Gift Box and Raw 'Eggnog':)

Today I would love to show you how easy it is to create a small gift box from a recycled greeting card. This box is pictured on the top right of the pic above. I made a few boxes today while enjoying that rich and creamy raw eggnog in the pic:)

This is the first of 3 boxes I will be showing you. This box style is courtesy of Mike Lieberman. Please click here for his instructions and video, which I am unable to watch:(

Since there is a chance someone else out there does not have high speed internet, I am posting step by step pics:)

Here is what's needed for this simple "green" project.

A greeting card, scissors and/or x-acto knife, ruler or straight edge, permanent double stick tape, a paper folder or butter knife, and a cutting board. Mike used a card he received, and I have some left over cards from a few years ago.

I have also used copied photos for this project in the past:) Out-dated calendars or plain cardstock work very well, too.

Step 1: Cut greeting card in half on fold line.

Step 2: Using the ruler as a guide, score a 1/2 inch to 1 inch border around all four sides of the front of the card, which will become the top of the box. I use a paper scoring/folding tool, but have also used the dull top side of a butter knife to score.

Step 3: Clip the box corner as shown, and fold away from the picture side on all score lines. Use folding tool or butter knife to make a sharp crease.

Step 4: Place a small square of tape on the(4) clipped flap corners as shown, on the picture side of the card.

Step 5: Fold 2 taped corners in and fold up end to make one end of the box lid.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 with other end of box lid.

Step 7: Trim 1/16th of an inch from length and width of the back of the card. This will be the bottom of the box, and you want it slightly smaller to fit inside the lid. Repeat all other steps as with lid:)

All done!!!


Thanks to Mike Lieberman for posting this idea! This was one day in Mikes incredible 365 Ways to go Green. Check it out for some great green ideas:)

And now, about the yummy raw eggnog (eggnot?) I enjoyed this morning:)

If you have been looking for a delicious and creamy raw holiday 'nog' recipe you may want to give this one a try.

The recipe is from the Executive Chef at Pure Food and Wine, Neal Harden. 

I reduced the recipe by half for 1 serving, and slightly adjusted the ingredients. It was rich, sweet and creamy...so good!

I hope it is OK to post my slightly adapted recipe for 1 serving of nog:)

Raw Holiday Nut Nog

1/2 cup soaked, rinsed almonds, I measured after soaking overnight
1/4 cup pine nuts, I did not soak these:)
1 huge:) pitted medjool date
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1-inch piece whole vanilla bean, pod and seeds
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
about 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground cinnamon
pinch of pink salt
1 cup fresh water, maybe a splash more if nog is too thick

Blend all ingredients until smooth, and strain through nut-milk bag. Serve warm or chilled. I enjoyed it warm today with a cinnamon stick and extra sprinkle of nutmeg:)

I was so happy to come across this wonderful raw 'eggnog' recipe!!! I never thought of using nutritional yeast in a nut milk before:) Thanks again to Sarma and Chef Neal Harden for sharing:)

Please note: I usually do not re post actual recipes from other people, however the links to the recipes have changed several times.  I will try to fix any broken links as I find them. Thank you to those of you who have contacted me about broken links!

NEAL’S HOLIDAY NOG

½ Cup Pine Nuts, soaked & rinsed

1  Cup Almonds, soaked & rinsed

1/8 Cup Agave

½ Vanilla Bean

½ Nutmeg Nut, grated

¼ tsp Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1 ¾ Cup Water

Pinch Himalyan Sea Salt

Combine all ingredients in Vitamix or High Speed Blender and blend until smooth.  Squeeze mixture through nutmilk bag, chill, and serve.

** Neal"s original recipe had a bit of nutritional yeast in it, but since the recipe moved, the nooch is MIA!

This recipe inspired a Raw Eggnog Cake! Check it out here!

More holiday recipes and ideas at Happy Raw Holidays!

Raw Cowboy Cookies

YeeeHaaa...the raw holiday cookie of the week is the awesome Cowboy Cookie. The recipe is adapted from this one on gone raw by 3crows. Thank you to 3 crows for the wonderful recipe!

Raw Cowboy Cookies

1 cup oat flour, made from ground oat groats, sprouted and dehydrated if desired.
1/2 cup cashew flour, made from ground cashews, soaked and dehydrated if desired.
1/4 cup dried shredded coconut
2 tablespoons melted cacao butter, measure after melting
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons yacon syrup, or date paste/syrup made from blended soaked dates
1 tablespoon agave
1/4 of a vanilla bean, seeds only or 1/2 tsp. extract
1/4 cup raw chocolate chips or chunks
1/4 cup chopped pecans, or other nut of choice
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch of salt

1. Combine oat flour, cashew flour, coconut, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.

2. Add melted oils, yacon, agave, and vanilla, and mix well.

3. Stir in chocolate and nuts. I reserve a little of each to press into top of cookies after shaping.

4. Shape into cookies, top with reserved nuts and chocolate if desired and chill.
I made one dozen two inch cookies from this recipe.

I had some chunks of my raw chocolate recipe that I used today, but if you have the time, pipe out some chips:)

The first time I made these cookies, I created a nutmilk to go with it . Here is the recipe:

Cinnamon Pecan Milk

a lovely milk, warm and spiced

Ingredients:
½ cup pecans, soaked if you like:)
12 ounce fresh water, warmed if it is cold out!
3 pitted medjool dates, soaked until soft
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation:
1. Place all ingredients in blender, and blend until creamy.

2. Strain through nut milk bag. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon if you like.

I may leave this combo out for Santa this year;)

Click here for more raw holiday recipes and ideas.

Halloween7

Every good creepy cookie deserves an equally frightening glass of milk to go with it!

Here is a gruesome, but delicious way to dress up your beverage of choice.

The Grim Rimmer


1/2 cup strawberries
3-4 medjool dates
2 tablespoons really red juice, like pomegranate or cherry, optional to deepen color
1 tablespoon coconut oil, softened

1. Combine all ingredients in bullet or blender until smooth.

2. Pour into squeeze bottle or carefully drip by spoon onto inside rim of glass as shown. I used a chocolate mold painting bottle with a #3 tip. Let set for a few minutes before filling with favorite drink. You can pre-decorate all glasses if you have a cool place to keep them before filling.

This would be good with any light colored fruity smoothie or nut milk.

This link will be added to my Healthy Raw Halloween Recipe post.

I used my cardamom flavored almond milk to compliment the flavors in the cookie:) This may be too strongly flavored for small children.

Warm Almond Milk

Servings:
makes 12 ounces

Ingredients:
¼ cup sprouted almonds
¼ cup whole brown sesame seeds, soaked a few hours, rinsed and drained
12 ounce (1 and 1/2 cups) fresh water, warmed to 100 degrees if desired
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom, more or less to taste
3 pitted medjool dates, soaked if not soft

Preparation:
1. Place all ingredients in bullet or blender.

2. Blend until creamy and white.

3. Strain through nut milk bag.

I made this milk last year after trying Roshi's badam ka halva, shown in the background of this picture. The pulp from this milk probably could be dehydrated to use in the Creature Finger cookies. Omit cardamom from cookie recipe if using this pulp:)

I would like to wish everyone in Canada a Happy Thanksgiving today!!!

Happy Columbus Day to all in the States:)