Yogi Food: The many benefits of adding high quality, organic honey into your diet.
The far most important element of raw food, or any food for that matter, is the sourcing of high quality, seasonal, local when possible, organic ingredients. Without them, you are already limiting your chances of preparing great, healthy food. This is particularly important when working with a product like honey where quality can vary greatly depending on the source. We always suggest getting to know your farmers, purveyors, and beekeepers.
All sweeteners are not created equal, and many of us have preferences and opinions on our sweetener of choice. Raw honey is not vegan, but we find many raw enthusiasts include it in their diets because they feel it is the healthiest choice of all sweeteners. Honey has many medicinal qualities and beneficial properties in addition to providing an energy boost. I tend to choose raw honey since I feel best after consuming. Honey varies so much in flavor and consistency with clover honey being the most common and the most neutral in flavor. Honey is a great substitution in recipes with a lot of fruit and spices. I personally love honey in chocolate recipes, the combination creates a very intense flavor. In addition to being flavorful, it makes an excellent topical beauty treatment because of its ability to attract and retain moisture and its antibacterial properties make it a clean and safe home remedy.
Photo Credit Adrian Mueller
Blueberry Lavender Smoothie
This is a great smoothie recipe because it’s flexible for adjusting to what’s in season and available in high quality. Any berry—even other greens—work equally well in this fragrant smoothie.
Ingredients
5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 cups almond milk
1 cup spinach
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon dried lavender
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
Directions
Blend!
From Everyday Raw Express
Photo Credit Duston Todd
Juniper Mustard
Condiments are typically purchased and often incredibly easy to make. Mustard is a great example of a product that is readily available but often awful, we decided to come up with a recipe we love, it’s phenomenal with earthy, briny dishes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup yellow mustard seed
1/4 cup mustard powder
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
Directions
Rinse mustard seeds with hot water.
Mix mustard powder, honey, vinegar, water, and salt together; add mustard seeds.
Store in a sealable glass jar.
From Plant Food
Photo Credit: Adrian Mueller
Cacao Mint Crémes
These are perfectly decadent and refreshing, this version of mint crèmes is very similar to a traditional peppermint pattie but without all of the refined sugar.
Ingredients
1 cup coconut flour
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup macadamia nuts
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup mint leaves, ribs and stems removed
2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon juice
pinch of salt
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1 cup chocolate maple glaze
1 cup honey
1 cup cacao powder
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Blend all ingredients, except coconut flour and maple honey glaze, until smooth, adding coconut oil last.
In a food processor, combine coconut flour and the blended mixture.
Refrigerate until it begins to harden but is still malleable.
Once the mixture is slightly firm, roll into a log and slice into medallions.
Refrigerate medallions until very firm, and then dip in chocolate maple glaze coating. Store in the refrigerator.
Chocolate maple glaze: blend all ingredients until smooth.
From Everyday Raw Desserts
Matthew Kenney is the author of a number of cookbooks including: Everyday Raw, Entertaining in the Raw, Everyday Raw Express, Everyday Raw Detox, Raw Food Real World, and Raw Chocolate (Everyday Raw). In Los Angeles, Matthew Kenney has the following businesses: MAKE OUT in Culver City which is fast, casual, and great for pre- and post-yoga. Plant Food and Wine on Abbot Kinney, and Matthew Kenney Culinary in Venice (this location includes month-long courses as well as shorter weekend courses and one day offerings: anyone interested in more information on our courses can contact admissions@matthewkenneycuisine.com). For more information, visit: matthewkenneycuisine.com