Powerful cacao smoothies!

Who doesn't love chocolate?!
Is that a silly question?

Friday's seem to be my day of inspiration in the kitchen.  Last Friday I felt like something different to start my day, following my yoga practice, so I created a chocolate smoothie!  A mango, banana & cacao smoothie.  It was divine & full of nutrition...which makes it a perfectly suitable breakfast choice!  Or in fact, any time of the day.

Some of the benefits in such a simple smoothie include:
Cacao benefits - aids in weight loss, promotes heart health & healthy skin due to its high amount of antioxidants, it's mood enhancing, an aphrodisiac and of course being a superfood is packed full of vitamins and minerals.
Banana benefits - very high in potassium and low in sodium which promotes an alkaline condition in the blood and therefore the body.  When your body is in an alkaline state it has a greater ability to heal itself.  Bananas are also rich in serotonin & norepinephrine which can help reduce depression.  
Mango benefits - rich in vitamin A which is essential for skin health and during times of infection, viruses, pregnancy, lactation and the 'pill' also depletes vitamin A (as well as B vitamins plus more).  The beta carotene supports growth, strong bones and teeth, healthy skin, hair & eyes.  Mangoes also have a powerful ability to purify the blood, normalise blood pressure and assist the digestion of protein foods, due to their high content of organic chlorine (which is also found in a high amount in tomatoes).  Vitamin C, potassium and magnesium are also prominent.  

Getting back to my creativity in the kitchen on Friday morning...
I had a full day of teaching ahead of me so decided I would experiment with my friends cold press juicer that I am minding at the moment & make a green juice (my Champion Juicer, although amazing, does not tend to get a lot of juice out of green leaves - so i was excited by my next experiment).  I had lots of Kang Kong left from the markets, as well as some coriander, parsley, kale, celery leaves and celery stalks, ginger and a little apple.  My green juice became a potent way of getting a large amount of chlorophyll to support my blood, brain & nervous system.  These greens would have also provided my body with a lot of calcium, vitamin K (for blood coagulation), folate (for health red blood cell production), cleansing the blood plus so many other benefits!  

I had so much coriander from the local market that I decided to make some pesto with it.  I soaked some almonds overnight and to break up the strong flavour of coriander I added a little kang kong and parsley with a few leaves of basil.  With garlic, beautiful olive oil that I picked up from an olive grove in South Australia, sea salt & 1 heaped teaspoon of savoury yeast flakes (to create the parmesan cheese flavour), my pesto was ready to be eaten.  This delicious vegan pesto was perfect on my freshly made homemade kamut sourdough bread.  I took this for lunch.

If you are wanting any details on how to make your own sourdough bread, please ask.  It is another great way of getting fermented foods into our diet, in order to help feed our healthy gut flora.  This assists in keeping our immune and digestive systems strong.

It's been a Good Friday!

Hi readers,
Happy Easter to you all!

Yesterday I had the most relaxing day filled with reading, cooking, making raw chocolate with friends, sunsets, meditation and a sense of peace.

I simply wanted to share how easy it is to make a simple, healthy and filling dinner.  I had so many delicious vegetables to use up last night before I head away for a couple of days, so I created a salad.


I roasted some organic sweet potatoes, potatoes and zucchini slices in coconut oil and sea salt.  I then diced some mushrooms and bok choy and lightly fried these in coconut oil and Braggs Aminos liquid and steamed some broccoli.  Once all were cooked I combined some baby spinach, grated beetroot, bean sprouts and coriander into a large bowl.  I then added the roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli and  mushrooms and bok choy.  Some delicious olive oil, that was picked up from the farmer while I was in SA, was then drizzled over the entire salad and my mouth was watering.  The salad was delicious!


Now, while I was on a roll I decided that it would be a good idea to make a green smoothie with some fruits and greens that needed to be used up before I head away.  It was a simple green smoothie with baby spinach, cos lettuce, kiwi fruit, frozen pear (from an excess I had from my fruit box last week) and some local mango from the tablelands.  Add a little water, blend together & my smoothie was ready for breakfast the following day!

I had also had some buckwheat soaking during the day to try a new recipe I had seen on a raw food blog earlier in the week.  Buckwheat was one of the main ingredients so here are a few pointers on the benefits of this fantastic seed (that has no wheat in it - despite it's name)...it is a fantastic source of iron, zinc, magnesium, copper and potassium.  The magnesium supports the nervous system.  It also contains rutin (which is a bioflavonoid) which supports the healing of varicose veins, hardened arteries and therefore blood circulation.  What a seed!  Here is the link to the recipe (I left out the cherries, as they are not in season and the Spirulina - hence my slice is not green)... http://rawedibles.blogspot.ca/2012/09/raw-chewy-granola-bars.html 

Lastly, I was able to take my delicious Easter chocolates out of their moulds ready for friends to enjoy them when they drop over.  I don't think I will be able to take them with me tomorrow on my Easter sea kayaking trip, which is a little sad, as I think they will turn into one giant chocolate mess!  They can be enjoyed throughout the week though.  I created one base batch and then separated this into four different bowls to make different flavours - peppermint, plain, cranberry and coconut.  It's always lots of fun when made with friends too, which should be part of the recipe - thanks for helping Danielle :)

This recipe uses cacao, not cocoa which has had no heat applied to it during it's processing.  This allows it to contain a much higher amount of antioxidants and magnesium.  I look forward to making some of this delicious chocolate with those who are coming to my food workshops over the school holidays!

Enjoy the last 2 days of your long weekend.  Put your feet up or find time to enjoy the things you love!
I hope the bunny finds you :)
Janelle

Broccoli - A SUPERFOOD!

I've really been loving my broccoli this week!  Bought from my local organic store - I just can't seem to get enough.  I've been lightly steaming it & adding it to my salads for lunch, with a pinch of sea salt over the top.  I've also enjoyed it as a quick dinner with some fresh kale roasted in the oven with coconut oil, or as a 'dipper' into some homemade basil and macadamia nut pesto.

Broccoli deserves some limelight.  It is such an amazing vegetable...it is considered a superfood!  Here is a list of some of the many benefits of broccoli:

• from the mustard family which creates sulfur in the body helping to cleanse the tissues 
• this sulfur content also improves our complexion
• boosts the immune system
• cancer prevention tool
• supports lung health
• supports eye health
• squashes colon cancer
• strengthens bones
• balances blood pressure
• is an alkaline vegetable
• contains an huge amount of antioxidants...therefore improving the health of our cells

Who wouldn't want some?!
I dare you to be creative with this amazing superfood this weekend!

Yoga bliss balls!

Are you needing a really quick and easy yet nutritious snack?  Goodie balls or bliss balls are a perfect afternoon snack, or something to munch on the run.  I recently attended a yoga workshop and these tahini balls were made by one of my friends.  I just had to get the recipe and share it....they are delicious!

Tahini Balls

½ cup tahini
1/3 cup honey (you can play around with the amount of honey depending on what consistency you like)
½ cup desiccated coconut
½ cup LSA (a combination of linseed, sunflower seed and almond which is made into a ground meal; or they taste just as good with just sunflower seeds and linseeds, 1/4 cup of each which were ground fresh in a spice grinder)
1 cup dried apricots
½ cup almonds
Mix all ingredients together.
Roll into balls and let them set in the fridge.

Tahini is a fantastic source of calcium.  The linseeds are a fantastic source of omega 3's which assist in brain function, skin health and mood.  It is always best to grind linseeds/flaxseeds fresh to ensure the oil has not gone rancid once the seed has been cracked.  Buying pre-ground LSA is convenient, however it is often sold in clear plastic bags that have been exposed to light - this affects the quality of the omega oils you are getting.

Enjoy the recipe above and feel free to post any comments below.  You may also like to 'like' my new Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeds-Of-Health/544271018938455?ref=hl - or simply search for Seeds Of Health on Facebook).  I will be posting useful links, thoughts, recipes and workshop dates on my Facebook page.

Have a fantastic week!  

Janelle

A fantastic cook book!

Welcome to the new comers!  If you are one of my old followers from The Cairns Parenting Companion blog - Welcome!

I have decided to start my new blog with a fantastic resource of recipes by an AMAZING chef called Chef Cynthia Louise.

I came across this amazing chef a few years back in Western Australia at a Self Care Express workshop with Tyler Tolman.  Chef Cynthia is a fantastic whole food chef that focuses mainly on plant based foods.  Inside this recipe book there are an amazing selection of smoothies, salads, soups, pizzas, patties, goodie balls, raw desserts, dips, noodle dishes, fish, etc. 
I was also lucky enough to have a day with Chef Cynthia in Bali last September at the end of a 7 day juice fast.  She really knows how to create delicious, yet incredibly nutritious food for body.
If you are wanting to grab a copy of your own please feel free to contact me.

I look forward to sharing many more resources, recipes and information with you.

Have a fantastic weekend!  I'm going for a kayak down the Mulgrave River :)

Janelle

Almond Milk

Almond Milk

03/01/2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Welcome to 2013!  It's going to be a fantastic year!

I wanted to start the year off with a healthy alternative to dairy milk.  Dairy causes many issues for people in relation to digestive upset, excess mucous causing unnecessary runny noses, acne, aggravation of eczema, etc.

So an excellent alternative is ALMOND MILK!
It is so easy to make & is full of calcium and protein.

Simply soak 1 cup almonds overnight and you'll be ready to make your fresh batch of almond milk in the morning.  It's super quick.  Soaking the almonds releases the enzyme inhibitors from the shell, making it easier to digest.

Almond Milk
1 cup almonds (soaked overnight)
2 cups filtered water
Additional add ins - 1 fresh date, 1 vanilla bean, 1 tsp cinnamon

Tip the water out the following morning from the soaked almonds.  Combine the almonds plus water into a blender & add in any extra add ins.  Blend again.  Strain through a milk bag, muslin cloth or even a chux cloth.

It stores in the fridge for 2-3days.
Enjoy on muesli, in smoothies or just as is.  My favourite combination is with 1 fresh date and 1 vanilla pod.

Healthy treats for the festive season...plus the amazing benefits of the CHIA SEED.

As the festive season approaches you may over-indulge in sweets and richer foods.  The over indulgence is enjoyable at the time but often we have to deal with digestive discomfort long after.  Consider supporting your liver during the festive season by keeping a green smoothie in your eating plan leading up to Christmas and following.  You may also consider skipping a meal if you are not hungry, this allows energy to be directed to cleansing, instead of digesting.  When we overeat we put a tremendous strain on our liver.  This takes energy away from healing and repair as the organ of detoxification (the liver) is kept busy with digesting.  Reduced load on the liver provides greater energy in general = more vitality!  Who wouldn't want that?!

Instead of the common trifle dessert that Grandma used to make, why not try something that is not only 'blow your socks off' delicious, but also HEALTHY!  There are so many choices such as this amazing raw Jaffa Cake my friend made for me the other night.  It is divine and made completely from whole foods!  I also have a fantastic recipe for a raw Chocolate, Chilli, Maca Pie that many friends seem to love!...if you don't overdo it on the chilli.

Raw Jaffa Cake

Base

1cup almonds

1/4 cup cacao powder

3 dates

Blend together and press into a cake tin (preferably a quick release tin)

Filling

Rind of 3 oranges

2/3cup orange juice

2 1/2cups cashews (soaked for 3hours)

2/3cup agave

3/4 cup coconut oil

Blend the filling and place on top of base and set in freezer/fridge.

Some base may be kept to sprinkle on top.

If you are someone who overeats often, consider adding some chia seeds into your diet.  1-3 tbsps each day added to smoothies, salads, muesli or porridge.  Chia seeds are known to help you feel fuller for longer, reduce blood pressure and reduce pain in the body.  They also stabilise blood sugar levels, help improve mood and improve memory.  Who wouldn't want any?!  Chia seeds are a fantastic source of calcium, protein and fibre along with a great source of omega-3.  They are also gluten free for those of you with gluten free needs.  

Enjoy the festive season!

Janelle.