Impress Your Guests this Labor Day with a Healthy Festive Cake

 Butterfly Cake by Sofia 

Ingredients:

1¾ cups spelt flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1-teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup melted coconut oil
½ milk of choice
¾ coconut sugar
1-teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray pan with cooking spray or grease with coconut oil.
In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and set aside.
Mix melted coconut oil, milk, coconut sugar, and vanilla. Stir in mashed bananas and mix well.
Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Mix well
Fill pan. Do not overfill as the cake will rise

Fall Apple Crisp

Tomorrow is my daughter's first family school breakfast, and she wanted to bring something warm and yummy to share with her friends. Since our fruit bowl is overflowing with apples that we purchased at the farmers market this weekend, we thought apple crisp would be the perfect morning treat. This recipe is not only delicious and easy to make, but is also loaded with omega three fatty acids from the flax seeds and coconut oil, which help to boost kids' moods and learning abilities. Additionally, this is a great recipe to get kids in tune with the seasons, eat locally and help with snack preparation. When kids help make a dish, they are usually more excited about eating it and the experience of trying something new.

Makes 15 snack servings

Ingredients:
Apple mix
6 apples, washed, cored, diced
½ cup apple juice

Crumble Topping
½ cup maple syrup
2 cups rolled oats
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoon butter/coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon flax seeds
1/3 cup raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly oil the bottom of baking pan with coconut oil.
3. Spread apples evenly in the pan and add apple juice.
4. In a bowl combine maple syrup, rolled oats, flax seeds, raisins, vanilla and cinnamon.
5. Fold in softened butter/coconut oil until combined. There should be no large chunks.
6. Press dry ingredients on top of the apple mixture.
7. Cook uncovered for 35-40 minutes.

An Apple a Day
Apples provide a big dose of soluble and insoluble fiber, as well as a host of other benefits. The polyphenols found in apples are powerful cardiovascular guardians, also helping to protect growing (and adult) bodies from the oxidation of bad fats (think trans fats), while offering bold anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have also shown that apple’s phytonutrients and high fiber content help children maintain an even mood by preventing spikes in blood sugar.

Local ingredients 
Purchasing food that’s grown in your surrounding area is beneficial for your health and for the environment. Transporting foods over long distances generates pollution, whereas buying groceries from local venders, like a farmers market, decreases your carbon footprint. Foods sold in grocery stores have traveled an average of 1500 miles from where they are grown. On the other hand, foods that are grown locally are picked when they are ripe, which allows for a better taste and more nutritious product.

Banana Bread That will Help Beat The Ground Hog Day Blues

If you are anything like me, and winter is getting you down this yummy healthy banana chip bread is a great pick me up. It's high omega 3 content should help banish the winter blues, as well as making your house smell great, and making your kids smile. Best yet, it won't hurt your waistline. A perfect snack or grab and go breakfast for the whole family.





Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas
2 teaspoons flax seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease baking pan. 

2. Combine oil and maple syrup, then add eggs and mix well. 

3. Stir in mashed bananas, flax seeds and vanilla; then stir in salt and flour. 

4. Mix baking soda with water; then stir into banana mixture. Fold in chopped chips. 

5. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes.

6. Let cool before slicing.

How to Avoid Dry Parched Winter Skin

The Best Tips, Tricks, and Eats
 
In winter, low temperatures, low humidity and strong, gusty winds deplete skin of its natural lipid layer, which keeps the skin from drying out. The dry air from heating sources also sucks the moisture out from our skin.

To keep skin soft and glowing this winter season can be simple; and does not have to involve pricey store bought creams.

Your goal is two fold, not only to add moisture to skin, but to keep the skins natural moisture in. Moisturizing, staying hydrated and eating an omega rich diet will help your skin to glow this winter.

Keep Skin Smooth with Omega’s - To relieve your cracked dry winter skin, look no farther then your local health foods store. Organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil is ideal for skin; both topically and when ingested. Topically it helps protect your skin from the drying effects of free radicals, and can help improve the appearance of skin. Coconut oil will not only bring temporary soothing effects to your skin, but it will aid in restoring your skin’s soft feel. The coconut oil will aid in exfoliating the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. It also penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin to strengthen the underlying tissues. So slather it on your face and body. Best used at night since it is heavy and needs to absorb.

Eat an Omega Rich Diet - Eating a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids is the best way to nourish your skin from the inside out. Flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, almonds, olive oil, salmon, halibut, tuna, sardines and scallops are wonderful sources for helping your skin to look great

Sunscreen - Sunscreen isn't just for summertime. Winter sun -- combined with snow glare -- can severely damage and dry your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands --- buy only oxybenzone & paraben free

Keep Water Lukewarm - Hot water robs skin of moisture causing dry skin, so it's best to shower in lukewarm water. The same rule applies to hand washing: Wash hands in lukewarm, never hot water. If your skin turns red, the water is simply too hot.

Take your vitamins- Ideally; one should maintain a healthy diet and immune system. Taking a multivitamin as well as vitamin D, C and omegas will not only help you to look and feel great

Exercise - It reduces stress levels, and increases circulation that helps skin to glow.

Stay hydrated - Dehydration combined with dry weather humidity levels leave skin parched and dull looking. Drinking at least eight to ten 8 oz. glasses of water keeps your complexion looking bright.

Sleep - Allowing yourself a solid 8 hours of sleep, especially after a long evening out, lets your body (and your skin) recuperate for the next fun-filled event.