Berry Parfait

My birthday always comes out of nowhere.  Nestled in between the slow, quiet months of July and August, I'm always caught a bit off guard.  I can't believe it's my birthday!  It's always a simple occasion, as I don't like to make a big fuss over turning another year older.  It's starting to get a bit depressing, actually.  Mostly, it's an excuse to visit my favorite restaurant with my family and husband, and enjoy its hearty, healthy vegan fare spend a lovely evening with my mom and dad, eating a quiet meal at our regular dinner spot, opening their presents, and taking a long walk with my mom and their dog, while my brother is at work and Dayv is home in bed with a stomach virus.

Although I'm not one to indulge in desserts of any kind ever, I wanted to make myself something worthy of a birthday treat.  I quickly remembered the somewhat pathetic fact that I have never in my life eaten a parfait.  They always look so delicious, yet a couple things have always held me back from trying one.  Number one- granola is often filled with sugar and fat.  Number two- vegan yogurt is often high in sugar and filled with lots of unnecessary ingredients.  (I don't know if you know this, but the only sugar I ever consume is the natural sugars from fruit.)  I set out to make my own granola and "yogurt", making this one of the most healthy parfaits you could ever eat.  There is no sugar in either the granola or the yogurt.  There is no added fat.  It is solely made of nuts, whole grains, and fruit.

I honestly could not believe how delicious this parfait tasted.  It's not too sweet, but sweet enough, and has a deep, warming flavor from the toasted granola.  It made me want to smack myself for never making one before.  It is the perfect birthday treat, and one I will continue to enjoy in the upcoming days and months.

Here's to my upcoming year.  One which I hope is filled with lots of growth and good things.  Yes, lots of good things.

Berry Parfait
serves one
granola:
1 tbsp walnut pieces
1 tbsp steel cut oats
1 tbsp oats
1 tsp coconut

cashew "yogurt"
1/4 c cashews, soaked overnight in purified water
1 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

fresh berries
cinnamon

Preheat oven to 300.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  When oven is preheated, place walnuts and both type of oats on prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes.  After ten minutes, gently stir the ingredients and add coconut.  After the time is up, remove from oven and allow to cool.

Place cashews in food processor.  Process until finely chopped and then add lemon juice.  Process again for a few minutes.  Lastly, add almond milk and vanilla extract and process again until a smooth consistency is reached.

To assemble: layer first with fresh berries, followed by the cashew yogurt, and topped with granola.  Add a dash of cinnamon.  Enjoy!