You Choose: Is it Breakfast or Dessert?

I used to ask the question, ‘What’s for dessert?’ every single night as a child. Fortunately, now, I make my own desserts and they don’t come out of a carton or box. Some of them (like this one below) also happen to double as a decadent breakfast – and are still such a healthier option than the cinnamon rolls we all grew up with. Some might look at what I’m eating for dessert (don’t limit this recipe to dessert only though!) and wonder just how long it took to prepare, thinking that anything that can’t be scooped right out of the package is too much work. I have to admit, I used to feel this way and was somewhat intimidated with the idea of whipping up a raw sweet treat until that was put to rest with Naked Chocolate. This book changed my perception of what a real indulgence is and actually proved that even I (Miss Disaster in the Kitchen When the Oven is On) could make mouth-watering recipes.

This is really for those of you who do not have the Naked Chocolate book yet (what are you waiting for?), as I’m copying the recipes directly since they always turn out perfect. If I had to pick my absolute favorite.. it would be.. the Chocolate Entangled Cinnamon Roll (that’s my name for it):

Dark Chocolate Sauce (for the Cinnamon Rolls)
4 heaping tbsp raw chocolate powder
3 tbsp raw agave necter
1/2 tsp coconut oil

Mix all ingredients together to form a paste (I love watching it go from all powdery to the consistency of frosting). Add more agave if you need it runnier; add more coconut oil if you need it creamier. Store remainder of what you don’t use on the rolls in fridge and spread it on to everything!

Cinnamon Rolls
1 Serving of Dark Chocolate Sauce (couple spoonfuls)
Ground Cinnamon
1 cup of pecans, not soaked
1 cup of medjool dates, stoned

Blend the pecans and dates together in a food processor to make a dough. Dust some cinnamon onto a clean work surface (bamboo cutting board is good), and place the dough on it (dough is a bit oily). Sprinkle some more cinnamon on top of the dough and flatten it out, adding more cinnamon if it ever get sticky.

Once the dough is about 1/4 inch thick, cut or round out the edges so they are neat (make a square). Spread the chocolate sauce evenly on top. Pick up one side of dough and start to roll to the other side, so you end up with a spiraled log. Chill the log in the fridge (it will be relatively soft and is best when cool) and then cut into slices of heaven.

To see a picture of the Cinnamon Rolls, just click on any of the links in this post and scroll down. Naked Chocolate provides several mineral-rich shakes, yummy morsels of goodness, and versions of chocolate desserts you’ve probably never heard of (like the chocolate pizza!). Isn’t it time we stop feeling guilty for indulging in the best food ever?

If you chose to make this in place of the traditional gooey, saturated, and heavy cinnamon rolls (with heavy cream, butter, eggs, and white flour) that bring back those memories we can all relate to, the results would show on the outside. You know that at some point you’ll treat yourself to something ‘sinful’, so you may as well devour what will make you look good too!

ATTN: Raw, Organic, Skincare Lovers!

As many of you already know, I handcraft my own line of superfood infused skincare products. These are the purest products I’ve ever experienced and it gives me immense joy to see the demand for this (a desire for real natural beauty) rapidly increasing. My line, currently known as Organic Healing, is organic, free of toxins and preservatives, raw, made fresh to order (no inventory just laying around), herbal infused with 8 certified organic and biodynamic herbs (alfalfa, burdock root, comfrey leaf, horsetail, nettle leaf, noni, oatstraw, and red clover blossoms), vegan, holistic, environmentally conscious, and cruelty-free. Some of the Superfoods that are used include: angstrom sulfur, burdock root, wildcrafted horsetail, green tea extract, raw cacao powder, raw maca powder, goji berry powder, marine phytoplankton, stabilized oxygen, goji berry extract, and cacao extract.

I currently offer Healing Body Scrubs (body exfoliants), Body Silks (rich body moisture replenisher), Beauty Silks (creams for the face, neck, and undereye), Clay Masques (that are detoxifying, nourishing, soothing, and balancing – even using Vitamineral Green in one of them!), Belly Silks (for stretch marks, scarring, cellulite, skin appearance), Organic Edibles (sensual massage silks), and Luscious Bundles (discounted gifts and packages).

My very first product was the Java Body Scrub (named after my sweet gorgeous dog) and was created one afternoon as a result of playful experimenting in my kitchen. Little did I know that was the beginning of what it has become! I never expected or dreamt it would turn into an expanding line of the purest products, in demand by those who truly understand the amazing benefits of super nutrient-rich topical luxuries (I imagine, YOU!).

My intention in creating these products has been to make skincare that parallels my nutrition philosophy and approach (raw, organic, fresh living foods, Superfoods, medicinal herbs and teas). You could essentially lick the products right off your skin because they are that pure! There are few ingredients which make it so that you shouldn’t do this (except in the Organic Edibles – eat of much of this as you want), but the idea is that what you put onto your skin should be to these standards. If you shutter at the idea of doing this, then it’s time to reconsider what you’re applying to your skin! If you aren’t comfortable putting lotion and cream on your hands and then eating right out of them (without washing your hands first), once again.. time to re-evaluate what you’re using! I’ve been told I’m a purist at heart; isn’t it time we Embrace Purity (my monthly eZine to help you achieve exceptional internal health and stunning external beauty) for what goes not only into our mouths, but also onto our skin?

My original vision was, continues to be, and will always be – Cultivate Beauty in Harmony with Nature. For an excellent review of my product line done by Lenette with Go Raw Have Fun, click here. She also did a 40 minute interview that was just released, delving into the details of my introduction into the natural beauty industry: click here to listen. And THANK YOU for reading the review and/or listening to the interview

2009 has already brought me huge opportunities for growth. If you didn’t see my announcement through Twitter and Facebook yesterday – My product line is now officially sold in stores (at Raw Vegan Source in Redmond, WA)!

I look forward to meeting you in person if you plan to attend one of these huge gatherings of conscious, like-minded individuals. The festivals I’ll be exhibiting at in 2009 are:

The Seattle Green Festival on March 28 & 29: http://www.greenfestivals.org/seattle/

Raw Spirit Santa Barbara, CA, June 5-7: http://www.rawspiritfest.com/

Raw Spirit Prescott, AZ, Sept 26 & 27: http://www.rawspiritfest.com/

If there is anyone reading this that feels inclined to support my business, whether as an angel investor, working as a distributor (where you buy wholesale and sell retail – and you keep the profit), or if you have the means or know-how to take my grand vision to the next level, I’d love to hear from you. Spread the pure beauty word .. I feel the momentum .. this is just the beginning!