StyleNectar

Oil Portrait of a Classic Bride

 

"A Beautiful Bride" Oil on Canvas by Juliane Porter

 

A couple of weeks back I shared Day 2 of this incredibly special oil portrait.  Here it is fully complete...

My stunning mother on her wedding day!  

I had only a 1960's black and white photo for reference, so I retained the period black and white feel.  Regardless, I was struck by her dewy skin, slender figure and most of all the pure joy and love radiating from her being.  Her dress was absolutely stunning, worn previously by a model on the runway, which she was able to purchase at a discount as a result.  I remember sneaking into the special closet in the attic with my sister when we were little to marvel over this gorgeous wedding gown where it hung safely stowed away alongside many other beautiful pieces from my mother's young adult life... from the pale yellow polka-dotted gown with matching wide yellow sash to her suede wrap mini-skirt and fur ski-vest.  She was certainly a fashion plate in her day.

To paint my mother as a twenty-three year old bride enabled me to see life through those eyes, through her eyes as a young woman.  Beautiful.  Talented.  In love.  Happy.  I saw my sister in her face, in those eyes, in her smile - the way their upper lips shift across their beautiful teeth.  I felt my Dad's love for her, his pride in marrying this exquisite creature, and their excitement for the adventure of the unknown.  It was like traveling in time and space, inhabiting the hearts and minds of all my family! There truly isn't another experience quite like painting a portrait. And this was one incredibly special piece I'll treasure forever. 

I love you, Mommy.

 

Love All,

Juliane

  

Have you ever thought about having a portrait painted of yourself and/or your loved ones?  Feel free to contact me if you're interested!

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Thank you for visiting :) 

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Detoxing Your Home, Cleaning with Essential Oils

 

 

Hello, friends! A little while ago I promised I'd share my fabulous Essential Oil (EO) finds with you and I'm finally here to make good on my promise. I've amassed quite the EO collection by this point, using them as my gorgeous personal fragrance (all those chemical perfumes I used to wear pale in comparison to the scent of my beautiful essential oils) as well as edible grade essential oils in my recipes, smoothies, tea and drinking water. Today, however, I want to share with you several recipes for cleansing everything in our homes from the produce we eat to our floors, bathrooms and laundry too! I use a single blend that does it all. So simple. So clean. And, makes our homes smell absolutely heavenly. Let's begin with why it all matters:

When trying to live a healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising, sometimes the last areas we may think to change are our cleaning and personal care products.  We pay a lot of attention to what we put in our mouths. We read food labels and see how much sugar, saturated fat, and chemicals are in food products.  So why not pay just as much attention to what we put on our skin?

Because the skin is our body’s largest organ, what we put on it and come in contact with gets absorbed into our bloodstream and integrated into our body tissues.  The skin is not a coat of armor on our body; of course it protects our body, but it is highly permeable.  Our skin is also our body’s thinnest organ. Only 1/10th of an inch separates our delicate organs from all sorts of toxins, many of which have estrogen-mimicking effects that can destroy all of our good health intentions.

We still want our homes to be clean and free of pests and harmful germs; however, the household chemicals we use to clean our homes pose some very serious health risks. Many ingredients in these popular products—products that we have grown to trust—are harmful to our health.  So, why would we want these toxic chemicals around us and our families?  The problem is that most of us  are not aware of these hidden dangers and how pervasive these health threats can be.  This is why it is so important for us to educate ourselves and find out what toxins we are regularly exposed to, ways to limit or reduce our exposure, and what products to use that are safe and effective alternatives.

Who knows what some of the toxins are that we are regularly exposed to through our cleaning and personal care products?

• Triclosan is classified as a pesticide and probable carcinogen by the EPA. In fact, the EPA gives Triclosan high scores both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk. It is a synthetic antibacterial ingredient that contributes to the creation of resistant forms of bacteria like MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). It is used as a preservative and not always labeled. It is a cheap way for companies to make their products last longer without collecting bacteria. 
• Parabens: A study done by the Journal of Applied Toxicology detected high amounts of parabens in breast cancer cell growth. Parabens are able to bind to estrogen receptors, where they encourage breast cancer cell growth. It mimics natural estrogen that leads to cancer. It may contribute to sterility in males, hormone imbalance in females, and early puberty.
• Phthalates make nail polish chip resistant and fragrances last longer. “Fragrance” is basically a secret mixture of chemicals. Companies are not required to list these chemicals on product labels. Toluene, which is in fragrances, is a known neurotoxin that causes loss of muscle control, brain damage, headaches, memory loss, and speech, hearing, and vision problems.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or SLS One of THE most dangerous ingredients used in cleaners and personal care products. Laboratories use it to purposely irritate the skin on animals and humans so that they can then test the effectiveness of healing agents on irritated skin. It is a mouth irritant that is in almost every toothpaste and can cause canker sores. It prevents deodorant from drying out. It is the main ingredient in antifreeze.
• The EPA considers Propylene Glycol so toxic that they require gloves and goggles when disposing of and burying it. 
• Mouthwash products with an Alcohol content of over 25% are linked to cancer of the mouth, tongue, and throat.
• Metals: Women with breast cancer have higher levels of these metals. Aluminum prevents our skin from sweating. 
• It is amazing that all these toxins and chemicals, and many more that were not listed, are present in products that are designed to protect us.  

The European government has banned 1,222 times more chemicals than the U.S. Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, household cleaners are the only household products for which manufacturers are NOT required to list all ingredients. Certain ingredients, like fragrances for example, are considered trade secrets, and government regulations are designed to protect proprietary information. The power of large companies’ well-funded government lobbying efforts have allowed them to avoid legislation, often hiding behind the principle of “trade secrets.”

Most people assume the government oversees the multibillion-dollar household cleaning products industry, but the reality is that it is largely unregulated. According to the EPA, of the nearly three thousand top selling chemicals in the U.S., only 7 percent have a full set of basic toxicity information. For the most part, the EPA simply relies on voluntary testing agreements with major manufacturers.

Without full disclosure, consumers can unknowingly expose themselves and their families to unhealthy chemicals. The Natural Resources Defense Council recently tested 14 air fresheners and found that 12 contained phthalates, and none of the products listed this on the label. Until the government enacts laws to force companies to fully disclose their ingredients, or better yet test the safety of their ingredients, it is important for consumers to educate themselves.

Many of us have grown tired of putting our health in jeopardy just to clean our bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen. It’s very obvious why green cleaners have such an appeal and why people want to use them. The household cleaning industry has caught on to this and responded in full force with product lines that claim they are green and natural. These products are labeled “green” and “natural” for marketing reasons and to charge 20-30% more. They usually contain the same amount of chemicals! This is a practice is called “green washing”—misleading marketing to make products appear green and healthy.

For example, arsenic, uranium, mercury, and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring and poisonous. “All natural” and “green” isn’t necessarily nontoxic. It is hard to tell what exactly is in our cleaning products under the Federal Hazardous Substance Act. We live in a chemical world; every day we are exposed to toxins, chemicals, and pollutants. It can be overwhelming to even think if we can avoid all of this exposure. Even some of the so-called “green” products are damaging to our health.

It may not be possible to avoid ALL of the toxins in our lives, but there are plenty of ways to significantly reduce our family’s exposure through simple lifestyle changes and behaviors.  We can decrease our family’s exposure to toxins by using essential oils for cleaning. It’s really not as hard as it might seem.

• Use a damp rag when dusting. Chemicals often settle on surfaces, and dusting with a dry rag releases them into the air to be inhaled. Using a damp rag captures them on the rag instead.
• Allow fresh air into your home frequently, this allows chemical-filled air to escape. The EPA estimates indoor air is 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air, due in part to household cleaners and air fresheners.
• Wash nonorganic produce in a vegetable and fruit wash or buy organic produce to reduce pesticide and herbicide exposure.
• Making our own household cleaners is super easy using essential oils. It’s as easy as going to the cabinet and grabbing that toxic store-bought cleaner! PLUS it is a safe and very effective alternative! Who knows what essential oils are best for cleaning?
• One of the great things about oils is their antimicrobial effect, and they are safe. Chemical antiseptics can cause just as much damage to our cells as the actual germ.

Here are some ideas for a powerful natural clean using just one essential oil blend, Thieves Oil:

1. Thieves oil is one of the best essential oils for cleaning because of its antimicrobial effect.
2. Thieves household cleaner is an all-purpose cleaner formulated with 100% plant- and mineral-based ingredients. It gets out tough stains and problem areas in the home without harsh or abrasive cleaners. It is biodegradable and complies with EPA standards.
3. What are the five oils used in Thieves? (Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Rosemary, Lemon, Eucalyptus (E. radiate))
4. Thieves oil blend was found to have a 99.6% kill rate against airborne germs! 

What's the story behind Thieves? The oils or herbs were used by thieves who robbed the dead and dying during the plague of the 15th century and who never contracted the disease. Our cleaner is patterned after this formula that offered protection during a time when 50 percent of Europe perished from the plague.

 

Simple Detoxifying Home Cleaning Recipes:
 

All-purpose Cleaner
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 1 quart distilled water in spray bottle
 

 

Dishwasher
1 capful Thieves Cleaner
 

 

Pots and Pans
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 3 cups distilled water
or
1.5 parts castile soap + 1 part water + 5-10 drops lavender or rosemary EO
 

 

Floors
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 6 cups distilled water
or
Tile & Linoleum:  1/2 cup white vinegar in a bucket of water w/ a mop + EO of your choice  or juice of a fresh lemon
Wood Floors:  use the same mixture but only with a slightly damp mop. 
Marble or Stone:  avoid using vinegar, instead use water + castile soap + a little tea tree oil aka malaleuca for antibacterial option.

 

Walls
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 2 cups distilled water
 

 

Fabrics
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 2 cups distilled water 

 

 

Laundry
1 to 2 capfuls Thieves Cleaner, depending on size of washer
or
1 part vinegar + 1 part baking soda + 1 part washing soda + 1/4 part castille soap + your fav EO of choice
 

 

Carpet
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 6+ cups distilled water
 

 

Light Degreasing
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 3 cups distilled water
 

 

Medium Degreasing
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 2 cups distilled water
 

 

Heavy Degreasing
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 1 cup distilled water
 

 

Window and Glass Cleaner
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 5 quarts distilled water
or
1 /4 tsp Thieves Cleaner to 1 quart of distilled water in spray bottle
 

 

Hand Cleaner
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 1/2 cup distilled water
 

 

Fruit and Vegetable Spray
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 3 cups distilled water 

 

 

My delay in sharing this post was due to experiementation with a variety of EO brands. I wanted to be certain of which I liked best prior to sharing with you.  I have fallen without a doubt in love with my favorite, Young Living Essential Oils.  I've found they're far and above the most beautiful, pure, therapeutic grade, premium-sourced, -cultivated and -distilled oils available.  Do some experimenting for yourself and I'm certain you'll come to the same conclusion.  If you have any questions about formulations for different cleaning projects than those listed above, sound off in the comments!  Thieves is definitely a no-brainer for most things, however I had only so much room to share here leaving out recipes for things such as dusting, pest repellent etc.  Tho don't worry, they'll be coming soon in a future post :)

 

Feel free to use my YL member code:  2061352 to take advantage of significant savings on the purchase of any Young Living Essential Oils enabling you to receive wholesale over retail pricing.

 

Love All, 

Juliane

 

What's your favorite way to use Essential Oils?  Do you have a favorite?  I absolutely love ylang-ylang & jasmine. 

 Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!  

 

Thank you for visiting :) 

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january inspiration wall

 

Hope all of you are having a great start to your 2015!  I haven't created an Inspiration Wall in a little while and it seems so appropriate this time of year.  So here's a bit of ingenuity to support us all...

 

Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts that is forever blowing through one's head.
- Mark Twain

 

There's another way to live. Accept indeterminacy as a principle, and you see your life in a new light, as a series of seemingly unrelated jewel-like stories within a dazzling setting of change and transformation. Recognize that you don't know where you stand, and you will begin to watch where you put your feet. That's when the path appears.
-  Aldous Huxley

 

Simplifying our lives does not mean sinking into idleness, but on the contrary, getting rid of the most subtle aspect of laziness: the one which makes us take on thousands of less important activities.
- Matthieu Ricard

 

It seems to me that those songs that have been any good, I have nothing much to do with the writing of them. The words have just crawled down my sleeve and come out on the page.
- Joan Baez

 

If you find yourself in some difficulty, step aside, and allow Buddha to take your place. The Buddha is in you.
- Thich Nhat Hanh

 

The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are out there.
- Yasutani Roshi

 

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
- Dr. Seuss

 

“I” is a word; it does not think, feel, do anything. Just a word preceding other words. Investigate this until it's clear.
- Ilona Ciunaite

 

This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you.
- Hafiz

 

Love All, 

Juliane

 

What's your favorite quote?  Do you have any New Year's resolutions?

 

 Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!  

 

Thank you for visiting :) 

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weekend skin detox

 

 

Step #1 Sweat – This is a very effective way to eliminate toxins and poisons through the skin. Walk, run, do Pilates or hot yoga - and get into your sauna... work up a sweat on both Saturday and Sunday to purge those toxins.

 

Step #2 Exfoliation and Dry Skin Brushing – This removes the dead skin cells allowing the pores to breathe and detoxify more effectively. Do this step on prior to sauna or bathing to help stimulate the lymph system to clean itself and purge the toxins and poisons. This Loofah Package is a great way to help jumpstart the process.

 

Step #3 Detox Bath – Detoxing through bathing is considered an ancient remedy and it can be done in the comfort of your home on Sunday. A detox bath helps the body eliminate toxins as well as absorbing the minerals and nutrients in the water. Common ingredients used in a detox bath are Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils.

 

Step #4 Organic Skin Care and Organic Cosmetics – Decreasing the number of synthetic substances entering the body is another way to help detoxify the skin. Let’s face it, our skin is constantly exposed to environmental pollutants and toxins. Why add more with the use of cosmetics containing harmful ingredients such as parabens, petrochemicals, and synthetic fragrances? Instead, use certified organic skin care and cosmetics as an ongoing detoxifying treatment for your skin.

 

Lastly, try adding meditation to your weekend, starting with just 15-20 minutes (or up to 1/2 hour) each morning.  Meditation is scientifically proven to increase emotional balance, immunity and relaxation serving as a powerful anti-inflamatory by switching off the stress response.  This is great news for our skin!  Meditation need not be difficult, simply sit with a straight spine in a comfortable position, quietly.  Tune into your breath and follow the sensation of inhaling through your nose to abdomen then exhaling. Watch your thoughts like clouds passing in the sky, letting them go rather than wandering off with them.  When you do notice your mind wandering simply return to your breath.  Most importantly, remember, no matter how much chatter there is in the mind, there is no such thing as a bad meditation. Meditation happens to us. We don't do meditation. 

 

Love All, 

Juliane

 

What's your favorite way to detox?  Do you follow a detoxification lifestyle such as my whole food, raw vegan foodstyle?

 Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!  

 

Thank you for visiting :) 

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Beach Babes

Beach Babes, 30" x 40" Commissioned Portrait by Juliane Porter. Oil on Archival Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

(Click image for larger view)

 

My latest commissioned oil painting was a magical experience... a silhouette of two beautiful sisters walking across the wet sand into the early morning sun of Daufuskie Island, SC.

Iced Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflakes

 

 

Raw Vegan Iced Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflake Cookies

 

 

 

Merry Christmas Friends!  

Iced Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflakes are SO darn incredible it's as though a Christmas angel flew in to my kitchen and took over my brain to bring these delectable (semi totally addictive) cookies to life.  Yes, they're  raw vegan... but don't bother telling anyone as they won't know the difference.  Are they healthy - yes, of course they're totally amazing for you... but again, don't bother telling anyone that either as, again, they won't know the difference, they're so tasty.  The insane cardamom icing is worth making alone, however, once spread atop these unbelievable Chai Snickerdoodle cut-outs, it's seriously all over - SO divine!  

Iced Chai Snickerdoodles Snowflake Cookies are the stuff Holiday dreams are made of... heck these gorgeous little cookies are perfect all winter long.  Come spring just switch up your cookie cutter to a tulip or a bunny and you're good to go.  You'll never want to be without your stash.  Trust.

 

 

Raw Vegan Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflake Cookies 

Raw Vegan Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflake Cookie-Cake! 

 

Recipe for Iced Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflake Cookies

Makes 3-4 dozen depending on the size of your cookie cutters & your ability to restrain yourself from eating all the dough & icing prior :)  Make the dough and icing 2 days in advance.  Do your cutouts the day after.  Dehydrate.  Then ice the 3rd day.

INGREDIENTS

Raw Vegan Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflake Cookies

• 3 cups oat flour (made from 2 c oat groats processed in Vitamix)
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 1/2 cups medjool dates
• 1 t celtic salt
• 1 t Ceylon cinnamon
• 1/2 t ginger
• 1 1/4 t cardamom
• 1 T powdered stevia
• 1 T vanilla powder or 2 T vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup almond butter
• 1/3 cup coconut nectar
• 1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
• 1/4 cup + 2 T filtered water + extra as needed

Raw Vegan Cardamom Icing

• 1 t vanilla powder or 2 t vanilla extract 
• 1/4 cup coconut butter
• 3/4 cup cashews soaked for 8 hours, rinsed & drained
• 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil
• 3 drops edible grade lemon essential oil (or sub fresh lemon juice)
• fresh ground cardamom powder for sprinkling as the most-incredibly-delicious-do-not-skip-it garnish

METHOD

Raw Vegan Chai Snickerdoodle Snowflake Cookies

1. Place oat flour, coconut flour, dates, celtic salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, stevia, vanilla and almond butter in a large capacity food processor and process, scraping the sides of the bowl many times until the mixture resembles wet sand.
2. Add coconut nectar, coconut oil and 1/4 cup filtered water and process until fully incorporated and the mixture comes together as a dough.  Add more water by the Tbsp as needed.  Taste to adjust seasonings & sweetness.  It will have the texture of gingerbread dough.
3. Dump the dough out, halve it, and form it into two smooth discs.  Tightly cover each disc in saran and place in the refrigerator overnight.
4. The next day remove one disc at a time, allow to come to room temp for 20 minutes, then roll out to 1/4" (1/4" is much easier to work with) or 1/16", just as you would standard gingerbread or sugar cookie dough.  Rolling the dough on a piece of parchment paper placed on a large cutting board works well for no-slipping.  Also, I use my french handle-free rolling pin and find it's much less effortful than a standard handle rolling pin.  
5. As you cut each shape, press the cookie cutter into the chilled dough, then pull the edges away from the cutter on the sides that are un-usable, then pick up the cutter with dough still inside and tap it out onto a silpat lined dehydrator sheet.  As you can see, I used about the most difficult intricate snowflake designs one could use- to make it easier, I gently pushed out the skinny parts using the end of a spatula or my finger tips.  You should have no problems, especially if using a less intricate cutter.
6. Once you've cut out all your cookies, put them into your dehydrator on 135F for 1 1/2 hours, then turn down to 115F for another 1 hour or until they're firm enough to transfer from a silpat to a screen.  Transfer is easy: simply place a dehdrator tray fitted w/ a screen over the cookies on their silpat lined tray, flip over with your hands keeping everything aligned.  Next peel the silpat off the cookies and place them back into the dehdrator, now on their screens, for 2 - 4 more hours or until reach your desired crispness.  I personally like the cookies just slightly chewy, however they're also delicious crispy! (Alternatively, if you don't yet have a dehydrator, put them in the oven on it's lowest setting with the door propped open with a wooden spoon until reach desired crispness. This method doesn't guarantee they'll stay raw.)
7. Let the cookies cool before icing.

Raw Vegan Icing

1. Add all the ingredients into a Vitamix and blend scraping the sides down with a spatula several times, til totally combined and creamy. 
2. Scrape out into a bowl and place in the fridge for 2 hours.  Before you go to bed, pull the icing back out & let it sit out on the counter overnight. When you awake it will be the perfect icing texture (if your house is about 68F).  Otherwise, just leave it in the fridge overnight, come morning, take out the icing and place on your counter for an hour or until reaches icing consistency. If it warms up a bit too much while using, simply pop back into fridge for 10 minutes or until thickened, feeling free to whisk it back up to return it to perfect texture.
3. Next ice your cookies: this is easiest if you have a couple of large cookie sheets to place cookies on as you ice them.  After each tray of cookies is complete, sprinkel with a pinch of fresh cardamom- don't be shy - I LOVE a generous pinch.  If it's cold out as in 35F or lower, place your trays outside and the icing will harden almost instantly.  Store your cookies in the fridge in airtight containers with layers of parchment separating them. 
4. Snuggle up with a plate full of sweet, iced, caradamom dreams... high-vibe, guilt-free decadence that leaves us looking and feeling just as dreamy :)

 

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan & Raw version?  Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN! 

 

All Love,

Juliane

 

Thank you for visiting :) 

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!

Spumoni Christmas Gateau

 

 

 

 

It's that most wonderfully festive time of the year!  When decadent, richly hued Italian Spumoni cakes layered with pistachio cream, chocolate-hazelnut and cherry ice-cream step out dripping in ganache and festooned like royalty in crisp wafer crowns!  Let me tell you, I felt like royalty simply having this gorgeousness lighting up my table...  so beautiful it was difficult to slice into.  However, once past it's exquisite beauty, a creamy slab of this luscious Spumoni Christmas Gateau is a divine flavor celebration fit for holiday Kings and Queens!  Heavenly layers of pistachio cream, chocolate-hazelnut and cherry ice-cream studded with candied fruit, chopped pistachios & hazelnuts galore luxuriously dazzle the tastebuds in ultimate comfort and joy!

 

 

 

 

High Vibe Living Foods like this Italian Spumoni Christmas Gateau are the most gorgeous and delicious on the planet... and they leave us looking and feeling the same way!  Italian Spumoni Christmas Gateau is a truly spectacular way to celebrate the Season with amazing raw food deliciousness that doesn't weigh us down but lifts us up... in Peace, Joy and Happiness!

 

Raw Vegan Spumoni Christmas Gateau w Chocolate Ganache

 

 

This is my submission to Ren Behan at Simple & In Season and Jacqueline at Tinned Tomatoes for No Croutons Required Festive Photos and Bookmarked Recipes. Check them out!  

 

Recipe for Raw Vegan Spumoni Christmas Gateau (Serves 6)

Ingredients

PISTACHIO CREAM

• 1/2 cup fresh young thai coconut meat (or sub soaked cashews)
• 2 super ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup pistachios, separated into 1/4 c & 1/4 c halved or coarsly chopped
• 4 drops edible grade lemon essential oil (or sub fresh lemon juice)
• 1/2 t vanilla powder
• pinch of celtic salt
• stevia to taste

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT CREAM

• 1/2 cup fresh young thai coconut meat or 1/2 cup soaked cashews
• 2 super ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup carob powder (or sub cacao or a combo)
• 1/2 t ceylon cinnamon
• 1/2 t vanilla powder
• 1/2 t celtic salt
• stevia to taste
• 2 T + 1/4 cup hazelnuts, coarsly chopped

CHERRY CREAM

• 2/3 cup fresh young thai coconut meat or sub soaked cashews
• 2 super ripe bananas
• 2 1/2 T cherry juice concentrate or to taste
• 1/2 t vanilla powder
• stevia to taste
• pinch of celtic salt
• 1/3 cup dried, apple-juice sweetened cherries, lightly chopped as in halved - leaving several whole. 

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

• 1/4 c extra virgin coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup carob or cacao
• 2 T almond butter

Method

PISTACHIO CREAM

1. Blend all the ingredients in a Vitamix, except the extra 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, until ultra creamy. Taste to adjust flavors as needed. 
2. Stir in the chopped pistachios.  
3. Pour into the bottom of a 6 x 3" removable bottom cake pan and put into the freezer until set. 

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT CREAM

1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, except the extra 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, until ultra smooth and creamy. Taste to adjust flavors as needed.
2. Stir in chopped hazelnuts.
3. Pour onto 1st layer once it is set.  Place back into freezer to allow 2nd layer to set as well.

CHERRY CREAM

1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, except extra 1/3 cup dried cherries.
2. Stir in dried cherries.
3. Pour onto 1st two layers once they're totally set. Place back in freezer to allow 3rd layer to set. 

RAW VEGAN CHOCOLATE GANACHE

1. Whisk together all ingredients until smooth and creamy.  
2. Drizzle over cake once it has set. Add decorative toppings at this point so they'll stick.  Pop back into the freezer.

RAW VEGAN SPUMONI CHRISTMAS CAKE ASSEMBLY

1. Well, it's practically finished!  However, feel free to add your own special touch as I did, with raw vegan chocolate wafers, dried rose buds, chocolate shavings, a few more chopped pistachios & raw coconut. 
2. Allow the cake to thaw for 45 minutes - hour (or longer just keep an eye on it as we don't want it to totally melt) prior to serving to maximize creaminess.

Enjoy a large slice of high vibe luxurious Christmas indulgence under the light of the tree!

  

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan & Raw version?  Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

  

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

 

All Love,

Juliane

 

Thank you for visiting :) 

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!  

Pear Tartelettes with Dark Chocolate, Caramel & Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream

 

 

 

  

These festive and rustic Pear Tartelettes with Dark Chocolate & Caramel are so delectable it feels rather a feat to convey in mere words their divinity... nothing can possibly match the exquisite experience of biting into such a dream!  Alas, proceed I must and, fortunately, their sheer memory has already made things easier...

 

 

Encapsulating holiday decadence, these tantalizing tartelettes glisten in caramel and drizzles of dark chocolate atop beautiful layers of dried pear tucked inside a cookie-crisp crust finished with clouds of rich, vanilla bean ice-cream.  Pear Tartelettes with Dark Chocolate, Caramel & Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream (100% raw & vegan) are not only beautiful to behold I dare say they sing holiday carols to our taste buds with their incredibly vibrant and luxurious flavor.  Joy to the World!

 

  

The apple (or pear in this case) doesn't fall far from the tree, as the inspiration for these beautiful Pear Tartelettes came from a traditionally cooked pie of the very same name which my husband used to request every holiday, birthday and other opportunity possible.  Since he loved it so much it was a necessity to recreate a raw vegan version.  Expectations were surpassed by far! This high vibe raw vegan delight is unbelievably BETTER!  Of course, I act surprised, perhaps because once upon a time it truly seemed that cooked recipe could not be improved upon if one tried, and yet I'm not.  Why wouldn't fresh, living ingredients with 100% of their life force essence completely blow us away!  

  

 

Pear tartelettes are absolutely phenomenal even without the accompanying Vanilla Bean Ice-cream.   However, I'm never disappointed when that small voice of persuasion steers me to take things a step further - and this was no exception.  Vanilla Bean Ice-cream is a dream all in itself too!  Clouds of pure heaven.  And when two dreams unite, as in the case of magical tartelettes topped with pure clouds of heaven, well that's what we call a miracle, fit for celebrations!  Both the Tartelettes and the Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream are simple to prepare, though undivided care and attention to each element and sourcing of the very best of ingredients is needed. However, if you're anything like me, cozy, soulful kitchen time when heavenly tastes are a necessary means to perfection, letting go into the process is the reward and the beautiful result is simply one delicious circle of love.

 

 

 This is my submission to the Tinned Tomatoes & Lisa's Kitchen No Croutons Required + Bookmarked Recipes Challenges and Ren Behan's Simple & in Season!

 

Recipe for Pear Tartelettes with Dark Chocolate, Caramel & Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream (Raw & Vegan)

(Makes 2 tartelettes)

INGREDIENTS

Raw Vegan Pear Tartelette, Crust & Crumb Topping

• 3 Pears, peeled and thinly sliced (1/8")
• 1 1/4 cup oat groat flour (measure the flour not the groats, grind groats in Vitamix to get flour
• 3/4 cup dates, pitted
• 1 t vanilla powder
• 1 1/2 - 2 T water
• 3 T extra virgin coconut oil
• 2-3 drops lemon essential oil (edible grade only)
• 3/4 t himalayan salt 
• 1/4 cup soaked/sprouted/dehydrated walnuts
• 2 T raw coconut crystals

Raw Vegan Caramel Filling

• 1 cup raw cashews soaked overnight
• 1/4 cup raw coconut nectar
• 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk + 1 or 2 T more as needed
•  pinch himalayan salt
• 1/2 t vanilla powder
• 1-2 drops lemon essential oil (edible grade only)

Raw Vegan Dark Chocolate

• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 t ceylon cinnamon
• pinch of himalayan or celtic sea salt
• stevia to taste (I use barely any here)

Raw Vegan Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream

• 16 oz frozen raw baby thai coconut meat
• 2-3 frozen super ripe bananas
• stevia to taste
• 1/2 t vanilla powder

 METHOD

Dried Pears

1. Assemble sliced pears on a teflex sheet of the dehydrator and dry at 115 for 2-3 hours. Alternatively, dry on lowest setting of your oven w/ oven door propped open an inch, for and hour.

Tartelette Crusts

1. Process Oat Groat flour, Dates and Vanilla Powder in a food processor until well incorporated and broken down.  Add water, essential oil, coconut oil and salt and pulse until fully combined and dough sticks together when pinched between two fingers.
2. Take 1/3 of the above mixture and set it aside for latter use in crumb topping.  
3. Press the remaining 2/3 into two 4" diameter 3/4" deep pie tart tins.
4. Place into the dehydrator at 135F for 1 1/2 hours. Turn down to 115 for another hour then remove and set in the freezer.  Alternatively, use your oven on lowest setting w/ door propped open an inch for only 1 hour.

Crumb Topping

1. Toss the mixture set aside in step 2 above with 1/4 cup chopped walnuts and 2 Tbsp raw coconut crystals until crumb topping coated lumps are achieved. Set aside.

Caramel

1. Blend all the ingredients in a Vitamix until smooth and creamy adding extra coconut milk as necessary to thin.  Place mixture in fridge where it will thicken slightly.

Dark Chocolate

1. Whisk together all ingredients until completely smooth.

Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream

1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, using the tamper, until super smooth and creamy. Scoop out into an air tight container and set aside.  If storing in freezer, allow to come to room temperature for an hour to thaw and make scoopable, before serving. I actually prefer storing mine in the fridge where it retains a whipped ice-cream texture. This ice-cream does not melt away like traditional making it very nice for entertaining!

Tartelette assembly

1. Smear a thin layer of the caramel across the bottom of each tart shell.
2. Neatly layer the dried pears inside the two tartelette crusts, smearing a bit of the caramel over each layer, including the top, as you go.
3. Sprinkle crumb topping over top.
4. Set tartes in freezer for 20 minutes to set.
5. Remove from freezer and drizzle tartes with dark chocolate.
6. Optional: Drizzle a very TINY amount (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of coconut nectar across the top for an extra caramel topping affect. Don't go overboard or it will turn into a sticky ooey-gooey mess!
7. Place back in freezer for final set.  Bring to room temperature for 1 hour before serving.
8. Tartelettes can be served whole or sliced into 4 - 6 pieces and topped with Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream.  The Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream will not melt at room temperature making these perfect for entertaining!  
9. Revel with pleasure on a cloud of Sweet Holiday Bliss! 

 

Do you have a holiday favorite you'd like upgraded to a high vibe raw & vegan version?  Share in the comments below for the opportunity to have me recreate it for you!

 

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN! 

 

All Love,

Juliane

 

Thank you for visiting :)  

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!

Buttery No-Wheat Thin Crackers w Aged Treenut Cheese & Cranberry Compote

 

  

 No-Wheat Thins with Aged Treenut Cheese & Cranberry Compote (Raw Vegan)

No Wheat Thins and Artisinal Aged Treenut Cheese  

No-Wheat Thins & a jar of Cranberry Relish make a perfect hostess gift! 

 

I know I've got a hit recipe on my hands when I simply can't stop eating it during the photo shoot!  Every other snap I found myself rewarded with yet another irressistable assembly of a Buttery No-Wheat Thin Cracker topped with Aged Treenut Cheese & sweet-tart Cranberry Compote... SOOO GOOD!  And perfect for holiday entertaining!  This little trio is a complete rockstar combo, however, these No-Wheat Thins are delicious enough to eat all by themselves, like chips.  They even smell amazing!  Seriously, their delicious aroma was why my photo shoot took 3 times longer than normal cause I couldn't resist their tantalizing scent of pure yumminess.  I had so much fun popping these little cracker, cheese and cranberry relish bites into my mouth, it's amazing I had any product left to photograph :)

Two more easy-peasy raw vegan recipes to impress and convert even the most die-hard of SAD (Standard American Diet) devotees  :)  Filled with the most amazing fresh, vibrant flavor, brimming with high-vibe life force and everything we need to feel and look as amazing as we are!  I'm quite proud of both these concoctions as I've tried SO many raw vegan cracker recipes I just didn't care for at all.  If you love buttery, salty crackers with an ever so slii-iiightly sweet background note, then these are for you!  The sesame and almonds provide a luxurious richness that takes the flavor right over the top - and of course these babies are gluten/wheat/grain/dairy & sugar free!  As for the Cranberry Compote... THE BEST.  A perfect slightly jellified, firm textured relish with the most gorgeous flavor you've ever had since these cranberries are radiantly alive! This perfectly sweet compote is sweet as can be with that cranberry tang we love.  Topped with a twist of orange zest over aged treenut cheese (recipe coming soon, meantime this Baby "Mozzarella" is absolutely devine) on my No-Wheat Thins... Pure Heaven!

Please enjoy!

 

 

 

   This is my submission to Tinned Tomatoes for the Bookmarked Recipes Challenge and Ren Behan's Simple & in Season!

Recipe for Raw Vegan No-Wheat Thins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup raw sesame seeds soaked overnight & drained
• 1/2 cup raw golden flax soaked overnight & drained
• 1 cup raw almonds soaked overnight & drained
• 1/4 cup coconut nectar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons celtic sea salt
• fresh cracked pepper to taste

Method

1. Dump all ingredients into a food processor (the moisture from soaking/rinsing your seeds & nuts should be adequate especially since the flax holds on to quite a bit, however feel free to add a tablespoon or so extra if necessary) and pulse until well incorporated and a dough forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
2. Spread the dough, using a spatula, across two teflex sheets (I spread mine about 1/8" thick, covering about 1 1/2 sheets) of your dehydrator or onto a silpat if you don't yet own a dehydrator.  The thinner you spread the dough the faster your crackers will crisp.
3. Score the dough into cracker sized pieces with a knife.  Dehydrate at 135 for the first hour, then turn down to 115 for another 3 hours.  
4. After 3 hours, flip the dough onto a dehydrator screen and dehydrate another 1 or 2 hours until the crackers reach the level of crispness you prefer. Timing will vary depending on climate. Store wrapped in a bit of parchment in an air tight container in the fridge to keep crisp.  If using an oven, set the temperature to the lowest possible setting. Please be aware that the crackers will probably not be raw using an oven due to their typically higher heat.

 

Recipe for Raw Vegan Cranberry Compote (best to make 2 days ahead as it continues to jellify during entire 48 hours reaching a perfect ever-so-slightly jellified relish consistency)

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3 Tbsp black chia seed
• 3 Tbsp coconut water, orange juice, apple juice or filtered water
• 1 1/2 Tbsp powdered stevia (or sub coconut nectar, raw honey, maple syrup or coconut crystals reducing liquid above if using a liquid sweetener here)
• 1/8 tsp vanilla powder
• 1/4 tsp ceylon cinnamon OR a couple of drops of edible grade sweet orange essential oil
• orange zest for garnish

Method

1. Stir together chia, coconut water (or juice depending on what using), vanilla powder and cinnamon (or sweet orange essential oil depending on what using).  Allow to sit for 15 minutes to form a gel, stirring every 5 minutes.
2. Pulse the 2 cups cranberries and your sweetener in a food processor until only slightly broken down.
3. Dump the chia gel into the food processor slightly processed cranberries and continue to pulse until the mixture is incorporated and retains the texture of relish as pictured above.  Be mindful not to overprocess.
4. Pour the mixture into a decorative jar and allow to set, ideally, for 48 hours.  This isn't going to become cranberry jello or jelly- it's a relish style compote. However, the setting will enable the relish to stay firm in a small bundt pan shape for example and it will have a firm lightly jellified texture after 48 hours. Serve garnished with orange zest.

 

What raw food or vegan dishes have you made and loved lately?!  Do you have any questions I might be able to address for you? 

 

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN! 

 

All Love, 

 Juliane 

 

Thank you for visiting :)  

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share! 

Bread Pudding Stuffed Pumpkin with Creme Caramel Drizzle

 

Happy Holidays Friends :)  Bread Pudding Stuffed Pumpkin with Creme Caramel Drizzle is a deliciously sweet treat to serve up to your family and friends during this beautiful season of gratitude.  Who doesn't love a moist, rich, fruit studded bread pudding... cooked up and presented in a pumpkin no less!

Bread Pudding Stuffed Pumpkin with Creme Caramel Drizzle takes a comfort food classic to new heights in presentation and flavor with its over-the-top-unbelievable Creme Caramel Drizzle - people, we're talking uncharted territories - this raw vegan caramel is so seriously amaze! 

As always, in true StyleNectar form, we're keeping all the indulgence and none of the guilt.  I've replaced cream with rich, full-fat, medium-chain saturated fatty acid boasting coconut milk,  butter for creamy, immune & beauty-boosting coconut oil, and delicious low-glycemic, nutrient rich coconut nectar for sugar... along with a gorgeous gluten-free crusty farmer's market loaf tossed with loads of moist raisins, plump apple-juice sweetened dried cranberries, sprouted pecans, ginger, cardamom and ceylon cinammon (I don't use cassia cinnamon as it's toxic & tastes no where near as delish as ceylon).   

It's as easy as tossing everything together, stuffing the pumpkin and next thing you know the house smells diiiii-vine :)   Prepare one larger pumpkin or several individual pumpkins... the choice is yours.  Regardless, how you do it, it's a show stopper and a sweet treat everyone will love and remember :)

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 This is my submission to Tinned Tomatoes & Lisa's Kitchen No Croutons Required & Bookmarked Recipes Challenges and to Ren Behan's Simple & In Season!

 

Recipe: Bread Pudding Stuffed Pumpkin w Creme Caramel Drizzle

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lb sugar pumpkin, a nice lid cut out of the top & set aside, seeds & stringy flesh removed
• 1 cup, 1" cubed gluten free crusty bread
• 1/2 cup pecans roughly chopped (as in halved)
• 1/4 cup jumbo thompson raisins
• 1/4 cup apple juice sweetened dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup large flaked coconut (optional)
• 3 tsp EnerG egg replacement mixed w 1/4 cup warm water (the equivalent of 2 pastured eggs)
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil melted
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup coconut nectar or coconut crystals
• 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• sea salt to season interior of pumpkin, and to season mixture to taste
• 1/2-3/4 cup coconut milk 

Creme Caramel Drizzle

• 1 cup raw cashews soaked 6 hours & drained
• 1/2 cup raw coconut nectar
• 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
• Sea Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1/2 tsp vanilla powder

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F.  Spread coconut oil around the bottom and sides of a deep dish suitable to house your pumpkin.
2. Place 3 or 4 bread cubes around the interior bottom of the pumpkin to soak up juices.
3. In a large bowl toss together the rest of the bread pudding ingredients, reserving 1/2 the coconut milk, until everything is well moistened and incorporated.  
4. Layer the bread pudding mixture into the pumpkin being careful to distribute the nuts and dried fruit througout so it doesn't all end up at the bottom.  As you layer, drizzle the rest of the coconut milk, again helping to distribute it amongst the layers. Pack it firmly, and, since all pumpkins are shaped differently, if you have leftover bread pudding mixture, simply bake it up alongside in a couple of coconut oiled baking ramekins or tiny bundt tins.
5. Place the pumpkin "lid" back on the pumpkin and bake for an hour 1/2 to 2 hours (checking on it after an hour 1/2) until juices are bubbling out and the skin is easily pierced with a knife.  The bread pudding will rise up out of the top of the pumpkin in a most satisfactory fashion!
6. Meantime, make your creme caramel by simply whizzing up the ingredients in your vitamix until smooth and creamy.  Pour into a dish and place in the fridge where it will thicken further.
7. When Bread Pudding is finished allow to cool enough to safely handle, then serve warm, either by the slice or by scooping it into small dishes, being sure to include the yummy pumpkin insides with each serving. Drizzle generously with Creme Caramel and drift off into bread pudding bliss!

  

Will you make yours in multiple pumpkins or one larger pumpkin like I did?  What are your Holiday plans?

 

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN! 

 

All Love, 

 Juliane 

 

Thank you for visiting :)  

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!

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No-Wheat Thins with Aged Treenut Cheese & Cranberry Relish (Raw Vegan)