We sometimes need to treat ourselves from time to time, don’t we.

Sometimes it might be a foot massage, a beauty remedy, a healing bath, a piece of dark chocolate or a guilt free dessert.

Why not try this a mango and coconut panna cota recipe; an Italian dessert, that can be used as a healthy remedy to help prevent heart attacks, improve vision and maybe even reduce wrinkles on your face and skin.

Mango is rich in fiber and vitamin A which needed for a healthy heart, eyes and glowing skin.

Coconut milk contains lauric acid which strengthens immune system and protects our heart.

Vegan Panna Cota Recipe for a Healthy Heart and Wrinkle Free Skin

• 2 cups organic coconut milk (exactly one 14 ounce can)
• 1 cup mango puree (4 2-ounce packs of Square One organic mango puree)
• 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
• 1  heaped tbsp agar flakes
• 1/4 tsp coconut essence (optional)
• fresh mango pieces and toasted coconut flakes for serving

Place all ingredients except the agar flakes in your blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Place this mixture in a saucepan and stir in the agar flakes.

Allow to stand for 15 minutes allowing the flakes to begin dissolving.

Gently bring the mixture to a simmer stirring constantly, and heat for about 5 minutes until agar is completely dissolved If your agar doesn’t dissolve, push the mixture through a strainer and remove the last bit of clumped agar.

You can put a little bit of the mixture with the clumped agar in the blender to smooth out and mix into the rest of the mixture. Lightly grease 6 small pots (or you can use lightly oiled muffin holes) and distribute the mixture evenly amongst them.

Chill in the fridge for about an hour to set.

Top with toasted coconut and fresh mango pieces and serve.

P.S. Directions for making your own Mango Puree:

2 cups of fresh or frozen mango pieces and 1-2 Tbsp filtered water make 1 cup puree. The coconut essence is not critical if you can’t find it or don’t want to invest the money. It just boosts the natural coconut flavor. Mix in your blender and let me know how you go. (adopted from The Blender Girl at www.healthyblenderrecipes.com)

Bon Appetit!

© Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition Coach and Counselor

Vegan Panna Cota Recipe for a Healthy Heart and Wrinkle Free Skin

What type of food do you eat before 3:00pm – 4:00pm? Studies show that we all should eat  breakfast and a have healthy snacks thru out the day, not only for energy and memory boost, but also for managing your weight.

To lose weight, we can include healthy protein snacks in our diet to boost our metabolism and balance our blood sugar. The lower our blood sugar – the lower our insulin level will be. Because insulin causes our body to store fat around midsection, eating healthy and regular snacks thru the day will lower your insulin level to good steady state, which will help keep your tummy in shape!

Here is a really easy recipe you can use as a heart healthy midday snack:

Keep Your Tummy in Shape Yogurt-Banana Midday Snack Weight Loss Recipe

• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 cup Greek yogurt

Mix all ingredients and enjoy in the morning for breakfast or as a healthy midday snack.

* yogurt contains protein for losing weight;

* banana is rich in potassium to keep our blood pressure under control and fight blood clots for a healthy and happy heart.

Bon Appetit!

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition Counselor and Coach

Keep Your Tummy in Shape Yogurt-Banana Midday Snack Weight Loss Recipe