"Best Ever" Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

     Everyone loves cinnamon rolls, right? They are sweet, gooey, a little bit spicy from the cinnamon and they go perfectly with a cup of coffee! When you make them at home, they fill the house with a lovely smell and you can't help but crave one!


     Because I love cinnamon rolls and I am vegan, I had to make some cinnamon rolls that were both delicious and vegan! I took our family's bread recipe and switched out some ingredients to make it vegan, and then I created a filling for the rolls that is just to die for! What did I end up with? The best vegan cinnamon rolls you will ever have!



Ingredients:

Dough:
2 3/4 cups Flour
2 TBS Cinnamon
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Vanilla
1 cup Warm Water
3 tsp Dry Active Yeast
4-5 TBS Maple Syrup ( Depending on how sweet you want the dough)

Filling:
1 cup Melted Coconut Oil
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup White Sugar
3 TBS Cinnamon
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla
2 TBS Flour

Icing:
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
2 TBS Non-Dairy Milk

     Okay! Let's get started! Making bread dough is one of my favorite activities, so when I started the cinnamon roll dough, I was so excited! Not only was the house going to smell amazing, but I was going to have some delicious cinnamon rolls in the end!

    First, combined your warm water and yeast in your mixer. Mix it to combine and then leave it for a few minutes to start activation in the yeast.


     Then, add in the maple syrup and vanilla and give that a mix. Add in your flour, cinnamon and salt. Mix until all the flour has  been incorporated and the mixture has formed a ball. Then, knead the dough ( in the machine or by hand) for 10 minutes. Once kneaded, cover with a dish towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
      While the dough rises, mix up the filling and place it in the fridge to become firm.


     The next step is, to turn the dough out on to a floured surface and roll it out to a long rectangle. Then, remove the filling from the fridge. If it is too hard to spread, place in the microwave for a few seconds. You want it firm but spreadable. Spread the filling on the dough, leave a 1/2 inch of dough around edge.


     Then, start to roll the dough into a log shape. If the filling starts to bunch up, just push it back into the rolled dough. We don't want to lose any of that delicious filling! Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into rolls of desired size. Remember, they will rise again in the oven!

 
Place them in a greased baking pan, allowing the sides to touch, but don't squeeze them in the pan.
 
 
     Put your oven on the lowest setting ( mine is 170 F) and set the rolls in the oven  to rise for 20 minutes. You can also allow them to rise on the counter top for 30 minutes. Then, bake them at 350 F for 35-40 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls have gone a lovely golden brown color!


     All that is left to do is to make the icing. Just mix the powdered sugar and non-dairy milk together to form a smooth icing and drizzle it all over the rolls. Serve while warm with a cup of coffee for the  perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner! :)

 
      I made these on Friday night and we had them for breakfast the next day! They were delicious, of course, and we snacked on them all day long! Whether you are vegan or not, these are simply just some amazing cinnamon rolls, that everyone will enjoy!

 
If you enjoyed this post, please share it and my blog with your friends and family members to spread the love of living a healthy lifestyle!

Remember to check back every Friday for a new post!

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Stay healthy, happy and laughing!

H. Banana

Cabin in the Woods

     Recently,  my family and I spent a few days in a quite cabin in the woods! It was such a relaxing and wonderful time, that I can't help but share it with you!


     The cabin we stayed in was a Laurel Fork cabin. We have stayed in their cabins before, and we have always enjoyed our time there! Each cabin is different, but they all offer the same level of comfort! They have full kitchens, with basic appliances and equipment and sometimes even a few choices of seasonings. Most cabins have hot tubs on their porches, which my family and I always enjoy! There are also (usually) lots of blankets and pillows, which is perfect for the winter time!


     For this stay, we stayed 4 nights and 3 full days. The weather was fairly warm, but not unbearable, and we had several rain storms, which we were all very happy for!

The first night, we got there in the afternoon. We just spent the rest of the day relaxing and reading our books. We ate our supper and then had a lovely apple pie for dessert!

     On the first day, we slept in and then got up and had bagels for breakfast and had a lovely Bible study on the back porch. Then, we packed a picnic lunch and headed to a near by river, to spend the day playing in the water and skipping rocks!

The water was actually surprisingly warm, which made is more pleasant to swim in! My brothers and Dad went full fledged swimming, and the rest of us just waded up to our knees. We were thankful that we had worn water-proof shoes, because the rocks were rather slippery!


After our picnic lunch, we headed back to the cabin to give my little brother a nap. My mom and I read our books on the front porch while it rained! It was super relaxing and peaceful! We stayed in the cabin the rest of the day and had a lovely supper on the back porch!

The second day, my Dad had some work to do, so we stuck around the cabin for the day. Once again, we slept in, and then got up and had pancakes for our breakfast/brunch.


Then, I went on a nice and long trail-run! It decided to rain while I was running and I got thoroughly soaked! I didn't mind though, since it was pretty warm out! I also ran into a friendly black bear! We acknowledged each other and then went our separate ways, which was probably for the best! :) After I had showered, we all watched the Olympic Games together for the rest of the afternoon.

 
Another rain storm came through, so Mom and I took our books to the front porch again! There were several rocking chairs and a swing to choose from! We took some blankets and pillows out there to make the chairs more comfy!
That afternoon, we headed into the nearest town( Jamestown) to the Walmart and grabbed a few things like paper towel, toilet paper, and some s'mores ingredients. It was around 15 minutes each way.
 
 
Supper that night was pasta, salad and some French bread! Then, my family made s'mores and we watched some more of the Olympic Games!
 
On the third day, we slept in again before getting up and having our coffee on the front porch. Then, we took a short walk before breakfast! After breakfast, we headed to Pickett State Park for some hiking!
 
 
We found a great trail that was both more challenging than a walk, but easy enough for my little brother to manage! The hike lead us to an amazing cave! We all thought it was pretty cool!



After our hike, we headed back to the cabin for a late lunch and then spent the rest of the day lounging around and relaxing! I finished the book that I had brought with me, and Mom finished a crochet project she had been working on!
Supper that night was mini pizzas and a cantaloupe! Then we finished out the day relaxing and a few of us got in the hot tub!


On the fourth day, we had to pack up our things and leave! :( After our breakfast, we packed up our suit cases and then washed the towels and sheets in the cabin's washer and dryer! We loaded the car and then said good-bye to our cabin in the woods!

 
We all enjoyed our time in the cabin so much, and I hope you have enjoyed what I have shared with you! If you ever travel to the Jamestown area, I hope you check out the Laurel Fork cabins and discover how great they are for yourself!
 
If you enjoyed this post and the other posts on my blog, please share it with your friends and family!
 
I post every Friday!
 
You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, and on Instagram @ That_Vegan_Runner.
 
Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!
H. Banana

How to Build a Healthy Grocery Cart- Part 2

     In Part 1 of this series, I went over what you should have in your grocery cart. In this Part 2, I am going to go over what you shouldn't have in your grocery cart! Knowing what not to buy is just as important as knowing what to buy!


     Alright, so we know what we need to put in our carts to have the right foods in our homes. But, what should we stay away from? What foods are we buying that we shouldn't buy? You might be surprised to find that some foods you thought were healthy, aren't so healthy after all!


What Not to Buy

     In short, most of the things you should buy are, processed and packaged foods. These foods are full of chemicals, additives, preservatives, refined sugars, flours and fats that are not good for you! Anything that has a long ingredients list, ingredients you can pronounce or identify, refined sugars like High Fructose Corn Syrup or Corn Syrup, refined oils like Corn Oil, or refined flours, you should stay away from! Read the ingredients of your cereals, chips, crackers, snack bars, cookies, and frozen treats and make sure that you know what is in them, so that you can make healthier choices!

    I could give you a list, but it would be very long and it would have to be specific to brands! Some cereals, snacks, chips and crackers are actually healthy, you just have to know how to read the labels and what ingredients to stay away from! The more you shop and the more you read the labels will help you know what brands are healthy and what brands aren't!



Money Saving Tips

     Everyone wants to say money, right? Just because you want to eat healthier, doesn't mean you have to spend more money! Here are some great money saving tips to help you eat better!

Buy in Bulk-Things like grains, beans, oats, flour, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, legumes and root vegetables can be easily bought in bulk, because the keep well. When every these things go on sale, buy a lot of them and you'll be surprised how much money you save!

Buy "Blemished" Fruits and Veggies- This might not sound so nice, but all it means is, buying the fruit and vegetables that don't look perfect or are already really ripe! Most grocery stores have a section in the produce department that is just for these fruits and veggies! You'll find that they are a lot cheaper!

Buy in Season- Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season can be quite pricy because it takes more work to grow them! Buying the fruits and vegetables that are in season will not only save money, but is healthier too because they are usually fresher and more naturally grown!

Use Coupons- Don't be afraid to cut out coupons, or use coupon apps to help you save money! A lot of stores have apps where you can find specials, coupons and savings that can help you save a lot of money! All you have to do is plan your grocery list and find the coupons that you can use!

I hope these Money Saving Tips can will help you save money on your next shopping trip! Learning where to save money in the grocery store will make it even easier to have a healthy diet and lifestyle!


I hope this post is helpful to you! You can read Part 1 of this series to learn how to build a healthier grocery cart!

Please share with post and my blog with your friends and family to help others live healthier lives!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett and on Instagram @ that_vegan_runner.

I post every Friday!

Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!

How to Build a Healthy Grocery Cart- Part 1

     Everyone goes grocery shopping in some way or another. We all have to go out and get food to eat when we are at home. Its these trips to the grocery store that can either help or hinder your healthy diet. At a restaurant it might be easy to choose the healthiest option, but what about at the grocery store? How to you walk past those boxes of cookies, crackers, bags of chips, candy bars and soda? Learning how to say "No" to those things is extremely important for staying on track with a healthy diet and lifestyle.


     Having a healthy grocery cart isn't always as simple as it sounds. Somethings might seem healthy, but they aren't really as healthy as they sound. Learning how to be a better shopper, will help you have a healthier diet!

     In Part 1, I will go over Where and When you should shop and What you should have in your cart! In Part 2, I will go over what you shouldn't have in your cart, and some money-saving tips you can use on your next shopping trip!

Where to Shop
    You don't have to go to fancy health foods stores to find healthy food! You can shop at whatever grocery store is convenient and available to you, all you have to do is know where in the store to shop! You've probably heard it before, but its worth mentioning again- shop around the perimeter of the store. This is where the fresh food is!
    The inner aisles also have good things to offer, you just have to be more careful. These aisles are also laden with the processed foods that can be very tempting! When shopping these aisles, the only things you want to add to your cart are things like whole wheat flour, beans, grains, dried fruit and nuts and seeds. Stay away from the processed and packaged foods that are full of chemicals, additives and preservatives!

When to Shop
     There are a few times that you shouldn't go grocery shopping. 1) When You Are Hungry! Being hungry at the grocery store tends to lead to unhealthy choices! If your stomach is growling, how hard is it for you to resist the chips, cookies or candy bars? Always make sure you are full and satisfied and every thing should be good!
     2) When You Don't Have a List. Having a grocery list makes it easier for you to get everything you need, and leave everything you don't need. When you go without a list, you might buy things you don't need or you might forget things you do need! Make a list, stick to it, and you grocery shopping will be more successful!


What to Buy
There are a few things that should always be in your cart! Making sure that you always have these staples in your home will insure that you can stick to your healthy diet!

Fruit and Vegetables should always be in your cart. In our home, bananas, apples, bell peppers, onions,  celery, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, oranges, lemon and limes are just a few of the things we almost always have! The seasons also changes what it available! Figure out what your staples are and then try some new things! Pick a new fruit or vegetable each week to try!

Starches like rice, quinoa, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, whole grain pasta, bread and tortillas, beans, and lentils are also great staples! We always have at least one of these things ( if not all of them) in our home! These are great things to have because they are cheap, filling and healthy! Try them all to discover which ones are your staple!

Proteins are also something that should be in your cart. For me, as a vegan, my protein comes mainly from the starches, and things like leafy greens. But, things like tofu, tempeh, and veggie burgers are some great sources of veggie-protein. Of course, if you do eat meat, then things like fish, chicken, eggs and dairy can be added to your shopping list! Just stay away from things that promise "Low Fat", or "Natural Flavors" because this usually means more sugar, chemicals or additives!

Healthy Fats can be found in nuts, nut butters, nut milks, avocados and seeds. We always have these in our home and they are a great way to make sure that you get the right kind of fat in your diet. We prefer almond and coconut milk and almond and peanut butters, but there are a wide variety out there to choose from, and I'm sure you'll find a favorite!

Oils aren't something that I see as real "health" food, but if you are going to use them, I suggest olive oil and coconut oil. These are the two oils that we keep in our house because the flavors are fairly neutral and they can be used outside the kitchen as well!

Spices and Seasonings are all up to personal taste, but there are a few things to look out for when choosing spices. Look out for "flavor blends" that might contain added sugar or salt. Go for a salt free blend and add in the salt to your own taste. Also, a lot of spice blends can contain MSG, and you want to stay away from those! Read the label so you know exactly what you are getting!


There are, of course, so many other things that could be added to this list. A lot of it depends on what kind of life you lead, what diet you follow, and what kind of food you like! The more you shop, keeping this list in mind, the more personalized and healthy your shopping list will become!



In Part 2, I will go over What Not to Have in Your Grocery Cart! Things that really aren't that healthy and should have no place in your grocery cart!

I hope this post will help you, and that you'll stick around for part 2 (coming soon!)! Please share this post, and my blog, with your friends and family to help them live healthier lives!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, tumblr @ justrunningforfood, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett and on Instagram @ That_Vegan_Runner.

I post every Friday!

Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!
H. Banana