All Posts by vitalassurance

Grain Free Tabouli

Tabouli salads are a favourite of mine during the summer period. The freshness of the tomatoes and parsley when combined with the hydrating powers of the cucumbers is so refreshing. It is such a fast salad to throw together, so it is always a good option to take to a bbq, and one that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients:
4 salad tomatoes, diced
3 lebanese cucumbers, diced
½ red onion, diced
4 tablespoons hemp seeds (can use cauliflower rice instead)
½ bunch parsley, chopped

Dressing:
2 lemons juiced
salt & pepper to taste

Method:
Prepare the dressing and set aside.
Combine the vegetables, herbs and hemp seeds.
Toss with dressing.

Serves 4-6 as side

Tropical Green Smoothie

Smoothies are a great way to pack in nutrients, minerals and anti-oxidants whilst giving your digestive system a break. They are easy to prepare and can be drunk on the run. The flavour combinations are endless, but give this one a go for a nice, refreshing summer’s drink.

Ingredients:
1 cup mango, diced
1 cup pineapple, diced
½ frozen banana, sliced
1 cup almond mylk (the recipe is here)
1 cup spinach
2 tablespoons shredded coconut (optional)
sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)
handful ice cubes

Method:
Place all ingredients in high speed blender and blend until smooth.

Serves 1

Hummus Dip

Chickpeas are a great source of plant protein, and when consumed they leave you feeling full and satisfied. The recipe below is a basic hummus recipe and can be easily adapted by adding whatever spices you like to change the flavour. They are also a great condiment to have with healthy Kale chips as you can see in the picture below (recipe to follow soon)!

Ingredients:
1 tin chickpeas (BPA free)
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1 lemon, juiced
¼ - ½ cup olive oil

Method:
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. Start with a smaller quantity of oil and keep adding until you get your desired consistency.
Adjust seasoning to taste.

Note – instead of using tinned chickpeas you can pre-cook 1.5 cups of dried chickpeas that have been soaked for 8 hours.

Makes approximately 1 cup

Healthy Fish ‘n’ Chips

No need to freak out when your kids ask for Fish ‘n’ chips for dinner! Forget what it used to be known for: greasy, battered, salty fast food, and make this instead. This meal is just as delicious, without the extra coronary heart attack! It is so quick and easy to prepare, and tastes so delicious that even my ten year old son thanked me for preparing him the “best meal ever”.

Ingredients:
2 x 180g white fish fillets
1 lemon
handful parsley
2 medium sized sweet potatoes
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
salt & pepper

Method (for the chips):
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
Peel and cut sweet potato into thick chips
Spread potatoes over a baking tray and pour oil over chips and season with salt and pepper
Cook for approximately 30 minutes turning chips over once
Reduce oven to 180 degrees and continue cooking for approximately another 15-20 minutes whilst fish is cooking at the same time

Method (for the fish):
Whilst the chips are cooking, place fish fillets on two separate pieces of non-stick baking paper
Season with salt and pepper and top with a few sprigs of parsley and a couple of slices on lemon
Form a parcel out of the baking paper by twisting the ends
Place fish into oven at 180 degrees and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes or until cooked through

Serves 2

Tahini Dip

I find Middle Eastern cuisine packed with flavour and is easy to replicate at home. Rarely a week goes by without me making a batch of Tahini dip. It can be used in so many different ways. It can be a great snack with either veggies, falafel or crackers, it can be used to drizzle over salad or meat or even as a simple spread in your sandwich. Tahini is a great alternative to dairy as it is a rich source of calcium and healthy fats.

Ingredients:
¾ cup Unhulled Tahini
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 lemon juiced
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup filtered water

Method:
Place all ingredients into a blend and combine until smooth. You may wish to add more water for a thinner consistency. I usually do this when I want to use the dip as a dressing.
Adjust seasoning as required.

Makes approx. 1 cup

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Ooooh how I love smoothies. I love them for breakfast or even as a snack. This chocolate banana smoothie is one of my regulars. It’s packed with so many nutrient rich ingredients, tastes great and will keep you feeling satisfied for ages!

Ingredients
200ml almond mylk (Recipe is here)
½ frozen banana
2 tablespoons cacao nibs
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
1 tablespoon maca powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup ice
1 scoop protein powder (optional)

Additional superfoods you can add:
1 teaspoon Reishi powder
1 tablespoon flaxseeds

Method
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until well combined.
For a thicker consistency you may want to add more ice.

Serves 1

Chocolate Chia Pudding

I am so happy that I discovered chia puddings as a breakfast option. They’re quick to prepare, and taste best when done the night before therefore making it extremely convenient. Despite their small size, chia seeds are packed full of important nutrients like anti-oxidants, Omega-3 as well as fibre, magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium. With all that goodness, a small amount of chia seeds goes a long way!

I like to keep my chia pudding base really simple and then add different toppings to change the flavour. You can experiment with what ever spices and sweeteners you want.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons chia seeds (white, black or a mix)
1 cup almond mylk (or milk of your choice) My almond mylk recipe is here
1 scoop chocolate protein powder

Additional flavours:
1 tablespoon raw cacao
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (sugar free)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or raw honey)
1 tablespoon nut butter

Toppings (any combination of):
Shredded coconut, mixed fresh berries, cacao nibs, flaked almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries, banana, kiwi fruit.

Method:
Place chia seeds in glass jar.
Combine protein power and almond mylk and pour over chia seeds. (Add additional flavours at this point.)
Stir well and then give it another stir after a couple of minutes. Make sure all the seeds have come off the bottom and you don’t want them to clump together.
Place in fridge overnight or allow to sit for 20 minutes before serving.
Top with any nuts, seeds or fruit to complete.

Serves 1

Continue reading

Chocolate Walnut & Tahini Brownies

I love to entertain regularly. Whether it's having family or friends over for afternoon tea or dinner, I always like to have something sweet and special. Jessica Sepel introduced me to this delicious, anti-oxidant, chronic disease fighting brownie that has the perfect texture combination of a solid base and gooey topping. It has my sweet-toothed husband's seal of approval, so is one for you all to definitely try! 

Ingredients:

1 cup walnuts
1 cup fresh dates, pitted
4 heaped tablespoons raw cacao + 1 tablespoon for icing
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch celtic sea salt
¼ cup desiccated coconut
½ teaspoon vanilla powder
2 tablespoons virgin organic coconut oil, melted
2 tablespoons raw honey
¼ cup hulled tahini
a few drops of filtered water

Method:

Grind the walnuts to a fine crumb in a food processor.
Add the dates, raw cacao powder, cinnamon, salt, coconut and vanilla and process until sticky.
Line a small square dish with baking paper. Press the mixture in firmly.
To make the icing, place the coconut oil, honey, tahini and extra cacao in the processor. Press until the mixture is firm and smooth in texture. If it is too thick, add a few drops of water.
Spread the icing evenly over the brownies.
Put into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set.

Makes 15 squares

Chocolate Avocado Smoothie Bowl

Who says you can’t have chocolate first thing in the morning? This smoothie bowl is my absolute favourite indulgent breakfast. It is so smooth and creamy, and packed with all the goodness that you need to start your day. Raw cacao is rich in anti-oxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids, heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats, fibre and vitamins. It has all the qualities to help you fight the aging process and those chronic diseases, but best of all it tastes delicious!

Ingredients:

200ml almond mylk (the recipe can be found here)
¼ avocado
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
2 tablespoons raw cacao
1 date
1 scoop protein powder (optional)
Handful ice

Method:

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until desired consistency.
Transfer into a bowl and top with your choice of shredded coconut, berries, cacao nibs, buckinis and chia seeds.

Makes 1 serve

Broccoli Tabouli

Ahh broccoli! High in Vitamin A, D,  & K, and also know for its health benefits in fighting chronic diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and oxidative stress makes this a winning dish. Such a quick, simple delicious salad that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side to any protein. The combination of mint with the lemon/lime based dressing makes it extremely refreshing on a warm summer's day.

broccoli tabouli

Ingredients:

1 head of broccoli
100g baby spinach, chopped
4 spring onions, chopped
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons Goji berries
handful parsley, chopped
handful mint, chopped

Dressing
3 limes or 2 lemons, juiced
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Chop broccoli to fine pieces or place in blender for 3-5 seconds until you get the size that you want.
Prepare spinach and onions and add to broccoli.
Sprinkle with seeds, berries and herbs.
Combine dressing ingredients and pour over salad.

Serves 4

>