Harvest Time Stove Top Apple Butter

    Thanksgiving has come and gone. I hope you all had a wonderful day! Some people might go from Thanksgiving straight to Christmas, but my mind is still on 'Fall' mode, so that means more fall recipes! Apples are just one of the many wonderful foods that are popular during the fall months, and I love to use them as often as I can!

     I have always loved apple butter! Its delicious, full of warm flavors and also really easy to make! A lot of recipes are made for the crockpot, but not everyone has a crock pot, so I wanted to make a recipe that everyone could use! With just a few simple ingredients, you can turn delicious apples into terrific apple butter!

     We ordered 2 bushels of apples a few weeks ago, and we've been eating a lot of them, but we can possibly eat both bushels before they go bad, so I had to do something with them! I made apple butter with a few and I hope to make apple sauce and apple-pie filling soon!

Ingredients:

7-8 Large Apples, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1 cup Apple Cider

3/4 cup Sugar of Choice
 
2 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Allspice

Pinch of Salt

1/2 tsp Vanilla

2 TBS Lemon Juice


Once you have peeled and chopped your apples, add them to a pot on the stove along with the apple cider. Turn it on to medium/high.

Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. Make sure to stir every few minutes to keep it from sticking and burning.

Once the 20 minutes are up, add in the sugar, spices, salt, vanilla and lemon juice.

Bring the mixture back up to a boil and then reduce the heat back to a simmer. Cook at a simmer for 30 minutes, making sure to stir often.

Turn the heat off and taste the mixture to make sure the flavors are to your liking. You might want to add more cinnamon, vanilla or allspice! Transfer to a blender or use an emulsion blender to puree the mixture to your desired texture.

 

 Once you have it blender, add it back into the pot at medium/low heat.

Cook for around 10 minutes, stirring almost constantly to keep from sticking. Then, turn the heat off and allow the mixture to cool. Transfer to an air-tight container or Ziploc back or eat it right away! You can keep it in the fridge for a week or two, or in the freezer for several months!

 

     As I was making this batch of apple butter, I was also making homemade bread! You can imagine how good our kitchen smelled! There is nothing better than homemade apple butter on fresh homemade bread!

 

 

    This apple butter is delicious on homemade bread, biscuits, muffins, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, French toast and so much more! It can be enjoyed warm or cold and is terrific by the spoonful!

     I really hope you try this recipe out and that you like it as much as I do! Apple butter has always been a favorite of mine and I am so excited to have made some for myself and with my own recipe! If you love it too, please share this recipe with your friends and family so everyone can make homemade apple butter!

 

Please share my blog with your friends and family to spread the love of a healthy lifestyle and help others become the healthiest version of themselves!

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Happy Holidays!

Hannah

5 Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays

     The Holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving is in a few days and not long after that is Christmas and the New Year! This means a constant flow of desserts, treats, sweets, indulgent meals and lots of it! And while this food is delicious and fun to enjoy, after several weeks of indulging because 'its the holidays', you probaly aren't going to be feeling very festive!

     If you strive to eat fairly healthy, as I am sure you do, seeing as you are reading this blog, then the Holiday season might be a bit stressful for you. You might worry about hurting your friend's or family's feelings by turning down their desserts, cheeseballs or candies. What about all those parties and special gatherings you are sure to be invited to? You could just put your healthy lifestyle on hold for the holidays, which is expected by most people and completly understandable..or you might deicde to tough it out and stick to your ideals as much as possible.  I am a vegan, which, to me, isn't a 'diet' that I turn off and on, but its a lifestyle change, which means I am going to eat vegan during the holidays. How am I going to do this? Keep reading to find out!

#1 Learn to Cook!
    Makeing your own food is a sure way to insure that you will be eating the way you want to. Make your own cookies, cakes, breads and candies (or don't) to fit your diet, and enjoy those when your friends and family are enjoy theirs! Offer to bring a dish to a dinner party or potluck ( don't be shy! This is often a blessing to the host or hostess!) or at least ask the host/hostess if there will be any dishes suited for you at the gathering. If so, rejoice! If not, then plan to bring your own dish! Its really not that diffiucult, it justs takes some planning! I have several great recipes that are perfect to make during the holidays and share with your friends and family!

Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Pie
Brownie Batter Balls
Sweet Potato Casserole
Easy Holiday Truffles
Harvest Salad
Pumpkin Muffin Tops
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

#2 Practice Moderation!
     One thing about the holidays is, they don't last forever..so, if you want to indulge a little, let yourself...just in moderation. Having a small piece of pie or one cookie every few days or so isn't going to hurt you! On Thanksgiving Day, when people usuing gorge themselves with a huge feast, just practice portion control and you will be just fine! Take a small serving of the dishes you like and you will have a delicious, well portioned meal and feel much better afterwards than if you had eaten multiple portions of everything! This can be applied to any meal really. If don't want to miss out on the food, then just eat a small bit of it and enjoy it!

# 3 Stay Active!
     There is nothing better to do during the holidays then getting some exercise! No matter what your diet is, or whether you are sticking to it during the holidays or not, being active is never a bad idea! It helps with digestion after a big meal and burn off some of those extra calories! You don't even have to spend a lot of time working out either! A simple jog or walk around the neighborhood, or doing some home exercises like pilates or yoga is enough to be beneficial! It can be fun too! If you have family or friends staying with you (or you are staying with them) invite them to come along with you! Company always makes exercising more fun!

 

Here are a few links to my blog posts where I have great workouts, link to workouts and exercising ideas!

Fall in Love with Fitness
Everyday Activities+Workouts 
'Love Yourself' Workout 
Pilates 
Daily Workouts 
Workout Video 



#4 Be Verbal!
     You can't expect people to underand your food choices if you don't explain it to them! Let people know that you are trying to eat healthier, have smaller portions, cut out certain foods or have a food allergy. This way, they know what to make when they ask you to a meal, or even help you find food to eat at a party or potluck. I have found this helpful so many times! If you tell people how you like/need to eat, then most likely they will make sure you always have something to eat, and will understand when you refuse certain foods!

#5 Eat at Home
     When you are vegan (or are following any other diet or lifestyle) it can be difficult to find things to eat at restuarants, parties and other people's houses. If you know you can't eat at a cetain place, or you aren't sure, then I suggest eating ahead of time. Instead of sitting there, hungry and wishing you could eat something, you can be full and able to participate joyfully! Don't let this make you feel left out! Accept that you eat differently that other people, and move on!  Also, I wouldn't suggest making a big deal about it either! This can make people( especially the host/hostess) feel bad or even kind of angry! Make yourself some delicious food, suited to your needs, and eat it at home before you go to the party (or where ever you are going) and enjoy yourself without stressing about the food situation!

     I hope these tips have helped you! I know that I find them pretty helpful! Eating healthy during the holidays doesn't mean your a snob or that you don't care about the holidays, it just means that you prize your health over a cookie or piece of pie! Apply these tips during the holiday season and you won't have to lose your 'holiday weight' or get back on track come January!

Share this post with your friends and family to help everyone staying healthier during the holidays! Sharing this post and my blog will help spread the message of living a healthy lifestyle, so please share to inspire others to live a healthier life!

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Happy Holidays to you and stay healthy, happy and laughing!

Hannah

White Bean and Kale Soup Recipe

     Cooler weather calls for warmer meals, and that is just one of the many reasons why I love fall! I love being able to cuddle up in a blanket, drinking coffee and reading....Watching the leaves fall outside in the crisp air and being warm and cozy inside! With the weather (finally) cooling off here, I am getting excited about making more warm and cozy meals like this soup recipe I am sharing today!

 

     I haven't always been a fan of vegetable soups, especially ones with kale in them, but as I have grown, but taste buds have matured! Now I love all kind of soups with all kinds of vegetables( including kale!).  Soups are perfect for easy dinner ideas, healthy meals and they even make delicious lunches! Whenever and however you choose to eat soup, I know you will enjoy this recipe!

      This soup is vegan, dairy-free, oil-free and gluten-free! Its super simple and yet so full of flavor and textures! Make this soup on those chilly fall evenings and serve it with some fresh homemade bread!

Ingredients:

1 Yellow Onion- Diced

1 cup Chopped Carrots

1 TBS Garlic- minced

1 1/3 cup Quinoa

1 can Diced Tomatoes

2 cans White Northen Beans

9 cups Veggie Broth

2 cups Chopped Kale

2 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Thyme

1 tsp Parsley

1 tsp Ground Mustard

Salt

Pepper


     First, get all the veggies chopped. Heat up a pot on the stove and add in the onions. I prefer to do this without any oil, but you can add some in if you wish. Cook until the onions begin to soften.

Next, add in the carrots and garlic. Saute for about a minute before adding in the seasonings.

(Sorry for the picture quality! My camera  was getting foggy from the steam!)

     Saute the seasonings for a few seconds before adding in the quinoa, tomatoes and beans. MAKE SURE TO DRAIN AND RINSE YOUR BEANS. It makes a huge differnce in the taste of the soup as well as your digestion later!

     Cook to warm everything through and then add in the broth. I added all but 1 cup of the veggie broth at first and reserved the last cup for the end. Bring the broth to a boil , add in the kale and reduce to a simmer.

     Cook for 25-30 minutes at a simmer or until the quinoa is fully cooked. The quinoa will absorb quite a bit of the broth, so you might want to add more broth at the end( I added my reserved 1 cup).

 

     Isn't it pretty? Its so colorful looking! You can serve the soup right away, or let it cool down and put it in the fridge of a few days or even freeze it for a few months! Its never a bad idea to have soup in the freezer for those days when you don't feel like cooking!

We ate the soup right away with some delicious bread! It would also be great with some crackers or cornbread! I loved this white bean and kale soup and so did my family! Its perfect for families because it is easy to make, full of fiber and veggies and taste amazing!

     I hope you try out this recipe and that you love it as much as I did! I really cannot wait to make it again! This is a great recipe to share with you friends and family, so pass it along so that everyone can have a delicious soup recipe this Fall!

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Hannah

Foods to Eat for Better Sleep

       We all would probaly like to get more sleep, or sleep better at night than we do now, right? I mean, what is bad about getting more sleep? Nothing! So why don't we sleep more or have a good night's sleep every night? One of the culprits might be in your diet. There might be foods lacking from your diet that are hindering you from getting sleep, or there might be foods that you do eat that are hindering your sleep. Eating better means you will sleep better and sleeping better means you will feel better!

     There are a few important things to watch out for when it comes to your diet and sleep. Potassium, Magnesium and Melatonin.  What are these things? They are the keys to actually falling asleep and staying alseep for longer. Eating foods that have these things in them will aid you on your way to dream land!

Quite a few foods contain the above-mentioned keys to sleep success. You might actually be surprised at some of the items on this list!

     Bananas are full of potassium! They also contin the amino acid, tryptophan, which breaks down into melatonin and serotonin ( hormones that promote relaxations) in the brain. Eating a banana before bed can help you calm down and fall asleep easier!

     Another food that contains this wonderful amino acid, tryptophan, is walnuts! Eating a handful before bed can help you sleep better!

     Besides walnuts, Brazil nuts( best source of selenium-another key to better sleep) and Almonds ( high in potassium and B vitamins) are some great nuts to eat before bed to help sleep better and longer!

     Carbs actually are pretty beneficial when it comes to sleep. Eating whole grain carbs like whole-wheat bread, oats, brown rice and quinoa raise blood-sugar levels, which plays a role in regulating your body's sleep/wake clock. This helps you feel energized when you should and sleepy when you should!

     Spinach, Kale and other dark-leafy greens are really great for sleep! They are packed with calcium, potassium and magnesium. Ever been told to drink a glass of milk before bed? Calcium is just another one of the keys to a better night's rest! You will actually benefit more from eating these dark greens for your calcium intake over milk! Have a nice big salad for dinner and sleep like a baby!

     Chickpeas or Garbanzo beans, are really helpful in the getting-to-sleep process. They contain B vitamins, which are needed in producing melatonin!

     Kiwi Fruit and Cherries are two more fruits that are excellent for better sleep. Kiwis are rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium( all very important for good sleep) and Cherries are a really great source of melatonin!

     None of these foods are hard to find or expensive. Which means you have no excuse( unless you are allergic) to eat more of them! Try adding more of these foods into your diet and see and feel the effect they have on your sleep! Not only will you be sleeping better and longer at night, but you will feel better and more energized during the day! And plus, who doesn't want an excuse to eat more delicious food?

I hope you have found this post to be helpful! Everyone wants to get better sleep, so please share this post with your friends and family to help more people get the sleep they need and deserve!

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Stay Healthy, Happy and Lauging!

~Hannah~

Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Pie + Coconut Oil Crust

     Halloween is just a few days away and pumpkins are everywhere! This can only mean one thing....PUMPKN PIE!!! I love pumpkin pie and every year I cannot wait to make them! This recipe is different because it has a bit of a pecan-pie topping on it! Its super delicious, totally vegan and perfect for Fall!

    Most pumpkin pie recipes call for evaporated milk and/or eggs, but this recipe doesn't need either one! It has very few ingredients, but a ton of flavor! I love the addition of pecans on the top because it has great texture to the pie! The crust is the flakiest vegan crust I've ever made or tried! Its great for pies, cobblers, or pie-crust cookies!

Ingredients:
(Crust)
1 1/4 c Flour
1 tsp Salt
1/2  cup Coconut Oil (Solid)
3-4 TBS Cold Water

(Filling)
1 15 oz Can Pumpkin Puree
1/2 c Maple Syrup
3 TBS Flour
2 TBS Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp Vanilla
1/4 c Almond Milk

(Topping)
3 TBS Coconut Oil
3/4 c Pecans
1/2 c Brown Sugar
4 TBS Maple Syrup
2 TBS Flour
Pinch of Salt

     Start by making the crust. Make sure the coconut oil is fairly solid, you don't want it to be liquid at all. Mix the dry ingredients together and then use a fork to 'cut' the coconut oil into the flour-mix.

    Then, slowly add the cold water until a dough forms. Place it in the fridge while we move on to the pumpkin pie filling!

     Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix it well. The coconut oil here can be melted or at room temp.

 

     Keep in mind that, the more pumpkin pie spice you add, the darker the pie will be. I added quite a bit, so my pie is fairly dark, but extra flavorful!

     Now, its time to roll out the dough! Roll it out to fit your greased pie dish on a floured surface. Then, place the dough into the pie pan and clean up the edges.

 

It doesn't have to be perfect, rustic is pretty too! Now, pour in the pumpkin pie filling.

     You could bake it right now, but this is a pumpkin PECAN pie, so we aren't done yet! Lets make the pecan topping now!

     Melt the coconut oil, maple syrup and brown sugar together. Then add in the salt, flour and pecans. It works best if the pecans are chopped or broken up just a bit.  Add it on top of the pie as evenly as you can.

    Now its time to bake! Set the oven to 425 F and bake for 60-90 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean!

    Allow to cool before slicing! I love my pumpkin pie served warm with a cup of coffee, but most people like it cold with a scoop of ice-cream(coconut would be really good!)!

     I hope you have enjoyed this recipe post! Pumpkin pie is one of my favorite pies, so I hope you find this recipe as delicious as I did! I think the pecans add something different and really delicious to this traditional pie!

Please share this with your friends and family to make sure everyone has a great pumpkin pie recipe this season!

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H. Banana

Seasonal Super Food- Health Benefits for Pumpkin!

     Pumpkin is pretty popular around this time of year, and that is great because Pumpkins are so good for you! It defiantly should be considered a Seasonal Super Food! Pumpkins are beautiful, delicious and also super nutritious, so no wander they are in every food item this time of year!

     Pumpkins are an excellent source of important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, E, C and B2 and Potassium, Manganese and Copper! They are also full of Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus!

    Pumpkins are great for your eyes because they are rich in carotenoids! Carotenoids promote healthy eyes and night vision as well as protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration!

     Because Pumpkin is so rich in carotenoids, vitamin C and E, and Potassium, they help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and several types of cancers. Carotenoids also help promote longer life and vitamin C and E prevent wrinkles!

     Pumpkins are a low GI( Glycemic index) food, which is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related macular degeneration and obesity.

     Pumpkin is packed with fiber and low in calories, making it a great weight-loss food! Fiber helps to lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar , protect against heart disease and colorectal cancer!

     The Vitamin C found in Pumpkins help antioxidants to function and your body absorb Iron!

     The Vitamin A that is in Pumpkin aids in growth and development!

    Folate can also be found in Pumpkin! It aids in cell renewal and fetal development!

 

How to Eat Pumpkin

      As you can see, Pumpkin really is a healthy vegetable and more than just a seasonal flavor! Besides the usual ways of eating pumpkin, there are also some unusual ways that you can enjoy this nutritious squash!

     Pumpkin is of course delicious in drinks like Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Hot Cocoas, Frappuccinos and Smoothies. I love to try out vegan recipes and tweak  them to make it my own! Hopefully I will be sharing some of those with you soon!

     Baked goods also benefit wonderfully from pumpkin! I have several recipes like pumpkin muffin tops and muffins here on my blog!

    Savory dishes are also a delicious way to enjoy pumpkin! It can be added to chili, curries, soups, pastas or even roasted and added to salads, rice bowls or just eaten on its own!

    However you choose to enjoy pumpkin, the health benefits are the same! Eating pumpkin fresh is always best, but you can also use the canned version! Keep in mind that 'pumpkin flavored' or flavoring has none of the nutritional benefits that fresh or even canned has to offer!


     Pumpkin is a wonderful seasonal vegetable and is packed full of nutritional benefits and eating more of it shouldn't be hard around this time of year! Now that you know all the health benefits of pumpkin, you have even more reason to eat it everyday and feel super healthy and festive!

Please share this post with your friends and family! Spread the love of a healthy lifestyle to more people so the world can become a healthier place!

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H. Banana
    

Fall Inspired Vegan Recipes

     Fall is here! I love fall so much :) The weather here is slowly beginning to cool off, and it is getting darker earlier as well! We are slowly breaking out the sweaters and cozy blankets and praying that it doesn't decide to warm up again!

     Fall comes with its own set of flavors, from pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg to caramel and apple .. the list could go on and on! With these delicious flavors, you can make a million different recipes that are 'fall inspired' to get you in the mood for the season! I have many recipes here on my blog that I have shared with you in honor of my favorite season-Fall! In case you've missed some, or you need a refresher, I am going to share them with you again!

 

Okay! Lets get into it! I am sharing the links to the recipes, so feel free to click over to them for the recipe and step-by-step instructions!

 

 

Meatless Monday Chili has to be first on my list! We make chili all the time during the colder months and this is a great vegan, oil free, and delicious recipe!

Pumpkin Muffin Tops are of course a must have for the fall months! Pumpkin and cinnamon make these muffin tops the perfect fall snack or even breakfast! For a completely vegan option, sub in maple syrup for the honey!

Sweet Potato Pumpkin Faces are a great and fun way to make your meals more festive! These are also great for little kiddos to help them eat their veggies! Perfect as a side item or a delicious snack!

Healthy Homemade Bread is a staple recipe to have anytime of the year, but especially in the fall and winter months! There is nothing better when its chilly outside than a warm slice of bread with jam, pumpkin or apple butter or dipped in some soup!

 

This Sweet Potato Casserole is on of the best I've ever had(not to brag or anything)! Its super creamy even though there is no butter or milk in it! Its great for the Thanksgiving table!

 

Harvest Salad is a delicious, healthy, and flavorful dish that is perfect for lunches, dinners and the Thanksgiving table! Its great warm or cold, so it does wonderfully in packed lunches!

 

 

Gingerbread Cookies are a delicious treat to make in the fall months! They are packed full of fall flavors and are perfect with  cup of coffee! For the vegan version, sub maple syrup for honey and vegan cream cheese for regular cream cheese!

These are just a handful of the fall inspired recipes that I have here on my blog! Hopefully you enjoy these recipes and they get you in the festive, fall mood! Each one of these recipes contain delicious fall flavors, healthy nutrients and are all really easy to make! Delicious food can still be healthy, even during the holidays!

Please share these recipes and my blog with your friends and family to help everyone live a healthier lifestyle!

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Stay healthy, happy and laughing!

H. Banana