Vegan, and amazing chocolate spice coookies

As wellness seekers, we are always striving to eat well, and put only the healthiest foods into our bodies as much as possible. While eating treats, sugar and processed flour is best kept to a minimum, we all need to have treats to make life a little sweeter. I always do my best to bake healthy cookies, muffins and breads using the most healthful ingredients possible. I never buy pre-packaged cookies or baked goods because they are all loaded with unhealthy fats, white flour, and sugar and other nasty ingredients I do not want to put in my body. If you are going to have a treat, why not make your own, and adjust the ingredients so that you always know what you are eating?

 Here is a delicious recipe for an egg-free, dairy-free cookie that will knock your socks off. It is like a ginger snap, with a hit of chocolate, and a little kick of spice.

Vegan chocolate spice cookies

Sift into medium sized bowl:

1/2 cups spelt flour
1/4 tsp. Ginger
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
pinch cayenne pepper (optional, or add more for more heat)
2 tbs. Cocoa powder
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/4 cup chocolate chips (if you are a chocolate lover!)

Whisk or blend with hand mixer:

1/2 C. Coconut oil (melted on low heat)

1/2 C. Coconut palm sugar

1/4 C. Organic, unsulphured molasses

1 flax egg (or other vegan equivalent) *

Add oil, sugar, mixture to dry ingredients, and mix well.

Bake @ 350 for about 10-12 mins. Watch closely so they don't burn!

*Flax eggs are a great way to bind your baked goods together, and add a nice bit of healthy fats too!

• 3 Tbs = 1 egg.
• Mix 1/3 cup finely ground flax seed with 1 cup of water. Mix well by hand or in a blender. Store in air tight glass container for up to 6 days. Makes equivalent of 6 eggs.

Enjoy, and good luck only eating just one!

 

~Leanne

 

www.soulworkcounselling.com

 

 

products you may be using that are toxic to your health

 

Detoxify your body& home

 

The word 'detox' has become a buzz word related to anything from diets plans, detox products, spa treatments, and certain super foods know for their detoxifying properties.
Keeping your body and home clear of as many toxins as possible, is an important part to staying healthy, and preventing disease.  There is endless information and books on the subject of detoxification, but here I will give you a simple version of a few simple changes you can make to reduce your exposure to unhealthy toxins.

 There are many cleanse kit products available at most health food stores, as well as detox diet plans and books to guide you through foods to avoid, and lifestyle changes to make to assist in the detoxification process. If you feel drawn to use some of those products, and that works well for you, then by all means continue to do what is working. 

Here are some additional ways to decrease your exposure to toxins:

~ Use natural skincare products that are free from parabens and other toxic preservatives and chemicals. There are many wonderful products available made with all natural, safe ingredients. Remember this rule of thumb: If you can't eat it, it shouldn't be put on your skin! Not that you would eat body wash, but the point is that the ingredients should be pure enough that if you did ingest some every day,  over time, you wouldn't get sick. Our skin absorbs everything we put on it!

~ Eat organically grown produce
Pesticides are used on just about everything conventionally grown from grains to produce. Do your best within your budget to purchase and consume organic foods as much as possible. For a list of the most heavily sprayed produce read: How to save money on organic produce

~ Switch to healthy fats/oils
For cooking the best oil by far is coconut oil. It does not become toxic at high tempratures like other oils, and is great for anything from baking (in place of butter or other oils/margarine) to cooking, to use as a facial and body moisturizer! Extra Virgin, cold pressed coconut oil is best. (Costco has amazing organic coconut oil)

~Green clean your home
There are no excuses anymore to use Mr. Clean and those other harsh cleaning products! When you clean with chemicals, you are breathing in all the vapors, which are absorbed into your body, and are not good for your health, as well as your pets, and children- and the environment when they are rinsed down the drain.
I love using natural products that smell like essential oils and plant extracts, rather than synthetic fragrances and chemicals. A good brand that works well, and is comparable in price to the chemical laden types, is Clorox Green works. They have laundry/dish soap and other effective cleaners that work great.

Open your windows daily to allow fresh air to circulate, as well. Our indoor air quality can become more toxic than the air outside!


These are just a few things you can do to begin living greener and cleaner. Have fun with it, try new products and enjoy knowing that they are healthy and not toxic to your health!

 ~Leanne


Leanne Oaten

Holistic Counsellor/ Wellness Leader

250-319-3630

www.soulworkcounselling.com

 

Is your health at risk? The #1 indicator that increases your risk for disease

The one calculation that could save your life, and help you prevent disease.

Your waist to hip ratio (WHR) is a really accurate indicator that says a lot about your current health, and  risk for disease. Carrying most of your weight and fat around your abdomen (abdominal obesity), is the most dangerous area to hold excess fat - putting your risk of developing  heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer.

The best way to monitor your progress when trying to lose excess body fat is to get familiar     with your WHR. Reducing your WHR is essential for disease prevention, and here's how you get started:


You will need:
-A flexible measuring tape
 -A notebook
- Someone to help you measure accurately if you are having difficulty

Step 1: Wrap measuring tape around waist (as shown in picture) above your belly button
Pull tape flat against skin, but not too tight as to indent the skin. Write this measurement in your note book.

Step 2: Measure widest part of hip are (as shown) and also write this measurement in your note book.

Step 3: Divide waist measurement, by your hip number. The result is your WHR. Compare this number with the chart above to see where you are at.

Women with less than 0.8 WHR, and for men 0.9 is considered in the safe zone. A WHR of more than 1.0 for either gender is considered "high risk" for disease and obesity related illness.



If you are in the "danger zone" it is essential to take steps to lower your BMI through cleaning up your diet, getting activity into your day, and managing your stress levels. A holistic approach to weight loss is the most effective, in that the premise for this approach is intended to lead to permanent, healthy lifestyle change, rather than reaching for the next fad diet or magic supplement. Good nutrition, exercise, and addressing any emotional, mental issues, as well as creating life balance and managing stress levels, are key components of a balanced weight loss program. The idea is that the changes that are made are for life, not for a week or two. If the root cause of the weight gain is  not properly attended to, the weight will often come back. Take some steps toward getting healthy, and the weight will eventually take care of itself. Getting healthy from within, is the path to lasting change.

Yours in good health,
Leanne


Leanne Oaten is a Holistic Counsellor and healthy lifestyle coach. She assists others on their path to health, wellness and reaching their healthy, ideal body weight through a holistic approach.
She can be reached at 250-319-3630


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