Healthy & Quick Recipes

I don't really make New Year's resolutions, but the new year is often a time where I think about practicing healthier habits. This past year in particular, I have discovered that not only am I lactose intolerant, but I also have genetically high cholesterol which, while not an immediate problem, is definitely something to be aware of. Luckily lactose intolerance and high cholesterol kind of go hand-in-hand when it comes to food; avoiding dairy avoids a good amount of cholesterol-high foods as well.

Consequently, I have been eager to explore more healthy and/or dairy-free recipes. Hopefully, this post comes at a good time as we may be in need of some healthier foods post-Superbowl!

Here are some of my favorite healthy snacks/recipes:

Banana Pancakes

I first discovered these banana pancakes in high school, and have enjoyed making them ever since. There are only a couple ingredients, but they manage to still pack the punch in flavor (bananas are so good for adding natural sweetness). I especially like this recipe because it only requires 1 banana instead of the usual 3-4 for banana bread; it's the perfect way to use up that extra, overripe banana that's often sitting in my fruit bowl, begging to be used up.

These pancakes are also gluten-free, dairy-free, with no added sugar - I promise they still taste good!!

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe banana (mashed)

• 2 eggs

• Pinch of baking powder

You can also add in whatever you would like be it nut butter, almond flour, fruit, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts. I often add in chopped pecans for a bit of extra crunch and protein!

Method/Notes

Basically all you do is whisk together the mashed banana, eggs, baking powder, and whatever adds on you want into a batter. Then you heat a nonstick skillet with oil and cook them over low.

And voila! You have pancakes!

Pineapple Kale Smoothie

I have always been highly suspicious of green drinks. I think it stems from my strong dislike of green juice, where I find you can distinctly taste the vegetables. I would much rather just eat my vegetables rather than try and hide them in my beverages. For that reason, I have long dismissed green smoothies as well.

However, in an effort to try and eat more vegetables and leafy greens, (there is so much evidence that this stuff is good for you in so many ways), Will found this kale smoothie recipe to try. I was very hesitant, and indeed the bright green color did nothing to put me at ease.

But lo and behold, this smoothie tastes AMAZING. You cannot taste the kale at all. It is hidden behind the power of pineapple and peanut butter. This smoothie is so full of health I can practically feel it coursing through my body when I drink it. I have now hopped on the green smoothie train and make this probably at least once a week.

Ingredients

• 2 cups kale

• 3/4 - 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)

• 1 frozen banana

• 1/4 - 1/2 cup frozen pineapple

• 1/4 cup greek yogurt

• 1-2 Tbsp peanut or almond butter

• 1-2 tsp honey

This recipe makes 2 snack smoothies or 1 large meal smoothie

As you can see, the ingredients for this recipe are fairly loose. Feel free to make it so that the texture is to your liking. When I make it, it tends to be thicker but you can always cut down on the frozen fruit/add more liquid if you like thinner smoothies.

All you do is add these ingredients into your blender and blend! If you have kind of an old blender like mine, I suggest adding the kale and the milk in first and blending that together so it doesn't get too chunky. You will also probably need to stop partway through blending and stir a bit with a spatula to make sure everything gets blended.

If you'd like a video demonstration of how to make this, I made a TikTok video for this recipe! Yes, I have ventured into TikTok (mainly food TikTok) and have played around with making some videos of my own. It is incredibly time consuming but also quite satisfying and definitely addicting.

Look forward to (maybe) some more TikTok content if you're into that...

Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Another banana recipe! Bananas are just such an easy natural sweetener, okay? I had a craving for these cookies the other day, made them, and they were promptly finished the same day. These cookies are super simple and wholesome and happily dairy-free.

These cookies make a great breakfast or snack or dessert or really anything you want them to be.

Ingredients

• 1 very ripe banana (stick your banana in the oven as it's preheating if it isn't ripe)

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 2 Tbsp honey

• 2 Tbsp melted vegan butter

• 1/4 cup grated sweetened coconut

• Cinnamon

• Salt

• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Mash your very ripe banana in a bowl.

3. Add the oats, honey, vegan butter, & coconut and mix

4. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb (this will help the cookies stick together better).

5. Add a dash of cinnamon, a pinch of salt, & the chocolate chips and mix.

6. Scoop into small balls onto a sheet tray w/parchment paper. Don't worry if the cookies look like they're falling apart - they actually end up sticking together through the baking and cooling process!

7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly golden.

8. Let them cool and dig in!

Note: Ok, I also made a TikTok video for this one too so go check it out for visual guidance!

I hope you enjoyed these healthy recipes! Let me know if you end up making any of them :)

- Evan