August 30th, 2010
Written by: Heather Crosby
I have been surfing a sparkly, glittery rainbow wave of gratitude and excitement (Ron Burgundy-style) since August 12.
Over 600 people (six. hundred.) came through the Chicago Urban Art Society from 7pm-10pm to celebrate by sampling hundreds of servings of incredible organic spirits, juices, wine and sake, and over 3000 handmade YumUniverse recipe samples.
If you weren’t able to join us, or left the bash wondering who provided/created what, or where to get certain recipes, then nestle into your chair and read on. This post is a juicy one, folks. Read more about YumUniverse Launch Party Recap…
August 25th, 2010
Written by: Heather Crosby
My dear friend, and YU contributor, Kathy Beymer and I made some homemade organic baby food the other day and she wowed me again with her crafting genius. To store our fresh apricot puree, she pulled out recycled and reusable glass jars with easy-to-make chalkboard lids to label and record the date the food was made! This idea can be used for all types of fresh food storage (leftovers, kimchi, nut butters, hemp milk)—it’s an adorable and sustainable way to make sure that food never goes to waste. Get Kathy’s free step-by-step photo instructions for making these smart storage jars at her crafting website, Merriment Design. And read on for the simple and delicious apricot baby food instructions. Read more about Homemade Apricot Baby Food w/Smart Storage Jars…
August 23rd, 2010
Dessert,
Family,
Gluten-Free,
Kids,
Lunch,
Raw Food,
Salads,
Snacks,
Vegan Food,
Vegetarian Food,
Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
This fresh ground flax and sunflower seed fruit salad is simple to prepare, it’s sweet with a hint salt and totally summery. It makes a great snack pre-workout and its a good way to get in those Omega 3’s. Bonus: it takes 10 minutes at the most to prepare. Read more about Simple Raw Flax Fruit Salad…
August 16th, 2010
Blender,
Dehydrator,
Dessert,
Family,
Gluten-Free,
Kids,
Raw Food,
Snacks,
Vegan Food,
Vegetarian Food,
Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
When I was a kid, I couldn’t get enough of Fruit Roll-Ups. Chewy, colorful food that you could play with—magical stuff. Plus, mom felt good because she thought she was giving me a serving of fruit. Sadly, as many of you know, most foodstuffs out there on the shelves, especially those being marketed to families as “natural and healthy,” are full of processed sugars, preservatives and additives.
I am here to tell you that you can make delicious, wholesome fruit leather with only two ingredients. Shoot, you can make it with only one if you like—just the fruit. What a fruit leather should be made of.
I am a big believer that as adults, we should still be able to enjoy the same things that filled us with joy as children. From the fun foods we ate, to the fun fitness we incorporate into our lives (I am a hoopdance instructor after all). You know you loved fruit leathers too, bring that fun back!
Read more about Raw Raspberry Fruit Leather…
August 7th, 2010
Written by: Heather Crosby
The other day, my sweetie came in the kitchen and saw some almonds soaking on the counter and said suggestively. “I bet those would be good with chocolate on them.” Genius. I grabbed a bag of gluten-free, vegan chocolate chips from the pantry and whipped up a simple and delicious almond bark that night. It didn’t last more than 24 hours. I guess Mikey liked them. A lot.
I use raw, soaked and dehydrated almonds, but you can use regular raw almonds or toasted almonds. But be sure to read up on why soaking and dehydrating is optimal. Read more about Chocolate Salted Almond Bark…
August 2nd, 2010
Written by: Heather Crosby
All summer long in my neighborhood—Viva Pilsen!—you can hear the bells ringing from either the bicycle-powered or pedi “paleta” carts. For one dollar, you can choose from a variety of frozen popsicle flavors like strawberry, coconut, mango, lime—even tamarind. My all-time favorite flavor is arroz con leche—basically rice pudding or horchata on a stick. It had been a long time since I had a taste of that cinnamon creaminess (with the chewy bits of rice), until today. Here’s my dairy-free, soy-free version that tastes even better than my memories. And the best part is, I didn’t even need popsicle molds. Read more about Pilsen Paletas: Dairy-free Cinnamon Brown Rice Popsicles…
July 25th, 2010
Written by: Heather Crosby
Brendan Brazier’s Lemon Lime Recovery Drink has changed my workout recovery so much that I actually start craving this drink when I’m still at the gym. I can feel my muscles looking forward it’s healing powers. After a big workout, as soon as I get home I drink this magic, and wake up the next morning with only the slightest, almost non-existent soreness. It has become an integral part of my routine, and if you are an active person, or wanting to be an active person, I highly recommend following up your workouts with this creamy, citrus-flavored beverage. It’s filling and satisfying enough that it sometimes (most times) becomes my dinner.
I purchased Brendan’s book Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life
a few years ago, and in my constantly growing library of vegan, raw and plant-based references, it is hands-down one of my favorites. His point-of-view regarding nutritional stress and his suggestions for reducing it, really resonate with me. They truly have helped me take my health to the next level. Read more about Brendan Brazier’s Lemon Lime Recovery Drink…
July 19th, 2010
Written by: Heather Crosby
So you went to the Farmers’ Market, got seduced by all the beautiful colors and your fridge is now full of more vegetables than you know what to do with. You’ve had a busy week and your plans for eating up those beauties is becoming just that—only plans. Don’t fret, you can use every last vegetable to make the most delicious veggie broth or veggie puree you ever tasted. It’s simple to prepare, makes a great base for soups of all kinds and you can freeze it for future use. Now you can feel good knowing that no vegetables will sit lonely and unused in the fridge, only to meet their fate at the bottom of the trashcan. Read more about Easy Vegetable Stock or Puree…
