Sunday, February 26, 2012

GF Banana Mini-Chocolate Chip Muffins


What else can you do when faced with 3 very ripe bananas? There's no choice but to whip up a batch of muffins and since my nephew Austin has decided to go gluten free I thought I'd create a "new GF" recipe for his files! I also had a bag of  "Only Oats Pancake Mix" in the cupboard so thought I'd use a bit of that as well.


Here's what I decided to go with and I have to say they turned out a-okay! I'll be making them again when faced with the blackened bananas that have no future left other than getting baked! In fact with how tasty these turned out I'm looking forward to some overripe bananas soon! Quick and easy to make - even with a 4 year old helper at your side!

Dry Ingredients:
1/3 cup Only Oats Pancake Mix
1 cup of  *gluten free flour mixture*
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground golden flaxseed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients:
3 very ripe bananas
4 tablespoons soy milk
4 tablespoons juice
3 tablespoons organic canola oil

Sift the dry ingredients through a sieve into a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Whirl the wet ingredients together in a blender.  Pour wet into dry - blend together.  Measure 1/4 cup batter into lined or oiled muffin cups. Bake at 375 for about 16-18 minutes.

*Gluten-free flour mixture: 2-3/4 cups organic brown rice flour, 1/2 cup tapioca starch plus 1/4 cup Almond Meal flour. This makes 3-1/2 cups gluten-free flour.*

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Conscious Foods Summit - Feb.25-26th




I received the following e-mail this morning and I'd like to share the information with others as it sounds like a exciting way to learn more via webcast:

"In college, I read a book called Diet for a New America which gave me a potent wake-up call, showing me how the foods I ate were contributing to suffering and environmental destruction. It led to immediate and profound shifts for me - and better health!

Our growing awareness of food - what's in it, where it comes from and how its produced or grown - is part of the higher consciousness that is beginning to express itself through us. 

What could be more essential to our personal and planetary vitality than the nourishment we put in our bodies and the crops we sow in our Earth? 

Conscious foods and nutrition is a big topic, and it can be difficult to know where to find the latest insights and information. That's what our upcomingConscious Foods Summit is all about, and it's happening THIS WEEKEND, February 25-26th. 

Get all the details and register for FREE here:http://consciousfoodssummit.com 

Over these two days, you'll learn all about the most vitalizing foods for your body, mind and spirit; plus food-buying practices that promote economic justice and sustainability throughout the world. 

Join us and you'll discover:
  • Easy-to-follow nutritional programs that can optimize your wellness
  • The best nutrition for your personality type
  • Foods that help prevent cancer and other diseases, while enhancing your body's systems
  • New ways of eating that are in alignment with your spiritual values
  • The best foods for your body, health state and lifestyle, including the latest raw food and super food nutritional programs
  • Healthy foods that do your body and the planet good.
The expert panelists at the Conscious Foods Summit will also address individual, community, national and global benefits of eating organic and locally grown food. You'll hear from top nutrition leaders such as: 

Bo Rinaldi: Cofounder of VeganFusion Cuisine, a pioneer of the organic food movement and the best-selling coauthor of Vegan Fusion World Cuisine, The Complete Idiot's Guide To Eating Raw and other books. 

Steven Prussack: Host of Raw Vegan Radio and a nutrition expert with a focus on foods that advance personal and global transformation. 

Kris Carr: Self-described "wellness warrior" and NYT's bestselling author of Crazy Sexy Diet, Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor and Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips

Charlotte Gerson: Founder of the Gerson Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to healing and preventing chronic and degenerative diseases, based on the work of Dr. Max Gerson. 

Dr. Will Tuttle: Author of The World Peace Diet, Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony, recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award and a former Zen monk. 

Jill Nussinow: Vegetarian, vegetable and plant-food expert and author ofThe Veggie Queen: Vegetables Get the Royal Treatment and Pressure Cooking: A Fresh Look, Delicious Dishes in Minutes

...And many other speakers who'll open your eyes to more conscious foods and nutrition! 

Many of us try to eat locally grown and organic foods, nourishing our bodies to prevent disease and build vitality, so that we can show up fully in our own lives, for our loved ones and our communities. But our choices about the food we grow, buy and eat can have a global impact as well. 

You'll expand your knowledge - and your choices- at the Conscious Foods Summit. 

Register here: http://consciousfoodssummit.com 

Don't miss one of the last summits of our extremely popular Winter of Wellness season. Even if you can't make many of the live calls this weekend, you can still register and you'll have access to the recordings that you can listen to during the replay window. 

Do join us at the "table" and satisfy your hunger for your healthiest, most vibrant self! Free registration here: http://consciousfoodssummit.com
Stephen headshot Oct11 88x112.jpg In spirit,
Stephen Dinan
founder, The Shift Network"

Thursday, February 2, 2012

MEET YOUR MEATLESS MATE


Well with Valentine's Day coming up shortly I thought I'd give you all the heads up (well those age 20-35) about an event hosted by Vegans and Vegetarians of Alberta.  "Meet Your Meatless Mate" is scheduled for February 9th!  Act quickly - registration closes February 4th! Register for it at info@vofa.ca or directly through Noorish Cafe. You are able to pay for your enrollment online. You must pre-register to participate. It's a good opportunity to check out not only the local singles scene but also the Noorish Cafe  as that is the meet up location for this event. Drinks, tasty treats and conversation - $20.

And for the rest of us that don't fall into the above age range well how about we just go check it out whenever!  Open every day except for Mondays. I love their full name - says it all:  Noorish Conscious Eatery and Superfood Elixir Bar ( 8440 - 109th Street). They  offer a whole lot more than just wholesome food:  Cafe - Retail - Teaching Kitchen - Yoga  -Meditation.  Do check out their website - there is too much to list here.

Handmade Vegan Chocolates by:  The Chocolate Doctors

If you're looking for vegan peanut butter cups (and who isn't?) check out The Chocolate Doctors. I adore peanut butter anything!  Of course - I'm always willing to experiment - especially if it involves chocolate. Take a look at this special chocolate that they are offering for Valentine's Day - sounds divine!

"Try our new Mayan Spice Chocolate just in time for Valentine’s Day. It's filled with a chocolately caramel-like filling with a hint of cinnamon and cayenne."

You can find them at the Alberta Avenue Farmer's Market on Thursday nights from 5-8 p.m.  And if you really need another reason to visit Noorish Cafe this clinches the deal!  Apparently they do stock their chocolates there as well -- got the following little tweet from their website:
"Making chocolate all day today! Stocking up the fridge at Noorish with all 3 box sizes!"
They are also willing to cold ship to several major cities in Canada:
Vancouver, Kamloops, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Toronto.

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