Brad's 7 Day Raw Challenge: January 2014 - A Better-Than-Coffee Raw Coffee Alternative. Be energized.

I’m so happy it’s FRIDAY!!! This has been one long week! My daughter as been out of school all week and both she and I are going stir crazy. I’m looking forward to a weekend where I can enjoy time with her and not her and work and everything else the weekday life always has to offer. I may however, spend some time whipping up a recipe to two to enjoy since I have more time. Flax crackers? Raw bread? Raw cake? Hmmm we’ll just have to see!

Before you get your weekend started, check out Day 5’s recipes!

Early Morning:

My throat is getting worse! Eh! Eight hours of doing nothing but breathing in and out cold, dry air does no good for a sore itchy throat. I woke up this morning wanting one thing: tea. I made a warm lemon tea with raw honey and sure enough, it did the trick. :)

Coffee:

Yes, I said coffee! A raw creamy chocolaty coffee that will wake you up and boost your energy levels. This recipe comes from the super talented Kristina from FullyRaw to help her current 21-day raw, vegan challengers overcome their urge to grab coffee as an energy booster. Instead, Kristina made this delicious caffeine free alternative to naturally awaken the body. It’s rich, sweet, earthy, slightly bitter and ridiculously addictive. After one cup I was ready to move! If you’re looking for a raw, coffee alternative, then do give this a try!

Raw  Coffee

By FullyRaw Kristina (video in link)

Makes 1-2 cups

• 1-2 cups of fresh coconut water (depending on how thin or thick you like it)
• 5-10 pitted dates, soaked if needed overnight
• ¼ cup raw carob powder (or cacao if you don’t mind the caffeine and bitterness
• A few fresh peppermint leaves
• 1 little vanilla bean or extract
• A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg
• Fresh almond milk, if you want a creamer

1. Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Pour into a coffee mug and serve with a dash of extra cinnamon

Brunch:

Today’s dessert smoothie by Simple Green Smoothies is a non-pink Pink Flamingo. It would have been pink if we didn’t add the greens but then it wouldn’t have been a green smoothie now would it? This smoothie is simple, sweet, and for those who care, banana free. Instead it’s sweetened with mango and balanced with juicy strawberries. Add some almond milk and your tropical sorbet turns into a tropical milkshake! Mmmm!

Pink Flamingo

By Simple Green Smoothies

Makes 16 ounces

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup mango
• ½ cup strawberries
• 1 cup almond milk

1. Blend and enjoy!

Early Dinner:

As I was browsing through Brad’s book for a new recipe, I tried to find something that included mayo to use up the extra mayo I had from making my raw deli salad. What I found was an Asian Coleslaw salad topped with a rich, savory creamy asian inspired dressing which just so happened to yes, include mayo. 

I didn’t have any cabbage on hand so I subbed leftover red leaf lettuce and shredded kale. I topped my greens with bell pepper, carrots, scallions, cilantro and a few slices of broccoli stalks. I drizzled it with a heavy dose of dressing before devouring every single morsel. It was sweet, salty, savory and so flippin’ good! Just what I was craving :)

Snacks:

In the evening I snacked on a few raw macaroons, bowl of blueberries and an apple with hemp seeds and lucuma. For some reason I had major muchies :P

Goodbye Day 5 and HELLLLLO to the weekend!!! With a wind chill in the single digits, I think Ima stay in…maybe.

Have a great weekend!!!

*Beth*

Participant Recipes

Raw Fudgsicles

By Lucia Morrison

From Brad’s Raw Made Easy

Gotta get the book for this recipe ;)

Raw Sushi Rice

By Chelsea Connelly

• ½ head of cauliflower
• 1 Tbsp raw tahini
• 1/2” knob of ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon of EVOO
• 1 teaspoon apple cider
• A few drops of honey

1. Add all of the ingredients into a food processor and process until is resembles a course rice.
2. Use it to make raw sushi!

Strawberry Chia Pudding

By Ang Roberts

• 1 Tbsp of chia seeds
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ cup strawberries

1. The night before, soak the chia seeds in the almond milk and leave in the fridge overnight.
2. The next day, blend the chia seeds with the remaining ingredients in a blender until thick, creamy and smooth.
3. Top with fresh strawberries and enjoy!

Raw Cheesy Tomato Salad

By Lorraine Medeiros

Marinated tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers covered in raw cheese and topped with raw cashews. Does this not sound flippin’ delish!?

Chop up your favorite veggies and marinate in fresh lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, pepper, terrain fermented oregano (you can use Bragg's apple cider vinegar) and turmeric. Toss in raw cheese or grezzo "mock" cheese and top with raw cashews. Fresh, yummy and quite filling!

Fresh Tomato Dressing

By Lucia Morrison

• 1 medium tomato
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 Tbsp EVOO
• 1 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice
• 2 Basil leaves

1. Blend in a blender til smooth.
2. Pour on top of a salad and enjoy!

Green Smoothie

By Ang Roberts

• 2 cups kale
•  1 cup almond milk
• 1 small apple
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 Tbsp almond butter
• 1 Tbsp cacao powder

1. Blend and enjoy!