Hot Cacao.late Banana + Buckwheat Oats

Don’t you love random inexpensive discoveries?

After work last week I went into woolworths (or safeaway) looking for psyllium husk so I could make a huge batch of flaxseed and nut crackers and couldn’t find them, so I checked out their new-to-store basket of organic macro foods and found a packet of Raw Buckwheat.

My Easter Traditions + 5 Recipes

Birds are chirping, trees are starting to bloom, lent is nearly over and bunnies are starting to appear everywhere, which only means one thing…. Easter is coming!

It has almost become a tradition every Good Friday to have lunch with my family at Barwon Heads Beach where my nan has a caravan, but this year everyone’s separated. My dad is at the family holiday house in Phillip Island with his best mate and kids, my mum is in hospital, I’m at home studying and blogging and my twin and brothers are still asleep (its 12:12pm). I’m a little upset we all aren’t together because I cherish family time like a batch of chocolate brownies and bowl of dairy free ice-cream, but I guess some things happen you can’t control and instead of dwelling over it, you just have to pick the positives and roll with it.

And thats what I’m about to do.

Whenever I feel like I need some alone time or a place to relax, I head straight to the kitchen and cook. Its my space to meditate and it’s where things (creations) happen. I’m not much of a chocolate eater but when it comes to Easter, chocolate is my #1 ingredient.

Unfortunately  this year leading up to Easter I’ve been busy seeing my mum every few days in hospital whilst studying and organising my trip overseas in July, I haven’t had the chance to prepare or cook anything easter themed, so I’ve decided to feature my top 5 favourite easter recipes from other bloggers instead, in no particular order. Click the picture for the recipe.

#5: Colourful Devilled Eggs by foodjimotto 

My changes: I would replace the ½ cup mayonnaise with hummus.

#4: Peanut Butter Cups by thegraciouspantry 

My changes: cacao powder instead of cocoa. Why? read here.

#3:  Raw Dairy Free Chocolate by bodyofnature

#2:  Raw Fig, Cherry, Lavender and Honey Cake by Ascention Kitchen 

My thought: I would use almond milk as the nut milk and make sure the cashews are raw.

#1: Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns by thehealthychef 

I hope everyone has a great Good Friday today. I will be watching the Good Friday Appeal and looking out for my name and donation scroll across the screen! If you would like to join me, you can donate here.

Have a Happy Easter everybody!

E N J O Y 

For more, follow me: instagram.com/bodyofnature 

How To Enjoy Cheat Meals & Why They Can Work In Your Favour

Throughout the week and on weekends, I usually enjoy a macro-packed breakfast like  pancakes and  muesli and berry parfait  to keep me full and satisfied, until I become peckish around midday and make myself a green smoothie before lunch.

But while I try to eat a balanced diet of whole foods most of the time, once a week I give into temptation to ‘treat’ myself and my tastebuds to some of my favourite foods I don’t usually eat or enjoy on a daily basis, like chocolate brownies or raw chocolate– Oh, c’mon, WHO wouldnt decline an offering of anything with chocolate in it?

Everybody’s reasons are different but I choose to indulge once a week:

1.  to help re-ignite my thyroid and leptin hormones to increase my metabolism to burn more fat.
2.  to satisfy sweet cravings
3.  to splurge (reasonably + with portion control) without feeling guilty
4.  to have a little fun
5. and…..because chocolate is life (along side peanut butter hehe)

I have a “metabolism boost meal” rather than a “cheat meal”  ONCE A WEEK (usually a sunday, unless I’m going out) because without it I find myself binging ALOT throughout the week on sugary perishables and processed foods I choose to call it “metabolism boost” because It removes the negative association of “cheat” for a healthier relationship with food 🙂

Note: The amount of MEALS you have should depend on your fitness regime, personal choice, will power AND long-term/short-term and overall fitness goals (eg- lean up, loose weight, gain muscle, bodybuilding etc) but generally, 1 per week is enough.  

Yeah, at first, I found “metabolism boost meals” really challenging because I wanted to eat the treats everyday, but along the way I used the tips below to strengthen my will power, to make my cheat meal work in my favour.

1. Include protein: this will help you maintain fullness and should be eaten first. If its a dessert your having, try to choose something with nuts such as pepitas and almonds or use a plant-based protein powder (I use Sunwarrior) if you’re going to create something yourself.
2. Sit down and eat: Don’t eat in front of the TV because you’re going to be distracted. Sit down at a table and eat slowly, taking every bite in and enjoying every single flavour. You want to consciously enjoy the meal.
3. Portion size: Stick to a STANDARD SERVE of your favourite food and don’t over indulge. If your going out, choose an entree instead of a main meal and drink water after you’ve had a beer or glass of soft drink. Remember, moderation is the key and its a cheat MEAL, not day!
4. Don’t feel guilty: Don’t feel guilty that what you are eating is going to go ‘straight to your thighs’, or ‘make you fat’. NO IT WONT. Savour it. Enjoy it. If you let yourself feel guilty, you’re missing the whole point. One cheat meal isn’t going to make you fat like one good meal isn’t going to make you skinny. ENJOY IT because Its delicious, yummy, mouth-watering and pure heaven.
5. Start fresh and move on: Don’t allow your indulgence meal to influence bad eating. Plan and prep your next meals ahead of time so your organised and ready to get back to healthy eating. Commit yourself to 6 days of healthy eating so you can enjoy 1 meal of pure indulgence. Set weekly or daily goals if need be. Build that willpower!

REMEMBER: Next time your having your metabolism boost or cheat meal, Savour it. Enjoy it. Move on. 

I hope you find my tips helpful and if you have any of your tips you would like to share, please leave them below in the comments because I’d love to see what’s worked for you!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to receive ALL my posts including recipes straight to your inbox for FREE, and FOLLOW ME on social media: Facebook , Instagram or Twitter for more recipes and features EXCLUSIVE to social media only! 

Kayleigh, x

VALENTINES DAY Tasting: Dairy Free Raw Chocolate

Oh my goodness! You’ll be in Chocolate heaven once you’ve tried these!

Before I get to that, I have some good news!.. I have officially written 20 posts and reached 20 subscribers! YAY! It doesn’t sound like a lot but every subscriber is another ‘naturer’ I can share my passion and love with! So THANKYOU to those who have subscribed- I feel humbled and honoured to have your support and kindness! I appreciate you all!

Back to Chocolate heaven… You may have noticed I’m a bit of a REAL and RAW chocolate lover- the good stuff with cacao, not cocoa, of course! However, IN SAYING THAT… you MAY or MAY NOT find me indulging in a row of crunchy cadbury once in a while  🙈🙊

Cacao vs Cocoa- whats the difference? 

The best thing about this recipe?…  Its chocolate, duh! Haha but seriously,  its very simple and you can personalise it by including your own superfood additions (see below for ideas)  to make all sorts of delicious combinations and flavours. (Yes, you can add a little popping candy and totally not feel guilty about it!)

Just a QUICK NOTE before you get adventurous: Make sure your equipment is super dooper dry before you begin because water and chocolate are not friends!

Enjoy!

DAIRY FREE RAW CHOCOLATE

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cacao butter, melted
• ¼ cup cacao powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup/honey or agave nectar (sweeteners)
• Himalayan salt, to taste

How to:

1. In a bowl, use a wooden spoon to mix cacao butter, cacao and coconut oil until smooth.
2. Add sweetener of choice and stir vigorously until all ingredients are combined.
3. Pour mixture into a lined baking tray,  roughly 2 cm thick. Place into freezer for 10 minutes or until chocolate is solid. LOVERS NOTE: you can use a heart chocolate mould if you prefer to have cute portion-sized heart bites to romantically share with your other half 
4. Crack chocolate into pieces and serve cold.
5. Store in a seal-tight container in the freezer. Chocolate lasts up to 2 months.

If you like extra crunch, crush activated nuts (below) and sprinkle them on the baking paper and pour the chocolate over the top. You can also mix them through. 

 Other Additions:

• activated nuts: hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, macadamias, brazil nuts, pepitas
• raw cacao nibs
• quinoa puffs
• dried fruit: goji berries, mulberries, sultanas, cherries, blueberries, dried ginger, cranberries, coconut
• edible rose petals

Love this recipe? Perhaps you’d also love my Chocolate Bliss Balls,  Choc Mint Bites or Quinoa Pancakes  . For exclusive recipes and more, FOLLOW BON on Instagram: bodyofnature and Facebook: BodyOfNatureNutrition and SUBSCRIBE at the top right-hand corner of this page.

 

Kayleigh, x

RECIPE: Choc Mint Energy Bites

These Choc Mint Energy Bites don’t really need an introduction, but Ill give you one anyway because not giving you one would just make me not a very nice person.

Energy bites are probably one of the most sorted after snack options (says google) because they are quick and easy to make, portable, sharable and totally fashionable for every single situation (okay, maybe not every single situation because that could get awkward and weird) but they say any type of energy ball/bar/bite – whatever, should be eaten in moderation, right? WELL….. what if I told you, you could eat these as often as you like because Ive come up with a version full of good-for-you stuff? Mmmhm, Uh-uh,  good-for-you stuff that you can eat as often as you like! How about that!  

Before I get to the important part (the recipe, duh) I should probably mention why they are so good!

The ultimate and addictive combination of chocolate + mint blended with some the finest ingredients will boost your energy levels in a few minutes; their all natural sugar, which automatically makes them healthier than the supermarkets; gluten-free; naturally high in protein; packed with antioxidants and magnesium for a quick post-workout devour; they have a ooey-gooey soft-minty flavour on your first bite; and can even be transformed into chic-mint-choc-dipped cookies for a luscious dessert.

“OMG how do I make these yummy choc mint energy bites”, you ask… 

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Choc Mint Energy Bites

Makes: 12       Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa, DRAINED (important – you don’t want extra moisture)
• 3 medjool dates, pitted
• 1.5 tsp cacao powder (i used organic)
• 1 tsp peppermint essence/extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tablespoon mesquite powder (optional)

Method:

1. Add all ingredients into food processor (or blender) and pulse for 1 minute
2. Process until  1 large choc-mint ball is formed round the blade
3. Remove from processor and separate and roll into 12 individual bite-sized balls.
4. (optional) Choose 3 different coatings (pepitas, goji berries, chocolate, chia, coconut) and cover ½ of balls in them.
5. Freeze or refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
6. Enjoy, store leftovers in the freezer or fridge where you can access them on-the-go

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