Protein Packed Pancakes

I never eat pancakes. When I say never I cannot even tell you the last time I ordered some for myself or took a bite of someone else's. I used to have an obsession with 'healthy foods' and pancakes was never on my healthy food list - saddening I know. 

I am still inclined to labelling foods as healthy and unhealthy - not a habit I would recommend nor is it a correct indication of how food should be consumed - however, I am getting better at stepping outside of my comfort zone. AKA I finally decided to make some pancakes (cue the percussion and cheers from the crowd). 

I still enjoy eating well so I wasn't going to gorge on a sugar laden and simple carbohydrate filled recipe. Instead I was going to source and make one full of delicious and wholesome ingredients that wouldn't leave my body feeling gluggy and my mind feeling guilty.


Ingredients

• 100g oats
• 2 free-range eggs
• 100g cottage cheese
•  1 banana 
• 1 pinch of baking powder
• 1 splash of your milk of choice (used soy milk)

Toppings

• Almond butter
• Honey
• Chobani yoghurt
• 4 Fresh figs
• 1 pear
• 1 apple
• 1 handful of pomegranate seeds
• (I used whatever fresh fruit I had at home which ended up being a pear, apple and blueberries)
  

Method

1. Pop all pancake ingredients (excluding oil) into a blender until smooth
2. If the mixture is too thick just add a little more milk
3. Prepare all your toppings into small bowls. 
4. I peeled and grated the pear and apple, then tossed with the blueberries. I then set the toppings aside until ready to plate. 
5. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat, brush with oil.
6. Drop heaped tablespoons of the batter into the pan and cook for three minutes, or until little bubbles start to from on the surface. 
7. Flip and cook the other side until lightly golden and cooked through. Transfer to plate. 
8. Layer the pancakes up with the fruit and almond butter, drizzle over the honey and spoon on the yoghurt. 
9. Now eat :D 

Healthy-shaming, the new fat-shaming!

I constantly read reports, see social posts and hear about fat-shaming. People being named, shamed and blamed for their eating habits, weight and appearance. I myself have thankfully never been the victim of such bullying but would never like to be on the receiving end of such hateful comments. I have always felt there was no need to put someone else down for their lifestyle choices. I am all for assisting a friend who is struggling when they need it but I would never stand there and jeer at them or reject them for their food choices.

Whilst fat-shaming is very often spoken about health-shaming is not. Just as some feel they have a right to comment on a larger person’s lifestyle, others feel they have a right to comment on others being too skinny, eating a healthy diet or exercising too much.

Today for the first time I truly felt like I was being shamed for my healthy lifestyle choices. Two friends, who I live with, love eating out, enjoying a cheeky takeaway and treating themselves with food. Tonight, was one of those nights. As I was eating dinner they shouted out to me that they were going on a food expedition. Knowing they are both trying to be healthier I jokingly shouted out in return, ‘make healthy choices.’ 

Later I heard them return, excited to see them I rushed downstairs to chat. As I opened the door they were both sitting on the floor munching on their dinner of choice. Whilst one looked at me guiltily the other turned around and said, ‘this is a judgement free zone.’ I stood there shocked. I hadn’t even opened my mouth yet and already it was being presumed that because I choose to eat well, I would condemn them for not doing the same. My friend then asked me to leave the room so they could eat without being ‘judged.’ 

As I shut the door I was so angry. How can you justify ostracizing someone for trying to be healthy when in essence it is just the same as fat shaming? It really got me thinking, why is skinny-shaming ok, if fat-shaming is not? 

To the next person who says ‘you are not welcome’ for choosing to be healthy, commenting on the food that I eat or putting me down for not eating ‘fattier’ or seemingly ‘unhealthy’ foods I say to you: 

~ I love myself. I choose to be healthy and gift my body with the best nutrients this wonderful world has to offer. I eat nutritious healthy food because I enjoy it.  I exercise because it makes me feel good. It eases my mind and jump starts my body for the day ahead. I choose to be the best possible version of myself that I can be. I will not listen to anyone who tries to tell me differently~

 

 

Be You, Tea Full

I wake up, stroll to the kitchen and turn the kettle on. As I wait for it to finish with a quiet ding, I sleepily prepare my morning cup of tea. Placing the tea leaves in a strainer the smell of cinnamon, cardamon and aniseed surround me, calming me. 

My morning ritual is my meditation. A period of 15 minutes where I am by myself and enjoying the small things that life has to offer. The world is quiet, the rest of the house is asleep and I just sit there and watch the sun rise with my cup of tea. Perfection.

Hoping to share my love of tea with you, below are several of my go to teas throughout the day,why I love them and a range of health benefits that they offer. 

After reading this, I hope you too start your day with a delicious pot of beautiful tea. 

CHAI TEA

Benefits: It is made from a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg that contain antioxidants and phytochemicals known to reduce the risk of certain cancers. The antioxidants and phytochemicals within Chai tea benefit the immune system, gut health and facilitate energy production.

I love: My dog is named after this tea, that’s how much I love it! The best way to drink it is by brewing a wet chai mixture over the stove, with soymilk and a dash of honey. Delish!

MINT

Benefits: It improves digestion, reduces pain, eliminates inflammation cures bad breath and aids the immune systems. Mint tea is the perfect cuppa to sip on when it’s that time of the month as it eases nausea and stomach cramps.

I love: A warm cup of peppermint tea is my go to when I am feeling nauseas or off in the stomach. It also aids digestion, which makes it the perfect ‘after-dinner-mint’ to help relax and unwind after a big meal.

CHAMOMILE

Benefits: It promotes sleep, eases stomach-aches and can help in calming muscle spasms. This non-caffeinated herbal tea is the perfect solution for people looking to relax, unwind and enjoy a cosy evening ahead.

I love: drinking a hot mug of chamomile tea right before bed to relax me and put me straight to sleep. My only problem is that I always wake up in the middle of the night busting to go to the bathroom (eek).

GREEN

Benefits: It contains lots of antioxidants (catechins) and nutrients that are said to boost the metabolism, aid weight loss and improve brain function. Catechins are an important antioxidant present in green tea, known to assist heart disease, cancer and overall cell damage.

I love:  I would say that green tea is an acquired taste, one that has not come so easily to me. Due to green tea’s well-known benefits I do try and drink it several times a week however it has nothing on a scrumptious pot of chai.

LIQUORICE

Benefits: The liquorice root has long been used to treat ulcer like symptoms, digestive problems, heartburn and upper-respiratory ailments.  Liquorice root can however cause several side affects when used for a long period of time. 

I love: I regularly drink a liquorice tea infusion that contains only 44 per cent liquorice root. I am obsessed with this tea at the moment as it has the perfect combination of sweet, spicy yet subtle flavours.

BLACK

Benefits: Made from the same plant as green tea, black tea assists in lowering cholesterol as well as containing caffeine to give you a burst of energy throughout the day. Perfect for people like me who are trying to stay away from coffee.

I love:  A slug of boiling water and a dash of milk is how I like my black tea. Everyone is different, but this bad body gives me an extra oomph of energy I need to get up and attack the day ahead.

What is your favourite type of tea? Share below

Moist Banana Caramel Muffins

My long work hours have been taking there toll and I often find myself mid-afternoon reaching for the work lolly jar. Firstly, this is not looking too good on the old waist line. Secondly, these quicks spikes of artificial sugar are only acting as a quick fix. Instead, I need to focus on a solution to the problem - I need to start feeding my body with the right fuel to get me through my day.

So I decided to make some delicious, healthy muffins that will act as the perfect snack to get me through the 3pm slump. Bring on moist banana caramel muffins. Trust me, you wont feel like you are missing out when you take a bite out of these bad boys. The recipe is courtesy of the amazing Sophie Guidolin from her Eat Clean, Live Lean recipe book. 


Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut flakes
• 125g coconut oil - 100g for the banana caramel, and 25g to the wet mix 
• 3/4 cup honey
• 3 ripe bananas 
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of wholemeal self raising flour
• 2 tablespoons of soy milk
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla essence
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions 

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees
• Using a nonstick pan, over medium heat, add 100g of coconut oil, the honey and the chopped banana
• Let the mixture simmer
• Whilst combine the eggs, soy milk, 25g of coconut oil, vanilla essence and cinnamon together in a bowl
• Once mixed, stir in the flour and coconut flakes to the mixture
• Ensure the banana mixture is soft and caramel-like. Once the banana have turned into almost a paste, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly
• Add the caramel banana mixture and mix until smooth and well combined
• Poor the mixture into prepared muffin tins and place in the oven for 20-35 minutes
• Once cooked through take them out of the oven
• Enjoy warm or cool for a tasty, artificial-sugar free treat 

Raw Snickers Bar

I love baking sugar laden cakes, scrumptious desserts and fat filled treats, yet I never eat them. You could call me some what of a 'feeder' as I love to cook and bake for other people but not myself. 

I decided to make this Donna Hay Raw Snickers Bar as a way to create a delicious treat that I would actually eat. This was the perfect treat to curb my mid afternoon cravings as well as sticking (roughly) to my healthy eating habits. This recipe is gluten free, lactose free and refined sugar free (depending on what chocolate you choose).

Although this recipe is 'healthier' than that of a cream filled sponge cake, be mindful that it would still be classified as a 'sometimes food' and wouldn't recommend eating the whole batch at once.  The good fats from the natural peanut butter, and high sugar levels from the dates and organic chocolate, making it quite calorie dense. Nonetheless, prepare yourself for mouth-wateringly, orgasmic goodness.

ENJOY

xx

INGREDIENTS 

400g Fresh Dates, Pitted

1/3 Cup Natural Smooth Peanut Butter 

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Puffed Brown Rice 

1/2 Cup Unsalted Roasted Peanuts, Roughly Chopped

80g Raw Organic 70% Dark Chocolate, Melted

METHOD

Place the dates, peanut butter and vanilla in a food processor. Process for 2-4 minutes or until the mixture comes together to form a paste

Place the date mixture, puffed rice and peanuts in a large bowl and mix to combine

Press the mixture into a lightly greased pan lined with non-stick baking paper

Melt the chocolate over hot water and be careful not to burn

Once melted, pour the melted chocolate over the date mixture. Spread evenly with a knife

Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or until set

Remove from the pan, slice into piece using a hot knife and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. 

Recipe not created by myself. Find original recipe here 

Monday Mood

Images sourced from Marlow Lou Pinterest 

Winter Warmer - Pumpkin Soup

It may not be every ones cup of tea, but the good old faithful pumpkin soup is hard to pass on a cold, rainy day. I've recently been battling a temperature and a sore throat so I thought what better way to nourish my body then with a bowl full of pumpkin and sweet potato. My pumpkin soup recipe is so healthy and filling making it my go to, quick, easy and oh so delicious winter meal.  

INGREDIENTS 

1 1/2 Sweet potato

1/3 large butternut pumpkin 

3 cloves of garlic 

Coconut Oil 

Vegetable stock

Pinch of cinnamon 

Pinch of nutmeg

METHOD

Peel the sweet potato and pumpkin. Cut into small pieces. 

Scatter the sweet potato and pumpkin on a baking tray. 

Peel the garlic cloves and add to the baking tray. 

Drizzle with coconut oil and pop into the oven at about 180C

After approximately 40 minutes the sweet potato and pumpkin should be soft and fragrant.

Once soft, add the pieces to a large pot. Pour in vegetable stock and add cinnamon and nutmeg and place over heat. 

Bring to the boil and cook for approximately 15 minutes.

Once all flavours have combined and heated through, take the pot off heat. 

Leave to cool for a little bit.

Once the mixture has cooled, use a blender or thermomix to blend into a smooth mixture.

Serve with a sprinkle of spring onion, cheese and a dash of sour cream (if you aren't vegan).

Sooo DELICIOUS. 

This is the type of meal that I make up on the spot and don't measure. So if you are after more flavour add extra cinnamon and nutmeg, cook the sweet potato and pumpkin with onion or add more vegetables to the mix. If you want a thinner soup just add more stock or water to the mix and this will add more moisture to the soup. 

CAKE FACE

I caught a taxi the other night and struck up a conversation with the lovely man driving the cab. We spoke for the 20 minutes it took to get me home. He spoke fondly of his wife and family, I spoke of my night and my plans for the weekend. Very casual, idle chit chat, but it was nice to connect with a complete stranger who you knew was a kind, generous soul. As I was hopping out of the taxi he said 'are you from here, Sydney I mean?'. I told him that I wasn't and he said 'I can tell, please don't let this place change you.' I walked the rest of the way home with his statement going round and round in my head.

I have always been one of those people who says good morning to every random stranger that walks past or is happy to strike up a conversation with anyone. Always happy to offer a helping hand or to meet new people. I found the taxi drivers comment distressing because it meant that to him, I was a minority. To him most people were the opposite, cold, distant and not eager to go out of their way to be kind. 

I felt so disheartened by this. Happy that he thought well of me, but disheartened that there were so many individuals out there who were the opposite. I was sad in human kind for the way we have become. That a simple small thing for someone is now viewed as a hassle; to be kind to a stranger is now few and far between. 

So when I went to coffee the other day I was so surprised when the waiter gave me free cake. The man had no hidden agenda it was just a beautiful sunday morning and he felt like being selfless and providing myself and my friend with cake. Immediately my spirits soared and my faith was once again restored in human kind. I know what you are probably thinking 'is this chick on crack, he gave her some cake' but it is about more than the cake. It is about doing a nice gesture that you as an individual gain nothing from. It is about being kind without receiving any benefits from your kindness. Instead of doing something out of selfishness this was an act purely out of compassion. 

To the man at the coffee shop you will never know just what that piece of cake meant. Other than it being absolutely delicious (summer bod you can wait) it showed me that there are still people out there willing to do things for others without benefit for themselves. Thanks Mr cake man.

XOXO