Hey kids,

Make sure mum’s not near the computer screen; I’ve got a secret for you!

Mums – no peeking!

Now that we’ve just got the kids here (I hope), I’ve got something special for you; something that'll make your Mother's Day a little easier.

Are you still thinking about what to get your mum for Mother’s Day? Isn't it hard to decide where you’ll eat on the day and how to make her feel as special as she is?

Skip the long queue at the cafe and make her breakfast in bed instead!

There’s no better Mother’s Day present than having someone finally cook for you. Trust me on this one: I can totally relate.

Breakfast in bed is a classic winner. You can let mum have a sleep in and you get to be creative in the kitchen. It's win-win!

I’ve got the easiest recipe for you to make and I just know mum will love it.

Mother’s Day Breakfast Bowl in Bed

You can either buy her favourite store-bought granola or, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, get someone to help you make your own granola like this Cranberry and Walnut Granola. You can make some for the whole family to enjoy!

The more creative you get with her breakfast, the better. Nothing says I love you more than a pretty bowl in bed.

So to get started, here are the ingredients you need to make mum's day special. You can print out this page and take it with you to the supermarket so you remember to get everything!

Mother’s Day Breakfast Bowl in Bed

• 1 cup store-bought granola of choice or my cranberry and walnut granola if you want to make your own
• 1 cup of full fat yoghurt or coconut yoghurt if mum doesn't have dairy
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries, thawed
•  2 tbsp coconut flakes or desiccated coconut
• 2 tbsp pecans or almonds or any nuts mum likes

Line up the breakfast bowl on the counter.

Pour or scoop the yoghurt into your bowl.

Sprinkle the granola evenly across the bowl on top of the yoghurt.

Scatter the berries, flaked coconut and nuts across the bowl.

Serve without delay on a tray with a cup of tea. Get help with this if you need.

So go on, make mum’s day this Mother's Day!

PS: Want to get your mum something a little extra special? I’m giving away the mother of all prize packs! Every single book and product of mine is up for grabs for one lucky mummy! Follow this link to find out more.

Happy Mother's Day

Love Lee xo

There’s something that’s just so nourishing about starting the day with a big bowl of oatmeal. A spoon of porridge on a colder morning is like a warm hug for your insides!

Oats are amazing for lowering our overall cholesterol levels, especially the ‘bad’ cholesterol known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein). High levels of LDL raise your risk of developing blood clots which can lead to heart diseases. While not all cholesterol is bad, LDL is one we need to look out for.

They're packed full of soluble fibre, which reduces the absorption of LDL cholesterol in the blood. This means every morning you start your day off with a bowl of porridge, you’re fighting heart and cardiovascular disease!

Oats are one of the yummiest gut-healthy foods out there.  Not only are they delicious, they boost some beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract which can provide serious relief in cases of irritable bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

No bowl of oats is finished without beautiful berries. Berries have proven to help your brain think better and additionally, the antioxidant-rich fruits are great for maintaining control over our muscles – which is so important when it comes to ageing. If you want to get amongst the berry madness, why not try my Supercharged Summer Popsicles or Strawberry Teacakes?

I've combined the magical powers of oats with my Love Your Gut Powder for some extra gut-boosting love. This gutmeal is such an easy way to squeeze in some gut-healing benefits first thing in the morning. My LYG powder is remarkable for detoxification, aiding nutrient absorption and improving hair, skin and nails health. You can read more about the amazing benefits of LYG powder and purchase it here!

Now that’s a winning breakfast!

Gutmeal (Oatmeal with a Gut-Healing Twist)

Ingredients: 

• 1 tsp LYG powder
• ½ cup of water
• ¼ cup of gluten free oats
• Pinch of  Celtic or Himalayan sea salt
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1/3 cup of mixed berries
• ¼ cup of coconut milk
• Handful chopped mint

Method:

1. Cook oats in water
2. Add sea salt and cinnamon
3. When cooked, stir in the LYG powder
4. Add milk and remove any lumps by stirring through
5. Top with berries and torn mint

Enjoy this tasty breakfast recipe to fill the belly and nourish the mind.

Never ever think that just because you’re sticking to an eating protocol that you have to be a victim of restriction. I’m not a believer in hard core dietary limitation, however I do believe you can achieve detoxification, cleansing, and give your gut a rest from everyday stressors whilst still indulging in pleasure. All it takes is some creativity and an open mind.

In fact, fasting as a spiritual practice is a way to experience the pleasure of a higher conscious state, mindfully detaching from mealtimes as a way to re-focus. During my fasting protocol, which isn’t a complete abstinence of eating all together, you do have the opportunity to truly savor simple elemental flavours. By the end of a fast, you may actually find that your taste buds have re-wired to find even vegetables bursting with sweetness.

Ritual is something of a lost art in our society, and sitting down to food with a mindful, conscious approach is somewhat of a shock to the system in our fast paced world. How often do you sit down, breathe, indulge, and bask your senses in the still quiet of a meal? This approach can act as a mini health retreat, a minor meditation that will re-set your mind on the goodness and beauty of life.

While I’m fasting, I love to sit down in the afternoon to take a pause between ticking tasks off my to-do list, to have some time for myself; refueling for the afternoon. I’ll light myself a candle, prepare myself a pot of herbal tea in a nice tea-pot, and sit down to a snack. My strawberry teacakes are a true delight for afternoon tea, and my lime and blueberry muffins are a sweet treat that will never disappoint.

While I’m fasting, I still want to enjoy a treat that is generous in flavor, and I’d have to say this coconut and banana bread from my new book Fast Your Way to Wellness is an utterly gorgeous indulgence, with a tropical twist on the classic flavours of everyday banana bread, which is usually loaded with wheat and white sugar.

This beauty is free from gluten, low in fructose and uses coconut flour, which imparts the flavour of a Maldivian island, yet offers a range of health benefits. Coconut supplies energy building medium chain fatty acids, micro-flora support and defence against parasites and pathogens thanks to lauric acid and monolaurin. Studies have also shown the fatty acids in coconut help you to eat less, and this is believed to be the result of the way these fats are metabolized.

Bananas are high in potassium, vitamin B6, immune boosting vitamin C, and also contain nutrients that moderate blood sugar levels; helping you to avoid blood sugar plummets during periods of fasting. Bananas are also quite rich in fibre and resistant starch, which are loved by your gut microbes, keeping all those friendly bacteria happy, healthy and fed. Look after these guys and they will look after you! You can read more about the importance about gut health in my popular e-Book Heal Your Gut. By the way if you only have frozen bananas its ok to use them in this recipe. For tips on freezing bananas see here.

I use a few eggs in this recipe, which adds a good hit of protein to keep you fuller for longer. Honestly, I’m not sure I can find another ingredient that quite matches the nutritional generosity and convenience of the mighty egg. These guys are the perfect portion of fats, proteins and nutrients to aid in body building and all round nourishment. They’re an inexpensive, high quality source of protein, which is found mostly in the whites.  Egg whites contain rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B12, B6 and minerals such as iron, zinc and copper. Egg yolks contain fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and lecithin. If you buy high quality free range eggs that have come from hens who have pecked around happily in green pastures, they’ll also contain a nice dose of anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids, so be sure to know you’re eggs.

Aside from binding this bread nicely, eggs are intentionally part of the recipe to ensure you are gaining nutrient density and protein to keep you happy during a fast. But you’ll barely notice you’re fasting when ritually enjoying a slice of this luscious loaf, and with an open and conscious mind, every mouthful will bless your tastebuds.

Take the time to bake and enjoy this gift to yourself with a cup of herbal tea such as this lavender tea with almond milk, or a cleansing and anti-inflammatory turmeric and ginger tea.

Coconut banana bread

Makes 8 slices

119 calories per slice (498kJs)

 Ingredients:

• 3 ripe small bananas
• 3 medium eggs, lightly whisked
• 90 g (3¹/₄oz/¹/₄ cup) rice malt (brown rice) syrup
• a few drops alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 30 g (1 oz/¹/₄cup) coconut flour
• ³/₄teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• ¹/₂teaspoon salt
• fruit, to serve (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 21 x 9 cm (8¹/₄x 3¹/₂ in) loaf (bar) tin.
2. Peel and mash the bananas in a medium bowl. Add the eggs, rice malt syrup and vanilla, then mix well. Add the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt, then mix well. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.
3. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the bread comes out clean. Completely cool in the tin on a wire rack, then slice and serve with fruit (if using).

Are you getting ready to hop into Easter?

I have the perfect sweet treat for you this Easter. Some healthy and tasty treats that won't melt while you’re on the Easter egg hunt.

Introducing my Easter Bliss Balls, or as I like to call them LEEaster Balls!

These are the greatest hunter gatherer snack you can find for Easter. They’re nutritious, delicious and won't tie you down in between eating (or overeating) sessions. I like to think of them as a little good thing amongst all the decadence.

Whilst everyone knows that bliss balls are a 'healthy treat', a lot of the time they're filled with a LOT of dried fruit - I'm talking double the quantity you would eat in one sitting! Dried fruit is delicious but it can be hard going on the gut because of the high levels of sulphites and sugars - giving you some unwanted digestive problems.

These balls don’t contain any unwelcome ingredients, which means your tummy won’t be frustrated with you during the Easter holidays. In fact LEEaster balls will make you and your insides happy.

I’ve included two different  variations for you – chewy chocolate and anti-inflammatory attack!

When hosting Easter meals, the chocolate balls go down as a terrific treat and for times when you're in need of a health boost, the anti-inflammatory turmeric balls are the way to go.

I’ve also included my Love Your Gut powder into the mixture for some much-needed gut-loving;  a true necessity after the over-indulging we usually do around holiday time. The powder also has remarkable health benefits, improving nutrient absorption and taking care of your hair, skin and nails, not to mention it's absorbable iron content that is wonderful for energy levels.  You can watch and read more about the health benefits of it here.

By the way, I forgot to munch-ion that these balls are approved by the Easter Bunny, so please be sure to give them a go!

LEEaster Balls

Ingredients

• 1 TBSP LYG powder
• 1⁄2 cup almond meal
• 5 TBSP almond nut butter
• 1⁄2 cup tahini
•  8 drops liquid stevia
• 1 cup chopped nuts of choice
• 1⁄2 cup coconut flakes
•  1⁄4 cup sesame seeds plus extra for coating
• Chocolate: 1 TSP cacao or more if you like them chocolaty!
• Anti-inflammatory: 1 TSP turmeric, 1 TSP cinnamon and 1⁄2 TSP ginger 

Directions

Makes: 12

1. Place almond meal, LYG powder, coconut flakes and nuts into food processor and mix.
2. Add stevia, almond nut butter and tahini and continue to mix until combined.
3. Chill the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes.
4. Remove and roll into balls on a flat tray.
5. Place extra sesame seeds in a bowl and roll balls to coat the surface.
6. Refrigerate and enjoy.
7. Chocolate version: Add in a 1 tsp of cacao to the base mixture or more if you like them chocolaty!
8. Anti-inflammatory: Add 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1⁄2 tsp ginger to base mixture. 

Supercharged Tip

You can make a big batch and keep a few of these in the freezer for later. 

Happy LEEaster,

Lee xo

Is a Sunday morning really a Sunday morning without pikelets?

When I reminisce about some of my favourite Sunday mornings, they involve late mornings, lazy tunes, light rain and steaming hot pikelets with toppings galore! 

Over the years, I’ve experimented with healthy-fying my old pikelets recipe and I’ve finally come up with a gut-healing recipe I know you all will love...

Green Pikelets!  

Yes you read that correctly - green pikelets! Before you wrinkle your nose and squint your eyes at the word 'green' in front of 'pikelets', just trust me on this one. The green aspect of these pikelets take them to the next level.

As you know, I love trying to incorporate veggies into my diet as much as possible. This is why adding spinach, a brilliant green leaf and a great source of folate, iron, vitamins and minerals, is the perfect addition to any pikelet recipe.

I know how hard it can be to get the kids to finish their vegetables, let alone enjoy them, so my pikelets recipe is sure to be a winner for both you and the kids. Hooray!

Even the biggest sceptics won't be able to taste the difference with this recipe. I've trialled and tested it out on my family and even the fussiest one in our bunch loved them. They’re secretly healthy but let me tell you, they're so delicious that will be adored by all.

To make them extra creamy, I add almond milo the recipe but you can use any milk that you prefer for a good hit of calcium. Rice milk makes them extra sweet and creamy. 

Pikelets are great for Sunday mornings but really, can be enjoyed for any day at any time! They make for the perfect afternoon hit, busy breakfast, lazy lunch, mid-morning pick-me-up or decadent dessert.

The great thing about these delicious treats is that they can be eaten with savoury and sweet toppings. I say - go crazy!

I love having mine with eggs for a savoury protein hit in the morning. They can also be enjoyed with some of my lemon and blueberry ice-cream, nut butter, simple berries for an antioxidant hit or even on their own!

So what are you waiting for? Let's enjoy some fluffy green pikelets for breakfast this morning.

Green Pikelets

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of English spinach leaves
• ¼ cup chia seeds

• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 2 eggs
• 1 TBS smooth nut butter
• 2 tsps LYG powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup almond milk or milk of choice
• good pinch of Celtic sea salt
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil, or butter for frying

Method:

Place all the ingredients, except the coconut oil or butter if using, into a food processor and combine until smooth.

Remove batter and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add half the oil.

Depending upon the size of the pikelets preferred, could just under ¼ cup mixture into the pan and cook for 5 minutes on one side, then flip over to do other side for about 3 minutes.

Place on a waiting plate and continue until all the batter is used.

Happy cooking!  Lee xo

Are you constantly on the look-out for deliciously healthy raw treat recipes, smoothie bowls to lust over, vegan Buddha bowls to chow down on and date-night dinner inspiration with edge to seriously impress?

Look no further!

The founder of the wonderful Hippie Lane, the beautiful Taline Gabriel, has debuted her first book Hippie Lane the Cookbook and it’s one not to be missed.  Taline uses whole, unprocessed and real ingredients that are super aesthetically pleasing, free of refined sugars, gluten-free and plant-based to create recipes that are nothing short of drool-worthy and instagram friendly.

Taline has included nourishing recipes for every occasion under the sun, including breakfasts bursting with flavour, delicious dinners, Sunday brunches, sweet fixes and easy lunches!

Growing up as a Nutella-obsessed junk foodie, Taline’s speciality is taking treats we used to love and making them with simple ingredients that are vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free.  They're so nutritious and you won’t need to worry about compromising on the taste side of things either.

You may have tried one of Taline’s delicious raw treats, like her Snickerz Bar (spoiler alert: they taste better than the real thing!) around different cafes in Sydney, but her savoury recipes prove to be just as mouth-watering. I’m still dreaming about her Green Goddess Bowl which is a green lover's paradise.

Hippie Lane the Cookbook, is so much more than a compilation of delicious recipes and a few healthy tips, Taline focuses on the power of food and the beauty of gathering loved ones together to celebrate a passion of wholesome cooking that can nourish the body, mind and soul.

The Green Goddess Bowl 

Images and recipes from Hippie Lane: The Cookbook by Taline Gabrielian (Murdoch Books, RRP $39.99).

Ingredients

serves 2   

VGN  DF  GF  RSF

Almost too yummy to be healthy, and the ultimate brunch, here is the perfect green bowl, fit for a goddess.

• 15 g (½ oz/½ cup) shredded kale
• 6 broccolini stems
• 10 green beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra
  to serve
• 1 heaped tablespoon Pesto (see below)
• 300 g (10½ oz/1½ cups) cooked quinoa
• juice of ½ lemon
• 45 g (1½ oz/1 cup) baby rocket (arugula) leaves
• 1 zucchini (courgette), shredded or spiralised
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped spring onion (scallion)
• a few basil leaves
• pinch of Himalayan salt
• pinch of freshly ground black pepper
• 2 lemon wedges

Method

Fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Have a bowl of iced water at the ready.

Add the kale to the boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds, then remove with tongs and refresh in the iced water, to stop it cooking further.

Add the broccolini to the boiling water. Leave to boil for 1 minute, or until just tender, then remove and add to the iced water.

Blanch the beans in the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove and add to the iced water.

Drain the blanched vegetables, then chop the kale and beans and set aside.

Warm most of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the pesto, spreading it over the pan. Stir in the kale. Add the remaining olive oil, then add the broccolini and beans, stirring briefly. Stir the quinoa and lemon juice through, then remove from the heat.

Divide the rocket and zucchini among two serving bowls. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil, then top with the pesto-tossed greens.

Top with the avocado, sunflower seeds, pepitas, spring onion and basil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper, add a lemon wedge to each bowl and enjoy.

Pesto

• 115 g (4 oz/¾ cup) pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• ¾ cup basil leaves, loosely packed
• 25 g (1 oz/1 cup) rocket (arugula) leaves
• ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• juice of 1 lemon
• 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) mild-tasting olive oil

Place the pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until large crumbs form.

Add the garlic, basil, rocket, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Pulse until just combined. Add the olive oil and process until smooth. The pesto is best made just beforeserving, but will keep in the fridge for a day or two in an airtight container, covered with a layer of olive oil to stop the basil discolouring.

For more information about Taline, check out the Hippie Lane website and Taline's instagram.