Hannah Larson - The Healthful Model - Seattle Wellness, Health, Beauty and Fashion Blogger

Breakfast, Food

Vegan, Gluten Free Peanut Butter Pancakes

April 28, 2015

These pancakes are filled with simple, healthy ingredients that will keep you full and fueled all morning. Whether you’re looking to add a twist to your weekend brunch menu or need a quick nutrient-dense breakfast, these pancakes will not disappoint.

What you’ll need:

1 cup oat flour
1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons organic, cold-pressed coconut oil or Earth Balance butter
1 cup unsweetened, organic almond milk (or other nondairy milk)
2 flax eggs (1 “egg” = 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2 tablespoons water. Let sit for 5 minutes until mixture becomes gel-like)
1 teaspoon high quality vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons organic maple syrup or agave nectar
2 tablespoons organic creamy peanut butter

Instructions:

+ Preheat an electric skillet or a generous sized pan on the stove top.

+ In a small microwave safe bowl melt the coconut oil and peanut butter until it is liquified.

+ In a separate bowl combine maple syrup/agave, flax eggs, almond milk, and vanilla.

+ In the same bowl add the melted peanut butter/oil mixture.

+ In a medium bowl mix together the oat flour, gluten free flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir until all ingredients are combined.

+ Combine the wet ingredient with the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until the batter is smooth.

+ Lightly coat your pan with coconut oil and measure about 1/4 cups batter onto the pan.

+ Cook each pancake roughly 2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.

+ Top with Earth Balance (or other nondairy butter), peanut butter, a light drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whatever else you might desire.

Notes:

+ To make oat flour simply add the required amount of gluten free oats to a food processor and blend on high until the oats have a flour-like texture.

Living Well

Happy Earth Day: My top 10 tips for healthy, eco-friendly living

April 21, 2015

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the national observance of Earth Day! I wanted to share a few tips you can use everyday to lead a healthier, more eco conscious life.

1. Take your shoes off.

Don’t get me wrong, I love shoes. However, the soles of our shoes can trap things like lead dust, animal feces, dirt, and nasty chemicals. It’s important to wipe your shoes on a mat and remove them at the door.

2. Switch out your lightbulbs.

Instead of using traditional incandescent light bulbs opt for energy-efficient bulbs. Not only do they use 25%-80% less energy they can last 3-25 times longer than traditional bulbs.

3. Don’t panic, it’s not organic.

Buying everything organic can be costly and just isn’t necessary. The Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen can be a useful reference when deciding whether to purchase organic or conventional produce – but as always, any fruits and vegetables are better than none at all.

4. Go meatless more than just Monday.

It’s no secret that a balanced vegetarian/vegan diet are both healthy for your body and the planet. Try incorporating more plant-based meals into your weekly menu.

5. Purchase rechargeable batteries.

Rechargeable batteries are an inexpensive, easy way to protect the planet. Over time, you’ll save money and produce less waste then you would with conventional batteries.

6. Shop brands that value the environment.

It’s important that we remember that as consumers we vote with our dollar. When I’m shopping for anything whether it be makeup, clothing, or household items I try to shop for brands that prioritize the wellbeing of the planet.

7. Keep a to-go cup in tow.

Instead of wasting a cup, lid, and sleeve every time you get a coffee try keeping a ceramic mug and lid in your car or at your desk at work. Bonus: Most coffee shops offer a small discount to those who bring their own cup.

8. Pack smart, snack smart.

Nix the disposable plastic snack baggies and choose reusable containers for your snacking needs. I love the brand Lifefactory because their food storage containers are both stylish and compact enough to fit in my purse.

9. Buy in bulk + cook in bulk.

Buying in bulk is a surefire way to save money and resources. A well-planned, well-rounded shopping list can prevent multiple trips to the grocery store each week. I buy all of my produce in bulk as well as things like coffee and household needs. A smart, savvy way to use your stove/oven less is to cook in bulk. Try to prepare a recipe such as a soup or grain dish you enjoy and can eat off of all week.

10. Stop and think.

Before you purchase anything new try assessing whether it’s something you can make yourself, borrow from a friend, find at a thrift store, or use something that you already have.

Featured image by Nicolas Raymond.

Lifestyle

Why I Started A Blog

April 8, 2015

I started modeling when I was 15. When I signed with my first agency, I truly believed that they were going to help me achieve my dreams and nurture every step of my career. It was only shortly after signing, did I realize the people I had entrusted my goals and dreams to, really had no interest in helping me. I spent 3 years under that contract doing everything I could to get their attention. I wanted nothing more than to be taken seriously. I went from having shoulder length red hair to long blonde hair because they said it was more marketable. I spent two hours a day on cardio equipment trying to lose inches from my 34-inch hip because they said I still looked large in photos. The worst part was that I chose to believe them.

When I look back at that time in my life, I realized I had almost no self-confidence. Any self-esteem that I did have was solely based upon the validation of others. The reason I started this blog is because I’ve made a lot of mistakes along my journey and with those mistakes I have learned so much. Whether you want to be a model, a lawyer, or a neuroscientist: you can be intelligent, business savvy, have a beautiful body, be healthy and strong, and confident but all of that begins with YOU and your perception of yourself. I’m not the prettiest girl, I’m not the skinniest model, and by no means am I perfect. I never will be. What I do know is how to take care of myself and feel confident in my own skin. I want to share the things I’ve learned through my experiences.

I’ve had to build myself back up from a place where my former agents laughed at my body while they were taking swim polaroids for their website. I’ve had to realize that a scar from a life-saving skin surgery makes me lucky to be alive not “unmarketable to clients.” I’ve learned that self-respect and confidence is an inside job. It might take awhile to find it, but when you do, you have to hold on to it and fiercely protect it.

I read this quote about a year ago that said, “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” I’m now placed with an agency that I love. I’m respected and cared for in a way I could’ve only dreamed about a few years ago. I’m not here to say that I got my happy ending because I know that on the road of life there will always be bumps and stops along the way. What I am saying is that I had to fight for that new beginning. I spent a lot of time soul searching, thinking, and shedding a lot of tears. I had to let go of limiting thoughts and a whole helluva lot of negativity that was consuming my life. It was tough but so worth it.

To anyone reading this: may you know your value and your worth. You deserve the utmost respect and happiness in your life. You are capable, beautiful, irreplaceable, and invincible and I’m so glad that you’re on my website reading this today.