Coco-Chocs

October 9, 2015 · 2 Comments

Today I am sharing a recipe from one of my friends – the wonderful Georgia Harding, naturopath and wellness blogger at Well Nourished. I love her recipes and common sense advice.

This recipe is from her breakfast eBook, Rise and Shine, a cracking book full of yummy and different recipes to eat first up in the morning.

Coco-Chocs

Vital Stats: grain free, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

Makes about 4-5 cups

Ingredients

Dry ½ cup of each: raw almonds, raw macadamia nuts, raw hazelnuts, raw cashew nuts, raw walnuts, raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds), raw sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, shredded or desiccated coconut

170g (½ cup) sweetener (rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup)

1 tablespoon of coconut oil or macadamia nut oil

1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder

1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder

1 teaspoon of vanilla powder (or paste)

Method

Preheat your oven to 120℃/ 250℉. Line a large baking or biscuit tray with non-toxic baking paper. Place all of the nuts, seeds and coconut on the tray. You are after more or less a single layer across the tray.

For the syrup, mix together all of the ingredients into a glass jug or bowl. If the syrup is too thick or the coconut oil solid, heat for 5 minutes or so in the oven. Drizzle the syrup as evenly as possible over the nuts and seeds.

Place in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes to make sure all of the nuts and seeds are evenly coated in the delicious syrup. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Serve

With full fat natural or unsweetened Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt) and fruit.

Over pancakes or french toast (to increase the protein content).

In a little cup as a snack.

Variations

Nut free: Omit the nuts and increase the seeds.

Fructose free: Choose rice syrup as your sweetener.

Store

Once completely cooled store in a large jar or airtight container in the fridge

Health Benefits

The selection of nuts and seeds provide a fibre and protein dense host of vitamins and minerals. The coconut and coconut oil provide fibre and immune boosting fats. The raw cacao is a wonderful source of antioxidants.

Tip

Soaking your nuts and seeds further improves their nutrient availability. You can also make this in a dehydrator if you have one.

Do you think your kids would love this??

Choc Banana Protein Smoothie

July 29, 2013 · 27 Comments

Choc Banana Protein Smoothie

I have been experimenting with different smoothies lately.

They are a great way to get superfoods into your diet. This recipe came to me in the middle of the night (and yes, I had to get out of bed and write it down so I didn’t forget it).

I wanted to make a smoothie for breakfast that tasted good but also had a good amount of protein to get me through the morning. It did both of those things. I was actually a little surprised at how well it filled me up – sometimes drinking smoothies for breakfast means I need to eat morning tea!

Let me give you a rundown on some of the superfoods and why they are so good for you before we get to the recipe.

* CACAO. Rich in magnesium, iron and antioxidants, cacao is also a natural appetite suppressant. But what I love most about it, is that it contains the amino acid tryptophan, which leads to the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of joy and may help prevent mild depression. Start the day off happy!

* MACA POWDER. I am a recent convert to maca powder, but I am loving the general health benefits and feelings of energy I get when I take it. Maca is a nutritionally packed super food rich in amino acids, vitamins minerals & essential fatty acids. Maca is rich in vitamin B12 and protein (handy for vegans). It contains vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.

It is also well-known for helping to regulate hormones, increasing libido, increasing energy, improving acne and skin conditions and alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Read more here.

* CINNAMON. I put cinnamon in everything. Not only because I love the taste, but cinnamon has so many health benefits, including lowering our blood sugar. It can also help with things like PMS, candida, arthritis, headaches and migraine! Read more here.

* BANANAS. High in potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and antioxidants, bananas also produce tryptophan! Find out some more good things about nanas here.

* ALMONDS. Almonds are a good source of calcium, vitamin E, some of the B vitamins, and are about 20 percent protein, so they are also very filling. Copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, magnesium, manganese and selenium are present in almonds.

* INCA INCHI POWDER. You may not have heard of inca inchi before. It’s fast becoming very popular as a natural protein supplement. Inca Inchi Protein Powder is over 60% complete protein. It’s also high in vitamins A and E, calcium and omega 3.

“Inca inchi powder is made from the nut that has been cold pressed to remove the oil (Inca Inchi Oil). The dried nut powder contains one of the most highly digestible, low-irritant, high quality proteins (unlike some whey based, chemically enhanced protein) and thus has become one of nature’s superfoods!” Cyndi O’Meara

So this little smoothie is a powerhouse of nutrition, will fill you up and make you happy! Now, Let me tell you how to make it:

Choc Banana Protein Smoothie

Vital stats: dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, egg-free, vegan, vegetarian, full of superfoods!

Okay, so this is what you need:

1 organic banana

1 cup (250ml) organic milk of your choice (I used nut milk)

1 teaspoon inca inchi powder

1 teaspoon maca powder

2 teaspoons raw, organic cacao

2 teaspoons almond or other nut butter

1 large medjool date

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Okay, so this is what you do:

Whack everything into your blender/thermomix/ food processor and whizz it like crazy for a minute.

Pour into a glass and enjoy! It serves one large glass or two small.

Do you like smoothies for breakfast? What do you put in them?

Get superfoods at my affiliate shop.

Amaze Balls! Ten amazing bliss ball recipes

May 22, 2013 · 56 Comments

Amaze Balls! Ten amazing bliss ball recipes

Aptly named, as these little balls of flavour are very blissful.

They are fantastic as a healthy alternative to lollies for kids (and big kids).

Bliss balls are great to pop in lunch boxes or to have after dinner if you have a sweet craving.

Just remember that most bliss balls do contain a lot of dried fruit and nuts so are a concentrated form of nutrients.

Try to restrain yourself to one or two.

I put mine in the freezer so I am not tempted, although they do taste good frozen!

Okay, so here are my pick of the best bliss balls around:

These are my Choc-Hazel Bliss Balls (they taste a bit like Ferrero Rocher!)

Lime and Goji Bliss Ball from Simone at Nourishing Hub.

Mesquite Raw Truffle Ball by Sarah at The Raw Food Mum

Bliss Balls from Iwa at Additive Free Bites.

Frangipani Balls from Collette at Cut out the Crap

Apple and Cinnamon Bliss Balls from Brenda Janschek Health and Lifestyle.

Chia Coconut Bites from Jodi at Hot Pink Chilli

Strawberry Ripe Balls from Jane at Marinya Cottage Kitchen.

Lemony Balls from The Nourished Psychologist

Raw Choc Chip Cookie Dough Balls from Jo at Quirky Cooking

Bonus recipe: My Pecan Salted Caramel Truffles.

Do you have an awesome bliss ball recipe? Please link up with us!

Healthy Chocolate Tart

March 22, 2013 · 21 Comments

Today I am welcoming the gorgeous Alison from Relauncher to share a fabulous healthy chocolate recipe with us. She has created this amazing raw, vegan tart which would finish off an Easter feast perfectly and give you a nice hit of chocolate!

Healthy Chocolate Tart

Vital stats: sugar free, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, egg free

Okay, so this is what you need:

Crust

2 cups activated mixed nuts

3 tablespoons organic coconut oil

1 1/4 cups dessicated coconut

2 tablespoons organic cacao powder

8 dates

Filling

Handful of berries

1 1/2 cups coconut milk

2 tablespoons organic cacao powder

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 tablespoons organic coconut oil

4 dates

1/2 teaspoon stevia

NOTE: if you want a creamier filling, you can omit the coconut milk and stevia and replace with coconut cream!

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Crust

Whizz up all the ingredients in a powerful blender. If you don’t have a powerful blender, just whizz the ingredients in small batches

Pack the mixture into a lined cake dish and place in the freezer whilst making the filling

Filling

Blend the dates, then remove from the blender and set aside

Whizz the coconut milk and stevia in the blender for 7 minutes (this helps slightly thicken the milk)
- If you have opted to use coconut cream instead, whizz the coconut cream in the blender for about 5 minutes

Add dates and the remaining ingredients (except the berries) to the blender and give it a quick blend to mix the ingredients thoroughly

Place the berries on the crust, then add the filling on top

Return to the freezer for approximately 4 hours before you enjoy

Alison is Director of Relauncher, an online destination for health, wellbeing, beauty and lifestyle. Alison lives and breathes a healthy authentic life through daily yoga and meditation practice. Her love of this life is encompassed in her online store bringing about beauty for the body, mind and soul.

Connect with Alison:

Website http://www.relauncher.com.au/

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Healthiest Chocolate Mousse EVER !!

February 6, 2012 · 31 Comments

This is a recipe you are going to have to trust me on, okay? Its main ingredient is avocado. Yep, avocado. Normally a savoury type ingredient – yes. However, its smooth, velvety texture makes it perfect for mousse.

I first saw the idea for this on Masterchef – anyone remember the hippy Skye Craig? She made one and astounded the judges and it inspired me to play around and make one myself.

No-one in the family is even going to cotton on to the fact that this is based on avocados. It doesn’t taste like avocados, it tastes like chocolate mousse!! Trust me !!

The other awesome thing about this recipe is that you don’t even have to cook it and it’s super quick to make.

Healthiest Chocolate Mousse Ever!

Vital Stats: Dairy free, gluten free, egg free, nut free, vegan

This is what you will need:

2 avocados sliced, choose organic if you can, as avocados are heavily sprayed

1/4 cup organic raw cacao powder

1/8 to 1/4 cup organic maple syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract (not vanilla essence – that stuff is nasty)

1/4 cup coconut milk or cream (choose one in a BPA free can)

1 tablespoon coconut oil

Now, here’s how to make it:

Mix all ingredients except coconut milk or cream in a blender, thermomix or a food processor for a few minutes until nice and smooth. You can also just mash it in a bowl with a fork if you have no electrical help.

Gradually add in the coconut milk to the consistency you prefer. Test it for sweetness….add more if you are a real sweet tooth.

That’s it. Super easy, super quick and perfect for those times when your avocados all ripen at once and you need to use them up. Serve with some fresh strawberries for dipping. Mmmmmmmm…….Healthiest Chocolate Mousse, EVER!

Trust me, trust me….. this is SO delicious. So, make some and report back. Tell me how much you LOVE it. 😀