I often throw things together in the kitchen and hope for the best! Creativity can work out well sometimes, other times, not so much ! Last night was a good night in the kitchen!

I threw together some ingredients I had handy and the goal was banana, date and oat muffins! Voila they rose…and they tasted great! Far surpassed my expectations! Always a pleasant surprise!

Here is the recipe! As of this morning they are still moist . I waited for the over night hockey puck test before I posted (I’ve surely made muffins that have turned into little stones by sunrise! These ones are still plump and delicious!)

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1 egg
3/4 cup almond milk (I’m sure other milk would work too!)
1/3 cup organic apple sauce
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup mashed banana
12-15 chopped pitted dates

Mix ingredients together, use non stick muffin pan or lightly butter each cup of a regular muffin pan.
Put the oven to 400 and cook for 18-20 minutes or until you can stick a knife into the muffin and no batter sticks to it when you pull it out.
Let sit until cool enough to eat. Then dig in!

Enjoy! Happy Thursday!

NSAG

 

Holy Basil! Yes that’s actually what it’s called! Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum) is a plant that originated in India and is often used in Ayurvedic Medicine. It is a member of the mint family. It is considered a sacred plant by the Hindus and you will often see it planted around Hindu shrines. They refer to it as “Tulsi” or The “Uncomparable One”. Medicine is made from the leaves, stems and seeds. It’s also been referred to as the “Elixer of Life”. (Ok…if I didn’t want to try it before I sure do now!) It’s been grown in India for over 3000 years.

Holy Basil is used for the common cold, flu, bronchitis, influenza, headache, stomach upset, heart disease, malaria, earache, headache, asthma and diabetes. It is also used to improve memory and concentration. Tulsi is an important part of many Ayurvedic cough syrups as it acts as an expectorant helping to mobilize mucous in bronchitis and asthma.

Holy Basil leaves are also an known as adaptogens or anti-stress agents. which are used to help deal with “life stress”, which can cause a lot of inflammation in the body over time. It has been known to reduce hormones related to stress, mainly cortisol.  Although it does not alter mood, it can help the body to better cope in times of stress. Even if you are feeling good you can chew 12 leaves twice a day to reduce the chances of stress. The leaves also help to purify the blood.

You can also sip Tulsi Tea (yes another tea for the shelf! I think I need a new cupboard!?) and also reap the benefits of the adaptogens via tea. It tastes a bit like cloves and is a nice way to enjoy the benefits of Tulsi.

Applied locally, basil juice has been shown to help with ringworm and other skin diseases due to it’s anti inflammatory action. It is also known as an anti histamine, which should be useful in allergy season which is just around the corner. Except for in Canada where it’s late March and still snowing? We won’t have to worry about allergy season for a while this year! But you lucky southern people…maybe get on the Holy Basil Train!

How does this Holy Basil work? Chemicals in Holy Basil are thought to decrease pain and swelling (inflammation). It acts as an anti histamine, anti inflammatory herb.  In vitro Holy Basil has been shown to act as a COX 2 inhibitor, reducing inflammation. If you struggle with joint or muscle pain this may be a natural option worth trying.

Although I always recommend we eat wholesome whole food diets as our first means of improving health and reducing inflammation, sometimes when you are dealing with inflammation and pain, you do need to go a step further for additional support. Removing processed foods and sugars will go a LONG way in reducing inflammation in the body. Additionally some herbs such as Holy Basil can be helpful. Always consult with your doctor before trying anything herbal, especially if you are taking any medications. To be safe this is always a good idea.

Now let’s go find the “Elixer of Life!”

Lentil Walnut Burger:

4 1/2 cups of drained lentils

1 cup walnuts, chopped

2 eggs (You can substitute the eggs in this recipe with “flax eggs” which are a mix of 6 tbsp ground flax to 2 tbsp boiling water)

1 1/2 tsp oregano

2tsp cumin

2tsp mustard

12 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 cup onion, diced

1 cup wheat germ (binder)

3/4 cup rice or soy milk

2tbsp olive oil

Salt/Pepper

Mix ingredients and form into patties. In a pan use a bit of olive oil to coat and cook each patty for 3-4minutes per side. Serve on a bun with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and your choice of garnish or get creative with hot sauces and guacamole!

Side- Steamed Broccoli with Tahini Sauce;

Tahini Sauce:

1 cup sesame paste (tahini) – preferably whole sesame
1 cup water
juice from 1 small lemon
1-2 cloves garlic
10 cilantro stalks
¼ cup olive oil
2 tsp paprika
salt to taste

2 cups of steamed broccoli, drizzle tahini sauce on top to your liking.

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor. The consistency of tahini sauce can range from very thin and watery to quite thick. Adjust the amount of water to reach the desired texture.

This recipe is delicious and offers you non dairy and non meat options for iron and calcium as well as many other great nutrients! It’s also pretty simple to make! Enjoy!

And remember, you are what you eat!

Here’s a great alternative to a heavy meat burger! Give it a try this weekend! It’s pretty simple! Spice it up however you like!

Ingredients:

• 2 cans cannellini white beans, drained (Each can is 1 3/4 cups drained beans with Progresso beans) (Cannellini beans are large and have that traditional kidney shape. With a slightly nutty taste and mild earthiness, they have a relatively thin skin and tender, creamy flesh).
• 1 large sweet potato, baked/peeled/mashed (about 2 cups)
• 2 Tbsp tahini (sesame seed butter)
• 2 tsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning OR Cajun seasoning (or another fave spice!)
• 1/4 cup wheat flour or brown rice flour or gluten free flour (there are some good pre-made gluten free flours on the market now)
• Optional: additional seasoning (whatever you have on hand – I used a few dashes cayenne, black pepper or chilli pepper)Salt to taste if needed
• Panko crumbs (you will dip each Pattie in the bread crumbs, about 1 cup total)
• Olive oil for pan- lightly oil just to avoid sticking
• 2 whole wheat buns or gluten free buns
• 2 avocados for toppings
• TOPPINGS TO CONSIDER!!! Dijon mustard, pickles, onions as desired OR you can use a mango chutney and roasted red peppers as toppings.

Directions:

1. Bake sweet potato. Peel, place in large mixing bowl.
2. Add drained beans to mixing bowl. Mash beans and potato together. (you can use a food processor or a fork)
3. Mash in seasoning, flour and any additional seasoning. Your mixture will be quite soft and moist,but you should be able to form a patty. Add more flour or a scoop of breadcrumbs – or dry rice to thicken the mixture if needed.
4. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a pan over high heat.
5. Form a patty from mixture and coat in Panko or gluten free bread crumbs. Thick coating. Then drop the patty in the pan. Repeat until the pan is filled. Cook until browned on both sides. You could also bake. If baking, use less Panko.
6. Transfer cooked patties to paper towel. Cool for a few minutes.
7. Serve on toasted bun with lot of yummy toppings!

This is a great alternative to a meat burger! I love it!
Serves well with baked zucchini frites!

Bon Appetit! From NSAG!

The amazing flavor of this baked salmon marinated with sweet maple dressing and topped with almonds makes this dish taste soooooo good it will definitely become a mealtime staple!

Need a quick snack 30 min pre-ride? Don’t grab a gel; why not grab some real food? Save the gels for on the bike if you enjoy them (potatoes are a whole food option there as well). I like to grab a banana with some raw honey drizzled on it. Easy to digest, low fat, low protein, good easy whole food choice! Add some sprinkled cinnamon or nutmeg on top if you like!

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups ckicken or vegetable stock
• 6 leeks chopped using the white parts and just a little bit of the green
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 4 medium potatoes peeled chopped
• 1 tsp salt and pepper
• 1 cup milk (you can try milk alternatives such as rice/almond/soy to make this recipe dairy free.It may alter the flavor a little bit.)
• scallions for garnish
• dollop of yogurt for garnish – optional

Method Add oil to a large pot; saute onion and potato for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except for the milk and simmer for 30 minutes. Blend until smooth, return to the pot and add the milk. Garnish with scallions.

Make a big batch and invite friends for a weekend fall ride with soup to follow at your place! Check out NSAG’S recent Veggie Chili post for another nice hot dish!

Enjoy!

Here is a quick and easy change up for pasta dishes!! It’s a nice change from the old red pasta sauce! And it’s full of nourishment, and not full of sugar and preservatives like many pre- made sauces on the grocery store shelves! Make extra and keep it in the fridge for a few recipes in the same week or over a training weekend! It’s DELICIOUS!

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped
• 3 celery stalks chopped
• 4 medium zucchini, skin on and chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic minced
• pepper to taste

Method

• Add olive oil to a pot and saute onion, celery and carrots until translucent. Add zucchini, garlic, salt, pepper and cook until soft. Once the vegetables have cooked down blend until smooth (I use an immersion blender and do it right in the pot!) and pour over your pasta. You can garnish with some fresh parsley and a pinch of parm cheese for a fantastic creamy and veggie filled pasta sauce.

Even the kids will love this one! Enjoy!

Warm up this winter with this quick and easy veggie chili…

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp olive oil
2 carrots peeled and chopped
3 celery stalks chopped
1 medium onion chopped
2 zucchini chopped
1 red pepper chopped

NSAG

Anne’s Cantaloupe Breakfast Bowl!I just had it for breakfast today! AWESOME! Simply cut a cantaloupe in half, scoop out the insides, add some plain Greek yogurt, cut up fresh strawberries (or blueberries/raspberries), sprinkle with fresh walnuts and drizzle with maple syrup. Now tell me that isn’t nature’s candy? Who needs a fast food, fat laden breakfast when this simple and quick to make, deliciously refreshing breakfast is right there at your fingertips! Give it a try! Totally AWESOME! REAL FOOD ROCKS! (For added protein you could mix in a scoop of vanilla whey with the Greek yogurt or have a poached egg on the side.) Just compost the bowl, wash the spoon and voila! Bon apetit! Happy Friday to all!

NSAG