Elisha Cook

Allergen-Free Banana Muffin and Bread Recipe

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Finding recipes safe for those with food sensitivities or allergies can be quite tricky. Though bananas can be a trigger food for some individuals, this recipe takes an old favourite and makes it relatively tolerable for most individuals. This recipe is void of your traditional flours, eggs, and dairy! Try it for yourself and see how it measures up.

Banana Muffin Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of Brown Rice /Almond Flour
  • 1 cup Quinoa flour (gives a moist batter)
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 4 tsp. baking powder/tapioca starch
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds ground
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • 2/3 cup Coconut Milk
  • 4-5 ripe bananas
  • 2 tbsp. Coconut oil melted
  • Optional: 1 cup of chocolate chips

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Blend and mix together flour, sugar, and baking powder/ tapioca starch.
  • In a separate bowl, take ground chia seeds and water and beat together until gel like consistency. Add in milk, mashed bananas, and melted coconut oil.
  • Combine together your “wet” and “dry” ingredients (i.e. your coconut oil mixture and flour mixture). Stir until well combined. If you want to add chocolate chips, add them at this point.
  • Line your muffin cups with muffin baking cups or grease your pan, and add approximately 1/4 cup of batter to each cup.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Yield: 12-16 muffins

Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of Brown Rice /Almond Flour
  • ¾ cup Quinoa flour (gives a moist batter)
  • 2 tsp. baking powder/tapioca starch
  • ¼ tsp. baking soda/tapioca starch
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp. chia seeds ground
  • 6 tbsp. water
  • 4-5 ripe bananas

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Blend and mix together flour, baking powder/ tapioca starch, and baking soda/ tapioca starch.
  • In a separate bowl, cream coconut oil and gradually beat in sugar.
  • In another bowl, take ground chia seeds and water and beat together until gel like consistency. Add this mixture to your coconut oil and sugar mix combining well.
  • Combine together your “wet” and “dry” ingredients (i.e. your coconut oil mixture and flour mixture).
  • Finally add in 4-5 ripe, well mashed bananas to mixture.
  • Pour your mixture into a 9” by 5” loaf ban that has been lined with parchment paper and let sit for 20 minutes.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes or until cooked through.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

A Healthy Thanksgiving and Halloween: Lessons from the Season

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Written by Dr. Elisha Cook ND

I am sure I have some of my readers rolling their eyes as they read the title of this blog. “Oh great another blog about how we shouldn’t over eat, we shouldn’t eat sugar, Halloween is the devil, and we are all doomed to diabetes if we participate”. No, this is not one of those blog, so please do not hesitate to read on.

Thanksgiving and Halloween can be particularly fun times of year. Whether it is fun in regards to the costumes or the meals/treats, I like to reflect on some other important messages we can take from this season.

Moderation

I think no “healthy Halloween” blog would be complete without mentioning moderation, but this proves the same for thanksgiving. Moderation does not simply mean do not have too much of the bad stuff. It also means do not do too much of the good stuff. What do I mean by this: it is important to recognize that, as Hippocrates once said, “It is the dose that makes the poison”. For example, if you exercise too much this can be almost as bad as not exercising enough. So, with this season, allow some indulgence, but do not overindulgence. Restrict where you need to – for example, only allow your children to have 1 treat per day – but also allow there to be some treats overall. At the end of the day, it is okay to treat ourselves.

Be Inspired

A lot of children are told during this time of year, “you can be whatever you want for Halloween, what would you like to be”. Sometimes there are restrictions, but the point still stands that you can dress the part of what you want to be. It does not mean that you turn into that character, but you can see the pride that emits from these little super heroes and princesses as they go house to house showing their costumes. I would encourage you to take the same attitude with your health. You can choose health and to be inspired. It is important that when it comes to your health, be inspired to rise above your condition and overindulge in hope. Hope can be one of the most effective treatments and increase chances of survival from many medical conditions.

Gratitude

With Thanksgiving and Halloween being so close in date, we can adopt the spirit of gratitude for both of them. Gratitude can be a family discussion during this time of year for so many reasons. Halloween is a holiday where children can often feel like they have an overabundance of candies and that is very exciting. Using these times as a teaching moment can be so powerful. Gratitude in itself can have so many health benefits which can be seen in my previous blog: http://www.naturopathicdoctorwoodstock.ca/health-benefits-of-gratitude/

At the end of this all, it is my hope that you are inspired by Halloween to keep moderation in mind, be inspired, and remain thankful. I hope you all have a safe Halloween if you celebrate!

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

Halloween and Health Eating

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Halloween and Healthy Eating: How to Stick to a Diet/Healthy Eating By Dr. Elisha Cook ND

For anyone trying to lose a couple of pounds or keep healthy, Halloween can be a tricky holiday. You want to have treats available for the ghouls and goblins visiting, but do not want to be stuck with the left-over temptation. We recommend trying some of the below strategies to help you make it through this tricky holiday and keep in check with your health goals

  • Have treats available you do not care for

Buy only the treats that you can easily say no to or portion more easily. If you are a sugar fiend, but can easily avoid chocolate – stick with chocolate and chocolate bars you can easily avoid.

  • Consider non-edible treats

Consider offering stickers, pencils, or other surprises for your visitors. These treats will help you to avoid the temptation of sugary treats all together.

  • Offer healthy alternatives

Offering healthy alternatives for trick-or-treaters can help you to practice moderation and resist temptation. Some options might include Pur gum, coconut water, fruit packaged in water, or pre-packaged trail mix.

  • Balance your protein and carbs

Balancing your plate with proteins and carbs helps to keep hunger in check and keeps you from reaching for those high sugar items to keep the energy up.

  • Eat regularly

During this time, avoid fasting and stick to 3 meals per day to help keep hunger in check to avoid the temptation of a sweet treat.

  • Drink enough water

Drinking enough water can curb those cravings and keep hunger at bay, making it easier to resist temptation. When you are tempted to have a sweet treat, drink water first.

  • Forgive easily and get back on track

It is important to recognize that you are only human and it is okay to make mistakes. Do not let one missed opportunity to do “well” set the course for the rest of the day. If you slip up and over indulge, recognize your error, and get back on track. Set your mind to continue to make healthy choices and to get back on track quickly.

At the end of the day, it is important to recognize that everything should be taken in moderation. It is okay to have a treat, but not over-do it. From all of us at Plattsville Natural Health Clinic, we want to wish you a safe and Happy Halloween.  

For more information like this, or to book an appointment with Dr. Elisha Cook ND at Plattsville Natural Health Clinic, please contact us at:

Website: www.plattsvilledoctor.ca

Text or Call: 226-232-7665

Please note the information contained in this article is not meant to replace medical advice. Please contact your health care provider or Dr. Elisha Cook ND for more specific information about your situation.

August 2019 Acupuncture Clinic – Aug 16, 2019 3:00-6:00pm

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Event Summary: 

Dr Elisha Cook ND is offering an acupuncture clinic to provide reduced fee for service for individuals without naturopathic coverage, limited funds, and to give a bit of a break to all patients and individuals for some of the fees. This acupuncture clinic is for anyone who is interested and would like to try acupuncture. The cost per treatment is $30 per person. You do not have to be an existing patient of the clinic to participate. This is on a first come-first serve basis as spots are limited, but we will be able to accommodate walk-ins as much as we are able (though pre-registration is appreciated).

Book your spot by messaging us on facebook, calling or texting us at 226-232-7665, or emailing us at info.pnhc@gmail.com.

Event Details: 

When: Friday August 16, 2019

Time: 3:00PM – 6:00PM

Where: Plattsville Natural Health Clinic 16 Albert St Unit A Plattsville ON N0J 1S0

Cost: $30

Pre-registration is appreciated.

How to Register/Book your spot: 

Call or Text: 226-232-7665

Email: info.pnhc@gmail.com

More Information:

For more information regarding this event, please follow the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/352476672115440/

For more information on how acupuncture may benefit you, please see one of Dr. Elisha Cook ND’s previous posts on how acupuncture works:

https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/how-does-acupuncture-work/