Choc Banana Raw Smoothie Bowl

After having a few days of juices for breakfast to help cleanse and heal after a general anaesthetic, I have enjoying the refreshing vibe these have given me, but after a few days I was craving something with more sustenance. What better way to progress than a raw smoothie bowl for breakfast! I absolutely love these and the diverse flavours you can create with a simple base of frozen bananas :D A perfect cooling breakfast as our Aussie summer approaches...

Choc Banana Raw Smoothie Bowl

2 small frozen bananas
1 Tbsp Cacao powder
2 tsp @loving_earth chia seeds 
1/4 cup nutmilk (or water) 
1/2 tsp @loving_earth mesquite powder 
Optional 1 scoop raw protein powder 

Blend in a processor until smooth and top with your favourite toppings such as coconut, blueberries,  buckinis, bee pollen and mesquite powder :)

You can also try experimenting by adding in different fruits or even vege's! Mango is another of my favourites :)

Enjoy!

Raw Raspberry Smoothie Bowl

Wow what a month January has been! It is hard to believe tomorrow begins the second month of 2014, February is my favourite month of the year (not just because it is my birthday month) - it is a month to reignite your new year goals and encourage yourself for the things you have changed for the better. It is also a month of love and I believe whether you are in a relationship, single, a single mother or father or what ever your circumstance may be, make sure you do something to love yourself as you are the person you truly have to live with and if you treat yourself right with love then you will have a life of love around you :)

Back on track... there is so much I need to share with you!! So first I will take it back to a couple of recipe I have made and tried which I love starting with a raw raspberry smoothie bowl of goodness!

After our trip to Samudra and an introduction to the glorious Acai bowls, I couldn’t resist trying a few more similar creations for breakfast (or desert!!). On the last day of my holidays before I started my final year of medicine (Eeek!!) I decided to create a Raw Raspberry Smoothie Bowl full of nutrients, superfoods and colour!

Raw Raspberry Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients

One frozen banana
2/3 cup frozen raspberries
2 tsp chia seeds
½ cup water
1 tsp coconut oil
1tsp honey
1tsp mesquite powder
1 tablespoon LSA

Method

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth!

I topped mine with more goodies including raw granols, shredded coconut, spirulina, acai and bee pollen… it was morning bliss :)

xox

Acai Bowl - My First One!!

Mum, Sarah and I had couldn't go without a little road trip over the festive season to the new Samudra café down in Dunsborough which has recently been renovated! Plus Sarah ad not been there before I we were keen to show her the amazing meals Samudra offer :)

The new café/restaurant is a lovely open area with the lovely wooden building, tree's, vegetable garden, old combo outside.. once you enter you feel a wave of relaxation and clarity just by stepping into the café. We arrived before midday when they were about the change from breakfast to lunch and decided we would try a degustation of their meals from breakfast to lunch which turned out to be the best decision to try more meals!!

Our first one was a breakfast Acai bowl... wow!!! It was our first acai bowl ever and it did not disappoint! I was marvelling at the colour but the taste and freshness was mouth watering :)

Next we had some 'starters' of spelt wood fired pizza with home made dips and fresh sea salt... again delish!!

Our 'lunch' meal was one we all wanted to try - a raw pad thai salad, it was so fresh and crisp with a tasty cashew, lime, chilli dressing, I can't wait to try make my own one of these :)

Needless to say when I got home the next day I could not go by without trying my own acai bowl using slightly different ingredients, this is what I used making enough for 2 people...

1 frozen banana
3/4 cup frozen blueberries
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp acai powder
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1/4 avocado
1 tsp mesquite powder (optional)
2 tsp maple syrup (you can used honey)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup almond milk

Simply mix all ingredients in a food processor until smooth!


























I topped mine with bee pollen, goji berries, blueberries and a sprinkle of coconut and it was delicious!
First acai bowl = success!! :D

Before we left we couldn't go without a chilli hot cacao (me) and shared a piece of raw white chocolate and strawberry cheesecake... ;)

 

xox

Raw Cinnamon-Buckwheat Granola

Mum and I have been ready for some tasty raw granola for breakfast, so Sunday I had an ultimate 'Sunday sesh' and cooked vegan moussaka, honey joys, raw chocolate mousse... and Raw Cinnamon Buckwheat granola! I was very pleased with my 'cooking' session home by myself. While some people cannot understand how cooking can be an enjoyable activity I love the creativity and experimentations you can do, what foods and flavours you can create and of course trying new recipes to increase your knowledge :) But back to the granola!

I love the combination of cinnamon and coconut mixed with nuts and dried fruits, the smell from the dehydrator as these dehydrate is mouth watering! I could have easily just put the granola in the sun on this 40 degree summer heat but the granola needs to dehydrate for 18-24 hours. Alternatively if you do not have a dehydrator you can do an un-raw version and dry the granola in an oven for 15-20 minutes but watch it does not burn!

Raw Cinnamon-Buckwheat Granola

Ingredients

1 cup Raw Buckwheat Groats soaked 1-2 hours and rinsed well
1 cup flaxseeds soaked in 1 cup of water (not drained) for 1 hour
1 cup steel cut oats (less processed but you can use rolled oats or omit these and double the buckwheat) soaked 1-2 hours with the buckwheat
1 cup mixed nuts (pecan are great but I used walnuts and almonds chopped)
1/2 cup flaked coconut (or desiccated)
3/4 cup dried raisins or cranberries
1 Tbsp coconut sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp organic maple syrup
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

After soaking the buckwheat, steel cut oats and flaxseeds +/- the nuts, mix all ingredients into a large bowl until well combined.

Ready to mix!

Line 3-4 dehydrator trays with baking paper and dehydrate at 43 degrees for 10-12 hours.

This can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month and can be re-dehydrated if it starts to moisten :)

I had mine with almond milk, blueberries and some maple syrup, so goooood!!! Enjoy your raw cinnamon-coconut filled 'rawsome' breakfast :)

xx

Coconut Yoghurt - Homemade :)

In summer there is nothing better than a cool drink or food to help through those summer days. yoghurt is a good alternative to ice cream, but home made dairy-free yoghurt is something I have wanted to try for a while!!

Most true yoghurt recipes have cultures and probiotics in them making them a little harder to make. I was quite happy when I found a version of this coconut yoghurt recipe which although does not have the cultures good for you digestive health, is still full of goodness of raw coconut and cashews!!

Coconuts are full of electrolytes (particularly the coconut water) which are great for rehydrating our bodies and fuelling us for the day. They also contain anti bacterial and anti fungal properties which are great for digestion in themselves! It has also been proven to have anti cancer properties :) Coconut Water has been regarded as more nutritious than whole milk – Less fat and NO cholesterol!
And did you know coconut water is a universal donor– Its apparently identical to human blood plasma!
This Coconut Yoghurt is getting better and better :) So this is the recipe I used...

Ingredients
Flesh of 1 young coconut
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/3 cup coconut water
1 Tablespoon maple syrup

I have to thank my dad for opening the coconut and getting the flesh for me (even if it cost us a snapped knife!!)

Blend the ingredients in a food processor until smooth, mine took 8-9 minutes as the mixture takes a while to get smooth. Mine was still a little on the rough consistency but I quite liked it like that :)

 

 I have loved mixing this yoghurt in with my breakfast whether it be chia pudding, overnight oats, porridge or on top of pancakes it add a delicious flavour!! Plus it is great with raw banana ice cream as a desert (see post to follow soon!!)

Mixed in with Chia pudding, cinnamon and banana :)

I will get to the cultured home made yoghurt one day but for now I am happy with my super food dairy alternative :D Enjoy!

xx

Paleo Lemon & Coconut Bread

While first starting Paleo you usually think 'where are all the carbs??' as you eliminated pasta's, grain and breads, but then you come to realise that apart from filling up with carbs from vegetables such as sweet potato and pumpkin, you are only actually eliminating the gluten based carbs. There are an abundance of Paleo recipes out there for breads and baking and in reality although you may not be use to the different ingredients at first they are quite easy to make!

So I was very exctied when i made my first Paleo bread. It actually turned into Lemon and coconiut bread as I had some delicious home grown lemons from a family friend I wanted to use. I based the recipe from 'Paleo Bread Recipes' and added a ripe banana and although I didn't make the glaze this time I may try it next time :)

 

Paleo Lemon & Coconut Bread

Ingredients

6 eggs
¼ cup coconut oil melted
zest from 2 lemons
juice from 2 lemons plus enough milk of choice (coconut milk from can or box, almond milk, etc.) to equal 1 cup
1 large ripe banana mashed (optional)
1/3 cup honey
2/3 cup coconut flour (only coconut flour will work here, organic is best:))
1 heaping teaspoon baking soda

Method

Preheat oven to 350.

Zest the lemons and squeeze out the juice, combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well.

Pour into a greased bread pan and bake for 35-45 minutes (mine was perfect at the 35 minute mark, but it may take up to 45 minutes) or until golden on top and middle is cooked through. If the top starts to get too brown towards the end of the cooking time, put some foil over the top.



 

 

Let to cool in the pan before turning it out on a rack to cool further. You can store the cake in the refrigerator to last longer :)

Enjoy!

xox

Paleo Banana Cereal and Paleo Meals Day 3 & 4

Wow I can't believe I am 4 days into Paleo already!! Truth is I am loving it!! I may not be able to experiment with foods as much soon as exams loom closer but for now I am enjoying the challenge of creating and trying new recipes which are healthy, clean, some raw, some cooked and at the moment, Paleo!! But to be honest most foods I am eating for Paleo I would eat anyway, the only difference is I am creating different dairy options for yoghurt and making conscious decisions to reduce refined grains and cereals (which I don't eat so much anyway!) maybe I was meant to be paleo :P Anyway here is a little insight into more Paleo meals...

I made a Paleo Banana Cereal yesterday in a way I hadn't made before and in the oven put some chopped banana which became sort of a creamy caramelised texture, pepitas, walnuts and shredded coconut (really good when baked!)

Cereal in the oven :)

 I then mixed this with blueberries...

 

Added some raw strawberry & cashew yoghurt, cinnamon and a little cashew milk and it was ready to go!

 

My lunches are usually salads, I felt a little creative and made a 'soup salad' with left over fennel and pear soup over fresh kale, mushrooms, avocado and topped with tumeric and raw flaxseed crackers, it was very tasty! I may use soups for dressings more often :)

 

And dinner was one of my favourite... Salmon :) Again with Kale, tomatoes, parsnip, asparagus and mushrooms...

Today I made some great Sweet potato pancakes (this has its own post!!) satisfying my pancake craving yet again. And following a similar theme a tuna salad for lunch with kale, red cabbage, mushrooms and avocado...

Sweet Potato pancakes :)

Tuna & Cabbage salad :)



And dinner, it had been a while since I had the lean meat of kangaroo so made herb and lemon roasted kangaroo with kale, asparagus, parsnip (one of my favourite vegetables along with sweet potato!) and tomatoes :)

 



I hope I am helping you realise how simple and tasty healthy meals can be! Even the pancakes are quite easy and the salads I basically put together with whatever I have in the fridge. Dinners may take 20min to cook but really for a dinner that is almost of quick as Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals! Well Jamie could probably make these in 5 minutes but that is a different story :P

Let's see what the next few days of Paleo bring! :)

xox

Sweet Potato Paleo Pancakes

I have realised I have an addiction to making different flavoured, clean and healthy pancakes! I fell in love with sweet potato pancakes today, a hint of nutmeg in them makes a lovely boost of flavour and these are quite simple to make! I loved having them for breakfast with raw Strawberry-cashew yoghurt topped with banana, coconut and home made chocolate cacao sauce... I didn't want them to end! Good thing I went for a long run beforehand, but you know what I didn't even feel guilty after eating these pancakes because they are actually healthy for you!! No sugar, no butter, no gluten, an extra dose of vegetables... sound too good to be true? Trust me, its not ;)

You can add some extra protein to these by adding 1/2 a scoop of protein powder too!

Sweet Potato Paleo Pancakes

Ingredients:

1/2-1 cup cooked sweet potato
1 egg lightly beaten
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (completely optional)

Method:
Mash potato really well & then combine all other ingredients- ensure its mixed through thoroughly.

Sweet potato

Add egg and other ingredients

Over medium heat, with a little olive oil or coconut oil, cook pancakes for around 2 minutes to desired brownness and flip! They will start to bubble when they first brown :)

Serve with any topping you fancy whether it is more of a sweet banana and berries or more savoury avocado and salmon (drool), the options are entirely up to you and how you feel each day :)

Enjoy!!

I also made these with pumpkin instead of sweet potato and added protein powder and a little cinnamon as well topped with avocado and coconut oil, SOOOOO good! :)

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Also great with some organic maple syrup drizzled on top!

I wonder how many more pancake creations I can come up with before I run out of ideas... ;)

xox

Paleo Banana-Cranberry Pancakes and Paleo Day 2 :)

Pancakes.

Doesn't that word just make your mouth water?? Maybe I am a pancakes fanatic but I am yet to find someone who does not lift up at even the mention of that word! So for breakfast day 2 you can guess what I had for breakfast ;)

After looking over a few recipes I invented one of my own with what ingredients I had and they turned out pretty good! but how can you go wrong with pancakes I am not sure as long as it is cooked in a pan and resembles a cake :P Inspired by my latest Samudra pancakes I made a quick chocolate-coconut sauce to go on top with cranberries and coconut, yum!

Paleo Banana & Cranberry Pancakes

(Serves 1)

1 egg lightly beaten
1/2 banana mashed
2 Tbsp Almond meal
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp organic maple syrup or agave (if you have it - I didn't)

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.

Add to a pan heated with a little olive or coconut oil as 1 or 2 pancakes.

Cook until browned around 2-3 minutes (the pancakes will bubbles on top) and flip cooking the other side.

Transfer to a plate. I topped mine with 1tsp of cacao powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon with 1tsp coconut oil and 2 tsp boiling water mixed to make a chocolate sauce topped with dried cranberries and coconut!

You can top these with anything you like, berries are wonderful :)

Bliss!

For lunch I made a large salad with mushroom, tomato, avocado and roasted asparagus and tuna on a bed of kale - yum!

And dinner was Fennel and Pear soup as the night before, so nice on these colder days :)

xox

Strawberry-Cashew Yoghurt Raw!

I thought raw banana ice cream was good, until I made raw strawberry yoghurt!! Once again I am amazed at how simple this is to make in comparison to how healthy and delicious it is. I sure licked the bowl as I made this to make sure I saved every last bit!

 



Strawberry-Cashew Yoghurt - Raw

1/2 cup soak cashews (2+ hours)
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
1 Tablespoon coconut oil (you can use maple syrup if you have it instead)
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Optional - 1 tsp vanilla extract

Simply add all ingredients into a food processor and process for a minute or so until smooth and creamy!



 

Serve with any topping you like, I had coconut and a chopped strawberry on top but would love to have banana, chocolate (cacao) sauce or cinnamon or better still strawberry yoghurt on top of Paleo pancakes!

xox

Cashew Milk

What I love about cashew milk is it is a little easier to make than almond milk and better for being on the go. Why? cashews take 2 hours to soak as oppose to 8-12 hours for almonds and the milk does not necessarily need to be strained as almond milk does. It is so easy and so tasty as an alternative to dairy :)

 

 

Simply soak 1/2 a cup of raw cashews for 2+ hours. I like to rinse off the soaking water, then add the cashews and 1 and 1/2 cups of water to a blender. You can add 1 tsp organic maple syrup of agave if you like.

 

Blend on high speed until smooth and you now have your almond milk! See so easy!

Transfer into storage jars and keep in the fridge for 4 days :)

 

Enjoy in teas, smoothies, on its own or any way you like!