Day four of the 5 Day Vegan challenge. Four days with no meat, no dairy, no sugar and no gluten-containing goodies. I was afraid you might start hating me; resenting me for putting you through this as the momentum may be wearing thin. Seems by Friday, a lot of people lose their healthy eating motivation. For this reason I think diets with ‘cheat days’ are just lame. The chocolate chip won’t leave your shoulder until you stop dusting it off and putting it back there come Friday and then bemoan its’ effects the remainder of the week.
So just to seal the deal that I do truly have your best interests at heart, I wanted to offer you a little sweetness to keep you on track as you head in to the weekend. I thought I might be able to woo you with a girls’ two bestest friends: chocolate and ice cream. Then I thought I would roll these into one with chocolate ice cream cake.
Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, corn-free, soy-free, grain-free, ice-cream-maker-free Vegan Ice Cream Cake! Now please contain that love you are pouring all over me- I might get too used to it.
This was an experiment that turned out wonderfully well and the full house of attendees at Sunday’s Healthy Meal Prep Workshop got to taste the rewards of these efforts. Not a crumb/drip was left.
These recipes are nothing new. You’ve seen them here before.
Crust: Go here.
Ice-Cream: Go here.
You can easily vary this ice cream recipe by adding different fruits, maple syrup and raisins, mint essential oil and/or chocolate chips- any other ideas?
Using the chocolate truffle recipe, simply pack the mix down into an appropriate dish. Pour in the Coconut Milk Ice cream (subbing agave for honey if you are going hardcore vegan), and put it in your freezer with a giant ‘Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Should anyone open the freezer, this dessert is likely to disappear lickity split!
Word to the wise- you might want to transfer from the freezer to the fridge about 20 minutes before serving just so the ice cream can soften a bit.
Who could hate you??
This may be on my weekend agenda…
Hooooly dessert goodness there – yum!
Happy Friday!!
Every loving word is true. This was an awesome dessert. I never would have believed it had I not tasted it at Sunday’s workshop.
And about hating you? I have too much good energy this week to hate just about anyone! It’s been a great week. Thank you!
Ok, this makes me love you even more.
I managed to find a pre-made vegan/gluten-free dessert yesterday (at Second Cup of all places!) and only felt guilty for a minute
Sweets from the Earth seems to be following me around Toronto… I had their chocolate chewy nut bar, and it made me realize that vegan/gluten-free desserts can be AMAZING.
Yup, I will need to try this out this weekend!
The coconut ice cream looks incredible! I can’t believe I hadn’t seen that recipe before!
Would rum work in place of the vodka in the recipe? I know the flavour would be stronger, but the prospect of pina colada ice cream is awfully tempting!
Oh Meghan,
I’ve only just “met” you and already I love you! Like Loren said, it has been an amazing 5 Days Vegan energy week. I just officially noticed my extra oomph of energy yesterday when I got home from work and instead of walking my dogs I just had to run my dogs! I’m not a runner but walking felt too slow for my energy level. It made me laugh.
I could go on and on with the revelations and inspiration I’ve had this week. I’ve actually tried a vegan diet for three weeks last year but incorporated a lot more stuff out of cans, etc. because I didn’t know better and didn’t have all your amazing recipes. This whole foods thing is definitely the way to go and I found out I can cook after all – big surprise! The 5 Days Vegan tutorial is the best $12 I’ve spent in a long time. Even though I was familiar with much of what you mentioned in the beginning of the tutorial being an avid reader of Michael Pollan and John Robbins, the meal plan, recipes, and prep schedule were invaluable to my non-cooking self.
Can I send you an e-mail regarding my thoughts on how I’m thinking about proceeding with my Smoothie Cleanse? I don’t think all your blog readers want to read me babble!
Vegan ice cream cake …. mmmmm!
Jackie
a.k.a. snoutbeagle on Twitter
I am quoting you on this: I think diets with ‘cheat days’ are just lame. The chocolate chip won’t leave your shoulder until you stop dusting it off and putting it back there come Friday and then bemoan its’ effects the remainder of the week.
That is so bang-on! Thanks!
Can I ask what you used to substitute for the honey in yours? I try to stay away from agave. I think I’d sub dates in.
I think we both know that I have discovered that diet with cheat days are just about as bad as just eating horribly all the time. Cheat days are days that you cheat yourself.
Yum…Ice Cream cake…that will go into the book of things I need to make when I am back to health.
I could never hate you
I’m enjoying this, but it happens to fall on a tough week — my husband has been out of town and my kitchen sink is out of commission (which means I’m a wee more stressed and don’t sleep as much). So, I can’t say I have tons of energy… BUT, I will say, things are moving (poo) several times a day!! My kids too!!! They have noticed — we talked at breakfast this morning how many times they went poop yesterday. Now what kind of family does that?? Ha ha! Thought you would get a kick out of it.
I’m reading Dr. Jensen’s Guide to Better Bowel Care, so I’m really into this stuff
Hi Meghan,
I made the chocolate truffles this evening and ate about 1/6 of the mix in the process… but I did manage to use the rest for the said truffles and put them in the freezer as recommended. Just snuck one (my “do not disturb” note didn’t work on myself) and DeAH LaWD they are even more fantastic straight out of the freezer!!!
Thank you so much for all your amazing recipes in the 5 day challenge, and on your site. I’m not known to be the most culinarily-inclined, so I’ve documented every endeavor this week with photos so I can send proof to the fam
Thank you!
Cara
Thank you!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. After trying it at the Sunday Workshop I was in love!!
I always try to eat well with primarily whole foods because I feel better for it – mind and body! After moving back to Toronto in late August I found myself feeling unorganized in the kitchen and in need of a jumpstart and your workshop did the trick.
Happy day,
sham
Hey Meghan! I loved your ice cream recipe – I want to make it next time with a twist. If I wanted to add a peppermint flavor what type of essential oil is safe to consume? I’ve tried Some of the peppermint oil specifically for baking and the flavor isn’t very strong. Do u know of a particular brand that is good?
Thanks!!!
Sarah
Loren- that is amazing… hopefully it is contagious to everyone around you too! High vibes work that way.
There are two people I know of
Sweet’s From My Earth Carrot Cake is my all time favourite! Despite the crazy amounts of wheat, soy and sugar… still so good. On my 28th birthday I had three pieces! Was the first time in five years I had been healthy enough to eat cake.
Yes! Amazing idea (not that I can really promote alcohol here)
This just made my day Jackie!
I don’t think the dates would work- you want something liquidy and smooth- could always try maple syrup, stevia and/or rice syrup.
Dr. Jensen’s Book changed my life when I was sick- I diagnosed myself with that book! And I love hat your family talked poop. Love it!