These muffins are quick and easy to prepare and clean up. All the ingredients go into a blender to create a smooth batter then the cherries get folded in and it all goes straight into lined muffin tins. The trick is just to work quickly and then get it into the oven right away, if left out for too long the batter can get too thick. The muffins are not too sweet so a bit of butter and cherry jam can make them more decadent. Continue Reading →
Sourdough with Marscapone and Honeycomb
A simple, healthy piece of bread can be transformed into a treat with some creamy marscapone and sweet honeycomb. Any kind of whole grain bread is going to be a nutritious choice but it is extra beneficial if the grains are sprouted or if the loaf is a sourdough one. Both of these types have an extra step in the processing that makes the bread easier for us to digest. Continue Reading →
Strawberry Mango Chia Pudding with Kiwi Berries
Chia pudding can be flavoured as simply or as intricately as desired. This is a really simple version that just utilizes fruit and a bit of unsweetened vanilla cashew milk to take chia seeds and plump them up into a flavourful, vibrant pudding. Here I used frozen strawberries and mango defrosted and blended with the milk. I like to use frozen fruit, especially this time of year when fruit isn’t really in season because the frozen option should have been picked and immediately frozen at its peak of ripeness. Therefore it is at its highest in nutrient content, which is preserved through the freezing, as well as at its most flavourful. Plus, I find that unthawed frozen fruit is often a little sweeter than in its completely fresh, unadulterated form. Maximum flavour and sweetness means that we don’t have to add in refined sugars to have a sweet, enjoyable treat. Continue Reading →
Chunky Monkey Chia Pudding
Peanut butter, chocolate and banana is a combination that screams dessert time- but they each bring several nutrients to the table. Here I paired them with an ultra nutritious and popular superfood, chia seeds. These little seeds were carried by Aztec warriors on long trips because they give a large return on investment. They are small and light but provide good, well-sustained energy and they are one of the best plant-based sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient we often under consume. Continue Reading →
Coconut Mango Lassi
Lassi is a cooling drink from Punjab, Northern India used as a nice contrast to both the weather and spicy food. It is yogurt based and is blended with water and often fruit, honey and/or spices like cardamom. It is believed that the Lassi originated around 1000 BC, making it a kind of ancient smoothie. According to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system that categorized foods according to different external climates and internal temperance, Lassis are very calming to the stomach and can aid in digestion. Continue Reading →
Buckwheat Waffles
Waffles are the perfect breakfast food that can make a quick meal any time of the day, and they’re easier to make by far than crepes or even pancakes since they don’t need any flipping. For the health conscious, waffles don’t have to be off the table, with the right ingredients they can be quite nutritious and some sweet toppings can make them still feel decadent.Baked Maple Balsamic Rosemary Nectarines
Nectarines are at their sweetest, juiciest and most fragrant this time of year. They are a perfect healthy summer treat and baking them really amplifies their sweetness and flavour, making them extra delicious. I cooked them along with some fresh rosemary for a bit of earthiness and some thick maple infused dark balsamic vinegar for some depth. They come out of the oven warm and gooey and become decadent when topped with some vanilla ice cream which instantly starts to soften against them. For a healthier option, or for a way to use up leftover extras, they can be paired with yogurt and granola or oatmeal for breakfast or a nourishing, seasonal snack. Continue Reading →
Vanilla Peach Smoothie
Peach season is in full effect and freezing them overnight then blending them with a few extra ingredients turns them into chilled, creamy, decadent tasting smoothies that highlight their sweet, summer flavour. Peaches are stone fruits related to roses and they are full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Some medjool dates increase the sweetness, vanilla adds some fragrant flavour and almond milk brings it all together. Continue Reading →
Strawberry Power Balls
Power balls a.k.a. energy balls are exactly what they sound like- little nutrient-dense balls of food that provide a burst of power or energy. They are jam packed with a good balance of fats, protein and carbs to provide a boost during an afternoon energy slump or to fuel or refuel before or after a workout. Continue Reading →
Peanut Butter Banana Fig Smoothie
Growing up, the only encounters I had with figs were the dried and processed versions in the Fig Newton’s my grandpa would try to pass off as “cookies”. Then, despite the misgivings inspired by how gross I thought they were, I finally tried them fresh and unadulterated when I was visiting family in New Zealand. They ripened on the tree in the yard and were like precious jewels that magically appeared on the kitchen counter every so often. That’s where I fell in love with these fruits- warm, squishy and incredibly sweet- almost too decadently sweet to pass as fruits. Now, whenever I have them I’m taken back to lounging by the pool with the soft breeze coming in from the ocean and the sun warming my skin amid the laughter of loved ones. Continue Reading →