Chocolate Treat

A desert recipe that is not only guilt free but is actually good for you? You thought it could never happen but here it is, the most delicious treat you will ever have. You can change the type of fruit that you add to this to suit your own taste. The best thing about it that it does not take any time at all to prepare or make. This means you can serve those hungry mouths at a drop of a hat. 

Chocolate has gone back and forth in the media trying to determine if it good for you or not. And as many other things it largely has to do with its processing. The cocoa bean has so many benefits but processed "chocolate" is full of chemicals and all sorts of nasties. The chocolate that is pre packaged is so far removed from its original bean that its hard to put them in the same category. There is plenty of raw chocolates available now which have not been heated and do not contain copious amount of sugar.  

Here is a list of raw chocolate companies I recommend 

Loving Earth raw chocolate bars are my favourite they have the most amazing chocolate plus all there products are raw and taste delicious.

Conscious chocolate is gluten, dairy and soy free and complete raw.

Cocolo chocolate is a beautiful Australian based company and they sell at most health food and deli stores.

Mast Brothers hand crafted chocolate made and packaged locally in brooklyn.

Benefits of cocoa

 Cocoa contains a substance called phenylethylamine a feel good chemical that is the same chemical that is released when you fall in love. This is great if you need a mood booster.

High in magnesium which helps regulate moods and keep your stress levels down as well as helping with PMS symptoms.

Boost your energy levels due to a substance called Theobromine that gives you a natural lift without the lows of other stimulants.

Help your heart! Recent studies have shown that it can help with your cardiovascular system such as lowing blood pressure and reducing cholesterol.

Cocoa also contains substantial amount of protein to this is good for cell repair.

Ingredients

2 tsp of cocoa

1 handful of blackberries (fresh or frozen)

5 pitted dates

2 avocados

Method

1. Make sure that the dates do not have any seeds even when you buy pitted dates on the odd occasion they will still be there. So it's best to be on the safe side.

2. Mix all ingredients in a blender till smooth. You can use a hand blender if you do not have one.

3. Garnish with blackberries. 

Wedding

I have been a bit absent as of late because I decided to get married! I thought I would share some foodie pics. The photography was done by the amazing Dan O'day Photography  he is seriolsy amazing and worth using for any function.

Photography: Dan O'day Photography
Catering : Lamour Catering

Blueberries and Cream

Yep you heard me CREAM! Cream has had a bad rap over the past few years. It has been linked to whole range diseases such as heart disease and obesity. And although the humble milky goodness contains a high amount of saturated fat is not the cause of the growing obesity epidemic. We are aware that fat is necessory for normal bodily function but it is also very important to have saturated fat. Saturated fat is needed for cell function and brain function. And despite the theory eating fat will not make you fat!I promise! In fact quit the opposite. 

The source of cream on the other hand is a cause for concern. All dairy products MUST come from organic, grass fed and free range sources. Try and get to know your dairy farmer and know the products you buy. Make sure that the milk has not been homogenised and preferably not pasteurised(if you can get your hand on it). Always use the products you trust or even better make your own cream, butter and yogurt. If you stick to these simple guidelines about dairy you can eat those delicious treats you have been missing out on.

 Ingredients

Handful blueberries

Drizzle of cream

Sprinkle of cinnamon 

Layer on a plate as you wish and you have yourself a delicious desert.

 

Dutch Carrots with Turmeric Paste

These delightful carrots I picked up from the health food shop a couple of days ago. They are so pleasant on the eye and to keep up with the yellow feel I decided to couple them with turmeric paste. This is a perfect snack of great addition to a green salad.

If you don't already know turmeric is a true " superfood" and although I don't like to use that term this really is. It has been used in Indian and Asian cooking for centuries. It's properties have been well document and used in aurvedic medicine to treat a host alignments. The biggest healing property is it's anti-inflamtory affect it has on the body. As our society becomes more toxic our body is in a constant state of inflamation. That is caused by alcohol, sugar, wheat, gluten, even tomatoes have an inflamtory effect on the body. While in small quantities have not a big effect on the body an overload can cause series health concerns. Inflamation has now been linked to heart problems, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and now even cancer. So adding a little tumeric into your life will help heal and repair. A curry is a great way to add all those beautiful anti-inflamatory herbs. There is a reason why indians despite being one of the poorest country's in the world are one of the healthiest. 

Ingredients
1 bunch of yellow dutch carrots
2 tsp of turmeric
1 small chilli
1 garlic
A few pepper corns
Olive oil
Rock salt

Method
1. With a water and pestle add spices and garlic and mash till you have a paste.
2. Chop heads and tails of carrots and chop in half if you have some larger ones.
3. In a separate bowl mix in the carrots and paste well so that everyone part of the carrots are covered.
4. Bake in a small baking tray for 25 minutes or till nice and soft.

Raw Berry Compote

 If you have not noticed yet I LOVE coconut. I have a slight obession that is bodering on crazy. I would have it with everything if I could. This desert is coconutty, beautiful and complety guilt free. I addedd all these ingredients together the other day when I felt like somthing sweet and I am telling you know it will satisfy your sweet tooth. If you wanted to you you could add a date or two to sweeten even more but I dont think it needs it.

Ingredients
1/2 cup of berries

The flesh of one coconut or 1/2 can of coconut cream

2 tsp of honey or agave nectar

Shredded coconut

Shredded coconut and honey to garnish

Blend together till smooth and there you have it!

Broccoli Salad

Summer is well on it’s way! The flowers have bloomed, the sun is shining and the new seasons produce is out and about. It is now time to introduce more raw food to encourage your body’s natural cleaning process.

Broccoli is in season and its beautiful green florets are a perfect for eating raw, steamed or baked. Broccoli is one of the vegetables included in the “dirty dozen” so make sure it is organic to avoid toxic chemical exposure. 

Why you should eat broccoli:

• Broccoli is from the Brassica family that includes kale, cauliflower and cabbage; known for their anti cancer properties.
• Contains chlorophyll the substance that gives plants their green colour, a powerful substance that helps clear your liver as well as having many other amazing benefits.
• Helps with your bodies own detoxification system by activating detoxification enzymes in your system.
• Broccoli also has anti-inflammatory properties.

  Raw Broccoli Salad

1 bunch of broccoli

½ onion (either Spanish or white)

Black and white toasted sesame seeds

Dressing

2 tsp of tamari

1 tsp of olive oil

2 tsp sesame oil 

1 tsp brown rice vinegar

1 tsp of raw honey

Method

1. Break the broccoli into tiny florets
2. Chop the onion into very small pieces
3. Toss together with sesame seeds
4. Mix the dressing together in a small bowl and pour over the salad
5. Garnish with sesame seeds

Happy New Year!

Sorry I have been a bit absent. Things have been a bit crazy over here. 2012 has been a great year and I hope this year will be just as amazing. I have some exciting things happening this year and I can't wait to create and share. Hope you all have an amazing new year!