Vegan Eat Clean Banana Muffins

Ingredients
2 super ripe mashed bananas
1/3 c unsweetened applesauce
2/3 c sugar (or stevia if sugar free- I prefer a mix)
2 flax eggs (2 Tbsp flax + 4 Tbsp water)
1/4 c nondairy milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 2/3 c flour (I mixed whole wheat and unbleached organic)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
dried banana chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare flax eggs and let rest. Mix wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients.
2. Add to muffin pan, either greased or with papers. Add muffin mix to pan. Top each muffin with a dried banana chip.
3. Bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes for regular muffins (13-15 for mini-muffins).

Pear-Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas, Eat Clean, Vegan

Ingredients:

4 whole grain tortillas
2 Tbsp honey
5 oz organic low-fat mozzarella cheese, grated (1 1/4 c) or vegan cheese mozzarella style (like daiya)
1/4 c raisins or currants
1 small ripe pear, cored and very thinly sliced

Directions:
1. Place tortillas on plate and spread with 1/2 Tbsp honey. Heat nonstick skillet, and place 1 tortilla honey side up.
2. Sprinkle with 1/3 c cheese, then 2 Tbsp raisins. Arrange pear slices over top, reserving enough for 2 servings.
3. Sprinkle with another 1/3 c cheese. Place another tortilla, honey side down, over layered tortilla and press with spatula to seal. Gently flip and cook other side until lightly browned about 2 min.
4. Transfer to cutting board and slice into quarters. Serves 4.

*caveat: can also use gruyere cheese and/or cranberries

Vegan Banana Splits

Ingredients

4 medium bananas
2 cups non-dairy yogurt- plain or vanilla (for those without dairy allergies, or who are not vegan, a healthy option would be cottage cheese)
6 Tbsp all-fruit strawberry jam, divided
1/4 c roasted nuts (peanuts or cashews, depending on allergies)

Directions:

1. Peel and cut each banana in half lengthwise. Place two halves in each bowl.
2. Place 1/2 c yogurt and top with 1 1/2 Tbsp jam and 1 Tbsp nuts. Repeat for each bowl.

*caveat: a great breakfast treat!! You could also add other fruit, granola

Sweet potato and Parsnip fries with Kale chips

Ingredients
2-3 sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into French-fry sized strips
3-4 parsnips,, scrubbed and cut into French-fry sized strips
1 bunch of Kale
Garlic (minced or as garlic powder)
olive oil
1/2 tsp chipotle powder or smoked paprika
salt to taste

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400. Combine potatoes and parsnips on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic, paprika, salt. Arrange so that 1/3 of baking sheet is empty for the kale chips.
2. Bake for 15-20 min until lightly browned and crispy.
3. Cut kale to about 2" slices. Drizzle with olive oil and rub over surface. Place kale on cooking sheet during the last 6-8 minutes of cooking time and cook until crispy, being careful not to burn.

Beef and Lamp Kabobs

Ingredients
1/2 onion- 1/4 diced, 1/4 in large cubes for kabob
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 lime, grated and juiced
2 Tbsp rosemary
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb lamb, cut into 1"cubes
1 lb beef, cubed
2 red bell peppers
10 oz mushrooms whole
grape or cherry tomatoes
other vegetables as desired



Directions
1. For marinade, combine first 5 ingredients into bowl or dish. Place in meat and vegetables, and chill 6-24 hrs, turning occasionally. Drain, reserving marinade
2. Thread different combinations onto skewers. Transfer marinade to saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 min. You can then dab this to kabobs while cooking or add over once cooked.
3. Grill for 16-18 min until juices run clear, turning several times.

Natural Weight Loss Aids?

1. Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀)

Rosedale’s Recommended Dose: 100-300mg

This vitamin-like substance is, by nature, present in all human cells and responsible for the production of the body’s own energy. 

2. Chromium

RRD: 1000mcg

Chromium is required in trace amounts for sugar metabolism in humans. It is usually found as Chromium picolinate or Chromium Chloride. Chromium plays a key role in increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. 

3. Carnitine

RRD: As much as you can afford

Carnitine helps transport fats in the bloodstream into the mitochondria (where the cellular energy or power produced) for burning. It has the ability to break up fat deposits and aids in weight loss. I

4. Glutamine

RRD: As much as you want

Glutamine is the most abundant naturally occuring, non-essential amino acid in the human body. 

5. Vanadium

RRD: 25mg (first 3 months then reduce and stop)

Vanadium is an element (elemental symbol V). It is found in most living organisms. Vanadium, in many ways, mimics insulin, thus it helps accomplish the function of insulin without requiring extra effort on the part of your pancreas. 

6. Gymnema Sylvestre

RRD: Per instructions on packet

Gymnema sylvestre is a herb native to the tropical forests of southern and central India where it has been used as a naturopathic treatment for diabetes for nearly two millennia. 

7. Elemental Magnesium

RRD: 300-400mg

Caution: If you have heart or kidney problems, consult your doctor before taking magnesium supplements.

Magnesium is essential for every major biological function, including your heartbeat. Magnesium supplementation is useful to treat the muscle cramps that people get when they’re trying to lose weight. 

8. Taurine

RRD: 1gm twice daily

Taurine is an organic acid that is a major constituent of bile. In recent years, taurine has become a common ingredient in energy drinks. 

9. Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

RRD: 2000mg

Caution: If you are taking anticoagulants, don’t take vitamin E supplements.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant. 

10. Zinc

RRD: 30-60mg (take 1mg of copper for every 10mg of zinc)

Caution: Daily doses of more than the Daily Value of 15 milligrams of zinc warrant medical supervision.

Article in full: http://listverse.com/2007/09/13/top-10-natural-weightloss-aids/


Additionally, Dr Oz show recommended:

Breakfast: Sage Leaf Tea
Lunch: Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) 200 mg taken with food (reduces inflammation in fat cells)
Snack: Maitake Mushroom Extract Drops (10-20 drops in food or water)
Dinner: Glucomannan (1/2 tsp 30 min before meal- add on top of food or in water)

From: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/all-natural-weight-loss-aids
http://www.skincaretalk.com/t/32590/dr-oz-all-natural-weight-loss-aids

And here are a few more:
Green tea
Acai
Kale
Coconut oil
HCA

From: http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/12/03/natural-weight-loss/

http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=38298

I would love comments or suggestions on this one...Wanting to lose postpartum weight the natural way!

Another Coconut Oil Article re: Weight Loss

http://www.naturalnews.com/026808_oil_coconut.html