The Avocado Queen Welcomes You

This blog is mostly about raw vegetarian/vegan recipes, many of which incorporate avocados. Since I became a raw/live food vegan several years ago, avocados became an important part of my diet. I'd even say that they are my favorite food, and as it turns out, they are also considered one of the world's healthiest foods. While my primary purpose here is to showcase avocados and how awesome they are, I will also share some recipes that are just plain good raw/live food as well as vegan food.

Most recipes are accompanied by a meditation or reflection - posting as "food for thought."

Wishing you peace, love, joy, and blessings wherever you are in your journey towards health...

All recipes of the Avocado Queen are original creations. In some cases, variations on other recipes have been made and credit of that original source has been given.

All content on this blog is strictly the property of the owner or has been used with permission. If you see a recipe or photo that you like, please contact the owner for permission to share it...more than likely, your request will be honored as long as you agree to give credit to the original source.

7.22.2011

Recipe for Possibility - Blueberry "Cheesecake" (raw vegan style)

It is easy to look back into the past and see what has happened.  Although we can see what we have done and imagine what we might have done differently, what is done is done.  The past cannot be changed.  Looking into the past, thinking of all we could change, thinking of what we could improve, thinking of how we might rewrite history, does very little for us, for in the past we have no possibility.


The best we can hope to do is take the lessons from the past and create something new and different in the future.  Sometimes looking into the future feels daunting, more challenging, perhaps even intimidating.  We do not yet know what the future holds and sometimes we imagine the future may be anything but bright and promising, leaving us unfulfilled.  Yet, to see the future as a blank canvas on which we can paint whatever our heart desires is such a blessing.


However, what really matters is being present to the moment we are experiencing right now.  Having concerns about what has passed or about what is yet to come, may cause anxiety, unhappiness, or other undesirable emotions.  It is a waste of time, a waste of life, to spend too much time anywhere but in the present.  


From the past, we can learn.  From the present, we can imagine our vision for the future.  We have the gift of possibility.


This is why there are so many teachings that encourage us to let go of the past.  In the future we have a blessing.  Let the present be where we dwell content and fulfilled, living without regret of what we did or failed to do.  


Sometimes, all we need to do is take a deep breath, bringing us back to the present moment.  This is where we truly have possibility and the ability to create our own reality.

This recipe reminds me of the JELL-O Cheesecakes we used to make when I was a kid, except I think the raw vegan version is so much better!

Recipe for Possibility - Blueberry "Cheesecake" (raw vegan style)

For this recipe you will need 2 PINTS of FRESH BLUEBERRIES.


The Filling - In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, combine these ingredients:

  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries [RESERVE the 2nd pint for assembly.]
  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple or orange juice (or just enough to blend)*
  • agave, raw honey, or maple syrup to taste (about 1 TB)
  • pinch of sea salt

The Crust - In a (6+ cup) food processor, combine these ingredients:

  • 7-9 dates
  • 1 cup walnuts (preferably soaked and dehydrated)
  • 1 cup pecans (preferably soaked and dehydrated)
Combine with the "S" blade until the nuts are totally broken down and you have reached a crumbly consistency.  The mixture should just start sticking to the sides of the bowl when it is ready.


Assemble: Press the crust into a 9" pie plate.  Place a layer of fresh blueberries (from the second pint).  Pour in the blueberry "cheesecake" filling.  Cover the top with fresh blueberries.  Garnish with thinly sliced banana rounds.

Tips:
* If no fresh juice is available, use water ( > 1/2 cup) instead and slightly more liquid sweetener.
** If the consistency of the filling is too runny, add 3-4 TB of psyllium husk powder to thicken.  Or, assemble and put the pie in the freezer a few hours before serving.

Blueberries, one of the world's healthiest foods, have excellent nutrition that supports the health of the heart, the eyes, the brain, and the digestive system.  

Finally, a dessert that offers a NEW POSSIBILITY for health and wellness!

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous1/13/2012

    Hi in your recipe you mention honey. Please note that vegans do not eat honey

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  2. Dear Anonymous,

    Thanks for your comment about honey. You'll notice the recipe provides several options for sweeteners, depending on the specific diet a person follows.

    So, here is the rundown about the options for sweetener:
    -- use agave, or coconut agave, if you want a "pure raw and vegan" recipe
    -- use "raw, unfiltered" honey if you want the "superfood benefits" of honey and a less refined sweetener.
    -- use "grade B" maple syrup if you want a "pure vegan", but not "raw" recipe

    I know some folks who are vegan, except that they do eat honey, and prefer it as a sweetener to agave for health reasons. I suppose we should call these folks "mostly vegan" but semantics aside, let's clarify a little bit about agave and honey.

    Raw, unfiltered honey can be used as a superfood. Read more here: http://www.naturalnews.com/035493_raw_honey_health_benefits_antibacterial.html#ixzz1rb1sKXqc

    Agave syrup is not all it is cracked up to be. Read more here: http://www.rawfor30days.com/blog/how-agave-nectar-broke-my-heart-why-this-%E2%80%9Cnatural-sweetener%E2%80%9D-really-isn%E2%80%99t-that-good-for-you/

    There is a new syrup on the market: coconut agave. This may be the answer for "pure" raw vegans! http://www.naturalnews.com/030110_coconut_nectar_vinegar.html#ixzz1reYYr1pS

    Finally, the following is quoted from the Triangle Raw Foods website:
    "another note about honey: we believe that in order to have the awesome organic produce that we live on, we MUST support local honey bee farmers. The bees are the creatures that pollenate our crops, and if we don’t support them, there will be none left. If you are interested in learning more about why this is so important, please watch “Vanishing of the Bees” : http://www.vanishingbees.com/

    ReplyDelete