Everyday we have the power to make choices that are either good for us and the planet as a whole or bad for us and the planet. Usually we’re not even aware of the power our decisions hold and go we about making them on an unconscious level. We do things a certain way because that’s how we’ve always done them. The routine feels comfortable.
You go to the store, for example, and buy the conventional strawberries as opposed to the organic ones because they are cheaper. But, are they really cheaper? Let’s think about this: If you choose to consume produce that has been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides that are, indeed, absorbed into those fruits and vegetables-meaning you can’t wash those toxins off-, then what is the effect on you? Is something that kills insects, birds and weeds healthy for you to consume? Common sense tells us no, of course not. Independent science, meaning it wasn’t paid for by a major corporation looking for a specific result, tells us of course not, too. Two respected scientists, Dr. Stephanie Seneff of MIT and Anthony Samsel, have done the research and have proven that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Round-Up with which traditional produce is sprayed, causes disease in both humans and animals in the form of cancer and gastrointestinal problems due to our healthy gut bacteria being killed off by the glyphosate. So, is it worth it to save fifty cents or a dollar now only to waste time and money on future doctor visits because of health problems due to eating cheap toxic foods? No. This is where the old adage “pay now or pay later” truly makes sense. But, most people don’t seem to consider this.
We can take this one step further. By choosing organic produce and other foods we are helping the farmers and workers who pick the produce because if they are picking organic produce then they are not exposed to toxic pesticides and herbicides that we know cause disease. We already know that those who pick our food are terribly underpaid, and on top of that they are exposed to harmful chemicals. We can help out the people, in essence our brothers and sisters, who do this job that so many of us depend upon by choosing organic foods so that these hard-working people are not doused in toxic chemicals. So, if you’re not going to eat organic for yourself, at least think of the people who pick the food that you are eating. They don’t deserve to be exposed to toxic chemicals that cause disease. None of us do.
From there, think of the overall effect pesticides and herbicides have on the environment as a whole. Where does all the run-off from the toxic chemicals go when it rains? It goes into rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans, killing birds, fish and other wildlife. It seeps into our drinking water, too.
For further reading on how pesticides and herbicides are destroying our health and the health of the planet please check out https://www.organicconsumers.org. That site has mountains of well-researched health and environmental information available for free.
We must understand the power we have when we make decisions. If everyone said no to foods sprayed with toxins, then all of the food would be organic. When we speak with our wallets and buy organic, then businesses make changes to meet consumers’ needs. When we consciously do the right thing we create a positive karmic reaction for ourselves.
When I made the conscious choice to buy only organic as much as possible, to ditch processed foods and to support local farmers and businesses who operate with ethics, I regained my health and lost the weight I wanted to lose. When I stopped worrying that “organic cost more” I gained more money. We chase away money when we worry about it. It was like the Universe positively responded to me wanting to do the right thing for myself, my family, my community and the planet as a whole. The Universe always responds to our intentions. I learned that you can never go wrong when you do the right thing.
All of this relates to my vegan cheezcake because it is 100% organic. We’re not consuming toxins when eating it, and the people who picked the ingredients were not sprayed with toxins as a result of this food choice. Animals did not suffer because of this cheezcake, and this cheezcake is nutrient dense making it healthful for those who eat it.
The sweetness in the cheezcake comes from dates and real maple syrup. Both of these natural sweeteners contain minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, that we all need to function properly.
The sweetness in the glaze comes from sucanat which is dried cane sugar. It’s less processed than white sugar. The cheezcake is delicious without the glaze, and you can skip the glaze if you don’t want this type of sugar. You could also use honey in place of the sucanat.
My cheezcake recipe is a metaphor for life. What you put in is what you’ll get out. I make this cheezcake from organic, humane, health-promoting ingredients and love. As a result when I eat it I feel energized and healthy.
This cheezcake is easy to make and you can use your own creative touches when making it. You could add cacao powder to make it a chocolate cheesecake, for instance. You could make a blueberry, kiwi or peach glaze instead of strawberry. There is no baking required, only refrigeration. My recipe is a combination of recipes I’ve used over the years. I learned what worked and what didn’t for my taste. I didn’t want too much coconut oil flavor because that can be overwhelming, but I needed enough so the cake would be somewhat firm yet smooth and velvety like tradition cheesecake.
)You will need to soak the cashews over night for this recipe. So, begin by doing that. You will need either a 9" or 10” springform pan or pie dish, both work well. You will also need a food processor.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST
1 heaping cup pecans
6 medjool dates
½ tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
INGREDIENTS FOR THE CHEEZCAKE
2 cups raw cashews soaked overnight
½ cup maple syrup
½ teaspoon cinnamon
juice of 1 lemon
⅓ cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ teaspoon sea salt
INGREDIENTS FOR THE OPTIONAL STRAWBERRY GLAZE
1 cup chopped strawberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ cup sucanat
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CRUST
Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. The mixture should look crumbly. Once the mixture is done, press it into the bottom and part way up the sides of your springform pan or press it into the bottom and up the sides of your pie dish. Place into the refrigerator while you make the cheezcake
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHEEZCAKE
Be sure your cashews have soaked overnight. Drain and rinse them in a colander. Place them in the food processor.
Now add all of the other cheezcake ingredients and process until very smooth.
Spoon the mixture into the crust in your springform pan or pie dish. Smooth it out with the back of a spoon. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before you top with the glaze.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE OPTIONAL GLAZE
Place all ingredients in a small pot and heat over medium heat until the sucanat is melted. Stir continuously.
Pour the glaze over the cheezcake and then keep the cheezcake in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it. Store leftover cheezcake in the refrigerator.
This is amazing and so many great points that I try to always live by. Love the recipe too, Cheesecake is one of my weaknesses.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your reply. I know when we consciously try to do our best, we can't go wrong. I love cheesecake, too. I don't eat the tradition cheesecake anymore, but the vegan cheesecake makes me feel great! Thank you, again.
Delicious! :)
Thank you.
Upvoted / commented / subscribed 😁
The cheezcake looks amazing .. I've bought the Daiya version before and it works, but a far cry from what I'm looking at here .. will try one day
Thank you very much. I haven't tried the Daiya version, yet. They do look good. Thank you, again.
I totally agree with you! Actually i think the organic price is the real price, walmart or other stores made it cheap so we have the illusion of choice. My area/ city is full of strawberry farms along the 101 freeway! I will try to take a picture of farmers wearing white suits while spraying pesticides. Im very vocal about being an anti GMO as i always tell my friends that compare prices. How much does cancer worth nowadays? And as nurse i see how the pharmaceutical company give bonuses to a doctor or nurse that administers chemotherapy drugs, I always believe that "let food be thy medicine". Thanks for sharing @weq i will try your recipe, thanks for sharing
Wow! You just echoed all of my thoughts. If people only knew that doctors get a kick-back for prescribing chemo.... Thank you, again.
Oh yeah! Doctors and nurses get a special confidential contract about it i dont know whats on the contract but i interviewed some collegues about it. And its really a secret. Not only that i have been struggling on refusing vaccines for years and i found out that they also get a special incentives if they can vaccine all employees, its now mandatory for all healthcareworkers and children but im just a hard headed and stand by my principles. Hope i can discuss it soon. But im just careful at the same time to go in details.
I stand by my principles, too. I admire people who care enough to do the same. When my kids were babies I didn't understand the real agenda behind vaccines. As soon as I was enlightened, I stopped all vaccinations. Yes, it is true that doctors get a kick-back from the amount of vaccines they give. They have a quota that they must meet. Also, everyone should wonder why almost any store that they walk into is pushing the flu vaccine for free.
good philosophy and cake...
Thank you very much!
I will have to try this for my kids soon. They are strawberry monsters :D
Thank you. My picky 14-year old son likes it. The first time I made it I told him it was "regular" cheesecake because he won't even try something that is out of the ordinary. He tried it, liked it and then I told him is wasn't regular cheesecake. The strawberries are so delicious now! Thank you so much for your reply.
haha, you are so welcome!
My 4yr old is the same. I can just imagine 10yrs from now.. oh my maybe I don't want to know what that will be like :D
A few months back she decided to become a vegetarian because one of her classmates mother had just turned her whole household into vegetarians.. well to our amazement this little girl of ours totally understood what this commitment meant and she kept at it for more than a week!
Absolutely no meat, meat sauces, dips nothing!
Eventually I think she just couldn't hold off any longer as she is so fond of her chicken a la king.
That's a great story about your 4 year old. Have you read about Indigo, Star or Crystal children? The fact that your 4 year old daughter understood what vegetarianism meant and that she was born after 2011 probably means that she is one. It's a fascinating topic and really helps us to better understand our children.
No I haven't heard of it before @weq
Would you mind to share some info on here about it?
She is extremely intelligent for her age.
Here is one article http://in5d.com/rainbow-crystal-and-indigo-children/
Doreen Virtue has written about this topic, and I believe she has at least one book about it. Her website is http://www.angeltherapy.com/blog/indigo-crystal-and-rainbow-children It's a fascinating topic and I wish all parents would read about it and be receptive to it. Some of these children are labeled "ADHD" and then medicated just because they see the world differently and are more sensitive to their environment. My daughter could talk in sentences before she was 1. I knew she was an advanced soul. hope you find this information useful. There is a lot of info about the topic available.
Great instructions for the recipe!
We do need to switch to all organic.
Maybe plant some veggies and herbs in our yards or in clay pots.
Beautiful post!
Well done!
Upvoted! :)
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I agree with you. It seems like more and more people are planting gardens, and that is a great sign!