Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Cake with Fudge Avocado Frosting Recipe

I baked my first cake in decades today. It's gluten-free and vegan, and I substituted the flour with black beans and sweet potato. Then, substituted the egg with 3 ripe bananas. This cake turned out surprisingly moist and delicious, very much the same as any baked cake! It's frosted with my raw food avocado chocolate frosting. Baked goods don't get any healthier than this! Start with the frosting recipe first so you don't have to wash out the food processor between recipes. Fudge Avocado Frosting (from Ani's Raw Food Desserts, page 49) 1/3 cup pitted Medjool Dates 1/4 cup agave, or your favorite syrup 1/2 cup ripe avocado flesh 1/3 cup cacao powder Place all ingredients into your food processor with the S blade, and process smooth. Scoop into a bowl or container, and set aside. (Skip washing the processor, just use it as is for the cake batter recipe next). Now, prepare to bake your cake by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Black Bean Chocolate Cake 1/2 apple, diced 1/3 cup sweet potato, cooked, peeled (I used Japanese purple sweet potato, they are in season right now) 3 small ripe bananas 2 cups cooked and drained black beans, or one 15oz can, rinsed 1/2 cup cocoa powder, or cacao powder 1/4 cup coconut sugar, or your favorite sweetener, to taste 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 3 Tablespoons peanut butter (substitute almond butter if you prefer) Start by placing the apple into your food processor with the S blade, process into a puree. Then add the remaining ingredients, and process into a smooth batter. Scoop batter into a loaf pan (this is not enough batter for a bigger pan, though I made [...]

By |January 28th, 2016|Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, Desserts, Gluten Free, Protein, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Cake with Fudge Avocado Frosting Recipe

Watch the Video of Ani on The Dr. Oz Show

Ani Phyo - Juices to Benefit the Body The Dr Oz Show Syndicated National 11-10-15 2-3 PM 04_28 from Dr. Oz Show on Vimeo.   This segment aired on Tuesday November 10, 2015 on The Dr Oz Show where I was invited to talk-up the benefits of tart cherries, along with all fresh fruits and vegetables. All produce, especially when raw and unheated, provides us with powerful antioxidants to help slow the oxidation, rusting, and aging of our cells....keeping us feeling and looking younger, longer! In addition, antioxidants combat inflammation and pain, and help to combat illnesses like cancer and even Alzheimer's disease. It's easy to power up your defenses by enjoying more fruits and vegetables like cherries. They are delicious. My appearance inspired me to create my e-b00k Ani's Tart Cherry Recipes. You can also sign up for my newsletter to receive a free copy of my Ani's Tart Cherry Elixirs e-book too. Find out more about the beautiful necklace, earrings, and bracelet I'm wearing designed by Los Angeles' own Lisa Kim, metalmythologist. Visit her at her website: LisaKimFineJewelry.

By |November 10th, 2015|Beauty, Featured, Fitness, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, NEWS & EVENTS, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, PRESS, TV|Comments Off on Watch the Video of Ani on The Dr. Oz Show

Ani’s Raw Food Certification Level 1

My students made me this beautiful stack with marinated mushrooms and onion, sliced tomato, oregano and rosemary marinara, cashew cheeze, and fresh Italian herbs today at my Ani's Raw Food Certification Level 1. I love showing everyone that elegant food need not use many ingredients nor be complicated to make. Each recipe uses a couple ingredients, seriously! And, is really quick to create. The sophistication comes in the plating, presentation, and use of easy to make sauces. One of our students this weekend is a Le Cordon Bleu trained professional chef who's mind was blown by Raw Food's functionality, and fresh flavors! She said "I've been making my food way too complicated!". We all laughed. Get in my belly!!! Yumminess! Our final Level 1 for 2015 is September 19+20th. I'd love to spend the weekend eating the most delicious, nutritious, and inspiring food with you. xoxo https://www.aniphyo.com/certification/

By |August 15th, 2015|Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Beauty, Dressings & Salads, Farmers' Market, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Ani’s Raw Food Certification Level 1

Superfood Granola Recipe

I've been mixing up a yummy granola with walnuts, almonds, cacao nibs, vanilla bean, coconut, sprouted buckwheat groats, and goji berries. This morning I used it to top raspberries and blueberries with almond mylk for an antioxidant superfood blast. It tasted delicious. What other ingredient should I include in my mix?

By |July 22nd, 2015|Gluten Free, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Superfood Granola Recipe

Superfood Brownie Recipe

Superfood brownies are the perfect workout food fuel for my climb today. They can stay out of the fridge, and travel well. These brownies are my homemade energy / protein / superfood bar. The following recipe is from Ani's Raw Food Detox. 1 c walnuts 1/4 c cacao powder 1/3 c pitted dates pinch salt Process walnuts, cacao, salt. Then, add dates to bind together. I will sometimes roll the batter into balls, but this time I pressed it into a lined pan and sliced 'bars'. I topped with cacao nibs (for extra energy) and goji berries (for added vitamin C and antioxidants) too. Bon appetit!  

By |May 21st, 2015|Desserts, Fitness, Gluten Free, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Superfood Brownie Recipe

Thai Green Mango Salad

The freshest tropical salad recipe at Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand made with romaine lettuce, shredded green mango, toasted coconut, roasted cashews, and sliced red onion. I left out the pomelo, but that would be yummy to include too. Superfood, vegan, gluten free, and organic salad made with all local and seasonal ingredients that are great for detox and boosting overall wellness. Enjoy with a Thai baby coconut....Delicious!

By |April 2nd, 2015|Beauty, Dressings & Salads, Green Living, Health, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Thai Green Mango Salad

Thailand’s Herb Gardens

Loving the herb garden here at the Ritz Carlton's Reserve at Phulay Bay in beautiful Thailand at Krabi. They grow their own herbs, in addition to super spicy red Thai chilies. We've been using these super fresh herbs in my Raw Food Lifestyle Classes this week. It's paradise here with tons of tropical fresh fruits like tamarind, papaya, jackfruit, and longan. And delicious Thai baby coconuts and cashews too. I think this must be Heaven!  

Ritz-Carlton’s Reserve at Krabi, Thailand

I'm made it safely to Krabi, Thailand where I'm relaxing at the villa now that prep for our 5-day Raw Food Lifestyle Retreat is finished for today. Super excited to be teaching Raw Food Lifestyle classes Wednesday thru Sunday here at the Ritz-Carlton's Phulay Bay resort. I've crafted exclusive Thai-inspired Raw Food, vegan, superfood, gluten-free recipes using local Thai ingredients. Plus, we'll be talking about treading lightly on the Planet, natural beauty, fitness, healthy detox, nutrition, and ways to lower stress while increasing vitality and longevity. If you're in Krabi, please join me here Wednesday thru Sunday!  We're going have tons of FUN!!!!  

Mushroom Bulgogi Taco Recipe

I like to make my Mushroom Bulgogi with mushrooms, instead of beef. This is one of my favorite recipes, and perfect to wrap in a leaf or inside a thinly sliced daikon radish... like a taco!! ….Like in the photo above (courtesy of Vegetarian Times Magazine). In addition to this recipe tasting delicious, mushrooms are a super food that boost our immune system while helping us fight illness, disease, and even cancer. Check out the recipe in this month's June 2014 issue,  and on their website: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/mushroom-bulgogi-filled-daikon-wraps/   Enjoy it! xo

By |June 26th, 2014|Article, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, PRESS, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Mushroom Bulgogi Taco Recipe

Eat Your Sunblock

I do love the sun! Just 20 mins a day is enough to give us our recommended daily levels for Vitamin D. But, when I'm in the sun, I do make sure to cover up my face with a huge hat and sun glasses (to avoid those dark spots us Asians get…they are our 'wrinkles')….vanity! LOL. Beware of chemicals in most sunblock lotions. Instead, we can EAT our sunblock. Here are some raw, vegan, gluten-free super foods that are high in antioxidants to help destroy free radical damage from the sun:  Spinach, kale, broccoli, carrots (lutein) - Dr Salvador Gonsalez of Harvard University says “our data is the first of its kind to suggest that lutein may have the potential to act as a preventative agent against UVB-induced skin cancer. In addition, these data suggest that lutein protects the skin against damage caused by exposure to UVB light, further validating our position that lutein is a critical component to overall skin health.” A study in the International Journal of Cancer found that a serving a day of leafy greens reduces the recurrence of skin cancer tumors in patients by more than 50%! Green tea, black tea, cacao (polyphenols) Brazil nuts (selenium) Tomatoes (lycopene) Chia, flax, walnuts, algaes like chlorella and spiraling (omega 3s) So eat up, and get outside! Summers here, and there are many fun trails to hike…like this one in Joshua Tree National Park…my favorite place on Earth!  

By |May 29th, 2014|Beauty, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Super Foods, Superfood, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Eat Your Sunblock