Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

Need something to do with those bananas that have pretty much gone bad? Well, look no further! This quick, easy and healthy recipe is your answer. I was skeptical at first because banana bread is hard to master, but I promise this one is worth it. Enjoy!

Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 55 minutes / Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

⅓ cup melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil

½ cup honey or maple syrup

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas (about 2½ medium or 2 large bananas)

¼ cup milk of choice or water

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more to swirl on top

1¾ cups whole wheat flour or coconut flour

Optional: ½ cup mix-ins like chopped walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, raisins, chopped dried fruit, fresh banana slices, Nutella, etc. Go crazy!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees (165 degrees Celsius) and grease a 9×5-inch baking pan.
Melt your OIL (either coconut or EVOO)
MIX: In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and honey.
Add the eggs and beat well, then whisk in the mashed bananas and milk.
Add the baking soda, vanilla, salt and cinnamon, and whisk to blend.
Add the flour (it might be lumpy and that’s ok!)
Add any of your optional mix-ins.
Pour the batter into your greased pan.
BAKE: for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Due to differing oven temperatures, times will vary. Mine was done in 45 minutes.
Let the bread cool in the baking pan for 10 minutes. Then eat up!

Yummy yummy in your tummy

Sea Salt: A Secret Weapon in Beauty

Wellness

Salt, Salt. Magical Sea Salt. It’s so good for you, friends! (read more about the benefits of sea salt here). But, did you know that it’s a secret weapon in your beauty routine, too? It helps balance and improve skin hydration, strengthens your skin and it aids in cell-to-cell communication which slows down the aging process. Here are 6 ways that sea salt can help a beautifying sister (or brother) out:

1. Balancing Mask: Salt and honey have anti-inflammatory properties that sooth skin and help calm breakouts and irritation.

Do it: Mix two teaspoons sea salt (preferably finely ground. I use Real Salt) and four teaspoons raw honey (I use GloryBee Raw Montana Honey). This will create a spreadable paste. Apply evenly to clean, dry skin (avoiding eyes). Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Before rinsing, soak a washcloth in warm water and wring out. Lay the warm washcloth on your face for 30 seconds. Use your fingers to gently exfoliate in a circular motion while rinsing off the mask.

2. Oil-Sapping Facial Toner: Salt deeply cleanses your pores, balances oil production and removes bacteria that causes breakouts and acne.

Do it: Mix one teaspoon sea salt with four ounces warm water in a small spray bottle. Mist on clean, dry skin (avoiding eyes). Make sure the salt has dissolved in the water before using. You can do this once or twice daily.

3. Quick & Immediate Anti-Dandruff Scalp Treatment: Salt helps loosen and remove existing flakes while stimulating circulation. Salt also helps absorb excess oil and moisture to prevent fungal growth (ew, I know).

Do it: Part your hair a few times and sprinkle one to two teaspoons of salt on your scalp. Using wet fingers, massage your scalp gently and thoroughly for 10-15 minutes ideally (I know, I know. Who has time to massage their own scalp for that long. So, do it for however long works for you.) Then, wash and condition your hair as you usually would.

4. Teeth Whitener: Salt & baking soda are abrasives that help remove stains and brighten teeth. Salt also contains fluoride, which is an added benefit for your teeth and gums.

Do it: Mix one teaspoon salt and two teaspoons baking soda. Dip a damp toothbrush in the mixture and brush teeth normally.

5. Exfoliating Body Scrub: Salt is a gentle and natural exfoliate that sloughs off dead skin. It also contains minerals that soften skin and restore hydration.

Do it: Mix a quarter-cup salt and half cup olive oil (or softened coconut oil) into a thick paste. Apply in the shower with a washcloth, loofah or your hands, gently scrubbing your skin in a circular motion.

6. Relaxing Salt Bath: Salt baths have been used for centuries to cleanse and detox your skin. Salt’s mineral content helps restore the protective barrier in the skin that helps hold in hydration. PLUS, the magnesium in sea salt (and Epsom Salt) reduces water retention (bye bye, bloating). Read more about the benefits of salt baths here.

Do it: Add one-third cup salt to a tub filled with warm water. Swish and dissolve the salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes. Optional: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

Happy Salting!

DIY Exfoliating Lip Facial

Wellness

Oh the weather outside is frightful(ly dry), but this DIY lip facial will make your lips delightful. Help yourself out and make your puckers kissably smooth with this at-home version of Bliss Spa’s Fabulips Treatment.

What You’ll Need:

SCRUB: Mix 1tsp brown sugar & 1tsp olive oil

MASK: Mix 1tsp yogurt & 1/2tsp honey

TREAT: Coconut oil

How to:

1. SCRUB. To smooth, rub the lip scrub with your finger in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Remove with a warm cloth.

2. MASK. Spread on the soothing lip mask. Leave on for five minutes then remove with a cloth.

3. TREAT. Lock and load the moisture with a little coconut oil or Vaseline Lip Therapy Creme

Cauliflower Crust Pizza!

Healthy Meals, Recipes

Calling all pizza lovers and well…health lovers, too! This recipe for cauliflower crust pizza will not only quench your pizza craving, but it’ll do it guilt freeeeee. It’s one of my favorite things to eat:

Cauliflower Crust Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

4 cups raw cauliflower

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup soft goat cheese (chèvre)

Pinch of salt

Here we go!

Preheat oven to 400F.

Step 1: Begin making the cauliflower “rice”.

Place the 4 cups raw cauliflower in a food processor until it reaches a rice like consistency.

Step 2: Cook & strain the rice.

Fill a pot with one inch of water and bring to a boil. Add the “rice” and cover it. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes. Then, drain into a fine mesh drainer. *Secret trick: Once you’ve drained the rice, transfer it to a clean dishtowel (or cheese cloth). Wrap the steamed rice in the dish towel/cheese cloth and squeeze out all the excess water.

Step 3: Make the dough

In a large bowl, mix the cauliflower, beaten egg, cheese and salt (or other spices) until super together. The texture won’t be what you are expecting, but don’t worry, it’ll work. Next, press the dough onto a non stick baking sheet (or line a baking sheet with parchment paper). It’ll look something like this:

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 35-40 minutes at 400F

Step 5: Load up on toppings!

We made 2 pizzas:

1. Caramelized onions, brussel sprouts, brie & prosciutto

2. Caramelized onions, garlic, mushrooms & asiago cheese

Step 6: ENJOYYYYY (sans guilt)!

Recipe cred: http://detoxinista.com

Morning Detox Elixir

Detox, Recipes

Say hello to your all natural, super clean morning detox elixir. I drink this shot every other morning, first thing in the morning. It’s the perfect way to jumpstart your health. It’ll also jumpstart your senses (it’s strong, but so worth it). It’s also super duper helpful if you are feeling under the weather (hello, flu season)

Ingredients:

1 tsp. Organic, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg’s Raw-Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar)

1 small lemon, peeled

1/2 inch ginger, peeled

Cayenne Pepper (amount is up to you. I use around 1/2 tsp.)

A bit of water (amount is up to you depending on how strong you want the drink)

Blender or a NutriBullet

Directions: Toss the peeled lemon, apple cider vinegar, ginger and water into your blender. Blend for approx. 30 seconds. Once it’s blended, add the cayenne pepper and drink to your health!

Benefits of each ingredient:

Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV is high in acetic acid, which is great for you. Here’s why: The acetic acid suppresses your appetite, increases your metabolism and reduces water retention. Scientists also theorize that ACV interferes with the body’s digestion of starch, which means fewer calories enter the bloodstream. It also lowers blood sugar, soothes a sore throat (great for if you feel a cold coming on!), lowers cholesterol, prevents indigestion and clears a stuffy nose.

Lemons are an alkalizing power food! They taste acidic, but have alkalizing properties which help restore balance to your pH system. They are also rich in vitamin C and flavonoids which work against infections like colds and the flu and they neutralize free radicals that make you age poorly. Lemons are skin brighteners – My skin has gotten so much brighter since drinking this elixir.

Ginger reduces pain and inflammation. It has a warming effect and stimulates circulation. It also inhibits rhinovirus, which can cause the common cold; Ginger reduces gas and painful spasms, prevents nausea and is an immune booster.

Cayenne Pepper is a circulatory stimulant (it works by heating the body so that the natural detoxification process is streamlined). It’s a metabolic booster & decreases appetite in addition to being an anti cold & flu agent, having anti-fungal properties and is a digestive aid. It eases upset stomach, sore throats, coughs and prevents migraines.

The Dancing Diaries

A Lifestyle Blog

health