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You can find the Facebook link right on www.allergenfreeplease.blogspot.com or you can search pages on Facebook and find it.

Have someone you know that is dealing with food allergies, etc.? Feel free to share! Thanks for being a part of this journey with me!

Avocado and Raspberry Pie...Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Oh my goodness...I have a dessert that I feel confidant that you will love and the ingredients are ones that you might not have ever thought about putting together.

My husband and I have been following a strict Vegan "diet" for the past 28 days and we have been experimenting with some new plantstrong recipes. We are doing the Engine 2 Diet, not as a diet, but more for a lifestyle. Whole Foods Market has been supporting us through this journey with weekly check-ins and letting us sample wonderful new recipes. Tonight, they made this dessert and I think I could have eaten the entire pan. Who knew that chocolate and avocado could be so creamy and decadent? Plus, I felt a whole lot better as I ate it, knowing that it was full of heart healthy fats. My boys will LOVE this and I will love knowing that I am sneaking in avocado. I know if you are like me, you might be wanting a yummy dessert for Valentine's day....ENJOY!!!!!

Avocado & Raspberry Pie

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, fish and shellfish

Mash two ripe avocados and splash 2T of orange juice over the top

Melt 14 oz vegan chocolate chips in a double boiler with: (example: enjoy life is free of the top 8 allergens)

1 T vanilla extract

1/3 c “milk” — try 365 Soy or Almond (or other milk alternative; rice, etc)


When melting chocolate, mix in milk alternative and vanilla extract.

Once melted, mix with the avocado — with a food processor (or blender) to make smooth,

Once combined, pour over fresh raspberries in a pie pan. Put more fresh raspberries on top and refrigerate until it hardens.

Tip: I used frozen raspberries because they were cheaper :) I layered some on the bottom, then added the "chocolate" mixture and then added more on top. YUM!

It comes out super firm. Cut into small wedges because it is so dense, firm and yummy!

Recipe by Renee Mahon

Avocados...The Perfect Game Day Snack!

Today ONLY: February 4th, Organic Avocados are on sale 5/$5 at Whole Foods

*Call your local store to make sure they are participating

Here are two great recipes for your delicious, healthful avocados!

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish

Guacamole
4-6 ripe avocados
1/2 red or yellow onion, minced
1-2 serrano chiles, stems and seeds removed, minced
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice
coarse salt to taste
A dash of freshly grated black pepper
1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped (optional)
*if you want, omit the onion, serrano chiles, and tomato and just add some fresh salsa (about 1/4 cup). Doing this makes this recipe SO easy!

Directions
1. Cut avocados in half. Remove seed. Scoop out avocado from the peel, put in a mixing bowl. (See How to Cut and Peel an Avocado.)
2. Using a fork, mash the avocado. Add the chopped onion, cilantro, lime or lemon, salt and pepper and mash some more. Chili peppers vary individually in their hotness. So, start with a half of one chili pepper and add to the guacamole to your desired degree of hotness.
Keep the tomatoes separate until ready to serve.
Remember that much of this is done to taste because of the variability in the fresh ingredients. Start with this recipe and adjust to your taste.
3. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole to prevent oxidation from the air reaching it. Refrigerate until ready.
4. Just before serving, add the chopped tomato to the guacamole and mix.

Serve with tortilla chips

Black Bean Salsa

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, peanuts, fish and shellfish

Ingredients

2 cans of black beans drained and rinsed

*I like to use organic black beans or whole foods 365 black beans (they are only .89) and they do not have preservatives or added salt.

1 small bag of organic frozen corn, drained

1 lime OR lemon (for juice)

1 Haas avocado cut into pieces and soaked in fresh lime or lemon juice to preserve its color

*You might want to do this right before you serve this dip so the avocado is at its freshest

1 small onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 mango, diced OR pineapple, diced 

4 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp white wine vinegar

fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover. Let refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve. Stir before serving.

Serve with tortilla chips

Lori Sandler (Divvies) will discuss food "Navigating Food Allergies" TODAY at 12pm Central

"Navigating Food Allergies"

CLICK HERE to Register for the live talk and cooking class