Black Bean Brownies - Naturopathic, Paleo goodness!

We're known for showing off our baking at the clinic, and when Dr. Sarah brought in her adzuki brownie's last week it reminded me that I should dust off my own recipe. These brownies are high in fiber, protein, antioxidants, healthy fat and are grain free and vegan! And yes, the kids seemed to really like them (asking for seconds is a good sign). Here is my version:

Put the following ingredients into your blender:
1 ripe banana
1 cup almond milk
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 can of rinsed black beans
(option: if you have a great blender, you can add a full raw beet, peeled, into the ingredients. This takes the nutrition to a whole other level - I did so in the picture you are seeing and it gives it a bit of a reddish hue, such as a red-velvet cake would! the cocoa masks the beet taste!)

Blend until all ingredients are incorporated and smooth.

In another bowl mix 1/3 cup ground flax, 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup dark cocoa, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp vanilla (optional 1 tsp cinnamon). Pour liquid mixture into your dry ingredients incorporating gently. Optional - add in 1/2 cup chocolate chips or carob chips at this point.

Pour into parchment lined 8x8 inch baking pan. Bake at 400C for 45 min.

Once cool, top with a thin layer of icing:

1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup honey. Let it cool and pour over brownies. Once you refrigerate this icing will get hard because of the coconut oil.
OPTION: instead of the icing melt some dark chocolate overtop.


Enjoy!

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
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Pumpkin Protein Pancakes!

These Pumpkin Protein Pancakes are Delicious!
 Remember that pumpkin puree I made a while back (in the fall) by roasting some pumpkins? Well I had one bag left in the freezer and made some delicious protein pancakes over the weekend. These pancakes are not only high in protein, but are also 'paleo' since they are grain free.

Here is the ingredient list:
1 cup pumpkin puree
5 scoops Natural Factors Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 cup Power Seeds (chia, hemp, ground flax)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp Baking Powder
2 eggs

Mix all ingredients together and add almond/coconut milk to the desired consistency of your pancakes (thinner consistency makes thinner pancakes). Fry these in a little coconut oil.

Serve with Blueberry Chia Sauce!

Blueberry Chia Sauce:
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup chia
1/4 cup water
stevia or maple syrup to taste

simmer until thickened (10 min) and serve on top of pancakes! Naturopathic Indeed!

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!