Lunchbox idea No.2

Hi everyone!

I thought I would start the week off with a lunchbox idea.  I know with busy lives it is often easier to buy packaged lunch box treats for your children, but please consider the nutrition in them!  Sometimes a large batch of healthy muffins, seeded slice or mini quiches can be made on the weekend so that all you have to do is pull them out of the freezer the night before and they are ready to slip into your child's lunchbox by the morning.

Here is a nutritious Oat Cookie recipe for your child's lunchbox...

1 cup oats

just less than 1 cup Spelt flour

3/4 cup coconut

3/4 cup sultanas or chopped dried pears, etc.

1/4 tsp baking powder

a pinch of salt

2 heaped tablespoons of tahini (sesame seed paste - very high in calcium!)

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp honey

1/3 cup coconut oil

Preheat oven.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and place in balls on a lined tray.

Cook in the oven for 20-25mins at 180 degrees celsius.  

Let cool, then enjoy.

*Play with this recipe - you could add cacao powder, raspberries, etc.

There are many benefits of coconut oil...

Coconut oil is a healthy plant source of saturated fat and it contains lauric acid which is known as the natural germ fighter (strengthening the immune system, getting rid of toe fungus, fighting Candida, etc).  It is fantastic when used both internally and externally as it has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

I look forward to sharing a slightly more adventurous recipe next week for those of you who are keen.  Has anyone made raw desserts before?  I've got a delicious raw Goji Berry Slice recipe that I'm sure everyone will enjoy!

Don't forget to make use of lunchbox idea No.1 - Raw Cacao Balls.

Have a fantastic week!

Janelle.

Sugar alternatives

Hi everyone!

Isn't this weather just perfect at the moment?!  I actually climbed The Pyramid in Gordonvale with some friends this morning and soaked up the green lush views of Cairns from up high.  The rain has brightened everything up.

So, the topic for today's post is sugar.  

Sugar is actually a poison to the body.  When I speak about 'sugar' is this broad term I am actually referring to refined white sugar.  The sugar found in a large portion of processed foods.  Do you read the labels on EVERYTHING you buy?  If not, you should.  You need to become conscious of what you are putting into your body.  So many products on shelves have sugar, fructose, sucrose, etc added to them.  

Sugar depresses our immune system for a period of time following us eating it.  Our immune system is responsible for fighting off bacteria and viruses as well as working to heal cuts, abrasions and so much more.  If you would like to support your immune system you need to consider the health of your gut and digestive system.  70% of our immune system sits in our gut, which is why it is so important to feed our body nutritious whole foods which are unprocessed.

Some sugar alternatives include:

•  Fruit (Use fruit such as bananas to sweeten cakes, or blend fruit and freeze it to make nutritious ice blocks.  Fruit by itself is a delicious sweet snack).

•  Honey (Raw honey available for health food shops is the best source, however from beehives in our local area is also fantastic.  This source of honey contains lots of antibacterial properties).

•  Agave syrup (This is a sweetener from a cactus - great for baking and sauces).

•  Maple syrup.

•  Dates can be used to sweeten green smoothies, cakes, or simply eaten to satisfy your tastebuds.  A whole food which your body recognises.  A great choice!

•  Stevia (A sweetener from a plant.  Extremely sweet so only a small amount is needed, however some people enjoy it in their tea or in baking).

•  Xylitol (A sweetener from fruit and vegetable fiber.  Often found in 'healthy' toothpastes as it is known to fight tooth decay).

•  MOST IMPORTANTLY...STAY AWAY from artificial sweeteners that contain aspartame!  These can have a negative effect on your brain!

Remember the addition of green smoothies in to your diet assists in regulating your cravings for sugar and also adjusting your palate so that over time you begin to realise just how sweet sugar really is.

If you are wanting to learn more about sugar and its impact on our body, have a read of Sweet Poison by David Gillespie.  Another fantastic resource which EVERYONE should see is the Food Matters dvd as well as the recently released sequel Hungry For Change.  The Food Matters dvd is available at www.foodmatters.tv/ and Hungry For Change is available at www.hungryforchange.tv/ - they provide an understanding of the obesity crisis and how we as a civilisation need to correct our understanding of what food is.  Whole foods are the key!

I've also got my new website up and running so feel free to take a peek and gain a greater understanding of what my approach to health is www.seedsofhealth.com.au 

Have a great Easter!

Janelle.