Tag: healthy lifestyle

Blog Posts, Recipe Posts

Fluffy Banana Mesquite Pancakes

Mariella Irivarren

By: Mariella Irivarren, Part-Owner of Miski Organics

Gluten Free & Vegan

*Makes 12 small Pancakes (4” diameter)*

Sometimes I just crave a fancy breakfast, and for me, that means PANCAKES!

Pancakes remind me of Sunday morning breakfast with my family. It reminds me of a good time, good food, and good company. All my life however, I viewed pancakes as a “treat”, a “cheat meal”, and an overall unhealthy breakfast choice’ so I would limit how often I had them.

A few weeks back I had a massive craving for pancakes, so I set out to create a version that would be good for my taste buds and my health. Using incredible superfoods I have in my pantry, I was able to create ones that were fluffy, tasty, and a little sweet – just how I like them!

These pancakes are easy to make and easier to eat; and if you’ve got little one’s at home – guaranteed they’ll love them too!

Continue reading “Fluffy Banana Mesquite Pancakes” →

Blog Posts, Recipe Posts

Chocolate Power Protein Smoothie

Mariella Irivarren

Gluten Free & Vegan

*Makes One Individual Serving*

For the last two years I have made a delicious chocolate protein smoothie that I LOVE. Since Miski Organics introduced their new Tara Protein Powder however, I wanted to see if I could recreate my favourite go-to smoothie with one that incorporates Tara, and a variety of other superfoods.

Well… I did it! I was able to recreate this delicious, chocolatey, dessert-like smoothie with all the superfoods and zero guilt! This smoothie tastes like melted chocolate ice cream, seriously. It can be as thick or as runny as you’d like, and more or less chocolatey based on your taste buds.

I love making smoothies because they are so simple yet so nutritious and filling. For this recipe I used natural ripe banana powder instead of regular bananas (they always seem to go brown on me), and it also uses sacha inchi powder and sacha inchi butter to give it a nutty flavour, without the nuts!

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Blog Posts, Recipe Posts

Nut-Free Super Energy Bars

Mariella Irivarren

Nut Free, Gluten Free & Vegan

*Makes 12 regular bars*

In an effort to keep my snacking under control, I had the urge to make something sweet, crunchy, tasty, filling, HEALTHY, and all-around satisfying. Inspired by the famous GLO Bars from Oh She Glows, I wanted to challenge myself to re-create these using new ingredients and ramping up the superfoods.

Following the base recipe from Oh She Glows, I was able to substitute several ingredients with my favourite Miski Organics Superfoods and even added a few extra items to suit my taste… and let me tell you, the end result did not disappoint!

This super-charged energy bar is loaded with plant protein, fiber, amino acids, antioxidants, omegas and so much more! They are easy to make and easy to eat, and they’ll become your new go-to health snack. Don’t worry if you do not have some of these superfoods at home, I have provided some easy substitutes at the end of the post.

Continue reading “Nut-Free Super Energy Bars” →

Blog Posts, Recipes

Peanut Butter Berry Energy Protein Smoothie

Mariella Irivarren

*Makes 1 Smoothie Serving*

One of my tried and true smoothie recipes is this delicious combo. When we combine simple ingredients with supplemental health products and nutritionally dense superfoods, it makes the health value of this smoothie skyrocket without compromising taste!

Did you know that Camu Camu powder has 40 times the amount of Vitamin C than an orange? Yup! So adding just a little bit in a smoothie can significantly improve your vitamin intake.

In the case of Maca powder, this superfood is known for increasing energy, as well as helping the body regulate its hormones naturally, among other benefits. Another addition where a little goes a long way!

If you don’t happen to have either of these superfoods in your pantry, that’s ok. You can stick to the four key and simple ingredients in this smoothie, and the taste will remain the same. 😉

Enjoy!

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Blog Posts, Health & Wellness

New Year, New You!

Mariella Irivarren

A modified version of this article was originally published on the Miski Organic’s blog. To view the original post, please click here.

The holidays have come and gone and with that most some of us are feeling relaxed and rested. The season comes with family time, travel, good food, food, and more food. Even the best of us crack a little over the holidays, I mean, how could you not?!? – And so the journey towards bouncing back to our December 1st selves begins.

Over the holidays we often let ourselves fall into a downward spiral and tend to make excuses for our poor food (and beverage) choices with the idea that once the New Year starts, it will all go back to normal – But does it? Most people who make New Year resolutions around their health lose motivation shortly after and revert back to their old habits. Why is that?

When we constantly feel that we are being deprived of what we enjoy, exercising seems like a chore, we aren’t seeing results quickly enough and don’t have the right mindset or motivation to keep going, our head (and stomach) tell us to throw in the towel.

Continue reading “New Year, New You!” →

Blog Posts, Health & Wellness Posts

10 Steps to Going Vegan – PART 2

Mariella Irivarren

A modified version of this article was originally published on the Miski Organic’s blog. To view the original post, please click here.

This is a continuation of my blog post 10 Steps to Going Vegan – PART 1 where I cover the first steps towards becoming vegan.

STEP 7 – LEARN ALONG THE WAY

  • At first, you might gravitate towards foods you have always eaten and realize they aren’t vegan. Also, you will quickly learn that some foods you wouldn’t even think of have animal-based ingredients in them, such as gelatin and whey. Lastly, eating at restaurants may seem more complicated at first until you understand how to ask for what you want. Luckily, times are changing, and eating vegan is easier than ever! Check out this blog post for the Best Vegan Restaurants in Toronto.

STEP 8 – DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP

  • If you struggle adapting at first, its OK. You are making a HUGE lifestyle change that will take time to adjust. There is no such thing as being perfect. You are making a long-term positive change in your life and any progress you make is considered a win! If you have a solid why, it will be the driving force that helps you stay on track.

STEP 9 – ENJOY THE BENEFITS

  • When done right, eating a plant-based diet can have several positive effects on your body. Results will vary from person to person, but you may naturally lose weight from upping your veggie intake, your skin may clear up from acne by eating real food, your digestion will certainly see an improvement due to the high fiber content in your diet, and you might see an increase in energy because you are better nourishing your body. These are not a guarantee, and it is possible to have an UNHEALTHY vegan diet (Oreos and French fries, anyone?) but as long as you prepare your cruelty-free meals with healthy foods in general, you should experience positive benefits.

Continue reading “10 Steps to Going Vegan – PART 2” →

Blog Posts, Health & Wellness Posts

10 Steps to Going Vegan – PART 1

Mariella Irivarren

A modified version of this article was originally published on the Miski Organic’s blog. To view the original post, please click here.

Going vegan was probably one of the best decisions I have made. Since becoming one in 2013 I have had several friends and family members reach out wanting to know more about my lifestyle and how it has affected my health. They’ve also asked me for tips and recipes they could follow as they became more conscious of their own choices.

Now, I am not here to shame anyone! – I am here to educate people, share information, be a resource, and encourage others to make better choices for their health & lifestyle, in whichever way works best for them; and I applaud anyone wanting to learn more.

If this is something you have been considering and don’t know how or where to start, this post is for you! So let’s dig into the steps towards adopting a more compassionate diet and lifestyle.

Continue reading “10 Steps to Going Vegan – PART 1” →

Recipes

4 Ingredient Protein Ball Recipe

Mariella Irivarren

These guilt-free and extra delicious protein balls contain only 4 main ingredients. They are extremely easy to make and are fully vegan and gluten free. –– The perfect snack to appease your sweet tooth!

Earlier this year I decided to do the “30-Days to Healthy Living and Beyond” challenge to reboot my health. The results I experienced were extremely positive, including: increased energy, reduced bloating, cleaner looking skin, weight loss, and overall vitality. The program allowed me to further my knowledge around food sensitivities, as well as identify foods that were not serving my body. Since then, I have been able to maintain healthy and balanced food habits, allowing me to be the healthiest I have been in years.

The program focuses on temporarily eliminating certain foods from your diet, and teaches you how to replace them with healthier alternatives. For me, the hardest part of the challenge was learning to eliminate sugars. Anyone who knows me well knows I have a HUGE sweet tooth, and I do love featuring vegan desserts on my Instagram regularly; but the challenge allowed me to get creative with my recipes and develop a healthier alternative that would relieve my sugar craving without getting off track… and so the protein ball recipe was created!

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Travel

Six Easy Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

Mariella Irivarren

A modified version of this article was originally published on the Miski Organic’s blog. To view the original post, please click here.

As a corporate event planner my job requires me to travel a lot throughout North America and execute all kinds of events. It’s a fun job and I love experiencing new places, however too many days on the road can be exhausting and take a toll on my body at times.

When traveling for work, it isn’t all that glamorous. In fact, most of my travels consist of late nights, early mornings, working countless hours from my hotel room, getting little sleep and lots of jet lag. It’s not a vacation, and time to enjoy each destination is often limited.

Lack of exercise and sleep + lots of airplane, hotel and restaurant food is not the ideal formula to staying healthy while on the road – especially if the trip is lengthy. The simple abundance of food and variety of options also makes overeating very tempting.

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Health & Wellness

My Journey to Health

Mariella Irivarren

A modified version of this article was originally published on the Miski Organic’s blog. To view the original post, please click here.

Let me start off by saying that I am in no way a health expert, nutritionist, fitness guru, or any of the likes. I am simply a health-conscious consumer and advocate constantly striving to be my best self, physically and mentally.

Just over 5 years ago I embarked on this journey of self-improvement, and to this day the journey continues. In fact, it is a life-long journey and has become part of my daily practice. No matter what curveballs or difficulties get thrown at me, I strive to remain focused. Although my quest for self-improvement started with the desire to eat better and lose a few pounds, it has become so much more than that.

Continue reading “My Journey to Health” →