I’ve been getting a lot of inspiration from the raw food world lately. One of my favorite blogs in that vein is Choosing Raw, written by Gena who used to work in publishing and is now pursuing her post-graduate education to prepare herself to apply to medical school. Gena is so bright and I truly love reading her blog. The other blog I’m thoroughly enjoying reading is Almost Vegan, written by Amber who is equally bright, ambitious and eloquent. I just ordered Amber’s new cookbook Practically Raw: Flexible Raw Recipes Anybody Can Make and I can’t wait to read it!
Yesterday’s Tangy Green Hemp Sauce was one of the first “scores” I’ve made using raw-ish food ingredients (is vinegar raw? does anyone know?). If you missed it, be sure to check it out because it’s my new favorite sauce to use over veggies. It’s green but don’t let that scare you!
The next recipe I’m absolutely loving from the raw food world is what I’m calling Chocolate Buckwheat Brittle. It is crunchy, light and sweet and it tastes like brittle or toffee to me. Even though I’m trying to reduce my sugar intake in my morning green smoothies, I decided to make this sweet treat to crunch on after lunch. I experimented using just dates and a combination of dates and stevia, so I will post both versions and let you decide which version to try. Also, I only tried making it in the dehydrator, but I found some instructions for making it in the oven.
First, you start by soaking raw buckwheat groats in water for at least several hours (I often just let them sit overnight on my counter). Raw buckwheat groats can usually be found in the bulk section of a natural foods store. Rinse and drain them well after soaking (these pictures are for a single batch but the recipe is doubled):
Next, make the chocolate sauce! I blended dates, water, almond butter, vanilla extract and cacao or carob powder in a high-speed blender and poured it over the groats:
I then stirred together the groats and the sauce and poured it out onto two drying sheets (or two baking sheets if you are going to use the oven):
I let mine dehydrate at 115 degrees overnight for about 12 hours. When it came out, it looked like this:
Okay, maybe it’s not the prettiest recipe, but dang it was tasty!
I’m already onto a second double-batch of this brittle, it is that good. Here’s the doubled recipe:
Chocolate Buckwheat Brittle – Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups raw buckwheat groats, soaked for several hours and then rinsed, drained and dehydrated for 6-8 hours
20 large dates or 10 large dates and 20 drops of liquid stevia
1 cup raw, unsalted almond butter
1 to 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened soy milk if using dates to sweeten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cacao powder or carob powder
Directions:
Place groats in a medium bowl and blend other ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth, adding more soy milk if necessary to blend. Pour liquid over groats and stir to combine. Pour onto two drying or baking sheets and dehydrate at 115 degrees for 12 hours. If using the oven, bake at 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes, breaking it up as it dried (the oven directions are taken from the Almost Vegan version of this recipe here (thanks, Amber!): http://almostveganchef.com/2012/03/26/raw-chocolate-buckwheat-granola/
I don’t know what prompted this line of thinking, but yesterday I started feeling some health envy. What is that? I’m describing it as being envious of other people’s good health. It comes from a place of frustration about my own health battles and it manifests in jealousy over other people who seemingly float through life with perfect immune systems and easy weight management. Of course, this is a total negative way of thinking and doesn’t help me or anyone at all, but I just wanted to vent.
Perhaps you have felt this at some point, too? My way of consoling myself is to feel grateful for where I am today and that I have the education and resources to focus on my health now and understand that I am doing the best I can in spite of the battle wounds I suffered in the past. I thought I would share this with you because I know many of you are just beginning your journey and I don’t want you to think you are alone if you have ever experienced these negative thoughts.
Maybe a good way of ending this post would be to again say how grateful I am for having discovered Dr. Fuhrman’s program, veganism, the raw food world and all of the resources and amazing people in the blogosphere and in real life who are also working toward a healthier world. Thank you!
Note: this post has been submitted to Gluten-Free Fridays.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I understand health envy all too well. I’m always sick and on tons of medication. I subscribe to a bunch of health blogs – most of which also happen to be operated by runners – and am jealous of how easily fitness and running comes to them, where I struggle to get myself on a steady routine of exercise. I want to enjoy living a healthy lifestyle, not struggle with it ever day. It just seems to come so easily to everyone else but me
The problem I always seemed to have was when I started an exercise routine I would soon end up with a cold lol. I know it wasn’t related but it always seemed to work out that way. My doctor suggested I start by walking 10 minutes a day, 3 times a week and then every week increase 5 minutes until I get to a comfortable time. I am hoping to eventually start running, but for now walking is good enough. Oh, I also did 2 weeks of 10 minutes becaue I was not ready to walk more. Go at your pace and see if that works for you
Well, you are certainly not alone in working on your health every day, I feel that way, too. It has helped that I have made tremendous strides after I adopted a healthy, plant-based diet and that’s what keeps me going, even if I experience set backs. Don’t even get me started on running, though, I am the slowest runner ever, but I’m cool with that fact.
Oh my those look delicious!
I have a raw food website recommendation for you. http://uncooking101.com/site/ I found them through another blog and pinned a bunch of recipes to Pinterest from them.
I started the ETL program today. Right now I can see that the struggle is going to be with eating everything at mealtime and not having a snack in between. While working I am probably going to need a snack because the time between when I eat breakfast in the morning and my lunch time is very long. I also have a hard time eating a lot of fruit at once which I tried to do this morning for breakfast. I may need to stick with smoothies for breakfast
I have weight envy right now since I am overweight, but not so much health envy. I would like to have fewer colds, though. I would also like to be able to start running, but right now I will stick to walking.
Robyn, thanks for the referral to the raw food site, I had not heard of that one before. Yay!
It took me awhile to get used to not eating between meals, either. I ended up adjusting the timing of when I eat lunch and dinner. I think the idea is that you eat when you’re hungry. So, if you are really hungry between breakfast and lunch, then eat your lunch earlier and then don’t eat again until you are really hungry, even if that means your “normal” lunch or dinner times must change. If you have to work around a work schedule, then just do your best, but really try to only eat when you’re hungry, no matter what time it is. I still struggle with this one but I have got it to where I generally eat breakfast around 7:30, lunch at noon and dinner at 6.
Thank you for the kind words, Carrie!
I know allll about health envy. Oh man, do I ever. You’re right, it’s totally unproductive, but it’s hard to avoid thinking/feeling that way sometimes. I try and just block it out…but I’m often unsuccessful.
Yummy-looking brittle! As soon as I’m allowed to eat pseudograins and dates again, I’m going to make this using date paste in place of the maple syrup I used in my version.
PS – A lot of vinegars are pasteurized, but certain kinds (like Bragg apple cider vinegar and Coconut Secret coconut vinegar) are raw.
You’re welcome, Amber, you are a great inspiration to me and many others. Thanks for the info on the vinegars, too, I want to start using apple cider vinegar in some of my salad dressings and see how it tastes.
The granola looks so good!
Vinegars can be raw, typically apple cider vinegar and coconut vinegars are raw, other ones may have been pasteurized. But there is no rule that says you can’t use a nonraw ingredient in a raw recipe, if its what you have around.
I get a lot of health envy, but honestly if that person I envy is enjoying themselves and happy with their life, it’s easier. When people who have a lot and are relatively healthy complain a lot and are not appreciative of what they have, that upsets me even more because they are not being grateful and have no concept of what it would be like to lose that.
I might be missing something because I did not know you were not healthy, I am sorry you are struggling. It doesn’t often help to compare, it helps more to get advice and support each other.
Hi Bitt! Thanks for the info on the vinegars and on raw recipe development, I am just starting to learn more about the raw food world. I am going to a class in a couple of weeks, too, and I’m really excited. When I get frustrated about my health background, it’s completely based on fear and usually nothing specific. I shouldn’t really complain because in general I’m managing my issues and feeling good, but the fear is always there. It doesn’t help that my dad was so, so sick and ended up dying because he didn’t take care of himself, but that motivates me even more to do the best I can as far as diet and lifestyle choices. Thanks for the message, it helps to discuss it.
I totally understand health envy. I think it’s pretty natural to feel. But, to throw you some perspective…I’m envious of you! I look to your blog for inspiration. Not just cooking inspiration but living inspiration. I think you exemplify health. You are definitely a role model to me. And, I’m sure that I’m not alone.
Like you said, be grateful that you have the right knowledge to create health now (and that you have). A lot of people can’t say that.
Hi Prathiba! Thanks for the message and kind words. I love being a role model, although I don’t often think of myself as one.
I do think I’ve picked up some lessons here and there and love being able to share them with people who are interested. Keep up the good work. Hugs, Carrie 
I’d say a little bit of health envy is normal- as long as you use it as motivation to better your own rather than tearing yourself apart and wallowing in junk food because of it you’ll be right
That brittle sounds yum- just be careful how sweet you make it!
Hi Claire! You’re advice is good because I find the sweeter I make the brittle, the more I’m snacking on it. I think I’ll take a break from it for a few weeks after I finish off this latest batch.
Wow, this brittle sounds good and looks super easy to make! I am a sucker for crunchy snacks so I will be trying this! Thank you!
I second Prathiba above that you are a fantastic example of health for many people! The fact that you have come this far shows you place high value on excellent health. It seems that maybe you give yourself a hard time for a few small and infrequent “slip-ups”…do you think that is true? What is it that you are still struggling with regarding your health and comparing yourself to others?
Also, are the others you’re comparing yourself to who make it look easy people you know well? If not, who knows if they are actually truly healthy or if they’re just painting a rosy picture. You never know what people are struggling with behind closed doors, as there are many insecure people in this world…
I like how you ended your post, with the things you are grateful for…that is a fantastic attitude. And in turn I will say that I am grateful I found your blog at a point in my life when I was starting to question being vegan and why it wasn’t “working” for me…I just needed a push in a new direction (the right direction!). Thank you Carrie!!
Hi Laura, thanks for the message. Let me know if you try this recipe and how you like it. It’s really yummy and slightly addictive.
I do appreciate your kind words about being a good example of health. In the past I have been very, very hard on myself for mistakes and that’s one thing I’m working on. I try to view life as a journey where I’m constantly learning along the way. I love being able to share my experiences and learn from other people, too. In fact, I think I learn as much or more from people like you who read my blog and make comments than you do from me! That’s what I love about blogging is finding our shared interests in food and health. 
I hope you share your thoughts on “Practically Raw..” it sounds like a good one. I must say I do suffer from health envy. Seeing others whose bodies are so strong and healthy and I know that due to my health issues I can never reach that level of health. Oh, I am doing very well, and I am happy that they are so healthy, but I sure wish I could just try their shoes on to just see how it truly feels. I know it is never good to compare yourself to anyone else. Can I ask a silly question…what is the difference between a date and a fig? Do you prefer one over the other? I try to eat 1 date each day as I read that it is good for folks with GI issues.
Hi Paula, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I guess it’s natural for us to look at others and wonder what our lives would have been like under different circumstances. I don’t like feeling envious, though, because I do think it’s unproductive and doesn’t help my self-esteem at all. That’s why I’m trying to counter it with gratitude for all of the blessings I DO have.
To answer your question about dates and figs, they are two separate fruits. Figs can be fresh or dried and dates are just naturally dried off the tree. Dates are generally sweeter than figs I have found.
Thanks for explaining the fig-date thing. I was reading Chef AJ’s book and she left it as she didn’t really know. I really like dates & they have really helped me with my GI issues. You are spot on when you reminded me to remember all the great things in my life.
In my experience, no one is a glowing embodiment of perfect health! I myself am ridiculously, wonderfully lucky in the health realm, but my long, long bout with clinical and subclinical anorexia left me with some health struggles that I never chose to write about on my blog. So…you really never know. Some people are just private with that side of their lives.
And Carrie, thank so much! I am tremendously flattered, and feel honored I’ve given you raw inspiration. I have made brittle quite like this, and absolutely loved it. What a great recipe!
Hi Gena, you’re totally right, of course. When I see certain people as being perfectly and blissfully healthy, I know I’m not getting the full story and I’m just feeling sorry for myself. I am not proud of these moments but thankfully I can usually pull myself out of that line of thinking and get back to a state of gratitude and hope. Thanks for your wise comment.
Just remember that with all of our blogs, people only see one part of us–the side we want them to see. Everyone has issues, problems, challenges, struggles. They may not all be health related, but if you knew what everyone else’s problems were and we all threw them into the middle of a circle, and everyone had to take one of the problems, you would likely take back your own. xoxo
Hi Wendy, I’m sure you are right on this point.
Recipe troubles
I tried this with the 20 dates and they got cooked by the Vitamix! I think in your post you mention water, but the recipe itself has no water listed. I imagine that without the water, my mixer was not able to make it come together. I managed to salvage it by putting the paste in with the groats in my stand mixer and just letting it run for a long time. How much water are you supposed to add?
Hi Devon! Sorry about that, it was a mistake on my part not to have mentioned that if you use dates in this recipe, you’ll need to add some unsweetened soy milk to help blend the dates into the other ingredients. I apologize for that and appreciate you letting me know; I’ll update the recipe with that note.
Very interesting. My printer is out of ink, so I cannot print now, but I pinned it on Pinterest to help me find it back and make it someday.
Great, Peggy, thanks for stopping by. And, definitely let me know how you like this recipe, it’s really yummy.
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