Healthy Waffles and Nutella with Caramelized Bananas

Print

Healthy Waffles and Nutella with Caramelized Bananas

These healthy waffles and nutella with caramelized bananas are the perfect health-ified comfort food or fancy brunch meal!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Sweet Thangs

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Author Brewing Happiness

Ingredients

Waffle Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour (sub gluten free AP flour)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cup non dairy milk
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

"Nutella" Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup non dairy milk
• 1/3 cup creamy almond butter
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder or cacao powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• dash of salt

Caramelized Banana Ingredients:

• 3 bananas, sliced
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Add all "Nutella" ingredients to a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Set aside.
2. Heat waffle iron over high heat. Meanwhile, add dry ingredients to a large bowl (flour, baking powder, coconut sugar and cinnamon.) Mix until well combined.
3. Add in wet ingredients and stir until everything is combined and fluffy. Use a 1/2 cup measurement to scoop waffle batter onto your greased waffle iron. Heat for 2-3 minutes, until the outside is crispy and golden. Do this for all 4-6 waffles.
4. Heat a pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Add sliced bananas, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Gently toss for 3-5 minutes.
5. Serve waffles with a generous spread of healthy "Nutella" and caramelized bananas.
6. EAT UP.

Let’s talk about what it means to be “healthy.” Some people think it means a vegan diet, or  going gluten free, or cutting out fat, or eating paleo, or exercising a lot, or eating less sugar, or even putting butter in their coffee. Everybody has their own beliefs. And they should, because everyone has their own body. In a sense I liken health beliefs to politics in the way that I don’t think anyone can really convince someone that their way is better. People have to come to their own conclusions. 

I’m not here to convince you my way is better than yours. In fact I’m not here to discuss the semantics of health at all. I’m here to talk about aspects of health that often get pushed aside. Let’s talk about mental health; let’s talk about spiritual health. Because those two things are directly related to our physical health, no matter if you want them to be or not. 

Our bodies respond to stress, our bodies respond to trauma and grief and also to joy. Our bodies respond to our minds. So we have to treat ourselves with the appropriate kind of care in response.

This past week has been stressful, even traumatic for some. For others it has gone down as surprising, but not ground-breaking time. But for now I am going to focus on how to care for yourself in times of great stress or trauma or grief, knowing that it is a human experience that will effect us all at one point or another.

Sometimes grief, stress, trauma will make a body shake. Sometimes you will be extra hungry. Sometimes you will be extremely tired. Be kind to yourself. Listen to these cues and respond to them. Your body is asking for what it needs. If you are shaky, let your body experience the sensation – sit, breathe, drink water. If you are hungry – EAT. Eat more than you normally would. It’s okay. Your body knows what it needs, and these experiences don’t happen everyday. If you are tired, rest. Make time for extra sleep, and forgive yourself for it. 

The other thing I would add is that the more nutrients your body is getting the happier it is. So load up on plants, greens, whole grains, etc. Make your gut happy, and the mind will take cues from that. *However* I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a “comfort” meal or two during times of distress. Eat those healthy waffles and nutella with caramelized bananas, or buy yourself a chocolate bar. Whatever, it’s an extenuating circumstance and sometimes you just need something special. So just do it. Treat yo self. It’s part of this journey to health-ier we’re on. It’s part of your health story. And it should be. Normal eating, isn’t perfect eating. 

Be kind to yourself. Your body needs it. Your mind needs it. Your heart needs it. Please. Being kind to ourselves the only way we learn to be kind to others. And goodness knows this world needs more kindness.