I've been a long-time fan of Herbies' Spices and love adding their cinnamon quills to a number of my recipes; especially curries such as the Cauliflower Curry. The aromatic fragrance that releases when cooked makes my mouth water for the meal I'm about to eat and share.  Cinnamon is an amazing spice which  helps suppress inflammation  has anti-microbial and reduces the feeling of nausea.   All of Herbies' spices contain no fillers, starches, MSG, free-flow agents or additives of any kind, so you know they will be rich in flavour and quality. You can find out more about them here.

Pamper your mum by making her a healthy and delicious homemade breakfast this Mother’s Day!

It's time to start planning the perfect breakfast in bed.  Here's a sample menu to get you started.

Mother's Day Menu

Mixed Berries in Apple Cider Vinegar with Cashew Nut Cream

This breakfast bowl is perfection. Simple and understated, the addition of apple cider vinegar will ensure the perfect start to a homemade breakfast in bed.  Find the recipe here.

Kale and Lemon Rind Omelette

This will wake mum up with a zing! The biotin found in eggs is fantastic for promoting luscious shiny hair, while the coconut oil and lemon will help her body absorb beneficial iron from the kale. Kale is also a fantastic anti-inflammatory food and just one cup is filled with 10% of the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Get flipping here.

Fragrant Lavender Tea

There’s nothing more delectable than a lavender tea. With its delicate floral scent, this tea creates the perfect moment to unwind and enjoy its fragrant, flowery goodness. Find the recipe here.

Supercharged Breakfast in Bed Planning Tips 

• Chop ingredients the night before and have them at the ready to prepare for the big reveal. Make sure you have a pretty tray to carry it out on.
• Nothing says I love you like a homemade touch. Decorate the tray with a small bunch of hand-picked flowers in a pretty glass jar. Add a home-made card.
• Don’t make it too early in the morning to ensure that she has a sleep in on her special day.

For more delicious anti-inflammatory recipes checkout my new book Eat Yourself Beautiful

Wake up with a zing with a mouthwatering omelette.  

I love to create recipes that taste like they came straight out of a vegetable patch. So vibrant and earthy and this comes straight out of my new book Eat Yourself Beautiful.

It's great for the nutritional balancing act too. The biotin found in eggs is fantastic for promoting luscious shiny hair, while the coconut oil and lemon will help your body absorb beneficial iron from the kale.  Which by the way is a fantastic anti-inflammatory food,  one cup being filled with 10% of the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids!

Here's how to make it. 

Serves One

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 3 leaves Tuscan kale, washed, stems removed and shredded
• 3 organic eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 1 tablespoon filtered water
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh
• coriander, plus extra, to serve (optional)
• salt and pepper, to season

 Method

• Preheat the oven grill (broiler) to high.
• Heat the coconut oil in a medium frying pan over a medium heat and sauté the kale for a couple of minutes.
• Add the water and lemon rind to the eggs, beat again and pour the egg mixture over the kale, giving the pan a swirl so the base is evenly coated.
• Reduce the heat and scatter the coriander over the egg mixture. Cook for a minute or so, until the omelette is firm enough on the underside to be folded over.
• Tilt the pan away from you and use a spatula to gently lift and fold a third of the omelette on itself.
• Transfer the omelette to the oven and cook for a further 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, transfer to a plate and top with a squeeze of lemon juice and the extra coriander leaves (if using) and serve.

Easter weekend is a couple of days away so it’s time to channel your inner hunter gatherer and marshal the troops for the inevitable living room Easter egg hunt. 

You’ll want to explore high and low when you discover how good these solid eggs taste.  And just like traditional eggs, these orbs of deliciousness can be encased in pretty foil and hidden deep under the couch or buried in your favorite pot plant. 

Just because it’s Easter, there’s no need to get embroiled in the supermarket price wars, just battle it out in your own home with healthy homemade creations.

Note these will melt on a hot day so if you want to avoid finding melted chocolate under the couch cushions in a few months then perhaps it’s better to move the hunt to the backyard.

Gather your ingredients, make these ahead of time and store in the freezer

Solid Chocolate Eggs

Ingredients

• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup coconut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 TBS rice malt syrup or sweetener of choice
• ½ cup cacao powder
• 2 TBS shaved cacao butter or coconut cream

(You can find ingredients here)

Method

• Melt coconut oil and butter in a small saucepan over a low heat
• Add remaining ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until combined
• Using an Easter Egg mold, or if you don’t have one you can substitute by using a mini muffin pan, (I used one for this photograph), egg cups, or rounded ice cube trays, grease the inside of your tray with coconut oil so the eggs don’t stick to the sides when you are removing them. 
• Pour mixture in and place in the freezer to set.  Minimum chill time is just 15 minutes in the freezer.
• Once set, remove them from the freezer and detach eggs from the mold or muffin pan by gently tapping on the base.  Once removed, run your index finger the warm tap, being careful not to burn your fingers and with your index finger swipe over the egg to slightly melt chocolate at each base then sandwich both halves together. Return eggs to the freezer for five minutes to set.

For more Easter recipes why not try out these spegg-tacular creations and let me know what you’ll be making for Easter this year and don’t forget to share them on Instagram.

Sugar Free Chocolates

Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Roughs

I Quit Sugar Bounty Bars

Chocolate and Berry Pudding

Chocolate Nut Butter Cups

Hoppy Easter!

Lee xo

Ps Find out more about my recipe books here.

There are countless gurus in the wellness sphere these days, look around and you’ll find one on every web corner sporting their own alliterated bylines and catchy slogans. But how can you find one that works for you?  You know, one that is not selling a cure for cancer, an expensive online course to sign up to or low fat weight loss program.  Some of the snake oil merchants can even pull rabbits out of hats.

Wondering how to spot a health and wellness guru? Outside of cyberspace you’ll usually find them hanging around lifestyle improvement shows or persuasively sneaking their segments into breakfast television.

When I look for health gurus, I like to look at specific ingredients, because let’s face it health gurus don’t bring you pleasure like food does, you know those wonderful fist pumping moments when the dish you created tastes inexplicably good; I guess you could say gurus are there to change the way you think BUT a beautiful vegetable or spice that flavours up a meal which attacks your senses can really change the way you FEEL and I think that is what is most important. 

Speaking of ingredients, there are some Svengalis out there and ones you should steer clear of, the bad fats and over processed, chemically laden non-foods; but real gurus ones that metamorphosize you on a deeper spiritual level come in all shapes and spices, they may not be photogenic, glamorous and trendy like unpronouncable hyped-up super foods but they are REAL. 

When it comes to charismatic healing gurus look no further than turmeric.  It’s not just a sunny bright spice to curry up dishes, it’s also commonly used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Turmeric originates from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which is a member of the ginger family and it's one of nature's most powerful healers and a true guru. 

I know you will relate to this cleansing tea with its alkalising and detoxifying properties which provide powerful anti-inflammatory action within your body. It's from my latest book Eat Yourself Beautiful.  Turmeric is a superhero ingredient to help heal and prevent dry skin, slow aging, diminish wrinkles and improve skin’s elasticity.

Indian women use turmeric as a facial cleanser and exfoliant.  If you are using fresh turmeric, handle with care as it stains easily. If you do happen to turn your favourite garment yellow try squeezing on lemon juice or eucalyptus to remove the stain. 

So here’s to my number one health guru turmeric.  Make it yours too!

Ingredients

• 250 ml(9 fl oz/1 cup) almond or rice milk
• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
• 6 drops stevia liquid

Method

• Add the almond milk to small saucepan and heat gently until it reaches room temperature.
• Add the turmeric and ginger to a mug.
• Pour a small amount of warm milk into the mug and stir to create a liquid paste, ensuring there are no lumps.
• Add the remaining milk and sweeten with stevia.

For more healing recipes check out my new book Eat Yourself Beautiful.

Happy Cooking

Lee xo

People often ask me what my favourite recipe is from my new book Eat Yourself Beautiful and although I love them all my special favourite is Smashed Sardines with Avocado on Chia and Flaxseed Loaf.  It’s probably because I eat it a few times and week and always feel so happy afterwards. Clap along if you agree. 

Sardines may not immediately strike you as a happy food, but these little guys are sky high in mood boosting omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin B12 and loaded with minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. They can also make your wallet happy because they’re an inexpensive meal to bring the table.  A can of sardines in extra virgin oil will set you back about $1.80 AUD.

A 2012 study reveals that fish oil increases transmission of serotonin in the brain which controls emotion.  Because of their ability to increase serotonin levels this makes fish oils a good mood food to include in your diet.

Hair, skin and nails benefit too; sardines are one of the most powerful beauty boosters because their omega-3 content benefits the circulatory system, hydrating the skin, and helping you to avoid incoming wrinkles.

Omega-3s are brilliant at oxygenating your skin tissue, revitalising and improving your skin tone and giving you a healthy glow.  They're an integral component of the cell membrane and without them the cell membrane becomes stiff and dehydrated, resulting in dry, flakey skin. 

The most intriguing benefit of sardines is that they help to slow the aging process. They’re rich in the vital enzyme CoQ10 which promotes a healthy immune system, restores vitality and is a potent antioxidant. If you’re working towards glowing skin and maintaining skins elasticity, preventing sagging and a more youthful appearance, sardines are a better choice than any toxic skin product that you can buy. Another  good reason to step away from the cosmetics counter. 

Although fresh is best, canned sardines in extra virgin olive oil are a convenient option, as they require minimum preparation.  The good news about sardines is that they’re not mercury heavy like tuna.  You can add them to salads, or combine with lemon juice, olive oil, Celtic sea salt and cracked pepper on a gluten free cracker for a tasty, nutrient dense snack.

But I'm not a sardine fan!

Swap out your oil for flaxseed, chia, or extra virgin olive which are also high in Omega 3 and will give you similar benefits.

For a match made in heaven, pair sardines with avocados, a beautifying tool which has been used for centuries. The high levels of vitamin E found in avocados mean that they work as a skin-soothing, moisturizing agent and the vitamin A helps to remove dead skin cells from the body.  It’s often used as a remedy for dry skin or by those who experience eczema.

Because it’s easily absorbed into the deepest layers of the skin, creating the smoothest skin by restoring nutrients, stimulating new cell growth and improving blood circulation avocado is a wonder-food to add to your diet. The healthy oils found in avocados are also used to increase shine and inject moisture into the hair, and work as a great remedy for dry and brittle hair.

To boost your beauty naturally serve up this dish immediately.

Smashed Sardines with Avocado on Chia and Flaxseed Loaf

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon chopped red chilli (optional)
• pinch Celtic sea salt
• freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 slices gluten-free bread
• small handful of rocket (arugula) leaves
• 120 g (41/4 oz) tinned sardines, smashed
• extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

 Method

• Place the avocado, lime, chilli, salt and pepper in a bowl and mash together with a fork.
• Toast one or two slices of your favourite gluten-free bread (I use chia and flaxseed loaf the recipe is below).
• Spread the avocado mixture over the bread and top with rocket and smashed sardines.
• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve.

Chia and Flaxseed Loaf

Makes one loaf

This is my daily bread and what a diva of a loaf it is. Use it for blissful open-top sandwiches or a mouthwatering and satisfying toasted sandwich. The perfect skin food.

Ingredients

• 350 g (12 oz/21/3 cups) gluten-free self-raising flour
• 30 g (1 oz/1/4 cup) ground flaxseeds
• 20 g (3/4 oz/1/4 cup) chia seeds
• 115 g (4 oz/3/4 cup) mixed sunflower seeds and pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 organic eggs
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 80 ml(21/2 fl oz/1/3 cup) tablespoons additive-free coconut milk
• 6 drops stevia liquid
• 125 ml (4 fl oz/1/2 cup) filtered water

 Method

• Preheat the oven to 175°C (345°F/Gas 3–4) and grease and flour a 20 x 9 cm (8 x 31/2 inch) loaf (bar) tin.
• Combine the flour, flaxseed, chia, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and salt in a bowl and mix until combined.
• In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs for about 2 minutes – they should be pale and fluffy.
• Stir in the apple cider vinegar, butter, coconut milk, stevia and water. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the flour mixture and stir well to combine.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and bake in the oven for 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the loaf comes out clean.
• Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

This loaf will keep for one week in the fridge or two months in the freezer.

You can find my recipe books here.

Happy Cooking

Lee xo