Lee – Page 7 – Supercharged Food

Kitchen Gardening + a Pecan and Carrot Top Pesto Recipe (Video)

We've been called for a while now to prioritise more time for the things that we enjoy. Time to slow down a little, appreciate nature and the natural world, and live more in alignment with it. We have an absolutely beautiful planet and I’m continuously in awe of the magical interplay between the order of the seasons and the cycles of nature; our potential for a harmonious relationship with other humans and for nurturing our soil and our earth; and the immense blessing our planet brings us in return.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been prioritising reflection, rest and connecting back into my roots. One of the ways that I’ve found helps me to feel more grounded, is good old fashioned gardening.

And today I’ve got a great NO WASTE recipe for Pecan and Carrot Top Pesto plus a special discount offer for you to get into growing your own from your own kitchen!

But first, gardening can bring so much joy, when you consider the offering that can exist within even one herb that shoots straight up from the ground, or your first sun-sweetened strawberry fresh off the plant, still warm, with its ticklish external texture and intense burst of flavour juice that tangs your taste buds and stains your lips with a beautiful ruby-red tint.

With our fast paced lifestyles, and love of convenience, food has been transformed from something we were once in tune with, connected to, loved and respected, into a commodity. But the more we connect back to our roots, the more in tune we can be.

Home grown produce beats the taste of anything that you’ll find on the supermarket shelves. There’s just so much still to learn and to be grateful for in the process of growing, harvesting, gathering, preparing and enjoying the foods that the earth naturally provides for us.

When growing your own produce, being able to control what and how you produce it, from using organic soils that are free from synthetic fertilisers and sprays, to cultivating more traditional methods of growing, means good results for you and the planet.

If you’re keen to make the move from a more product based lifestyle to a produce based one, there is no time like the present to get your hands dirty. Gardening is an activity that you can do alone or get the kids involved too. The benefits of growing your own food are enormous, from its taste, right through to its economic and environmental impacts.

When I made the decision to grow my own food, after seeing my food budget as an investment in our world and wanting to have an effect on stewarding this earth and embracing the community around me, I bought a couple of Vegepods which have been producing the most flavour-packed produce, filled with vital nutrients. It’s actually more economical to eat home-grown, and I’ve also been able to pass on any excess produce to neighbours, family and friends. What I love about having a Vegepod is that they make gardening easy and definitely less intimidating.

If you’re keen to make the switch and swap out regular big grocery shops for fresh bounty from your kitchen garden, the good news is that you don't need a traditional garden space to start gardening. Even if you’re a novice gardener, have managed to annihilate even the hardiest of houseplants or, if you’ve a tendency to neglect windowsill herbs positioned at eye level in the kitchen, I want to arm you with some very important information...

Vegepods are now on the move indoors! Move over paddock to plate, we now have Veges-to-table.

The new Vegepod Kitchen Garden is as cute as a cute-cumber!

Plus it will do all the hard work for you. From sunshine to good soil that drains well, regular watering, and a little love and kindness. Ok maybe the love and kindness part you might need to help out with ;).

An easy to grow kitchen-garden bursting with flavour is now a lot simpler than you think. Goodbye expensive supermarket herbs that are limp and bedraggled the day after you buy them. The Vegepod Kitchen Garden allows you to enjoy the intense, vibrant colours of home-grown produce, ripened by nothing apart from the air and sun spectrum grow lights, in a beautifully simple growing space that will be a focal point in the kitchen.

Imagine waking up to the unmistakable scents of fresh basil and rosemary that waft up into your nostrils as you put the kettle on each morning.

Kitchen Gardens are a dream come true in the kitchen; there’s hardly a dish that doesn’t benefit from their bounty. With the new Vegepod Kitchen Garden, you can mix and mingle all manner of greens, to enhance your meals and drinks, both culinarily and medicinally.

Vegepod Kitchen Garden gives you the opportunity to grow your food, whenever you want, whatever your climate, irrespective of the space you have, just as nature intended. They come with adjustable light heights, plug, manual switch or timer-controlled app and some effervescent professional grow lights.

I asked Simon Holloway from Vegepod a few questions about the new Vegepod Kitchen Garden and here’s what he had to say;

The kitchen truly is the heart of the home, and the new Vegepod Kitchen Garden ensures the heart of your home will become a supercharged paradise. Why do you think more people are delving into growing their own food and what are the benefits?

There are quite a few very strong and worthy reasons these days why people are joining our Grow Your Food, each with their own priorities but the benefits are all the ultimately achieved by everyone anyway – better health, better mind, better wallet and better for the planet! Some are growing to combat the cost-of-living pressures, some are all about their health (gut health, physical activity, mind wellbeing), some are all about the flavours and better taste, some are about the convenience of readily available fresh herbs when cooking, some are about reducing waste (both physical wrapping and the carbon footprint of store bought goods) and some are about self-empowerment and education. Whatever the priorities, Vegepod has made it almost failproof and it all combines to a win-win-win-win + a few more wins, anyway!

Leonardo da Vinci said “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” the design not only has a beautiful simplicity but also for all the kitchen pragmatists out there (guilty as charged ;)) it has a load of practical considerations like signature self-watering reservoirs and full spectrum UV lights that promote ginormous growth rates! Was it a long time in the making and did you encounter any stumbling blocks along the way?

Yes, it was a really long gestation period for our new baby! Three years in the making from “go to woah” to be exact, from early pencil designs and brainstorming sessions to being produced in our factory. And to be honest, you could also say this has actually been 10 years in the making when you consider that we have always had thoughts on “bringing Vegepod indoors” combined with our studious eyes always checking existing indoor edible technologies and practices. We are so proud of not just our signature quality in growing technology and innovation, but also the aesthetics on this one. These pieces of ‘growing and lit up art’ have to look damn fine amongst the choosiest of high-end kitchens, designer rooms and other emotionally charged places in the home or workspace. We humbly think we have got the balance right with Kitchen Garden.

The Vegepod Kitchen Garden makes edible gardening even more accessible to all. You guys have a thriving community of Podders around the world that are so loving their Vegepods, myself included. What do you recommend for non-green-thumbs and people who are just starting out and keen to venture into the world of growing their own, from the comfort of their kitchen countertops?

Just start growing with one thing! Don’t be afraid, just dive in and enjoy the journey. It’s so fun, so meaningful, so fulfilling and so healthy. There is no such thing as a black-thumb or green-thumb - just those who have got stuck in and those who haven’t. Life is too short not to enjoy growing your own food to some degree. Both Vegepod Outdoor and Kitchen Garden do help enormously and make things very easy for whoever, so whether you’re a first timer or an expert, just dig in and get growing. You will not regret it, I promise!

To celebrate the release of the Kitchen Garden, Vegepod have kindly offered a 10% discount to all Supercharged Food readers so you can pre-order now for delivery in December. Just use the code SUPERCHARGED10 at the checkout here.

And now for a delicious no waste pesto recipe that takes advantage of the Vegepod Kitchen Garden and fresh home grown greens and will have you glowing like a health god/goddess from head to toe.

Pecan and Carrot Top Pesto (No waste recipe)

Watch the video here

This pesto takes a unique angle with the earthy flavours of pecans combined with glowing green carrot tops. Serve on eggs, crackers or flatbread, add to pasta or pizza, or serve as an accompaniment to chicken or fish dishes.

Makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1 Handful carrot tops
1 cup pecans
4 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
1 tablespoon lemon rind
1 tbs lemon or lime juice
1-2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
small pinch of sea salt
1 cup handful rocket
1 cup basil
Small handful of coriander or flat leaf parsley, whatever you have in your Vegepod or kitchen garden

Method

Place all ingredients in high-speed blender or food processor and blend until you have the desired consistency. Add more olive oil if needed.

Tastes great in a wrap or sandwich, with pasta, salads and roasted vegetables.

Keeps in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week and can be refreshed with an extra splash of extra virgin olive oil.

All About Postbiotics + Homemade Kombucha Recipe

Has gut health gut you curious?

Perhaps I can help with that?

Today, we’re going to talk all about postbiotics, but before we get into the nitty gritty, you have to understand the basics of the gut microbiome, so we’ll start there.

Hold onto your microbes; it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Why is the Gut Microbiome Important?

I want you to imagine a new town with various people. While some contribute positively to the environment, others… not so much. The community changes over the years depending on external stressors and travellers, but the population stabilises as a whole.

When the town’s going well, most people are law-abiding and moral, living harmoniously and doing what they can to support the city. If there are unhelpful people, they tend to be kept in check by everyone else. However, some events may cause these not-so-great people to multiply, leading to a population filled with not-so-good people.

Now, imagine that town is your gut microbiome.

In a healthy microbiome, the bulk of microbes are good or neutral, living in harmony to support digestion and nutrient production processes. When disruptive events occur, the not-so-good microbes can multiply and overgrow, which can manifest itself in different ways, such as yeast infections or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can read more about SIBO here.

The good news is that, like our town, it is possible to improve and change the state of the gut. You can improve your gut microbiota and gut health by consuming specific foods, such as probiotics.

What are Probiotics?

If you’re here, I’m sure you’ve heard of probiotics – the positive live and active cultures that better sleep, improve immune function and promote a thriving digestive system. While the gut naturally produces some strains of probiotics, other essential strains can only be consumed through food or supplementation. Certain foods contain live microbes, such as fermented vegetables, kombucha and kefir.

What are Prebiotics?

If probiotics are flowers, prebiotics are the soil and fertiliser. Prebiotics increase the diversity of gut bacteria and promote the growth of probiotics. Prebiotics naturally occur in many plant-based foods, including unripe bananas, asparagus, oats and legumes.

Need a Prebiotic recipe? my tray bake fits the bill and has all the answers.

Get Your Prebiotics in with My Prebiotic Tray Bake

What are Synbiotics?

Synbiotics combine the power of probiotics with the potency of prebiotics to positively impact the digestive system in a supercharged, easily absorbable way. Synbiotics are more than just the sum of their parts, as they contain live microorganisms and substrates to create a health benefit for the host. Synbiotics aid metabolic syndrome, reduce parasites and pathogens, manage irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhoea, atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions.¹

You’re probably eating synbiotics already, but you may not be getting enough; this is where Love Your Gut Synbiotic Powder comes into place. Love Your Gut Synbiotic Powder will help you repair, restore, and rebalance your gut health from within. It contains 20 billion bits of love for your bacteria in the shape of a unique synbiotic formulation, with plenty of digestive enzymes and a supercharged blast of antioxidants.

What are Postbiotics?

So, what are postbiotics?

Unlike probiotics, postbiotics aren’t live microorganisms. They are the waste left behind after the body has digested both prebiotics and probiotics.² They take the line ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ to a whole new level. Postbiotics contain peptides that help slow the growth of harmful bacteria and short-chain fatty acids, which allow good bacteria to flourish. In this way, they seem similar to probiotics, but they offer additional perks.

While postbiotics are an emerging and evolving field, they may have anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.² Some preliminary research shows that postbiotics boost the gut health of premature babies, young children, and critically ill patients by promoting communication between the gut bacteria and immune system.³

You can help promote the growth of postbiotics by focusing on getting enough of the foods that promote a healthy gut bacterium, including prebiotic-rich foods like asparagus, onion, chicory root, dandelion greens and root vegetables.

According to Peptides Australia, peptides are particularly valuable in reducing inflammation and enhancing the body's ability to repair tissues, further promoting gut health. Their presence in postbiotics adds another layer of benefit, making them an essential component in maintaining a balanced and healthy microbiome.

To transform your gut into a postbiotic producing machine, be sure to include Love Your Gut Synbiotic Powder. Simply add one teaspoon of the delicious tasting powder to your water to support your gut in its natural production of postbiotics; you can thank me later!

There's nothing like homemade kombucha on a hot day

And now I'd love to share with you a simple Homemade Kombucha Recipe.

Kombucha has also been linked to a myriad of other benefits such as improved digestion, fighting candida (harmful yeast) overgrowth, mental clarity, and mood stability. It truly is a tonic rather than simply a yummy beverage.

Don’t be afraid of the fermenting process which can seem like a complex lab operation rather than a kitchen recipe. Honestly, you just have to take the plunge and enter into the world of fermentation to realise that with some basic knowledge of the way bacteria feed on a constant supply of sugars, the process of keeping your culture alive and enjoying it’s wonderful and delicious creations is actually a very straightforward, common sense process that will become part of your daily rhythm.

Once you get the hang of making it, you can flavour it up with ginger and turmeric or even berries. Purchase a SCOBY online or, if you’re very lucky, a friend might give you one. You can buy kombucha online or at a health food store, although once you’ve made your first batch, you won’t need to buy it any more.

You’ll also need a breathable cloth such as muslin (I use a nut bag), a rubber band, and one sterilised wide-mouthed, 1 litre (35 fl oz/4 cup) capacity glass jar with a lid (Mason jar).

Homemade Kombucha

Ingredients:

1 litre (35 fl oz/4 cups) filtered water
2 organic black tea bags
55 g (2 oz/ 1/4 cup) organic sugar
1 SCOBY (see above)
100 ml (3 1/2 fl oz) homemade or store-bought kombucha (see above)

Method:

Put the water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags, add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Pour the tea into the sterilised jar, then add the SCOBY and the kombucha. Cover with muslin, secure with a rubber band and write the date on the jar.

Store undisturbed in a cool, dark, dry place for 7 days, then test it to see if it’s ready. It should be fizzy and slightly sour/vinegary. If it’s still sweet, let it ferment for a day or so longer (usually up to 10 days).

Once the kombucha is ready, carefully remove the SCOBY using a clean long-handled spoon and place it on a plate with a little of the liquid to stop it drying out (then use it to make another batch straight away). Pour out 100 ml (3 1/2 fl oz) of the kombucha and keep aside to make another batch, then pour the remaining liquid into a jug through a sieve and then into a clean glass bottle with a lid. Secure the lid tightly and make a note on the bottle of the date. The kombucha will keep in the fridge for 2–4 weeks.

Stay Supercharged!

References

¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4648921/

²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468815/

³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6801921/

Things You Should Discuss With Your Children For A Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can give your children. It can help them stay healthy now and in the future. There are lots of avenues you can take to discuss many things with your children to help them lead healthy lives.

So I'd love to share a few things you should talk to your children about for a healthy lifestyle.

Eating Healthy Foods

Talk with your children about the importance of eating healthy foods. It's a good way to open up a conversation by explaining to them that eating healthy foods will help them stay energized, avoid getting sick, and maintain a healthy weight. Teaching them about the different food groups and how to ensure they get the nutrients they need is also helpful. If they are older, you can also teach them how to create healthy meal plans and how to go shopping and compile a grocery list.

The benefits of teaching your children to eat healthily are limitless. Eating healthy foods will give them more energy, help them concentrate better in school, and avoid chronic diseases later in life.

Getting Regular Exercise

You can also discuss the importance of getting regular exercise with your children. Exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, improving muscle and bone strength, and reducing stress levels. Help them come up with an exercise routine that they can stick to. Encourage them to participate in activities that they enjoy. This will make it more likely that they will stick with their exercise routine. You can even exercise together as a family which can help bring you closer!

Avoiding Tobacco, Alcohol, And Drugs

As kids mature, it is also essential to have an open discussion the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. These substances are harmful to their developing bodies and can also lead to addiction. Explain the risks involved in using these substances and help them find ways to avoid them, channeling energy into sports or hobbies is a good way to keep your kids from being bored or overthinking.

When your children are aware of addiction they will understand the ramifications and research shows that they will be less likely to start using substances. This means that they can avoid ever having to go to a treatment center to get help for their addiction.

Managing Stress

You should also discuss the importance of managing stress with your children. Stress can harm their physical and mental health. Help them identify their stressors and find healthy ways to manage them. Teaching your children how to manage stress will help them lead happier and healthier lives. It can also prevent them from developing anxiety and depression later in life.

Getting Adequate Sleep

Finally, discussing the importance of getting adequate sleep can be very helpful for your children. Sleep is essential for their physical and mental health. It can help them concentrate in school, avoid accidents, and cope with stress.

Ensure your children get the recommended amount of sleep each night. This will help them function at their best during the day. To ensure they get enough sleep, establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. You can also create a calm and relaxing sleep environment in their bedroom.

Having a good dialogue with your children can really help them to lead healthier lives. Eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep are all critical for their physical and mental health. Teaching your children about these things can help them stay healthy now and in the future.

The Top 7 Most Natural Ways To Deal With Stress

Stress. It's something we all deal with daily. But, whether it's work, family, or finances, stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health if you don't know how to deal with it. While there are many ways to deal with stress, not all of them are natural. This blog post will discuss the top seven most natural ways to deal with stress.

#1 Exercise

Exercise is one of the most natural ways to deal with stress. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting properties. So not only does exercise help to improve your mood, but it also helps to reduce the physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches, body aches, and fatigue. Stress can also lead to stress-eating, which can cause weight gain, but exercise can help combat this, too.

#2 Meditation And Deep Breathing

Meditation and deep breathing are great ways to relax both the mind and the body. When you focus on your breath and let go of any thoughts or worries, it can help to alleviate stress. It's also a practice that can be done anywhere and at any time. There are many apps and YouTube channels that can guide you through meditation and deep breathing exercises. You just need to find the one that works best for you.

#3 Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is another natural way to deal with stress. When you're stressed, your body needs more rest in order to recover. Getting enough sleep helps to reduce the physical and mental effects of stress. It also helps to improve your mood and increase your energy levels. If you aren't getting enough sleep, there are a few things you can try to increase to improve your sleep, such as creating a bedtime routine, taking Delta 9 Gummies, bathing with lavender oils or bath salts, and ensuring your bedroom is a comfortable and peaceful environment. These will help relax your mind and body, leading to a better night's sleep.

#4 Connect With Nature

Connecting with nature is a great way to reduce stress and ground any chaotic thoughts. Going for a walk in a park or hiking in the woods can help clear your mind and give you some much-needed peace and quiet. When you're outside in nature, you're exposed to fresh air and sunlight, both of which have stress-reducing properties. Being in nature can also help to clear your mind and give you a new perspective on any stressors you may be facing.

#5 Spend Time With Loved Ones

You can also significantly reduce stress by spending time with loved ones. When you're around the people you care about, you feel supported and loved. This can help you to feel less stressed and more relaxed. Spending time with loved ones can also help to take your mind off of whatever is causing you stress. Having a solid support system is important for managing stress in a healthy way. A support system can also act as a sounding board, allowing you to process your stress and come up with solutions.

#6 Take A Break From Technology

Taking a break from technology is another great way to reduce stress. When you're constantly connected to your phone, computer, and social media, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by everything that's going on in the world. Taking a break from technology will give you a chance to disconnect from the world and relax in silence. Technology can cause stress and anxiety, so it's important to unplug and give yourself some space from it. This can also help improve your focus and productivity when you do go back to using technology.

#7 Make Self-Care A Priority

Taking care of yourself and making self-care a priority can also aid in reducing stress. This can involve practicing good hygiene, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, finding ways to relax and destress, and setting boundaries in your relationships and responsibilities. Self-care looks different for everyone, but it's important to prioritize your own well-being in order to manage stress. Taking care of yourself is an important aspect of managing stress in a healthy way.

In conclusion, there are many natural ways to deal with stress. These methods can help reduce stress's physical and mental effects while also improving your overall well-being. It's important not to let stress take control of your life and to find healthy coping mechanisms. The seven methods mentioned above are all great options to try in order to alleviate stress. Try incorporating some of these into your life when you're feeling stressed out and see how they help you feel better!

How to put on a special afternoon high tea + recipes

Put your hands pinky fingers up if you’re planning a special afternoon for a loved one soon, but you’re unsure how to celebrate them. If your pinky is currently raised, you’re in the right place.

While having a high tea at a hotel sounds like a beautiful way to honour your loved one, let’s be honest: the food’s usually pretty bland, it can cost an arm and a leg, and you only have a limited number of hours to celebrate. So, rather than heading to a hotel or tearoom, why not transform your kitchen into a high tea palace? Hosting a high tea is a classy and nostalgic way to celebrate your favourite person or friends.

Before you start sending out invitations via dove, boiling the kettle and polishing your soon to be sparkling silverware, follow these simple steps to craft an afternoon fit for a royal friend or member of your family.

Give yourself time to prepare

If there’s one thing you take from this blog, let it be this: it’s absolutely essential to give yourself ample time to plan for the day. If you’re looking at this list on the day of your tea party, it’s already too late (I’m kidding… kind of). Giving yourself time to set up your space, buy what you need, and plan your food will pay off in the final presentation and help you feel a lot calmer on the big day.

Flower time

If your high tea is taking place indoors, bring the beauty of nature inside with a floral arrangement. You may choose to have a big bouquet in the middle or scatter a selection of fresh flowers across your beautiful table or even just go for a small bunch of natives. I love these pastel pink and white blooms.

Choose the right area

Where’s the best place to host an afternoon tea party, you ask?

It depends on the situation. A garden setting is ideal if the weather allows, but a kitchen or dining area will work if it’s a bit on the hot or cold side.

Dress your area to impress!

Now that you’ve chosen the area, it’s time to dress it up. Whether you’re using an outdoor or indoor dining table, coffee table or kitchen bench, it will be the focus area of the afternoon, so make sure you give it the attention it deserves. Selecting the right cloth or fabric is essential. For a high tea, I recommend using a tablecloth that’s a little plain or just a bare wooden table, to spotlight your crockery and, of course, the tea and food.

Pick your centrepiece

Add some flair to your table by picking the perfect centrepiece. I love a tiered cake stand that captures attention and houses delicious treats and homemade goodies.

Invest in tableware pieces

Once you’ve chosen your centrepiece, think about the other elegant pieces on your table: plates, a teapot, teacups, saucers, cutlery sets, placemats and napkins. Soft pastel colours and floral patterns lend themselves to the sophistication of a high tea. To turn the elegance of your tea party up a notch, investing in beautiful matching plates with similar designs is oh so worth it.

Put the ‘tea’ in ‘tea party’

Who could forget about the tea?

Not me, ever.

Fill a charming teapot with your favourite tea. My preference is sticky chai tea, here is my own best ever chai recipe but you may choose to use earl grey, mint or chamomile. Bring out classy teacups and matching saucers to really impress your guests.

Set the tone of the day with tunes

Nothing creates a vibe more than a playlist of curated songs. What background music are you going to set the day to? For a vintage high tea, opt for soft jazz, or if you’re going for a royal and traditional tea party, classical music will make for the ideal accompaniment.

What about the food?

Now that you’ve set out your table and created the ambience you’re after, it’s time to think about what food you’ll serve.

The classic: scones

You cannot, and I mean, cannot, host a tea party without the classic, most British tea party food in the world: scones. These delicious baked goods maketh a high tea. These scones are jolly good fun to make and are ready in a jiffy. Enjoy these scones plain, with a bit of butter or add a wee bit of jam. Scones are forever a crowd pleaser.

The must-have: finger sandwiches

No high tea is complete without finger sandwiches. Luckily for us high tea party throwers, they’re the most minimal effort yet high reward foods you can make.

There are endless options of fillings for your finger sandwiches.

Here are some of my favourites:

Cucumber with cream cheese
Smoked salmon
Smashed avocado
Tuna salad
Curried egg dip
Lettuce, sundried tomato, roasted eggplant and fetta

To avoid sad and soggy sandwich-itis, make your fillings in the morning, and assemble your sandwiches just before guests arrive. Say goodbye to soggy sandwiches for good!

Why not go the extra mile and make a loaf of green, gluten-free bread?

The treats: cakes, cookies and pastries

Between you and me, the delicious, sweet treats are the best part of a high tea.

There’s a reason the ol’ French macaron is a go-to for high-tea; they look impressive, fit perfectly on a cake stand, and are downright delicious.

If you want to put an Aussie twist on your tea, why not bake spectacularly spongey and chocolatey homemade lamingtons? These lamingtons always go down a treat.

I also love this healthy Coconut banana bread you can enjoy a slice of this luscious loaf, with an open and conscious mind, and every mouthful will bless your tastebuds.

There’s something about lime tarts that makes everyone who tries them happy. These tarts are so delicious that your party guests won’t believe they’re raw, dairy-free, refined-sugar free and gluten-free when they gobble them all up. Make these lime tarts mini-sized and enjoy one by yourself – take that, dessert stealers everywhere.

Simple and elegant

When putting on a high tea, the two words to consider are simple and elegant. Now, go on then; you’re ready to make a special afternoon high tea.

I’d love to know – if you’ve thrown a high tea before, what are your tricks and tips? Let me know in the comments below.

How To Ensure Your Diet And Eating Habits Give You The Results You Desire

To get the best out of life, sticking to things and being consistent is a good way to create lifelong good habits and results!

If there are some areas in your life you want to change, maybe you’re looking to lose weight or you’re hoping to get a little fitter, then putting in the time and effort can help!. Hard work and consistency can really allow you to flourish in this regard. If you stick to a healthy diet and do a few things well, then you’re likely to get what you want.

Just sticking to the right habits, however, can be difficult for so many people. If you’re so used to doing other things and you have so many other responsibilities, it can be hard to make this kind of thing work. Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as perhaps you’d think. Here are a few things you can do in order to ensure you get the results you need:

Create A Meal Plan And Stick To It

If you have a plan, it makes life so much easier. You’ll be able to stick to a guide that is literally taking you in the right direction. Just guessing what you have to do will ensure you do not get the results you want. If you do get the results, they’ll come at a much slower and more frustrating rate. A meal plan can boost your progress but also make you feel better along the way.

Learn All There Is To Know About Nutrition

The more you know about nutrition, the better off you’re going to be when it comes to changing your eating habits. If you know very little, then you’ll be more inclined to recede back to old habits. Finding amazing foods will make you feel more comfortable with exploring what’s actually out there. You’ll be happy to change things up and you’ll always look forward to your next meal – which is important. People who dislike being on certain meal plans will likely never get to where they want to be as they’ll revert back to their old selves.

Recognize That Weight Loss And Weight Gain Are Down To Calories

If you’re hoping to lose weight or put it on, you have to make sure that you’re consuming fewer or more calories, respectively. Calories in and out are what make a person lose weight or put it on. There is no secret formula – you just have to make sure you are wise with your energy storage.

Stay Fit And Active Throughout Your Eating Plans

When you sit around and barely do much, it’s so easy to let your diet derail. You feel as though you won’t really get much done so you may as well let yourself go a little, right? Whenever you keep active, you simply feel better. Whether we’re talking about general life or confidence, activity and exercise keep us positive. So, heading to the gym and hitting leg extensions or simply going for a run will make your mind pursue the right diet when you’re finished. You’ll feel as though you need to supplement the workout with the right kinds of foods a lot of the time.

Don’t Be Too Strict And Regimented Throughout Your Life

People who adopt a policy that is way too strict can suffer somewhere along the line. They’ll be so frustrated at some points that they’ll abandon what they’re doing and spend a week or two binge-eating the wrong foods. Make sure you have a balanced diet that allows you to give in to some cravings while not straying away from your targets.

Don’t Let Outside Influences Throw You Off Course

It’s so easy to let people ruin what you’re trying to do. They might directly convince you that you don’t need to do this kind of thing, or their actions might tempt you away. Make sure you have supportive people around you or people with similar ambitions.

Think About The Long Term And What You Truly Desire

If you consider things in the short term, then you’re only going to get the results you want over the course of a few weeks. You will also likely get sick of things early on because you aren’t getting the results as quickly as you’d like. You have to picture things over the course of months. Looking at where you’ll be in a year would make a lot more sense because that’s how you’ll be able to see real problems. Don’t look for quick, short-term, extreme options because they just won’t get you to where you wish to be.

Using an app like Greatness can significantly enhance your journey towards achieving desired results with your diet and eating habits.The Greatness app serves as a powerful tool to teach how to effortlessly create a balanced meal to stay healthy, helping you stay accountable and make mindful choices. This app offers courses on various lifestyle topics, helping you develop and stick to healthy habits. By incorporating such digital solutions into your routine, you can establish new and sustainable habits that align with your health and wellness goals, ultimately leading to the results you desire.

The Health-Conscious Person’s Guide To Indulgence

When it comes to indulgence, many people think of being naughty or breaking the rules in terms of your health. Indulging doesn’t mean you have to derail yourself or your health goals. There are simple ways you can indulge and still maintain your healthy lifestyle. Whether you’re willing to enjoy a cheat day or not, there are choices for everyone. If you’ve been craving a little indulgence or you’re looking for ways to indulge in a healthy way, consider these tips.

Alcohol-free

If you’ve ever been on a health kick or tried to lose weight, one of the first things people recommend to ditch is alcohol. Alcohol represents empty calories and often comes with overindulgence afterwards. If you’ve ever been at a party or a dinner out and been the only one at the table not drinking, then you know it’s tough. Thankfully, you don’t need to give in to pressure to indulge.

Try non-alcoholic wine, it's the best alternative to indulge without really indulging. Alcohol-free drinks are the perfect solution to avoid drinking and maintain your health goals while still feeling part of the party. Non-alcohol wine or beer are the perfect options for the health-conscious person looking to indulge without the empty calories or the junk food that comes after. You can buy non-alcoholic drinks from Boisson.

Sugar-free

Sugar is a tough indulgence to shake, and while a little every now and again isn’t the worst, you don’t want to get into a habit. Sugar-free alternatives are a great way to indulge a little without compromising your health goals. Sugar-free alternatives come in so many choices these days, you’ll be sure to find the perfect option for you. Whether you are looking for lollies, chocolate, soft drinks or even brownies, there is an option for you.

Much like its sugary counterpart though, these sugar-free indulgences should be a sometimes food, not an everyday food. Don’t fall into the trap of just replacing one for the other. Sugar-free alternatives are a great way to help you scratch that itch, but they shouldn’t become the new go-to indulgence. A great rule of thumb is to leave at least a week between sugar-free treats.

Protein shakes

If you’re craving a sweet drink that is almost like a milkshake, then a protein shake might just be your new best friend. Protein shakes are the perfect indulgence for the health-conscious. Full of protein, vitamins and minerals, these shakes come in a variety of flavours that will have you thinking you’re at the milk bar enjoying an ice-cold shake. Protein shakes are however almost always sugar-free and low in saturated fats.

These shakes are packed full of good stuff and help you feel fuller for longer, meaning you get an indulgence hit and can feel satisfied until the next one. Shop around though, not all sellers are created equal. If you have special dietary requirements it can really pay to spend a little more for peace of mind. There are plenty of great brands out there to choose from, including organic and vegan options too.

Vegetable snacks

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The Queen’s Favourite Scrambled Eggs Recipe

Hello from the UK, it’s been such a surreal experience being here in Britain at this particular time in history, when sadly Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully in Balmoral.

Last week I was to be able to join thousands of people visiting the Green Park Floral tribute Garden and Buckingham Palace, to pay my respects to someone who was a huge inspiration.

It was a very emotional day, especially looking through the heartfelt tributes and cards and seeing thousands of Paddington Bears lining the gates of Buckingham palace and the surrounding gardens!

There were even sculptures made from watermelons!

Growing up in the UK was the beginning of my admiration for the queen for so many reasons, including her ability to be a grounding, steadfast influence in times of turmoil as well as her dedication and diligence to serving others.

Some years ago, one of my lovely friend was fortunate enough cook for the Queen and she shared with me a recipe for her favourite Scrambled Eggs. Ma’am loved to sometimes start the day with a protein packed breakfast and these eggs were tailored to the way that she particularly liked them.

Another thing you may not know about Her Majesty the Queen is that she loved to enjoy homegrown foods and ones produced locally in her area. She was also a fan of eating with the seasons. That's my kind of lady, she certainly put the Great into Great Britain!

Her special scrambled egg dish involves two unusual ingredients (nutmeg and lemon rind), and they really elevate this breakfast dish. The eggs need to be (brown not white, as Her Majesty preferred the taste) and they were always cooked low and slow to make them super creamy and not clumpy.

Occasionally they would be served with her favourite kippers, usually in her private dining room in Buckingham Palace with a nice cup of Earl Grey tea and a spot of milk.

Ever since I was given this recipe a few years ago, I’ve been making these eggs on the regular and they are spectacular! I always make them when friends come to stay. For those craving more egg-citement and for those social media enthusiasts who want to share your recipe, explore some cracking egg puns and add it to your social media post.

Please enjoy her favourite scrambled eggs recipe. And thank you, your majesty for your lifelong service. May you rest in eternal peace.

The Queen's Scrambled Eggs

Serves 2

Ingredients

3 organic (brown) eggs
1 tablespoon milk
Sea salt, to taste
1 tablespoon butter or you can use extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Pinch ground nutmeg
freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
snipped chives and kippers to serve (optional)

Method

Whisk the eggs and milk in a bowl until well combined. Add salt to taste.

Heat the butter or olive oil in a small frying pan over low–medium heat. Add the eggs and turn the heat down to low, moving them around the pan slowly with a spatula so they don’t stick to the bottom.

Just before they are starting to set, add the lemon zest, nutmeg and extra salt, if desired and stir.

Serve immediately, garnished with pepper and chives, if using.

6 Healthy Eating Tips for College Students

Since college life can be exhausting, proper nutrition and healthy eating habits are essential to ensure that you perform optimally. Whether you're an incoming or returning student, here are six healthy eating tips that can help you throughout your college journey.

Pre-plan your meals

With plenty of food choices, it is relatively easy to treat the college cafeteria as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Pre-planning your meals can help you eat a well-balanced diet and prevent excessive eating. No matter how busy your schedule is, dedicate a few minutes or hours daily to planning your meals. Make sure to have the proper balance of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, and proteins to ensure your body functions properly. Include a fruit or vegetable in every meal, and be mindful of your food portions. Pre-planning your meals may sound overwhelming on top of all the tasks you have to do for college. But if you manage your time and use helpful writing resources like TopEssayWriting everything will work out.

Avoid skipping breakfast

To ensure that you do well in your classes, you should always make it a habit to eat a healthy breakfast. If you're pressed for time, choose a high-fiber fruit such as an apple or banana and an easy-to-eat protein-filled food item. While some protein and energy bars are great quick breakfast options, avoid consuming them regularly.

Eating a healthy breakfast can help ensure that your brain gets the necessary nutrients so that you can excel academically, especially during exam seasons. If you're skipping breakfast because of intermittent fasting, make sure you do your research first and read reviews on 'why am I not losing weight on intermittent fasting' so that you're well-versed with its advantages and disadvantages.

Reduce your caffeine intake

While drinking coffee has its health benefits, excessive caffeine consumption can be detrimental to your health. Limit your coffee intake to two to three cups a day, and avoid relying on caffeine when you're sleep-deprived. Lack of sleep plus too much coffee can make you restless, disrupt your focus, and lead to serious health complications. Make sure you get quality and adequate sleep every night and rest often during the day so that you don't need to depend on coffee to boost your mental energy. In addition to limiting your caffeine intake, you can also use https://getnursingessay.com/nursing-editing-service/. This way you can get enough sleep without worrying about missing out on important deadlines.

Drink more water

Staying hydrated is one of the easiest and simplest healthy habits that can significantly improve your overall health. Drinking water can also prevent overeating as you will feel fuller and less hungry. Drink adequate amounts of water every day and steer clear of carbonated drinks. Carry a reusable water bottle with you, so you don't need to purchase other beverages.

Stock up on healthy snacks

To prevent you from eating processed food during your late-night studies, stock up on healthy snacks in your dorm. Fill your pantry with nutritious food items such as popcorn, nuts, dried fruits, whole grain crackers, and seeds. Avoid depriving yourself of your food cravings, but make sure to do it in moderation.

Find an accountability eating buddy

Adopting healthy eating habits is easier when you have a great support system. Find an accountability buddy who you can check in with every day. You'll be more motivated to cultivate good eating habits if you're sharing your journey with a trusted friend who will hold you accountable for your food choices.

Creating healthy eating habits while in college need not be difficult. Remember to follow the above tips and enjoy your college experience.

How to Heal Your Gut Step by Step

You know your gut needs a little (okay, fine, a LOT of) love. You've tried countless things to heal it.

Water fast? Tick!

Coffee enema? Tick!

Himalayan salt inhalers? Probably a tick there too!

And let’s be honest, nothing’s really worked so far.

If you're sick of accepting that your constipation, headaches, bloating, acne and stomach pains are normal and there's 'nothing you can do', I'm here to help.

I'm going to run you through my step-by-step gut-healing process, so your gut can feel brand-spankin' new.

How to Heal Your Gut

Prepare 🛁

Before you even think about shotting back charcoal juice and hitting a hot yoga class to sweat out toxins, you need to prepare the gut by cleansing and toning the environment. To tend to your gut, or as I call it, your inner garden, you might need to do some weeding. Weeding means getting rid of the negative bacteria and bugs to make room for a healthier environment.

To prepare your gut, weed out negative bacteria by eliminating commonly irritating foods, such as gluten, dairy, caffeine, refined sugar and soy.

Add in Love Your Gut Powder and capsules to speed up the prep. Love Your Gut Powder and capsules gently cleanse the gut and create an alkaline environment with a pH of 8.

Process 🔥

Once you've prepared the gut adequately and weeded out harmful bacteria, it's time to put a little digestive fire (in Ayurveda, they call this Agni) in your belly! The gut needs to be primed to process and absorb nutrients and hydration, with water or lemon infused water being a good form of hydration. That's the role of Fulvic Humic Concentrate. Among other benefits, Fulvic Humic Concentrate helps the gut process nutrients and strengthens the tight junctions that are weakened in conditions like leaky gut that can take some time to heal.

In the process stage, it's essential to focus on rest and self-care. Stress is one of the most significant contributors to an imbalanced gut, impacting gut motility and negatively influencing the gut microbiota composition (an influencer I don't want to follow). Introduce a form of meditation into your routine, ensure you're getting seven to nine hours of sleep, and swap out your coffee for herbal tea.

Populate 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧

After preparing and processing the gut, it's time to get to work! Populating the digestive system is about healing the intestinal wall lining and making room for more positivity in the gut garden.

Movement can have a powerful influence on the state of the gut. Studies show that exercise alone can increase beneficial bacteria, reduce inflammation, and speed up your metabolism (you can thank me later).¹ You don't need to lunge it out at the gym to get your movement in if that's not your thing. All exercise is good for the gut, so you may like to try swimming, walking, yoga or even gardening instead.

Love Your Gut adds vital minerals and nutrients to the gut to help it survive and thrive. To up the ante, include Love Your Gut Synbiotic in your routine. It adds over 20 billion high-quality probiotics in every serve. Twenty billion sounds filling, but it's just the right amount for your gut to thrive. Plus, Love Your Gut Synbiotic supports the digestive system through the bonus of fibre and digestive enzymes, so it’s an all-round gut health cheerleader.

Proliferate ❎

The last but certainly not least P is Proliferate. Now, I struggled to find an appropriate emoji for Populate, so go easy on me. I settled on the ❎ symbol as it symbolises the idea of multiplying. Proliferating is all about multiplying the beneficial bacteria in your gut. To help keep the bacteria love alive, make sure you're getting in enough fibre every day.

Some fibre-rich foods that your gut love include:

Apples
Artichokes
Bananas
Berries
Brussel sprouts
Celery
Cucumbers
Dandelion greens
Garlic
Kale
Lentils
Onion
Pumpkin
Seeds

There's an easier way to populate your gut than what you might think, and no, it doesn't involve matchmaking your gut microbes (although that would be a reality TV show I'd love to watch!). The easiest way to populate the gut is by taking Love Your Gut Synbiotic; it’s full of prebiotics that act as multipliers of probiotics by feeding them and helping them thrive.

There we have it - my step-by-step process of healing your gut. Do you have any gut-healing tips you want to add to this list? Let me know your top tips in the comments below.

Lee x

References

¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31454784/

Do you want to feel less reactive and more at ease? My daily Vedic meditation practice can help!

As many of you know I’ve been practicing Vedic meditation for almost two years now. You can read about the technique here where I share my experience of learning with my teacher, Anna Young-Ferris.

Now fast forward almost two years and I’ve been experiencing some deep and profound shifts. I’d love to share with you and encourage/inspire you to prioritise your mental health and well-being too, so if that sounds like something you are keen to do, let’s make a plan!

Recently I sat down with my teacher, Anna, to get the lowdown on what I’ve been experiencing and if it is ‘normal’!! (to feel so calm and centred!).

So I’ve been really committed to my twice daily Vedic meditation practice, especially during the last 6 months. It has taken me a little while to get into a rhythm but now I can’t live without it! One thing I have noticed is that I’m not as bothered by little things anymore. And it has been some of those closest to me that have observed this change in my behaviour. There is a sense of ease that I have not felt before. Is this an effect of the Vedic meditation practice? Is this normal?

Ah yes brilliant! This is perfect because the more we practice our Vedic meditation regularly - ideally 20 mins twice per day - the more we make a connection with our inner peace and stillness. We then bring this state of peace into our eyes open life and find things just don’t bother us as much. We start responding to situations rather than being on autopilot and reacting in predictable and less than elegant ways.

What other changes have you seen in your students over a sustained time? And will everyone benefit?

Students have different experiences depending on how regular they are being with their practice but there are also common markers of progress. Being less reactive and less bothered like what you’ve been experiencing is huge and is normal!

I teach lots of busy mums and they find themselves to be “less shouty” at their kids and more accepting, flexible and adaptable with unexpected situations that arise - which let’s face it is most days!

More mental space is being created because the gentle repetition of the mantra allows the awareness to dive beyond the busy thinking/doing mind and rest in a state of greater relaxation. With this relief from the monkey mind, with more space, comes greater clarity and the ability to solve problems in creative ways.

What can you tell people about why and how a regular Vedic meditation practice will help them?

Another benefit is developing the ability to pause and sense into your heart intuition. When faced with a pressing decision rather than trying to jump in and solve it and control the situation in haste, with this practice, we start to tune into and sense our finer level of feeling. We can leave our minds out of it.

Another huge benefit is the regulation of sleep, especially when we are diligent with our second meditation. We sleep for longer and can find we no longer wake up unstressing about work etc in the early hours.

What is the biggest challenge for your students?

The technique is natural, easy and relaxed but ‘fitting it in’ our busy schedules is definitely the biggest challenge, especially for new meditators. We are strange creatures as we somehow think there are more important things to attend to than reducing our stress and prioritising our selfcare. I teach students to develop a self-care ritual and a relationship with their meditation practice. With a little effort and dedication at the start you soon find you can’t leave the house without it. Just like brushing your teeth or showering!

What is one thing you can you share about your recent trip to India?

This trip was pure magic. It provided a context for all the Vedic practicing, training and teaching I have been doing over the years. Mostly, how incredibly important it is to connect on a daily basis with our higher Self, which is what we do with our Vedic meditation practice. All the answers, love and support is within us, we just need the right technique to connect.

Another thing (and there are so many!) is the culture of giving. In India on your birthday you do not receive gifts you give them and the birthday person is so happy doing this. In the West we seem more focused on taking and our culture praises the individual, rather than the collective. We can really learn so much.

Where can subscribers sign up to learn or find out more?

I teach small group courses from my studio in Newport, KAI Yoga, Mosman, and other locations. I host online and in-person group meditations, events and advanced trainings. I provide dedicated support to keep you meditating as part of a thriving community of like-hearted souls.

I’m currently taking bookings for my next Vedic meditation course on 16-19 September 2022. Happy to arrange a short discovery call anytime with interested subscribers. You can also connect with me on Instagram or via my website.

Thank you Anna and Blessings!

Six Plant-Based Dessert Ideas for the Whole Family + My New Berry Crumble Recipe

Whether you’re craving a baked goodie to dunk in tea, a raw treat that can be whipped up in a jiffy, or a sweet that’s so healthy it could be eaten for breakfast, these plant-based dessert ideas are guaranteed to satisfy ye olde sweet tooth.

If you’re looking for healthier versions of your traditional favourite desserts, you’re in the right place. Here are some of the best (in my very ~~crumble~~ oops humble and non-biased opinion) plant-based dessert ideas.

Ready?

Cookies

“I hate cookies!” said no sane person ever.

But seriously, who doesn’t love a good cookie? I believe cookies are the dessert that is destined to send your tastebuds back to a time where you were sitting in front of a fire, cookie in one hand, tea in the other, and smiles plastered across the faces of your favourite people.

My favourite cookie combinations are relatively straightforward to make. I usually combine almond meal with eggs or chia seed eggs, maple syrup, baking powder and a pinch of salt. For extra goodness, I’ll add choc chips, nut butter or mixed nuts.

I genuinely believe cookies are one of the most comforting foods you’ll ever bite into. These Banana and Quinoa Cookies are for all my fellow cookie monsters.

Bliss Balls

What was once dubbed a revolutionary healthy and tasteless phenomenon has now become the new norm. These days you can find raw, vegan bliss balls at your local café and supermarket. That said, typical bliss balls are usually overloaded with sweeteners and dried fruit + sulphites, which means this ‘healthy dessert’ isn’t that healthy at all.

While fruit is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fibre, overconsumption of dried fruit can lead to gastrointestinal problems, weight gain and quick sugar highs. Save yourself the tummy trouble and keep the dried fruit in your bliss balls to a minimum. You’ll thank me later.

These hemp and tahini bliss balls are my go-to.

Raw Cheesecake

Does anyone else have a soft spot for cheesecake? It wraps up two of the most delicious foods on the planet – cheese and cake – with a pretty bow.

But, for my friends who avoid processed foods, gluten, dairy, sugar and eggs, cheesecake probably sends you running in the opposite direction. Until now.

It’s possible to craft a cheesecake that’s raw, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free. Before you roll your eyes at me at the idea of a cheese-less cheesecake, just trust me.

My favourite cheesecake is a raw mango cheesecake.

For the base, simply combine a mix of nuts, coconut, coconut butter and sea salt in a blender to get a crumbly yet firm foundation. You may need to add in some filtered water. Then, place it in a dish and pop it in the freezer.

For the filling, combine cashews, mango, coconut butter, lemon juice, coconut milk and a bit of honey in your blender. Place the mixture on top of the base and place it in the freezer to set.

Keep the cheesecake in the freezer for a few hours, and then serve with fresh berries. It’s sure to convert even the biggest sceptic.

Sweet Nuts

Are you looking for a quick nibble?

Sweet and spiced nuts are an excellent and easy sweet snack that you can make with your family. Sweet and spiced nuts are rich in both protein and fat, which means they keep us full. Simply combine mixed nuts with rice malt syrup, sea salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and maybe chilli if you’re a bit daring for a nibbly sweet and spicy snack.

If you’ve got a chocolate craving, roast your nuts in the oven with a pinch of salt, melt dark chocolate over the stove and coat the nuts in the dark chocolate. Everyone will go nuts for them!

Banana Bread

Did you really experience lockdown if you didn’t venture into banana bread land? Banana bread is a relatively fuss-free loaf that holds its own.

Bananas are incredibly nutrient-rich, containing fibre, several antioxidants and potassium, which supports a healthy heart and can even help lower blood pressure. Plus, bananas contain magnesium, which means they’re excellent for relieving cramps and aches.

The problem with bananas, however, is that they can ripen quickly. That’s where our saviour, banana bread, comes in.

Who would have thought combining overripe bananas with flour, eggs, baking powder, a sweetener of your choice, and a bit of milk would create a dreamy, moist and satisfying dessert? My family goes bananas for coconut banana bread.

Berry Crumble

If any nutritionist says that a healthy breakfast needs to be savoury (read: boring), they’re wrong. It’s possible to make a crumble that’s so nutritious and pleasurable; you could eat it for breakfast.

A good berry crumble feels like a soul-hugging dessert; it’s nourishing, guilt-free and perfect for savouring over a long and slow Sunday morning.

While berries are traditionally used in a crumble, if they’re not in season, they can be expensive. So, this is your invitation to get creative and substitute berries for apples, pears, or whatever else you have sitting in your fridge or freezer.

This is my favourite berry crumble recipe.

Start with the topping.

Topping

1 cup cashews, roughly chopped
1/2 cup macadamias
1/2 cup almonds
3 tablespoons butter or you can use 2 tablespoons coconut oil for vegan
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
Pinch of sea salt

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Place all the topping ingredients apart from butter/oil in a food processor and roughly chop.

Transfer to a bowl and rub the butter in or add coconut oil and stir and set aside.

Filling

1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder, paste or one scraped out vanilla pod
2 tablespoons almond meal
Zest of 1/2 lime
600 g (1 lb 5 oz) mixed berries (can use frozen)

To make the filling, mix the maple syrup, vanilla and almond meal with the lime zest.

Place the berries in a saucepan and pour over the mixed syrup.

Mix gently to combine, taking care not to break up the berries.

Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.

Transfer to a pie dish and sprinkle over the topping ingredients.

Place in oven and cook for 20-25 mins.

For the best result, serve this crumble straight from the oven with a generous dollop of chilled yoghurt or whipped coconut cream.

This berry crumble is vegan-friendly, gluten-free and free of refined sugar, making it the perfect goodie to share with friends and neighbours.

There you have it, my favourite plant-based dessert ideas. I hope you enjoy them!