Are You Preserved?

I recently posted about my approved list of packaged food, so now you know what to buy when it comes to healthy snacking! These are packaged foods that are safe by my standards and are not heavily processed or loaded with sugar, salt, and preservatives. The confusing part here is knowing what to look for on packages. How can you decipher on your own whether or not something is safe and good to eat? Most people (I would like to think) know there are things added to our foods, but don’t really know what they are or the impact they have on our bodies and long-term health. In fact, most people believe that food additives serve a beneficial purpose and are good for our products and our health.

Well, let me assure you that this is not the case. Additives do way more harm over the long term and often even in the short term. More than 300 food additives, preservatives, flavourings, colourants, and other ingredients are added to foods in Canada. As a result, most Canadians spend 90% of their money on processed foods that are loaded with these additives. Even though they are legal to use, they are not necessarily safe. Here is a breakdown of some additives and their effect on your  long-term health!

• Sodium nitrate
• BHA and BHT
• Propyl gallate
• Trans fats
• Asparatame
• Acesulfame-K
• Food colourings ( Blue 1 & 2, Red 3, Green 3, Yellow 6)
• Potassium bromate
• MSG

Does that list sound appetizing? I didn’t think so! Most of these are found in anything from baked goods and chewing gum to chicken soup, cereal, lunch meats, vegetable oils and potato chips. If you eat a highly-processed diet, you are exposing yourself to cancer-causing toxins at every meal!

Also be mindful that some additives may mimic your hormones. According to the Chemical Journal of Toxicology, there are 31 potential estrogen-mimicking food additives, known as xenoestrogens. These chemicals are linked to all kinds of human health effects, including reduced sperm counts in men and increased risk of breast cancer in women. The food you eat can also directly affect your behaviour and mood. Don’t we have enough natural stresses in our life that affect our emotions? Do we need our food to contribute to that too? I think not!

Processed food is also high in sugar and starchy carbohydrates, which can lead to excess insulin release, followed by falling blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. This can lead to agitation, depression, anger, anxiety, panic, and even an increase in risk of suicide. Once again, it is baffling that we have complete control over this and yet people still eat processed foods. You can choose the potato chips, soda pop, or fruit juice or you can simple choose to live more naturally and additive-free. You will feel better, look better, and may just preserve yourself naturally and live to a ripe old age!

Super Powered Protein Pancakes

It’s not very often, but on a given weekend morning all I want to do is make pancakes. I nice hearty batch of pancakes that is filling enough to cover two meals – both breakfast and lunch.

I decided to come up with a fun batch this past weekend. I usually make a batch of pancakes that is very simple with just some whole grain flour (like spelt or oats) a banana, some rice milk and a few other things. They are yummy, but not as yummy as this batch.

This weekend I decided to take things a little outside of the Aunt Jamima pancake box (which I don’t think I have ever used in my life) and make some super powered protein pancakes.

Most people don’t think of pancakes as a source of protein. Well that all depends on what you put into it. I have been on this Sun Warrior kick lately (for over a year) since it is my favourite protein powder to use.  Along with some high fiber gluten free flours, these pancakes are good for at least a serving or two of your plant based protein for the day. I also added a whole bunch of super foods like mesquite, chia, coconut sugar and then topped them with fresh berries and a homemade cashew cream and date syrup. If this isn’t the perfect way enjoy a meal, then I don’t know what is. They were dense, hearty and had the most unique flavour. You should try them!

There are a whole bunch of ingredients in these pancakes, some of which may be new to you. If you can try to get a hold of some of them at your local health food store for a change.

Mesquite Power Pancakes

½ cup Teff Flour (gluten free, high in protein)

½ cup Buckwheat Flour (gluten free, full of fiber)

½ cup Rolled Oats

1 cup almond or rice milk with 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (makes vegan buttermilk)

1 tablespoon mesquite powder (gives pancakes a malty sweet taste(

1 tablespoon chia powder or ground flax (binds it all together – acts as one egg)

2 tablespoons Sun Warrior Protein (totally optional – but gives them a boost)

1 tablespoon coconut sugar (natural low glycemic sweetener) buy some here!

1 teaspoon cinnamon (balances blood sugar)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

½ cup fresh blueberries (antioxidants)

1 tablespoon coconut oil (energy)

1 tablespoon date syrup or maple syrup (natural sweetness, and PURE fun!)

2 large tablespoon of cashew cream (cashews, almond butter, rice syrup and cinnamon all blended up!)

-       mix the dry ingredients

-       mix the wet ingredients

-       combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mix and let sit for 5 minutes

-       warm a hot skillet or pan with some coconut oil

-       drop batter onto pan by the ¼ cup full (or bigger) and allow to warm until bubbles come through or one side has browned, flip over (approx 2 minutes per pancake)