Saturday 8 September 2012

AMAZING APPLE HUMMUS




It’s September, and that means it is apple season baby!  We LOVE apples. They are packed with soluble and insoluble fibre, vitamin C, and calcium. Plus, we really do believe that "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away".  Sooo, we made a delicious apple hummus and want to share it with YOU!! I know, it may sound kind of “weird” but it is truly great on sandwiches, crackers, or dipped into fruit.  Trust us.  Now, let’s get started.

First we will make the apple puree to mix in with our homemade hummus!

APPLE PUREE:
4-5 Organic apples (any variety) peeled and chopped
1/4C Agave (you can use whatever type of sweetener you like: organic cane sugar, maple syrup or stevia!).
2 tsp of Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (or spray it with non-stick cooking spray). Peel and chop your apples then place them in the bowl. Pour the agave on top and sprinkle with cinnamon. Next, toss the apple mixture and spread the apples evenly onto the cookie sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until the apple are soft. 

Once the apples have cooled, place them in a food processor and blend until they are the consistency of applesauce. 

NOW IT IS HUMMUS TIME!

HUMMUS:
1 1/2C of chickpeas
1C apple sauce puree
2Tbsp Tahini
1Tbsp agave or maple syrup
1Tbsp lemon juice
1tsp cinnamon

Place all ingredients in food processor and mix! Makes about 2 cups of hummus! Feel free to add a little curry powder or cayenne powder! If you LOVE peanut butter, place 2 tbsp of natural peanut butter instead of the tahini and do not add curry/cayenne powder. 
 

WHY WE LOVE HUMMUS:
Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fibre among many other vitamins. Plus, hummus does not contain cholesterol and studies have shown that chickpeas can actually help to prevent the buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels. Also, Hummus often contains tahini which is sesame seed paste - Tahini is a great source of protein and calcium! 

Happiness,

Friday 24 August 2012

WHY AN eBAKERY?



Call us crazy but we believe in the Universe, Cosmic Plans and following your Destiny.  As “Hallmark Card” as that sounds - it is truly how PEACE LOVE HAPPINESS CO. became the WORLD`S FIRST GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN, ORGANIC eBAKERY!!

Let’s rewind the clock a little.  Three years ago, I became vegan after much research about health, and learning about the meat industry. Then, one trip to Snooters Farm Animal Sanctuary and I knew I was never going to eating meat again.  That day, also confirmed my true passion is to help people, the planet and our fellow Earthlings through veg-ucation.  Ultimately, I knew I was destined to open a healthy food establishment.  One problem, how do you bake without dairy, and what the h*** do you do with tofu? Looking to my favourite cook (my mom, Tania) for help, we figured it out.  

We then went on television to promote our business and began selling our healthy, organic, vegan baked goods to local customers and businesses. But our customers started to ask “Hey, can you make these without gluten, or soy?” and so we did.  

We knew we had perfected our magic recipes when we gave our products to award-winning chefs and International Culinary-Olympians who could not believe our products were gluten-free or vegan.  These are aaaaamaazzzzzing! - they insisted. 

Now, our desserts are ALWAYS delicious, healthy, organic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and refined sugar free. They are also free of wheat, dairy, casein, eggs, lard, cholesterol, trans-fats, artificial colours, artificial flavours, and GMOs! We only use fair-trade cocoa and vanilla. We also use local ingredients whenever possible.

We want to make a veg. lifestyle easy, which is why we were first interested in opening a cute location to serve our happy clients.  After difficulty finding the perfect place that would help the Greater Good – an old friend reappeared (you gotta love the Universe!) and confirmed that an eBakery was achievable and what we believe – is the future of bakeries. 

As we continued to ponder the idea, we started to realize that an eBakery will help more people than opening any one location.  

Every day we receive emails from people asking “Can you please ship us delicious cookies/cupcakes/muffins to (insert Canadian address here), we cannot find any gluten-free, vegan desserts!” or “Aaah!! We love you, we wish you were in our city!” or “Help! My kids have allergies”. 

Now we can happily reply, “Don’t worry, we are nationwide, and in 24-48 hours, we will have our baked goods fresh to your front door…oh and by the way, the delivery fee is ONLY $5!!!! (I mean, you can’t even fill up your gas tank, or take public transit for that cheap!)” 

So, “thank-you” Universe for guiding us in this direction, and “thank-YOU” for your interest in PLHCO. Our goal is to serve YOU happily with the best mouth-watering, high quality desserts; while making ordering your favourite desserts as easy and efficient as possible.  Help us spread a little peace, love and happiness.  Try our professional service, and yummy sweets!!!

Happiness,
a.

www.peacelovehappinessco.com
www.snootersforeverhome.com

PS...  “Like Us” on Facebook!!

Friday 1 June 2012

SCRUMPTIOUS SUNNY SCRAMBLE



PLHCO loves weekends; and what is the best thing about the weekend (besides not working, sleeping in and a chance to do whatever you want)?  Answer: big healthy breakfasts! 

Breakfast is important.  It boosts your metabolism, breaks your fast, and ultimately gets you started on the right track.  After we became vegan we needed to relearn how to cook this essential meal... aaaand we needed to figure out a great substitute for scrambled eggs.   Our next answer:  scrambled tofu.  AAAAH... Don’t let the tofu scare you, it’s actually great!   

So happys, let’s begin.  Pour a little bit of olive oil into a frying pan, 2 TBSP of minced garlic and 1 chopped white onion.  After the onions become clear, add in peppers, mushrooms, or any other vegetable you would typically put in an omelet (asparagus, spinach?). 

Once the veggies soften and cook, take your firm block of tofu and crumble it with your fingers, into the pan.  It will already start to look like scrambled eggs!  Next, mix the veg. and tofu with a spoon, until the tofu browns slightly (about 10 minutes).  You can sprinkle a few TBSP of nutritional yeast onto the mixture as well. Nutritional yeast is a great source of B12 and it will give the tofu a yellow look (just like eggs). 

That’s it! Now add salt, pepper and your favourite condiment (you know, the one you would normally put on eggs like hot sauce, ketchup, or HP sauce) and serve it with some whole grain toast, organic fruit and home fries!  Super yum. 


Sunday 27 May 2012

THE BEST BLACK BEAN BROWNIE!



One of Peace Love Happiness Co`s Baked-Stars is the Brownie Points Black Bean Brownie.  People love the fact that it is made without flour and contains lots of nutrients and fibre.  The crazy thing about this brownie is that you cannot taste the beans!  Believe it or not, using this recipe PLHCO has stumped a few of Toronto’s best chefs into thinking it contains flour.  So what is it besides delicious, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and organic?

Preheat oven to 350 & bake for approx. 25 minutes or until the top starts to crack. 

COMBINE:
3 Tbsp. flax seed meal & 9 Tbsp. water - Let it sit for a couple of minutes.  This is your “egg”

COMBINE IN FOOD PROCESSOR:
1 1/2C Organic Black Beans
3 Tbsp Organic Coconut Oil
3/4C Fair-Trade Organic Cocoa Powder
3/4 tsp Sea Salt
1 1/2 tsp Fair Trade Organic Vanilla
3/4C Organic Cane Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

Add the flax water. Now turn on the food processor and mix! Once you have mixed it, add 3/4C Dark Chocolate Chips (Vegan, Gluten-Free). You may need to grease the pan if you do not have non-stick pans.  Now pour in the mixture and bake! D-LISH!
BLACK BEANS: Where do we start? Black beans are rich in fibre, especially soluble fibre, and they contain tons of protein.  As a result of the soluble fibre, they can lower your cholesterol, and help regulate your blood sugar.  Studies have also shown that they contain many flavonoids which helps to reduce your risk of cancer. They also contain folate, b vitamins and iron!
FLAX SEEDS:  Are rich in protein and essential nutrients such as iron, niacin, calcium, vitamin E and phosphorous and essential omega-3 fatty acids

www.peacelovehappinessco.com

Monday 7 May 2012

SWEET SPRING SORBET


With the warm weather around the corner, a great low-cal, gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free dessert is sorbet! You can make it with all different types of fruit but mixed berries and watermelon are our favs... 

Are you ready you COMPASSIONATE COOK you?  Start your blender, get ready, get set, GO!

RECIPIE:
4C of mixed organic berries or watermelon (seeds removed)
1C of water – or use coconut water to add a nutritious boost!
1/4C Organic maple syrup (or agave syrup)
1/4C Organic cane sugar
2TBSP of Organic lemon juice

*Adjust the sugar quantities to your taste!

Mix all ingredients in a blender until the fruit is broken down. Strain the mixture.  Pour mixture into a container and freeze (if you pour it into a cupcake pan it will make a cute shape!).  This sorbet tastes great with a PEACE LOVE HAPPINESS CO. cupcake or cookie on the side...Chocolate Truffle Cookie anyone?  

Why Maple Syrup?
Great quality maple syrup is non-refined and contains zinc and magnese.  Many new studies show that this Canadian favourite sweetener is not just for pancakes; it has tons of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties too.   

ZINC – Needed for cellular metabolism, DNA repair & immune system functions... (just to name a few!)
MAGNESE – Activates key enzymes needed for bodily functions (protein & fatty-acid synthesis), thought to increase sexual hormones!

Friday 4 May 2012

PURPLE HAZE SMOOTHIE!

PEACE LOVE HAPPINESS CO. specializes in all things healthy.  One of our favourite things is smoothies! Packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre and deliciousness they are a great boost to your day.  Our favourite smoothie is very simple, and great for any newbie... we call it our “PURPLE HAZE” smoothie. 
RECIPE:
1C Mixed organic berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries)
1 Organic banana
3 Leafs of organic kale
Hand full of organic spinach
1/2C Coconut water

Mix together in a blender and viola! A very simple way to get your daily dose of veggies and fruit! Feel free to add vega protein powder, maca powder, goji berries, flax seeds or aloe vera for that added punch!  P.S the fruit will hide the taste of the veggies

Blueberries - Rich in antioxidants – having one of the highest ORAC values of any food.
Bananas – High in fibre, potassium and Tryptophan acids which can lead to an increased mood
Kale – The king of the veggie world – high ORAC rating, calcium, iron, vitamin A & C & K rich
Spinach – Very high in vitamin K (great for bone health), calcium and iron!
Coconut water – good amount of electrolytes, vitamin C, and B-complex vitamins!