HookedOnPlants

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vegan snack

Easiest Walnut Banana Bread | Vegan + Gluten-Free

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When the aroma of ripe nana’s starts to creep out from the kitchen, that’s when you know it’s time to transform those yellow thangs into everyone’s favourite type of bread…Walnut Banana Bread!

My goal for this banana bread was to go from a bowl of spotty bananas to a delicious bread as easy and quickly as possible.

Eat it for breakfast.

Pack it for lunch.

Warm it up for dessert.

Sometimes life calls for a cup’ o’ tea and a loaf of ‘nana bread.

So, when it can be pretty dang healthy for you, I’d consider that a life WINNING situation.

I’ll stop talking now. Make this and devour!

5.0 from 1 reviews
 
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Walnut Chaga Protein Banana Bread | Vegan | Gluten-Free
Recipe Type: dessert, snack
Author: Jules
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Possibly the easiest banana bread you’ll ever make with incredibly dense deliciousness!

Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

  • 4 bananas
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ⅛ cup coconut oil
  • 2 chia eggs (2 tbsp chia seeds mixed with 6 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2¾ cups oats, gluten-free if needed
  • 1/4 cup Complement Protein powder (use ‘hookedonplants’ for a discount)
  • 2 tsp Chaga Powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of sea salt
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup vegan chocolate chips (optional, but why wouldn’t ya?)

Topping:

  • 1 banana, halved lengthwise
  • 6-8 walnuts
Instructions:
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F
  2. Line your loaf baking dish with parchment paper.
  3. First, blend your oats into a flour, then pour into a big bowl.
  4. Add the rest of the dry ingredients to the oat flour and stir until combined.
  5. Put all wet ingredients in your blender, blend until smooth.
  6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until combined.
  7. Pour the mixture into your loaf pan (either a medium sized one or 2 small ones). Fill it up almost all the way to the top.
  8. Place the halved banana on top with a few walnuts.
  9. Bake for 50 minutes.
  10. Let cool a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
  11. Enjoy! (Maybe with some of this jam!)
  12. To store, put it back into the loaf pan and cover it with tinfoil, or reusable vegan wax wrap (not affiliated, but can’t stop using these!)

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Peachy Rainbow Soba Summer Rolls + Zesty Orange Sesame Sauce

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Hot summer days call for fresh, crisp, rainbow soba summer rolls… on a patio… with a side of white wine spritzer…and a super fresh seasonal corn on the cob.

This has got to be the best way to get in as many raw veggies as possible.

Soba noodles give you that tasty filler, smoked tofu provides the surprising twist of flavour, and any raw veggies you have kickin’ around the kitchen make these rolls so satisfyingly crunchy & fresh.

This recipe gives you A LOT of sauce. Which is definitely on purpose.


Making extra is key because the party this zesty orange sesame sauce is having doesn’t stop at these rolls. Don’t be afraid to use it on anything, everything and all the in betweens. Here’s what I’m thinkin’:

  • douse your veggie BBQ skewers 
  • smother your soba noodle salad in it
  • drizzle it on roasted veggies
  • spread it on a sanny
  • squirt it in a wrap
  • dunk your raw veggies in it
  • water it down and use it as a salad dressing!

Sauce is what makes the world go ’round.

Kids will love getting in the kitchen to help fill the rice papers, and having them create the rainbow, gets them excited to actually eat the rainbow 😉

I would have to say, since I love dipping and crunchy freshness, this is up there as one of my most favourite recipes. Ever.

We just made this on Hornby Island, at my parent’s place which is totally outdoor livin’. An airstream trailer, a deck attached, a teepee guest bedroom and a beautiful long picnic table to dine on while we watch the sunset. Simple. Perfect. Summer.

We threw in a side salad, packed with beets, green onion, heirloom tomatoes and butter lettuce, but you’ll be getting more than enough veggies without adding that in. Maybe put some of the lettuce in the wraps and call it a day of delish nutrish.


Peachy Rainbow Soba Summer Rolls + Zesty Orange Sesame Dipping Sauce
 
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A fun recipe that packs the nutrition into the most delicious handful you could ask for. Crunchy, fresh and perfect for a summery eve.
Author:
Recipe type: dinner, lunch, summer,
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients

  • Wraps:
  • Rice paper wraps (we made 15)
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 cup purple cabbage
  • 1 peach
  • 1 cube smoked tofu
  • 1 large cucumber
  • 2 carrots
  • 1-2 bell peppers
  • 2 cups sprouts of choice (sunflower seed sprouts are crunchy and delish)
  • 1 package soba noodles (this will make more than you need, but they're great leftover with the sauce)

  • Zesty Orange Sesame Sauce:
  • 1-2 tsp zest of orange
  • Juice of 1 orange (medium navel)
  • ½ cup almond butter
  • ½ cup tahini
  • 3 tbsp braggs liquid aminos OR tamari
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cm fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ cup water
Instructions
  1. Cook soba noodles according to directions, then strain, let cool for 10 minutes
  2. Slice all veggies and the tofu thinly & vertically
  3. Make your sauce by blending all sauce ingredients in a food processor until smooth
  4. Set up your rolling station: fill a wide plate with water (for rice paper), have your bowl of noodles, have your veggies/tofu laid out on a plate, have a cutting board to roll on, have an empty platter ready for your finished rolls
  5. Make your rolls: soak a rice paper in water for 2 seconds, then place on the cutting board. Fill the paper with all the fixin's, then roll the rice paper like a burrito (fold two sides towards each other to cover the ends of the veggies, then roll the opposite ends until the paper is closed)
  6. Serve them up on a platter with individual dipping bowls and a plate!
Notes
If the rice paper is breaking, double them up and use 2 per roll!

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This week was all about the Good Food Institute and the future of clean meat and plant-based proteins.

Fresh Vegan Bruschetta with Cashew Parmesan | Oil-Free

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When in doubt, vegan bruschetta it out….

Too corny? Nah… Ooo, but corn would be an amazing addition to these little toasts…

Anyway, this is a perfect snack, appy, lunch, or even a super simple dinner alongside a mega salad!

Bruschetta is always a go-to at a restaurant with no vegan options. Minus the cheese ontop and butter below. You really can’t go wrong with tomatoes and toast, ya hear me?

Making this at home allows you to experiment a little, and it’s an easy, delicious way to get that fresh Italiano feel in the heat of the summer.

It’s not your typical brusch though (yes, brusch is now a word…), balsamic reduction gives it a deep sweetness, a little lime juice brings the tartness, and a sprinkle of cashew parm achieves that cheezy, salty flava flave.

If you can get your hands on some heirloom tomatoes, then cudos points to you, because your brusch will then blow the summery flip flops off of your guests tanned feet.

And the bread? Try to find yourself a rye sourdough baguette, that’s my fave.

Crunch away, my friends!

Benefits:

  • Tomatoes are one of nature’s magical fruits. They’re packed with vitamin K to help your bones, potassium for your heart, vitamin C for your immunity, and vitamin A for bones and your vision.
  • Basil is a powerful herb, packed with antioxidant, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. This guy will help prevent stress and anxiety, plus improve your digestion and liver function!
  • Shallots are amazing for lowering your blood pressure and increasing your blood flow. They’re sulfur-containing morsels, which makes them a star when it comes improving collagen levels and growing healthy hair.


4.0 from 1 reviews
Fresh Vegan Bruschetta with Cashew Parmesan
 
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A fresh summer dish for everyone to devour. Heirloom tomatoes make this recipe next level!!
Author:
Recipe type: Vegan Bruschetta with a twist
Cuisine: snack, lunch, appetizer
Serves: 2 people
Ingredients
  • 15-20 cherry tomatoes, diced
  • ½ shallot, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • large handful basil, chopped
  • 2 tbsp balsamic reduction (I used Nonna Pia'scabernet merlot)
  • ⅛ tsp himalayan salt
  • ⅛ tsp pepper
  • ¼ lime wedge
  • ¼ cup cashew parmesan
  • 5-6 thin slices of baguette (rye sourdough is my favourite)
Instructions
  1. Mix tomatoes, shallot, garlic, spices, balsamic and basil together in a bowl.
  2. Toast bread.
  3. Pile the tomato mixture on the toasted slices, and top with a squeeze of lime and sprinkle with cashew parmesan.

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This week’s email was all about a myth busting and a holistic doctor you just gotta know about…Dr. Kahn.

Blueberry Banana Coconut Cream Milkshake | Vegan

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The dog days of summer call for something frosty, creamy and nostalgic. This vanilla blueberry banana coconut cream milkshake is the answer…always.

Creaminess, frostiness & blueberries…something magical happens when these 3 collide. The blueberries become much more than the usual blueberry you’d expect. It reminds me of getting blueberry milkshakes as a kid at the Hornby Island bakery. They came as a massive glass filled with a blue galaxy of creaminess. It was packed with dairy though, so this one is infinite galaxies better.

The amazing taste and mouth feel is still all there.

Here we have a dairy-free version with all the thickness, creamy goodness and decadence that I remember.

On a hot summers day, there’s nothing better than a slow sip-full of this masterpiece.

It’s ridiculously easy to make.

It’s refreshingly frosty.

It’s melt-in-your mouth decadent.

It’s blueberry banana coconut cream milkshake heaven with a touch of vanilla deliciousness.

Top it off with some cookie crumbles (I used Anna’s Ginger Snaps), extra fruit … or maybe some coco whip from this pumpkin cheezecake recipe?! (Drooling as I write this).

Let’s talk blueberries for a sec. They’re packed with antioxidants (especially wild blueberries) to combat free radicals and protect you from all forms of disease, aging and viruses, plus they’re high in vitamin C to boost your immunity. At just 80 calories per cup, they’re a megadose of nutrition, so eat them by the handful!!! They are part of the dirty dozen group when it comes to organics, though. This just means you should make blueberries one of the ingredients that you always get organic! Buying them local is also always best. If you can grow your own, amazing… but if not, find a local farmer. I stock up on Hare’s Farm’s blueberries from Pemberton every year throughout the summer and try to have a freezer full of them to last me at least a month of winter (they go down fast around here!)

You can order 10lb frozen boxes from JD Hare directly through email: haresfarm1993@gmail.com or find his blueberries at the Whistler Farmer’s Market!

On to the recipe!


Blueberry Banana Coconut Cream Milkshake
 
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A thick & frosty treat for that hot summer's day, still packed with benefits.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert, Snack
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 cups blueberries
  • 1 cup vanilla coconut ice cream (I used Coconut Bliss)
  • 2-3 cups vanilla plant-based milk (I used Califia Vanilla Almond)
  • 2 frozen bananas
  • Toppings (optional):
  • Extra blueberries
  • Crumbled cookies (like vegan graham crackers or Annie's ginger snaps)
  • Banana slices
  • Coconut Whipped Cream from this cheezecake recipe (oh man that would be so good!!!)
Instructions
  1. Blend all mylkshake ingredients together in your blender. Start with just 2 cups of milk, then keep adding until you have the consistency that will slowly move through your straw.
  2. Pour into your favourite jar, and top it off with your choice of toppings.

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Last week was all about ~ anti-aging & antioxidants ~

HOP Interview: Essential Oils 101 + Naturally North Van’s Cardamom Muffins

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Mariko Michasiw aka ‘Naturally North Van’ is all about healthy livin! She’s a Mama of 2, and an essential oils guru! Her jam is wellness, and she’s an incredible educator when it comes down to it. After going to an essential oil workshop and hearing about all of the benefits of oils from Mariko, it completely opened my mind to essential oils, so I had to interview her to share the goodness with all of you…along with her Cardamom Apple Breakfast Muffin recipe with essential oils (what!)

Side note: I have no affiliation with dōTERRA, but find that all of the benefits of essential oils is so fascinating.

Hooked On Plants: Mariko, how were you introduced to essential oils and how long have you been using them for? 

Mariko Michasiw: I have actually been using the most common essential oils for years! I used Tea Tree for face spot treatments in high school and then Lavender for relaxation in adulthood. The thing is, at that time, I had no clue what the oils could do beyond those two things. It was actually my husband that got me interested in oils because he bought a diffuser (to make my house smell better) and then bought a few pre-made roller bottles for various things like digestion and immune support.

When I was invited to my first essential oils class, I was intrigued but it took me about 6 months of pondering it before I ended up attending one. I am so thankful that I did because the knowledge that was shared blew my mind! I couldn’t believe that you could use oils for so many things! As a natural mama, I embraced the idea of using plant medicine to support my family as a first defence. Don’t get me wrong, I was totally skeptical, but then I kept having AHA! moments with these oils. From pain relief, to immune support, to stress relief, I kept having positive experiences. I had used so many other brands prior to dōTERRA and honestly didn’t think that any of them worked. These were special. The purity and potency was beyond anything I’d experienced before. I’m about a year and a half into using these oils and they have completely changed my life! I rarely use pharmaceuticals now and my home no longer needs harsh toxic chemicals for cleaning.

HOP: What are all of the ways can you use essential oils?

MM: There are typically 3 ways to use essential oils! Aromatically, topically and internally.

Using essential oils aromatically is as simple as opening a bottle and smelling it, but could also be using a diffuser, or putting a drop on your clothes or pillow. My favourite pick me up in the middle of the day is taking a drop of peppermint and rubbing it in my hands and cupping them in front of my face so I can deeply breathe in the aroma. Aromatic use is actually the fastest way to use oils for emotional support. By smelling the oils, we have a direct link to our limbic system which is responsible for our emotions, behaviour and memory. This means that we can use essential oils to quickly calm us or brighten our spirits. Pretty cool right?

For topical use, I always recommend diluting essential oils (especially spicy ones like oregano or cinnamon) with a carrier oil like coconut, almond or jojoba. This not only makes our oils go further but also holds it in the tissues rather than flashing off into the air. The molecules in essential oils are so small that they can easily penetrate the skin. The best places to apply oils are on pulse points, the bottoms of feet, or directly on the area you are trying to treat. Be sure to avoid your eyes, ears and nose though!

When I speak of internal use of oils, I am only talking about dōTERRA because they are pure and go through many levels of testing, but not every oil is ok to consume. I do not know the quality of other oil brands so be sure to check the label to see if it is approved for consumption. I use a citrus oil like Lemon daily in my water (one drop is plenty) for it’s alkalizing effects on the body. I also love using citrus oils in my salad dressings as a replacement for zest. When I don’t have a specific herb or spice at home, sometimes I’ll just substitute a drop of essential oil in a recipe. 


HOP: Can you let us know the top 5 general benefits of diffusing essential oils in your home?

MM:

1) Air purification – remove odours and airborne pathogens.

2) Emotional support – diffusing certain oils can promote relaxation or reduce anxiety, others can uplift and energize.

3) Improved immunity – anti-inflammtory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties in many essential oils can boost our immunity and fight pathogens.

4) Better sleep – fall asleep faster and sleep deeper by diffusing oils like lavender or roman chamomile in your bedroom.

5) Amazing aroma without the chemicals – ditch the candles for this cleaner alternative.

HOP: Who can benefit from essential oils?

MM: Anyone and everyone! The beauty of having 100% pure essential oils is that you can moderate the quantity that each person receives by diluting them with carrier oil (ie. coconut, jojoba, sweet almond). While diffusing essential oils is often enough for tiny babies, we also have the option of heavily diluting oils for them if they need digestive support or pain relief, for example. Essential oils are effective for supporting emotions, especially for children who are very responsive to oils. I love using dōTERRA Balance and Wild Orange to help my children feel calmer. My kids have stopped napping so this combo is now my “quiet time” blend.

They’re amazing for adults to calm stress and anxiety (my favourites are dōTERRA Serenity and Vetiver)! They boost our immune systems (On Guard), and help with sleep. They are also a great alternative for seniors who are often put on many medications to deal with their symptoms without ever knowing the root cause of their issue. The nice thing about essential oils is that there are very few side effects to using them, however it is important to remember that they are both powerful and potent. It’s always a good idea to do your own research on what is safe based on other medication that you may be taking.

Pregnant women can also find a lot of relief by using essential oils. I wish I had been educated on essential oils during my pregnancies to help with the nausea, cold and flus, and other discomforts that I was feeling.

Infants, toddlers, pregnant women and the elderly are more sensitive and should dilute more than adults when using essential oils.

The last group, pets! While not all oils are safe for pets (do your research before using them), there are many that are very supportive for them. Treat them like the previous group and dilute because they are more sensitive as well (especially their sense of smell).

HOP: The ways to use essential oils are endless! But, what’s your personal favourite way to use them? Do you have a favourite oil?

MM: It’s so hard for me to say a favourite way, but I have a ton of custom rollers floating around my house, purse, and car. Rollers are perfect for on the go application, and I love convenience!

My favourite oil can change minute to minute, but I have a special place in my heart for Balance! It was the first oil I ordered beyond the intro kit because it was described as the Grounding blend and who doesn’t need more Balance in their lives?! As a mom of 2 tiny kids, it sounded perfect to me. It has a ton of wood oils along with Frankincense and I feel connected to the earth when I use it (versus the previous head spinning I was experiencing). It kind of smells like a walk in the woods and blends really well with a few of my other faves: Serenity, Citrus Bliss, or Wild Orange.

HOP: You can make recipes with oils! So amazing. Can you give us your favourite recipe with essential oils and let us know what benefits do you get from it?

MM: These muffins have so many benefits that you can eat them for breakfast! Super nutritious, and delicious!  Another awesome benefit is that Cardamom oil is supportive for the digestive system and it’s an aphrodisiac… Not all oils are ok to ingest…doTERRA is approved for ingestion by Health Canada. Enjoy these babies anytime of the day!

You can find all things Naturally North Van at:

@naturallynorthvan on Instagram and on Facebook

Read her blog at www.naturallynorthvan.wordpress.com and my feature here!

Order dōTerra oils through her here! 

Mariko is passionate about educating people about the benefits of essential oils and helping them along their wellness journey. She teach classes in people’s homes and does lifestyle overviews (in person or over the phone) to help integrate these beautiful oils into your homes. She has a ton of education resources and groups that people can follow along to learn more. Connect with her and she’ll hook you up!

 

Cardamom Apple Breakfast Muffins
 
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Vegan muffins with cardamom essential oil! Breakfast or snack-worthy muffins to take with you on the go
Author:
Recipe type: muffins, dessert, snack, breakfast
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients

  • Wet Ingredients:
  • 4 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup of non-dairy milk
  • ½ cup agave or maple syrup
  • 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax seed + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1-3 drops of doTERRA cardamom oil*
  • 1½ cup chopped apples

  • Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1½ cups of rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 cup flour (I used amaranth)
  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • Optional add-ins:
  • ½ a cup of dried fruit/nuts
  • ½ cup grated carrot
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375°F
  2. Combine the wet ingredients and mix well.
  3. Mix together dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients remaining ingredients and stir until combined.
  5. Spoon into silicone covered muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes
Notes
*For bite-sized muffins, use mini muffin tins and cook for 20 mins!

*When cooking with essential oils, start small. Add one drop and then more if necessary to keep the oil from overpowering the recipe.

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