Day 2 ~ Why Eat Paleo

Why, indeed?

For my crossfitting friends, this is old news. But it’s always nice to be reminded, and to think deeply about why we choose the path we are on . On the other hand, most of my other friends are, Paleo what the ..... , and I want to share with them a smattering of  reasons for giving it a try (check out the link below). Feel free to add on more (or dispute them) in the comments section. In my opinion, paleo makes sense, and nutrition is infinitely important for our well-being, but we should approach all things in life with appropriate expectations. For information on the diet, there are loads of good guides and scientific blogs out there that you absolutely must check out if you are interested. Finally, I want to be clear with semantics. “Diet” here means: way you eat. Paleo is not really a diet. Rather, it is a framework within which any individual determines their own lifelong, sustainable regime. Check out the following link , you never know Paleo may be the change you are looking for  http://www.livingpaleo.com/10-things-you-should-know-about-paleo/

Some of my friends have said oh that is way to restrictive and I couldn't possibly give up this or that ... well Paleo and clean eating is not about deprivation and there are amazing recipes that can assist with your sweet cravings and still meet your paleo needs ..... would you feel deprived eating this ?

.

Raw CHOCOLATE COCONUT CREAM TORTE ♥
*Recipe  :Eric Rivkin
E-book :TO LIVE FOR♥ http://www.vivalaraw.org/living-foods/to-live-for-recipe-book

Bottom Layer Crust

1 cup raw almonds or pecans, soaked 2 hours, rinsed
... 1 cup fresh or dried finely shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
Dash of cayenne
In a food processor with the S blade, mix until a crumb texture is reached. Set aside.

Coconut Cream Filling
2 cups firm young coconut pulp
5 bananas
1/4 cup coconut oil
4-5 pitted medjool dates
½ tsp vanilla extract or caviar scraped from 1 bean
Blend ingredients until creamy. Set aside and refrigerate.

6-8 large firm strawberries, de-stemmed and sliced 1/8” thick

Top Chocolate Layer
1 cup young coconut pulp
3 Tbsp coconut oil
½ cup raw cacao powder
3 pitted medjool dates
3 black mission figs
½ tsp vanilla extract or caviar scraped from 1 bean
¼ tsp cinnamon
Dash of cayenne
Blend ingredients until thick and smooth, adding just enough coconut water to turn over in blender. Set aside.

Garnish
1 cup assorted berries - raspberry, blueberry, sliced strawberries
1 tsp honey
Mint leaves (optional)

Blend the honey with about a few of the strawberries to make a glaze. Toss gently with the berries and mint and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Assembly
1. Press crust recipe evenly into a 9” spring-form torte pan with a removable side greased with a little coconut oil.
2. De-stem, then slice the strawberries the long way and press the large pieces against the inside of the torte pan. Use the smaller heels in the garnish..
3. Pour in and spread the Coconut Cream Filling.
4. Freeze for 2 hours to firm up.
5. Pour on and spread the top chocolate layer mix. Refrigerate or freeze again until firm.
6. When ready to serve, first arrange the fruit garnish on top.