Dragon Fruit Delight Smoothie Parfait

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Parfait

Every time I turned around, Dragon Fruit was everywhere on Instagram.  Except in my hands.  I was so wanting to try this fruit that I looked everywhere for months on end, but no luck.  Then I won a tropical fruit box that was filled to the brim with delicious fruit which I had never tried before or even seen in person.

And there it was... wrapped up so sweetly.  A single Dragon Fruit.

Buddha with Dragon Fruit

I actually jumped up and down with excitement.  Okay, actually I screamed like a little girl.  Out loud.  I'm sure my neighbors all heard me.

Anyway, I waited until the very last minute of ripeness to try this fruit.  Mark and I each took a taste and, to be perfectly honest, it was just okay.  It wasn't horrible mind you and had an okay taste factor, but perhaps I put too much into my pursuit of this interesting fruit and expected fireworks.  So I made us a couple smoothie parfaits with it and they were quite delicious. 

In any case, I finally got to try Dragon Fruit, and for that I am thankful.

Dragon Fruit Delight

Bottom layer:
1 1/2 cups strawberries
2 frozen ripe bananas
1 cup coconut water (adjust as needed)

Blend in high powered blender, pour into 2 glasses and set in freezer while making the next layer.

Top layer:
1 Dragon Fruit
1 frozen ripe banana

Blend well.  Remove glasses from freezer.  Gently pour or scoop onto the bottom layer of both glasses.  I garnished ours with chopped strawberries, coconut shreds and dragon fruit.

Enjoy!
Rocki

Raw Dessert: Chia Coconut Cinnamon Chocolate Strawberry Parfait

Raw Vegan Dessert

This is one of my gourmet style desserts that is very easy to make.  I love when I have time to be creative. 

There are 6 layers in this delicious, healthy and guilt-free raw vegan dessert.  From bottom up they are: cinnamon chocolate mousse (can't see in the photo), coconut chia pudding, cacao nibs, strawberries, cinnamon chocolate mousse and coconut chia pudding - topped with more cinnamon chocolate, cacao nibs and a ring of coconut shreds.

 Yes.  This is guilt-free and loaded with nutritious yumminess!

Coconut Cinnamon Chocolate Strawberry Parfait

This may look more difficult than it actually is, but it's really quite simple.  The only time consuming part is letting the chia chill (that's fun to say!).  I typically make my chia pudding in the evening and let it chill overnight.  Or you could make it in the morning and let it chill several hours until pudding consistency.  
 
I'll skip the chatter and get right to my recipe.  Well, unless you want me to tell you how my day went and... um, okay.  I get the hint ;)  On with the recipe.
 
Chia Coconut Cinnamon Chocolate Strawberry Parfait
serves 2

Cinnamon Chocolate Mousse
1 large avocado
1 Tbs hemp seeds
2 Tbs cacao powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbs coconut oil
2 1/2 Tbs agave
1/4 cup coconut milk

Blend until smooth and creamy.  Best when chilled for at least 60 minutes or longer.

Coconut Chia Pudding

3 Tbs chia seeds
1 1/2 cups coconut milk - not cream (or almond milk is fine)
Stir several times so that there are no clumps and chill for at least 6 hours for a pudding consistency (I make it the night before and let it chill over night).  I periodically stir the first couple hours.

Use desired amounts of the following:
Chopped strawberries
Dried shredded coconut (I use unsweetened)
Cacao nibs (or chocolate chips of choice)

Layer in serving dishes as I have or be creative and layer as you wish.  Enjoy!

Peace ☮
Rocki

Raw Vegan Fig Dressing

Raw Vegan Fig Dressing - perfect on green and fruit salads!

Obviously, being a raw vegan means you eat a lot of salads too, but they don't have to be boring.  I make our dressings from mainly fruits and veggies, along with a few other ingredients.  Sometimes I don't use dressing at all, but Mark does so I love creating a variety for us both.

This refreshing salad is a mix of greens, strawberries, pear, dried figs and walnuts with my thick n creamy fig dressing.  This also makes a wonderful fruit dip.

Raw Vegan Fig Dressing

1 cup dried figs
2 Tbs lemon juice
2 cups fresh water

Remove fig stems, cut in half and soak in the 2 cups fresh water for at least 60 minutes and then drain. Reserve the soak water.  In blender, add the drained figs, lemon juice and 1 cup of the soak water. Blend until smooth and creamy. If it is too thick, add more soak water until desired liking.

Store in sealed jar in fridge for up to 5 days.

Peace☮
Rocki

Mango Strawberry Rolls

Mango Strawberry Rolls

Just cut into a fresh mango and want to turn it into something fun?  Or perhaps you have a romantic day or evening planned with your special someone and want to add a little more sweetness to it.  Well here's a quick and easy idea:

Mango Strawberry Rolls

Mango
Strawberries
Sharp knife
Mango cutter if you have one - I got mine at Target and LOVE it!

Cut the fresh mango.  With a sharp knife, cut very thin slices and set aside.  Chop the strawberries.  Now this part is a little messy and sticky, but worth it.  Put some chopped strawberries on the mango strip and roll it up.  Set aside and roll as many as you wish.

I garnished mine with cilantro, but mint would be perfect.

Peace☮
Rocki