Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather

Fruit leather has been on my "to make" list since I got a dehydrator a few years ago. Admittedly, at first, I wasn't sure what the weird flat trays were for that came with the dehydrator. I ended up tossing them in the dark hole that was the back of the pantry and when we moved, I found them cracked and just threw them away. That was that. Until now.

When Todd and I go backpacking, we always buy fruit leather. It's nice to have something sweet, healthy, and satisfying but apples and berries definitely don't travel well. That's where the fruit leather comes in! The store-bought stuff is expensive and when you make it yourself it's really reassuring to actually see exactly what's in it. 

Making the leather couldn't be easier (as long as you've got some time to kill) and it's a great way to use up those apples that were shoved in the back of the fridge and essentially forsaken. Yes, I did cut many brown spots off of the organic honeycrisp apples that I payed for with my left arm. I wasn't about to waste those puppies!

Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
— St. Francis de Sales

When making these scrumptious fruit leathers...you can't be in a hurry. They're so undemanding, yet utterly swish, and definitely worth the wait. Aren't they delightful all wrapped up?

Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
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Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather
by September-4-2014
Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too! Notes: Feel free to use whatever dried berries or raisins you like.
Ingredients
  • 4 medium very ripe apples, cored and chopped
  • 2 cups sliced rhubarb (about 4-6 stems)
  • ½ cup dried blueberries
  • 1 Tbsp. molasses
  • 1 tsp. alma powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp. lime or lemon juice
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until very smooth. If you don't have a vitamix with a tamper tool, then you may have to pause it several times to push down the fruit.Coat two fruit leather/liquid trays of the dehydrator with a nonstick cooking spray. Pour about 2 cups (half the mixture) onto one of the trays and smooth over. Repeat with the second tray.Place the liquid trays at the highest slots and dehydrate at about 140 F for about 6-10 hours.The center should be slightly soft but definitely dry. The leather should be pliable and not crack too much. Store in an airtight container with parchment in between the leather strips. For long storage, put in the freezer.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 16
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!

Bob is ridiculously dapper, don't you think?

German Word of The Day

Fruit leather --> Obstleder (oobst-laydeh) - Okay, so I kind of made that one up. Any German speakers around? Did I make a real word!? What do you call fruit leather? Obst = fruit/Leder = leather

Good Deed of The Day

Are you near Santa Monica? If so, you must go to the first ever vegan Oktoberfest in my place since I won't be able to attend. Maybe email me with names of all the awesome vegan beers you loved? Check out the deets, here, so I can live vicariously through you and your vegan privileges. 

Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk + Alaskan Ski Train Photos

Okay, so I know you're all wondering how The Ski Train that Todd and I went on this weekend was. I'll give synopsis.  It’s was an all-day train party ride (like a legit, real life train) that went over 130 miles one way from Anchorage (we boarded in Wasilla), past Talkeetna to Curry where it stopped and let a bunch of cool cats like myself out to ski to our hearts content, which coincidentally was about four hours. On the way up we played Apples to Apples and ate a questionably large amount of Twizzlers and Pringles. We skied and played about, took a break to eat homemade vegan breakfast burritos, then piled back on, ate a bunch of food, drank a few adult beverages (some people more than others), and enjoyed the scenery on the way back home.

Check Produce On Parade's Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram to see some of the trip photos and a video of some Alaskan scenery. Also, there might be a video of Todd doing shotski. 

Here's a taste...

Highlights of the trip were:

  • The lady in the seat across from us dislocated her shoulder and exited the train in Talkeetna to seek medical care.
  • One of my coworkers was one of two people who were "confirmed missing". If you aren't on board at the appropriate time your ass gets left behind. Fo' real. A couple rescue team members stay behind with a tent and some food. Then, you pay one hefty fine for the train to come get you the next day. We were told the fee starts at $500...with an unknown limit. Yikes! 
  • Someone was lifeflighted. Seriously. A helicopter came and hovered right over the train all Black Hawk Down style, then landed beside the train and someone on a stretcher was boarded. Rumor has it this person broke their femur. Strongest bone in your body. I would know. Radiology and all. Bones are kinda my thing. And breasts. I can say that because I'm a Mammographer. 
  • There was a police car there too! In the middle of nowhere, because of the lifeflight thing I'm assuming. Apparently they can drive on the railroad tracks with this adjustment rail thing...omg, I had no idea. Did you know that?!

Anyways, it was a lot of fun and my first proper train ride. There were a few party cars (think passed out people in spandex), some quiet cars (I kind of wish we were on one of those) and a few middle-of-the-road cars, which we were in. If you really like being around people and that whole vibe, then I think the ski train would be outta this world amazing. I like most people in this world pretty much out of sight, hence, the blogging (it's kinda how I socialize, cue laughter). So, it was a little overwhelming for an anti-social, awkward, hermit grouch such as myself. I wish I wasn't that way, but I am. I just function better solo, or near solo.  

Honestly, I'd rather bring a picnic and ski out in the woods with just my pups, Todd and a few friends. However, I'm totally glad I did the ski train because it was a pretty incredible experience. See some trip photos at the end of the post! 

On Sunday after Todd and I recouped from our trip, I made him some delicious strawberry vanilla cashew milk. 

Produce On Parade - Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk

Creamy and delicious with absolutely no processed ingredients, you'll only find whole foods in this milk. No added sugar either! This beverage is sweetened only with dates and strawberries. What I really like about cashews is that you can just throw 'em in the blender and since they're so creamy, there's no need to strain them as you would with almonds or shredded coconut. I do this a lot for smoothies. I think it's better than using a storebought dairy-free milk and it's so quick and easy!

Produce On Parade - Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk

Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk

Serves 1 

Note: If you don't have a high speed blender like a Vitamix, I would suggest soaking the cashews for a few hours. 

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries (about 6 large), halved
  • 1/4 cup cashews
  • 2 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

In a blender combine all ingredients and blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Produce On Parade - Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk Produce On Parade - Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk

Serve cold.

Produce On Parade - Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk Produce On Parade - Strawberry Vanilla Cashew Milk

Listening to Evan McHugh – What Would You Do

"Oh and I'm takin' my time, I'm getting it right oh I try, but I'm into you still summer is over and winter is here I'm movin' so slow day's getting longer and on as we go I'm taking my time, I'm getting it right Lord knows, Lord knows I try"

German Word of The Day: Strawberry --> Erdbeere (pronounced: aired-beareh) I love this word, Erdbeere. 

Good Deed of The Day: Sign this petition to help stop fracking on national forests and wildlife refuges. Petition author is the National Resources Defense Council. 

And now, Ski Train photos! 

Produce On Parade - Ski Train

Produce On Parade - Ski Train

 

This was a totally non-staged photo of us decided which route we should take. Honestly! I told Todd everyone was going to think we were posing!

Produce On Parade - Ski Train

Produce On Parade - Ski Train

Produce On Parade - Ski Train

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