Nice Cream!

Have you ever heard of nice cream?! It is like ice cream, but is dairy-free, healthy and doesn’t contain the additives (or suffering!) that dairy does.

Over the hot summer in San Diego, I can easily eat nice cream daily and have been known to consume it for breakfast (what, dessert for breakfast???).

One of the beauties of nice cream is that you can flavor it with anything but the base of any nice cream is frozen bananas. It is also beneficial to have a high speed blender.

Peel 3-5 ripe bananas and freeze them overnight (use more bananas for a larger serving).

Place the frozen bananas in the blender. You can add a drop of plant based milk/water to make it easier on the blender or leave as is.

Add any flavors that you would like. My favorites are cacao powder, peanut butter powder, or chocolate protein powder. You could also add strawberries, dates, vanilla extract, peppermint essential oil, or spirulina (of course, not all together).

Blend everything together until smooth and add toppings of your choice (granola, berries, cacao nibs, dairy-free chocolate chips, shredded coconut, etc).

It is truly that easy….and delicious!

Give it a try and be sure to let me know what flavors are your favorite.

Enjoy your summer, stay cool and eat nice cream!

"Cheesy" Kale Casserole

Hello all,

Yesterday we discussed why I think it is important to leave turkeys off of our tables (on Thanksgiving and always).  You may be wondering what to make for your holiday meal instead.

This was one of the many recipes that we made during our cooking class last week and it is incredibly delicious.  Plus, it is comforting, warm and perfect for this time of year with its' main ingredient being pumpkin.

I hope that you will give it a try and let me know what you think.

*This recipe has been modified from Fresh Creations.  For more information, check out @freshcreationssd on Instagram.

"Cheesy" Kale Casserole

(4 servings)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lbs Pureed Pumpkin (*we used organic, pureed pumpkin from cans instead of whole pumpkins. The directions below are for the canned option)

• 1 Yellow Onion (small dice)

• 3 Garlic Cloves (minced)

• 1 can Organic Coconut Milk (15 oz can)

• 2 cups Kale Leaves (removed from stem and leaves cut thin)

• 1 tbsp Fresh Sage (minced)

• 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast

• 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 1/3 tbsp Bread Crumbs (*we used gluten free)

• 1 Bag of Macaroni (*again we used gluten free)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In an extra large sauce pan or skillet, heat oil over medium heat and cook onions for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and sage and continue cooking until onions are carmelized.

2. While onions are carmelizing, cook pasta of choice using directions on package. Strain and set aside.

3. Add pureed pumpkin, coconut milk and nutritional yeast to carmelized onion sage and garlic mixture. Stir/mix together. Cook 4 minutes.

4. Add shredded kale leaves, stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Combine pasta with pumpkin and kale mixture.

6. Scoop into individual ramekins or a 9x9 baking dish. Top with bread crumbs of choice. Bake for 10 minutes or until bread crumbs are golden brown.

7. Garnish with green onion or chili pepper flakes (you can also add some tempeh bacon).

I truly hope that you enjoy this recipe!  Please remember that it is absolutely possible to have an amazing, and satisfying, holiday meal without consuming animal products <3