Yoga Haven Studio

Raw Veggie Burgers

2 cups sunflower seeds, unsoaked
3 tbsp fresh parsley or 3 teaspoons dry
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups carrots, peeled
1 cup celery, peeled
½ cup onion
1 large red bell pepper, peeled
2 tbsp coconut aminos

Put sunflower seeds into food processor and grind fine. Add parsley and sea salt, pulse. Place into a large bowl.

Place carrots into the food processor, grind. Mix into the sunflower mixture.
Grind the celery and onion. Mix into the sunflower mixture.
Grind the bell pepper, with the coconut aminos. Mix into the sunflower mixture.

~ You can grind all the vegetables together in the food processor, if you prefer. I like to do each one separately to have the distinction of each vegetable.

Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, place each burger on a dehydrator screen, lightly flatten; dehydrate at 115 degrees for 4-6 hours to desired outside crispness. (Turn over after 2-3 hours.) Makes 30 small burgers

If you prefer a larger burger, the 4-tablespoon scoop works great. Makes 15 burgers

You can do all sorts of things with the Burgers:

I like to use Bibb lettuce leaves like a tortilla.
~ Avocado and cucumber slices.
~ ‘Butter’ with hummus
~ Make a salsa.
~ Place on top of your favorite salad.

Chocolate Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cup        raw cashews

1 ¾ cup        pure water

1 cup            maple syrup (organic and I like the light amber)

2 tsp             vanilla (I use alcohol-free from Frontier)

¼ cup           unsweetened cacao powder

                   (Up to ½ cup of the cacao for a more intense chocolate taste) 

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender;  blend until smooth and creamy.

Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to instructions.

* I have small Cuisinart that I love.  It takes just 20 minutes.  If you are not going to enjoy right away put in a container; freeze for later and it is awesome. 

Yields:  4 cups

Spaghetti and Meatballs 

Meatballs:

1 cup            Brazil nuts (soaked 4 hours)

1 cup            sunflower seeds (soaked 4 hours)

½                 medium onion

1 tbsp           Raw Coconut Aminos

1 tsp             sea salt

1 tbsp           fresh basil (1 tsp dry)

1 tsp             dried oregano

Garlic            (optional) 

Rinse the Brazil nuts and the sunflower seeds after soaking.  Finely chop the Brazil nuts in a food processor.  Set aside.  Put the onion, optional garlic, seasonings and herbs in the food processor and process.  Add the sunflower seeds, and the Brazil nuts; process until a pate texture. 

Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, place each meatball on a dehydrator screen; dehydrate at 115 degrees for 4-6 hours to desired outside crispness.

Makes 16-18 (meat) balls 

* This can also be used as a pate (no dehydrating) with your favorite flax crackers or vegetables. 

Marinara:

2 cups           tomatoes (I use plum and I take out the seeds)

2 cups           sun-dried tomatoes –5 oz package (soaked for 1 hour)

2                  red bell peppers

3                  dates, peeled and pitted

¼ cup           extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp           fresh basil (1 tsp dry)

1 tsp             dried oregano

1 tsp             sea salt

Garlic            optional

Put all the ingredients in the food processor and process until smooth, or texture you like. 

If you want the Marinara lightly warmed, one-hour before serving put in a glass bowl and place in the dehydrator. 

Pasta:

4-6               medium/large Zucchini 

With a vegetable peeler, peel the zucchini.  Use a spiralizer, if you have one; the zucchini will look like spaghetti pasta.  Or, use the vegetable peeler to shred the zucchini; looks like fettuccini. 

Sprinkle with a small amount of sea salt, toss, add olive oil, and mix well.  If you have room in your dehydrator you can warm for 30 minutes before serving. 

* Keep leftovers in the refrigerator, good for 3-5 days.

http://www.ecopolitan.com/healthyfood/the-restaurant

August 19 I had the opportunity to go to a great raw food restaurant in Minneapolis, MN, called Ecopolitan.  It was excellent.  The server was happy answering questions of those not familiar with raw food.  There were 7 of us, we all ordered something different.  Also tried soups and appetizers.  These items were all enjoyed for lunch.

A few days later, before leaving for Chicago, I stopped at Ecopolitan for a morning  juice, and a to-go order for lunch.  Just as good as eating at the restaurant.

The restaurant is in a great area, easily accessible and easy parking.  If you find yourself in Minneapolis I would highly recommend you stop by.

Almonds:         Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc

                     Benefits the bones, brain, heart, lungs and alkalizing to the blood 

Brazil Nuts:     Amino Acids, Calcium, Selenium

                     Beneficial to the thyroid 

Cashews:         Copper, Magnesium, Tryptophan, Phosphorous

                   Beneficial to the heart, prevent gallstones, good antioxidant source 

Chia Seeds:     Omega-3, Fatty Acid, Calcium, Potassium, Antioxidants

                    Increases endurance in athletes 

Hazelnuts:       Calcium, Potassium, Vitamin E

                      Benefits teeth and gums and heart health 

Hemp Seeds:   Omega-3, Amino Acids, building blocks of Protein 

Macadamia:    Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Selenium, Zinc

                     Benefits the liver, improve anemia and aids heart health 

Pecans:               B-complex, especially high in B-6

                     Benefits the nervous system, pregnant and nursing women 

Pistachios:      Similar to almonds, but higher in Iron and B-1, Protein

                     Benefit the heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines 

Pumpkin Seeds:  Omega-3, B-complex, Calcium

                      Great for the heart, dry skin and brittle hair 

Sesame Seeds:  Vitamin E, Iron, high in Calcium

                        Beneficial in preventing osteoporosis

Sunflower Seeds:  Zinc, B-complex

                        Benefits the prostate, heart, intestines, nervous system and eyes 

Walnuts:   Essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, Calcium, Potassium

                      Very beneficial to heart health