Image by Kate Duncan

What do you do when life gives you lemons?

Make lemon slices! 

Think back to the first lemon slice you ever bit into. Was it equally decadent yet surprisingly fresh, classically creamy yet delicately chewy and beautifully zingy yet surprisingly sweet?

The lemon slices many recall from childhood were made with a chewy biscuity base that was complemented perfectly by a smooth lemony filling that achieved mouth-watering satisfaction. But, these desserts were often made with a biscuit base, loads of sugar, flour, milk, coconut and of course, luscious lemon.

While this may be the dessert you dream of, for some it is a nightmare for the gut. Sugar, gluten and dairy are all known to irritate the lining of the gut, causing various digestive disorders and serious discomfort in some people.

But there is no need to give up on lemon slices altogether.  I'm encouraging you to throw out everything you’ve ever known and thought about lemon slices right now, because things are about to get very interesting…

I'm going to share with you my raw, sugar-free lemon slice that's bound to impress and tastes just like the real thing minus the uncomfortable bloating after eating. 

To begin, lets work from the ground up, in this case it’s all about the base. Instead of a regular lemon slice biscuit base, this supercharged slice uses a delicious mix of shredded coconut, coconut butter and creamy cashews.

You may be looking at this and thinking: what’s the difference between coconut oil and coconut butter?

Well, coconut oil has been extracted from the meat of the coconut whereas coconut butter is a spreadable paste made from coconut flesh. Coconut butter can act like a metabolism booster that can help burn calories and increase energy levels. It's high in lauric acid which can boost immunity and ward off viruses.  It’s delicious in soups, curries or sometimes, off the spoon (I won’t tell if you don’t!).

Of course, you can’t have a lemon slice without a zingy squeeze of lemon. Lemons are rich in many nutrients like immune-fighting vitamin C and blood pressure-stabilising potassium. They can also help aid digestion, balance our internal pH levels and reduce fevers. If you are looking for an excuse to eat a lemon slice, this is it! 

And now for the filling. Not only do these slices contain lovely lemons, they also contain limes. Limes have been used for centuries for their medicinal purposes. They can help aid digestive disorders, relieve constipation and get your skin nice and glowy. Combine the lemon and the lime and you've got a really good show going!

I just need to warn you, these lemon slices will give any other lemon slice you've ever had a run for it's money. They're seriously decadent, fresh and delicious.

PS: If you're a slice loving kind of person, please promise you'll check out my Salted Caramel Slice and Australian Lamingtons.

Without further adieu, the lemon slices you've all been waiting for:

Lemon Slice

Ingredients:

• Base
• ¾ cup raw cashews, soaked for 2 hours in filtered water & drained
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• ¼ tsp stevia powder
• 60mL freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp melted coconut butter

• Filling
• 250g raw cashews, soaked for 2 hours in filtered water & drained
• ½ cup coconut butter
• Zest & juice 2 limes
• Juice 2 lemons
• 1 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp stevia powder
• 60mL coconut milk

Method:

• To make the base, combine cashews and shredded coconut in food processor and blend. Stir in remaining base ingredients, adding some filtered water
 if it looks too dry and won’t hold together.
• Use your hands to mould mixture into dough, then press dough into freezer-proof tray. Place in freezer for 30 mins.
• To make filling, combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
• Remove the base from freezer and add the filling, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top.
• Return the slice to the fridge for 30 mins or until set. Cut into slices and serve.
• Will keep in airtight container in fridge for up to 1 week, or 2 weeks in freezer.

Enjoy!

Lee xo 

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