Lentil Tahini Burgers

Lentil Tahini Burgers

by | Jun 22, 2022 | Recipes

Two Glasses with Detox Green Smoothie

Who doesn’t love a good burger? Now you can have a nutrient-dense, plant-based burger that everyone in the family is sure to enjoy!

This recipe is very easy to pull together, and the burgers themselves are sturdy and hold up well to your favourite fixings!

Lentils make up the base of this recipe. Not only are lentils a source of high-quality plant-based protein, but they are also a rich source of fibre. Lentils also contain phytonutrients called flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, that have been shown to reduce inflammation. Additionally, lentils contain lignans and saponins, which are plant-compounds that may have anti-cancer potential.

Tahini is the real star of this recipe! Tahini, also known as sesame paste, is made of ground sesame seeds. Sesame seeds contain proteins, healthy fats, fibre, and loads of vitamins and minerals. Sesame seeds are high in both calcium and magnesium, which supports strong bones. Sesame seeds also contain two unique lignans called sesamin and sesamolin. These compounds have protective antioxidant properties and may reduce cardiovascular disease and cancer risk.

Whether you regularly eat a vegan diet or not, these Lentil Tahini Burgers are an excellent way to include more health-promoting plant foods in your diet. In fact, we even included this recipe in our 7-day Cancer-Preventative Menu Plan!

If you give this recipe a try, let us know what your favourite topping combination is!

Lentil Tahini Burgers

Who doesn’t love a good burger? Now you can have a nutrient-dense, plant-based burger that everyone in the family is sure to enjoy!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 burgers

Ingredients
  

  • 2⅔ cups Green Lentils cooked, drained and rinsed
  • ¼ cup Tahini
  • 1 Carrot small, shredded
  • ½ tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp Onion Powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a food processor with an S-blade, process all ingredients until a well-blended, but not perfectly smooth.
  • Split the mixture into four even parts and shape into patties. Place on the parchment lined baking sheet with a minimum 1” between patties.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until firm and golden on top.
  • Remove the burgers from the oven. Serve on a bed of lettuce with your favourite toppings such as pickles, sauerkraut, slides avocado, fresh tomato, or grilled pineapple.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories - 254
Sugar - 3g
Carbs - 31g
Fat - 9g
Protein - 15g
Fibre - 13g

Hazelnut Cocoa Balls

Hazelnut Cocoa Balls

by | Jul 23, 2021 | Recipes

Two Glasses with Detox Green Smoothie

After consulting with a health care professional, such as their family doctor, naturopathic doctor, nutritionist or dietitian, many individuals with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) turn to a low-FODMAP diet. 

 

This is a specific type of elimination diet, which aims to remove certain small-chain carbohydrates from your diet to reduce IBS symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea – with a success rate of up to 86% (1).

A low-FODMAP diet restricts consumption of most grains and dairy, many fruits, and all legumes… so, choosing a healthy snack may seem difficult. But, this hazelnut cocoa bites recipe provides a tasty snack while containing all low-FODMAP ingredients! Plus, the recipe is also paleo and vegan friendly, too!

Hazelnuts are filled with nutrients and antioxidants that support and protect many of our body’s systems. Specifically, hazelnuts are considered to be heart healthy. Studies of individuals with consistent hazelnut consumption show a reduction in their bad cholesterol (LDL) while their good cholesterol (HDL) levels remained the same (2).

Cocoa powder is produced by crushing cocoa beans and removing the fat content. While cocoa powder is most famously associated with the production of chocolate goods, research shows that cocoa powder alone can have a positive impact on blood pressure. Molecules within the cocoa powder react with molecules in the blood to expand blood vessels, ultimately lowering blood pressure (3). These have mainly been studied in healthy adults, and more studies on long-term effects are still needed.

Moderation is key while on a low-FODMAP diet because while many foods, including hazelnuts and maple syrup, are low-FODMAP in small quantities, the amount of FODMAPs gets higher and higher the larger a portion size that’s consumed. So, if you’re on a low-FODMAP diet, be sure to watch the serving size while enjoying this delicious snack!

 

References

  1. Nanayakkara, W., Skidmore, P., O’Brien, L., Wilkinson, T., & Gearry, R. (2016). Efficacy of the low FODMAP diet for treating irritable bowel syndrome: the evidence to date. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, 9, 131-142. doi: 10.2147/CEG.S86798
  2. Orem, A., Yucesan, F., Orem, C., Akcan, B., Kural, B., Alasalvar, C., & Shahidi, F. (2013). Hazelnut-enriched diet improves cardiovascular risk biomarkers beyond a lipid-lowering effect in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Journal of Clinic Lipidology. 7(2), 123-131. doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2012.10.005
  3. Ried, K., Fakler, P., & Stocks, N. (2017). Effect of cocoa on blood pressure. Cochrane Database System Review. 4(4). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008893

 

Hazelnut Cocoa Balls

This Hazelnut Cocoa Balls recipe make for a tasty snack while containing all low-FODMAP ingredients! Chocolate and hazelnut has never been this healthy!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • ¾+¼ cup Hazelnuts use ¼ cup to roll balls in
  • 3 tbsp Hemp Seeds
  • 2 tbsps Cocoa Powder
  • 2 tbsps Maple Syrup
  • ¼ tsp Sea Salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. Spread hazelnuts even on the baking sheet and cook in the oven for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted and fragrant.
  • Remove hazelnuts from the oven and place in a clean kitchen towel. Rub the hazelnuts with the towel to remove the skins. Place skinned hazelnuts in a food processor and pulse to chop well. On a small plate, reserve a ¼ cup of the chopped hazelnuts.
  • To the food processor add the hemp seeds, cocoa powder, maple syrup and salt to the hazelnuts and pulse until the mixture begins to comes together. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure it processes evenly.
  • Once the mixture has formed together, scoop the mixture from the bowl of the food processor. Using clean dampened hands, roll the mixture into 1” ball, then roll each ball into the reserved chopped hazelnuts.
  • Place in a covered container in the fridge for approximately 20 minutes to allow the balls to harden slightly. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 116
Carbs: 7g
Fibre: 2g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 10g

Turmeric Hummus

Turmeric Hummus

by | Jun 4, 2021 | Recipes

Two Glasses with Detox Green Smoothie

 Who doesn’t love a ONE-step recipe?!

Well, this tasty Turmeric Hummus recipe is just that!

Turmeric Hummus is an easy side dish, dip, spread, or addition to your next wrap or sandwich.

Chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, are known to pack a protein punch, but did you know they are also full of magnesium? Magnesium interacts with enzymes throughout your body to promote chemical reactions important for making proteins, releasing energy, and maintaining cardiovascular health. Magnesium’s interaction with the brain has more recently been explored, and it is believed to help prevent neuron death after a brain injury! (1)

Turmeric is this recipe’s secret ingredient. While adding a bold flavour to your hummus, turmeric also fills this recipe with an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound called curcumin. Curcumin is powerful because of its ability to cross the protective barrier that separates our brains from the rest of our bodies. Once in the brain, curcumin acts to reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, helping our brain to think efficiently! (2)

This hummus also contains ingredients which work as anti-microbials. Garlic is known to support our immune system as an anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral. Meanwhile, apple cider vinegar has also been shown to have anti-microbial properties and decreases inflammation in response to an infection. (3)

For an added touch, feel free to top with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of turmeric, paprika, or cayenne.

  1. Erdman, J., Oria, M., & Pillsbury, L. (2011). Nutrition and Traumatic Brain Injury: Improving Acute and Subacute Outcomes in Miliiatary Personnel.  National Academies Press (US). Washington, DC.
  2. Misra, S., & Palanivelu, K. (2008). The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer’s Disease: An Overview, Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 11(1), 13-19. doi: 10.4103/0972-2327.40220
  3. Yagniik, D., Serafin, V., & Shah, A. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 1732. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18618-x

 

Turmeric Hummus

Who doesn’t love a ONE-step recipe?! This tasty Turmeric Hummus recipe is just that, making it an easy side, dip, or addition to your next wrap or sandwich.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups Chickpeas cooked
  • 1 Garlic Clove minced
  • 1 tbsp Tahini
  • 3 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • ½ tsp Turmeric
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp Black Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Add ingredients to the bowl of a food processor with the S-blade. Blend until the mixture reaches a creamy consistency. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure it processes evenly. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 280
Carbs: 24g
Fibre: 7g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 18g

Green Tea Banana Ice Cream

Green Tea Banana Ice Cream

by | Feb 23, 2021 | Recipes

Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast

Have you been searching for a sweet treat you can enjoy without any guilt? Hear your sweet tooth calling but don’t want to derail your nutrition and health goals?

This Green Tea Banana Ice Cream comes to the rescue! With only two ingredients, and in less than five minutes in the kitchen, this creamy dessert can be in your bowl.

Did you know bananas are a good source of potassium? An imbalance of potassium can cause many different symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and mood changes such as anxiety. Low levels of potassium can increase mental fatigue and reduce your body’s ability to handle stress.

Green tea is known for it’s antioxidant effect, but it is also a great source of amino acid theanine. According to the research, theanine can increase feelings of relaxation and calm. One study found that participants who drank green tea showed “improvements in mood, cognition and a reduction of stress and anxiety-like symptoms”.

If you are like most folks and have a bunch of frozen bananas in the freezer for that banana bread you’ve been meaning to make, try this instead! It’s way fewer dishes too!

 

 References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31758301/

 

Green Tea Banana Ice Cream

Green Tea Banana Ice Cream to the rescue! With only two ingredients, and in less than five minutes in the kitchen, this creamy dessert can be in your bowl.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Banana sliced and frozen
  • 1½ tsps Matcha Green Tea Powder

Instructions
 

  • Add frozen bananas and Matcha green tea powder to the bowl of a food processor with an S-blade and process. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even processing. Continue to process until smooth approximately 2-3 minutes.
  • For soft serve consistency: Scoop into serving bowls and enjoy.
  • For firmer ice cream consistency: Place in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 110
Carbs: 27g
Fibre: 3g
Sugar: 15g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 0.5g