Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Sesame cookies



Forget about all those sesame bars you ever tried and bought in corner shops or supermarkets...
these ones are meant to be tasted by YOU!!!

Ingredients needed:
1 cup almond flour
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup agave/xylitol
1/3 cup tahini
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients in 1 bowl, wet ones in the other bowl. Then add dry mixture into wet one and mix properly together.
Make a dough, create balls, cover in sesame seeds, flatten on baking sheet, bake at 170°Cfor 8-10min.
Leave out to cool down - to have them crispy or store in air tight container to have them chewy.
                                                                                                                                                                   
More about health benefits of sesame seeds you can find here

Enjoy x  

O/SF/GF/WF/DF/V/V+


Sesame seeds

                                               Some of the health benefits to remember:





1. Full of Great Protein.
2. Helps Prevent Diabetes.
3. Reduces Blood Pressure. They are full of magnesium.
4. Lowers Cholesterol. Sesame helps lower cholesterol levels, because it contains phytosterols that block cholesterol production. Black sesame seeds are especially high in phytosterols.
5. Good for Digestion. The high fiber content of sesame seeds helps the intestines with elimination.
6. For Healthy Skin. The high zinc content helps produce collagen, giving skin more elasticity and helping repair damaged body tissues. Regular use of sesame oil can reduce skin cancer.
7. Boosts Heart Health. Sesame seed oil can help heart health by preventing atherosclerotic lesions with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound known as sesamol.

               

                       

8. Prevents Cancer. Sesame seeds contain anti-cancer compounds including phytic acid, magnesium and phytosterols. Sesame seeds have the highest phytosterol content of all seeds and nuts.
9. Helps Lessen Anxiety. Sesame seeds contain the stress-relieving minerals magnesium and calcium. Sesame also contains the calming vitamins thiamin and tryptophan that help produce serotonin, which reduces pain, assists moods and helps you sleep deeply.
10. Alleviates Anemia. Black sesame seeds are particularly rich in iron, so they’re highly recommended for those with anemia and weakness.
11. Protects from Radiation Damage to DNA. Sesamol in sesame seeds and sesame oil, has been shown to protect against DNA damage caused by radiation.
12. Relieves Arthritis. The high copper content in sesame seeds prevents and relieves arthritis, and strengthens bones, joints and blood vessels.
13. Protects Your Liver from Alcohol. Sesame helps protect you from alcohol’s impact on your liver, helping you maintain healthy liver function.
14. Prevents Wrinkles. Sesame seed oil prevents harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun from damaging your skin, thus preventing the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation.
15. Encourages Bone Health and Prevents Osteoporosis. A handful of sesame seeds contains more calcium than a glass of milk. Also the high zinc content of sesame boosts bone mineral density.
16. Help Your Baby’s Health
. A sesame oil massage improves growth and improves sleep. Rashes on a baby’s skin — especially where the diaper is — can be protected with sesame seed oil by rubbing it in. As a bonus, sesame also helps reverse dry skin.
17. Good for Eye Health. In traditional Chinese medicine there is a relationship between the liver and eyes. The liver sends blood to the eyes to support functioning. Black sesame seeds are the best for this.

             
 Oil pulling with sesame is an ancient technique to improve teeth and gums.


18. Good for Oral Health: Oil pulling, has been used for oral health for thousands of years in Ayurveda to reduce dental plaque, whiten your teeth and boost overall health.  
19. Good for Respiratory Health: The magnesium in sesame seeds helps prevent respiratory disorders by preventing airway spasm and asthma.
20. Hair Benefits: Sesame seed oil is full of nutrients which are needed for a healthy scalp and hair.

Sesame seeds deserve to be highly honored as an affordable food that deeply nourishes the body on many levels.
With sesame’s many health benefits it is considered A POWER FOOD along with green tea, lemons, garlic, honey and turmeric.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Passionapple oaties

                                                                                                  
Oats are my 2nd favourite ingredients while baking. 
They create a nice texture, they are not expensive and last relatively long time on my shelve :)
These are very simple tasty and quick oat cakes you can enjoy with cup of tea/coffee or just as a snack during your shopping or walking in park.

Ingredients needed:
2 cups jumbo oats
2 apples (peeled and chopped) 
2 passion fruits
1/2 cup milk
cinnamon
*peanut butter, shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions:
Blend together, create cakes and bake at 170°C for 10mins (on one side) and for 5 mins (on the other side).

Enjoy x
SF/V+/V/WF

         



Saturday, March 21, 2015

Iodine

Iodine is an essential trace element required for the synthesis of hormones, and the lack of it can also cause or contribute to the development of:
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Goiter
  • Mental retardation
  • Cretinism (severely stunted physical and mental growth and deafness due to untreated congenital hypothyroidism)
  • Certain forms of cancer
Iodine is used by your thyroid gland to help regulate metabolism and development of both your skeleton and brain, among other things.

 Other tissues that absorb and use large amounts of iodine include:

Breasts Salivary glands Pancreas Cerebral spinal fluid
Skin Stomach Brain Thymus

Iodine deficiency, or insufficiency, in any of these tissues will lead to dysfunction of that tissue. Hence the following symptoms could provide clues that you're not getting enough iodine in your diet.
For example, iodine deficiency in:
  • Salivary glands = inability to produce saliva, producing dry mouth
  • Skin = dry skin, and lack of sweating. Three to four weeks of iodine supplementation will typically reverse this symptom, allowing your body to sweat normally again
  • Brain = reduced alertness, and lowered IQ
  • Muscles =  nodules, scar tissue, pain, fibrosis, fibromyalgia

Here are a few more interesting facts:
  • In total, the human body can hold 1,500 mg of iodine
  • Your thyroid can hold a maximum of 50 mg of iodine
  • 20 percent of the iodine in your body is held in your skin (if your skin is depleted of iodine, you will not be able to sweat)
  • 32 percent of your body's iodine stores are in your muscles (if muscles are depleted, pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms can develop)
Info taken from: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/04/iodine-deficiency-affect-childs-brain-function.aspx

Green iodine bomb

 
1.step: preparation of our raw lunch: kale, kelp noodles, cougette and cucumbe

2.step: topped with a dressing (blended sauerkraut, cashew nuts, garlic and tamari sauce) accompanied by king prawns (ok, this is the only not raw bit on this plate).
Many vitamins, antioxidants and iodine.
Asking yourself what is iodine and why is it important for us? 
More info you can find here.

Enjoy x 
RW/WF/DF/GF


Friday, March 20, 2015

Yummy, simple and homemade BREAD

No need of:
bread maker
special baking tray
baking skills

NO YEAST, CHEMICAL ADDITIVES or CONSERVANTS, NO E-s...just what you put in there, possibly organic and GF :))) 

Ingredients needed:
fflour of your choice (of course im using GF one)
1 tsp baking powder
pot of greek yogurt
-pinch of salt
*Amount of flour = Amount of yogurt!!! Example: If you use 475ml greek yogurt, you have to use exactly 475gr of flour (you can even mix 2 different ones: spelt+rye, buckwheat+chickpea etc)

The most important part of the whole recipe and its final results is based on the way HOW you mix all ingredients together: you need to use a FORK. No hands, no blender, just a fork. Simply try to create a dough. This process shouldnt last longer than 2-3mins. Then move the dough with your wet hands on the baking sheet greased with coconut oil, butter or olive oil, cover the top of the bread with a bit of flour.
Bake at 180 °C for 45mins! 
Tip: add olives, dry tomatoes, nuts or herbs into dough too, anything you prefer :)

PS1: You can even create small breakfast rolls or sweet bread with the same dough (replacing salt with bit of sugar/honey and dry fruit). I didnt try this yet, but will do soon.
PS2: Original receipe can be found on this slovak blog page: http://baranek.blog.sme.sk/c/350800/Varime-s-medvedom-Irsky-chlieb.html

Enjoy x 

O/GF/SF/WF/V

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Say NO to milk!!!

PLEASE do read these articles and you decide whether is milk healthy or not.

You will understand, why human beings are still the only ones from mammal's world still drinking milk during the whole life, why we are still sick and surrounded by variety of diseases and healthy complications...

I was myself a huge fan of milk, of any forms, at any time of the day and was able to drink liters of it a week!  Couldnt even imagine my morning cup of coffee without milk. A porridge without milk?? It was A NO WAY for me! 

But everything changed when I noticed how good, healthier and stronger I feel without milk. When I replaced a "real" milk with alternatives (coconut/rice/oat/almond). Because the modern cow milk is not the milk we used to drink when we were little. I call it "white water full of antibiotics". I am sorry but NO ONE can change my mind about this and more you actually start to read about this topic, more you understand.



There are so many milk alternatives on the market which have benefits for you, do not cause inflammations in your body, allergies, diabetes, infections and do not weaken your immune system...just grab one while shopping next time and try it!

Please think twice before you drink cow milk next time and try to find a beauty in its alternative instead.

Well, I could write much more about this topic and I am aware of fact that I wont be able to change everybody' s mind about milk, but maybe if YOU read the below articles, YOU will find a bit of true in them...and that would be enough for me, for now :)


https://docakilah.wordpress.com/category/the-truth-about-cows-milk/

Cauliflower broccoli balls with almond cheese boats

 
My own creation (the balls)!!! 
A very spontaneous, easy, healthy and quick dinner inspiration for you guys :)
Blend raw cauliflower and broccoli in a blender until smooth, transfer into small bowl, add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup buckwheat flour, salt, pepper and mix properly...
Create small balls, or triangels or squares (it is really up to you which shape you decide to go for) and bake for about 20min at 170°C.
Serve with any salad. I choose little gem salad, mixed one, cucumber and GRAPEFRUIT to make it even more interesting and tasty.

The last but not least: HOMEMADE CHEESE. 
A must go with this meal. 
Or anything else really. 
We had it as an appetizer with a toast before dinner! 
The best to eat immediately or ferment for extra depth of flavour. 
The acidophilus thrives and enlivens the nuts and those friendly bacteria are great for your gut health too.

Ingredients for a homemade cheese are:
1-2 cups nuts (any! I went for almonds). Soaked for 6-10hours.
1/2 cup of water or coconut cream
1tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic
good pinch of salt
1 tsp acidophilus powder (or 1 tbsp from a previous batch of cheese) 

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in blender and blend on low, stopping to scrape down the sides if required.
Once you have a smooth creamy consistency transfer to a clean container and leave to ferment in a warm place for 8-12 hours. 
Not too hot though, as you dont want to kill the bacteria.

Enjoy x

GF/DF/WF/V/SF

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Blueberry protein doughnuts


I have to admit, this is my very first  recipe using almond flour. 
And I must say: WOW. 
Fell in love with it immediately. 
Love the texture and taste.
I found this recipe while browsing some healthy website (what a surprise:), made some alterations and here they are, blueberry protein doughnuts.
Very easy to make, follow me.

Ingredients needed:
1/2 cup almond flour (organic!!!)
1/2 almond milk (or any)
2 tbsp protein powder (any, I used rice one)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 ripe banana
1 tsp melted coconut oil
*1 tsp honey (optional, as banana is very sweet itself)
1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla stick)
pinch of salt
fresh blueberries

Instructions:
Mix together and bake for about 15min at 160°C.

Cant wait to enjoy them at work tomorrow!!!

Enjoy x 

GF/SF/WF/DF/V/O

Matcha quinoa chia bowl

Delicious!!! 
Full of antioxidants, not to mention calcium, protein and healthy fats delivered from green matcha tea, quinoa flakes and raspberries. 

Ingredient needed:
6 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup quinoa flakes (this recipe was originally without quinoa flakes, but I added them to have my breakfast more filling)
2 cups almond/hemp milk
1tsp matcha tea powder
2 tbsp agave/other sweetener
1 tsp vanilla extract/vanilla stick
berries of your choice

Instructions:
Mix milk, matcha, sweetener, vanilla and pour over chia seeds and quinoa flakes.
Mix very well and leave in fridge to soak few hours/overnight.

Enjoy x 

GF/SF/WF/V+/V/O/R



Sunday, March 15, 2015

Liquid friend

 Carrot, apple, rhubarb

Enjoy x 

RW/V+/O

Oats combo

Another breakfast idea for you.
All soaked in any plant milk overnight.

Ingredient needed:
oats
banana
dates
almonds
poppyseed
shredded coconut
hemp protein
chia seeds

Enjoy x

SF/DF/GF/O/V/V+/WF

Chocolate heaven

RW/V+/DF/SF
Only 3 words to say for this: HEAVEN IN MOUTH 

For the whole (and a bit complicated) recipe, please email me :)

Chickpea crackers

This time, something savoury: 
CHICKPEA CRACKERS.
Let me tell you how to make them.

Ingredients needed:
organic chickpea flour
pinch of salt
water
olive oil

Instructions:
Make a dough.
Not too hard, not too soft.
If too sticky, add olive oil.
Roll into thin layer and cut in shapes you prefer.
Add some sesame seeds, red pepper, oregano or chilli on the top.
Bake at 110-130°C for 5-7mins.
Cool down and store in air tight container.

It stays fresh and edible for couple of weeks!!!

Enjoy x 

Recipe from my dear friend Chan :)

DF/SF/GF/V/V+/WF

Morning blueberry buckwheat addiction

Let me introduce you the BEST food for your breakfast. 
A BUCKWHEAT. 
Super versatile, tasty, easy to make, gluten free and with sooo many health benefits, please read:  

1. Best source of high-quality, easily digestible proteins.
High protein buckwheat flour is being studied for possible use in foods to reduce plasma cholesterol, body fat, and cholesterol gallstones.
2.  Fat alternative.
Buckwheat starch can also act as a fat alternative in processed foods.
3.  The high level of rutin is extracted from the leaves for medicine to treat high blood pressure.
4.  Non allergenic.
Buckwheat hulls are used as pillow stuffing for those allergic to feathers, dust, and pollen.
5. May help diabetes.
New evidence has found that buckwheat may be helpful in the management of diabetes according to Canadian researchers in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
With a glycemic index of 54, it lowers blood sugars more slowly than rice or wheat products.
6. Great for the digestion.
“The properties of buckwheat are: Neutral thermal nature; sweet flavor; cleans and strengthens the intestines and improves appetite.
7. Chemical free.
Buckwheat grows so quickly that it does not usually require a lot of pesticides or other chemicals to grow well.
8.  Buckwheat is good at drawing out retained water and excess fluid from swollen areas of the body.
9.  Buckwheat is a warming food.
It is classified by macrobiotics as a yang food. It is great for eating in the cold winter months.
10.  Buckwheat contains no gluten and is not a grain.
It is therefore great for celiacs and those on grain free and gluten sensitive diets.

Ingredients needed:
buckwheat (soaked overnight)
coconut milk
chiaseed
almond butter
1/2 banana
handful blueberries
suma powder
baobab powder 
purple corn powder
pinch of xylitol
  
Enjoy x
R/GF/DF/SF

Lets sprout the day!

 Simple organic healthy brunch/lunch.

Ingredients needed:
cheese omelette (made with homemade cheese!!!)
home sprouted beans
cherry tomatoes
rye bread
WF/V/O

Homemade fermented sauerkraut

Our very first homemade organic fermented sauerkraut.
Plain and turmeric flavoured.

Ingredients needed:
white organic cabbage
water
himalayan salt
glass containers
warm and dark place
*red cabbage, carrots, goji berries, garlic, bay leaves (optional)
Waiting time: 3-4 weeks
Serving suggestions: with almost everything! 

Some of the most important health benefits to mention:

  1. Fermentation is the only type of preparation of foods that cannot destroy certain nutrients, will create more nutrients and enhances others.
  2. It removes toxins and harmful bacteria found in many foods.
  3. It will improve your digestion, especially when consumed before your meal and also allows for your nutrients to be absorbed properly.
  4. It aids in the preservation and creation of important enzymes.
  5. It supports your immune function.
  6. It increases your B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, digestive enzymes, lactase and lactic acid that fight off harmful bacteria.
  7. It is strongly anti-cancer and containes millions of probiotics.
So, what are you waiting for? Go for it. Your gut will thank you very much!

RW/O



Food matters


"FOOD MATTERS" 


A must watch for EVERYBODY who wants to change his/her life, wellbeing, health and future.
Such a true and eye opening documentary. Please watch the full movie and share with your friends, relatives, collaques.

We really are, what we eat!!! So be wise, think twice before you put a meal into your mouth and think about which benefit you offer to your body..

As per a picture...

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Spinach chickpea spirulina sponge cake

This cake is amazing with tea/coffee/milk or on its own. 
Moist, healthy and super green.

Ingredients needed:
2 cup chickpea flour
1/2 cup sugar (of your choice. I used xylitol)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp spirulina powder (wheatgrass powder or matcha tea powder)
handful of fresh spinach (blended)
bit of water
2/3 cup olive oil

Instructions:
Combine all wet ingredients together, then add dry ones.
Slowly mix.
Bake at 160°C for 15-20mins.
I also added chocolate (melted coconut oil with cacao powder and liquid stevia) almond (flakes) icing.
Perfect, isnt it?

Enjoy x 

Recipe from my dear friend Chan ;)
GF/SF/DF/V+

Pancake madness

Made with buckwheat (gluten free) flour.

Ingredients needed:
buckwheat flour
bananab
coconut milk
egg
 agave
blueberries
shredded coconut
cinnamon
salt
butter

Enjoy x 
     

GF/SF/DF/V/WF

3 Shades of coco


I can not imagine the better way of lauching my blog than posting this raw coconut beauties.

3 colours, 3 flavours

Ingredients needed:
shredded coconut
melted unsalted butter
melted coconut oil
oats

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together and store in fridge
To create 3 different colours/taste, follow:
Brown (chocolate, carrob)
White (plain)
Purple (purple corn powder and raisins)
                                                          
Enjoy and Welcome x

RW/GF/SF/V/WF