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Elena's Healthy Ways

Healthy Food. Healthy Habits. Healthy Life.

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Overnight Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

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Cacao Chia Pudding

This Chia Pudding is great for breakfast, dessert or as a healthy snack. It’s free of dairy, gluten, refined sugars, eggs, and any chemicals. Just unsweetened almond milk, chia seeds, unsweetened cacao powder, honey (or maple syrup), sea salt, vanilla extract and banana. Made with natural and very nutritious ingredients that are very easy to always have on hand. These chia puddings are great to satisfy cravings for sweets or chocolate in a very guiltless way. I have never met someone (either grown ups or kids) that did not enjoy these easy to make sweet treats. I can never make enough!

Cacao Chia Pudding
 
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Delicious and easy to make cacao puddings that will satisfy chocolate and sweet cravings while nurturing your body. Great for breakfast, snack or dessert!
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast, Snack, Sweet treat
Cuisine: Healthy, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, sugar free.
Serves: 2 to 4
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups of unsweetened almond milk (you can also use unsweetened vanilla almond milk).
  • ⅓ cup of chia seeds.
  • 2 tbsp of unsweetened cacao powder.
  • 4 tbsp of honey or maple syrup.
  • A pinch of sea salt.
  • 6 drops of vanilla extract.
  • 1 ripe big banana.
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Refrigerate overnight (or at least for 4 hours).
  3. You can add banana and strawberry slices on top of you pudding right before eating.
  4. You can use less honey if you don't like it too sweet.
  5. Yields two 8 ounces servings or four 4 ounces servings.

 

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Cacao-Buckwheat Energy Balls

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Cacao-Buckwheat Energy balls

These energy balls are perfect to satisfy anyone’s sweet cravings but with a healthy alternative that’s gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and egg free. This recipe requires no baking. The only equipment it requires is a food processor, although you can still make it without it if you are willing to spend a little more time chopping everything really well so it all blends well together.

I love to use wax paper to wrap these energy balls as if they were candy so I can easily carry some in my handbag and to include in my kids’ and husband’s lunchboxes. You can keep them in the fridge for around two weeks and use them as a sweet treat after a meal.

The star ingredients that make these energy balls so healthy are the buckwheat and the cacao. Buckwheat is a gluten free seed that adds important amounts of dietary fiber, protein and antioxidants that will help stop cravings for unhealthy refined carbs like pastries and cookies. Aside from being delicious, cacao is considered a super food because of its high content of nutrients. It’s full of healthy antioxidants, magnesium, iron and calcium.

The sweetness in these energy balls come from Medjool dates instead of from refined sugars. Dates are one of my favorite ways to sweeten smoothies, baked goods and other sweet treats. They are loaded with fiber and amino acids that help fight constipation. They also contain plenty of minerals and vitamins and are a natural energy booster. A few of these energy balls will satisfy your cravings while giving your body healthy energy and many nutrients it needs.

Let me know if you make these.

Healthy wishes!

Elena

Cacao-Buckwheat Energy Balls
 
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This delicious bite size energy balls will satisfy sweet cravings in a healthy way that will keep your energy levels up without any guilt!
Author:
Recipe type: Snack, sweet treat.
Cuisine: Healthy, sugar free, gluten free, dairy free, egg free.
Serves: 15-20
Ingredients
  • 1 Cup Medjool* dates.
  • ¼ cup of unsweetened cacao powder.
  • ⅔ cups of raw buckwheat** or buckinis**.
  • 6 drops of vanilla extract.
  • 1 cup of dry shredded coconut or coconut flakes.
  • ½ tsp. of cinnamon powder.
Instructions
  1. Sprinkle the shredded coconut with the cinnamon and lightly toast it in a skillet over low heat. If you are using coconut flakes instead of shredded coconut, use the blender or the food processor to make the coconut pieces smaller.
  2. Toast it just for a few minutes, moving it around until you can smell the aroma and until the coconut starts turning light golden.
  3. Set aside on a plate so it cools down for later use.
  4. Add the dates, cacao, and vanilla into a food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes fully blended. It should look like a thick paste.
  5. Add the buckwheat and pulse only a couple of times. You want to blend the buckwheat just a little but you still want to be able to see and feel the buckwheat grains.
  6. Use a teaspoon to scoop out some mixture and form a ball using your hands, in the same way you would make a ball if using Play-Doh. I like to make small bite size balls about 1 inch in diameter.
  7. Roll the balls on top of the toasted coconut until they are fully covered.
  8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or use wax paper to wrap each ball individually as if it was a piece of candy.
  9. Enjoy!
Notes
*Medjool dates are softer and have more moisture than other types of dates. If you are not using Medjool dates, just cut the dates in half, place them in a bowl, cover them with water, and let them soak for at least half an hour. Then, drain the water and follow the recipe.
**Make sure you use raw buckwheat or buckinis instead of toasted buckwheat. Raw buckwheat has a mild taste and it’s softer than toasted buckwheat. Toasted buckwheat (also called kasha) can sometimes taste a little bitter and it is much harder. Buckinis are also a great choice to use, as they are raw buckwheat that has been previously soaked in water (to make its nutrients more easily available to our bodies) and then dehydrated.

 

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Healthy Mango-Banana Ice Cream

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MangoBananafinal

This Mango–Banana Nice-Cream is so easy to make and so delicious that you will more than likely want to double the recipe to keep some in your freezer. I can never make enough. It is also great for cooling down on a hot summer day with a sweet treat that has no refined sugars, gluten, or dairy.

You will need a food processor to blend everything together. Once it’s ready and served you can sprinkle it with chia seeds and shredded coconut as toppings for a good crunch and for additional fiber, protein and nutrients.

MangoBananaIngredients

Healthy Mango Banana Ice Cream
 
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A refreshing, sweet, and healthy treat easy to make for everyone to enjoy!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert, snack.
Cuisine: Healthy, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 3 cups frozen mango.
  • 1 cup frozen banana (about 1 banana).
  • A pinch of sea salt.
  • Optional: Chia seeds and coconut flakes as toppings for extra fiber and protein.
  • Equipment needed: High power blender or food processor.
Instructions
  1. Leave the frozen fruit outside of the freezer so it softens a little.
  2. Take a big knife and cut the frozen fruit into smaller pieces to make it easier on the blender or food processor.
  3. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
  4. You can use a spatula to move the fruit around so they all blend together evenly.
  5. Serve and sprinkle with chia seeds and coconut flakes for additional nutrients and texture.
Notes
If you are like me and want to make a bigger batch and store it in the freezer, just add a teaspoon of vodka when you are blending it so your ice cream stays creamy (instead of icy).
You don't need to add this if you are eating it right away.

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  • There is no excuse to eat unhealthy at work! It does take a little bit of planing but it can be as easy as adding Lupini beans to a salad. I discovered @bramisnacks at @natprodexpo earlier this year and I love these little beans. They have 50% more protein than chickpeas and are packed with nutrients. This is not an add, they just make my life easier while adding great taste to any salad so I wanted to share it with you! 😋💕 You can find more nutritional info in my stories! . . Blog: www.elenashealthyways.com . . 🇪🇸 No hay excusa para no comer saludable en el trabajo. Si, requiere de un poco de planeamiento, pero puede ser tan fácil como añadir frijoles Lupini a una ensalada. Descubrí #brami en #natprodexpo a inicios de este año y desde entonces amo estos fijolitos! Tienen 50% más proteína que los garbanzos y están llenos de nutrientes. Esto no es un anuncio pagado, quise compartirles este tip porque hacen mi vida más fácil a la vez que agregan un rico sabor a cualquier ensalada. 😋💕 Pueden encontrar más detalles nutricionales en mis historias!
  • Hello guys! I know I have been absent from social media lately. I have missed all of you so much! I have been beyond busy and trying to take extra care of myself like we all should whenever we are going through stressful times. It would be terrible if I didn’t practice what I preach. I know it seems like a contradiction to dedicate more time to self care at times when we have less time available but the busier you are, the more you need to pay attention to the food you eat, rest and physical activity. It’s the only way to stay sane and healthy. Without doing these, you will have another kind of busy, which would be time spent at the doctor’s office or incapacitated. I wanted to share with you a free 21-Day Meditation Experience that I started today. Remember, the busier you are, the more you need these type of self care practices so you can stay healthy, creative, and full of energy! If you want to join for free, just go to www.chopracentermeditation.com to register. Believe me, when you are stressed or busier than usual, 15 minutes of a self-care activity like this will really make a difference in how you handle everything. Have you tried meditation before? . . 🇪🇸Hola amigos! Sé que he estado perdida de las redes sociales últimamente. Los he extrañado muchísimo! He estado demasiado ocupada y tratando de cuidarme más de lo normal que es lo que todos deberíamos hacer cuando estamos pasando por momentos de estrés adicional. Estaría muy mal si no practico lo que predico. Yo sé que parece contradictorio tratar de dedicar más tiempo al cuidado personal cuando menos tiempo tenemos pero allí es cuando más necesitamos poner atención a lo que comemos, al descanso y a la actividad física. Es la única manera de mantenernos cuerdos y saludables. Si no lo hacemos, tendremos otra clase de enredos que involucran doctores e incapacidades. Quiero compartirles un Reto de Meditación de 21 días que empecé hoy. Recuerden que mientras más ocupados estamos, más necesitamos de este tipo de ayudas para mantenernos saludables, creativos y llenos de energía! Si quieren inscribirse gratis, sólo tienen que ir a www.chopracentermeditation.com y registrarse . Sigue en comentarios👇🏻
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  • Hello, Hello! 👋🏻 Have you ever tried adding sweet plantains to your salad? I’m eating lots of salads for lunch lately and adding sweet plantains its such a delicious twist. 😋On top of the fact that plantains are nutritional powerhouses full of fiber, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C! Are you a fan of plantains? . . Blog: www.elenashealthyways.com . . ESPAÑOL: Hola, Hola! 👋🏻 Alguna vez le haz añadido plátano maduro a tu ensalada? Últimamente estoy almorzando ensaladas muy a menudo y añadirle plátanos maduros les ha dado un giro delicioso. 😋 Esto encima del hecho de que los plátanos son una bomba de nutrientes! Están llenos de fibra, magnesio, potasio y vitamina C! Y tú, eres fan de los plátanos?
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  • This was B-fast today! An easy to make and quick breakfast (or snack) option that will keep you full all morning. Just smash an avocado with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Put it on top of your favorite toast. I used @foodforlifebaking 7 Sprouted Grains bread. Add hemp seeds for additional protein and @frontiercoop chili flakes for a little spice! 😋 . . Blog: www.elenashealthyways.com . . ESPAÑOL: Este fue mi desayuno de hoy! Una opción rápida y fácil que te dejará satisfecha toda la mañana! Sólo aplasta un aguacate con un tenedor y agrégale sal, pimienta y jugo de limón. Pon la mezcla sobre tu tostada favorita. Yo usé el pan de granos germinados de #foodforlifebaking. Para proteína adicional, añade semillas de cáñamo y y si te gusta el picante, las hojuelas de chili le quedan 😋!
  • Have you ever tried trimming your hair following moon cycles? I’m very scientific oriented and I question everything, but cutting your hair according to lunar cycles is an ancient practice that I tried out of desperation and it surprisingly worked! The first time I used it was when a hairdresser suggested that I try it with my premature twins because their hair did not grow and it looked very dull, thin, and fragile. It worked so well that I started using it for myself. You will start to see a difference after a few haircuts. You can consult the @farmersalmanac or the lunar hair chart from @morroccomethod to know the best days to cut your hair. Great September haircutting days are today, September 23 and 24. You still have time to try it out! It is one of those things that you have nothing to lose and give it a try. Have you ever cut your hair according to the moon phases? Let me know what you think in the comments below. . . Blog: www.elenashealthyways.com . . ESPAÑOL: Alguna vez haz probado cortarte el cabello siguiendo los ciclos de la luna? Yo soy muy orientada a la evidencia científica soy una que todo lo cuestiono pero cortarse el cabello de acuerdo a las fases de la luna es una práctica ancestral que probé por desesperación y para mi sorpresa, funciono muy bien. La primera vez que usé este método fue cuando un estilista me recomendó usarlo con mis gemelos prematuros porque el cabello no les crecía y se les veía sin vida, frágil y escaso. Funcionó tan bien que empecé a usarlo en mí. Empezarás a ver resultados después de varios cortes. Puedes consultar el #farmersalmanac o la tabla lunar de #morroccomethod para saber los mejores días. Todavía estás a tiempo de probar cortándote el cabello en septiembre! Es una de esas cosas que no pierdes nada con probar. Te haz cortado el cabello según las fases de la luna? Déjame saber lo que piensas en los comentarios.

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