Boxing

I go to boxing class at my gym Mondays and Thursdays. I stay pretty loyal to my instructors but the Monday one is new.. Today, the entire class they literally worked with the same 5 students. It was kind of frustrating when they favor veteran students.
I recommend boxing on Thursdays @ 23rd st definitely :)

Easiest Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe

Doesn't this look so yummy? I love anything with chocolate so any recipe that includes that ingredient in som form is good for me :)


Ingredients
3 cups flour (pick your kind)
2 cups sugar (pick your kind)
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Thoroughly mix dry ingredients first (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt).

3. Mix in wet ingredients (water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla).  Continue mixing until you obtain an even batter (no lumps).

4. Pour into a cake pan and bake for approximately 40 minutes.


photo credit 

Vanilla Mint Flan recipe

Doesn't this sound so yummy? 

1 1/2 cups cashews, soaked 1-2 hrs

1/2 cup young coconut meat

1/2 TB vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup agave

1/4cup coconut oil

1/4 tsp peppermint oil

shredded coconut

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour in to ramekins and refridgerate overnight. Top with shredded coconut and serve.  

Soy Milk Latte

I used my Ninja Blender to froth the milk! yummy

Chocolate Tofu Cheesecake

Another recipe for everyone :) So I'm obsessed with cheesecake and this is a tasty vegan alternative. There is another recipe I use but it's more complicated.. and has more ingredients. This is simple and quick

Filling:
10 oz. barley malt-sweetened chocolate chips or other vegan chocolate chips
2 - 12.3 oz. packages of Mori-Nu Silken Style Tofu, extra firm
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 T. vanilla
1/8 t. salt

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (approximately one sleeve crushed)
3 T. cocoa powder
1 T. unbleached cane sugar
1/2 cup safflower oil

Directions:

1. Begin by pressing the tofu. In a large colander, place a natural unbleached coffee filter, place the two blocks of tofu in the coffee filter, cover the tofu blocks with another coffee filter, place a plate on the top of the coffee filter, and then a heavy can or weight on top of the plate.
2. Place the colander over a bowl, then place the entire set-up in the refrigerator, and leave to drain for several hours or overnight. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double boiler. In a food processor or blender, combine the pressed tofu, melted chocolate chips, and remaining filling ingredients, and puree until smooth.
3. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, cocoa, and sugar, stirring until well mixed. Drizzle in safflower oil, and using your fingers, mix until thoroughly combined.
4. Firmly press into the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan and set aside. Pour filling over top of crust and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
5. Allow to cool, and chill, preferably overnight, or for several hours. Garnish with fresh fruit or sliced almonds, if desired.

Peace Corps

So I just found out tomorrow is the farewell party for my friend/ex-co worker who is leaving for a two year Peace Corps term in Togo! Wow.
I was an Americorps volunteer for a year but Peace Corps is on another level. Living in a foreign country for two years.. that probably induces serious character development. Maybe this is something I should add to my bucket list. I do have volunteer in Africa or SE Asia on my list though..

Raw Vegan Spinach Dip

Another delicious recipe. These are ingredients i always have. So simple to make too! 

Raw Vegan Spinach Dip

1/4 cup cashews, 3/4 cup sunflower seeds, soaked
handful of hemp seeds
garlic cloves
peppercorns
nutritional yeast
juice of two lemons
2 T. olive oil
2 cups packed of fresh spinach

blend together in a high speed blenderstir in chopped red onions, chiffonade of another cup of spinach and top with extra nutritional yeast and freshly ground black pepper
let sit in the fridge for a few hours to develop the flavors… or just eat it!