February 09 Cafe Update

A great evening was had by all at our February Natural Way Cafe! Our monthly theme was breakfast so breakfast we did enjoy.

Our goal was to gather as many ideas for incorporating 1 fruit meal a day (and some tasty alternatives that work as treats).

As with all our events we began w/a "Raw Before Cooked" item (which gave us the leeway to enjoy & more easily digest a cooked meal). Here is a list of items enjoyed and suggestions to enjoy

-Cut up Apples (fruit) dipped in Cashew Cream dip
-Bowl of seasonal fruit topped w/Cashews or Cashew Cream
-Brown Rice Cereal served w/Banana Milk
-Natural Way Yogurt (seasonal fruit)
-Smoothie Popsicles
-Berries & Cream or
-Berries & Cashew Cream (get your protein)
-Smoothies

Optional Breakfast Items
-Vegan & Gluten Free French Toast topped w/maple syrup or fruit syrup or fresh fruit
-Breakfast Quinoa
-Tofu Scramble
-Buckwheat Pancakes
-Gluten free (& Vegan optional)Banana Bread (blueberry, cranberry, pumpkin...)
-Gluten free (& Vegan optional) Muffins
-Home Style Potatoes

Trying to Avoid Caffeine?

Coffee/Tea Substitutes
-Teeccino (some people cut it w/half coffee - weaning process)
-Roma - Barley Coffee
-Fresh Ginger in hot water
-Fresh Mint leaves in hot water
-Fresh Berries in hot water

Recipes for some of our items enjoyed!

Breakfast Quinoa (Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Cooking, pg27, O'Brien)
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 cup water
1/2 cup oats or quinoa flakes
1/2 cup chopped peaches
2 tablespoons blackstrap molases or agave nectar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/4 cup chopped dates, raisins, or currants

Place the quinoa in a saucepan w/the water & bring to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until done, about 10 minutes. Add the oats or quinoa flakes, peaches, molasses, chopped nuts, and chopped dates, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Serve hot.

French Toast Sticks (see November 1, 2008 post)

Banana Milk
1 banana
Water (start off with a 1/2 cup)
optional 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract or 1/2 Vanilla Bean

Place all ingredients in the blender. Add water as needed for desired consistency.


Natural Way Yogurt
1 can of coconut milk
1 cup fresh fruit
Agave Nectar (add till desired sweetness)

Place all ingredients in the blender until smooth. Chill the mix in the refrigerator for about 2-3 hours before serving.


Cashew Cream Topping (Mary-Ann's Recipe Book 1, pg 26, Shearer)
1 cup cashew nuts
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp raw honey
pinch of nutmeg

Grind the cashew nuts to a fine powder in a food processor/blender. Transfer to a bowl & add the rest of the ingredients. Use as a dip for acid fruit or dilute w/filtered water to make a shake & drink slowly.

Natural Way Cafes are held on the last Saturday of every month at 5:30pm.