Meatless Monday: Vegan Gluten-Free Black Bean Brownies

Happy Monday!

We are starting this week of with some desserts vegan and gluten free style!  According to Dr. Oz “beans are a super healthy, super versatile and super affordable food. Beans are high in antioxidants, fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc. Eating beans regularly may decrease the risk of diabetes, heart disease, colorectal cancer, and helps with weight management. Beans are hearty, helping you feel full so you will tend to eat less.”

Recipe and photo originally by  MinimalistBaker

Vegan Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz. can (~ 1¾ cups) black beans, well rinsed and drained
• 2 large flax eggs (2.5 T flaxseed meal + 6 T water)
• 3 T coconut oil, melted (or sub other oil of choice)
• ¾ cup cocoa powder (the higher quality the better)
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• heaping ½ cup raw sugar, slightly ground or pulsed in a food processor or coffee grinder for refined texture
• 1 1.2 tsp baking powder
• Optional toppings: crush walnuts, pecans or semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a 12-slot standard size muffin pan (not mini).
3. Prepare flax egg by combining flax and water in the bowl of the food processor. Pulse a couple times and then let rest for a few minutes.
4. Add black beans through baking powder and puree – about 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed. You want it pretty smooth.
5. If the batter appears too thick, add a Tbsp or two of water and pulse again. It should be slightly less thick than chocolate frosting but nowhere close to runny.
6. Evenly distribute the batter into the muffin tin and smooth the tops with a spoon or your finger.
7. Optional: Sprinkle with crushed walnuts, pecans or chocolate chips.
8. Bake for 20-26 minutes or until the tops are dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides. I found mine took about 25.
9. Remove from oven and let cool for 30 minutes before removing from pan. They will be tender, so remove gently with a fork. The insides are meant to be very fudgy, so don’t be concerned if they seem too moist – that’s the point. Plus, they’re vegan so it doesn’t really matter.
10. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. Refrigerate to keep longer.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 140 calories Fat: 6 g Carbohydrates: 22 g Sugar: 9 g Sodium: 163 mg Fiber: 7 h Protein: 5 g

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Live Peace with The Road Less Traveled

The Road Less Traveled is a store located in Santa Ana with the mission of being “a store that provides natural and unique gifts and home goods and host workshops on general DIY living.” The store carries an assortment of great items ranging from handmade jewelry to how-to books and more. We are excited to announce that we are collaborating with The Road Less Traveled!

In the new store curated by The Road Less Traveled, we offer beautiful pillows, books, and even wooden spoons! The store opened within the last 2 weeks and we are already thrilled with your response.

The photos are just a sneak peek– stop by to see the great assortment! Or head over to The Road Less Traveled location to see how they Live Peace.

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Pay it Forward!

Pay it Forward

Today is the 7th annual Pay it Forward Day!

The inspiration for the day is the idea that one act of kindness can inspire many others. You can probably see why we are excited for the day, given that part of our mission is the idea that “good begets good. It’s a belief that the we heed every day — the idea that one simple act of kindness can inspire another person to ‘pay it forward.’ The result is a stronger sense of spirit and community for all.” Read more at our website!

We found this image here. Know the original source? Let us know!

So how will you mark Pay it Forward Day? Hopefully in a way that will have ripple effects beyond just one day!

Good Happens.

Pay it Forward!

Go Into The World

“Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.”

-Minor Myers, Jr.

Good Happens.

Pay it Forward!

Meatless Monday in Honor of Chef Jeff: Cold Fruit Soup

Welcome to this week’s Meatless Monday post!

This week’s recipe comes to us from Chef Jeff! His next event, The Art of Cocktails, is coming up this Thursday, April 25th! At the event, you can learn how to make your own bitters and mixers  to spice up your cocktails.

Cold Fruit Soup is very nutritious and refreshing. It works throughout the whole year and you can vary the recipe as you’d like to use fruits that are currently in season!

Cold Fruit Soup

Ingredients:

3-4 lbs of fresh ripe fruit
(In Summer: peaches, plums,
nectarines, melons
In Winter: citrus, strawberries)
1 cup plain yoghurt
1 tbsp brown sugar
Dried fruit or nuts to garnish

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the fruit.

2. For stone fruits like peaches, carefully cut in half from top to bottom. Remove the pit.

3. Dice into chunks. For melons or citrus remove or cut away the skin, remove seeds and cut into chunks.

4. Using a food processor or blender, purée the fruit until smooth.

5. In a small bowl combine the yoghurt and brown sugar.

6. Divide the soup into bowls, garnish with a dollop of yoghurt mixture and dried fruit or nuts.

Good Happens.

Pay it Forward!

Live Peace with Protecting African Wildlife Conservation Trust

This week we are living peace with the lions in Africa! Living Peace highlights organizations that are paying it forward and spreading the love for all! Today Kevin Richardson and the support of PAW are paying it forward with their work with animals.

Kevin Richardson has made quite an impact on zoologists and observers alike with his unconventional animal behaviorist techniques; his documentary Dangerous Companions fascinated the public. He interacts with full grown lions like they are playful pups! Check it out!

This self-taught behaviorist uses love and understanding to communicate and build relationships with animals like lions, hyenas and other African predators. The majority of Richardson’s lion career has taken place in The Lion Park in Broederstroom, South Africa. The park is approximately 1600 acres and homes three lion prides and one clan of hyenas. With the production of his newest documentary, White Lion: Home is a Journey Richardson has created a new facility of 2,000 acres for his big cat companions. The Kingdom of the White Lion is now a private refuge for thirty-nine lions all native of southern Africa.

For more information on Kevin Richardson and his work, check out his website.

Richardson knows first hand the effects of deforestation and poaching on African animals. He supports an organization called Protecting African Wildlife Conservation Trust or PAW. PAW is a non-profit organization in Northeast South Africa that helps fund research on conservation and ecosystems; its goal is to promote conservation and wildlife internationally. If you’d like to donate to the cause visit their site! They also have information on their current projects and studies. 

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Pay it Forward!

Discover Your Strength

“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”

- Masaru Emoto, The Secret Life Of Water 

Good Happens.

Pay It Forward!

Celebrate Earth Day!

Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd!

It is a day to celebrate the planet we live on as remember to take good care of it. Looking for a way to celebrate? Kick off Earth Day weekend with us, Center for Unconventional Security Affairs (CUSA), and the UCI eARTh Studio!

On Saturday, April 20th from 11am-12pm, eARTh Studio will present an interactive lecture for all ages! Learn about the important relationship between art and sustainability. Participants will receive 2 free tickets to the Human Security Award ceremony recognizing the work of artist Chris Jordan.

Plus in the afternoon from 12pm-3:30pm, stop by for a drop-in art workshop!

We are looking forward to a great Earth Day weekend! How are you planning to celebrate Earth Day?

Good Happens.

Pay it Forward!

Meatless Monday: Vegan Avocado Frozen Yogurt

Happy Monday!

It’s getting warm! We all need a delicious treat to cool off this spring, but that doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy. Take your tradition spring favorite, frozen yogurt and give it a green twist; avocados are a great creamy substitute that is full of vitamin E and antioxidants according to Health Diaries.

Recipe and photo by Fit Community.

Vegan Avocado Frozen Yogurt 

Serves 2-3

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 ripe avocados
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons stevia (or to taste)
• 2- 4 oz containers soy yogurt
• 1/2 cup soy/almond milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions: 

1. Blend all ingredients except for the lemon zest in either a food processor or blender until smooth.

2. Transfer the mixture into a bowl or ice cream maker and stir in the lemon zest.

3. If using a bowl for step 2, freeze in an airtight container for at least 2 hours.

4. When ready to use, let it thaw slightly and stir.

And in four easy steps, you have a perfectly creamy spring vegan dessert!

Good Happens

Pay it Forward!

Live Peace with One Day Without Shoes

Every Saturday, we like to highlight an organization or movement that is making Good Happen! This week we are highlighting One Day Without Shoes, an awareness event sponsored by TOMS Shoes. Each year, ODWS asks people to go barefoot for one day to raise awareness of the impact something as small as a pair of shoes can make. This year’s is coming up on Tuesday, April 16th!

So why Peace + Shoes? Why are we going barefoot?

Peace takes many forms. Aside from the common definition of peace as the absence of war, it also can encompass a feeling of contentment within yourself or ensuring that people have access to the tools and resources they need to live life to the fullest. Shoes may be one specific issue area, but they affect many aspects of life including health, education, and future economic opportunities.

Check out highlights from last year’s event in the following video:

Join us at the Center for Living Peace on April 16th, 2013 from 10am-4pm as we celebrate One Day Without Shoes! Throughout the day, there will be various fun activities for all ages:

Style your Sole (canvas shoe painting) /// 11am-3pm

Bring a pair of canvas shoes to decorate during the Style Your Sole party! Order a pair of TOMS online, or find in store at places like Nordstrom. Any canvas shoes will work, whether TOMS, Vans, or Keds! Don’t have a pair of shoes to bring? We’ll give you a canvas flag to decorate!

Raffles on the hour /// 12pm until 3pm

Free Prizes with drawings throughout the day.

Barefoot Walk /// 3pm

Experience the world around you without shoes.

Plus music, refreshments, and interactive displays throughout the day!

We’re looking forward to a great day. Hope to see you there! Not in the area? Find events near you!

Good Happens.

Pay it Forward!