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…

Raw Carrot Almond Crunch Maki

Almond_Carrot_Crunch_Sushi_Main

There are countless ways to make delicious, fish-free, raw sushi maki and this Raw Carrot Almond Crunch Maki is one of those ways. It uses our Raw Carrot Almond Pate and not only is it colorful and delicious, but it has all the right textures you’d expect from your favorite sushi restaurant. Raw Carrot Almond Crunch Maki is full of live, enzyme-rich, alkalizing ingredients like sunflower sprouts, soaked almonds and untoasted nori. Bonus—no sushi rolling mat necessary. Read more…

Raw Wheat-Free Gluten-Free Buckwheat Flour

Buckwheat Flour

Contrary to what its name indicates, buckwheat is not a form of wheat. This triangular seed is not even in the wheat family. Buckwheat is gluten-free, a good source of protein, contains eight essential amino acids and is known to balance mood, mind clarity and it even provides calcium, manganese and vitamins B and E. It has a rich, nutty flavor and can be cooked, sprouted or ground and used as flour for gluten-free baking. People suffering from Celiac Disease should be careful about where they buy their buckwheat flour as some buckwheat flours are contaminated with wheat or contain wheat fillers, etc.. This recipe will be especially helpful to them. Try using this flour in Vegan Pumpkin Protein Pancakes or Raw Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes. 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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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…

Apple Quinoa Cereal

Raw Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Cereal

This cereal is packed with quality, complete protein from sprouted quinoa and organic hemp seed. It is delicious eaten like oatmeal or topped with fresh Raw Hemp Milk or Raw Vanilla Almond Milk. If you do not want to sprout quinoa, you can easily cook it and prepare this cereal as detailed below, but using cooked quinoa instead of sprouted. Bonus: this cereal is also gluten-free. Read more…

Raw Cacao Tartlets

Raw Cacao Tartlettes

I love tiny treats. There’s something very satisfying about that one perfect bit of sweet—it’s all you need sometimes. I created these bite-sized superfood tartlets out of my favorite Raw Cacao Pudding and some dehydrated almond meal that I had from a recent batch of Raw Vanilla Almond Milk. I think they will make a great addition to my annual tea party. Read more…

Raw Cardamom Lime Pistachios

Cardamon_Lime_Pistachios_Main

I am crazy for Cardamom. It has an exotic, unique taste, with a flowery aroma that pairs very nicely with lime. It is delicious in Mixed Vegetable Curry and partnered with cacao, makes for a tasty muffin. I made these Cardamom Lime Pistachios late one night to have a snack ready for the week. They are great eaten alone or tossed into a big mixed green salad with fresh sunflower sprouts. Read more…