Lifestyle Jason Curry Lifestyle Jason Curry

You're Grounded

Have you ever noticed how you feel walking on the beach or walking barefoot in the grass? The earth’s energy is a critical part of healing and well being just as the sun’s energy is. When we make contact with the earth’s surface we receive a charge of energy that makes us feel better. This is called grounding or earthing.

I ground myself as often as possible! I kick off my shoes and go outside. Have you ever noticed how you feel walking on the beach or walking barefoot in the grass? The earth’s energy is a critical part of healing and well being just as the sun’s energy is. When we make contact with the earth’s surface we receive a charge of energy that makes us feel better. This is called grounding or earthing. 

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Because we live much of our lives inside, and when we do go out, we wear shoes, which prevent us from connecting. We might go months without the earths’ direct contact. So I regularly stand barefoot in the grass, work in my garden, walk on the concrete or at the beach and I feel the shift. That’s because the earth gives off millions of electrons, which instantly combat free radicals and detoxify our bodies to improve our blood flow. It’s one of the simplest and most primitive healing practices and best of all it's simple and free! 

I also own an earthing mat for sleeping, yoga, or to place under my bare feet when I can’t get outside. 

So let’s all go barefoot and keep our feet on the ground.  For more information behind the science of earthing or about earthing products it's worthwhile to take  a minute to  visit www.earthing.com.

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Strawberry Surprise

This is one of my all time favorite energy food recipes because it truly is the one of the most deliciously nutritious desert I've ever tasted. The hazelnut cream is dreamy, and the cake is moist and rich. The strawberries make it eye poppingly irresistible and top it off with natural sweetness. It's a desert to to impress. 

My father’s favorite birthday dessert has always been strawberry shortcake. Homemade of course. My sisters and I have all shared the task over the years! So I created a healthy raw version for him a couple years ago. The hazelnut cream is dreamy, and the cake is moist and rich. The strawberries make it eye poppingly irresistible and top it off with natural sweetness. This recipe is so delicious he didn’t miss the “real” whipping cream one bit! It's a desert to to impress. 

Strawberry Hazelnut Shortcake with Candied Strawberries

Shortcake

1 cup hazelnut pulp, wet
½ cup coconut flour
¼ plus 2 Tbs agave syrup
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
pinch salt.

Candied Strawberries

1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 Tbs maple syrup

Vanilla Cream

1 cup coconut meat
½ cup cashews
½ cup hazelnut milk
1/3 cup agave
¼ cup maple or date sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp soy lecithin
½ cup coconut oil

Strawberries

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries, sliced
----------------------

Process

Shortcake

  1. Combine all dry ingredients.

  2. Stir in wet and mix all ingredients by hand.

  3. Press into individual size round molds.

  4. Dehydrate for 3- 4 hours. 

Vanilla Cream

  1. Blend all ingredients, except coconut oil, in a high speed blender until smooth.

  2. Then blend in coconut oil last.

  3. Place in ice cream machine and process. 

Candied Strawberries

  1. Slice strawberries and coat with maple syrup.

  2. Dehydrate on teflex sheets for 12 hours.

  3. Turn each slice over and dehydrate another 8-12 hours or until crispy.

Presentation

  1. Place one short cake on a round plate centered.

  2. Gently place one heaping scoop of cream on top of cake.

  3. Place as many sliced strawberries into cream as possible at all angles.

  4. Fill in with candied strawberries!

Enjoy this deliciously nutritious treat with your loved ones. They will love you for it. 

Thanks for joining the Rawception!

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Sour Cherry Granola

I love this brown-sugary-oatmeal-cookie-like granola! It reminds me of growing up in the Midwest when once as a teen my mother took me to visit an amish town  near my hometown in Illinois. The Amish are known for their baked goods and beautiful wood furniture made with no electrical tools. I bought an oatmeal cookie at one of the amish bakeries. It was the most delicious cookie I had ever tasted, then and since, until this granola! I eat it as a snack by the handful or sprinkle it generously on raw coconut yogurt topped with fresh berries for a beautiful and yummy parfait! (recipe to come!)

Have fun creating your own flavor variations using this base recipe. I’ve listed a couple of my favorites below. While this is a simple recipe, the process is as important as the ingredients, so I encourage you to take a moment to read the recipes from start to finish, note the recipe breaks, gather your mise en place and then begin. I promise it will be a much more zen creative experience. PS: I also suggest a double batch! It’s so good it goes fast! 

Sour Cherry Grawnola

Granola

1 C golden raisins
1 C. dried turkish apricots
__________________________

1Tbsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. ground ginger
_____________________________

1 C. almonds, soaked 8 hrs.    
½ C. brazil nuts, rinsed only
½ C. macadamia nuts, rinsed only
½ C; sprouted buckwheat groats
½ C. sunflower seeds 6-8 hrs.
½ C. diced apple
1 C. dried sour cherries or bing cherries

Process

In a food Processor mix the dried fruit until it forms into a ball. 
Add extracts, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and zest to food processor and process until combined. 
Place the fruit and spice ball in a large mixing bowl. 
Process nuts into small chunks.
Add nuts, seeds and fruit to mixing bowl and combine by hand. You might prefer wearing powder free disposable gloves. 
Add additional nuts, seeds or almond meal if mixture is too loose.
Spread granola mixture in small handfuls on dehydrator sheets and dehydrate for 24 hours or until crunchy. 

Flavors Options:

Blueberry Granola

Replace cherries with 1 C. dried blueberries
Replace brazil nuts and macadamia nuts with 1 ½ C. pecans, soaked 8 hrs.
Replace ginger and nutmeg with1 tsp. cinnamon
Replace almond extract with 1 tsp. vanilla

Superfood Granola

Replace dried blueberries with 1 C. mixed dried goji berries, golden berries, mulberries, raspberries, blackberries or cranberries
Add 1 tsp. maca
Add 2 tsp. mesquite
Add 1 Tbsp. hemp seeds
Add ½ C. cacao nib

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Lifestyle Jason Curry Lifestyle Jason Curry

Learn About The 5 Pillars of Rawception: Inception. Perception. Exception. Reception. Rawception.

Along my journey of health and self awareness, these five ingredients for a recipe for a balanced life, kept coming up. The five ingredients are inception, exception, perception, reception and of course Rawception! 

Join the Rawception for lots of healthy delicious recipes, wellness wisdom and nutrition tips. 

Rawception | Mindfulness

Fueling my body and mind with energy food is a gift I give myself every day. It allows me to take care of others and appreciate life’s gifts. I call them the “5-F’s”! Family, food, friends, fulfillment and fun! I believe that food is energy, food is medicine, and food is love! I believe in the bounty that Mother Earth provides. I believe in choosing simplicity over multiplicity, and I believe in the power of the present moment.

Perception | Awareness

After careers in both advertising and fashion, I understand, well, the power of image, external beauty and youth. My ambition to create beautiful images, while once exciting, eventually felt vacant, like junk food devoid of nutrition. I was searching for a more meaningful life both inside and out. My health journey began in earnest in my forties experimenting with what diet made me look great, but more importantly, feel my best.. By fifty, I had shifted to a plant based, mainly raw food diet. What followed was a physical, emotional and spiritual cleanse resetting not only my taste buds but my liver and digestive functions, helping me to experience the concept of food as fuel and medicine. Today my physical and metaphysical self is aligned. I apply my “inside out” approach to my work as well as all aspects of my life.

Inception | Restart Life

At 55, I find myself experiencing one amazing, plant food journey. I have zero time to waste and no interest in negative energy or ever eating another land animal. I’m eternally fascinated by the science of plant food as fuel and medicine. Plant food has been a powerful source of generating my youthful energy not to mention, it’s effects on longevity.

Exception | Originality

As a professional plant based chef and certified health coach, my passion is to share the benefits of delicious whole food plant based recipes to guide every body to their optimal weight and vitality. My experiment is to see what effects a plant based diet has on the aging process. Could it be a way to hit the pause button?

Reception | Receiving

What is the Rawception? It’s a daily celebration. It’s sharing love, life experiences, and recipes for happiness, balance, mental clarity and youthful energy at every age! It’s taking time each day to appreciate the mini life, that is today. I invite you to join me and follow the Rawception!

You're Invited to join the Rawception

What: Embracing each day as our healthiest self
Who: You and I making energy food recipes for youthful energy.
Where: Wherever you are in this present moment.
When: Everyday single day! 

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Health Hacks, Lifestyle, Travel Jason Curry Health Hacks, Lifestyle, Travel Jason Curry

21 Important Travel Tips that Make it Easy to Stick to Your Healthy Food Resolutions

I travelled the first 10 days of January and it reminded me of how easy it is make unhealthy choices all along the way; from airports to restaurants. Traveling can pose endless opportunities to eat poorly and feel unwell  

Eating in restaurants can turn into pure debauchery every meal unless we know how to handle the inevitable high calorie restaurant food, not to mention the temptation to over eat. It's fine with me to indulge a bit more while traveling, especially in Europe. But weight gain has to stay within arms reach, so it's easily removed once we get home and back to our healthy routines. Here are some travel tips to keep your biological home healthy, until you return home. 

Part 1: Traveling Tips

1. Pack a probiotic.

Use a shelf stable probiotic daily while traveling. Eat plenty of fibrous foods like leafy greens to help maintain healthy digestion, as digestion issues are common while on the move.

2. Pack your own plane snacks.

Make or buy veggie wraps, vegetable sushi roll, salads, a few pieces of fresh fruit, sprouted nuts, seeds or gluten free pretzels. PS: don’t pack yogurt and nut- butters if you are flying as they are considered liquid and will be confiscated.

3. Walk the airport.

Get in as many steps as possible on travel days as well as when you get to your destination. It will help you sleep better and burns a few calories in case overeating occurs on personal or business stays.

4. Start every day right.

On vacation, start your morning with fruit and order a big colorful salad for lunch. That way you’ve covered most of the nutrients you need and can be less accountable for the dinner meal.

5. Leave something behind.

If you travelled somewhere wonderful for vacation, try not to feel the need to eat everything in sight because you can’t take it home as a souvenir. You will return one day and the amazing pizza and pastries will still be there.

6. Over-hydrate.

Airplane travel is dehydrating. A lack of humidity in the cabin air can lead to dehydration if you're not careful. Be sure to drink plenty of water during the flights and coconut water is great to get the electrolytes.


Part 2: Hacking Restaurant Menus

A delicious meal at the restaurant NIX in NYC. Even at plant based restaurants I apply the restaurant tips below.

A delicious meal at the restaurant NIX in NYC. Even at plant based restaurants I apply the restaurant tips below.

Eating away from our kitchens is the reality on a lot of days. Dining out is fun but definitely less healthy than eating at home because it’s impossible to know what ingredients, oils and taste-enhancers are in restaurant meals.

I’ve had a lot of experience hacking restaurants menus to create healthier dishes. It feels good to take a mindful minute for self care, at different points throughout the day, and ordering food is definitely one of those times. Having it your way is easier than you think. 

1. Read the whole menu.

The most helpful information is on the menu. Read the menu start to finish and make a mental list of all the healthy fresh ingredients the kitchen has on hand that day. If the steak comes with hen-of-the- woods mushrooms, then you know you can use the mushrooms in your healthy dish.

2. Don’t be shy.

Be polite but assertive about asking for substitutions on the menu. Chefs are usually very happy to accommodate food allergies and restrictions. Ask your server kindly for their help. For example, ask: what can I get instead of fries, bacon, oily croutons?

3. Make substitutions.

For instance; order grilled, if an item is fried. Change potatoes to a green vegetable. For a burger or burrito, substitute the bun or wheat-wrap for a piece of lettuce.

4. Portion control.

Try to split your entree with someone or be prepared to eat half of a large entree and box the other half. Swap the ratio of protein to vegetables. Ask for a smaller portion of protein and a larger portion of salad and vegetables.

5. Always ask how the food was prepared.

Very often restaurant food is filled with hidden calorie-dense oils, butter or white bread crumbs. Restaurants know how to make food taste good but very often, at the expense of our health.

6. Read between the lines.

Any menu description that uses the words creamy, breaded, crisp, sauced, buttery, sautéed, pan-fried, au gratin, parmesan, cheese sauce, scalloped, au lait, à la mode, or au fromage is usually loaded with hidden fats—much of it saturated or even trans fats. 


7. Try double appetizers.

If there is a nice selection of healthy plant- based and light seafood appetizers, consider skipping the entrée and having two appetizers, one to start and one for your meal. Often, that is more than enough food to feel fed.

8. Order salad first.

Before ordering anything else on the menu order a salad. You will likely eat less calories at the main course.

9. Salad do’s and don’ts.

DO get the salad. And remember, it’s a vegetable course. Ask for vegetables and fruits only. Salads shouldn’t be fatty. DON’T order anything creamy like blue cheese, mayo based dressing, coleslaw, pasta salad, or potato salad. And skip the, cheese, meats, bacon bits and fried noodles toppings. Just load up on the raw vegetables.

10. Dressing on the side.

Get your dressing on the side. The best way to get the flavor of the dressing without the calories is to dip your empty fork into the dressing, then skewer a forkful of salad. You’ll be surprised at how this tastes just right, and how little dressing you’ll use.

11. Check the menu before you leave home.

Most restaurants post their menus online. You can decide before you arrive what you’re going to order. Or, if you don’t see healthy choices, go to a different restaurant.

12. No bread basket please.

Ask the waiter to skip the bread basket. If you must have something to eat while you wait for your order, ask for a plate of raw crudité. Exception: It’s a special occasion at a special place with amazing bread. Then go for it, and allocate it from your 10% being-bad rule.

13. One drink'll do ya.

If you want to order an alcoholic drink, pass on the ones with sugary soda. Opt for a glass of wine, a tequila, or a simple vodka.

14. Dips can are dangerous.

Opt for guacamole or hummus, but even then, be mindful of portions

15. Snack in between meals. Yes that's right. 

I always bring healthy fast-food snacks like a banana, organic apple, organic carrots, sprouted nuts and seeds to fill in throughout the day so I’m not starving when I arrive at the restaurant. This way I’m not as tempted by the bad stuff.

Happy travels!
 

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Lifestyle, Nutrition, The Cafe Jason Curry Lifestyle, Nutrition, The Cafe Jason Curry

A New Years Eve Appetizer That Will Get 2017 Off To A Healthy Start

As we prepare to release and let go of 2016, we can embrace the new year with a fresh start and all its possibilities. The new year is a good time to let go of old stories and step into new intentions for the future with hopefulness and enthusiasm. 

Many of us set resolutions around diet and health. Just one healthy meal and we feel different, right? A week of healthy meals and we feel remarkably different. Imagine one year of eating well. Imagine one year of eating poorly, and we go in two very different directions. 

I asked myself today, what are 2 or 3 things I could do in the new year to improve my diet and lifestyle. I came up with a few thing immediately. No one needs to tell us to drink more water, get more sleep, move a little more and eat more fruits and vegetables. We instinctively know how to care for ourselves. 

I just created this recipe yesterday for a festive and delicious way to celebrate the incoming year with a healthy start! I wanted to share it with all of you! Wishing everyone more self care, self honor and self love in 2017! xx nk

Blini with Creme Fraiche and Black Truffle Mushroom Caviar

Blini ingredients

1/2 C coconut milk or almond milk
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
----------
2 Tbs flax seeds
3/4 C plus 2 Tbs warm water
1 Tbs date sugar
------------
3/4 C buckwheat flour
1/2 C quinoa flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs coconut oil, melted
1 tsp. raw honey, optional

Process

  1. In a small bowl, combine coconut milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for one hour at room temp.

  2. In another small bowl, combine water, flax seeds, and date sugar. Set aside for one hour at room temp.

  3. For flours: if you use sprouted buckwheat groats and sprouted quinoa seeds, grind into flour in a coffee / spice grinder until powdered into a fine flour.

  4. Pour the water/flax seed mixture into a blender and blend until the flax seeds are liquified.

  5. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and make a well/birds nest. 

  6. Add all remaining wet ingredients, including the milk mixture and the water mixture in the well.

  7. With a large spoon, mix batter gently until it's a thin pancake batter consistency.

  8. Place a large non stick skillet on medium heat and spray pan with olive oil.

  9. Using a teaspoon or mini ice cream scooper, portion a quarter size amount of batter on the pan. Do not flip the mini pancakes until they are a bit bubbly and golden brown. 

  10. Makes about 100 blinis. I watched sex and the city (the movie) to keep me company while I cooked all these blinis.

Cashew Creme Fraiche

1 C raw cashews, soaked in water for one hour and rinse well in a strainer
2 Tbs lemon juice
1/4 C plus 2 Tbs spring water
1/2 tsp salt
1 probiotic capsule, 

Process

  1. In a blender combine the rinsed and soaked cashews and only 1/4 C of the water, plus all other ingredients except probiotic pill.

  2. Open the probiotic capsule and pour the powder in the blender

  3. Blend all ingredients. If it's too dry, which it probably will be, add the other 2 Tbs water. The mixture should be the consistency of smooth sour cream. 

  4. Taste and add more lemon or salt if necessary. 

  5. Refrigerate and it will thicken a bit.

Black Truffle and Mushroom Sauce

I bought a jar of this "caviar" replacement at a gourmet grocery called Graces in New York. There were a few different brands but some contained dairy/parmesan cheese and this brand (Delicious & Sons) did not. I think this sauce is meant for pasta but it repurposes perfectly as caviar. 

Assembly

  1. Lay the blinis on a platter

  2. Dot with creme fraiche

  3. Top with a good plunk of truffle mushroom sauce.

  4. Sprinkle sea salt and a few turns of black pepper over the platter.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!

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The Bakery, Nutrition Jason Curry The Bakery, Nutrition Jason Curry

A Healthy Holiday Cookie That Will Generate Your Energy Without The Sugar Crash

I love cookies at the holidays. But I don’t love the sugar high and inevitable slump. The recipe I’m sharing below is a vegan version of an almond crescent cookie my Czech grandmother always made at the holidays. My sister now carries on her tradition every year. I love the taste of my grandmother's cookies which are made from just butter, sugar, flour and almonds. In my recipe I substituted almond butter for the dairy butter, powdered raw coconut sugar for the white table sugar and a little coconut flour for the white flour. These cookies are delicious without any carbs but lots of good fat and protein. Because they're not particularly sweet, I love to pair them with a cup of tea or coffee. I liken them to a biscotti. Happy Holidays, Everyone!

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Almond Crescent Cookies

½ C almond butter
¼ C plus 2 Tbs. almond milk
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2 3/4 C finely ground almonds
1/4 C coconut flour
1/2 C powdered coconut sugar, plus an extra ¾ C powdered coconut sugar for topping

Process

  1. In a vitamix or coffee/spice grinder, finely powder about 1 C coconut sugar.

  2. In a vitamix or coffee/spice grinder, finely powder 2 3/4 C raw almonds

  3. In a large bowl, with a spoon mix all dry ingredients and make a well in the middle.

  4. Add all wet ingredients in the well.

  5. With a spoon, incorporate all ingredients by hand, until you can form a large ball of dough.

  6. If the dough is dry or crumbly, add more almond milk, one tablespoon at a time.

  7. Cut the ball in quarters, and then each quarter in four pieces again, then cut each piece in half. This should be about the right amount of dough for each cookie.

  8. Roll the small amount of dough between your palms until a small tube is formed.

  9. Bend it into a crescent shape.

  10. Place all crescent cookies onto a parchment paper on a baking sheet.

  11. Bake at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes on the middle rack.

  12. Dredge all cookies in powdered coconut sugar one at a time. 

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3 Easy Steps to Meet 3 Important Health Goals; Generate Youthful Energy, Balance your Weight and Create Mental Clarity

I'm so happy to share the Rawception Energy Food Ebooks with you. I have put my heart and soul into this 3 E-book series full of colorful pictures, deliciously easy recipes, an easy to follow 7-day elimination diet guide, and the 7-day food plan and grocery lists. But there's so much more than that. You'll find out how to organize your kitchen, pantry and fridge for success. You'll learn how to navigate restaurant menus and how to eat on-the-go. Included are important nutrition information, food philosophies, and lots of wellness wisdom. The E-books series will guide you to create core energy that’s instant and lasts all day! You’ll never want to feel any other way. Think of what can be achieved with renewed energy. 

The Truth Behind My Book Series

I had to find a way to use food as medicine and nutrition as ammunition for strength, energy and vitality.

 

The Old Me
Eight years ago I struggled to find enough energy to get through my busy work day in the fashion industry and make dinner for my family in the evenings.

What did I do?
I developed a series of nutritional recipes in my kitchen for me and my family as an experiment. I worked with a variety of organic whole foods and superfoods to create the original Energy Diet Recipes.

The New Me
The recipes helped me transform my sluggishness to lasting energy, my anxiousness to positive vibes and my fluctuating weight to stable, balanced weight.

A peek inside Book 1:  “The Basics of Energy Food” 

After I Experienced the Initial Results
I left my fashion career and followed my passion. I attended a plant-based culinary academy in Los Angeles and a health coaching school in New York. I gained all the knowledge I needed to perfect my system and further my passion for health and wellness as a profession. As a certified plant-based chef and professional health coach, I guide people to achieve their health goals. All the recipes are delicious and free of gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, processed sugar, trans fats and animal products.

I Never Want to Feel any Other Way
I wrote the recipe books to share my recipes and nutrition information with each of my health coach clients with great success. I live the Energy Diet way and appreciate my youthful energy every day.

I Truly Care About the State of Peoples' Health on Every Level
I have put all my health and diet tips and tricks and nutrition and culinary knowledge into this 3 e-book series. Each one is full of colorful pictures, deliciously easy recipes, an easy to follow 7-day elimination diet guide, and the 7-day food plan and grocery lists.

And There's so Much More Than That
You'll find out how to organize your kitchen, pantry and fridge for success. You'll learn how to navigate restaurant menus and how to eat on-the-go. Included are food philosophies, important nutrition information and wellness wisdom for every body.

A Peek inside Book 2: “Use Nutrition as Ammunition” adds in superfoods.

The Rawception Ebooks were created for everyone
I’m so excited to offer my three e-Books without the cost of my health coaching programs. The Energy e-books show you how easy it is to make nutritious food, dine out and eat on the go, the energy diet way. 

The 3 steps to 3 health important goals
The energy diet is a 3 e-book series. Each step builds upon the next step. Step one builds the foundation of youthful energy. Step 2 balances your weight and step 3 creates mental clarity.

A peek inside Book 3: “Hit the Pause Button on Aging”, show’s how-to make fermented food and add in super-herbs.

Look and feel your best
The e-books will guide you to create core energy that’s instant and lasts all day! You’ll never want to feel any other way. Think of what can be achieved with renewed energy.

The Rawception Energy Food E-Books Series

The Rawception Energy Food E-Books Series

Learn more and shop the books
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Nutrition, Lifestyle, Travel, Health Hacks Jason Curry Nutrition, Lifestyle, Travel, Health Hacks Jason Curry

Guide to Hack a Junk Food Store

What's the best way to hack a junk food store? What do you do when you're hungry and want something healthy but there's nothing around except convenient stores? Read labels! Amongst all the really unhealthy food lurking around convenient stores with loads of sugar or trans fats, there are some healthy-ish choices even at 7-Eleven. Here's what to look for.

I was in Miami with my boyfriend watching his son run the Miami half marathon. It was a uncharacteristic Miami day. It was windy, raining, and cold, around 40 degrees. After the race we called an uber to drive us back to our hotel in South Beach. The roads were blocked and the traffic was gridlock so we had to wait about 45 minutes for the uber to get to us.

We took refuge in a 7-Eleven convenience store to get out of the wind and cold while we waited. I was cold and hungry and needed something warm to drink. I made it a challenge to hack this junk food store for something healthy. I was searching for the most nutritious snack I could find, not necessarily the tastiest, but the vegan cookie I settled on, was indeed tasty.

How to choose the best snack in a 7-Eleven convenience store.

Healthy-ish packaged Snacks at 7-Eleven.

Lenny & Larry's Complete Vegan Lemon Cookie. This lemon cookie is not too sweet and the texture is nice. It does contain processed sugar but no animal products. The calories were reasonable for the portion. This is what I would recommend in a pinch at a convenience store. 
Luna Lemon Zest Bar. This lemon zest Luna bar is a healthy choice. It's low in calories and high in protein. 
Nuts and Dried Fruit packs. This shelf at 7-Eleven holds the healthiest options. The puffed pea chips near the bottom are another good choice. 
Detour Bar. Another option for high protein.
Go Smart Sprouted Chips. These chips contain healthy plant protein and some nutrients from seeds and sprouts.

Unhealthy packaged snacks to avoid at 7-Eleven.

Doritos. These contain high sodium and high carb plus lots of ingredients I can't pronounce and artificial food coloring.
Cracker Jacks. An old favorite from my childhood but high sugar and high carbs.
Pop Tarts. These are very unhealthy. Trans fats, high sugar and high carbs.
Packaged Cookie Shelf.  All are but high sugar and high carbs.
Pretzels. High sugar and high carbs.
Freezer Section. These all contain trans fats, high sugar and high carbs
Dips and Chips. The dips are all very high in calories and contain trans fats and sugar. The chips are all Doritos (see above) 

Break the unhealthy Junk food cycle.

If you want to break your junk food junkie habit, check out this article about healthy snacks by Dr. Frank Lipman, a top functional medicine doctor in NYC. 

The Rawception Book 1, 7-day diet plan for lots of deliciously, simple recipes to build a healthy lifestyle. 

Energy Bar Superfood Squares

Energy Bar Superfood Squares

The Ultimate Snack Recipe to Travel with.

Energy Bar Superfood Squares 

My favorite snack to bring when I am on the go and traveling are these Super Energy Squares.

I always carry these in my purse everywhere I go.

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The Bakery, Lifestyle Jason Curry The Bakery, Lifestyle Jason Curry

A Raw Cacao Truffle Recipe for a Healthy Halloween

Do you want to have a healthy Halloween? We kid ourselves that we're buying the halloween candy for the kiddos, but most adults eat a lot of it too. Eating too much candy never makes us feel good the next day. If we make a healthy Halloween treat then we're less apt to dive into the really bad stuff. Try this recipe. It has only three ingredients and is scary satisfying!

I almost didn't write a Halloween blog, which is why this quick mini-blog is so late to arrive in your in-box. I'm kind of a Halloween Scrooge, but just about the sugary, candy part. The costume, dress up part is wonderful.

Sugar is very addictive and causes so many health problems. But yes, anything in moderation is fine, unfortunately it can be difficult to find balance with sugar or any addictive substance.

I want to share a quick and easy chocolate truffle treat that's super healthy and fun to make. It only has three ingredients and it's kid-friendly so the little ghost and goblins can help roll these chocolate truffles and sprinkle them with a host of healthy powdery toppings. 

Raw vegan cacao truffles coated with three different coatings: (top) cacao powder , (middle) turmeric & coconut sugar powder and (bottom) matcha & coconut sugar powder coating.

Raw vegan cacao truffles coated with three different coatings: (top) cacao powder , (middle) turmeric & coconut sugar powder and (bottom) matcha & coconut sugar powder coating.

Raw Vegan Cacao Truffles

Three ingredients truffles: coconut butter, raw cacao and raw organic honey!

Three ingredients truffles: coconut butter, raw cacao and raw organic honey!

Ingredients

1/2 C raw cacao powder
1/2 C coconut butter, softened
1/4 C raw honey

Coating Options
Cacao powder
Matcha green tea powder mixed with coconut sugar powder (Ratio: Equal parts matcha to coconut sugar)
Turmeric powder mixed with coconut sugar powder (Ration: equal parts turmeric to coconut sugar)
Chai spice mix: cinnamon, cardamom powder, clove, ginger (Ratio: equal parts chaï parts to coconut sugar)
Açai powder
Coconut water powder 

Halloween-Themed Garnish: Goji Berry Eye Balls
Goji berries, cut in half can but placed into each raw chocolate truffles as eye balls.

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Process

  1. In a large bowl, mix the 3 ingredients together with a spoon until smooth.

  2. Place the mixing bowl and truffle batter in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill.

  3. Remove from fridge and form truffles into small balls. Then place the truffles on a plate or tupperware and place them back into the refrigerator until firm, about 10 minutes.

  4. When firmer, remove from fridge and using a toothpick, poke two eye-balls holes in each truffle.

  5. In three small bowls, add coating powders and roll each truffle through powder.

  6. Cut goji berries in half and place the pointed edge into the eye hole sockets to make "truffle insects".

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