Who said that a sweet breakfast can’t be healthy? Plantains are a staple in many tropical countries, and although they’re known as “dessert bananas”, they make a great breakfast side, and they’re packed with nutrients!

Why we love plantains:

• They’re a great source of complex carbohydrates, which digest slower and keep you fuller, longer - helping you curb unhealthy snacking throughout the day.
• They aid in your digestive health since they’re high in fiber.
• They’re great for heart health as they’re full of potassium as well as antioxidants from Vitamin C.
• They’re a non-seasonal crop, making them available for delicious recipes all year round.
• They’re versatile! They can serve as a healthy side dish, be made into soup, or fried for breakfast - as in the recipe below!

Try this quick and easy plantain-inspired recipe today!

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe plantains
• 1 scoop of Vanilla Plant Protein
• 3 Tbsp. coconut oil (stove top only)

Instructions:

1. Peel the plantains
2. Slice into 1/4" thick slices on a diagonal
3. Coat each slice in Vanilla Plant Protein
4. Shake off excess powder

Stove Top Instructions:

Preheat coconut oil in a sauté pan or skillet on medium heat. Once hot, add the plantains in a single layer. Cook for about 30 seconds on each side. Serve immediately.

Air Fryer Instructions:

Preheat the air fryer to 300 degrees. Add the plantains in a single layer and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

If you found this interesting, check out these related stories:

Strawberry Protein Smoothie Recipe

Blueberry Protein Overnight Oats Recipe

Gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark might be the traditional holiday desserts, but what’s better than snacking without the guilt? These Holiday Health Bars are made with our Vanilla Plant Protein, so you can treat yourself freely! 

Recipe:

Makes 12 bars

• 2 cups quick oats (regular or gluten free)
• 1/2 cup Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
• 2 tbsp ground flax seed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup almond butter (or any nut butter)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup total of your favorite ingredients. We made two varieties: one with cocoa nibs and pumpkin seeds and one with mini white chocolate chips, cranberries, and chia seeds. This is where you can get creative and personalize this recipe as your own!

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare an 8x8 baking pan by lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein, ground flax seed, cinnamon, and sea salt. Set aside.
3. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine almond butter, honey, almond milk, and vanilla. Mix until fully combined. Pour your wet mix into the dry mix and stir until fully incorporated. Fold in your ingredients of choice (cocoa nibs, chia seeds, etc…).
4. Pour into a prepared baking pan. Using a spatula, spread the mixture evenly in the pan, pressing down firmly.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 20 minutes before cutting into bars.
7. To make this recipe fun and festive, cut parchment paper and bakers twine and wrap each one like a little gift!

Are you tired of the same old oatmeal? Does reaching for your go-to cereal box feel like a joyless act? Maybe it's time for a breakfast that will not only kickstart your morning with amazing nutrients but also make your taste buds sing!

If you're on Instagram or Pinterest, you know that smoothie bowls are the hip choice for breakfast ... and with good reason! Our culinary team focused all of their combined creative powers to come up with a seriously delicious smoothie bowl recipe. It's easy, it's fast and boy-oh-boy, is it satisfying! It may just be the perfect health snack. Make it for yourself or even, since Valentine's Day is only a week away, surprise your partner with this delectable bowl of velvety yumminess.

It's perfect for vegans and vegetarians who need extra protein in their diet. That's because our Chocolate Plant Protein is 100% plant-based, offering up a clean, nutrient-rich serving of proteins from our unique blend of pea, chia, pumpkin, hemp and quinoa. This premium supplement is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and grain-free, too! Just remember to use your favorite non-dairy milk!

Ingredients

• 3 bananas, frozen
• 2 scoops Life’s Abundance Chocolate Plant Protein
• 1/4-1/2 cup milk of choice
• 3/4 cup frozen berries of choice
• 1 Tbsp. nut butter of choice
• 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
• Toppings: Shredded coconut, nuts or seeds, cacao nibs, granola, banana slices and fresh berries

Directions

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Transfer to a bowl and add your favorite toppings. Serve chilled.

Be sure to share this fun and simple recipe with friends and family! And if you create your own twist using different toppings, be sure to share your ideas and results in the comments section below!

Nothing's better than a warm, golden muffin fresh from the oven on a cold winter morning. The next time you get a powerful craving for muffins, don't use a cheap grocery store mix. Use your imagination! Our culinary experts tried several combinations of fruits and veggies before discovering a taste sensation that's a guaranteed palate pleaser. We don't mind telling you that this recipe was a serious hit with our co-workers at our home office.

Our bakery-worthy muffins are made from scratch, so you'll rack up some bragging rights for your incredible kitchen skills when you serve these to your friends and family. As it's written below, this recipe yields approximately 6-8 muffins. But you might even consider whipping up a double batch of these irresistible delights.

Be sure to share this inspired recipe with friends and family! And if you do your own twist on this recipe, using different fruits or vegetables, be sure to share your ideas and results in the comments section below!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup spelt flour
• 1 scoop Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 small zucchini, grated
• 1 small ripe banana
• 2 Tbsp. apple sauce, unsweetened
• 2 Tbsp. light agave nectar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 6 regular-sized muffin tins. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In medium bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Add remaining ingredients to the bananas and stir.

Add the wet mixture to the dry, stirring until just combined. Pour into muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating pan half way through. 

This holiday season, amidst the hustle and bustle of doing so much for all the special people in your life, remember to treat yourself! And what better way to reward yourself than a fresh batch of our signature Protein-Packed Brownie Cookies!

Not only is it guaranteed to please anyone with a sweet tooth, it’s chocked full of nourishing goodness, too! Honestly, they're a delicious way to shore up your joyful reserves and fuel your holiday spirits!

So, by all means, continue to deck the halls with boughs of holly, just know that there's no reason your tummy can't be jolly, too!

Ingredients

1 cup almond butter

1/2 cup Life’s Abundance Chocolate Plant Protein

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/3 cup coconut palm sugar

1 egg, large 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add all ingredients in a medium-size bowl and mix until the consistency is like cookie dough. Depending on the thickness of the almond butter, you may need to adjust by adding Plant Protein 1 tablespoon at a time or by adding some water.  Spoon 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten between your palms and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn brown.

Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Store in an airtight contain in the freezer.

People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.
~ Irish Saying

Just in the nick of time for St. Paddy’s Day, we’ve created the perfect way to tantalize your taste buds and nourish your body.

With just five ingredients, whipping up a batch of this green goodness is super easy. Best of all, this delightful pick-me-up features two of our signature supplements.

Chocolate Plant Protein is a delicious, grain-free blend of clean proteins sourced from pea, chia, pumpkin, hemp and quinoa. Greens Blend mixes raw, certified-organic grasses and mushrooms to provide an excellent source of iron, B vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidants. This recipe is so jam-packed with nutrients, you’ll be dancing a jig in a jiff!

May the wind always be at your back, the luck of the Irish be with you and your cup full of Emerald Mocha Latte. Sláinte!

Ingredients

• 10 oz. prepared coffee (preferably cooled or chilled)
• 2 oz. milk of choice (optional)
• 6-8 ice cubes
• 1 scoop Life’s Abundance Chocolate Plant Protein
• 1 scoop Life’s Abundance Greens Blend

Directions

Blend until ingredients are completely mixed.

For an extra decadent serving, top off your latte with a dollop of whipped cream!

Christmas may have come and gone, but the New Year is on the way. Now's no time to power down! Whip up this incredibly tasty batch of pure goodness that's also oh-so-nourishing! It's all the snacky yumminess of rice crispy treats but with a modern twist, achieved by the delectable additions of peanut butter and our scrumptious Plant Protein. Launch into the New Year with newfound energy from Protein-Infused Crispies!

Ingredients

Coconut oil
4 cups brown or classic rice crisp cereal
½ cup all-natural peanut butter (or other nut butter), partially melted
½ cup brown rice syrup
2 scoops Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Grease a 9-inch by 9-inch pan with coconut oil or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together melted peanut butter, brown rice syrup, protein powder and vanilla until it forms a dough consistency.
3. Gradually add brown rice crisps to the peanut butter mixture. Use a spatula or your hands to gently fold the rice crisps into the mixture. Then, pour mixture into the pan.
4. Using a spatula, spread mixture out evenly and press into pan so the bars are compact.
5. Place into freezer for at least 30 minutes.
6. Before serving or storing, use a sharp knife to cut your treats into squares. Coat the knife with a thin layer of coconut oil to prevent sticking.

Substitution Tip

Brown rice syrup provides essential stickiness to the recipe’s texture. In a pinch, you can substitute a mix of honey and molasses at a ratio of 3:1.

Fall is upon us. And what better way to celebrate the changing season than with the rich, creamy, nourishing delight of healthy cookies straight from the oven! 

We made this recipe here at our home office and it was a huge hit. They're buttery, nutty and oh-so-scrumptious! We used almond flour, but encourage you gourmands to try variations.

Be sure to share this fall-inspired recipe with friends and family!

This recipe yields approximately 12-15 cookies, so think about doubling ingredients for a bigger batch of home-cooked goodness!

INGREDIENTS:

3 scoops Life’s Abundance Plant Protein
1 c almond flour, quinoa flour or flour of choice
1/3 c chopped pecans
1/4 c honey
1-1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until a cookie-dough-like consistency forms. Add more milk by the tablespoon if needed.

3. Roll dough into small balls, place on prepared baking sheet and flatten into cookies.

4. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until edges start to turn golden.

It's not an exaggeration to say that more people are worrying about their health (especially, their healthcare) than ever before. Some could argue that all of this increased worry is actually having a negative impact on the health of Americans! While the latest effort by Congress to change our nation's healthcare system appears to have stalled, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be taking active measures to protect our own health. So, let's try to put aside the worry - and the politics - and focus on some really exciting science!

Thanks to a long-term study supported by multiple grants from the National Institutes for Health, we could all start doing something today that could have a real, measurable impact on our long-term health. Is it a miracle drug? No! Is it the latest fitness gadget or exercise program? No! In fact, it's simply a minor change in what we eat. That’s it! To understand why the medical profession is abuzz with the radical implications of the latest news, we need to come to terms with one simple, undeniable fact. As Americans, we're eating way too much meat. So much, in fact, that it's making us sick.

Researchers at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital recently announced findings of a groundbreaking study, one of the largest of its kind. Nutritional scientists examined the effects of regular consumption of high levels of protein from animal sources compared to vegetarian sources. Much of the animal protein came from processed red meats. And the results were nothing short of astonishing! They indicated that heavy meat eaters had a higher mortality rate. Participants in the study whose diets had a higher percentage of plant-sourced proteins experienced a lower risk of death.

The researchers analyzed two massive sets of data, one encompassing more than 30 years worth of information from NHS participants, and another that captured 26 years worth for HPFS participants. The combined total amount of reviewed data was a whopping 3.5 million person-years. Over the course of the data collection, more than 36,000 participant deaths were recorded. Those who perished fell into three major groups: 9,000 from cardiovascular disease, 13,000 from cancer and about 14,000 from other causes. When adjustments were made for competing risk factors, researchers found that eating protein primarily from animal sources (meat, eggs or dairy) was associated with an increased rate of death. The same adjustments were made for those whose consumption of protein came primarily from plant sources (breads, cereals, beans, legumes, etc.), and the results were highly significant … they uniformly had a lower mortality rate!

The data was unambiguous and clearly supports what vegetarians have been talking about for decades. The full report will appear in the August 1st edition of the Journal of American Medical Association – Internal Medicine (citation provided below).

Fortunately for Life’s Abundance customers, we offer the perfect solution to this widespread dietary problem. It’s never been easier, more convenient or more delicious to boost your plant protein content thanks to our innovative supplement powders, now available in both Chocolate and Vanilla!

References:

Edward Giovannucci et al. Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2016 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.4182

sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160801113654.htm

msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/50-easy-habits-that-help-you-live-longer-according-to-science/ss-BBByzg6?li=BBnb7Kz

civileats.com/2017/06/29/eating-less-meat-is-a-prescription-for-better-health

Whey is a very popular ingredient in protein powders, especially in bodybuilding formulas. But is this commonly used ingredient all that it’s cracked up to be? In this post, we’ll look at the conventional wisdom and why whey might not be the best option for health-conscious consumers.

Let’s Talk Protein

It’s hard to understate the importance of consuming sufficient amounts of nourishing proteins. Your body needs quality protein to function properly, to build and repair tissues and to make enzymes, hormones and other key bodily chemicals. The amino acids in protein are the building blocks of bones, cartilage, muscles, hair and blood. So, there’s no controversy here … protein does a body good!

What Makes Whey Popular?

In the last decade or so, the media began educating consumers about the importance of getting an adequate amount of protein in their diet on a daily basis. That created a demand for a convenient and inexpensive source of protein. That’s when whey protein powders started on their journey to popularity.

Whey-t a Minute!

Unfortunately, whey protein has significant shortcomings, especially for those with sensitive stomachs. First, it’s derived from cow’s milk. Specifically, it is the liquid left over once milk has been curdled and strained. Moreover, it’s a by-product of the cheese-making process. It’s precisely due to its dairy origins that many people experience digestive issues consuming whey, such as bloating, gas, cramps, fatigue and/or loose stools. Formulators in-the-know attribute these reactions to whey’s lactose content, and many adults have some degree of lactose sensitivity.

Plant Power

Here’s our take. Animal-derived proteins are good, but they also may carry the dubious additions of saturated fat, cholesterol, added hormones and antibiotics. However, you can source excellent protein directly from plants without any of those nutritional drawbacks! For example, pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids and therefore is considered an excellent source of protein. Since it contains no dairy or soy, it’s regarded as a “clean source” of protein with zero gluten content. Hooray for plant power!

So, if you’re up for supplementing your diet with a protein powder, but you’re not interested in dealing with the possible digestive distress commonly associated with whey, try a plant protein powder instead!