FEBRUARY 202 38 F ebruary is the month of love, and what better way to show yourself and your loved ones some care than with delicious desserts that also nourish the body? These plant- based treats can satisfy a sweet tooth while delivering surprising health benefits. Strawberries are packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, which support immune health and glowing skin. When dipped in chocolate sauce made with dairy-free chocolate chips, you also get a dose of flavonoids – compounds known to promote heart health by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. Dates, the base of the chocolate tahini balls, are naturally sweet and full of fiber, providing energy without the sugar crash. Tahini is made from sesame seeds and adds healthy fats and minerals like calcium and magnesium to support bone and heart health. Unsweetened cacao powder contributes a deep chocolate flavor along with mood-boosting properties and antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Vegan raspberry cheesecake offers a creamy, dreamy finish that’s surprisingly wholesome. The crust, made with dates and almonds, provides fiber, protein, and heart-healthy fats. Cashews – a great source of plant-based protein and magnesium – help regulate blood pressure. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and raspberries rich in vitamin C and fiber, this dessert is as nourishing as it is beautiful. Join my monthly membership for printable recipes, health videos and live Zoom cooking classes. Only $10 a month! Plant-based treats with hidden health perks Chocolate strawberry hearts SERVES 12 1. Remove the leaves from each strawberry and carve out the stem with a paring knife. 2. Cut the strawberries in half, then cut a “v” shape at the center of each half. 3. Melt some chocolate in the microwave or a small pot. 4. Insert a wooden stick at the bottom of each strawberry. Dip the top half in chocolate and lay on parchment paper. 5. Put the strawberry hearts in the freezer for about 10 minutes to set. Store in the fridge until ready to eat. • 1 carton strawberries • 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips Directions Ingredients Chocolate tahini bites SERVES 9 • 1 ½ cup pitted medjool dates (soften in boiling water for 15 minutes first) • 1⁄3 cup tahini • ¼ cup unsweetened cacao powder • 1 tsp. vanilla • 1 cup shredded or crushed coconut 1. Put the dates, tahini, cacao powder, and vanilla in a food processor. 2. Roll into about 18 balls. 3. Roll the balls in coconut and store in the freezer until ready to serve. Vegan raspberry cheesecake SERVES 8-10 Directions Ingredients 1. Put the almonds and dates into a food processor and blend until fully blended. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8x8-inch springform pan with a parchment paper liner. 2. Rinse out the food processor and add the soaked and drained cashews, dairy free milk, maple syrup, vanilla and lemon juice. Blend until completely smooth. 3. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the frozen raspberries. 4. Pour this into the springform pan, cover, and freeze for at least six hours. 5. When ready to serve, release from the pan, top with fresh raspberries, and let sit for about 15 minutes to slightly thaw before slicing. • 1 cup slivered almonds • 1 cup medjool dates, pits removed and soaked in boiling water for 15 minutes • 3 cups raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for 30 minutes • 1⁄3 cup dairy-free milk • ½ cup maple syrup • 2 cups frozen raspberries • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 2 tbsp. lemon juice • Raspberries for topping Directions Ingredients Owner of YouCare- SelfCare, a private wellness practice specializing in plant- based lifestyle and disease prevention. youcare-selfcare.com BY MIRIAM HAHN

39 FEBRUARY 2025 By Rachael Bouley There are various ways to define an attack on a school – situations that are all too familiar and concerning – but one point of consensus is that such incidents should never occur. In response, one Arizona nonprofit is prioritizing student safety. Kids Best Friends is committed to enhancing school security by utilizing trained canine companions to help protect students and staff. The organization was founded in 2022 by Caitlin Malone, who volunteered with pups in schools and hospitals as a teenager. It was this experience that helped to form the idea behind Kids Best Friends. Malone teamed up with law enforcement, K9 handlers, dog trainers, veterans, and security specialists to bring working dogs into school communities for safety and emotional support. “Our children need and deserve proactive protectors on campus to keep them safe,” Malone said. “As parents, we want our children to thrive and learn in school, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that they come home safe.” The nonprofit uses a custom program for dual-purpose working dogs and handlers to provide a proactive, holistic approach to safeguarding students and staff. Their mission is to mitigate potential violence while therapeutically promoting students’ safety and peace of mind. The K9 teams undergo specialized training for 18 to 24 months in Phoenix and Colorado Springs to detect unauthorized weapons and intercept other possible threats. Dr. William Ellinger, along with his partner Promise Lee, are working dog experts at the facilities in Arizona and Colorado. With over 60 years of combined experience, they train the animals to be highly skilled, confident and comfortable working in large crowds and with kids of all ages. The American Kennel Club (AKC) certifies the dogs as Canine Good Citizens. When paired with a former military or law enforcement professional, the duo intend to boost campus safety and build positive relationships throughout the school community. Kids Best Friends’ teams handle routine security patrols, greet students and attend events to create a safe, supportive atmosphere. From full-time placements at Arizona, California, and Utah schools to pro-bono K9 security services at special events, they make a noticeable difference in community safety. “When a school is interested, we visit the campus, go over needs, protocols, and security measures they have in place, and talk through the many ways a KBF K9 and handler can support their security, community values, and unique culture,” Malone said. “Every school is different, but even the most fortified, with every security layer in place, are made safer with a working K9.” After pairing schools with a handler and dog, the team customizes training to best support the campus. As more schools and police departments sign up to partner with Kids Best Friends, the nonprofit hopes this approach to school safety can be expanded across the country. “Working as a handler with the Kids Best Friends program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Caleb Welch said. “I’ve seen firsthand how a highly specialized working dog can positively impact the safety and well-being of students, families, and the faculty.” These K9s become part of the school they serve, as children share the joy of interacting with these intelligent and loyal animals. “One of the most incredible aspects of this program has been watching how the dog’s presence creates an environment where students feel secure and at ease, without the intimidation or fear that sometimes comes with traditional security measures,” Welch added. Out of extreme caution, Malone and the Kids Best Friends team do not publicly share which schools they work at, but they want folks to know that safety is the main priority, and a goal they strive to meet every single day. kidsbestfriends.org These pups are on a mission to strengthen school safety Kids Best Friends handler Dustin and K9 Lucy. PHOTO COURTESY OF CAITLIN MALONE Our gift: use this QR code to enjoy a free digital subscription to our magazine, Defining Desert Living! visit: azarchitecture.com If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation. Copyright © 2025 azarchitecture/Jarson & Jarson all rights reserved. TRACEY ZEMER 602.478.0607 tracey@azarchitecture.com ARCADIA CHARMER Great Views of Camelback Mountain 4841 E Amelia Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85018 Offered at $1,390,000 PARADISE VALLEY ESTATE Camelback Views & Guest House 3921 E San Miguel Ave, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 Offered at $3,995,000 THE PERFECT MID-CENTURY MODERN On Zen Garden Secluded Lot 2201 E Marshall Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016 Offered at $2,850,000