Gluten Free Vegan "Healthy" Brownies ...
I just started buying these "healthy" brownies from a company in Canada
called http://heavenlybites.ca and I must say these folks really have a one
heck of a product!
Due to health restrictions I have been forced to a macrobiotic vegan diet
for some time now - healthy, yes, but boring!
After reading about their product I had no idea brownies could be be made to
be good for you! These are so yummy I can not go a day now with out my
Gourmet
Mentally I actually feel better, too, getting what seems to be a sin food
but is doing me good! And my children (who couldn't care less about what's
in them) are always "sneaking" them from he pantry! LOL! Little do they
know!
Healthy Brownies! I can't believe how healthy these are for you, too! Since
I feel compelled to share this information with others like myself, I have
taken the liberty of listing the healthy qualities of their brownies here
.... these things must be the healthiest product on the market - vegan (free
of dairy, milk, eggs), free of wheat and gluten free, trans fat free, yeast
free, soy free, corn free and refined sugar free.
Who else here are also addicted to these "heavenly bites"? I am so
delighted!
Here is some of what they say on their health benefits they list at
http://heavenlybites.ca/download.htm :
Chocolate Better than ... ?
Recent studies have shown that cocoa or dark chocolate has potent health
benefits for people. Dark chocolate is full of the flavonoids epicatechin
and gallic acid, which are antioxidants that help protect blood vessels,
cardiac health, and prevent cancer. It also has been effectively
demonstrated to counteract mild hypertension. Dark chocolate has more
flavonoids than any other antioxidant-rich food such as red wine, green and
black tea, and blueberries. Antioxidants gobble up free radicals,
destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other
ailments - evening aging itself. However, consuming milk chocolate or white
chocolate, or drinking milk with dark chocolate appears to largely negate
the health benefits. And yes, simply eating chocolate can make you feel
better! Chocolate's ability to improve one's mood is a result of a
substance it releases in the brain: serotonin, which can heighten the senses
and brighten our moods. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, the natural
substance involved in the transmission of nerve impulses between nerve
cells.
Heavenly BitesT contains dairy free European dark dutch processed cocoa and
100% pure unsweetened dark chocolate.
Good Fat vs Bad Fat ... ?
I recall back in grade 10 high school biology my teacher telling me that
"fat was fat; the body uses all types of fats and oil the same way .. there
is no difference what so ever." Have beliefs changed in short while! Now,
we are aware scientifically that trans fatty acids have become "known" and
accepted as the truly "bad" fat (simply 1g per day is considered too much);
yet mass market food products have yet to alter to this information. Trans
fatty acids, also known as trans fats are artificial fats made when hydrogen
gas reacts with oil. The major sources of trans fats in our diet are the
ready-made baked goods and fried fast foods. These foods are usually not
labeled, so the consumer does not know how much trans fat they are getting.
There are numerous adverse effects of consuming trans fatty acids reported
in humans; too many to list here. We actually have a compiled list of known
health issues associated with trans fat consumption. (This list is available
upon request.)
Heavenly BitesT contains no trans fats.
Omega-3 fatty acids ...
Omega-3s (and omega-6s) are called essential fatty acids (EFAs) because they
are critical for good health; yet the body cannot make them on its own and
must be obtained through diet. Thus it is crucial that foods containing EFAs
are consumed. EFAs support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and
nervous systems. The human body needs EFAs to manufacture and repair cell
membranes, enabling the cells to obtain optimum nutrition and expel harmful
waste products.
Nuts such as Pecan, Walnut and Almond are all high sources EFAs. Heavenly
BitesT have these specific nuts in three of their four brownie flavours.
Cold-pressed, unrefined Canola oil is a healthy type of Canola (often
pricier than virgin olive oil), that contains EFAs. The word "canola" is
derived from "Canadian oil", as Canola was developed in Canada. Heavenly
BitesT uses this beneficial oil in their products.
Flax seed is a very rich source of essential fatty acids - it contains alpha
linolenic acid, omega 3 essential fatty acid, and omega 6 essential fatty
acid; and flax seed oil contains these 3 EFA's in just the right
proportions. Flax seeds are also a great source of lignans (anti-cancer,
anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties; Flax seed is richest
source with 75 to 800 percent more lignans than other vegetables and
grains), vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and mucilage. Flax seed also
contains lecithin which emulsifies fat and cholesterol. These little seeds
improve digestion, help stabilize blood glucose levels, fight tumor
formation and enhance cardiovascular health.
Research has shown that majority of diets are deficient in Omega 3 essential
fatty acids, and this can lead to some serious health problems:
Coronary heart disease - Omega 3 helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol,
plaque formation, and cardian arrhythmia.
Arthritis - Studies have found that oils rich in Omega 3 (like flax seed
oil) patients can decrease their drug use.
Skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH), and
acne and are shown partly to be related to Omega 3 deficiency.
Stress - increased Omega 3 EFA also help decrease to stress.
Cancer - Omega 3 has been found to specifically target and kill certain
cancer cells.
At the same time, research is suggesting that there is a direct link between
the inadequate intake of essential fatty acids in the diet of children and
adults with:
Celiac disease (also known as celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy
[GSE], and nontropical sprue)
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia (problems with coordination and muscle control)
Improvements in these conditions with the supplemental intake of these
essential fatty acids have been found to occur.
Flax seeds contain 12% mucilage, which makes it a gentle, natural laxative.
Flax seeds are perfect for individuals who has a sensitive stomach. Flax
seed oil also acts as a buffer for excess stomach acids; soothes ulcers and
irritable bowel disorders; lubricates and absorbs toxins; and prevents toxic
build up in the bowl.
North Americans are usually lacking Omega 3 EFA in their diet, and flax seed
is an excellent source for this. Studies show that eating baked goods that
have added flaxseed provide all the benefits taking flax supplements.
Heavenly BitesT contains organic gluten-free milled flax.
Refined Sugar ...
Refined sugar is a big problem in our society with a direct link to numerous
health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We actually have
a compiled list of health issues associated with refined sugar consumption.
(This list is available upon request.) The typical option for non sugar
"sweeteners" has been artificial sweeteners which remain controversial to
this day. All of Heavenly BitesT products are naturally sweetened with
pureed fruit and evaporated sugar cane juice. (Evaporated cane juice is a
healthy alternative to refined sugar. It does not undergo the same degree of
processing that refined sugar does. Therefore, unlike refined sugar, it
retains more of the nutrients found in sugar cane and is also believed to
cause less of an insulin reaction than refined sugar.)
Mary