A Healthy Chocolate Hit.. when you really need one!

Some friends and I were chatting at book group the other night. They're also trying to find delicious and extremely healthy recipes to substitute foods in their regular diet.

(figgyandsprout.com)

This simple and delish. Similar to the fudge pops that I make (down the page) for the kids. This smoothie/shake is perfect for when you really want something chocolatey without being naughty! It's rich, thick, smooth and dark. .

Raw Chocolate Milkshake

Water and soft flesh scooped from a drinking coconut
1 tablespoon of raw cocoa/cacao (more antioxidants than green tea!)      
1 heaped tablespoon of smooth raw/local peanut butter ( I use Dick Smith as it's delish and 100% Aussie)
1 level tablespoon of raw honey (or agave/pinch of stevia)
3 cups Almond cream

Stick the scooped out coconut flesh and a small amount of coconut water in the blender and wizz up until smooth. Then add the rest of the water and other ingredients and blend until smooth and incorporated.

Almond Cream

Make ahead of time.
2 cups of raw almonds soaked for a few hours pref 5hrs/overnight. Rinse a couple of times and then Pop in the blender with 3 cups of filtered water. Blend on high/ice crusher setting until the almond mealy bits are fine.
Strain and twist through muslin and use.

Retain almond meal for use in cakes/cookies/muffins etc. You could even get some more almond milk out of the remaining meal when blended up again with 2 cups of water.

Raw Cashew Dreamcake

I finally made it...

RAW

CASHEW (and raspberry)

DREAMCAKE

Quick, easy and almost guilt free!

Yes it's raw, yes it's a HUGE amount healthier than shop bought ... anything! I still don't we could get away with eating only this for dinner. We could try though :o)

Crop-portunity Awaits

As always, there's growing time, then opportunities seem to come in a glut.
In this instance there's an opportunity for a community garden/allotment nearby. It's a nice patch! I can't wait to make my hands grubby in it - I simply don't have the time.

So! If you're nearby and want to help start up some allotments, let me know. Co-opstop@hotmail.com

I miss growing things.. lots of things.. taking them from the dirt to the kitchen and making dinner. 

Super Food Treat for Kids (and You)

I've been nagged to put this recipe up (and the following not so super food cookie) so here it is.
My kids devour these little beauties, I thoroughly enjoy them too. No photos = too tasty to last that long!

FYI your body can break down coconut oil/fat and although it's classed as saturated fat, doesn't contribute to heart disease like other fats can when they are heated. A creamy ingredient not to be avoided.

Coco Fudge Pops

 Ingredients

1 drinking coconut

1 banana

1 tablespoon raw cocoa

4 fresh dates (or 1 T raw honey)

1 generous tablespoon of smooth raw/locally made peanut butter (I use OZEnuts).. or whatever

Method:
Crack open the top of the drinking coconut. Pour the water into a tall jug, scoop out the soft flesh and add to the jug also.
Add the banana, cocoa, dates/honey to the jug and puree with a stick blender. (Or whatever blender you have).
Add the peanut butter to taste at the end. Blend until smooth.

Pour into ice pop moulds and place in freezer over night.

Velvety and rich. So nice!


Here is the non-super food 5 star rated (by others!)  

Suzi's Best Ever Cookies

After making a dozen batches of these cookies, I've realised that there are a few essential ingredients. Substitutes just don't produce the same flavours. The different ingredients that you'll see are ones I buy through my co-op (or bought years ago and stored) and are regular items in my cupboard. Cheaper in bulk and more nutritious.

Ingredients:

Very soft  unsalted butter (US 3/4 cup plus 2 T spoons, the rest of us - 200g).

1/4 cup "raw" sugar

1 cup Rapadura sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups plain flour (organic/biodyn.unbleached flour - different from white "enriched" flour at the shop)

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups porridge oats 

1 cup chopped eating chocolate

1/2 cup chopped unsalted peanuts

Method:

Stick your oven at 180C.

Beat the sugars and butter until light. Then add both eggs and vanilla and whip fast for a minute or so until fluffy.

Add dry ingredients (sifting soda and salt). Add to wet ingredients. Mix then add oats, choc and nuts.

No need to refrigerate (but you can if you like). Scoop dessert spoon sized balls of cookie dough onto a baking try (lined with baking paper), 2inches/5cms apart.

My oven is electric fan forced and takes 13 mins at this size and temp. If your cookies are smaller at about a 5cm in diameter blob of dough then they'll take 10mins. Just until they're a light golden brown.

Leave to cool completely. EAT.

Makes 2 dozen-ish.

Super food version has cacao nibs instead of chocolate