Raw Coconut-Lime Pie

This started out as a raw mango key-lime pie but I did not have key limes nor did I soak enough cashews for the fillings, so I improvised and the result was pleasing.

We had plenty of limes from the backyard and I love coconut and had a bunch on hand.

Ingredients:

Crust

1 cup of macadamia nuts

½ cup of cashews

¼ cup of pine nuts

7-10 Pitted Mejool dates

1 teaspoon coconut oil

A couple sprinkles of cinnamon

A pinch of salt

Pulse first 3 ingredients, cinnamon and salt in a food processor for 10 minutes until you reach a crumbly consistency. Add coconut oil and dates. Continue pulsing until combined. You may need to scrap the sides once or twice.You do not want this to be mushy. To test it take a spoon and scrape some into your hands, if you press it together and it stays together, it is ready. Press crust into a pie shell with loose bottom until smooth and stick the pie shell in the freezer while you prepare filling.

*if your pie shell does not have a loose bottom, line the inside with plastic wrap prior to pressing the crust in. This will allow you to easily remove it when ready.

Filling

2 cups of cashews (soaked for 3+ hours)

1 cup of lime juice (or key lime juice)

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract or scraped vanilla bean

1/4-3/4 cup of water (you can use water from soaked cashews) OR almond milk

Place first 3 ingredients in powerful blender and start to pulse, adding water when needed in order to reach a smooth, creamy consistency. There should be no lumps in your filling. Pull out pie crust and spoon filling into it smoothing and leveling the filling. Place back in freezer and rinse out blender.

Topping

1 cup soaked cashews

1 cup unsweetened dried coconut

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons raw agave nectar

Water for consistency

Blend first 4 ingredients in blender adding water as needed to reach smooth, creamy consistency. No lumps in this either. When done, pull out pie shell and filling and smooth topping layer over filling creating a smooth top layer. Sprinkle more coconut on top and garnish with a lime slice or swirl. Cover and place in freezer for at least 1 hour before serving. This will keep in the freezer for a couple of days. Just take it out for about an hour before eating.

ENJOY!

Health Facts:

Macadamia Nuts are high in fiber and have high amounts of “good fats” without the bad cholesterol. They also contain significant amounts of amino acids and surprising amounts of B-vitamins.

*This recipe is Gluten free and Vegan.

Great Article

I have been busy getting my home office all set up for the start of school and the launch of my freelance writing biz but I have not forgot about you dear readers.

Coming up this evening is a recipe for a raw coconut-lime pie and I wanted to share with you a fabulous article on the value of time by Anne Lamott for Sunset Magazine:

http://www.sunset.com/travel/anne-lamott-how-to-find-time-00418000067331/

Sticking Close to Home

I am a planner by nature. No matter how much I WANT spontaneity in my life it will not change this fact. The way I compromise with my need for control of a productive schedule is to "plan" to just stay close to home sometimes. That is what I have done this weekend and so far today has been pretty darn good for not having a list written out. I managed to plant our new "red lady" papaya tree, move the pineapples, plant some seeds in the garden, start some seeds in the house, order seeds for the Fall garden, clean the chicken coop and have some beans soaking for planting later. I only have one more weekend until my weekends will become devoted to school work so I am enjoying my non-plan-plan.

The new tropical fruit garden corner. Starfruit, papaya, pineapples, and lemon bush. Flowers to be added!

Here she is! I am told she will grow another foot before giving us fruit.

Scarlet Runner and Soy Beans

Purple and Pink Tomatoes, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cucumbers, Swiss Chard and Onions.

I also had the chance to play on the Internet and do some pinning which I rarely take time to do on weekends.



This is the corner opposite the showerhead. This bath is so zen, I cannot wait to take a shower in there!



Meanwhile, Ryan has been working hard on the bathroom remodel and has made major progress. He is so talented in both the labor and design aspects of creation. He would be mad if he knew I put this up as he likes people to only see the finished product but I couldn't resist and barely ever gets on here anyways: