Date Syrup Recipe -- for Challenge

[Happy Herbivore]

Natala (veganhope) shared this recipe with me; I think it would be a
great substitute for syrups during the challenge.

Soaking raisins or prunes in water, makes the water very sweet -- this
is great for cooking liquid (makes oatmeal and rice sweeter naturally)
and to add to drinks that need sweetening, like tea.

1 cup date sugar (or 2 cups pitted dates)
2 cups water or more
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
Date sugar may be purchased or made by drying 36 dates and chopping
them in the blender.
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently for 1 hour.
Cool to room temperature, put in a blender and blend until smooth.
Store in refrigerator; heat slightly before using on anything you are
serving hot.

[Danielle Jo Bays]

Wouldn’t vanilla extract be considered processed? Unless you are extracting it yourself?

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[Happy Herbivore]

You are right, vanilla extract is processed... it's such a minimal amount that I don't see a problem with it, but I'm sure it can also be totally omitted and the syrup would still be palatable if you prefer.

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[Danielle Jo Bays]

Oh, I’m not purist here, but if I allow myself too many exemptions, I’ll convince myself that daiya cheese is acceptable. J All that talk of pizza yesterday made me hungry.

 

This is really a great exploration into how food is produced and things one normally doesn’t think of as processed, like olive oil. I’m looking forward to it.

 

Danielle

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[Happy Herbivore]

tell me about it! I had vegan pizza last night ! 

[*~*Gymmie*~*]

Agree Danielle. We don't want to be too purist but still can look at what we are using and seeing what we can look at changing/omitting.

Lindsay didn't say NOTHING processed she said just use in minimal amounts *if* necessary. Which is why Lindsay posted a billion times if you need something to make it palatable to use it to make it in as small amounts as possible if it's something you can't make yourself. And even in her suggested shopping list she even listed some processed items but to use as minimally as possible. Someone might have to have their tofu scramble or some toast with their oatmeal one morning. So while she's said it's OK infrequently the idea is to not have it every day.

As Lindsay's said it's not to make it IMPOSSIBLE but make it as successful for us. While some of us may go raw from the goal isn't to eat purely raw but to follow essentially that idea. Eating and using food as close to it's look in nature as possible.

If we need a shake or two of salt for a dish or a spoon of sugar for our oatmeal we haven't "failed". We'll all be as successful as we can in our own ways.

I hope that as we do this and post that we won't have "purity police" out there. That people won't fear being scorned for mentioning using mustard or sugar in a dish so they could eat it as they post what they ate or any creations they made.

Gymmie in Texas

I will be the Biggest Loser!

Weight Loss Blog: www.gymmiesgettingfit.com
Noms: www.vegangymmie.com
Twitter: twitter.com/vegangymmie
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Exercise is the rent I pay for a healthy body. The higher the rent, the better the "house" I live in. I really like living in the "high rent district" and I bet if you just take yourself in hand and tell yourself you are going to do it and like it (or else), you'll end up loving the benefits so much that eventually you couldn't imagine not working out.

I've spent enough time in the ghetto...I wanna live out the rest of my days on Park Place!

[Happy Herbivore]

I think it's important that we all try our best and support each other, even if some of us follow it a bit stricter than others. We're all coming from different places, but in this together. 

Some participants are trying vegan or vegetarian for the very first time while some others are long-time vegan raw foodists. It may be a mild dietary change for one person but a drastic change for someone else. I hope that this group remains a place of support, understanding, guidance and acceptance. 

I am thankful for anyone who is participating in this challenge with me. Know that YOU have my support 110%. If you fall off the horse one day or one meal -- you have not failed in my eyes. If you only make it one day, remember that 1 day of whole foods is still much better than none. I am doing this challenge to enrich my life and prove that eating a diet of unprocessed foods is easy -- and I'm glad you're all here with me. I will no doubt have my less-than-perfect moments; days that are not as great as the day before... but even in knowing that, I still strive for excellence. I hope you do too. :)

-Lindsay

[*~*Gymmie*~*]

Agreed! :)

Gymmie in Texas

I will be the Biggest Loser!

Weight Loss Blog: www.gymmiesgettingfit.com
Noms: www.vegangymmie.com
Twitter: twitter.com/vegangymmie
Myspace: www.myspace.com/nascartaebogymmie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vegangymmie

Exercise is the rent I pay for a healthy body. The higher the rent, the better the "house" I live in. I really like living in the "high rent district" and I bet if you just take yourself in hand and tell yourself you are going to do it and like it (or else), you'll end up loving the benefits so much that eventually you couldn't imagine not working out.

I've spent enough time in the ghetto...I wanna live out the rest of my days on Park Place!

[KiKi]

Hi,

would ground vanilla beans be a good and natural ingredient? or too
processed too?
then the scraped insides of a vanilla bean?

[Happy Herbivore]

thats fine

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