Vegan Chocolate Crunch Bars

To my private (now public) horror, my sweetie is crazy for KitKat bars. Well, actually I do get it—that chocolate, that crunch, that childhood nostalgia—it’s a powerful combo. Thankfully, he is open to trying almost anything, and as my official taste-tester of all things vegan and raw in my household, it brings me great joy when I get the happy mouthful of feedback like “mmmwowwww, thwwwis is wwwwreawy ggwwwreat” instead of the deflating “this tastes vegan.” Well folks, these Vegan Chocolate Crunch Bars passed the test, receiving one of the greatest reviews yet—the whole tray gone in less than one day.

The salted, toasted almonds, gluten-free oats and sunflower seeds combine with melted vegan chocolate chips for a more naturally sweetened, wholesome treat than a highly-processed candy bar.

There are a few ways to make these lovelies. I often adjust this recipe, leaving out the chocolate topping, for a lighter energy bar. Try adding Spirulina Crystal Flakes for supercharged nutrition and/or some shredded coconut. You diehard chocoholics could try cutting your bars up and dipping them almost entirely in melted chocolate. Just let them cool in the fridge on parchment paper once dipped. Have fun with it. Read more…

Robyn’s Vegan Pear Galettes

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This simple pear galette recipe is adapted from Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook’s, Heart-Shaped Apple Galettes. I collaborated with Heather to come up with replacements for vegan shortening and processed sugars. This gluten-free and wheat-free vegan treat uses natural, nutrient-rich sweeteners—like sucanat and fruit. Cute and deeelicious! Read more…

Raw Fresh Mint Ice Cream

This raw, coconut-based, dairy-free ice cream is beyond creamy. I actually had a friend tell me that it is “texturally superior to dairy.” Love that. Fresh organic mint, spirulina and chlorophyll not only give it a handsome green color, but loads of extra nutrition, without compromising taste. Mix this ice cream with Coconut Water Ice Cubes and fresh Raw Almond Milk, Raw Hemp Milk or Raw Coconut Milk for a healthy ShamWOW Shake—a terrific alternative to the seasonal Shamrock Shake that so many people look forward to. Bonus: you don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy this super-creamy ice cream recipe. Read more…

Raw Candied Walnuts

Raw Soaked Candied Walnuts

Walnuts (a quality source of omega-3 essential fatty acids) are a delicious way to add extra nutrition, flavor and crunch to any meal. Our recipe for Raw Candied Walnuts are a tasty snack on their own and they make delicious, hearty, filling salads like our Red Leaf and Candied Walnut Salad. You can also chop them up and toss them into a cereal like our Raw Apple Quinoa Cereal for extra crunch and Omega 3’s.

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Raw Mini Layered Apple Cakes

Raw Apple Cake

Mini things are fun to eat and fun to make. These tiny, delicious works of art satisfy your sweet tooth in just a few bites. I have served them at a few dinner parties and the “aaaaw’s” are quickly followed up by the “mmmm’s.” These gluten-free, dairy-free beauties are made with fresh organic apples, raw macadamia nuts and natural sweeteners, like orange juice and agave nectar. They are a bit time consuming to create, but definitely a treat that you can feel good about.

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Chesapeake Veggie Cakes

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I grew up in Maryland, and in Maryland, we went crabbing and we ate crabcakes. Real crabcakes—not the sad, mostly-breaded attempts I see at even the finest restaurants out here in the Midwest. Where I’m from, crabcakes are meaty, creamy, flavorful and have a delicate balance of spice and crunch that only come with key ingredients like Old Bay seasoning and a restrained hint of breadcrumbs. Oh, how I miss the taste of them.

I established a challenging mission for myself last week. Create a delicious, texturally-accurate, crab-free, dairy-free, gluten- and wheat-free Chesapeake Bay-style un-crab cake that would make a true Marylander lift an eyebrow in disbelief. Wow, that’s a mouthful. Well, mission accomplished. Read more…

Vegan Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Vegan Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

A weekly or bi-weekly creation in the YumUniverse kitchen, Vegan Pumpkin Protein Pancakes are, yes, packed with quality complete protein, but that’s not all the goodness. They are full of fiber, gluten-free, wheat-free, easily assimilated into the body and just plain delicious. I usually make a batch, eat a few right away and keep the rest in the fridge, grabbing one or two and eating them cold as a snack throughout the week. This recipe was inspired by some of Brendan Brazier’s incredible recipes for athletes in his book Thrive: A Guide to Optimal Health & Performance Through Plant-Based Whole Foods. You can serve them with our without natural sweeteners like agave nectar, yacon syrup, brown rice syrup or maple syrup on top. You can also prepare them in a dehydrator if you’d like to maintain more beneficial enzymes. Read more…

Raw Hemp Milk

Hemp seeds are one of my favorite superfoods. Incorporating these complete protein seeds into my diet has made an incredible difference, especially with my workouts—thank you, Brendan Brazier. This recipe is inspired by his book Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life. You can use hemp milk as a protein-packed base for smoothies, add organic Raw Cacao Powder for chocolate hemp milk, fresh fruit for a berry drink or pour it over breakfasts like Apple Quinoa Cereal. This recipe is a cinch to make and it keeps in your refrigerator for 5-7 days. Read more…

Raw Vanilla Almond Milk

If you are looking for alternatives to dairy milk, you will love this recipe for fresh vanilla almond milk using soaked almonds. Enjoy it straight from the glass, on your favorite cereal, use it in ice cream recipes and more. Raw vanilla almond milk is enzyme-rich, very hydrating and you can store it in the fridge for about 5-7 days. It may separate, so shake it up before using/drinking. I tend to make a bunch on Sunday and use it throughout the week. Read more…