Chocolate Coconut Donuts (+ a secret ingredient)

I found my old donut maker while organizing my pantry a few days ago (typical quarantine activity, I know). This donut maker is fantastic; it’s probably from the 1970’s and has the classically old-fashioned look to it. After finding the donut maker, I decided to try out a new recipe I’ve been toying with.

I have doubted the donut maker’s ability to function, but it surprises me every time! I have no idea what temperature it cooks at (I’m guessing it’s around 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit), but it works beautifully.  I think this recipe would work great in a donut/bagel pan at 375 degree for 12-15 minutes or until firm to the touch.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 tbsp coconut flour

1 cup oat flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 scoop (30g) protein powder (I used a pea protein blend)

1/2 tsp xanthan gum (optional)

2 egg whites

1/2 c + 2 tbsp almond milk (or preferred type of milk)

2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

1/2 tsp coconut extract (optional)

1/2 bag Miracle Noodle rice, rinsed and patted dry

Directions:

  1. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add in all wet ingredients except for miracle rice and combine well. If mix is too thick, slowly add in one additional tablespoon of milk at time until the mix is a thick dough consistency.
  3. Fold in miracle rice and mix until well combined.
  4. Pour mix into well greased donut pan (or donut maker) and cook at 375 for 12-15 minutes.
  5. Let donuts sit for five minutes to cool, remove from pan, and let cool on a wire rack until cool.
  6. Top with melted chocolate, frosting, or powdered sugar and enjoy! I had so much fun decorating mine 🙂

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Use code HANNAH for a discount when you order from Miracle Noodle!

Note: If you’re feeling lazy or don’t have a donut/bagel pan, these also bake well as small drop cookies! Just bake at 350 for 8 minutes.

Miracle Noodles + Goat Cheese Combos

I’ve been loving goat cheese even more than usual recently; it’s so flavorful and creamy plus it adds something special to virtually every dish. I came up with a few plant-based recipes using goat cheese during the past few weeks that I wanted to share. Goat cheese is not only delicious, but it’s also a great alternative for those who are lactose intolerant. Plus, it contains a decent amount of protein, healthy fats, and probiotics.

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It might take a few tries to warm up to the tangy flavor, but it grew on me pretty quickly. If you want to start slow and ease into your relationship with goat cheese, try a little bit crumbled on top of a salad–it’s particularly delicious when paired with berries or other fruits in a salad.

Here are a few of my more recent exotic goat cheese recipes:

Grown Up Goat Cheese Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Ingredients:

1 bag Miracle Noodle ziti (or noodle shape of choice)
1 oz. goat cheese
Red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions:
1) Prepare Miracle Noodles according to the instructions on the bag.
2) Add 1 oz. goat cheese (or more) and heat on the stove until cheese is melted throughout. You can also heat it up in the microwave using 30 second increments.
3) Top noodle mix with red pepper flakes for a little kick and voila 🤩

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Plant-Based Marinara Pasta with a Twist

Ingredients:⁣⁣

1 veggie burger (I like Boca Burgers)
1 bag Miracle Noodles prepared according to instructions ⁣
1/2c marinara sauce⁣⁣
1/2 oz goat cheese

Directions
1) Place prepared miracle noodles in a bowl.
2) Heat up marinara sauces and pour on top of noodles.⁣⁣
3) Cook veggie burger, slice it into cubes, and pour on top of noodle mix.⁣⁣
4) Finally, crumble your goat cheese on top (feel free to add more for a stronger flavor). ⁣
5) Enjoy!⁣⁣

Almost ready, but missing the key ingredient…

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Now, it’s complete!

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Use code HANNAH for a discount when you order from Miracle Noodle!

Gut Health: Do’s and Don’ts

Gut health is front and center all over social media and in the news. Everyone talks about the “best” things you can do for gut health, but I’m here to tell you something different…they are almost all wrong, because nutrition and gut health is unique and personalizedThere is no one solution for everyone; sure, there are best practices and suggestions, but it all comes down to your own lived experience.

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My first tip is simple: listen to your body. Take note of how different foods make you feel.

  • Do you get a stomachache after your morning bowl of cereal and skim milk? Try a plant-based milk instead.
  • Do you feel queazy after a cup of tea on an empty stomach? Hold up on caffeine before eating.
  • Do you have trouble falling asleep? Try having your last snacks either earlier in the evening or closer to bedtime.

It sounds trite, but so many of us listen to the typical routine of three square meals a day or not eating after a certain time or getting stuck with our preferred habits.

Second tip: experiment! It is not normal to always have stomaches or bloating. If you are experiencing those things, try something different. That might mean working with a nutritionist on an elimination diet, adding new supplements into your routine, or simply keeping a food journal to track how certain foods make your body feel.

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I used to suffer from bloating, stomachaches, cramps–you name it, I had it. These symptoms impacted my life quite a bit. I would hesitate to go out with friends at night, was nervous about trying new foods, and would often just want to sleep through my pain. Over time I learned more and more about what triggered my stomach pain and bloating, and I’ve had way fewer problems since! I still experience symptoms occasionally, but nowhere near as severe or frequent.

I’ve been trying natural supplements for prevention and to help ease my occasional discomfort. For the past month or so, I’ve been using Quality of Life Supplements Probiotics and Peptisol supplements. I have been taking probiotic supplements for years, and it can be really difficult to discern what’s working and what’s not working. I’ve been taking ProbioPure for the past month and have been really happy with the results. The ingredients are simple and they have the research to back up the effects. There are a ton of probiotics out there that have little clinical evidence so choose your probiotics wisely!

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The Peptisol supplement is one that both my boyfriend and I take if we feel indigestion or any kind of upset stomach (usually this happens around dinnertime for me). It’s made with ginger root, artichoke leaf extract, and GutGuard DGL. Ginger has long been used as a stomach soother across traditions and GutGuard has significant research showcasing its benefits.

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These might not be the right supplements for you, but again…it’s all about experimenting and listening to your body! If you do want to give these a try, use code HANNAH10 for 10% off your order at Quality of Life Supplements.

Sleep Hygiene: Maximizing your zzz’s

I have struggled with poor sleep for a long time. Growing up, it was normal for nearly everyone in our household to have trouble falling asleep, wake up frequently during the night, or feel unrested in the morning. I have always been a morning lark–waking up at 6AM or earlier from a young age (what fun for my parents ;). After starting college, I started to wake up more and more often during the night. While I might have slept for 8+ hours, that sleep was interrupted at least 2-3 times.

After my own issues staying asleep, I began looking into techniques and tools to improve my sleep quality. There are a few common practices suggested by the CDC, National Sleep Foundation, and a number of other reputable sources out there:

1. Consistency is key: Go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. It’s tempting to stay up late on weekends and sleep in, it can throw off your body’s rhythm. This is a tough one when you’re in your 20s, but I try to limit to late nights of partying to 1-2 times a month so my body isn’t thrown out of whack as often.

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2. Ambiance: Very little light, a colder temperature, and white noise. These little tweaks go a long way! I always scoffed at white noise machines until I tried one myself six years ago and have been using it ever since. Whether you live in a loud dorm or a bustling city, noise machines (or a white noise song on repeat) can be a real life saver.

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3. Screen Shutdown: This one is tough. I was much better about this during college, but set a time that you shut off your screens every night. I used to turn my phone on “Do Not Disturb” at 10pm and wouldn’t check it again until I woke up the next morning. My life is much less structured now and I definitely don’t follow this rule anymore, although I do try to stay aware. I highly recommend the computer app called f.lux — it’s a free tool that customizes your screen’s blue light to the time of day and when you go to bed. It decreases the blue light as you approach bedtime so you can use your screen a little later with less negative effects.

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4. Caffeine: Stop drinking caffeine early in the afternoon. My cut off time is 3pm; I’ve played around and learned that this is the time that works for me. Drinking caffeinated beverages any later has a noticeable effect, but it’s likely different for everyone! I’ve read that holding off on caffeine starting anytime between 1pm and 5pm is best.

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5. Melatonin: Melatonin is the hormone your body naturally produces when it’s time to go to sleep; it is responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycles. My dad has been using melatonin for over a decade! I started using it in college when my sleep issues started and I’ve only found a few brands/types that actually work for me. I’ve recently been trying out Quality of Life Supplements Melatonin-SR. The melatonin has micronized, sustained-release, which means that it is made to release over time to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Research suggests that you should take melatonin about two hours before you want to fall asleep. I find that if I take it much later than that, I have trouble getting up in the morning. I’ve been taking QOL Melatonin-SR for the past 2-3 weeks and can really feel it helping–it makes it easier for me to fall asleep and stay asleep longer. I will definitely continue taking it!

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Use code HANNAH10 for 10% off your order at Quality of Life Supplements! Stay tuned for my review of their digestive health products.

Colorful Red Cabbage and Turmeric Spiked Rice

I have been feeling in a rut with my meal prep, but I felt inspired while shopping at Sprouts! I picked up some beautiful red cabbage and felt like making English-inspired meals for the week. It’s a pretty simple recipe and many of the ingredients are anti-inflammatory like the red cabbage, olive oil, cauliflower, and turmeric. I don’t frequently meal prep with meat, but I was excited to try a new brand of turkey sausage; you can easily replace this with a vegan sausage or other meat alternative. This recipe makes 2-3 servings. ⁣

Ingredients:⁣

-1 8oz bag chopped red cabbage ⁣

-1 tbsp olive oil⁣

-6 cloves garlic (or 1 tbsp minced garlic)⁣

-2 cups riced cauliflower ⁣

-1 bag Miracle Noodle rice🍚⁣

-1/2 tsp turmeric⁣

-1 tsp rosemary⁣

-2 tbsp Braggs liquid aminos ⁣

-1 box Jones All Natural Turkey Sausage⁣ (can easily swap for a vegan friendly alternative)

Directions:⁣

1) Put olive oil and garlic in a large skillet on medium high heat and after 2-3 minutes, add entire bag of red cabbage. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.⁣

2) Prepare @miraclenoodle rice according to instructions on the bag and place the rice in a separate skillet with the cauliflower rice, liquid aminos, turmeric, and rosemary. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes.⁣

3) Prepare turkey sausage according to instructions on the package (I was lazy and cooked them in the microwave) and add them to skillet with cabbage. Continue simmering for 15-20 minutes. ⁣

4) Serve cabbage mixture with sausage over rice mixture and enjoy!⁣

Use code HANNAH for a discount when you order from Miracle Noodle! 

Colorful, Quick Vegan Dinner for One

I love choosing vegan options when I can; it has numerous health benefits, plus benefits for the environment. Here are just a few of the health benefits:

  1. Your diet will likely include more nutrient-dense foods like fruit, veggies, and whole grains.
  2. Plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of certain types of cancer.
  3. Vegan diets are correlated with decreased risk of heart disease.

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The environmental impact is just as profound; the fewer plant-based products we eat, the less we contribute to the generation of methane and carbon dioxide–two greenhouse gases that impact climate change. There is a misconception that we need to make big changes to make a difference, but that is simply not the case. Making the effort to eat a plant-based even once or twice a week can be powerful. A study from the University of Minnesota found that swapping out one beef-based meal a week for beans or another plant protein, you can decrease your contribution of carbon dioxide by 730 pounds every year.

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Health benefits, positive environmental impact, and cost savings–what’s not to love? I try to whip up a plant-based meal at least once a week and I actively avoid eating beef. Plant-based recipes can be easy and simple. I made this meal in less than 20 minutes!

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag Spinach Angel Hair Miracle Noodles
  • 1c cauliflower florets
  • 1/2c chopped bell peppers
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 vegan burger (I like Boca Burgers)

Directions:

1) Prepare Miracle Noodle according to instructions on the bag.

2) Combine all ingredients except burger in a skillet and simmer on medium-high heat for at least ten minutes.

3) While your noodle mix is simmering, prepare your burger (I microwave it because I’m lazy as all get out). Once cooked, chop the burger into small chunks.

4) Add chopped burger into noodle mix and stir well.

5) Enjoy!

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Don’t forget to use code HANNAH for a discount when you order from Miracle Noodle!