Sunday 28 April 2013

QUICK APPLE CAKE




QUICK APPLE CAKE
/ Recipe adopted from here /


INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup spelt flour
  • 1 cup oat meal
  • 6 apples
  • 100 g very cold butter


METHOD:

Place butter in the freezer. Preheat the oven to 180 C. Line round or square baking tray with parchment paper or use silicon one. 

Mix all dry ingredients in medium bowl. Peel and grate apples (you can also use apple spread). 



Sprinkle 1/3 of the mixture over the baking tray. 



Use peeler to cut butter and place it over the entire surface. 



Then spread grated apples and sprinkle with cinnamon.

You can make two more the same layers (I did only one more as my baking pan was quite big).

Put into the oven and bake for about 1 hour.




Sunday 21 April 2013

JUICE V

When I started juicing I was not able to drink juices made mostly from not sweet vegetables. I had to use some apples, carrots or beetroots to get my favourite sweet taste.
The time has passed and now it is the opposite situation. If my juice is not very green, I feel like something is missing. 






JUICE V


INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 lemon
  • handful of lamb lettuce
  • handful of parsley
  • small piece of ginger
  • 5 celery sticks
  • 1 tsp of powdered spirulina


METHOD:

Juice all ingredients, sprinkle with spirulina and enjoy!



Saturday 20 April 2013

QUINOA with BANANA & COCONUT MILK

Yesterday I had to have some kind of new breakfast. I had cooked quinoa and coconut milk, so quickly I had that great idea ;)



QUINOA with BANANA & COCONUT MILK / 1 portion


INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 banana
  • 1 TBS clarified butter
  • 1/2 tsp cardamon
  • 1-2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 TBS maple syrup


METHOD:



Melt clarified butter on frying pan and fry sliced banana on medium heat for 2 minutes on each side. 


Pour coconut milk with cardamon and quinoa into medium pan and cook till warm on a medium heat. When ready, transfer to a bowl, add cooked banana, sprinkle with cinnamon and add maple syrup. 



* Quinoa can be substitute with any other grain

Thursday 18 April 2013

CHIA PUDDING

It so easy and quick breakfast or dessert option. Also, you can take it to work and have healthy snack. You can make your own mix putting your favourite seeds, nuts, fruits etc. It is soooooo... good!




CHIA PUDDING / Makes 1 portion


INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup raw almond milk
  • 1 TBS cinnamon
  • some goji berries
  • some coconut flakes
  • stevia or maple syrup 
  • pinch of sea salt
  • fresh blueberries


METHOD:

Place all ingredients despite of blueberries in medium jar and stir well. Place in the fridge overnight. In the morning add fresh fruits and enjoy!




Sunday 14 April 2013

HOMEMADE RASPBERRY JELLY (KISIEL)

Custard and jelly always remind me my childhood. My mum used to buy such powdered desserts in a shop and we used to love them with my brother. Each of us had favourite flavours.

Now I prefer to make my own as I know what ingredients I put in and that is good for me.




HOMEMADE RASPBERRY JELLY / Makes 3 portions


INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup frozen or fresh raspberries (you can use any fruit)
  • 2 TBS potato starch
  • 1 & 2/3 cups water
  • stevia


METHOD:

Wash, cut - if needed, fruits and place them in a saucepan. Mix potato starch with 1/3 cup cold water. Pour the rest of water over fruits and place the pan on medium-high heat. When that mixture is boiling add potato starch with water and stir until you get the consistency of jelly. Cook for another 2 minutes. Sweeten with some stevia and transfer to small dishes and wait few minutes before serving or leave it to cool completely. 



Saturday 13 April 2013

AVOCADO & RASPBERRY SOFT SERVE



AVOCADO & RASPBERRY SOFT SERVE / Makes 2 portions


INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 & 1/2 cups frozen raspberries
  • 1 & 1/2 cups almond milk
  • 1 TBS raw almond butter
  • 1 TBS raw coconut oil
  • 1 TBS agave syrup
  • 2 tsp hemp powder
  • 1 tsp chlorella
  • 1 TBS chia seeds

METHOD:

Blend all ingredients despite of chia seeds. Transfer to 2 small bowls or jars, sprinkle with chia seeds and enjoy :)




Wednesday 10 April 2013

ONLY YOU CAN FREE YOURSELF!




The time has come! I have just done my first headstand with a wall. I got so moved by this big event that tears were running down on my cheeks. That made me realised how much I have achieved in my life lately.

Looking back, about half year ago, I was totally different person. On my journey, I met great people who have helped me so much, gave me strength and hope... Also, few of my closest friends and family supported me despite of everything. I have worked hard to put everything together and now I am in the place I always wanted to be. I accept myself, I feel piece and love 

I do not know if you have read EAT PRAY LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert, but for me this book is like a 'bible'. I have already read it twice in different stages of my life and each time I draw something different from it. Today I feel there will be a third time. This time I will read it in English.

I have to add here for those who saw only movie under the same title as book, that it does not express what is included in written version. That movie is like a love story - of course I did not mind watching fantastic Julia Roberts there!


Shanti!






* I dedicate this post especially to my mum, my godmother, my friends Dagmara Cz. & Ewelina B., and fantastic June *   


SWEET POTATO FRIES with AVOCADO DIP

Nearly perfect!

Few days ago I saw Sarah's recipe and I really wanted to try it. Unfortunately, I did not have cornmeal so I used ground flax seeds instead. I really loved how great effect I got at the end :)




SWEET POTATO FRIES

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 sweet potatoes
  • 4 TBS ground flax seeds
  • 3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt


METHOD:

Preheat oven to 200C. Line large baking tray with parchment paper. 

Cut potatoes in the same size long pieces (not too thick). Rinse and dry them well. Pour extra virgin olive oil to a bowl and coat all pieces of sweet potato. Transfer them to another bowl with ground flax seeds and coat them well. Then place them individually on baking tray about 1&1/2 cm away from each other. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Put into the oven and bake until lightly brown and crispy, about 30 minutes.  



* You can also add your favourite herbs.

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AVOCADO DIP


INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • spring onion
  • pink salt

METHOD:

Scoop out the avocado flesh and mash it with a fork. Cut spring onion and add with the rest of ingredients to avocado and mix well.  


Monday 8 April 2013

VEGAN SPELT BANANA LOAF with CHIA SEEDS & LEMON

That is one of the best banana bread I have ever eaten. It is moist and it is not very sweet. I think you should try this one. You can also add some raw chocolate nibs or raw cacao nuts and I am sure it will be amazing ;)



VEGAN SPELT BANANA LOAF with CHIA SEEDS & LEMON
// Recipe adapted from here //


INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1 & 1/2 cup spelt wholegrain flour
  • 1/2 cup walnuts & pecans
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 1/3 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 2 TBS vanilla sugar
  • 1 TBS cinnamon
  • 2 TBS chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup nut milk (any)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil
  • lemon zest

METHOD:


Preheat oven to 175C. Line loaf tin with baking paper and set aside.



Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Then mashed bananas and together with milk, coconut oil and lemon zest add to the bowl. Mix well and transfer to the tin. 


Bake until cake tester inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Take out form the oven and leave to cool. Keep in the fridge.




Sunday 7 April 2013

HOMEMADE GRANOLA with COCONUT YOGHURT




HOMEMADE GRANOLA / Makes 6 portions
// Recipe adapted from here //

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup raw oats
  • 1/2 cup raw chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts)
  • 1/4 cup raw cocoa nuts or nibs
  • 1/4 cup goji berries
  • 1/3 sunflower seeds
  • 2 TBS melted coconut oil
  • 1 large pinch of sea salt
  • 1 TBS honey
  • 1 TBS maple syrup


METHOD:


Preheat oven to 150C. Line baking tray with parchment paper.



Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well using your hands. That is fun :) Spread mixture thinly on the tray. Bake for about 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Do not over bake it as it will taste like burnt. Leave to cool on the side. Store in airtight container (e.g. in mason jar in the fridge) up to 2 weeks.




* You can make different flavours of granola using different nuts, seeds, dried fruits, coconut flakes etc.


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HOMEMADE COCONUT YOGHURT / Makes 2-3 portions

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 can of full fat coconut milk
  • 1 probiotic tablet
  • 1 TBS lemon juice

METHOD:

Warm up coconut milk in a saucepan until it is very warm but you can still put your finger inside (it cannot be too hot). Whisk in probiotics and add slowly lemon juice constantly stirring. You can use blender. Place mixture in a mason jar or bowl with a lid and leave in warm place Leave it overnight. 





In the morning you have really nice breakfast, homemade yoghurt with granola! Delicious!


Saturday 6 April 2013

JUICE IV

That was the first juice where I have used raw garlic. It was only one medium size clove but that juice had a 'kick' :)





JUICE IV


INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/2 zucchini
  • broccoli stem
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 asparagus
  • 1/4 pineapple
  • 1/2 lemon


METHOD:


Juice all ingredients and enjoy! I promise it will give you burst of energy!


Friday 5 April 2013

HOMEMADE RAW ALMOND BUTTER with CINNAMON


Every some time I am surprised that you can make so many things in your own kitchen. Fancy raw almond butter today? Here you go :)



RAW ALMOND BUTTER with CINNAMON
// Original recipe you can find here //


INGREDIENTS:
  • raw almonds
  • 1 TBS cinnamon
  • pinch of sea salt
  • stevia


METHOD:

Use S-shape blade in your food processor. Process almonds for about 10 minutes. The mixture will have coarse consistency. Add salt, cinnamon and stevia and process for about 20 mins. When you see much mixture sticked to the sides of your processor, turn it off and scrape the butter into the bowl. Turn it on again and continue. When the butter released oil, then it is ready. Transfer to jar or container.

* Original recipe says that it take much less time to make such butter than mine. It is because my food processor is not very powerful.



Thursday 4 April 2013

CHICORY with THYME

Finally I found nice recipe and I have tried chicory :) 





CHICORY with THYME
// Recipe adapted from here //

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 chicory
  • 2 tsp clarified butter
  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • pink salt
  • pinch of brown sugar
  • 2 TBS breadcrumbs
  • 1 TBS nutritional yeast (or 50 g Gruyere or Parmesan cheese)
  • 1/2 TBS ground flaxseeds
  • thyme


METHOD:




Heat the oven to 190C.


Wash and cut chicory in half. Melt butter with olive oil on a frying pan. Add sugar and salt. Then place all halves on the pan cut side down. Fry them until golden brown (about 5 minutes). Transfer to ovenproof dish or deep baking tray, sprinkle with thyme and put into the oven for about 10-12 minutes.

In the meantime, mix breadcrumbs with nutritional yeast (or cheese) in a small bowl. Take out chicory and sprinkle with that mixture. Put again into the oven and bake for another 7 minutes. Chicory should be soft - knife should go easily inside. 

Serve immediately!


SUPER BERRY SMOOTHIE

Smoothie is a quick and easy breakfast option. It fills you up, you can use many nutritious foods and then you have a super drink :) You can even drink it on a go if you have no time!





SUPER BERRY SMOOTHIE / one serving


INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup berries (I used 1/3 cup blueberries and 2/3 cup strawberries)
  • 1/2 cup raw hazelnut milk
  • 1 TBS raw coconut oil
  • 1 tsp maca powder
  • 1 tsp hemp powder
  • 1/2 frozen banana
  • 1 tsp agave nectar 
  • 1 tsp bee pollen

METHOD:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Enjoy!


Wednesday 3 April 2013

AVOCADO CACAO MOUSSE

When I found out you could use avocado to make desserts, I was not sure about that as avocado had been always consumed as guacamole or some variations of that dip at my home. However, I decided to have a go at making sweet dishes based on that green fruit. After few attempts I found the perfect one.

Avocado and cacao give quite bitter taste. But when fresh fruits and some lemon added, the flavours are nicely balanced. 

Avocado is very nutritious. It is a fantastic source of good fat. It is associated with good health. So when using good quality ingredients, it becomes a healthy dessert - that is like a dream for a person who loves sweet treats!




AVOCADO CACAO MOUSSE


INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 2 pieces of frozen banana
  • pinch of pink salt
  • pinch of cinnamon
  • 2 TBS raw cacao powder
  • 1 TBS raw coconut oil
  • 1-2 TBS agave nectar
  • 1-2 TBS raw almond milk
  • 2 TBS lemon juice
  • blueberries
  • lemon zest



METHOD:

Place all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend until smooth. 



Transfer to a small glass or dessert bowl, add blueberries and sprinkle with lemon zest.

Serve chilled!





Monday 1 April 2013

SMOOTHIE with no colour ;)



SMOOTHIE with no colour


INGREDIENTS:
  • 10 strawberries
  • 10 blueberries
  • 1 kiwi
  • 2 handfuls of spinach
  • 1/2 TBS raw coconut oil
  • 1 TBS spirulina
  • 1 TBS hemp powder
  • 1/2 cup raw almond milk
  • 1 tsp bee pollen


METHOD:



 Blend all ingredients until smooth. Enjoy freshly made!