No words today.
Just this fantastic new HIIT workout.
Perfect for the treadmill or the pavement. Obvs I’m happiest in the outdoors but I live in Canada and I’m a bit of a wuss, so it’s good to have something that works both ways.
Feel free to swap out some or all of the light jog sections with brisk walking. Just pick it up for the runs and it’ll still kick your booty into 2013.
Enjoy it!
Sweat about it!
Then tell me how it goes.
Posted by the healthy hipster on November 22, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/11/22/hiit-it/
This coconut chocolate bark is, to put it simply, a revelation.
And like most revelations, it started out with humble beginnings. With a very utilitarian purpose. I was simply looking for new ways to incorporate coconut oil into my diet.
You see, in addition to all the benefits of coconut oil (which my nutritionist pal Joy has summarized beautifully in this post), it is also known to be a very healthful choice for people with gallbladder disease…which I have and have had since the age of about 8.
I haven’t mentioned this on the blog before because it seems like a total overshare, but I thought I’d say something now in case there are others out there who suffer from the same thing. And no, gallbladder disease is not something that only affects people who are overweight or over 50. Young’ins like me can be susceptible too for a wide variety of hereditary reasons (in my case a rare blood disorder). Represent.
So how does coconut oil help? Well, a doctor told me recently that coconut oil is unique because, unlike other fat sources (even healthy ones), it avoids your gallbladder entirely. That’s good news for everyone, not just gallstoney weirdos like me, because it is converted to usable energy very quickly leaving you feeling satisfied and energized, without the sluggish feelings that can sometimes accompany a high-fat meal. Universal win. So let’s get to it, shall we?
Coconut Chocolate Bark
Vegan, Grain-Free and pretty much everything-friendly.
Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition facts: Around 50 calories/serving. 5 g healthy fats. 1.5 g protein.
I enjoyed 2 big pieces (plus many spoon/bowl licks) as part of my breakfast this morning. Delicious. Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did!
Posted by the healthy hipster on November 18, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/11/18/coconut-chocolate-bark/
If December is a month of celebration. Of fun, food, familytimes and fabulous holiday dresses…then what the heck is November? If you ask me, November is a month of dodging bullets.
Bullet #1: STRESS – Whether you’re a student or a working stiff like me, the month of November tends to fall into that “crunch time” category. End of year budgets, final drafts of papers, it all seems to culminate smack dab in the middle of this strange penultimate month.
Bullet #2: SAD – And by SAD I mean SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER. Ie. “Its grey and cold and dark and I’m depressed” syndrome.
Bullet #3: DEBT – Christmas is coming….is your bank account ready? No? Then charge it! January-me will find a way sort this out.
and finally…
Bullet #4: ILLNESS - Everyone, everywhere is sick. Always.
My tips to dodging bullets 1-3 are mainly to stay conscious of them. Recognize that stress is fleeting, weather is changing and no gifts are worth the hassle of paying off that credit card.
As for Bullet 4…well there’s not much you can do to stop a cold once it’s started you can do your darndest to PREVENT it before it starts. And this nutrient-rich, energizing smoothie is a heck of a good start.
Love antioxidants? This smoothie packs em in like it’s nobody’s businesses.
Energizing Antioxidant-Rich Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
Directions:
Blend until smooth, adding more liquid if necessary.
Want another antioxidant rich recipe? Check out these delicious espresso berry muffins!
How do you dodge the November doldrums? Any tips on preventing winter colds?
Posted by the healthy hipster on November 15, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/11/15/energizing-antioxidant-smoothie/
Hey there.
So there’s a lot of trends that tend to go around the healthy blog world, and some I like more than others. Oatmeal obsession? Love it. Pumpkin fetish? I’m on board. Other trends…not so much. Srsly have you heard of shirataki noodles? It’s like you took a bowl of spaghetti and replaced the delicious satisfaction with rotten fish and indigestion.
Anyways I decided to suck up my ‘tude and get on board with the current trend sweeping blogland. You bet it’s a quiz. Let’s get started.
This or That?
Find the original version here.
1. Run/workout in the heat and humidity or freezing temps and snow? Neither. Autumn. The only thing that keeps me from spending literally the entire month of October outside walking, hiking, running or paddling is pumpkin pie.
2. Have washboard abs or flat abs? Is there any way to say the word “abs” without sounding like a knob? Whenever I see it in print I hear the voices of Hans and Franz in my head. “Do you like my abs” “Gotta work on my abs” “Oooh my abs are so sore from working them so…” Ya you get the picture, I’m not answering this.
3. Dr. Oz or The Doctors? I kinda love Dr. Oz. I don’t know if it’s his boundless enthusiasm for all things fibrous, or the fact that he slightly resembles my Jewish grandmother, but I trust that man with my gastro-intestinal health.
4. Cardio or strength? For me strength almost always wins out, followed by circuit style cardio workouts, then running outside. As for the worst? I’d rather do a beep test in grade 9 gym class than use the elliptical machine (which ive been told im too short for) or take a spin class…shudder.
5. Cravings: Protein or carbs? Dead heat. I get grouchy when I dont have a little of both at every meal and snack.
6. Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper? Ummm….Jackie Warner.
7. Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream? I’ve never been huge on either but I’ve been known to brave the dairy indigestion for a little tart froyo. Coconut bliss is also pretty darn delicious but I should probably stop making up my own answers.
8. To train: Upper body or Lower body? Upper for sure. Especially pullups and pushups. If they could bottle that feeling I would market it as Liquid Empowerment.
9. Protein powder or food with protein? Nothing beats delicious whole foods. Le duh!
10. Lunges or squats? An old dance injury makes both a little tricky for me but I’d have to say sumo squats because they are easiest on my joints.
11. Sweet or salty? Sweet in the morning, salty at night.
12. Workout attire: cute or comfy? Comfy for sure. I pretty much wear the same lululemon bottoms and this tshirt every time I workout. That said, I always wear my bright red lipstick…even at the gym. Can’t help myself.
13. Body Pump or Heavy lifting? I’ve never dont Body Pump but I’d really like to try it! I wouldn’t call my lifting heavy…but benchpressing and deadlifting are my jam.
14. Yoga or Pilates? Yoga. But its pretty pricey where I live so I like to treat myself to a class now and then as a luxury. Or I do my own yoga workouts like this one!
15. Nike or Adidas? Nike I guess.
16. Running on the treadmill or outdoors? Outside. Blaring this Passion Pit record. Mmmm…YES.
17. Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s? I’m CANADIAN guys. No TJs here. And WFs is way out of my price range. I shop at this health food store in the middle of Chinatown. It’s the best and cheapest in the city by far. 
18. Summer or Winter Olympics? Winter. I think my citizenship would get revoked if I said otherwise.
19. Exercises classes or Exercise videos? Videos. Fitness instructors freak me out (Unless its my friend Christine…a feminist human rights lawyer by day who teaches “flirty girl” fitness classes by night…she’s the best!)
20. Steamed veggies or roasted veggies? I roast everything. I’m roasting a squash right now.
YOUR TURN. Hit me with a few of your favourites. 
Posted by the healthy hipster on November 9, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/11/09/this-or-that-healthy-hipster-edition/
Hey there pals.
Remember this face? 
A heavily moustached hipster (because it’s Movember of course!) with a brand new workout to share!
Life lately, you ask? Well things have been busy as ever and I have barely had time to water my miniature cactus let alone blog.And fitness? Jeez. If I make it to the gym once or twice a week, maybe fit in a nice outdoor run now and then, I’ve been a happy girl.
Keeping my expectations realistic has been keeping me sane.
But since the clocks have changed and the days have gotten shorter, I’ve been making an effort to up my activity level just a bit. Getting moving always improves my mood and regulates my sleep schedule, two things that I tend to struggle with during the many many winter months we have here in Toronto.
I’m sharing my workout with you today because it was a great mix of cardio and strength but didn’t totally knock me out. In other words, it was perfect for squeezing in at the end of a long work day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
And remember, even when I’m not blogging, you can always find me on pinterest and twitter!
Have a great night! TGIalmostF!
Posted by the healthy hipster on November 8, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/11/08/weeknight-circuit-workout/
I’ve always said October was my favourite month.
First comes the leaves. Then Thanksgiving. And shortly thereafter, my birthday.
Yesterday.
I turned 26 the way I would have pictured turning 26 when I was 16. I spent the day with collegues at work wearing brogues and a sweater vest and doing very serious important work which I care deeply about. And then I came home, tidied my one bedroom downtown apartment, put on a fresh pair of stockings and headed out to spend the evening among friends.
It was beautiful. And silly. And a little debaucherous.
But all in all it was all I could ask for. Which is saying a lot, because now that I’m 26 (a grown up) I have pretty high expectations.
I’m using all of this as a preface before the real highlight of my day (the first of my 26th year), a pumpkin spiced chili recipe I whipped up off the cuff that turned out to be an absolute gem. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Pumpkin Spiced Chili
Ingredients:
Directions
Serve as is or use half a roasted pumpkin as an edible bowl! Enjoy.
Posted by the healthy hipster on October 17, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/10/17/grown-ups-eat-pumpkin-chili/
Sometimes Most of the time, you wake up in the morning in a funk. You’re grouchy-hungry-tired-lethargic and generally lacking in motivation to do just about anything except chug a cup of black tar out of your french press, throw on a wrinkly something or other and stumble your way to work-school-etc.
Today was not one of those mornings for me.
Because today was a banana bread morning.
Yesterday I overheard one of my coworkers saying to another, “How does anyone have time to bake after work? I can barely make dinner let alone get a banana bread in the oven.” And, true to form, I took this as a personal challenge.
I had seen this recipe for gluten free banana bread on one of my favourite blogs and decided to make it exactly as it was shown. Ahem…obviously that didn’t happen. I didn’t have everything on hand in the right quantities, and I wanted to cut back on the sugar just a little. But here is my version (with full props to Ashley for her drool-worthy original).
Simple Gluten-Free Banana Bread
Simply mix wet ingredients in a small bowl. Stir together dry ingredients. And gently fold together.
Fill a medium sized bread pan 3/4 of the way full with batter. I lined mine with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes or until a nice solid crust has formed.
Allow to cool completely before cutting.
What gets you out your grouchypants funk in the morning?
(if you say coffee, i’m rolling my eyes and giving you a resounding OBVZ)
Posted by the healthy hipster on September 27, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/09/27/a-banana-bread-kinda-morning/
I’m not going to apologize for my brief hiatus from blogging. For my less than consistent summer posts or my fewer-than-average recipes.
No.
I’m just going to make it up to you right now with this…
The ULTIMATE Cookie
Based on my first love, the vegan Gypsy Cookie from Toronto’s Bunners Bakeshop…The Ultimate Cookie was born in a late post-pinot-noir baking frenzy.
It’s vegan and whole food based but still definitely an indulgence as all good cookies should be.
Its not fancy by any standard and its definitely rough around the edges…but that’s what makes it perfect to me.
Ingredients:
· 2 1/4C old fashioned rolled oats
· 2 C spelt flour
· 1 C sunflower seeds
· 3/4 C pumpkin seeds
· 1/2 C unsweetened shredded coconut
· 1/4 C chia seeds
· 1 C sucanat
· 1 tbsp cinnamon
· 2 tsp sea salt
· 1 ½ C vegan dark chocolate chips (mini ones are the best if you can find them!)
· 1 1/4 C dried naturally sweetened cranberries
· 1/4 C blackstrap molasses
· 3/4 C melted coconut oil
· 1 1/2C unsweetened almond or soy milk
Directions: (left unchanged from my late night scribbles, hehe)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Mix your dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another, add wet to dry and stir.
Line 2 big baking sheets with parchment paper. I used a 1/3 measuring cup to scoop the dough and then flattened them out with my hand until they were about an inch thick. Like delicious hockey pucks!
Place sheets in the oven and bake for 25-35 minutes or until brown (I baked them on the longer side because I like them crunchy).
My batch made about 24 BIG cookies
Cool on a rack then store in the fridge.
…soooo we’re cool now right? 
Posted by the healthy hipster on August 29, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/08/29/the-ultimate-cookie/
I need to preface this post by saying that I am not a romantic. Maybe I lack a lady chromosome or maybe it’s part of my job description as a self-identified hipster but the whole chocolate and flowers game has always sent me into scoff-induced seizures. I think its the elusive combination of trying too hard whilst simultaneously appearing forced and inauthentic that just…gets me every time.
I’m saying this because I want you to understand how truly shocked I was this week when not one but two weddings left me feeling genuinely moved (and dare I say a little misty blubbering like a babe).
The first was the wedding of my dearest friend Meg, who you may recognize from her guest posts on the blog.
This wedding was lovely in so many ways but I’ll summarize by saying that it was perfect because it was perfectly them. An afternoon picnic. Games & crafts.
A diverse group of guests.
Sickeningly sweet and wholesome (and obviously super nerdy). I loved every minute of it.
The next wedding I attended was for my sisters good friends Nico and Max. A 1920s theme kept things light and fun, and again suited their personalities to a T.
The bridesmaids stole the show (my sister especially on the far right )
But the groomsmen weren’t half bad either. Love a gentleman in suspenders. 
And once again I was left with a case of the warm fuzzies. Not because of the “romance” per se but because I value all paths to happiness, even the more shall we say traditional ones and I cant even express how inspired I feel when I see my friends out there pursuing the lives they want in a way that’s all their own. Personally, professionally, in any other way they choose.
These weddings were full of pure, unadulterated love without stress or convention. And I’m so grateful to have been a part of them. 
How do you feel about your friends getting married? Are you a sucker or a skeptic?
Posted by the healthy hipster on August 8, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/08/08/wedded-blitz/
Okay so I know I promised my next post would be full of ridiculously cute wedding snaps (and don’t worry, that’s still coming) but right now I absolutely HAVE to share my most recent breakfast obsession. Because it is delicious. And takes two seconds to make. And did I mention it tastes like cookies? ‘Nuff said.
Also note: I did not create this recipe, it was developed by the genius Gina over at The Fitnessista. I’m posting the way I’ve been making it but I highly recommend her original recipe!
Cookie Dough Breakfast Cereal
Ingredients:
1 tbsp almond butter
1/4-1/2 cup raw oats (I switch this up based on the toppings I use)
1/2 scoop protein powder (chocolate sun warrior blend for me)
Mash together with a fork until crumbly then top with any/all of the following:
1 cup almond milk
Dry cereal (granola, millet flakes, puffed grains, etc)
Shredded coconut
1/2 banana
Berries
Flax seeds
drizzle of syrup or a pinch of stevia
The doughy bits in this bowl are beyond delicious, and the healthy fats, protein and whole grains make it far more satisfying than your standard cold cereal bowl. The perfect breakfast treat to get you over the humpday blahs. Enjoy!
Posted by the healthy hipster on August 1, 2012
http://healthyhipster.ca/2012/08/01/cookie-dough-for-breakfast/
