vegan carrot ginger soup recipe

Ingredients

4 medium carrots, peeled, halved

1/4 small onion

1 small garlic cloves, peeled

2 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

pinch of pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

1/2 cup soaked cashews

2 cups vegetable broth

Directions

Place ingredients into the Vitamix and secure lid.

Starting at variable 1, turn machine on and increase speed to 10, then  to high

Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

Blend for 5 minutes or until you see heavy steam in the lid.

Optionally, and suggested on the vitamix site for the carrot ginger tofu soup, you can sauté the chopped carrots and onion.

vegan chocolate avocado "pudding"

1. 2 ripe medium avocados, peeled
2. 1/3 cup raw cacao
3. 1/4 cup raw agave nectar - I've seen recipes calling for honey, but I never have very good results using honey for anything cold or room temp.
4. 1/2 cup almond milk ( or preferred milk... rice, coconut, etc.)
5. 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

I toss it all in my vitamix, but I'm sure a processor or regular blender would do the trick. If you're using a regular blender, I'd mush the avocado a bit.

almond milk recipe

• 
• 

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup raw almonds
• a sprinkle of cinnamon (optional, but recommended)

1. Soak almonds for about 12 hours - this is optional, but almonds are better for you after soaking.
   • it removes anti-nutrients like phytates, tannins and goitrogens
   • it helps to neutralise enzyme inhibitors
2. Add almonds, and water. If desired, add flavoring and/or sweetener now too. Raw cacao, strawberries, vanilla beans or cinnamon are great for flavoring. Agave or dates are great for sweetening. The only thing I add is the cinnamon.
3. Turn blender on, bring the speed up to high speed quickly. I highly recommend using a vitamix for this if you have one. It does a much better job of pulverizing/pureeing the almonds.  
4. I strain mine and keep the almond meal for later projects/recipes, using a nut milk bag. Their cheap and perfect for the job.

The Blender Girl gives a great explanation about the health benefits of soaking grains, nuts and seeds and it's important.