Maria Crokos and Anastasia Ganias-Gellin connected over their love of healthy food just in time for Lent. Having both dealt with ill parents who lost their lives to cancer, they realized how important the role of food plays in living a long and happy life.
Maria was inspired by her mother’s choice to heal herself through the Mediterranean diet instead of chemotherapy.
Anastasia launched her platform as a way to grieve her father’s passing. She found a form of therapy in cooking. They took their unfortunate experiences and turned them into something they are both passionate about; a healthy lifestyle,
Their Greek upbringing and the importance of food and family to the Greek culture are at the core of what they do.
Both women want to pass on this lifestyle to their children and aim at creating simple, healthy recipes and choosing the right food. Maria took this inspiration and became a certified health coach hoping to help people embark on a wellness journey.
Anastasia chose to create recipes that were simple, nutritious and family-focused, all while making olive oil the star of her dishes. Her love of olive oil was so great she began producing Fancy Peasant olive oil, and organic extra virgin olive oil, which she calls an ode to her dad.
The two ladies came together to share what they think is most important when cooking; making the right choices and using clean ingredients, and both agreed that Extra Virgin Olive Oil is where it’s at.
In their segment, Anastasia shares her plant-based pea cake recipe. Not only are they a great alternative to meat dishes, but they also provide great nourishment for the body. According to Maria, fake meat is something you should consider skipping when practising Lent and opt for “real”, true plant-based burgers that include simple ingredients. She highly recommends Anastasia’s pea cakes; they are BEYOND delicious!
Perhaps as you begin fasting this Easter, try to combine your spiritual cleanse with a switch to a healthier and cleaner lifestyle.
| Pea Cakes Recipe |
Ingredients
Yields 6-8 cakes
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 scallions finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic
• 14 oz frozen peas (3 cups)
• 1 3/4 almond flour or oatmeal
• 1 tbs corn starch
• Salt, freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 1/2 bunch dill
• 1/4 cup olive oil
Directions
- Chop onion, grate the garlic and chop scallions and dill.
- Heat oil in the pan.
- Sauté white onion and garlic.
- Add scallions and fresh herbs.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Sauté for 3-4 minutes
- Take off the heat and let it cool.
- Blend frozen peas in a blender.
- Add sautéed herbs, onion and garlic to a blender.
- Add oatmeal, olive oil and cornstarch.
- Blend all ingredients.
- Place olive oil on your hands, take a small amount of mixture and make your patties.
- Place on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes on each side OR fry in a bit of olive oil.
For a healthier option
Substitute corn starch, a healthy substitute can be flaxseed meal or psyllium husk.
Yields 6-8 cakes
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 scallions finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic
• 14 oz frozen peas (3 cups)
• 1 3/4 almond flour or oatmeal
• 1 tbs corn starch
• Salt, freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 1/2 bunch dill
• 1/4 cup olive oil
For healthier option
Substitute corn starch, a healthy substitute can be flaxseed meal or psyllium husk.
Health Tip
When using oatmeal look for organic rolled oats and even better organic and sprouted.
*Recipe can be found on both Instagram pages.
Anastasia Ganias-Gellin
Anastasia is the founder of Fancy Peasant through which she brings you Greek peasant food with elevated touches through media, content, recipes, and product. She also has her own organic, extra-virgin olive oil that comes from the southern region of Greece.
Insta @fancypeasant
Maria Crokos
Maria is a certified health coach living in Montreal, Canada. She earned her certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the largest globally renowned nutrition school in the world. She is an advocate for clean eating, especially for children, and how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Insta @wewelltogether
