Author: thebalancedmind

Chocolate Protein Oat Pancakes

Mooorning!  Made some chocolate oat pancakes that are protein packed and only requires 4 ingredients to make. About a year ago, breakfast was the last thing I ever wanted to eat. Now it’s my favourite meal of the day and especially hard to resist when it means I can make healthy delicious pancakes guilt free! Anyways, less of me rambling and more cooking.   Ingredients 1/3 cup Rolled Oats 1 Banana 1/2 – 1 scoop Vega Chocolate Protein Powder (I used 1/2 a scoop) 1/2 cup Water (substitute with almond milk for creamier texture) Directions Pre-heart oven top on low heat (4 or 5) In a blender add all ingredients together and blend till a liquid consistency forms Once pan is heated, lightly coat with coconut oil Scoop mixture into the pan, spread out and cook each side roughly 30sec-1min. (they cook quickly so just keep an eye on them) Lastly, I garnished them with shredded coconut, pomegranate seeds and drizzled organic maple syrup ontop. I think I ate them in under 5 minutes whoops… couldn’t help it. Enjoy the …

Warm Banana Oatmeal Bowl

Gloomy mornings means I want to be wrapped up in a warm blanket, book in my lap and a warm bowl of oatmeal with the perfect cup of tea beside me. Ready in 3-5 minutes, boil or microwave 1/3 cup of oats and quinoa in 2/3 cup of water. Top it off with sliced banana, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, chia seeds and a tsp. of natural peanut butter. Tastes delish! Happy Tuesday xo

Natural Pain Killers

Nothing ruins your day like that constant feeling of cramps, a headache or just simply feeling sore. Here are a few natural remedies that can help prevent and heal to let you get on with your day! Blueberries for Bladder Infection Cranberries are usually the go-to for bladder infections, but studies show that Blueberries also contain the same properties that inhibit the binding of bacteria to bladder tissue. When bacteria is able to attach to the lining of your bladder it allows it to thrive, but when it’s not able to do so, it simply gets flushed out of your body.  Tomato Juice for Leg Cramps Cramping in the muscles occurs due to a buildup of carbohydrates so the key component is eating food that contains potassium. Cramps occur when there is a deficiency of Potassium in your body or through the loss of potassium through exercise. Tomato Juice is key because of it’s potassium properties, but it is also water based which helps flush out waste products from muscle buildup. Ginger for Chronic Pain Ginger is known to contain a component …

Tis’ the season of Cinnamon!

It’s Fall, so naturally it’s the season for anything with the word “spice” in it and what better way then to have a lattè with some cinnamon sprinkled on top!? Guilty treat with a healthy benefit to it – best of both worlds. There’s a reason Cinnamon is known as a powerful super spice. Actually, who am I kidding, there’s way more then one reason. Go digging through your spice cabinet and find this delicious Lowering LDL cholesterol Just smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function Lowers blood sugar levels and treating Type 2 Diabetes Fights cancer by reducing proliferation of leukaemia and lymphoma Contains anti-inflamitory properties which helps reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis Diuretic in nature therefore reducing urinary tract infections Reduces muscle and joint pain Boosts immunity, reduces fatigue Has anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-paraseptic, & antiseptic properties Helps provide relief from cramps Aids in weight loss source of magnesium, iron, fiber, and calcium When added to food it inhibits bacterial growth Cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent clumping of blood palates Not convinced? That’s ok! It’s …

Magical Pink Crystals

Only these beautiful mountains can create pink crystals known as the one and only Himalayan Salt. Salt is one of the most basic food seasoning used, but our modern refineries have chemically altered it’s composition turning it into a hazard for our body. Table salt is bleached and heated to extreme temperatures that destroys it’s essential mineral value. “The body must sacrifice a tremendous amount of energy and up to 23 times the cell water to neutralize the damaging effect” Our lakes and oceans have become intoxicated with mercury, PCBs and oil spills making even the alternative (sea salt) also a hazard. Pink salt is one of the few remaining forms of salt that has remained pure over time. The red, pink, and white hues are an indicator of it’s abundant trace minerals present along with energy-rich iron content. TABLE SALT VS. HIMALAYAN SALT Craving salty food means you’re low in the essential trace minerals so go ahead and add some pink Himalayan salt to your next dish – happy cooking! References http://www.trulyorganicfoods.com/fine-pink-himalayan-salt-908g-2lb.php http://www.fondationchamoux.com/ http://www.himalayanmountaintreks.com

Balsamic Roasted Beets & Orange Marinated Chicken

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees  Balsamic Roasted Beets 2 Medium size beets 2 tsp. Balsamic vinegar 1 tsp. Maple syrup Pinch of salt and pepper Wash, peel and slice the beets Toss in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients to marinate Line a pan with aluminum foil and spread beets out evenly Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place in oven for 20 minutes Remove from oven and place on top of leafy green mix Orange Marinated Chicken 1 Orange 1 tsp Oregano 1 tsp Mango Chipotle seasoning 1 tsp Dried rosemary leaves On a cutting board sprinkle the seasonings onto the chicken breast Line pan with aluminum foil Cut the orange into thin slices and spread onto the pan. Place the chicken over top the sliced oranges Cover pan with aluminum foil (keeps the moisture in and prevents the chicken from becoming dry) Bake for roughly 40minutes Remove and place over roasted beets Add extra balsamic vinegar to the entire dish as a dressing (to taste)  

Tropical Blueberry Spinach Salad with Lemon-Herb Salmon

Fresh light meals are wonderful for the summer weather; they fill you up yet leave you feeling light! I was in a tropical, tangy mood – sweet, but refreshing so for the salad there’s spinach leaves with 1 orange, 1 peach and a handful of blueberries topped off with a home made blueberry vinaigrette. You can find the recipe for it under “Sauces”. Lemon-Herb Salmon Serving: 3 oz.  Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Line the pan with aluminum foil Cut 1 lemon into thin slices and spread out throughout the pan so the salmon can be placed on top Season with oregano and basil Place in oven and cook for roughly 30mins

Blueberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients Serving: 1.5 cups 1 cup blueberries 2 tbsp organic balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp organic white wine vinegar 1/3 cup almond oil 2 tbsp maple syrup Pinch of himalayan salt to taste Blend together and serve as dressing over a berry or tropical salad. You’ll have lots left over so place the rest in a jar and refrigerate!