Vegan Thanksgiving Recipe #6: Vegan Pumpkin Pie

So, I've never made vegan pumpkin pie.  Now, I'm a pro at making "regular" pumpkin pie, but vegan...this is a first. Because of this, I can't promise that this recipe will be a success. Every recipe I've looked at simply replaced the evaporated milk with silken tofu. I'm choosing to also replace the sugar with dark agave nectar.  I'm still deciding on how I want to make the crust (or if I'll pre-buy) and whether or not I want to use fresh pumpkin (like, scrape it and puree myself). We'll see.

I can't imagine this pie tasting horrible. I mean...it's PUMPKIN. Pumpkin is amazing. Here are what pretty much all the recipes say:

Photo from Simply Recipes

Ingredients:
3/4 pound silken tofu
1 16 ounce can pumpkin puree
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 crust

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375
Mix all ingredients (blend/stir/whatever works)
Pour into pie-crust. Bake for 1 hour OR until toothpick comes out clean.

(I've seen some people review these recipes and say that their pie definitely needed more time in the oven. After I make this Thanksgiving Day, I'll update the recipe as I see fit.)

Healthy Holiday Desserts

It's getting to be that time of year and finding yourself trapped by gingersnap cookies and pumpkin pie can be quite overwhelming.  Splurging will be tempting but here's something you need to know: you CAN get by.

                                                                                                                Danilo Rizzuti

How? Well, it's sort of like what I posted about for the 4th of July picnics.  The key to surviving parties, potlucks, or any time of picnic/group celebration revolved around food is to BRING YOUR OWN.  Most hosts will ask that you bring side dish or dessert to help feed everyone and this is where you bring something that is friendly for your eating habits. Not only will it give you an extra option at the buffet table, but it will allow others to try out what you're always talking about and see that eating healthy is not quite as bad & sacrificial as they think it is.

But since we're talking about the Christmas season our biggest obstacle is desserts. How can you still enjoy those sweets without loading your body with white flour, sugar, and far too much milk & butter?

Here's where websites like The Raw Dessert  & The Veg Web message boards comes in. Utilize the amazing resource of the internet and do a search on "raw desserts".  There are so many yummy raw recipes out there and they still taste incredible.  Plus, there's nothing better than knowing that everything you're eating is fresh, healthy, and so much better than anything else you'll get at a party.

Too much sugar & dairy! Go with something that contains raw dark chocolate and other fresh ingredients.

Many of the raw recipes include desserts like Chocolate Cheesecake with Mint Gonache, Vanilla Chai Pudding, Brownies, holiday cookies, Brownie bites with Buttery Vanilla Frosting, Maple-Cinnamon Coconut Cookies, & Dark Chocolate Truffles.  How amazing does that sound?!

Here's my final statement: you can get by. Don't let other's trick you into believing you must eat processed cookies & pies in order to truly be in the holiday spirit. Bring a good old fashioned platter of fresh strawberries dipped in dark chocolate & people will love it!  But, if you want an alternative to the dairy & flour ridden traditional cookies and pies, there are options. I will spend the next few weeks trying out some of these recipes from these sites & highlighting which ones worked well.  In the meantime, check out these sites and get inspired by the delicious, sweet, and healthier desserts that you can make!

-Lacey

Smoothies!!!

Smoothies are so simple. Grab the fruit you like, a handful of ice, and blend.  Here's my favorite:

- 7 strawberries
- 1 banana
- handful of bluberries
- 1/2 cup PURE 100% orange juice
- handful of ice
BLEND!

The end.
Seriously, I told you it was simple.

Use other fruits (kiwi) and juices (pomegranate) to change flavors.
Here's to yummy desserts.
-Lacey