Good Eats - Palm Greens Cafe

A great find on our recent trip to visit my parents.

When we travel, I always google the area for new healthy restaurants and cafes...places we can eat with our personal food choices and multiple food allergies.

I have spent many, many years in Palm Desert and Palm Springs but this was a new find for me.

Lunch at The Palm Greens Cafe was such a treat that we went back two days later for dinner!

There were many organic/vegan/vegetarian/gluten and dairy free options...from stir-frys to wraps to blueberry pancakes. I was even able to have have pizza! The best part was an amazing vegan ranch dressing that would fool anyone.

If you are ever in the area...I highly recommend it. It is a small unassuming place and the food was really good.

Palm Greens Cafe
A Natural Alternative
611 South Palm Canyon Drive, #6
Palm Springs, California
760-864-9900

www.palmgreenscafe.com

Raw-ish Brownies

A new treat we made to share with friends...no wheat, no eggs, no dairy, no peanuts.
Got a big "thumbs up"!

I think this is a great recipe to start out with...tastes amazing and begins introducing you to the wonderful world of "raw foods". I can't remember which book some of this came out of..so I apologize that I can't give an accurate reference.

* 2 cups pecans (or any nuts you like)
* 2 cups dates pitted and soaked in water for 5-10 min.
* 2/3 cup raw cacao powder (available at Whole Foods or health foods stores)
* 2 tsp vanilla extract
* pinch of sea salt

Blend dates in a food processor or high speed blender till a paste.
Separately grind nuts in a blender or chopper. Mix all ingredients in a bowl with your hands and press in a glass pan. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to set up.
When set, cut into squares, remove from pan and place on a platter, top with the frosting below and drizzle with the chocolate syrup below.

The chocolate syrup turns into a shell when refrigerated! yum

Frosting:
“Pamela’s Products” Vanilla Frosting Mix (available at natural food stores or Whole Foods)
I use Earth Balance in place of the butter to eliminate the dairy.
Just follow the package directions.

Chocolate Sauce:
½ cup Raw Cacao Powder (available at Whole Foods or health foods stores)
¼ cup Coconut Oil
¼ cup Agave syrup
mix by hand in a small bowl till smooth
* great on any dessert!

* Note: I did non create these individual recipes but I did combine them to make these yummy treats.

Scorpio Give-Away!

I have been wanting to give some of my jewelry away for quite awhile...

I just wasn't sure how or where.
I donate a lot...to silent auctions, charities, organizations...etc...

But I have been wanting to share my work in a more intimate way.
(Which is kind of funny when you think of the word intimate and Internet together!)

But this is what I have decided to try.
A "Blog Give-Away"

My first item celebrates the Zodiac sign Scorpio.
Are you Scorpio...or do you need a gift for someone who is?
It is an adjustable vintage chain necklace with a small round Scorpio charm that was rescued from an old bracelet. I have chosen small Aquamarines as an accent. It is packaged with an information card about Scorpios.

So...The Details
How to enter:
* Simply leave a comment here (on this post) about something nice you did for yourself this week. (I hope you do lots of nice things for yourself...but one comment per person please)
* Make sure that you leave an accurate email address
* Comment between October 1, 2009 and October 15, 2009

The winner will be chosen by Random.com after October 15, 2009
You must be 18 yrs. old.
The winner will be notified by email.
If the email address is not accurate, or if the winner fails to respond to my email within 3 days from the time I send it, a new winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!