Wild Jungle Choco Bites

These Wild Jungle Choco Bites are insanely rich and delicious and can easily be made into cookies, bars or balls. Dark, fudgey chocolate embraces subtle peanut undertones to produce a true crowd pleaser that any chocolate peanut fan will love. Try them out and see for yourself!

1 c cacao nibs

3/4 c white mulberries

1/2 c golden cherries (or substitute with hunza raisins)

1/4 c lucuma powder

1/2 c cacao powder

several pinches salt

1/4 tsp vanilla powder

1 1/2 c wild jungle peanuts (reserve 1/2 c for the end)

2 T lucuma vanilla creme

1/4 c extra virgin coconut oil

1 T raw honey or sweetener of choice

1 dropper full English Toffee liquid stevia (or additional honey)

First, grind cacao nibs well in a food processor (this will take a minute- grind to a very fine crumb). Next, add the mulberries, cherries, lucuma, cacao powder, salt and vanilla and process well again. Remove this mixture to a bowl and add 1 c peanuts, lucuma vanilla creme, and coconut oil back to the food processor. Process well until smooth. Add the cacao mixture back to the food processor with the honey and stevia and process again to combine. Taste for sweetness and salt and adjust flavor if necessary. Finally, add 1/2 c wild jungle peanuts and process briefly again to get chuncky bits of peanut (feel free to omit this step if you prefer a smoother texture or a more subtle peanut taste). Remove batter to a large bowl and shape into cookies, bars or balls. Roll balls in lucuma powder or additional chopped peanuts. Chill in the fridge and enjoy!

Chia is one of our favorites. It has the optimal balance of essential fatty acids (provides the optimal ratio of 3:1 for omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids), is high in protein and super hydrating. It also helps with weight control by keeping you fuller longer and helping to cleanse your body with it’s high fiber content and soothing digestive properties…we like to call it the super seed

Now I know there are about a million chia porridge recipes out there but this one is truly special. I’m not sure what it is exactly but everyone seemed to love this simple, delicious creation. Even those who looked at the unique texture with a doubting eye were left with a great big smile on their face…and nearly everyone who tried it asked for the recipe, so here it is!

Whole Foods Demo

Best Chia Porridge Ever

(serves 1)

2 T Vivapura chia seeds

1 c water (best quality you can find)

1 T Vivapura cashew butter

1 1/2 T coconut sugar or favorite sweetener to taste

1/4 tsp Vivapura vanilla powder

pinch sea salt

few pinches cinnamon (to taste)

Vivapura trail mix (or Vivapura Superfood mix of choice)

Add chia seeds to 1 c of water and stir while the seeds soak up the water and expand (few minutes). Let sit for a few more minutes and stir again. This is literally so quick and easy, it’s ridiculous…here’s the rest: stir in the rest of the ingredients except for the trail mix and taste to test sweetness and spice. Add more sweetener or cinnamon if desired. The amount in this recipe gives it a “morning oatmeal” sort of taste (you know the kind you had when you were a kid and you had that perfect bowl of spicy sweet oatmeal on a cold winter day) but you can also add more cashew butter if you’d like a thicker porridge- it’s really up to you. Top with Vivapura trail mix and enjoy!

More options:
-Vary the spices to give  it a different twist- ginger for some zing or some pumpkin pie spice for a cozy autumn pumpkin pie taste.
-Blend the chia porridge to eliminate the tapioca texture and stir in some lucuma powder for an easy, elegant dessert or snack
-Use melted lucuma vanilla creme instead of the cashew butter for another delicious, luxurious alternative…or use any of our nut butters to mix it up a bit
-Stir a good amount of  trail mix into the porridge for more of a granola feel (yum!) and top with additional trail mix to garnish

Before I go into the details, let me set the scene a little…
When I was living back in Scotland, I heard about this incredible bee pollen from Australia.
Apparently it came from a million acre natural preserve of Jarrah trees, it was then hand harvested by aboriginal descendants.
I was watching YouTube one evening and stumbled across this video:

Bee Pollen is one of the top 5 foods I eat.
Not just for the beautiful sweet and diverse tastes you can find from different kinds,
but also for it’s insane level of nutrition in just one dessert spoon.
Me and my partner practically live off bee pollen!
We have tried many kinds; from fresh French chestnut bee pollen right through to the Canadian wild flower dried variety…
we are pollen connoisseurs to say the least!

…So as you can imagine we were seriously desperate to get our hands on a bag of these new golden nuggets!
I can honestly say, when we received our first shipment of Jarrah Bee Pollen from VivaPura we were blown away
SPEECHLESS!
This pollen had a flavor like no other we had ever tried, sweet, crunchy and divine.
Not only does it taste amazing but we could literally feel the life force flood in with every mouth full.
We were not alone… and don’t just take my word for it, check out what Gabriel Cousins, director of the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center has to say about this outstanding super-food…

Pretty quickly, Jarrah Bee Pollen became more and more famous across the world.
So much so that customers were restricted to only 1 bag a month!

Way back when I was living in the UK, little did I know I would be working for the company that actually supplies Jarrah to the world!
Me and Steve used Jarrah as staple food for our flight over here!
We were so protective over our supplies that we even pretended to the airport staff it was kids cereal just in case they didn’t let us through!!! (introducing super-foods to the world is a slow process!)
However, when we finally arrived here in Patagonia, the supplies of Jarrah were long gone
Even with the careful restrictions in place, people from all over the world were ordering from what was already a limited supply.
So, we continued to wait patiently for the update on the next years harvest, had the tree bloomed?
…and in January of this year we were given the great news, the trees HAD bloomed and although supplies were again limited, VivaPura could expect there pollen some time in early spring!

So, this week all of us here at the VivaPura warehouse have been working towards being able to offer all of our loyal customers the chance to PRE-ORDER theirs…
AND, for this month only (until the end of March) we are offering the chance to secure not just one but TWO BAGS per customer!

So, it gives me great pleasure to be able to announce this exciting news to all our blog readers out there…
Don’t forget, supplies are limited.
Pre-order yours now… HERE

If you have any questions about bee pollen, check out the link below and scroll down to the FAQ’s where we have masses of information on this super powerful protein rich and vegan food:
——> Click here for more info <——-

You also get to choose what you’re watching and when

It was YouTube that originally led me to Vivapura many months ago when I lived in Scotland!
There is a famous YouTube video by Kevin Gianni that sold me on our world known Jarrah Bee Pollen.
Little did I know that 1 year later I would be writing the blog for the very same superfood company that was bringing this incredible superfood discovery  to the world!
Check it out…

Funnily enough, over the past few days I have noticed more and more Vivapura products popping on YouTube!
Me and my man Steve sit back most evenings and enjoy listening to some of the leading pioneers in the raw food/superfood/longevity movement,
And since we spotted so many lately…
It inspired me to write this blog and share…
a little game of I-Spy with our readers!

So sit back and relax and take some time with your feet up sipping a green juice while you spot the VP products!

I Spy with my little eye… something beginning with ‘A’…

(Did you spot how Jason uses our famous stone ground aaaaahhhhlmond butter? Yumm!!!)

I Spy with my little eye… something beginning with ‘S’

I Spy with my little eye… something beginning with ‘S’ (AGAIN!)

(Looks like Cats are the best advocates of Vivapura Spirulina Crunchies! How much do you love your cat!?)

I Spy with my little eye… something beginning with…
Hey! Wait a minute…. all of our products?!?

He has a whole collection of videos on our products HERE

Thanks Gabriel!

So, now it’s your turn!

If you manage to find any of our products on YouTube let us know!

I have searched high and low and this was as far as I could get before I had to get up and eat some Spirulina Crunchies!!!

In addition to this challenge, I’m offering any YouTubers out there a
***10% discount coupon*** …to be used in the Vivapura store if you feature any of our fabulous products on your videos.

We look forward to seeing your creativity soon!

With spirulina smiles

Have a great week!

♥ Susan ♥

*** Simply contact me with a link to your video susan@vivapura.net to receive your 10% off discount coupon!
]]> http://vivapura.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/i-spy-with-my-little-eye/feed/ 0 susuvivapura http://vivapura.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/raw-spirit-festival-prescott/ http://vivapura.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/raw-spirit-festival-prescott/#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:12:26 +0000 Stephanie Austin, HHP http://blog.vivapura.net/?p=314 ]]> The time has come – we are setting up shop at the Prescott Raw Spirit Festival! This year’s festival is 3 days of raw food heroes presenting on two big stages; an eclectic variety of magical music makers; and a Sacred Exercise Area featuring guided classes including; yoga, tai chi, meditation, poetry, pranayama, and more. One of the mission-visions of the Raw Spirit Festival as a non-profit organization, is to encourage folks to incorporate a greater percentage of fresh organic vegetables and fruits into our every day diets.

There will be Raw Vegan Demos and Tasting activities happening throughout the day accompanied by acoustic jams, relaxing massage stations, and nature inspired healing; all set atop a lakeside hill with breathtaking views. There are many kid’s programs and vendors to shop from so bring the family because you don’t want to miss a rejuvenating experience.

Below is information from http://www.rawspiritfest.com/:

o   Raw Spirit Festival 2010 is the 6^th Annual event of Raw Spirit International a 501c3 non-profit organization focused on encouraging eco-sustainable education and nutrition education.  Our Festivals encourages learning the entertaining activities such as; music, speakers, shopping, arts, and more.

-  Accommodations

o   Camping on site is available at a rate of $30 for three nights.  This must be purchased prior to the event.

o   Informational booths and over 100 volunteers are available for assistance

o   Medical assistance will be available on site for emergencies

- Where is the Festival being held at?

o   Just four miles north outside of Prescott, Arizona, Watson Lake Park is open to the public and is known for its beautiful lake as well as the famous Granite Dells boulders.  Watson Lake Park has many amenities including; boating, camping, picnic tables, playgrounds, hiking trails, and convenient restrooms and showers.  The Park is located at 3101 Watson Lake Road, Prescott, Arizona.  http://www.cityofprescott.net/services/parks/parks/index.php?id=24

- Travel & Stay

o   For folks who are flying into Arizona for the Festival, Sky Harbor International Airport is the closest airport available for travel.  It is located in Phoenix, Arizona just south of Prescott.

- Ticket Prices-

o   Tickets are going fast and we have a limit on tickets for sale.  Act quickly as prices may increase the closer we get to the event.  You can save NOW today by purchasing tickets online through this webpage.

o   Tickets include; admittance to the event and park grounds (single all day pass or full three day pass), admittance to all stage presenters & performers, group workshops, vendors, activities, raw food tasting and demonstrations by chefs, message, yoga, meals, and more…

o   Tickets are $49 a person for a one day pass and $120 for three days.

o   Three day pass plus camping is available for $150

-Activities, Performers, Speakers

o   Sub-categories are needed here to state; Classes, Performers, Speakers, Workshops, Vendors, Activities for Children, etc.

o   http://www.rawspiritfest.com/index.php?page=presenters-performers-reference-page

- Notices

o   Raw Spirit Festival is being held on September 24-26 at Watson Lake Park four miles north of Prescott, Arizona.

o   This is a Rain/Shine event.

o   No pets are permitted.

o   Children areas are available.

o   Camping is a $30 for three nights are must be paid for prior to the event start date.

o   Informational booths, health services, and customer service is available at the event.

-Press & Feedback

o   Great “play-by-play” review by Steve Pavlina from the 2009 Raw Spirit Festival in Sedona, Arizona.  http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2008/09/raw-spirit-festival-review/ “I would definitely attend the Raw Spirit Festival again. I went there to learn, to connect with people, and to have a growth experience, and I most certainly experienced all of that.”

o   From NaturalNews from the 2007 Raw Spirit Festival – http://www.naturalnews.com/022120.html “The festival brings together thousands of participants, over a hundred raw foods vendors and dozens of top-notch speakers, authors and artists who have so far delivered an unforgettable experience in raw living foods and high-vibration living.”

o   Exciting video by LovingRaw from the past Raw Spirit Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVgER57v-I0

- Before and After the Event

o   Prescott offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities readily available every day.  The best thing about Prescott is the climate.  There isn’t a day that is to hot and spurts of sunshine mix with cloud cover through the day.  Hiking, shopping, and dining are available and hotel accommodations make traveling around easy to do.

One of the Vivapura owners, Chris Whitcoe, is presenting at the festival.

Chris Whitcoe : Workshop Facilitator

Chris Whitcoe, MA: Vegan Live Food Nutrition, is passionate about the awakening of consciousness, raw food nutrition and the emergence of Capitalism as a vehicle for global change. In service to this overarching wholistic vision he has created a diversified life in which he integrates his passions with the largest impact possible.

Chris is Co-owner of Vivapura: Pure Superfoods for Life, dedicated to bringing the highest quality, Raw, Organic & Ethical superfoods to the global market. Vivapura has received a profoundly positive response that has continued to propel the company toward success as a vehicle of “Sacred Commerce.” This is the new paradigm in action!

In 2005, Chris took a hiatus from a successful corporate life to fully embrace his love for the raw food/consciousness movement by pursuing a Masters Degree in Live Food Nutrition under Gabriel Cousens, M.D. at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center.

Chris also infuses his abundant raw energy and expertise as an advanced software engineer to Corporate Consulting, LLC, his company dedicated to creating advanced technical solutions and premier internet presence for his clients.

And for even more fun, he also serves as a lecturer and event facilitator, creating enthusiasm and powerful catalyzation of our “real world” human potential!

Ultimately, Chris’s greatest role is as a father to three vibrant children who truly understand the value of living foods, spiritual awareness and tribal welfare.

(Yep: one would certainly have to eat a high vibrational diet and have an innate connection to “Spirit” to create such a passionate life!)

You can still get your tickets here!!

Up to this point our Jarrah Bee Pollen has been our flagship Bee Pollen. It is a truly amazing pollen but recently we came across another pollen that we absolutely adore, Cascadian Mix Bee Pollen. The first thing you’ll notice about this pollen is the amazing spectrum of color it has. It ranges from the palest yellow through oranges and reds to and purplish-black. Like the Jarrah Pollen it is dried as soon as it is harvested which preserves the nutrients and prevents rancidity. It is not dried quite as much as the Jarrah which gives it a slightly chewier texture. It has a sweet and florally taste that is delightful on its own or in recipes like the one which follows.

Spiced Cupcakes with Creme Cheese Frosting and Pollen Sprinkles
frosting
½ cup brazil nuts
½ cup Vanilla Coconut Creme
1 orange, juiced
1 tsp. lecithin
¼ cup raw honey
1-4 tbs. water

Place brazil nuts in a food processor and process until really broken down. Add remaining ingredients except for water and process. As the machine is running add water 1 tbs. at a time until a creamy but thick consistency is achieved. Chill while making the cup cakes
cake
1 cup of pulp leftover from making nut milk (I used a blend of coconut & brazil nuts)
2 apples, shredded
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. Vanilla Bean Powder
6 medjool dates
½ cup walnuts
Zest and juice of 1 orange
1/3 cup Chia, ground
1/3 cup Hunza Raisins
pinch salt
2 tbs. Coconut Oil
2 tbs. raw honey

Place all of the ingredients into a bowl. Mix and knead with your hands until everything is well combined and a doughy consistency is achieved.
Assembly
Cascadian Bee Pollen

Press cupcake dough into a cupcake mold, shaping the top to be slightly rounded. Frost each cupcake and garnish with Cascadian Pollen. Chill about 30 minutes before serving.

Other Pollen Serving suggestions from the Vivapura crew:

Erika: I like to mix equal portions of Cascadian Pollen, Coconut Chips and Cacao nibs for an energizing afternoon snack.

Ben: Likes to blend with honey, chocolate and medicinal mushrooms while he does the bee mudra and chants.

Michelle: Has two ways she loves to eat pollen, besides just eating it by the spoon:
1. On top of her green smoothies.
2. Chopped banana, tahini & pollen breakfast bowl….yum

Izaiah: Melted in a hot chocolate drink.

Joel: Sprinkled on chia seed pudding.

We think you should try out our new Cascadian Mix Bee Pollen as well. To encourage you we’re offering you a coupon for 15% off your next order of Cascadian Mix Bee Pollen, use coupon code “buzz15″.

(Hint: Yes, Spirulina Crunchies will get in your teeth giving your pearly whites a healthy green glow. So if you are eating them by the handful, just chase them with something sticky. We recommend dried jackfruit or wild jungle peanuts.)

Spirulina Crunchies, like traditional powdered or tablet spirulina, is a pure, natural, nutrient dense, microscopic, edible, blue-green algae packed with complete and
absorbable protein, chlorophyll, antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals. It is a balanced whole food that contains over 100 synergistic nutrients that are easily assimilated. It is literally at the bottom of the food chain – a concentrated “nutrient soup” from which all life can be nourished.

What Does Spirulina Have To Offer?
Concentrated Protein Source: The highest source of protein – 60%!
Complete Protein: Contains all 8 essential amino acids in the proper ratios. Build muscle mass.
Speeds up metabolism: Helps with weight loss.
Best Source of GLA: necessary for a healthy nervous system. Great for arthritis!
Vast Spectrum of Antioxidants: Protecting cells from free radical damage while enhancing immune system.
High in Minerals: Easily assimilated as they are chelated with the amino acids.
Iron: 2300% more iron than spinach. Improves energy levels.
Beta Carotene: Enhances immune system and healthy skin.
Vitamin K: An essential nutrient that must be obtained from sources outside the body. Improves bone density and aids in blood circulation.
Calcium: 300% more calcium than whole milk.
Nucleic Acids: RNA and DNA
Chlorophyll: Blood builder and purifier.
Phycocyanin: Removes heavy metals and pollutants from your body.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
(PS: we have to say all that!)

So what makes Spirulina Crunchies so different?
Well, lots actually.
1. It is crunchy! – this makes it so much more fun to eat. Try sprinkling it on your salad. It stays crunchy and adds a savory flavor (kinda like bacon bits). No gloppy green salad blues that you may get when putting powder on your salad.
2. It is a Spiral – Spirulina derives its name from its microscopic spiral structure. Because of the manual, additive-free process of creating Spirulina Crunchies, its inherent spiral structure stays intact. Spirulina Crunchies are the only Spirulina that is not pulverized which compromises spirulina’s delicate structure.
3. It is Vital – Spirulina Crunchies are low-temperature heat dried to keep bacteria levels in check and to preserve the vital nutrients. Did you know that the leading brand selling their Spirulina as “raw” actually plummet the temperature below 0 degrees C in order to preserve it? Such an extreme temperature certainly affects the nutrients.
4. Savory Flavor – Spirulina Crunchies are more mild in flavor. They taste fresh and yummy. (Never again will you have to hold your nose and endure a slightly fishy flavor)
5. Did we mention its CRUNCHY! – you gotta experience it! Spirulina in a whole new way. No-additives. Pure Green Goodness!

Happy Green Smiles to You!

My first choice is Chia. Why Chia? Well it’s one of my favorites but most importantly, I have a ton of it in my refrigerator right now so it seemed like the obvious food to play around with tonight!

Chia’s major claim to fame is its high Omega 3 content. Omega 3′s have been in recent human dietary history, seriously lacking. Traditional people’s consumed much more of this important fatty acid but industrialization of our foodways have greatly reduced the amount of Omega 3′s in our diet. How much Omega 3 does the chia seed contain? Well the seed itself is 34% oil and of that oil 64% is Omega 3. Chia contains more Omega 3 than flax and it is easier to digest. You can grind chia as you would flax but it is not a necessary step to get the most benefit.

I eat chia because I like a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids but I eat mostly because I love the texture. It reminds me of tapioca when it has been soaked in liquid. When made into crackers it is so delightfully crispy. And when I grind it and add it to my smoothies it adds just the right amount of thickness.

In recipes you can use chia just as you would flax. It gels and holds things together just as flax does though it is a bit lighter and a bit more crumbly. By far my favorite use for chia is as a pudding or porridge. You can soak it in any variety of milk, juice or tea and in about 15 minutes have a lovely little meal. The recipe I’m going to share could make a nice breakfast or a tasty dessert.

Chai Chia

2 cups strong herbal chai, cooled
1 or 2 tbs liquid sweetener of choice
1 tbs. raw tahini
1/4 chia seed
1 large handful white mulberries
1 large handful coconut flakes

Pour chai into a mixing bowl. Whisk in sweetener and tahini. The tahini will not completely dissolve, that is fine. Next whisk in chia seed, mix in until well combined. Let sit for a few minutes and then whisk briskly again. You will notice that the chia has started to thicken. Whisk every few minutes until a pudding-like consistency has been achieved. You can add a little more chia if you prefer it thicker.

Once the chia has thickened add in a handful of mulberries and a handful of coconut flakes. From here you could go in two directions. For a breakfast porridge put a serving of the chai chia in a bowl and drizzle on a little more tahini and perhaps a little more coconut or mulberries. For a light dessert a dollop of whipped cream(scroll down for the whipped cream recipe) and a sprinkle of vanilla powder.

I also really enjoy using chia in crackers and raw “breads”. This recipe from Kate Magic is a fun chia biscuit. Or you can make your regular flax crackers with chia instead for a light & crispy cracker.