OHHH Snap!

The infomercial clip is swimming in my mind.

From the mouth of a ponytail-swinging babe with pearly whites, a low-cut blouse, and mini skirt...

"Wanna know a little secret? Millions ask me how I maintain my girlish figure and glowing skin. Well, folks...are you in for a treat!" She bites her lip, modestly flirts with the camera, and continues in her charming southern twang..."Botox? Master Cleanse? Nip and Tuck? No, No, and No. Would you believe me if I said...cookies?"

That's right.

Cookies.

Of the raw vegan sort, of course.

Not only are these delicious morsels of happiness, but they are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, protein, and so much more. Plus they are fun to make, and require little prep and equipment.

Keep in mind, moderation is key. I am not saying that eating these cookies will eat away your fat cells, leaving you with perfectly sculpted abs and a firm derrière. It's sad news that there are corporations trying to convince us otherwise; sure...that dream pill will help you lose weight, but it's also weakening your heart and leeching residue into crevices inside your body that will remain there for the rest of your shortened life.

With that said, these cookies are perfect for a meal replacement or a snack. You can even eat them for breakfast and not feel a wee bit o' guilt!

Here's my recipe for ginger snaps...my sis and I, the cookie queens, have these about every night! They are so satisfying, with the perfect amount of spice and a delicate sweetness. Feel free to tone down the spice if needed.

Ginger Snaps

1 c raisins 

3 dates

2 T almond butta

1 tsp coconut oil

1-2 in fresh ginger (i like 2)

1/2 c raw oats

1/4 c buckwheat (sprouted and dehydrated; if you don't have the capability to make this, sub with more oats)

1 tsp maca (this is what makes these cookies superb. If you can't find maca...i simply apologize, as I can't think of any sub as divine as this.)

1/8 tsp pink Himalayan sea salt 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ginger powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp cardamom

1/8 tsp cloves

1. Peel the ginger and mince it in a garlic press. Make sure you do this over the food processor, so the ginger juice is included. It usually doesn't mince it completely, so after pressing it, I remove the remains from the garlic press and dice it. Throw in the food processor and combine it with the raisins until the ginger is shredded and the raisins are somewhat gooey.
2. Add the oats, buckwheat, and all spices to the food processor and mix.
3. As the food processor is running, add the pitted dates, one half at a time.
4. I usually melt my almond butter and coconut oil together in a small teacup in my dehydrator. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can set the small cup in a bowl of warm or hot water. add this mixture to the food processor and mix until smooth. 
5. Roll and press your cookie dough into desired shapes. I like mine flat, but my sis shapes them into thumbprints and fills the center with a dollop of melted chocolate. We like these cookies chilled, but they can definitely be eaten at room temp. 
6. ENJOY and smile!

The dreaded first post

Alright, so i must admit that I follow a few blogs religiously, and have intended to be as committed to one of my own. I'll just say that this has been an intention for quite some time...and now that New Year's is around the corner (actually just a few hours away!), I no longer have an excuse for my lack of commitment! I can already foresee my resolution of eating less chocolate as a lost cause...but a resolution to keep up a blog seems a wee bit more practical.

In this blog, I seek inspiration from music, kundalini yoga, and, of course, my raw vegan lifestyle. From the point of exposure to these three 'muses', my life has become increasingly happier and peaceful day by day. When I approached the problem of thinking up a cool title, I wanted something simple and reflective of my progress. As a raw vegan, I consume plenty of nuts and seeds...preferably 'sprouted' (germinated). And there you have it, folks...the seedling blog was born. I am a seed. You are a seed (metaphorically...don't worry, I haven't gone mad!). We all have this undying, stagnant potential residing inside of us, just waiting to be unleashed. I was standing in the kitchen one day, soaking some pumpkin seeds, as I realized this relation. We are much larger beings than we think, and we need to relish the fact that, with proper nourishment, we are capable of achieving great things. I am not saying that you should dunk yourself in a giant tub of purified water for 7 or 8 hours and sprout a tail...but you get my drift.

Seeds, like cells, are building blocks of life. Although they are seemingly small in size, these tiny vehicles of value have allowed great civilizations to flourish. Historically, cultures have accredited their success to the introduction of the seed and its gamut of uses:  for cosmetic or medicinal purposes, economic stability (barter system, etc), symbolizing the birth of the harvest (like the ancient Incans of Peru with quinoa), or for nutritional sustenance...to name a few.

Symbolically, the idea of a meager, inactive object transforming itself into a glorious beacon of life, is mind boggling. We should be inspired by this potential for growth, and recognize that we, too, can thrive. In order to achieve this, we must reinforce our physical body; I can't think of an easier, more delish way than by following a raw vegan diet. Not only are you radiating compassion to the earth and all living creatures, but you are being compassionate to yourself. Treat others how you'd like to be treated, right?

Without the ailments and mental hurdles associated with the standard american diet (SAD), our mental processes can sustain whatever spiritual/emotional paths are in your future.

If you are visiting this blog, you've most likely heard that raw veganism is much more than mono-meals of carrot sticks and celery. Unfortunately, I was born with a sweet tooth, and although this lifestyle hasn't subdued this need, I have learned a lot about my weaknesses and how to satisfy myself while avoiding my trip to sugar rehab.

I've had such an amazing journey in my kitchen so far, and I can hardly wait to share my compassionate creations with you! Plus tons of wonderful music and kundalini kriyas.

You are bountiful, you are beautiful, you are powerful...just like a sprouting seed.
Best of luck, love and happiness in the New Year!

Em