Seize The Day Blog

Health-Related Articles & Recipes

Archives for January 2019

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #4

The newest series here on Seize the Day Blog!!!

It’s here…my very first Keeping Up With Katie post for 2019!!! If you’re new to this series here on Seize the Day Blog I recommend checking out these articles before proceeding to the fourth template below. Thanks for reading!

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #1

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #2

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #3

The Key to Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

I hope you all enjoy my feedback on my own personal journey with Hemp Oil (also known as CBD oil) since beginning this Hemp product from the Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers corporation on July 20th 2018.

Please comment your feedback via Instagram & Twitter or feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

Well-balanced & Delicious…Exactly how Breakfast should be!

I’ve never been a huge fan of banana flavored foods, but these pancakes are drool worthy! I’m currently on a Paleo style of diet that is also Gluten-free, Dairy-free, and Sugar-free. So, when it comes to satisfying my sweet tooth the options are few and far between. 

That being said, these pancakes are the perfect solution AND they’re incredibly healthy for you! With only 6 ingredients total, they are quick, easy, and delicious! 

As far as toppings are concerned, I prefer to stick with the classic Maple Syrup, but Honey makes an excellent alternative, as well! 

Or, if you’d like to skip sugar alternatives completely, you can also enjoy these pancakes topped with strawberries and blueberries. 

I used Organic Ghee as my butter substitute and I have to say that the texture and flavor of the pancakes turned out even better! So, for those of you wanting to break away from the “norm” in your day-to-day routine, I highly recommend trying this recipe! 

These pancakes will not disappoint to satisfy both your need for spontaneity and your sweet tooth! And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like a good pancake???

I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you do decide to give it a try, please comment your feedback via Instagram & Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com.

Thank you!

Print
From My Recipe Box to Yours: Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 12 pancakes

Ingredients

  • 3 Bananas
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • Maple Syrup or Honey
  • Ghee

Instructions

  1. Place eggs, baking powder, sea salt, vanilla and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk until combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, place bananas and begin lightly mashing all three together. You don't want to over-mash because that will take away from the texture of your pancakes.
  3. Add bowl with bashed bananas to the first bowl and whisk again until both mixtures are combined.
  4. In a frying pan, add a small circle of ghee and top with pancake batter. Only a small amount of batter is necessary. Let sit for about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes before flipping.
  5. Top fully-cooked pancake with a small circle of ghee, add maple syrup, honey, or fruit and ENJOY!
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/01/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-gluten-free-banana-pancakes/

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet Potato Chips

This recipe is incredibly similar to my Sweet Potato Fries Recipe I posted last year, but the results are quite different! Although you can easily make Sweet Potato Chips by baking in the oven as well, I prefer the frying method. 

You will rarely find this preference amongst health bloggers because oils (such as vegetable oil) are SO bad for you. Can you blame the usual foodies for avoiding all oils in general? No! But you can use unflavored coconut oil instead and receive a product that is good for both your body and your taste buds!

The frying process…bubbling with potential!

In addition, the frying process takes about 5 minutes or less and the baking process is 2 hours. That being said, I easily chose the frying method as my preferred method and I’m glad I did! The sweet potato chips I created turned out delicious and they make a fantastic On-The-Go snack!

If you’ve been searching for any of the above lately, the search is over with this recipe! I hope you all enjoy my newest snack! Please be sure to comment via Instagram and Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or email (Katie@seizethedayblog.com) with any feedback you have for me! Thanks!

Finished Product: Sweet Potato Chips

Print
From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet Potato Chips

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 3 batches

Ingredients

  • 6 small sweet potatoes, cut into halves or quarters
  • 3 cups unflavored coconut oil
  • sea salt, to taste
  • Tools:
  • Food Processor for slicing sweet potatoes
  • 1 Large frying pan
  • 1 Glass Baking Dish (I prefer using a 10 x 16 dish)
  • 2 Paper Plates
  • 1 Large Spoon (for scooping chips out of pan)
  • 1 Large Spatula (for stirring chips while in frying pan)

Instructions

  1. Using a large knife, cut sweet potatoes into halves or quarters and begin feeding through your food processor. You are going to want to use the medium-sized attachment for the "standard" round chip shape. Set aside.
  2. Scoop the 3 cups of coconut oil into the frying pan. Turn your stove-top to Medium Heat. You're going to want to let this oil sit for about 10 minutes in order for it to become hot enough to actually fry the sweet potato slices and turn them into chips.
  3. While you wait for the oil to heat completely, set out 2 paper plates and one glass baking dish. Line each with a napkin and set aside for later.
  4. Once the oil has heated completely, use a large spoon to scoop raw sweet potato slices from the food processor and gently drop into oil. I prefer the spoon to scoop instead of using my hands to prevent being burned by the "popping" coconut oil.
  5. You will want to simultaneously spread chips evenly about the pan until it is completely covered by a single layer of slices. The amount to scoop will depend on the size of your chips.
  6. Let each batch cook for about 5 minutes and stir every 1-2 minutes.
  7. The longer the oil sits, the hotter the oil will become which means you may not have to cook the next batches for quite as long as the first batch. Be sure to watch each of your batches closely and decide what amount of time works for you. *Note: My 1st batch cooked for the full 5 minutes, but my 2nd batch only needed 4 minutes and my 3rd batch only needed 3 minutes.
  8. As each batch is removed, set on one paper plate so that you can add salt (to taste) on your chips. Cover (like a lid) with the 2nd plate and give them a good shake to evenly distribute the sea salt. This is a good way to soak up extra oil, as well.
  9. Transfer chips to a glass pan in order to let cool. They will also crisp up A LOT during this time.
  10. Once cool, serve immediately or transfer to a storable container with lid to maintain freshness. Chips remain fresh and crispy for up to 1 week if properly stored.
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/01/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-sweet-potato-chips/

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

The Key to Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

I meant to touch on this subject in my Favorite Product of 2018 article, but completely spaced so I figured “Why not just devote an entire article to the subject?!”…It has been a life changing revelation over the course of 2018 and into 2019. 

The true impact of blood sugar levels on the human brain is still yet to be determined. However, through a process of trial and error I have slowly been able to piece together what I consider to be a breakthrough observation and what I hope will also be a breakthrough for anyone reading this article. 

Low blood sugar levels can cause the brain to become vulnerable. In-between the standard meal time (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is actually the most dangerous time period for me, personally, because it seems to be the time when I am most prone to seizure activity. I have a mix of Grand Mal seizures and Partial seizures, but the partial seizures have increased to a level that surpasses my annual amount of Grand Mal seizures. 

While there are some positives to this development, such as my brain becoming stronger and, therefore, being prone to a less intense form of seizures. I take no pleasure in any seizure activity, big or small, because it means my body is still struggling internally. 

So how do we supplement this internal struggle???

The answer is simple…with food. But not just any food will do the trick, you need food that will be able to build your body back up when it begins doing a nose-dive at those in-between times of the day. 

For me, that food product is Late July’s Buttery Flaky Crackers. And this is yet another reason why these crackers are my favorite product of the year. So, for those of you without gluten sensitivities, I highly recommend snacking on 3-4 crackers in between meals. This gluten-rich snack is like no other when it comes to re-establishing my blood sugar levels. There have been many moments where I believe these crackers have actually prevented a Partial or Grand Mal seizure. Allowing one’s blood sugar levels to drop means allowing one’s brain to drop to a level of vulnerability. Keep your brain at a strong level by implementing a small snack to your daily diet or whenever you feel especially drained, which can easily happen throughout the entire day. You just might find a decrease in your overall seizure activity and an increase in your stamina and mood! 

I have found that when my energy becomes depleted, my mood shifts along with it…I become irritable, impatient, and just plain grumpy. So, for the sake of those around you I highly recommend giving these small snacks a try. 

For those of you with gluten sensitivities, a small snack to try instead of the crackers is guacamole and corn chips. Though this snack is a little more work than a simple box of crackers, it is a well-balanced and delicious mini-meal! Late July also makes a fabulous corn chip product available at a variety of grocery stores including Vons, Whole Foods, and Sprouts. The ingredient label consists of only three ingredients…Organic Whole Ground Corn, Organic Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil and/or Organic Expeller Pressed Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt.

Check out my super simple recipe for guacamole now! 

By implementing the avocados, you are providing a fantastic source of healthy fats for your body. Your body simply cannot have too many healthy fats and using the nutrient rich avocado as your snack will also work to supplement your total-body health. 

If you aren’t a fan of guacamole and chips, you can also try a more leafy-green oriented snack such as arugula salad with a drizzle of olive oil (sea salt and cracked pepper to taste). Arugula is filled with numerous nutrients, but is especially known for being particularly beneficial for the brain and promoting overall brain function. It is key that you include the olive oil drizzle in this snack because this is your source of healthy fats amongst a snack dominated by greens. For those of you who can tolerate dairy, parmesan cheese shavings are also a delicious addition to this mini-salad. 

If you still want something different to use as your snack, that’s okay too! Lucky for us, sweet potatoes make an excellent french-fry or potato chip type of snack. If you decide to go this route, I highly recommend making these in advance so that when you’re feeling fatigued you don’t have to go to a lot of work to make something that is meant to help build your body back up instead of further contributing to your exhaustion. As much as I enjoy baking, it is no secret in my house that this activity can be draining on my energy levels. You know your body best so I would just listen to what it tells you and make these French fries or potato chips when you know you can handle it. That way, when a moment of low blood sugar does strike, all you have to do is access your pantry. Another great characteristic of sweet potato fries or chips is that they mix very well with olive oil (healthy fats). Adding a drizzle of olive oil to your snack is delicious and it boosts your total-body health. 

Life does get busy, but you can always carry around a ziplock bag with the snack of your choice. I like to do this so that I can still maintain a healthy blood sugar level even when I’m On-The-Go. 

Check out Seize the Day Blog for my favorite recipes for Sweet Potato Fries & Sweet Potato Chips!

 

Sources:

  1. Late July Products: https://www.latejuly.com

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com].