SUPER SIMPLE PEANUT PROTEIN POPS:

Makes 8

As the temperature continues to rise so does my need for ice cream. I created these bad boys on the remnants of my cupboards, not only are they so high in protein they could double as post workout recovery but they are also the perfect dairy free healthy (sugarfree) sweet treat. Annnnnnnnd the best bit?! They are so insanely simple to make these are quickly going to become your go to.

Ingredients

4 scoops vanilla protein (this can be vegan or whey protein powder)

3 tbs pb2

3 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup cacao powder

HOW:

- In a bullet blender add 3 tbs coconut oil, protein powder, pb2 and almond milk and blend until combined

- Pour in to ice pop moulds

- Freeze for 2 hrs

- Take out of the freezer and set aside for 5 mins

- Mean while in a ramekin combine 5 tbs of coconut oil and the cacao powder until a melted chocolate type consistency is formed.

- Take pops out of the moulds and dip into the choc one by one and place in mould upside down to set.

- Store in the freezer in an air tight container

Serves 8:

Per serve...

Calories 216

Carbs 6

Fat 15

Sugar  .5

DAIRY FREE BRAMI BEAN PESTO SAUCE

I generally avoid dairy when I can these days, I'm not intolerant but I must admit I feel a lot lighter and leaner when I do. I was lucky enough to hit up the Foundermade wellness conference last month and discovered Brami Beans aka pickled Lupini beans. Awesome as a snack, or even with a cheeky glass of wine. Anyway I got experimenting and ahhh hello creamy pesto!!!  I had it with parsnip noodles and shrimp but the options are endless. 

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pack shelled brami beans (pop beans out of shell)

7 tbs nutritional yeast

2 Big Handfuls of fresh basil

1/2-1  cup of almond milk

2 cloves of garlic

HOW:

- Blend all ingredients in a bullet but only 1/2 cup of milk to start. Check consistency. Add more milk and blend again. 

- I made parsnip noodles and cooked with shrimp and garlic but as I said earlier this can be used on anything, even as a stir through sauce at the end of the dish. 

Xxxxx

VEGAN CAULIFLOWER CHEESE SAUCE:

Whether you went out and drank way too  tequila last night or you are feeling fragile and just need warming feel good food stat... Some days our bodies just crave comforting cheesy goodness so why not fufill that need (and yes it's a NEED) without the nasty calories and bloat that goes along with it. This cheesy sauce is perfect for nachos, can be used to top your fav veggie bake or even just to spice up good meat and three veg.

INGREDIENTS:

1 small head of cauliflower

3 heaped tbs nutritional yeast

Himalayan salt

1 tbs coconut flour

1/4 cup unsweetened Almond milk

HOW:

- Chop up head of cauliflower into inch long pieces, take cauliflower pieces and Steam or boil until soft.

- Take drained cauliflower pieces and place in Nutribullet blender, blend until  It is a smooth and creamy consistency.

- Add the salt, almond milk and nutritional yeast to the cauliflower and blend again til combined.

- Add coconut flour to the mix and blend for about a minute.

- And ta-daaaa! It's seriously that simple. As I said earlier, you can use it as a dip, as a sauce or a topper for roasted veggies. 

PUMPKIN PIE CHIA PUDDING

I'm a sucker for seasonal food not to mention ALLLL things pumpkin spice, however giving up my year's worth of hard work in the gym to indulge and embrace the season is a little bit of a turn off. This guy is definitely the answer. Sugar free, Paleo, Dairy free and packed full of all of the favourite seasonal flavours, this Chia pudding works perfectly as a snack, breakfast or dessert. Enjoy! 

Ok so this one really is stupidly easy.....
INGREDIENTS:
1 &1/4 cup almond milk
5 tbs chia seeds
2 tsp pumpkin spice
2 tbs fresh ginger (grated)
1 cup pumpkin purée
3 drops of stevia (optional)

HOW:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and and leave in the fridge for an hr waiting for seeds to expand and magic to happen
- Once seeds have expanded stir again
- Spoon into glass and serve, top with walnuts, coconut and serve.

CACAO ROSE BEET BROWNIES

I crave chocolatey treats just as much as the next person, hard to believe that these guys are #sugarfree, #paleo, #vegan (optional) and #glutenfree! Talk about a win!

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Pureed Beets
1/4 cup Cacao powder & 3 tbs Cacao for icing
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1 tsp baking powder
6 tbs Coconut Oil
1/4 cup almond milk
1 egg or Flax egg (see note)
1 tbs Rose water
3 Medjool Dates
Rose Petals

HOW:

FOR THE BROWNIE:
- Pre heat oven to 400' F.
- Combine Beet puree and dates in a blender til both a super smooth.
- Add Cacao powder, Coconut Flour, Egg, 3 tbs Coconut oil, Baking Powder, Rose water and Almond milk to the beet mix and combine until a batter is formed.
- Spray brownie tray with Coconut oil, and spread batter on tray about 1 inch thick.
- Cook for 20minutes @ 400'F.
- Allow to cool in pan

ICING:
- Combine 3 tbs Cacao Powder, 1 tbs coconut oil, 1 tbs hot water to make icing thick. Add more coconut oil if you would like a harder chocolate icing as the final product.

- Take Brownie out of pan once cooled
- Spread icing over Brownie
- As it sets spritz with rose water and cover in rose petals.

*Flax egg is 2 tbs of ground flax meal combined with 2 tbs of hot water.
 

VANILLA CINNAMON DAIRY FREE CHIA PUDDING

Guilt free, vegan, paleo, sugar free, gluten free and dairy free this guy ticks all the boxes!

Chia seeds one incredibly nutrient dense "super food" high in fibre, protein, omega 3's and antioxidants they are certainly bang for buck as far as calorie spend is concerned. 

This pudding can be a dessert / breakfast / snack / I'm hangry and need something to fill me up and make me feel like I'm eating something treat like (really this couldn't be further from a treat so what a win!) 

 HOW: 

4 tables spoons chia seeds 

1 cup almond milk 

1 tsp cinnamon 

1 tsp organic vanilla essence 

2 tablespoons of organic shredded coconut 1 tsp stevia (completely optional, I would make it without it first to taste, then add if you need) 

 

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and leave for 15-20mins in the fridge while the seeds expand. 

 

Chop up a super ripe and delicious nectarine for garnish.

 

Transfer pudding into a glass, top with the nectarine slices and some shredded coconut and you've got it! 

CACAO CINNAMON BEET BROWNIES!!

Ahhhhh did someone say DESSERT? 
How about Sugar Free, Paleo, Gluten Free and Vegan BROWNIES?!
Deliciously layered Brownie with a Sticky Cacao fudge, this guy is a heart breaker.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Pureed Beets
1/4 cup Cacao powder
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1 tsp baking powder
6 tbs Coconut Oil
1/4 cup almond milk
1 Flax egg (see note below on how to make it)
1 tbs Cinnamon
6 Medjool Dates
3 tbs Almond Butter

HOW:

FOR THE BROWNIE:
- Combine Beets, Cacao powder, Coconut Flour, 2 tbs Coconut oil, Cinnamon, Baking Powder and Almond milk. Mix until a batter is formed.
- Pre heat oven to 400' F.
- Spray brownie tray with Coconut oil, and spread batter on tray about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cook for 20minutes @ 400'F.
- Allow to cool in pan

FOR THE STICKY CACAO FUDGE:
- Sautee the Medjool dates in 2 tbs coconut oil, add Almond Butter and 2 tbs Cacao Powder until roughly combined.
-Take off heat and place in Bullet blender, blend till smooth and fudgey. 

PUTTING IT TOGETHER:
You are so close to dessert HEAVEN!!!
- Combine 2 tbs Coconut oil with 2 tbs cacao powder and spread thinly on brownie and allow to set.
- Cut into squares of even sizes
- Place one square on plate, get 1 tbs of fudge mix and place on top of brownie, place brownie square on top and sandwich together. 
- Top with cacao nibs and YAHHHHHHHHHHS ITS FINALLY READY!!!

*Flax egg:
2 tbs ground flax meal
4 tbs water
- Combine and leave to set until a gel like mix is formed.
 

VANILLA BLUEBERRY ACAI BOWL

BOWL HEAVEN. I will never tire of a smoothie bowl they are just too god damn good and the perfect post workout reward.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 scoop Quest nutrition Vanilla Whey protein (use Vega vanilla protein for vegan and paleo version)
1 cup of almond milk
1 packet of frozen Acai
1 baby banana
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
Seeds nuts and berries to garnish! I use flaxseeds, almonds, dried pomegranate, blueberries and banana.

HOW:
-Blend all ingredients in a Nutri Bullet blender except for toppings
-Pour in bowl, decorate and make it look pretty and TA-DAAAA!

GLUTEN FREE - PALEO - VEGAN : BASIL BROCCOLI BREAD

I love a veggie substitute in place of flour, my usual suspects are using Cauliflower or Zucchini but with an overload of Broccoli in the fridge, Broccoli Bread sounded like a great idea!

2 Cups of blended Broccoli (I blanched it pre blend so i was easier to blend)
1/2 cup blended flax seeds  
1/4 cup blended chia seeds
1/4 cup coconut flour 
1/4 cup chick pea flour (use coconut flour for paleo version) 
3 tbs coconut oil 
1/4 tsp black cracked pepper
1/4 tsp Himalayan salt 
1 tsp baking powder 
1/2 cup almond milk
2 Tbs of freshly chopped Basil

HOW:

Pre-heat oven to 400deg F.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl until a dough like consistency is formed. 
Place in a bread tin, sprayed lightly with coconut oil and cook for 30-40mins. 

Not exactly a difficult recipe to follow. I served the Broccoli bread with Tahini and it was RIDIC.

PB2 & CHERRY RECOVERY SMOOTHIE

Recovering after a workout is just as important as the workout!
During a workout muscle tissues are torn and need to be rebuilt in order for lean muscles to form, protein is the key component for making this happen. When in liquid form it enters the bloodstream faster to get to work, meaning post workout smoothies are where its at!

INGREDIENTS:
3 x tbs of "The Slender Blend" from Protein world
1 x cup Almond Milk
2 x tbs of PB2 powder
1 x tbs of Flaxseeds
1 x cup of Ice
1 cup of frozen Cherries

HOW:
- Blend 1 cup of Cherries and 1/4 cup of Almond Milk and pour into glass
- Then in a separately blend the protein, ice, flaxseeds, PB2 and 3/4 cup of almond milk.
- Pour on top of cherry mix, top with flax seeds and almonds annnnnd you have smoothie heaven.

PALEO & VEGAN ZUCCHINI COCONUT BREAD

Smashed Avo is something us Aussies do best, sorry it really is true. 
So being a gluten-free, grain-free, egg-free fitness freak with eyes on a bangin' bikini bod this is something I miss out on until TODAY. 

ZUCCHINI COCONUT BREAD! 
Inspired by @wheretogowhattoeat, I tweaked it to suit my allergies and yahhhhs!
I did it.
It actually has the texture of REAL bread.
It's vegan, paleo, low fat, lowcarb and completely guilt free. 

RECIPE: 

1 med zucchini grated (once grated put in fabric and drain out any moisture) 1/2 cup blended flax seeds  
1/4 cup blended chia seeds
1/4 cup coconut flour 
1/4 cup chick pea flour (use coconut flour for paleo version) 
3 tbs coconut oil 
1/4 tsp black cracked pepper
1/4 tsp Himalayan salt 
1 tsp baking powder 
1/2 cup almond milk

HOW:

Pre-heat oven to 400deg F.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl until a dough like consistency is formed. 
Place in a bread tin, sprayed lightly with coconut oil and cook for 35-45mins. 
If you don't have a bread tin, why not make rolls? Roll dough into palm size balls and cook on a baking tray for 20mins (cook time will vary on size so check frequently after 15mins.) 

Top with smashed avocado, freshly chopped radishes and hemp seeds. Ahhhhhh hell yessss!