GLUTEN FREE MAPLE SYRUP GRANOLA

This gluten free granola is delicious and can add a crunch to any breakfast or an amazing snack! The nuts you put in your granola are filled with plant based protein and omega 3 fatty acids that are great for heart health. The rolled oats are gluten free and filled with fiber that is essential for digestion. The dried cranberries I used for this granola and raisins are filled with antioxidants and natural sugars (carbs) as well as some vitamin C. Granola is a great thing to prepare on the weekend and eat throughout the week because it stores well, makes a great healthy snack and is great for kids. ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS:

3 Cups of Gluten Free Rolled Oats
1/2 - 1 Cup of Walnuts (rushed roughly)
1/2 - 1 Cup of Almonds (rushed roughly)
1/2 TSP of Cinnamon
1/4 TSP of Salt
1/2 Cup of Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup of Vegetable Oil
1 TSP of Vanilla Extract
1/2 Cup of Cranberries
1/2 Cup of Raisins
 

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven on bake to 300 degrees.

In a large bowl mix the rolled oats, nuts, cinnamon and salt - mix it all together

In another smaller bowl add in your maple syrup, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Whisk together. 

Drizzle the maple syrup mixture over the rolled oats and nut mixture and mix all together till the oats and nuts is evenly coated and there are no lumps.

Spread the bowl of ingredients on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Bake the granola in the oven for 25 minutes or until it starts to golden.

Once golden remove from the oven and let cool before adding in your dried fruit. Mix and store in a airtight container (It should stay good for apx 2 weeks).

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

AVOCADO TOAST - GLUTEN FREE VERSION, VEGETARIAN, VEGAN AND PALEO FRIENDLY

I ♥ Avocado toast! I seriously could eat it everyday. I was doing a plant based diet in the summer and this was one of my go-to breakfast options. Avocado is rich in oils and fat that your body needs on a daily basis. Yes avocado is full of fat but its good fat that keeps your hair shiny, healthy and stops it from falling out and your nails strong - believe me there are worst things I can eat. You can obviously eat this on toast as it is just as easy to make but I like to use rice crackers for their gluten free properties. I used to use gluten free bread and tried a bunch of different kinds but I like this better. Also its super easy to make when your in a rush in the morning.

INGREDIENTS:

1-2 Rice Cakes (depends how many you want)
1/4-1/2 and Avocado (I usually do 1/4 per rice cake)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 - 1/2 a lime (juice) I like lots of lime juice!

DIRECTIONS:

Mash and spread the avocado onto your rice cracker.

Salt and Pepper

Sprinkle Lime on top and serve.

*You should serve it or eat it right away because the rice cracker will absorb all the moisture and start to get soggy. 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

FRUIT SALAD

I like making fruit salad and keeping it in the fridge. Sometimes its hard to eat all the fruit you buy and this is a great way to get you reaching for them as a snack instead of chips or chocolate. I also find that if you take the prep out of it and all the fruit is already washed and cut kids/tennagers will eat more for it too. I also like to use it as topping on some granola and yogurt in the morning or even on pancakes as a substitute for syrup. It may seem like a pretty easy idea but some people add orange juice and liqueur but I dont think that's needed.

INGREDIENTS:

Berries - mix of any kind you like (I used blueberry, blackberry and raspberry)*
1 Can of Peaches slices in light syrup (796 ml) (Chopped Small but keep syrup)
1 Apple (Chopped Small)
1/4 Cantaloupe (Chopped Small)

*You can add any fruit you like, I would of added strawberries and pears as well but the ones at the stores weren't very good

DIRECTIONS

Open canned peaches and pour out the syrup into a large bowl - this will be your base.

Cut the peaches that remain in the can into smaller pieces.

Wash the berries and add them to the cut up peaches and syrup.

Cut up cantaloupe into small pieces as well as apple. Add it to the bowl - mix and serve.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

GREEN BEAN SALAD - VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY

I like eating salad but I get board of it after awhile. I find that sometimes I don't feel as full as I would like or I need more of a crunch! Green beans are a very good source of minerals and a great lettuce replacement. This salad is quiet easy to make and can easily be taken to work for a healthy lunch option. ENJOY!

Yields One Portion

INGREDIENTS:

1-2 Handfuls of Green Beans - Ends taken off
1 to 2 Tomatos - Chopped
Half a small Red Onions - Chopped
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Steam the green beans for 5 minutes, drain and add to cold ice water bath to stop them from cooking.

While the green beans are steaming add the tomatoes and red onions to a flat-ish bowl so that they can sit and slightly soak in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Next addsome salt and pepper stir it in and let it continue to sit and marinate.

Drain green beans and add into bowl with tomatoes and onions. Mix and serve.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

BLACK BETTY SMOOTHIE - DAIRY FREE/VEGAN FRIENDLY

Smoothies are a great way to start of your day full of fiber and nutrition that can otherwise be challenging to get on a daily basis. I called this one Black Betty because of its rock and roll, rise and shine, pedal to the metal abilities to get your day started!!!

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 Cup MANGO (frozen or fresh) - for its fiber, potassium and vitamin A which is great for your hair!
1 Cup Berries* (frozen or fresh) - for their natural antioxidants
1 Cup Coconut Water - for electrolytes that boost the minerals your body needs to function
1 TSP Spirulina (optional) - to expel toxins, is high in protein, vitamin Band other nutrients.
2 Cup Kale - Nutrient dense food (Vitamins A, K, C, B6, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese, Potassium and Calcium)
Half a Cucumber - anti-inflammatory that plays an important role in brain health.
Half a Lemon - for digestion and vitamin C
1/4 Cup Fresh Mint for digestion

DIRECTIONS:

Place everything in a blender and go!
 

* I used blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberry frozen mix

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!