This recipe demonstrates chia’s incredible ability to absorb up to 9 times its weight in water. For a thicker or thinner gel, adjust the water accordingly.

INGREDIENTS:

4 Tablespoons chia seeds

2 cups water

DIRECTIONS:

Mix together chia and water. Let chia stand for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring with a whisk to prevent clumping.

Gel can be used as a thickener in raw soups, fruit smoothies and fresh jams.

But vintage naptime had one good thing going for it that even my 3 year old self could appreciate: the post-sleep graham cracker snack. This was a very exciting point in the day, where if our 30 minutes of rest was a success, we each received 2 crackers (which broke into a total of 8 rectangles) accompanied by a glass of juice. The world was a much better place when there were graham crackers around.

No extra motivation is needed for naps these days, but the graham cracker lure has far from ceased. I mean, just think about them: kinda like a cookie, kinda like a biscuit, it’s always a good time for a graham cracker – am I wrong? I like to make mine with buckwheat flour – one of my favorite flours to use for its generous flavor. This is definitely graham cracker version 2.0 (and also free of gluten and dairy), with a revamped ingredient set including ground flax for extra nutrition, sweet mesquite powder for extra flavor and protein, palm sugar for a brown sugary goodness that has less of a glycemic impact, and coconut oil because, well, coconut oil is just good in everything. These are really, really good – and even better with a smear of almond butter. You can also add in a bit of cinnamon for a spiced-up twist. Playtime.

Buckwheat Graham Crackers

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups buckwheat flour
¼ cup mesquite powder
¼ cup ground flax seeds
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
½ cup palm sugar (date sugar may be substituted, or sucanat)
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
¼ cup maple syrup (grade b, if possible)
¼ cup coconut oil
2 Tbsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
In a food processor,* pulse all the dry ingredients together, including the sugar, until combined. Add in the remaining wet ingredients, and process until a dough has formed. If dough is too dry, add additional almond milk, one tsp at a time. Dough will be firm and slightly sticky. Divide in half and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place one chilled dough half on a large piece of floured parchment paper (use additional buckwheat flour or preferred kind). Place a second piece of parchment paper on top, and use a rolling pin to roll very flat – about 1/8 inch thick. Place on a baking sheet, and carefully remove top layer of parchment. Using a pizza cutter or ravioli roller (or simply a knife), cut the dough into squares. Use a fork to score the crackers with decorative dots. Repeat with second dough half and place on a second baking sheet. Bake crackers for 22-28 minutes or until dried out but not burned. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then place crackers on a wire rack to finish cooling and become crisper. Makes about 5 dozen 2” crackers, and will keep in an airtight container for about 2 weeks.

*You can mix all of this by hand, but it’s infinitely easier with a food processor

Since my good ol’ Southern California home isn’t exactly designed for the makings of a picturesque white Christmas, the past week I’ve taken it upon myself to maintain festive cheer the one way I know best: sharing good food. Steamed local cauliflower and hearty kale salads have become some of the staples for dinner, and it’s inevitable that the almond gingerbread men and acai berry fudge plate gets at least 3 visits a day.

But the big hit this season has been, indeed, in the hot chocolate category: my uber awesome recipe for Candy Cane White Hot Chocolate.

Homemade, using ingredients you can feel really good about, and scoring 1000% on the “special” test, make this delight for yourself and those you love and tell me you don’t see smiles. Luxuriously creamy and sweet with a tickle of candy cane flavor, this warm drink is like confronting a polar bear who (instead of being big and scary) was really friendly and gave you a belly rub and a candy cane for your time. I know these things.

Happy Holidays & Good Tidings!

How spicy this ends up being is completely dependent on the heat level of the salsa used; I used the hot one of course. The “B” (aka bacon) is substituted with dulse strips: a seaweed with an excellent salty flavor just like bacon would provide, minus the unhealthy saturated fat and bad cholesterol.

INGREDIENTS:

2 sliced sprouted bread (I used Ezekiel Sesame), lightly toasted if desired
1/2 avocado, mashed
1-2 Tbsp fresh salsa (amount is dependent upon spice level)
1/4 cup dulse strips (or 1 1/2 Tbsp dulse flakes)
a couple of lettuce leaves

DIRECTIONS:

Assemble: Toast the bread if desired. Spread the avocado on one side, and salsa on the other. Distribute the dulse evenly atop of the avocado, stack with lettuce, and put the sides together. Boom. Spicy Sandwich Satisfaction.

Serves 1

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