Raw food used to scare me. Come to think of it, so did gluten-free/vegan baking. It just felt like this monolithic presence, impossible to conquer. In fact, it was more overwhelming just thinking about where and how to start that I could never get past the crippling fear.
I have come to find that, with most things in life, the thing I feared most about it began and ended only in my head/thoughts. Once I embarked upon this new incorporation of more raw foods it into my diet, I have found it to be so simple. Too simple, really. Why did I wait so long, really? I have been having so much fun trying out new recipes and ways to make Halloween healthier.
One of my favorite quotes reads: “Try? No! Do or do not. There is no try.” You know what this new-found knowledge makes me wanna do? It makes me want to write a list of all the things that I am afraid of and just start doing them. Because chances are, the fear lives and breeds in my mind only. And the only way I will ever know is to just do.
Pondering my musings while eating some fingers. Currently on my third, mmmmmm….
Raw Witches’ Fingers Recipe
{Raw Vegan} Gluten, egg, dairy and refined sugar-free
Makes 8 fingers
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 dates, chopped with pits removed + 1 Tb water
- 1/3 c. raw walnuts
- 1/3 c. raw almonds
- 1/3 c. raw cashews
- 1 Tb raw cacao powder
- 4 raw almonds, sliced in half
DIRECTIONS:
- In a food processor, blend dates and water until a rough paste is formed.
- Add nuts and cacao. Blend until a dough forms.
- Using 1 Tb of dough, form into finger shapes with hands.
- Place almond slice at the tip for fingernail.
- Chill for 15 minutes or devour immediately.
Heather
ahhhh so freaky – they gave me the shivers, those fingernails OMG so cool! I agree I seem to breed fear in my own mind, once I just “get over it” and just try it once I realize that it wasn’t a big deal, actually fun!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Girl, you must have creativity just oozing out of you, these are insanely cool! I would gladly attend any Halloween party hosted by you and gladly spend the evening by the food table! Well of course I would take breaks for scintillating conversation with you 😉 But that food wouldn’t stand a chance!
Cara
We should have a virtual Halloween party!
Somer
Those are positively spookilicious. I love the added graphic of bloody goo on the top photo!
Cara
Graphics, what? No way, those fingers were bloody 🙂 hehehe
DSTPRL
Reblogged this on Femme Fitale Fit Club Blog.
DSTPRL
These look delicious can not wait to try.
Cara
They really ARE super tasty too! There is something about raw cacao that I love and it adds this richness to the fingers that make them delicious! 🙂
Jan
mmmmmmmmmmm! they seem like Larabars. Carabars!!!!!
Cara
Carabars!!! Clever Jan, you are my branding manager 🙂
Erin Koza
What can i use in place of nuts? my son has a peanut allergy and we have been advised to stay away from all nuts.
Cara
Hmmmmm, this is tricky because the nuts are vital in this recipe. Maybe you could try rolled oats? That could possibly work. Or what about sunflower seeds? Do these sounds like possiblities for you and your son?
Erin Koza
I will try sunflower seeds as he is also allergic to oats. Maybe pumpkin seeds?
Cara
Definitely try the sunflower seeds! I’m not sure about pumpkin seeds though since they have such a tough exterior shell, but you could definitely try it! And let me know what you think 🙂
Michelle @ Michelle's tiny kitchen
These look amazing! I love that Yoda quote too, and thanks to you I am discovering how easy raw food can be. I think going vegan really changed my mindset towards all things I was afraid of; it’s amazing how much we can get in our own way. Thanks for sharing!
Cara
Michelle, you are so right! It’s funny how when we enter into what seems like a restricting diet, we realize that it’s actually freeing and opens you up to more and more foods that you never thought to incorporate. So glad to hear that you are falling in love with raw foods like I am! xo, Cara
Laurel
They look like zombie witches fingers, fresh from the grave. This is a spookier side of Master Yoda than I’ve seen before. You and he even share the same poisonous color. Hmm….
Cara
Laurel, how did you know that they were fresh from the grave? Did you see me?
Richa
these are so very creepy:) and that blood.. why isnt it halloween already:)
Cara
Only 19 more days, but who’s counting?
Abby
Fun! It’s like Larabar fingers, which means the possibilities for variations are endless. So very creative, my friend 🙂
Cara
I found them even better than Larabars too, which makes me think that I should probably always just make them instead of buying them at the store.
GiGi
Wait a minute the directions say form into finger shapes with hands. Okay I’m confused. Did I ever tell you I l cut half my thumb in a slicing machine, thought it was the appropriate time.
These are delightfully gross looking. I would eat them.
Cara
You should have sent me your missing finger–it would have been a rather appropriate prop for this recipe 🙂
Amanda
I am taking a raw foods class from a local raw food restaurant tonight. Raw food can be scary, but I found that once I tried making it….it wasn’t so bad. Less time in the kitchen b/c there isn’t cooking! Your witches fingers are totally creepy! I love them. They are like warty fingers. he he he!
Cara
WHAT??!!! I wish I could have gone with you!! How was the class???
dawnrsimpson
You’re creepy! And, yes, you should take that as a compliment. I’m glad you are overcoming you’re fear. That’s an encouragement to the rest of us.
Cara
No one has ever said anything nicer, Dawn! 🙂
Dawn
However, perhaps they said it correctly: *your* fear. Darn autocorrect on the phone.
Brooke (Crackers on the Couch)
You just haaaaad to go there with the blood drips, din’cha? *hurk!* On the other hand (finger?), these look yummy. Kinda like Lara Bars gone Halloween. Awesome.
Cara
Come on now, would you have expected anything differently? 😉
Vanesa
Great recipe !!, which food processor would you recomend ?, I am interested in nut butters as well, thanks for your opinion !!, food processors are quite expensive so I am looking for some expertise voice !! 😉