Raw Gifting

Hello! Glad you all enjoyed the race recap and the weird eats in a cup. I did bring utensils with us but next time I plan on bring a bigger cooler, bowls, and a lot more plastic baggies. :)

Anyway, its been quite the week of playing catch up. I think I say that every week but this week has flown by, which is  good thing! Looking forward to catching up with the family this holiday weekend. Speaking of family, my good friend and distinguished chef Molly Peck (Vanilla Orchid Catering) is like a sister to me. I love her to death! She amazes every day with her creations and has a heart of gold.

Sorry Molly about the old picture. We must update that soon!

You see, Molly and I have a lot in common. We both have passion for cooking good healthy food (she's a PRO) but unfortunately we've both also had a lot of food allergies and have had to find alternative ways to nourish our bodies. So when Molly asked me to make her a RAW COCOA BROWNIE for her big 30 birthday, I couldn't turn her down. Its gluten free and dairy free. Perfect treat for her (us) without causing any distress on the good 'ol gut. Cooking for a chef of her status is SCARY but she inspires me each day so I decided to give it my all!

RAW COCOA BROWNIES:

• 15 sulfur free misson figs (or around 115grams)
• 3/4 cup raw cashews
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds (hulled)
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 1/2 small banana
• 3 tbsp Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1/3 cup 100% Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Stevia in the raw (to sprinkle on top)

Directions:
Place figs, cashews, sesame seeds and banana into your food processor. Blend on low then slowly add in oil, cocoa, extracts, and honey. Continue to blend until it thickens into a heavy paste.
Transfer into a 8 x 8 casserole dish (coated with a little organic coconut oil spray) and flatten out to the edges. Then sprinkle a little more cocoa in top along with some stevia powder or sun crystals. Cover and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.

NUTRITION STATS- makes 12-14 brownies

Amount Per Serving (for a 14 servings batch)
Calories 97.8
Total Fat 6.5 g
Saturated Fat 3.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Total Carbohydrate 10.5 g
Dietary Fiber 1.7 g
Sugars 6.1 g
Protein 1.7 g


Perfectly yummy and delicious. Sure hope Molly likes them. We'll find out tomorrow!

Just wanted to say thank you to Tropical Traditions for sending me their 100% Virgin Coconut Oil. Its been great to use in RAW/VEGAN recipes as well as in other gluten free recipes. Just like butter, it melts great and that good fat never tasted so good. I'm a BIG advocate of coconut's saturated fat. Its helped me so much in healing my past digestive problems. Enough said!

So....wanna try this golden oil? Yep, you go it.....its a giveway. I usually don't do giveaways but I gotta share the love with this product. Just do the following and leave me a comment telling me. Thanks!

1. Subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter here
2. Follow them on TWITTER
3. Tweet about this "virgin" giveaway!
4. Tell me one of your favorite birthday gifts that you have received.

I'll announce the winner Sunday July 4th. Perfect 4th of July celebration.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

• Note for Canadian bloggers: Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway
 
Alright, that's it for me. I saved some raw brownies for us and I must get to them before the hubs eats them all.

Cheers,
LC