Mmmm…. Just in time for Easter – when everyone is digging out the Cadbury eggs and sweet treats, you, being awesomely aware about your health politely decline a sugary peep and clasp your hands in your lap. After old Aunt Gretel waves a sausage link in your face, that’s when your resolve starts to falter. 
Seriously, you think, deprivation in the land of plenty…? But it’s NOT deprivation to choose not to eat these foods that are highly toxic and acid forming to the body. Instead of feeling like you have no options – check out the amazing and delicious raw vegan desserts, drinks, and delightful delicacies that blow any standard American fare out of the water.
For example, I was inspired to create a low-fat granola (which was sold at work) and the cacao-goodness just called to me to use it. Rich in anti-oxidants, magnesium, selenium, and chemicals that create seratonin (feel good!)…. it’s a food that when used in moderation (and not that often) can be beneficial to the body and definitely not as harmful as modern candy confections. Treat yourself with raw desserts and you’ll never feel like you’re missing out!
Taking it a step down, now, not exactly a dessert, but try out this awesome sprouted buckwheat granola. I’m kind of upset I can’t find the exact recipe I wrote down, but if you are smart about creating raw food, honestly it’s not that difficult to put amazing flavors together and create magic.
Strawberry-Chocolate Raw Granola
Ingredients:
8 Cups Sprouted Buckwheat (6 Cups of groats soaked overnight and sprouted and rinsed for two days
1 3/4 Cups Raw Cacao
1 – 1/2 Cups sprouted and soaked nuts/seeds (I used macadamias, almonds, and Walnuts)
17 Dates
Dash of Orange or Lemon Juice
1 Cup Goji Berries
1 Cup Coconut Flakes
Dash of Organic Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract
3 1/2 16 oz. Containers of Strawberries (Organic, please, strawberries are the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crop!)
*optional: 1-2 Tbsp Low-glycemic sweetener of choice (Agave, Coconut, Stevia)
1 tsp Cinnamon
Directions:
1) To sprout the buckwheat, cover groats in water overnight and let soak. In the morning they will have gained size and will have created a slimy-filmy coating (just what they do – no worries). Strain and let sit in a cool but sun-shining area. In the afternoon, rinse them again. The next morning, rinse, and then by that evening there should be sprouts (little tails)!
2) In a large bowl, combine buckwheat groats, Goji berries, 1 1/2 containers of chopped strawberries, chopped nuts and seeds (you can chop them in a food processor or coffee grinder), and coconut flakes.
3) In a blender, combine until smooth: pitted dates, remaining strawberries, agave, Orange or Lemon Juice, Vanilla, raw cacao, cinnamon, and enough water to keep it at a thick but smooth consistency.
4) Pour over mixture and combine! It should create a thick mixture that you will spread on Teflex sheets (for the dehydrator – if you don’t have Teflex, use parchment paper).
5) Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 12-14 hours. After 6 hours flip over and peel off Teflex sheets, they will dry much faster this way. 
6) Now for the fun part… Eat as a snack, create a DELICIOUS morning breakfast with almond milk and chopped bananas, or comment below on how you enjoy your delicious GRAWnola!
Thanks for reading – if you liked this content, please like on Facebook (Left Sidebar) or http://www.facebook.com/MandyBloomsRaw, Subscribe to my posts (Sidebar again), and don’t forget to comment! I <3 Feedback. 🙂
Namaste, Lovelies!
Coming next: Raw Lasagna!
