sleeping when you could be awake and active? In Dean Karznases's book "Ultramarthon Man" he talks about how on average, we sleep a total of 26 years in our life time, that's like 1/3 of your life! Fruitful thought, yes?

Nevertheless, it is a lot easier to wake up in the morning with the question of "What yummy breakfast am I going to make myself today?"

Here is one of my many favorite morning meals, Sie's BIG Breakfast Bowl (adapted from Rip's Big Breakfast Bowl from the book Engine 2 Diet.) The ingredients vary from bowl to bowl but the one pictured above has the following:

Sie's BIG Breakfast Bowl

Ingredients: 

1 Ripe Banana (Half of it mashed and half sliced)
2 Barbara's Wheat Hockey Pucks (a.k.a. Barbara's Shredded Wheat)
1/3 Cup of Rolled Oats
1 Tsp. of Ground Flax
1 Cup of Misc. Fruit (Strawberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries.)

Enjoy!