All tagged Goji Berries

Apple and Goji Berry Kale Salad (GF, DF)

This Apple and Goji Berry Kale Salad tastes like fall with every bite!  When you “massage” the kale with your hands, the kale becomes sweeter and softer, so don’t skip this step.  Sweet apple, crunchy sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and chewy and tart goji berries are a match made in heaven.  And if you’re anything like me, you eat salads for the awesome toppings 😉 And this salad delivers the best toppings!

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons honey

Pinch of salt

1 head of kale, torn into small bite-size pieces

1 apple, chopped into small pieces

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds

1 tablespoon goji berries

How (your directions):

Add kale pieces to a large bowl.  Top with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt.

Massage kale for 3-4 minutes with your hands.

Add apple pieces, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and goji berries.

Toss to combine and enjoy!

Why (the science):  Goji berries are high in fiber and the antioxidant zeaxanthin, which helps protect your cells from damage.

Chewy Trail Mix Bars | Raw, Vegan |

Chewy Trail Mix Bars are so incredibly yummy and nutritious, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make them soon!  One of the simplest recipes, Chewy Trail Mix Bars come together in 10 minutes, and will give you a satisfyingly sweet (but not too sweet!) breakfast or snack to enjoy on the go and during your busy day.  And when you make your own bars at home, you can be sure there are no preservatives, artificial and “natural” flavors, and other weird ingredients.  Wholesome and oh so good, these Chewy Trail Mix Bars will please child and adult alike 😊

Serves: 12

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

10 dates

½ cup creamy peanut butter (drippy, natural)

¼ cup maple syrup

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon

2 cup oats

¼ cup sunflower seeds

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

¼ cup goji berries

How (your directions):

Line a medium baking dish (7x11) with parchment paper and set aside. 

Add dates to a bowl and cover with water.  Microwave on high for 60 seconds.  Dates should be gooey and sticky.  Remove the pits and add dates to a food processor.

Blend dates on high until a sticky paste forms.  Add peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon.  Blend on high until a dough ball forms. 

In a large bowl, add oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and goji berries.  Stir to evenly distribute ingredients.

Using your hands, take the date and peanut butter dough ball and add it to the dry ingredients.  Knead dry ingredients into the date and peanut butter dough until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Press dough firmly into the parchment-lined backing dish.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes. 

Remove from pan by lifting the parchment paper out of the baking dish.

Slice into 10 bars.  Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container for 5-7 days.

Why (the science):  The oats, nuts, seeds, and dates make these bars the ultimate energy boosting snack or breakfast on the go!  Keeping your blood sugar stable throughout the day is the key to improved mood, focus, and productivity. 

Mexican Hot Chocolate Superfood Raw Brownies | Vegan, GF |

Serves: 6-12 people (makes 12 brownies)

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 cup pecans

1 cup sliced almonds

12 dates, pits removed (Tip: if your dates are not sticky, soak them in boiling water for 5-10 minutes)

¼ cup cacao powder

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Toppings: pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries

How (your directions):

Add all ingredients (except toppings) to a food processor.

Blend for 1-2 minutes, until a dough forms.  Hint: if you can pinch the dough together between your fingers, the dough is ready.  If the dough does not stick together, add 1 teaspoon warm water and blend for 30 seconds. 

Pinch off 2-3 tablespoons of dough at a time, and press dough into each muffin cup in a silicone muffin mold (or into a lined muffin tin).  Repeat with remaining dough.

Press toppings onto each brownie.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm. 

Store in an airtight container for 5-7 days.

Why (the science):  The protein and fiber from the nuts, seeds, and dates will keep your blood sugar levels stable, meaning it’s the perfect pick-me-up snack for steady energy.  Stable blood sugar means better mood and reduced levels of anxiety!

Blueberry Muesli Bowl

Soaked oats are made more fun and delicious by making a blueberry almond milk with fresh summer blueberries!  A colorful bowl of oats, coconut, and fresh and dried fruit, this Blueberry Muesli Bowl will keep you energized for hours.  Using quick cooking oats allows the muesli bowl to be ready within 30 minutes, without needing an overnight soak to “cook” the oats.

Serves: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

½ cup almond milk

½ cup fresh blueberries

½ cup quick cooking oats

1 teaspoon chia seeds

Toppings: Blueberries, dried mulberries, unsweetened desiccated coconut, goji berries

How (your directions):

To create the blueberry almond milk, add almond milk and blueberries to a high-speed blender, and blend for 30 seconds.

To a cereal bowl, add quick cooking oats and chia seeds.  Pour blueberry almond milk over oats and chia seeds.  Stir to combine, then allow to sit for at least 30 minutes.  Tip: You can refrigerate this blueberry muesli if you like your oats cold or if preparing overnight.

Top with blueberries, dried mulberries, unsweetened desiccated coconut, goji berries, or YOUR favorite toppings.  Sliced strawberries, slivered almonds, and mint would be delicious!

Why (the science):  Blueberries contain polyphenols, compounds which are known to boost brain health and prevent cognitive decline!