Eating vegetarian or vegan is a very personal choice and takes a fair amount of discipline. It means reading labels carefully and rethinking most recipes. But there is no reason vegetarian and vegan meals can’t be delicious and full of valuable Food1iients. As an added bonus, vegan dishes are pareve and perfect for those who keep kosher because they contain no animal products.
Grace 0, founder ofFoodTrients.com, the resource dedicated to the foods and rejuvenating nutrients that help us fight the diseases of aging and promote longevity, has created holiday desserts that are all vegan and contain the nutrients needed to boost health and are unapologetic in terms of great flavor and indulgence.
If you’re craving something sweet and seasonal, try this vegan blood orange cake. It has a tender crumb and is bursting with intense orange flavor. Great for any holiday celebration, this cake also delivers nutrition very similar to regular oranges, but blood oranges are rich in anthocyanin a group of antioxidants found in red, blue, and purple fruits and veggies. A diet rich in these compounds may prevent inflammation and protect against type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Regularly eating anthocyanin-rich foods may also benefit your memory and overall brain health.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 6-8
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbs. cornstarch
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
¾ cup almond or cashew ‘milk’
½ cup olive oil
½ cup cane sugar
⅓ cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice, strained
2 Tbs. unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. almond extract
2 tsp. blood orange zest (about 2 oranges)
INSTRUCTIONS
What’s the holiday season without a chocolate dessert? This no-bake brownie base with a creamy salted chocolate filling, is rich, vegan and gluten-free. The dates in this recipe contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that help support brain, digestive, and heart health and protect against disease. The nuts in the crust are nutrient dense providing good sources of protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Nuts and seeds regulate body weight as their fats are not fully absorbed and they regulate food intake. Nuts and seeds contain unsaturated fats and other nutrients that provide protective effects against heart disease and diabetes.
INGREDIENTS
8-10 servings
Crust
1 cup pitted Medjool dates, about 10 large dates
½ cup raw walnuts
¾ cup raw pecans (or almonds)
4 Tbs. smooth almond butter
½ tsp. fine sea salt
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
5 Tbs. raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbs. raw cacao nibs optional
Filling
10.5 ounces or 1⅓ cups coconut cream*
4 ounces 60%-85% dark chocolate, roughly chopped
¼ cup refined coconut oil (unrefined will taste of coconut)
⅔ cup (about 6 or 7) large dates Medjool dates (pitted)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
A large pinch of sea salt
Garnishes
A few sprinkles of flaky sea salt for topping
Fresh raspberries or other berries
INSTRUCTIONS
About FoodTrients
FoodTrients® is a philosophy and a resource dedicated to the foods and rejuvenating nutrients that help us fight the diseases of aging and promote longevity. All of the recipes combine modern scientific research and medicinal herbs and ingredients from cultures around the world. They’re loaded with flavor and superfoods, which promote wellness, increase energy and vitality, improve skin, and help people look and feel younger.
About Grace O
Over a span of 30 years, Grace O has built an impressive record of business achievement, community building, philanthropy, and community service in California. Guided by her spirit of entrepreneurship and building on a model of generosity learned from her family, Grace has spent a lifetime helping people heal through food and medicine. Grace launched FoodTrients.com in 2010 where she shares age-defying superfoods from around the world and creates delicious recipes with them. Grace is the author of three award-winning cookbooks—The Age GRACEfully Cookbook: The Power of FOODTRIENTS to Promote Health and Well-being for a Joyful and Sustainable Life; The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, and the multi-award-winning Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World.
For more information:
CONTACT:
Barbara Weller – Editor/ FoodTrients / info@foodtrients.com / 818-788-7422
Trina Kaye – Public Relations / The Trina Kaye Organization / TrinaKaye@tkopr.com / 310-963-3964