Daily Dish

No Bake Vegan Pumpkin Spiced Energy Bites

Every fall I totally jump on the bandwagon of all things pumpkin. There’s pumpkin spice this and pumpkin spice that, all of which don’t offer much nutritional value. While it’s nice to treat yourself, it’s a bonus if there is some goodness to what you are indulging in. I came across these vegan pumpkin spice energy bites and knew I had to try them.

These bites are super easy to throw together, very filling, packed with energy, and satisfy that sweet craving. They can double up as breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Check out the recipe linked here, or below with a few of my own modifications.

No Bake Vegan Pumpkin Spiced Energy Bites

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 8 pitted medjool dates
  • ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 2 cups of oats
  • ½ cup of hemp seeds
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ginger
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp almond butter
  • 3 tbsp unsweetened coconut
  • 1/3 cup mini cacao chipsIMG_4032
  1. Combine dates, almond butter and half of the oats in a food processor. Process until finely chopped.
  2. Transfer to a large bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well.
  3. Refrigerate for an hour (easier to then roll).
  4. Roll mixture into balls and store in refrigerator in airtight container. Makes 20-30 balls.IMG_4036

 Keep Calm & Pumpkin On. xx

For the Love of Fall

While the Summer heat is what we yearn for all year long, it’s the crisp Fall that really warms my heart. The freshness in the air, the changing colours in the trees, and the Fall fashion- I welcome it each year with pure delight.

As we enter October and start to feel the presence of Fall with the cooler temps, I am comforted knowing that many of my favourite things are amongst us;  Thanksgiving (my fav holiday), Autumn hikes, all things pumpkin, cozy knits, fur, scarves, dark mani’s, plum lips, and warm savoury soups (can’t wait to share with you some delish recipes).

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 Happy Fall! xx

Lemon Miso Sesame Salad

Don’t you love when you come across a new recipe that inspires a new dish of your own. The Oh She Glows Orange Miso Dressing is one that got me thinking of new dishes that I could use this new favourite go to dressing with- I double up the recipe it’s just that good!

I first tried this dressing when I made the Oh She Glows  Enlightened Miso Power Bowl (which all of you must try, it is delish!) and I started to think  of the perfect salad combination to use with the remainder of this sweet nutty dressing.  Side note- I do slightly modify the recipe by using lemons instead of oranges (as I have an intolerance 😦 ).

With some careful thinking, I like to think I have come up with a pretty stellar combo! This flavourful meal is piled high with raw vegetable goodness, which can easily be adapted to whatever you may have on hand or whatever inspires you when  picking up your groceries. I prefer napa cabbage for this particular salad for it’s light and crunchy texture and think the shrimp is a nice added touch, when lightly sauteed in coconut oil and garlic- yum!

This isn’t so much an exact recipe that I’m sharing today, but more less the basics of a tasty combination to hopefully inspire you to create your own.

Lemon Miso Sesame Salad

  • 1 cup chopped napa cabbage
  • 1/4 cup jicama cut in matchsticks
  • 1/4 cup red pepper thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup shredded carrots
  • handful of shelled edamame
  • 1 green onion chopped
  • handful of chopped cilantro
  • 2 tbsp of hemp hearts
  • 6-8 shrimp sauteed with 1 tbsp of coconut oil and 1 clove of garlic
  • orange miso dressing to taste

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Eat Up! xx

The Cure Apothecary

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Local Torontonian, Nitasha Goel recently opened The Cure Apothecary, a natural beauty boutique on Queen West and it is absolutely beautiful! From the simplicity of the design to the gorgeous product it houses, this shop offers a luxurious selection of eco-conscious products for both men and women, and you must check it out!

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The Cure is Nitasha’s way to share all of her favourite brands to all of the beauty buffs out there. I was fortunate enough to attend the media party this week and was super impressed with the brands that are offered. Lines such as One Love Organics, John Masters Organics, Evenhealy, Barber and Fritz, Brooklyn Grooming, F. Miller, Old Factory Soap Company, and more mask the shelves exquisitely. I have fallen in love with Skin Essence, and within a days use, I can surely say how much I love their Rosehip Seed Oil and it should be part of everyone’s daily beauty regime.

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Take some time and check out The Cure, there is something for everyone, skincare basics, haircare, scrubs, fragrance, shaving soaps, and handmade soaps….pure bliss!

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Love Your Skin. xx

The Dessert Smoothie

Let’s explore the wonders of the sweet potato.

The sweet potato offers loads of antioxidants, high doses of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnese, B vitamins, potassium and iron. This tasty superfood helps prevent heart disease and cancer, helps maintain blood pressure, controls muscle and nerve function, bolsters the immune system and even slows aging by promoting good vision, strong bones, and healthy skin. All of which reinforce why we should make sweet potatoes part of our daily diet.

I for one, am impatient when it comes to the cooking time that comes along with sweet potatoes, that I will often stray away from using this sweet veg on a regular basis…until now! Why not add them into a smoothie- Genius, right?  I am definitely going to experiment more with this one, but  for now will leave you with this combination.

The Dessert Smoothie, is for when you are looking for something sweet, something quick to hit the craving, while still providing loads of nutrients. It is a combination that is sweet, nutty and delectably delicious.

Blend the following, yields 4 servings:

  • 3 peaches
  • 1 large raw sweet potato
  • 1 apple
  • 1 cup of frozen blueberries
  • 5 cups of water or until desired consistency
  • Dash of Cinnamon

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth. xx