Southern Fried Mushrooms and Cheese Grits

Hey, yall!

Last night I made such a delicious meal- I really felt like I stuck my entire foot in it (not literally, though). It was by far, the best vegan dish I ever made. I hope you get a chance to try it out and surprise your family, like I surprised mine.

Fried Mushrooms

  • 2 cups of cornmeal
  • 2 cups of Louisiana Fish Fry Meal (trust me, it’s necessary)
  • 1/2 cup of almond milk
  • 2 packs of your favorite mushroom ( I used an assortment amount but oyster mushrooms work perfectly)
  • 1 cup of coconut amigos or low sodium soy sauce (you can omit this, if you like)
  • Your favorite egg replacement (just egg, egg replacement)

Cheese Grits

  • Instant Grits
  • 1/4 stick of earth balance
  • 2 cups of vegan cheese ( i used Daiya shredds)
  • 1/4 cup of non dairy creamer
  • 2 cups of non dairy milk

Marinate the mushrooms in a bag with the coconut amigos/soy sauce for about an hour. Take a ziplock bag and include all dried ingredients in a bag. Take the mushroom out of the sauce and dip it in the egg replacer and put it in the ziplock bag. Shake it well.

Add your favorite oil in a pan on medium heat. When its hot, carefully add the mushrooms. Turn it over every minute and a half.

Follow instructions on instant grits box. Once cooked, add non dairy creamer and cheese and butter and stir thoroughly. Melt some butter with a couple of tbsp of hotsauce. stir and drizzle over mushrooms. Enjoy while hot!

Mushrooms and Cheese Grits

Tis the season for… Elderberry!

Hey yall! As the seasons have changed and covid is still…here…I decided to gather the essentials for staying safe, clean and healthy. One of the latest trends in the world of nutrition is elderberry.

While I’ve heard of elderberry in the past, I’ve never utilized it in my own household. So once Gabby turned 2, I began giving her the gummies from Zarbees. Now…disclaimer.. I’m not a doctor….I have noticed a difference in Gabrielle’s health- less colds! So it could either be the Elderberry or her immune system getting stronger or a combination of both- which led me to start taking it as well. The downside of the gummies, in my opinion, is the excess sugar (which Gabby would probably say is the highlight of the gummy for her). While I have a strong sweet tooth myself, I don’t really want to consume my love of sugar through a vitamin. So I decided to try making my own syrup.

The ingredients are listed below and while it took only 5 ingredients to throw in a pot, it smelled horribly! I plan to take it only when I feel a cold coming on. It’s not recommended as a preventative (even though the gummies are expected to be taken daily…weird…yes, I know). But I am super excited about my little creation. Make sure to consult with a doctor if you want to make your own homemade version because if you are allergic..that’s on you. I don’t plan to give it to Gabby just yet since studies have provided insufficient data on the exact amount the syrup should be consumed for two year olds. The shelf life is 3 months, so I have it in a closed jar in the back of the fridge. Have you tried homemade elderberry syrup? Have you created it? What are your thoughts?

Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cup of dates
  • 2 ½ cups of hot water

Steep dates with water for 30 minutes. Place the dates and water in blender

Elderberry Syrup

  • ¾ cup dried elderberries
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon of whole glove
  • 2 tbsp of ground cinnamon
  • Add date syrup

Put all of the ingredients (minus date syrup) in a pot and boil. Reduce heat and cover for 40 minutes. Add date syrup and allow the mixture to cool and rest. Pour into cheese cloth.

Store in refrigerator for 3 months.

Let’s put you first! Self -care tips for women

Hey ya’ll! I know.. it’s been a while.

It’s crazy in the world right now (no need to tell you that) and even though I’ve always pride myself with pushing through every commitment, my first priority will always be to take care of MYSELF!

It’s a must and I’ve been noticing through my small circle of friends and acquaintances that there are so many women out there that have lost themselves. Whether it’s because of work, family, or with life’s problems…they feel empty. I’ve been there. It’s amazing how men can structure time to have for themselves and yet as women…we put ourselves last. Now, as a first time mom, I experienced the feeling of losing myself after I had my daughter. From her birth until 6 months, I struggled with lack of sleep and lack of self -care. Queen Michelle Obama mentions in an interview (involving her book) that she too, had this feeling. Every day, Cat daddy (respectfully) Barack made sure he got a good work out in while the Queen had her hands full with two Queens in the making. Her take: he prioritized himself and she needed to do the same. There was no reason that she couldn’t get the work out in, but like most moms, our top priority is not ourselves.

Like an empty vessel.. We need to be filled. Now, I can preach all day on why Queens need to take the reins and put themselves first (whether you are single or have a family)….but I figured a short list of great self -care tips can provide more value. My hope is that after reading this list- you value yourself and pour into yourself. It doesn’t mean you are neglecting the importance of your family or your career but YOU must take care of you. Who else will?

  1. Take a staycation with yourself. Find a nice hotel at a cheap rate near your place and just plan a night alone. A new atmosphere is exciting. If you are a mom, tell your husband you need the night off. If he needs backup, tell the grandparents to be on standby or come help out.

 That afternoon is for you. Phone will be on snooze and for emergencies only (emphasize that to them!) Close off all electric devices and just rest. I had the best sleep of my life when I went out of town for a work trip. Gabby was 5 months so, my husband was extremely nervous. I prepared him well and even though we will had a few conversations when I got to the hotel.. I turned off my phone and slept. I woke up in a pool full of milk (breastfeeding) but that sleep was worth it!

  • Make a list of your favorite hobbies and start doing one a day. Hobbies were never a big deal to me when I was younger and I always wondered why people made it as a big deal…but hobbies really define who you are and what you like! You can find new friends with this shared hobby. You may even find your future hubby with it too. There are social groups for everything now!! Try it.
  • Reach out to your friends. Most of my close friends live out of state and though I can’t see them as often as I would like- what keeps me grounded is chatting with them. Of course, as you get older and especially when you have a child, your circle becomes small. Put extra love and value on those present relationships… even if it’s just with one person.
  • Join a social group. I did that. There are social groups for every activity and every person (esp. if you are a woman of color). I joined a group of ladies that I shared similar interest in activities and they have been so awesome! Especially through this pandemic (that we are STILL in). Finding a group of ladies or moms that you can vent to about similar problems really helps you to realize… you are not alone J
  • If you love learning- take a new class! My husband is a pharm rep by day and an actor by night. He takes acting classes and auditions regularly. Since I love learning, I began taking online courses of Spanish. Spanish has been an awesome way for me to connect with others. My goal is to be fluent in the language so that I can utilize this for work as well as for pleasure.
  • Take the damn day off! If you are a working woman or even a stay at home mom- you need a day to yourself (and it can’t be filled with doing errands). I rarely take off unless I travel but during this pandemic, I have learned that my mental is very important. I do my best work when I am relaxed. SAHM (stay at home moms) can reach out to family and friends and plan in advance to have a day ALONE (or with your significant other) to get some time to yourself even if it’s for a few hours.
  • Take a day off social media. Social media will have you think that you are behind with life and that you must work yourself to death. That is not true. We are not meant to live through our phones so enjoy the present day!
  • Eat healthier. When I feel like trash- 9 times out of 10, I ate really bad food. While it is good to have your days of leisure and eat a donut, try to incorporate plant based foods in your regimen. It can help boost your mood and you feel lighter and more relaxed.

I hope this has provided some value for you! Leave a comment if you have any additional recommendations that can be used. I’m always open to new self-care strategies! Stay Safe!

We’re back at it again!

Hey Hey Hey!

Okay, so Thanksgiving is over. You ate as much food as possible and now you can’t poop. Does that sound about right? Or your stomach has been in pain, which started from a few hours to now an entire day! Put down the pepto bismal ya’ll! Now is the time to get your body back into the business of providing you with good nutrients that will not only make you look better but FEEL better.

We are doing the RAW Vegan Challenge again for three days straight!! If you need further guidance, check out my RAW Vegan Challenge blog and follow naturally cocoa on instagram for some useful inspo. This time around I plan to do things a bit differently. My first goal is to prep. I want to prep everything (as much as possible) because that was my struggle in the previous challenge. I only prepared a few items in advance but I should have done more. Yup, that means make smoothies and juices ahead of time and throwing them into the freezer to thaw ( I will guide you on the process via Instagram video- coming soon!). Since I have some experience with this challenge, I know which recipes my husband and I enjoy. We love smoothies and juices! Raw nuts were filling and created yummy dishes, guacamole provides a shining star with any meal and sauces are for more than just cooked foods! I plan to incorporate more physical activity as well. I would like to do some light workouts (walking/jogging/yoga).

I am gradually preparing for the RAW Vegan Challenge- meaning, I have been eating at least one RAW meal a day. Breakfast is easy for me, so I’ve been making green smoothies and eating fruits and veggies on the side. This time around, I want to focus more on how I feel versus being vain and trying to lose those pesky 10 lbs (can that be an added bonus, tho?!). I plan to take 3 days off of social media and concentrate on myself (and family) more. Meditation and reading will be my top priority. I have a list of goals that I made last year and I would like to reevaluate them and adjust for the upcoming year ahead. If you are a veteran at the three day RAW, I challenge you do more. Whether it is focusing on goals for the future or turning away some hours that are normally spent watching television… figure out what works for you. If this is new to you, welcome. All I ask is for you to keep an open mind.

Please take pics and tag naturally.cocoa ! Remember you can do this ANYTIME in the month of December..even on Christmas 🙂

The Challenge Continues..

Better late than never should be the title of this blog. Remember September ( I know it feels like 20 months ago)? Well, during that time on Instagram (and this blog) we discussed the RAW 3 day detox challenge. If you don’t recall, just scroll down a post or two ago and you will land at the RAW Detox Post which will guide you with recipes and advice on how to complete a 3 day RAW Vegan Meal Prep. So I had a few people join the challenge with me and they gave me their personal opinion on it:

+ “Smoothies are easy for me. I can do smoothies for every meal.”

+ “It was a bit much for me about 1.5 days- I think I should have detoxed before starting.”

+ “It wasn’t bad”

+ “I lost a few pounds”

+ “I lost two pounds”

+ “I was grocery prepared than mental, but I got my parents to do it with me and they were pretty good accountability partners.”

assorted fruit lot on brown wooden table

My personal opinion on the challenge is different since this has been my third or fourth time. I was hungry the first evening but that was to be expected. However, this was my first time meal prepping EVERYTHING! Prior to it, I would just buy salads and raw dishes from local restaurants ( I use to live downtown which made life easier to access all the good vegan places). Every night I stayed up to prep for the next day and by Day 2, I was pissed at the amount of time I was spending making meals for everyone ( hubby, myself and my child who eats a normal diet since she is 1 and because I SAID SO…argue with yourself before you try me)J

My mind was sharp and I felt in control with my emotions. 2020 has been a tough road for my little family and the raw foods calmed my spirits. My husband felt the same way and wanted to continue. I was sick of prepping and said we will figure out a strategy for next time. Otherwise I would totally do it again! And I plan to…right after Thanksgiving J

This time I will prep all 3 days as best as possible and provide more smoothies. My fave recipes included the juices and RAW Tacos!!!! So bomb. Follow me on Instagram at naturally.cocoa and join the upcoming challenge. Details will be on the gram!

Halloween Bites while we stay inside!

Halloween looks very different in the Howard household this year. I have always enjoyed Halloween and trick or treating and candy and costumes! This time of year always gets me super pumped because I do believe this is a special night for the dead. Yes, I’m the weird one who enjoys ghost tours and visiting cemeteries in New Orleans ( I have twice lol!)

Since I have a little one, I can experience my love for Halloween with her. Before the increase in covid cases, my plans were to put Gabs in a wagon and trick or treat through our neighborhood so we..i mean..she could enjoy her candy 🙂

Yet, Covid numbers have increased rapidly in Texas and so we figured it was best to stay inside and stay safe. L I couldn’t leave yall hanging though! Below is a tasty Halloween Margarita Recipe and Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Recipes that I fell in love with. If you follow me on Instagram at naturally cocoa, you can see my bartending/cooking skills come to life hahaha!

If you are bored tonight and staying in, I suggest giving these spooky treats a try. Very few ingredients on both recipes and it’s easy to make. Entertain yourself and as always, be safe!

yield: serves 2

HALLOW-RITA: HALLOWEEN MARGARITA

PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 5 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 oz tequila
  • 2 oz triple sec
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • lime wedge
  • lime slices, for garnish
  • 1/2 cup black salt
  • blue food coloring
  • red food coloring
  • green food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a tumbler combine tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Pour the mixture into a large measuring cup or a bowl that you can easily pour from. Next, add the food coloring (about a drop of each at first). Continue to stir and add colorings until desired mixture is achieved. It took me about three rounds.
  2. Pour the black salt onto a plate. Take the lime wedge and rub it around each glass. Dip the glass into the black salt.
  3. Fill each glass with ice. Pour the margarita mixture into the glass and garnish with fresh lime slices!

adapted from delishAll images and text ©Lauren Grier for Climbing Grier Mountain

Vegan Peanut Butter Cups

Vegan Peanut Butter Cups- by Nora Taylor

Ingredients

  • ▢2 cups (12 oz) vegan chocolate chips, divided
  • ▢2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
  • ▢1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, *not the natural kind if you can help it.
  • ▢4 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ▢coarse sea salt, optional for sprinkling on top

US CUSTOMARY – METRIC

Instructions

  • Line a 12 cup standard size muffin tin with paper liners.
  • Place half of the chocolate chips (1 cup) and half of the coconut oil (1 tablespoon) in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then another minute and stir until melted and smooth. If you do not have a microwave, you can use the double broiler method to melt.
  • Scoop about half of a tablespoon melted chocolate, and place it in each liner. Use a small spoon to spread it around and up the sides just a little bit. Place the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  • While the chocolate hardens in the freezer, add the peanut butter and powdered sugar to a bowl and mix with a spoon or fork until well combined and a sort of dough is formed. Taste for sweetness, and add more sugar if desired. If using unsalted peanut butter, add a tiny pinch of salt.
  • Remove the pan from the freezer. The chocolate should be quite firm and not melty anymore. Place a tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate in each cup, and press down a bit with your hands. It does not need to be flattened completely. Place the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  • Melt the other cup of chocolate chips and the last tablespoon of coconut oil, as you did before. Scoop 1/2 tablespoon on top of the peanut butter and spread immediately with a small spoon if needed and sprinkle with coarse sea salt, if desired. Because the peanut butter was in the freezer, the chocolate will harden quickly. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes to set.
  • Storage: Store the peanut butter cups in the refrigerator or freezer, as they will melt rather quickly at room temperature because of the coconut oil. If you want them to be more shelf stable, substitute melted vegan butter for the coconut oil, or leave it out completely.

Video

Notes

  1. Many brands of chocolate chips are vegan, simply check the ingredients list for milk fat, butter oil or any other animal based ingredients.
  2. Instead of chocolate chips, you can also use vegan chocolate bars, which may be easier to find depending on where you live. 
  3. Calories estimate is for 1 peanut butter cup if you make 12.
  4. These can be made into mini peanut butter cups! Use a mini muffin pan and mini liners for smaller treats.
  5. I have found that when making candy, it’s best to use regular peanut butter, not the natural kind. Natural can be so runny or very thick, and is not as consistent. For the best filling, use regular creamy peanut butter.

3 Day RAW Plant Based Challenge!

Hey Ya’ll! I’m back with ANOTHER CHALLENGE!

This pandemic has caused all of us to stay at home, become inactive and eat whatever we have available..which is fine while on survival mode.

Now we are still in the midst of the pandemic BUT we can start working out more and focus on our health. I have been eating all the wrong things! My body feels sluggish and (TMI) my regular bowel movements have been kinda off schedule. When I added this challenge on Instagram stories- I was surprised at the number of people willing to join in the detox. It made me feel good knowing we have all been looking for a clean start. So this is the clean start.

A 3 day RAW DETOX Challenge.

three yellow orange and green juice in clear drinking glasses

Take a journey with me and follow a RAW Plant Based Regimen for 3 days! You may ask when does it start?? AND my answer is: THIS MONTH! In the month of September 2020- pick 3 days out of the week to focus on eating raw uncooked fruits and vegetables ALL DAY. Juices and Smoothies included! Now you may say…girl bye. But hear me out!! Eating uncooked fruits and vegetables will allow your body a chance to receive all of the vitamins and minerals that are generally lossed when cooked.  

 If this challenge is just “too much” incorporate 1 RAW Plant based meal a day. It’s all about the effort. I have created a meal plan with links to all of the recipes in the table below the plan. Make sure you start this challenge while you are in town and near a bathroom. Raw Fruits and Veggies will go through you pretty quickly. Eat/Drink as much as you want and as often as you like. Now is not the time to count calories. Take pics of your meals and follow my Instagram: naturally.cocoa while I travel this journey with my family. I’ll be keeping you posted on grocery list and food demos soon- be on the look out!

Day 1Day 2Day 3
Tropical Carrot SmoothieCitrus Zinger JuiceHealthy Mary Juice
Garden Party JuiceCaribbean SmoothieImmunity Boosting Smoothie
Raw Vegan SushiGreen Beauty JuiceGreen Salad with Tahini
Banish Belly JuiceVegan NachosNot Easy Being Green Smoothie
Raw TacosVegan Pad ThaiSpicy Chickpea Broccoli Salad
Each Meal is a hyperlink to the recipe

Surviving Chaos

My boss and I both agreed that this should be the phrase of 2020. After my husband shouted profanity (accidently) during my zoom call while my mic was un -muted, I felt at that moment….life just couldn’t get more out of control. My child was 7 months at the time and demanded so much attention from me; it became exhausting! My house was a mess. Oh, and my workload increased with never ending phone calls (Gabs screaming in the background) and zoom meetings with government agencies.  

It became even more stressful watching my husband go into doctor’s office’s everyday (pharm rep) during this pandemic for work. With the fear of Covid-19 hanging over his head, my husband was in survival mode and funny hubby was gone…

I literally became the house therapist- encouraging and praying over my husband and barely having enough strength to handle the day with a baby all while continuing to breastfeed and make everyone meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I know everyone has a story. I’m one of the fortunate ones because I still have my job, I’m still married and I have a partner to help me with the baby. Also, everyone around me was covid free…that I was aware of anyway. Yet life was very frustrating. For the longest time I would avoid going outside to do my part and be safe… but I was beginning to crack. Fortunately, through prayer and reaching out to my actual therapist, I began taking hold of my life and doing what I could to survive chaos. I’m writing this blog not only as therapy for me, but for those moms who have not gotten a chance to rest!!!! We will get through this together- STRONGER!

Below I list several steps that have been helpful through this chaos. I hope you can utilize them for yourself and get a chance to breath.

  1. Don’t overwork yourself. I take time each day, in the middle of my day, to log off, throw Gabs in the stroller and go for a jog. Exercise is great endorphins and it allows the baby to get some vitamin D. We weren’t meant to be in the house 24/7.
  2. Get out the house if you are comfortable. Once a week I go to Trader Joe’s. Not to just pick up groceries, but to get away from my family. No phone calls and no text (we are still working on that rule) should be made to mom (me). It’s my time to be Veronica. Not Mrs. Howard. Not Mommy. The store is 25 minutes away too so I blast on my favorite music and get in the zone. Take those 2-3 hours and enjoy every minute.
  3. Have a support group to lean on. I recently joined a social group in Houston of amazing black women who are successful in there numerous occupations. They inspire me and we have virtual happy hour once a week. Talking to others that can relate to your life challenges can provide encouragement.
  4. Everyone is struggling with this work from home life. Everyone is sick of zoom. Everyone is tired of their kids. Stop apologizing if the baby takes over the conversation. Pause or say “May I call you back” love on your baby and get back to work when you can.
  5. Be kind to yourself
  6. Set a schedule
  7. Lean on the hobbies you love. For me it’s discovering new recipes, blogging, reading and catching up on reality TV trash! Work is not your life and..drumroll…your family is not your life mom! Take some time for yourself- it’s difficult, trusssttt me! But I can’t be my most patient self for anybody if I am not 100% well rested.
  8. Make future plans. I know, we make plans and God laughs, but it’s exciting to plan your next vacay.. even if it won’t be until 2022. Pinterest can make this a very fun project.
  9. Find little things to look forward too. Good example: my corny self is excited for fall. Idk why. Houston doesn’t have a damn fall but the fall is time for football, good food and it takes me back to my childhood in Indianapolis. Hold onto those corny feelings.
  10. Staying spiritually connected. However that means to you… my God has kept me focus.

Stay Safe! With Love!

Why coffee when i have…Sea moss?!

Hey y’all!

First off… I pray you + your loved ones are safe! This quarantine life is so draining and the constant pull towards working longer hours, staying on social media and watching TV has really taken a toll on everyone’s physical and mental health!

 Now is not the time to fall into old habits of sedentary activities! Though we are still in the dark about this virus and how it affects everyone so differently, we can only focus on one thing….“control the controllables”.

What can you control now? For the Howard household, we have always been pro active in nutrition and physical activity. We decided to keep this routine and add a few additional vitamins/nutrients for a great immune system. One of them being… Sea Moss.

Irish Sea Moss Gel

Algae has always been around!

In fact, prior to the Sea Moss wave, I use to take blue green algae pills recommended by my previous employer at the time, in his plant based wellness clinic. I don’t remember feeling a difference in energy but was told about its numerous health benefits; including the potential to lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Spirulina had limited studies and even though I continued to believe in its benefits…it was hurting my pockets. The pills weren’t cheap.. So I ditched it and moved on with life.

4 years later, algae comes back into my life again in the form of Irish Sea Moss Gel. Irish Sea Moss is a part of the red algae family. Great benefits- Rich in antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and more! Now that I am older and quite frankly more exhausted…I need to SEE the benefits for myself; which I did! I noticed an increase amount of energy… and it’s easy on the pockets too.

As a new mom, I would run to the coffee maker every morning to get that boost. Ever since I began adding the gel into my smoothie, I no longer feel the need to drink coffee. My energy was there! I have a very busy job in which I work 9 hours a day AND play daycare with my little one. My brain can be all over the place but the sea moss really allows me to be alert. I notice a difference if I miss a day of my smoothie! Now I do have a doctor’s appointment next month and I am curious as to how my blood work will look. I will keep you updated but for those who are looking for some energy- give the Irish Sea Moss Gel a try. Make sure to buy from a reputable source! You can make it on your own as well. I plan to make it in the kitchen and post the recipe in the near future.

Stay Safe!

Vegan Lemon Cheesecake

Happy Saturday! Today in my very BLACK household, we are treating today as a day of rest. This country has so much to work on in terms of injustice, police brutality, homophobia, racism and sexism that the Howard household felt like today was not a day to celebrate this country..it would be hypocritical. However, we are going to enjoy some vegan treats with our family and play some Marvin Gaye and Frankie Beverly outside..why? because we can 🙂 and we don’t take being alive for granted!

This morning I whipped up a very quick vegan dessert for our afternoon festivities. I got a chance to relax from work for a few days prior and found this recipe from pinterest. Now that my little one is a toddler and gets into EVERYTHING, I am more aware of how I spend my time. Literally, this recipe took 5 minutes to make. I did use a pre made crust and the vegan whip cream is not homemade ( I used Trader Joe’s coconut whip cream- AMAZING), so that cut the time in half. I did not use fresh lemon juice either but its your choice. Like I said, I love to cook but I also love my child, and I need to keep my eye on her at all times 🙂

Recipe is below pic. Put whatever fruit you like. I choose the colors of the PAN African Flag, red, black and green. Red for the blood we shed, black for black people and green for growth.

Vegan Lemon Cheesecake

No Bake, Dairy Free Vegan Lemon Cake by Sarah Jane Parker of “The Fit Cookie”

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the non-dairy cream cheese with a hand blender to soften it and make it smooth. Then add the powdered sugar, natural yellow food color, and the lemon zest. 
  2. Then beat in the lemon juice and vanilla, mixing well so the cheesecake mixture is smooth.
  3. Add 1/2 of the container of CocoWhip to the bowl and beat together with the cream cheese mixture until it’s smooth and mixed thoroughly, then fold in the remaining CocoWhip by hand with a spatula.
  4. Spread the cheesecake mixture into the pre-made or homemade cookie crust, spreading out to make it smooth on top. 
  5. Chill for 4 or more hours, until it is chilled and has firmed up. 
  6. Serve topped with raspberries or strawberries and mint leaves for garnish. Enjoy!