Bliss balls are those wonderful little protein packed vegan truffles that can be made a gazillion different ways.  

They are usually made from a variety of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits with either cocoa, carob, or flavorings added.  You add your desired blend into a food processor, whiz them until they make a dough, form them into little balls, then pop them into your mouth!  Yummy!!

This recipe uses protein packed foods such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and almond meal, along with carob powder and the ancient grain known as teff.  

Teff seeds are super tiny red brown seeds that are a staple food in Ethiopia and Eritrea. They are also grown in Idaho and can be purchased at your local grocery store from the Bob's Red Mill line.  Teff is gluten free, high in calcium, iron, protein, and fiber. (Power food!!)

Try this recipe today for a healthy, protein packed dessert!

Carob & Teff Bliss Balls 
Makes about 9 one inch round balls.  Store in the fridge.

2 Tbsp. teff seeds, toasted in a pan
1/4 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
1/4 cup almond meal
1/2 cup craisins
2 Tbsp. carob powder
1 tsp. vanilla
3-4 Tbsp. maple syrup (to taste)
pinch of salt (to taste)

In a small food processor fitted with an S-blade add all ingredients and pulse until a sticky dough is formed.  Use your hands or a small cookie scoop and roll into one inch balls.  Optionally roll in carob powder or toasted teff seeds.

​You can sub cocoa powder for the carob powder and change the ratio of seeds if needed.  Play with the ingredients to get the taste you like!

Photo by Stacey Hamblett (me!) 

A new book club for a new decade and a new vibrant life.  Want to join me?!

I am compiling a list of monthly reads that are inspiring, eye opening, intriguing, and empowering.  After a month to read, Seacoast New Hampshire friends can join me and our community to discuss the book and how it may have positively affected our lives.

Two books that I read over the holidays have changed mine, so I yearn to support you in the same positive transformation this year.

Stay tuned this week for details about the first book and our first meeting date and location.

Books will include authors such as Marie Forleo, Eckhart Tolle, and/or Jen Sincero.

Let's make 2020 this best year and the best decade we can possibly imagine!

Happy Autumn! This post is a brief update to let you know that I have been busy helping out with the opening of the new Market & Cafe at Emery Farm in Durham, NH AND training to be a Master Gardener.    

Although I have many future projects to come, my current focus is working with the amazing and passionate team at the Market & Cafe.  It has been so fun to work with a great group of people who are dedicated to supporting local food systems, farm to table cooking, healthy living, environmental responsibility, and community.

There is so much in store that I can't wait to tell you, so stay tuned!! (Think farm fresh grab and go foods, prepared meals, cooking classes, holistic wellness workshops, and more!)

In the meantime, for those of you who live in the area, follow us on Instagram to see when we will have our grand opening and then come visit!!

I started writing for their new blog, so you can check out those posts for recipes and tips.  This week's post is about roasting sugar pumpkins (yum!).

Until later...enjoy the changing of the seasons, crisp sunny weather, and pumpkin lattes!

The end of summer weather brings crisp sunny days and cool nights in New England. 

And with produce from the farms and gardens still in harvest, it's the perfect time to start cooking soups!

Tonight I created this recipe because I had a lot of cauliflower that needed to be used, along with some gigantic carrots from my garden.
 

This recipe turned into a five C soup: Cauliflower Carrot Chickpea Coconut Curry because that is what I had on hand. And that's the way I cook. 

The way I want to teach you to cook....to have the tools, the knowledge, and the passion to create delicious healthy food on a whim with what you have. I didn't go to culinary school, I just like to eat and I love to create. And that's all you need too! 

So stay tuned for my upcoming Culinary Wellness Academy, videos, and ebooks so you can learn to do the same!  In the meantime try out this delicious creamy rich vegan soup.

Cauliflower Chickpea Curry - makes 4-6 servings (Vegan & Gluten Free!)
1 Tbsp coconut oil (or ghee for non vegans)
1 Tbsp madras curry
1 tsp cumin seed
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups chopped carrots
1 clove garlic minced
1/2-1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
1/2 head cauliflower (4 cups) chopped
3 cups coconut milk (not beverage)
1 cup water
1 (13oz) can of chickpeas rinsed and drained
2 tsp ume plum vinegar or lime juice

In a medium soup pot on low - medium heat add oil and spices. Stir and saute about 2 minutes or until a paste forms and the spices are fragrant.  Add in carrots, garlic, and sea salt. Stir together and saute about 5 minutes to coat carrots and begin to soften them.

Add in cauliflower, coconut milk, and water and bring to a gentle boil for about 10 minutes with the lid on. (Don't let the coconut oil come to a heavy boil!)  Stir occasionally.  Remove cover and cook about another 10 minutes or until cauliflower and carrot are tender.  Add chickpeas and stir.  Cook just a couple minutes more to heat the chickpeas.

Turn off heat and add the vinegar or lime juice and adjust spices to taste.  Serve with jasmine or basmati rice, or even try cooked quinoa or millet.  Optionally top with toasted pumpkin seeds and/or chopped cilantro.  Add a green salad and you have a healthy vibrant meal!

CHEF'S NOTES:
-chopped veggies are a bit larger in size than diced
-you can add in chopped onion (with carrot) and/or frozen peas (in the second 10 minute cook) for more protein and color
-feel free to adjust spices or just use ground cumin instead of cumin seed
-ume plum vinegar is a salty acid that adds a wonderful depth to foods.  It can be found in the Asian food aisles.  Lime juice would also be lovely in this.  Add vinegar/juice for "brightness", depth, and to pull the soup together.
-because there is so much coconut milk, this curry is super rich so you can also do half water and half milk.  I use the Aroy-D brand coco milk found in shelf stable boxes at my local Asian market.  It is hands down THE BEST creamy coconut milk and is what is used all over Thailand.

Any questions about this, feel free to message me!  ENJOY!

Over the past few years I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching live demonstration and hands on cooking and wellness classes throughout the Seacoast.  

I began my teaching journey when I was the Executive Chef and Culinary Wellness Director at The Juicery.  I started with demonstration based classes and fell in love with sharing the art and joy of healthy cooking to our community.  

I continued on as an instructor at the cooking school at Frinklepod Farm and developed my love for hands on cooking classes such as Vegan Thai Cooking which was a hit!  Along with this I taught private cooking classes and combo wellness workshops that included yoga and herbalism.  

Even though I only formally started teaching a few years ago, I have been involved in culinary & wellness education and inspiration for years.  When I was a baker in an open kitchen I use to share tips with customers, when I worked the chef's table at a high end restaurant I would plate foods while educating and inspiring the customers with culinary artistry, when I was a yoga retreat chef I taught about how food is used to heal, and basically my whole life I have been the go to person for culinary and wellness questions.

So the time has come to share my love of healthy cooking and holistic living with as many people as I can!  I am in the process of developing online courses, ebooks, and more as I figure out what you all are eager to learn.  Because I love interacting with my community I will still be teaching locally on the Seacoast community at the beautiful new Market & Cafe at Emery Farm in Durham, NH. (Check out their new blog of which I write for!)

In the meantime I would love to hear what you are looking to learn in regards to all things food and wellness related.  I have experience in plant based cooking, herbalism, food as medicine, specialty diets, natural mental health, and holistic nutrition so I will start with courses, recipes, meal plans, etc. in those areas.  

My passion is to inspire you to have fun in the kitchen and nourish your entire being holistically!  I look forward to this new adventure and hope you are a part of it!

CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE PLATFORM I WILL BE USING.