What’s Better Than Chocolate Cake?

Recently, one of my Natural Foods Training students shared with me that every year on her birthday, she enjoys a delicious, rich chocolate birthday cake from one of her favorite local bakeries.  However, this year was different.  Instead of ordering the chocolate cake, she asked her partner to make her the Raw Banana Crème Pie that she had learned to make in my Natural Foods Training.

Isn’t that amazing?

The fact that she chose something healthy is not the amazing part.  We all have times when we eat ‘healthy’ but the healthy choice is made from a sense of deprivation (“I don’t deserve chocolate cake”) and a lack of self-trust (“If you let yourself have one slice, you’ll eat the whole thing!”).

What was exciting was that she really wanted the healthier pie more than the cake – really wanted it because she loves the way it tastes and the way it makes her feel after she eats it.

Amen to that!

When healthy food becomes more appealing than less healthy foods, your relationship with food starts to shift.  You can lose weight and keep it off without dieting.  You can maintain your weight without obsession.  You can have more energy and vitality without losing any of your love of food. You can start to make healthier choices with more ease and grace, and instead of deprivation and struggle there is peace – and pie!

Below is the recipe that she requested.  I hope you enjoy it as much as she did, and who knows, you might be asking for it yourself on your next birthday!

Banana Crème Pie

I adapted this from a recipe I found on rawmazing.com.  It is DELICIOUS!

Crust:

1 cup macadamia nuts

1 cup Brazil nuts

1/2 cup pitted dates

pinch salt

1/4 cup dried coconut

Pulse macadamia and Brazil nuts, dates and a pinch of salt in food processor to a sticky crumb-like consistency. Sprinkle dried coconut on bottom of 8-inch springform pie pan and press the nut mixture onto coconut to make crust.

Filling:

2 cups cashews, soaked overnight, then drained

1 cup young coconut meat (you can find this in the freezer section of your natural food store)

¼ cup water

2 Tablespoons coconut oil, warmed lightly to melt

1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice

¼ cup brown rice syrup, maple syrup or honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 bananas, sliced

In the bowl of a food processor, process cashews, coconut meat and water together until well mixed, stopping to scrape the sides as needed.  Add melted coconut oil and process until blended.  Add lemon juice, sweetener, vanilla and one-third of the sliced bananas and blend and taste.  Add more sweetener or lemon if desired.

Arrange half of the remaining sliced bananas in crust.  Spread cashew/coconut mixture over the bananas and top with remaining banana slices.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm.  Enjoy!

Enjoy and until next time, Eat Well, Be Well and LOVE Every Bite!

~Chef Jenny

Hungry for more?

​Enter your email below to get my free updates & recipes and I will send you a free online cooking class showing you 'Three Ways to Make Vegetables Taste More Delicious!"