I was listening to a Focus Class tonight by Andrea Beaman.  She was very inspiring,  enthusiastic and very motivational.  She closed her talk with the statement, " Just get in the kitchen!  You are worth it."  I thought I would pass the encouragement along.  
 
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Here are  two wonderful chocolate mousse recipes.  The first, is made from all raw ingredients in order to preserve more nutrient value and the healthy food enzymes. The second recipe uses more common ingredients that you might find in your local grocery store so it may be easier  to make.  Either way, you will enjoy both of these recipes.  
Chocolate Mousse  (Raw)

1  avocado
1 banana, very ripe, frozen
6 T raw cocoa nibs 
2 T raw  honey
1 T virgin coconut oil
2 T cashew nuts
1/8 teaspoon vanilla bean
light srpinkle of Himalayan sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/3 cup  milk of choice (coconut, almond, etc.)
Nuts for garnish

Place all the ingredients, except the milk,  in the blender and blend until very creamy.  If you are using a Vita-Mix, use the stopper to move the ingredients around so that they become well blended.  The mousse may be stiff at the beggining until the banana and avocado get mixed in.    Slowly add the coconut milk to desired consistency. Blend for several minutes to make sure the nibs have time to get smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey if desired. The mousse will firm up in the refrigerator, but of course may be eaten right away as well.  Makes 2 large servings or 4  regular sized servings. 

This Chocolate Mousse (Raw)  has the advantage of fresh whole ingredients which makes for a healthy decadent dessert and is something special that you wont need to feel guilty by indulging.  The mousse will not taste as sickly sweet as the store bought pudding, and it also will not leave you with the  super sugar load that other desserts tend to do.  
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Chocolate Mousse II

1 banana, ripe and frozen
1 avocado
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon honey
1/4 cup coconut milk (canned)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon gf vanilla
Granola for ganish


Place all the ingredients, except the milk,  in the blender and blend until very creamy.  If you are using a Vita-Mix, use the stopper to move the ingredients around so that they become well blended.  The mousse may be stiff at the beggining until the banana and avocado get mixed in.    Slowly add the canned coconut milk (I use  Aroy-D if I can find it locally)  to desired consistency.  Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more  honey if desired.    The mousse will firm up in the refrigerator, but of course it may be eaten right away as well.   Makes 2 large servings or 4  regular sized servings.  Enjoy fully!

Note:  I prefer using the canned coconut milk that does not have any other ingredients  except coconut milk and water which is not always possible to find.  Often, the canned milk will have a preservative in it which I try to avoid.   The two brands that contain only coconut and water are Aroy-D ( Asian Grocery store) and Golden Star (from Wal-Mart).  

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Chocolate Mousse with Granola Garnish
 
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Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Doug, Happy Birthday to you!
     My husband, Doug, celebrated his birthday earlier this month.  He usually enjoys brownies or carrot cake to celebrate his special day, but this year he decided to change it up a bit and asked for watermelon for his birthday!   What!?  No cake?  We have done many creative things for birthday cake, but never just simple, delicious watermelon.  Since this is a busy season for me and watermelon is something everyone in the family can enjoy together, I gladly went along with the idea.  (I usually have to make 2 or 3 different desserts for birthdays to work around everyone's food allergies.)

     So we had watermelon for our birthday cake!  I just sliced a nice, juicy ripe watermelon (with seeds since it is usually sweeter), put candles on it and that was his cake.  It is very simple, easy, economical, healthy, refreshing, and a brilliant idea!  Leave me a comment and tell me if your family would appreciate a slice of watermelon or another kind of fresh fruit for their birthday instead of the traditional cake.
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The candles with the flickering flames were enthralling.
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Watermelon Birthday Cake!