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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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  • Today I hiked with my favorite three! I was longing to be in nature for so long. Has it happened to you that whenever you are going through a period of a heavy workload or stress, your body starts to ache? My muscles start to get stiff. And if I don’t do something about it, I will start getting headaches. This is your body talking to you. Weekends are great to recharge. An easy way to lower your stress levels is to go out in nature. It can be a park, the beach, or even your back yard. Get some sunshine and fresh air. Breathe deeper than normal. You will immediately start feeling better. Did you know that there is a nature therapy that originated in Japan that’s called “Forest Bathing”? There are scientific studies that found that being in nature lowers stress hormones, pulse rate, blood pressure, hostility, and depression. It also increases our energy levels and improves our immune system. This was exactly what I needed today and I’m glad I took the time to do it. This is also an important part of getting ready for the week ahead. How did you choose to recharge this weekend? You still have time to do something that will make you feel better and happier! . . ESPAÑOL: Hoy salí a caminar con mis tres favoritos! Extrañaba demasiado estar cerca de la naturaleza. Les ha pasado que cuando están pasando por un periodo de mucho trabajo y estrés les comienza a doler el cuerpo? A mi se me empiezan a tensar los músculos y si no hago nada al respecto, me dan dolores de cabeza. Este es cuerpo hablándote. Los fines de semana son perfectos para recargarse de energía y la manera más fácil de hacer esto es ponerse en contacto con la naturaleza. Puede ser un parque, la playa, o tu jardín. Sal a tomar algo de sol y a respirar aire fresco. Respira más profundo de lo normal. Enseguida te sentirás mejor. Sabías que hay una terapia en Japón que se llama “baño de bosque”? Hay estudios científicos que prueban que estar en la naturaleza disminuye las hormonas del estrés, el pulso cardiaco, la presión arterial, la hostilidad y la depresión. También incrementa nuestra energía y fortalece nuestro sistema inmune. Esto era exactamente lo que necesitaba hoy (continúa en comentarios👇🏻👇🏻)
  • A healthy lunch box either for work or school is easy as long as you take the time to plan ahead. It takes time to come up with different options that work well with what you need and like. It will take lots of planning to make it happen the first couple of weeks but after that, it will run very smoothly. It will make you feel so good that it’s worth the effort. Your body and mind will thank you! . . My lunch today was the same that I prepare for dinner last night. Summer rolls filled with veggies and chicken with a peanut-ginger sauce. What are some lunch box favorites of yours? . . ESPAÑOL: Una lonchera saludable para el trabajo o la escuela es fácil siempre y cuando uno se tome el tiempo de planearla. Toma tiempo encontrar opciones que te gusten y que te funcionen. También tendrás que planear bastante el primer par de semanas pero después de eso, todo fluye bastante fácil. Te sentirás tan bien que vale la pena hacer el esfuerzo. Tu mente y cuerpo te lo agradecerán. . Mi almuerzo de hoy fue lo mismo que me preparé para cenar ayer en casa. Estos rollitos con pollo, vegetales y salsa de maní y jengibre. Cuales son algunas de tus loncheras favoritas?
  • For something sweet without added sugars this one does the job! Browned bananas with chopped dates and natural peanut butter over your favorite toast. Yum! I used @foodforlifebaking sprouted grains bread and @crazyrichardspb 😋 ESPAÑOL: Cuando tengas antojo de algo dulce pero sin azúcar refinada, esto funciona perfecto! Guineos dorados con pedacitos de dátiles y mantequilla de maní natural sobre tu tostada favorita! Yo usé #FoodForLifeBaking y #CrazyRichardsPB 😋
  • I know today is a day filled with happy wishes for all women but sadly, this is still what I often still see plenty of times. In some cultures more than in others, if a woman wants to have a career and a family, she has to manage to do it all. That is just not possible. At least it’s not possible to do it well without sacrificing health and happiness. A strong woman, like everyone else, still needs a group of people that supports her so she can thrive. So today, I wish that all women could do whatever it is that they dream of doing. I wish that certain roles were not imposed upon us. I wish we woman could have the wisdom to surround ourselves with people that recognize our value, that respect our dreams, and that are willing to offer support. Not because we are woman, but because we all have different strengths and when we work together to support each other, life is smoother, less stressful, and more fair to everyone. I congratulate everyone (men and women) that has supported women and that understand the irreplaceable role that women play in all societies. Now, after having said that: Happy #InternationalWomen’sDay to all! . I don’t know who the author of this art is. Someone send it to me without credits so if you know who the author is, please let me know so I can add his/her info. . . ESPAÑOL: Se que hoy es un día lleno de buenos deseos para todas las mujeres pero esto es lo que tristemente todavía veo que pase muchas veces. En algunas culturas más que es otras, si una mujer quiere tener una carrera y una familia, tiene que arreglárselas para hacerlo todo. Eso no es posible. Por lo menos no es posible hacerlo bien sin sacrificar su salud y su felicidad. Una mujer fuerte, como todo el mundo, también necesita un grupo de personas que la apoyen para poder prosperar. Así que hoy, mi deseo es que todas las mujeres puedan hacer lo que sea que sueñen con hacer. Deseo que ciertas funciones no sean impuestas sobre nosotras. Deseo que cada mujer tenga la sabiduría necesaria para rodearse de personas que reconozcan su valor, que respeten sus sueños y que estén dispuestas a apoyarlas. No porque sean mujeres, si no porque todos tenemos distinta fortalezas y cuando...
  • Hello! I’m so excited to report that I’m on day 32 of following @medicalmedium ‘s suggestion of drinking 16 ounces of celery juice everyday on an empty stomach. I’m almost done writing a blog post about my experience. One of my sons took this picture today. I have managed to get both of them to drink it too, which is huge because at 16 years old they don’t want to do many things I suggest. They both started with 8 ounces to get use to it and I will slowly increase the amount. Now I only have to convince my hubby. . According to medical medium, here is a small list of some of the things that drinking celery use daily can do for you: it reduces bloating, helps with digestion, supports weight loss, fights infection, promotes liver health, helps healing of skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, lowers inflammation, lowers high blood pressure. . Do I like the flavor? No. Will I continue drinking it? Yes! I will let you know as soon as I publish the blog post so you can read more about it. . . ESPANOL: Hola! Días soleados de carnaval por acá! Estoy super contenta de contarles que hoy cumplo 32 días de seguir el protocolo de #MedicalMedium de tomar 16 onzas de jugo de apio todos los días con el estómago vacío. Ya casi termino de escribir una publicación en mi blog contándoles mi experiencia. Uno de mis hijos tomó esta foto hoy. En el camino logré que mis dos hijos empezaran también a tomarlo, algo que me emociona demasiado porque a los 16 años, esto no pasa muy a menudo. Empezaron tomando 8 onzas y se los iré aumentando a medida que se acostumbren. Ahora sólo tengo que convencer a mi esposo. . Según Medical Medium, esta es una pequeña lista de sólo algunas de las cosas con las que te puede ayudar esta práctica: Reduce la hinchazón del abdomen, ayuda con la digestión, ayuda a bajar de peso, elimina infecciones, promueve un hígado saludable, ayuda con problemas de la piel como acné, psoriasis y eczema, reduce la inflamación y baja la presión arterial entre otros beneficios. . Me preguntan que si me gusta el sabor? La respuesta es no. Me lo seguiré tomando? Claro que sí! Les aviso tan pronto y publique el artículo en mi blog para más detalles!
  • Hello friends! This was breakfast today after drinking 16 ounces of celery juice @medicalmedium My perfectionist side has prevented me from posting more frequently🤦🏻‍♀️. My life is really hectic right know but I have being able to still take really good care of what I eat. I can’t say the same in the exercise department but something had to give 😔. . I would take a quick pic of something I wanted to share with you but then I would look at the not so pretty pictures and I would decide not to post. I just decided that 2019 is the year for me when done is better than perfect! I miss interacting with all of you! From know on it’s going to be less pretty pictures and more real life content on tips and tricks to stay healthy even when you think you don’t have time. Have it happened to you that you don’t do things you love because you are waiting to have more time to make it better or perfect? . . ESPAÑOL: Hola amigos! Este fue mi desayuno hoy después de tomarme mis 16 oz de jugo de apio #medicalmedium . Mi lado perfeccionista no me ha dejado postear más a menudo🤦🏻‍♀️.Estoy híper ocupada desde hace meses pero he logrado cuidar mucho mi alimentación. No puedo decir lo mismo acerca de hacer ejercicio pero algo tenía que ceder! 😔 . Tomaba fotos de apuro de algo que quería compartirles pero después veía las fotos medias feas y prefería no postearlas. Acabo de decidirme que el 2019 va a ser el año para mí en que algo hecho es mejor que algo perfecto pero que dejas de hacer. Extraño compartir con todos por acá. Desde hoy publicaré fotos menos lindas pero más tips y consejos en tiempo real de cómo llevar un vida sana aunque creas que no tienes tiempo. Te ha pasado que dejas de hacer cosas que te encantan porque estás esperando por algún momento cuando lo puedas hacer mejor o perfecto?
  • Amazing Ginger and Turmeric Tea! I drink this almost every day. It helps the body stays free from disease and has anti-inflammatory properties to help us be pain free. It also aids digestion and keeps our immune system strong. The best part…it tastes really good! You can see how it’s made in my IG Highlights under “Amazing Tea” . Ingredients: Ginger root Turmeric Black pepper Lemon Water Optional: honey or maple syrup . . Procedure: Peel and cut the ginger and turmeric in small pieces. Put in a pot, add some black ground pepper, and pour boiling water on top. Put more or less water depending how strong you want it. Let it steep for at least half an hour. Add lemon juice. You can add some honey or maple syrup if you want it to be sweet and you can drink it hot or cold. You can make one cup at a time or make a lot and store it in the fridge to consume throughout the day. Enjoy! . . ESPAÑOL: Té Maravilloso de Jengibre y Cúrcuma! Tome este té casi todos los días. Ayuda al cuerpo a mantenerse libre de enfermedades y tiene propiedades anti-inflamatorias que nos ayudan a estar libres de dolores. También ayuda con la digestión y ayuda a nuestro sistema inmune a permanecer fuerte. La mejor parte es…que sabe muy rico! Puedes ver cómo lo preparo en mis Historias destacadas de IG, bajo “Amazing Tea”. . Ingredientes: Raíz de jengibre Cúrcuma Pimienta negra molida Limón Agua Opcional: miel ó jarabe de arce . Procedimiento: Pela y corta el jengibre y la cúrcuma en pedazos chicos. Ponlo en una olla, añade pimienta y añade agua hirviendo. Pon más o menos agua dependiendo de que tan fuerte quieres que sea. Déjalo reposar por lo menos media hora. Añade limón. Puedes ponerle miel ó sirope de arce si lo quieres dulce y lo puedes tomar caliente ó frío. Puedes preparar una taza a la vez, ó mayor cantidad para guardar en la refrigeradora y tomarlo durante el día. Que lo disfruten!
  • Hello my friends! Another day at the office. My lunch today was a simple salad made extraordinary by adding some @crunchsters organic sprouted mung beans (vegan beyond bacon flavor) and some @bramisnacks lime lupini beans. I was craving everything crunchy today so I had some gluten free @LaikiCrackers on the side. . When eating salad as a meal it should include plenty of protein, fiber, flavor, and some healthy carbs and fats. This salad had all! Yum!😋 . . . ESPANOL: Hola amigos! Otro día en la oficina. Empezando esta semana con ganas e inspiración. Mi almuerzo de hoy fue una simple ensalada que se volvió extraordinaria al añadir unos crujientes frijolitos nacidos de la marca #Crunchsters (con sabor a tocino vegano) y frijoles lupini condimentados con limón de la marca #brami . Hoy tenía antojo de comer cosas crujientes así es que la acompañe con unas tostaditas de arroz libres de gluten de la marca #LaikiCrackers . . Cuando coman ensaladas como una comida, esta debe de incluir suficiente proteína, fibra, sabor y carbohidratos y grasas buenas. Esta ensalada lo tenía todo! Yum!😋
  • Natural remedies for those days when you have low energy but need to get things done: Eat a teaspoon of bee polen mixed with a little bit of honey, eat a piece of dark chocolate, drink a cup of Matcha tea or green tea, drink a healthy energy drinks (with no added sugars or chemicals), diffuse some essential oils (lemon, jazmin, cinnamon are good options), take a colder than usual shower, get some natural sunshine, take a 10 minute brisk walk, eat plant based foods for breakfast and lunch. . If you are feeling sleepy or low energy, you probably need more rest. That is not possible all the time. Yesterday I went to bed really late and I’m feeling it today. I usually get a headache when I don’t rest enough. Lucky for me, I had some @drinkmati at my office that I received as a sample from #NewHopeBloggerBox. It saved the day! It is an energy drink made with guayusa leaves that have natural caffeine and no added sugar. Did you know that caffeine helps relief headaches too? Just make sure to not consume caffeine after 2pm so you can have a restful sleep at night. What do you usually do to increase your energy levels? . . ESPANOL: Ideas de remedios naturales para esos días cuando estas falto de energía pero necesitas hacer mil cosas! Cómete una cucharadita de polen de abejas con un poquito de miel, come un pedazo de chocolate oscuro, toma una taza de té Matcha o verde, tómate una bebida energética natural (sin azúcar añadida ni químicos), huele aceites esenciales (buenas opciones son de limón, canela, o jazmín), date una ducha con agua un poco más fría de lo que acostumbras, toma un poco de sol, haz una caminata a paso rápido por 10 minutos, desayuna y almuerza vegetariano. . Si te sientes con sueño o con poca energía, probablemente necesitas descansar más. Eso no es posible todo el tiempo. Ayer me acosté demasiado tarde y hoy ando apagada. Usualmente hasta dolor de cabeza me da cuando no descanso lo suficiente. Para mi suerte, tenía en mi oficina una bebida energizante natural que recibí como una muestra en mi #NewHopeBloggerBox. Me salvó el día! #drinkmati es una bebida hecha con hojas de guayasa que contiene cafeína natural y sin azúcar. (Continúa en comentarios 👇)

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