Choc-Hazel Bliss Balls

March 18, 2014 · 22 Comments

Choc-Hazel Bliss Balls

Now I am a bit of a bliss ball addict, but these are something really, really extra special.

After I made up this variation, I had to get everyone to come running and try them and officially declare me a genius!

Yes, they are that good. Think nutella, think ferrero rocher but healthy!!

Choc-Hazel Bliss Balls

Vital Stats: raw, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free

Okay so this is what you need:

1 cup pitted sulphur free dates

2 tablespoons Crio Bru (I used the new flavour, Maracaibo)

2 tablespoons organic raw cacao powder

2 teaspoons Heilala Vanilla Bean paste (secret ingredient)

1 cup hazelnuts, skin removed

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Process the dates, crio bru, cacao and vanilla until well combined in a food processor or thermomix. Add hazelnuts and pulse or turbo until they are finely chopped. Use damp hands and roll them into balls. Store in the fridge or freezer.

Exclusively for NNAM readers, you can use this code to get 10% off everything in store: CHRISTMAS10 until 15 December 2016 at Crio Bru here.

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Raw Food 4 Kids

September 21, 2013 · 186 Comments

Natural new age mum, Sarah Nolan, has just released her first book, Raw Food 4 Kids!

I am really excited to feature it on the blog today and give you a chance to win a copy.

Let me start by saying this book is not just for kids and it’s not just for raw foodies. It’s pretty much for anyone who wants to eat well. As well as being a great introductory book for people exploring a raw diet, it’s also great for people just looking for some healthy meal ideas and snacks for the kids.

I love the way Sarah has set out the book – it’s a funky design, bright, colourful and easy to read. As well as over 100 recipes – all of which are raw, dairy-free, gluten-free and additive-free, Sarah also gives us a lot of tips and info on eating healthy.

I hadn’t even had a chance to open the book before my beautiful daughter raced off with it and made the Raw Chocolate! Yes, it was delicious! I am dying to make the Raw Cheese which is based on macadamia nuts but looks like real cheese. Some other recipes that caught my eye were Buckwheat Crunchies, Raw Pizza, Apple Goji Bars, Vegie Crackers and Chocolate Brownies.

Sarah has done a brilliant job with this book and she is going to be helping families everywhere to eat better. You can get it in print form or as an ebook.

You might be wondering……. What is RAW?

The raw food diet is where you eat food that has not been heated above 46° celsius. It includes fruit, veges, nuts, seeds, sprouts, superfoods, seaweed and cold pressed oils.

Sarah and her family have been eating this way for four years and after following her on Facebook and reading this book, she has convinced me to add lots more raw food into our family’s diet.

Why are the benefits of…… going RAW?

Well, lots and you will have to read the book! But, the one thing that really stood out for me was that eating more raw food alkalizes your body. Too much acidity in your body encourages decomposition, decay, disease and energy loss. You can start by adding one raw meal into your diet or eating raw snacks or eating raw food with every meal. It’s not hard!

But I don’t have…… a dehydrator!

It’s cool! If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use your oven on a low setting with the door ajar. It won’t be necessarily ‘raw’ but they will still be a healthier option.

Want to check out a recipe?

Raw Pasta!

Ingredients:

• 4-5 tomatoes and 4-6 medium zucchinis

• 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt

• 2 Tablespoons of nama shoyu
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil
• 4 dates pitted
• 1 teaspoon of nutritional yeast
• 1 small clove of garlic
• 1/3 cup of cashews

Method:

To make the noodles cut one end off the zucchini and spiralise (or use a grater).

Place all pasta sauce ingredients into a high powered blender until the sauce is creamy!

Pour sauce on top of the noodles and stir through! It is so quick and easy and kids just love the spiral noodles!

Check out Sarah’s daughter Issy enjoying the raw pasta. Cute!

*************this giveaway is now closed! The winners were Peta and Bek ********************

Want to win a copy of Raw Food 4 Kids?

Sarah is kindly offering to giveaway TWO of her fabulous new cookbook to my readers.

How to enter:

♥ Be a blog subscriber (add your email to the box on the right)

♥ Be a The Raw Food Mum liker on Facebook (go here)

♥ Pop over the The Raw Food mum website and check out her recipes (go here). Comment on this blog post, telling us which one (specifically) you would like to make.

Terms:

The two winners will be chosen from those meeting the entry requirements, using a random number generator. Sorry, only available to those with an Australian address. The giveaway runs from now until Monday the 30th of September at midnite (AEST). The winners will be emailed (please make a note to check!) and announced on this blog post. Good luck!

Connect with Sarah – The Raw Food Mum

Website: www.therawfoodmum.com

Email: sarah@therawfoodmum.com

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10 Healthy Muffin Recipes

July 11, 2013 · 35 Comments

10 Healthy Muffin Recipes

Who doesn’t love a hot muffin straight from the oven? Even better when they are made with love and real foods.

I have 10 amazing healthymuffin recipes for you, from some very clever Natural, New Age Mums

They are perfect for lunchboxes, mum’s morning tea or just a sweet treat after dinner.

Actually, some are cupcakes and some are muffins. I really don’t know what the difference is. Maybe we feel more virtuous eating muffins rather than cupcakes?? Let’s go with that!

These Chai Cupcakes from Katrina at Farmer K’s Kitchen are sublime. I could not stop eating them!! They are gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free and dairy-free (I use coconut oil instead of butter).

Kristin at Mamacino makes these Banana Maple Muffins that are verrrry tasty. They are grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-fre and sugar-free.

Alexx’s Coconut Cupcakes at Alexx Stuart are fast gaining legendary status around foodie circles. Check them out and see what you think! They are grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and nut-free.

Date and Cinnamon Muffins from the beautiful Brenda at Brenda Janscheck Health and Lifestyle. They are wheat-free, nut-free, sugar-free and easy to make dairy-free (just use oil instead of butter).

Jane from Marinya Cottage Kitchen has these delicious Little Hummingbird Cakes. They are grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and sugar-free.

Iwa from Additive Free Bites says this is her most popular recipe! Lemon, Coconut and Chia Seed Muffins. Yum. They are wheat-free, nut-free and easy to make dairy free but using oil and a milk substitute.

Blueberry Muffins (my favourite) from Tash at A Girl, A Guy, Fur Kids and Food. Tash is very clever and has given you options so you can make them egg-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, wheat-free and sugar-free. They are nut-free too!

What about a raw muffin? Yes, there is such a thing. Check out these yummy raw Carrot Cupcakes with Orange Vanilla Frosting from Fully Raw via Rachel Campbell. They are vegan, egg-free, dairy-free, grain-free, gluten-free and sugar-free.

If you are not into sweets, a savoury muffin if delicious with soup. Beck at Author Rebecca Mugridge makes these fabulous Fetta and Sundried Tomato Muffins. They are vegetarian and nut-free.

Healthy Chocolate Muffins from me! Grain free, gluten free, nut free, dairy free!

Do you have an awesome, healthy muffin recipe? Link us up!

Raw Chocolate Banana Mousse Cake

May 24, 2013 · 116 Comments

Like Chocolate for Women. 53 Shades of Chocolate.

Are they not the best book titles ever ? These ladies are geniuses I tell you.

Well hold onto your undies, because I am giving away both books and sharing some chocolate love with you.

Wayhay!!

Many thanks to the lovely Kim Morrison for sharing. I can’t tell you how much this lady inspires me.

From when I first read Like Chocolate for Women (many years ago now), to signing on as her affiliate partner and watching her fabulous life unfold on my Facebook feed, this lady encourages me to do better every single day. Now, let me tell you about both books before we get onto the recipe.

♥ Like Chocolate for Women is the ultimate self-care bible. Written by Kim and the gorgeous Fleur Whelligan, this book takes you on a journey of self- love. From beautiful aromatherapy rituals to healthy recipes to learning how to drop the guilt and pamper yourself, these ladies have it all covered. It feels like two best friends guiding you gently to a better life. I refer to it often and my copy is looking well-loved now. You can get it online from Kim here.

♥ 53 Shades of Chocolate is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. 53 healthy chocolate recipes! What is not to love? This book is available for immediate download and it’s cheaper than a box of chocolates! Written by Kim with the gorgeous Cyndi O’Meara (nutritionist at Changing Habits), it starts at breakfast and goes through to drinks, slices, cakes, desserts, biscuits and dips. It includes raw, gluten-free, dairy-free and thermomix-friendly recipes. You can get it online from Kim here.

Okay, now that I have told you how good they are, you can test it out yourself with this amazing recipe. It seems wrong that something so good can be healthy, but that is where the genius factor comes in!

Raw Chocolate Banana Mousse Cake

by Kim Morrison and Cyndi O’Meara from 53 Shades of Chocolate.

Okay, so this is what you need:

Base:

1 cup soaked almonds (soak for 2 hours in water, then drain)

½ cup pitted dates

1 Tbsp Changing Habits Coconut Oil

¼ tsp Himalayan (or sea) salt

Middle Layer:

4-5 bananas

4-5 tablespoons Changing Habits Coconut Oil

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

2 tsp vanilla essence or 1 vanilla pod, scraped

Top Layer:

2 avocados

2 bananas

¼ tsp Himalayan (or sea) salt

3 Tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp raw honey

2 cacao wafers

Okay so this is how you do it:

1. Place all base ingredients into TM on speed 10 for 5 seconds.

2. In a spring form round tin, press the mix into the base firmly and evenly.

3. Wipe out the TM and add all the ingredients for the middle layer. Blend on speed 8 for 10 seconds until smooth.

4. Pour this mixture into cake tin and spread evenly. Place tin in freezer to set the layer.

6. Meanwhile add the top layer ingredients into the TM and blend on speed 8 for 10 seconds until smooth.

7. Add this mixture to the tin and smooth to create a nice clean and even surface.

8. Garnish with some fresh fruit or berries.

9. Pop back into the freezer and leave to set for a couple of hours. This will make it easier to slice and serve.

If you don’t have a thermomix, your food processor and blender can be used in place of the thermomix.

Giveaway:

** This giveaway has now closed. The winner is Sandra. Congratulations!!**

If you would like to win a copy of Like Chocolate for Women and 53 Shades of Chocolate all you need to do is:

♥ Be a blog subscriber (add your email to the top right hand box)

♥ Visit Kim’s online shop here and have a browse

♥ Leave a comment on this blog post, telling me what other product from Like Chocolate for Women catches your eye

Terms:

This giveaway runs from now until Wednesday the 29th of May at midnight (AEST). The winner will be drawn using random.org, emailed and announced on this blog post from those meeting the entry requirements. Sorry, only available to those with an Australian address.

Good luck everyone!

Enjoy the cake and please let me know if you try it and what you think.

Anyone else a chocolate tragic like me?

In case you didn’t realize, this post contains links to my awesome affiliates! 🙂

Five Favourite Things – March

March 27, 2013 · 10 Comments

My five favourite things that I loved this month are:

Amazonia acai raw food bar from my March Notox Box! Raw, handmade and filled with superfoods. Did I mention delicious?

Jewellery from Destiny’s Rescue. An amazing charity initiative where you buy jewellery that helps liberate child sex slaves around the world and provide them with employment. You can buy directly online or host a party and share the information with your friends. I love all the pieces that I got including this gorgeous bracelet inscripted with ‘follow your heart’.

Kitchen Scrubbie! Gentle scrubbing for stainless steel and all surfaces including cars! In kitchen stores or online from Super Kitchen Machine.

53 Shades of Chocolate! A healthy chocolate cookbook from two amazing QLD women, Kim and Cyndi.

$15 -bargain!! Find it here in the book category.

image

Paul Kelly and Neil Finn together in concert at the Opera House, live streamed to you tube! Real singer songwriters. It was pretty magical. You can watch it here.

So those are my top five, what things have you discovered lately that you love?

You might like to read some of my other favourite things.

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/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/relauncher

Twitter https://twitter.com/Relauncher

Instagram http://instagram.com/relauncher_alison

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/relauncher/