Whenever I get a chance, I love to bake!! I got busy in the kitchen with Stephen a few nights ago, baking up a storm! We decided on Carrot Cake, a delicious treat… made healthy! I posted the picture below on my Facebook and Twitter and I got many requests for the recipe… so here it is!

Please note that all of the ingredients used are ORGANIC.  In my opinion, buying organic is one of the most important steps you can take to a healthier you. It does cost a little more, but think of it as an investment in your health. GMO and conventional products are just too risky for me! Keep your eyes out for my new article on To Go Organic or Not?

 Carrot Cake (vegan without icing)

1 cup quinoa flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup wheat bran

1/2 cup flax meal

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp nutmeg

3/4 cup agave

1 cup agave (to replace sugar and brown sugar)

3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce (instead of oil)

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups grated carrots

1 cup drained crushed pineapple

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup chopped pecans (for the top)

Now as for the icing… I was never a really big fan of cream cheese icing… so I had mine served with plain greek yogurt (healthier choice). But for those who prefer the traditional icing (and don’t mind the calories).. go for it!

1 pkg  cream cheese, softened (250g)

1/4 cup butter or butter substitute ( I use Earth Balance Spread)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup icing sugar (you probably won’t find this organic)

Directions:

Mix all the wet ingredients into one bowl and the dry into another then gently fold them together and place in a square pan (greased with Coconut Oil (instead of butter)) and bake at 350 for 40 mins.

Top with whatever your heart desires!! I love berries, nuts and apple butter, but there really is no limit here

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Sunday Funday was spent my good friends Irina and Ray…so nice to all spend time together as it had been a while. Our friend Bianka had mentioned these yummy vegan brownies she made one day and I asked for the recipe! So here it is (with my little twist of course)!!


1/2 apple sauce


1 tbsp melted coconut oil


3/4 cup agave nectar  (or to your desired sweetness)

note: You can add organic brown sugar to this as well to add to the sweetness if agave doesn’t cut it, I didn’t but that is just me


1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 cup  ground flax and chia blend

1 1/2 tsp baking soda


1 tsp salt


2 cups finely grated zucchini (drain excess water if there is any)

2 handfuls of chopped walnuts

Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans

Directions:

Mix all of the wet ingredients in one bowl

Ideally, mix all of the dry ingredients in another (we forgot this step, but it all worked out fine! )

Spread it out into a brownie pan that you have coated the inside with more coconut oil

Sprinkle the top with the chopped pecans… as many as you would like! Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until a knife comes out clean!

You can top your brownies with whatever you like! Ray and Irina had  Organic Coconut Ice Cream (organic,vegan, gluten-free, lactose/dairy free-found at Whole foods) on the side and I had mine with a side of Greek yogourt, apple butter and berries. The options are endless so get creative!!

Irina took some home and tried it with this as a frosting…. YUM!! 

Follow YOGABOOTY’s healthy living adventures on Facebook and Twitter!!

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Its that time of year again!! Big orange pumpkins everywhere. So I thought it would be perfect to bring out my Pumpkin Spice Muffin recipe. 2 years have passed since I first prepared the recipe and they are long over due.  Pumpkins, cinnamon and changing colours..how I love fall!

My long time neighbour and good friend, Gabe McCrae came over this week and we decided to give them a go. We made some changes to the original recipe with lots of healthy additions. These muffins are seriously good and good for you!

Festive Pumpkin Spice Muffins:

1 cup organic quick oats

½ cup wheat bran

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 grated carrot (large)

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

3 large egg whites + one yolk

1 tbsp safflower oil

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

1.5 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

½ cup quinoa flour (if you don’t have just use whole-wheat flour)

¼ cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup Raw organic agave

¼ cup Greek yogurt

Preparation:

1-Preheat oven to 375 C. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray or cupcake liners.

2-Mix pumpkin, oatmeal, applesauce, milk, eggs and oil until blended.

3-Mix dry ingredients separately then fold into when ingredients.

4-Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a knife or toothpick comes out clean.

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What better to spend a dreary Labour Day Monday then baking with a friend! Irina Andreea and I set out to create a the perfect treat, that is yummy and guilt-free here is what we came up with! Enjoy!

Apple Crisp Delight

3 Small Royal Gala Apples

Handful of Blueberries

1 cup of Organic Oats

1 Scoop TrueStrength (vanilla protein powder)

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Nutmeg

1/3 cup whole wheat flour

¼ cup water

1 tbsp Organic Agave Nectar

Healthy additions (optional):

-ground flax

-1 tbsp Hemp Oil

-Apple Sauce

-Apple Butter

-Frozen Yogurt

-Greek Yogurt

-Pumpkin Seeds

Directions:

1- Preheat oven to 375 C

2-Start by washing and thinly slicing your apples. Keep the skin on for a little extra fibre. Sprinkle them with a pinch of flour, ensuring an even coating. Top with the handful of blueberries.

3-In a bowl begin to mix together the oats, protein powder, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Here you can add in the ground flax seeds, ground salba and or wheat germ if you would like.

4-Begin slowly adding the water to the dry mixture, you want to create a dough texture. Add more if needed!

5-Layer the apples in a square baking dish and thinly spread the wet mixture on top, using the back of a spoon.

6-Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with agave. Place on the middle rack in the oven.

7-Leave in the oven for about 25-30 mins at 375 C. The top should harden and become a little crispy.

8-Serve warm topped with low-fat  frozen or greek yogurt, apple butter and nuts or seeds!

This treat is packed with protein, fibre and antioxidants! SO delicious, SO easy and SO good for you!

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