Monthly Archives: January 2013

Raw Coconut Macaroons (Paleo, Raw, Vegan)

Posted in Food by

Paleo – Raw – Vegan – Gluten Free – Refined Sugar Free

Preparation Time – 10 minutes; Fridge Time – 40 minutes 

 

What a sweet little treat!

What a sweet little treat!

I have been completely embracing a new way of life lately – a life where I actually value the body I am trudging around in! This means I have forgone grains, refined sugar, dairy and opted instead for loads of vegetables, fruit and lean proteins. Not only am I aiming for a slightly lighter existence (post baby bod blues) but I have added motivation now. Since having my baby I seem to have developed allergies – itchy red rashy allergies! Strange but true. As you can see here The New York Times reported that due to weakened immune function, it’s not uncommon for women to develop allergies after giving birth. So with that in mind I am not only on a mission to discover what I am newly allergic to but I am also trying to balance that with breast-feeding cravings. Enter Sir Macaroon!

Strawberry optional... but was tasty I can assure you!

Strawberry optional… but was tasty I can assure you!

This fluffy, gooey ball of love was oh so simple to whip up. They are very sweet and moist and the perfect afternoon snack for that 3pm pang of sweetness. Next time I will dip them in raw chocolate and drizzle it over the top as well. (If you want to try this the raw chocolate recipe that I would use is the Ganache Icing from my Superfood Slice – see that here). Could be the makings of an indulgent raw dessert in there somewhere?

Ingredients

½ cup Coconut Oil
½ cup Coconut Butter (Buy this at health food store or make your own see here)
1 ½ – 2 Cups unsweetend shredded coconut
3-4 tablespoon of sweetener of choice (maple syrup, raw honey or agave)

Method

  1. Soften the coconut oil and coconut butter by heating in a small saucepan or by placing inside the oven at low heat
  2. Once melted to liquid remove from heat.
  3. Add your sweetener and combine.
  4. Add the shredded coconut bit by bit until you get the consistency you want. The mix won’t stick together like a traditional doughy mixture but it will cool down and harden into a solid form.
  5. Form the mix into whatever macaroon shape blows your hair back – little domes are tradition. You may have some liquid leftover at the bottom of the bowl… I poured these over the the mounds for extra richness. They will cool to be solid!
  6. Put in fridge to cool down.
  7. EAT THEM!
Snowy Stack!

Snowy Stack!

Spectacular Superfood Slice (Paleo, Vegan, Raw)

Posted in Food, Wellness by

PALEO – VEGAN – RAW – GLUTEN FREE

Preparation Time – 20 minutes; Fridge Time – 1 hour

Oh my!

Oh my!

Now I don’t want to blow my own trumpet here… actually screw that! – get me my trumpet, my trombone and even my flugelhorn god-dammit because this is my most successful clean living recipe yet!!! It is vegan, paleo and raw not to mention being chockablock full of superfoods. And while I am sure there are many recipes that boast the same credentials this one is so unbelievably tasty that you would never believe it was good for you! I would gladly serve this as a dessert option to the most devoted of junk food eating, sweet tooths. It is a perfect healthy alternative for the 3pm sugar rush or as an after-dinner treat. It is so indulgent that you only need the tiniest amount to satisfy yourself.

It's sweet.... its salty... its spectacular!

It’s sweet…. its salty… its spectacular!

Can you tell i’m proud of this one? I sound like i’m on an infomercial! “And if you make one slice today… i’ll send you these 3 attachments FREE!” So, while i’m selling it, here are the superfoods you’ll find within its chocolatey walls:

Goji Berries - filled with powerful antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent cancer and other illnesses including heart disease. Also boosts the immune system and lowers cholesterol.

Raw Cacao - filled with iron, dietary fiber, calcium, zinc, potassium and antioxidants. Helps oxygenate the blood. A rich source of magnesium, which helps in balancing brain chemistry. It is also rich in sulfur, which builds strong nails and hair, and promotes beautiful skin.

Cacao Nibs - Refer to raw cacao benefits above.

Raw Cashews – decrease risk of heart disease, full of dietary fiber, good source of protein anf full of magnesium which promotes burly bones, nerve functioning and a natural heart rhythm!

Coconut Oil – contains lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid and has antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and soothing properties. Therefore helps to maintain cholesterol levels, aids weight loss, increases immunity, helps proper digestion and metabolism and  provides relief for a host of diseases (including kidney problems and heart disease).

Himalayan Pink Salt – Other than being pretty this salt is a natural, chemical free alternative to table salt containing 84 essential minerals. Himalayan salt has no additives and can alleviate the symptoms of a variety of conditions

If you need any more convincing than that I give up!

The perfect amount of gooeyness and crunch

The perfect amount of gooeyness and crunch

Ingredients

(Aim for as many organic ingredients as possible and try get cold-pressed coconut oil)

Fudgy base

    • 2 cups raw cashews
    • 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
    • 260g medjool dates (pitted)
    • 100g goji berries
    • 1 cup raw cacao powder
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt (I used a whole teaspoon because I love the combination of salt and chocolate but if you are trepidatious add it bit by bit and taste the mix as you do. Remember, the ganache icing will be sweet so it will balance that out!)

Ganache Icing

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (try get cold pressed for ultimate health benefits)
  • 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
  • Generouse pinch of Himalayan sea salt

Optional Toppings

  • Raw cacao nibs
  • Goji Berries

Method

Fudgy base

  1. Place cashews in the bowl of food processor and grind until very finely ground (be careful to not over process the nuts into butter
  2. Add the shredded coconut and process until well combined and fine in texture.
  3. Add the pitted dates and goji berries and process until a soft paste forms.
  4. Add the cacao powder – process again.
  5. Finally add the maple syrup and the salt and process to combine until you have a nice creamy texture!
  6. Press firmly into a dish lined with baking paper.
  7. Place in fridge while making the ganache topping.

Ganache Icing

  1. In the food processor, blend together maple syrup and coconut oil until well combined.
  2. Add in cacao powder and a pinch of salt and process until smooth.
  3. Pour over fudge base and spread out evenly over the top.
  4. Sprinkle with cacao nibs and goji’s and return to fridge to set and firm for at least one hour.
  5. Cut into squares and serve the fudge cold. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

These will keep in the fridge for up to 2 months (though I doubt they will remain uneaten that long!) and you can also freeze them if needed.

ENJOY!

Perfect healthy snack food for kids!

Perfect healthy snack food for kids!

Turn off… I dare ya!

Posted in Eco Home, Life of Olive, Wellness by

Does this scenario sound familiar to you?… You’ve had a busy day full of ups and down and you are feeling physically and emotionally drained. It’s nighttime and you desperately need to muster that final shred of energy to cook a healthy dinner, study, spend time with your family and/or clean a little. You just need a quick break before you start so you sit on the couch for just 5 minutes… whats the harm in that?

tv

The Vicious Cycle

TV goes on and you are hit with a crappy rerun of some American fluff that fills your brain with nothingness and shit stereotypes (I seriously love Friends but just take a step back and look at the values it pushes about women, overweight people, the value of attractiveness and homosexuals…little bit mean!). Anyway after that you decide to be a bit more highbrow and flick to the news. Now you are getting hit with utterly devastating headlines that are only being broadcast because tragedy is somewhat magnetic and it draws massive ratings. So now you are depressed and find it hard to get up off the couch to do what you are meant to because, really, whats the point? If you take the those bulletins as gospel it’s likely you’re just going to die of some strange vector borne virus or be killed for being a good Samaritan and that’s only if the world doesn’t implode first due to global warming. By now, dinner is looking far less creative, much more microwaved and mysteriously there is a glass of wine in your hand. Then another mindless comedy comes on, and it pulls you back in because you are craving mental vacuity even more now. All the while you’re conversation with the actual people in the room has been zombie-like and disinterested at best. The vicious cycle continues…

So I pulled the plug…

As I mentioned in my 2013 Resolutions post (see it here) that is why I decided to get rid of my TV. Life is bloody short and there I was sitting on my arse watching other peoples scripted shallow lives all the while complaining I didn’t have enough hours in the day. I had found that I was getting into an especially bad routine because I am breastfeeding at the moment and it is all too tempting to sit on the couch: baby on boob, eyes on TV. So it was with some trepidation that I ripped that security blanket off but I am so glad I did. As soon as I moved the TV out of the room it felt lighter… calmer. I filled the big rectangular void with a painting that makes my soul sing every time I look at it. I took the DVD’s out of the cabinet and filled it with books. I replaced the untidy TV related clutter with my iPod and speakers. All of a sudden those things I had been missing – serenity, books, music – were back in my life. I dunno about you but doesn’t the ‘after’ look so much better than the ‘before’?…

before adn after tv

Life since

You may not believe me but our lives have changed significantly since removing the tele! I thought that I wasn’t watching it too much… I’d just have a DVD on in the background while I pottered and tended to my lovely daughter after all. Clearly I was kidding myself. My to do list has whittled down from ‘Outrageous’ to ‘Achievable’ in just a few weeks. I have started doing craft activities again (a rug for that very lounge room is nearing completion). I am not feeling as anxious without all the sad news stories peppering my fragile little brain. My lounge looks nicer.  Music is filling the air again rather than advertising (RUGS RUGS RUGS!). Our power bill is lower. My daughter and I spend time outside and i’m not filling her very impressionable mind with bullshit.

But my favorite offshoot would have to be; I now feel present. I am properly listening to my husband when he tells me about his day… which he tells me at the dinner table now rather than on the couch (don’t judge me!). I am concentrating on my daughter while I’m breastfeeding – it’s actually a beautiful bonding experience. I am thinking more about my life rather than other peoples. I am making my own values and choices rather being sold others. It’s bloody lovely.

Take the challenge

Now i’m not saying that everyone needs to get rid of their TV – some of you out there have will power that far exceeds my own. But if you are feeling a bit frazzled and like there aren’t enough hours in the day… why not give it a go? I truly didn’t think I watched that much and have been shocked by all the spare time I now have and how organised my little abode is. Just a thought if you are wanting a little more from life… why not try it for a month or two and see what happens?

If you do try it or have been living without a TV already I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Fudgy Banana Brownie (Paleo, Vegan)

Posted in Food by

Paleo – Grain Free – Vegan 

Preparation Time – 15 minutes; Cooking time – 15 minutes; Fridge time – 1 hour

Everyone loves a brownie!

Everyone loves a brownie!

When I was pregnant everyone always used to warn me about any expectations associated with my post baby bod. They all said – “your body won’t just bounce back straight away”. I nodded politely but internally I was thinking… “Pfft – I haven’t gone mad with food during the pregnancy, I’ll snap back like an elastic band dammit”. Unfortunately majority won and I have been left with a little bit of a shock. I guess cultivating a human for 9 months does slightly affect you – who woulda thunk it! As such I have committed to giving the Paleo diet a go. This diet hinges on a high protein intake, lots of leafy greens, no processed foods and – the most important part – no grains whatsoever! One could be fooled into thinking this diet makes coffee and cake with friends impossible never fear – baked goods are actually surprisingly easy to Paleo-ise.

Almond Meal is a Paleo Bakers friend! Almond Meal is made from ground almonds and therefore is sometimes referred to as almond flour. It lends a moistness to any dish you use and is a high protein alternative to your standard nasty white flours. And the kicker… it partners especially well with chocolate! Zing zing zing! If you would like to make your own Almond Meal the Delighted Momma provides a fantastic tutorial here. (note: she specifies almonds without skin, but using ones with their skin on is completely fine!). Here is the recipe for my incredibly well-received Fudgy Banana Brownie. YUM.

Served with organic strawberries and an Alessi spoon = perfection!

Served with organic strawberries and an Alessi spoon = perfection!

Ingredients

*note – if you don’t like banana substitute the 2 mashed banana’s for 1 free range egg. This will obviously mean the brownie is no longer vegan though! 

Brownie Base

½ cup coconut oil (solid)
½ cup organic raw cocao powder (this is different to cocoa in that it is a superfood but you can substitute if need be)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup (can use honey or agave nectar)
2 mashed ripe bananas (I always keep a stash of frozen ripe bananas in the freezer… cut into chunks)
1 cup almond meal

Raw Ganache Icing

2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Method

Brownie Base

  1. Preheat a fan-forced oven to 160° Celsius (325° Fahrenheit)
  2. Mix the coconut oil, cocao powder and cinnamon in a bowl and combine well.
  3. Add the coconut milk, maple syrup and almond meal and mix until combined.
  4. Mash in banana (if using frozen I microwave it until it is mostly defrosted. This works really well and means you will have amazing delicious banana chunks in your brownie!)
  5. Line a small brownie tin with baking paper. Spoon the mixture into the tin and smooth the surface of the mix.
  6. Place in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes. Insert a chopstick/skewer to check – the stick should come out with a bit of the mix on it. This means extra fudginess once it has cooled! Remove and allow to cool to room temperature (if you can resist digging in straight away!).

Raw Ganache Icing

  1. Remove 2 teaspoons of your coconut sugar and keep aside (this will dust the brownie!).
  2. Combine remaining coconut sugar with cinnamon.
  3. Whisk the cacao powder and coconut oil together until smooth .
  4. Add cinnamon coconut sugar mix and mix well.
  5. Pour on top of the brownie and refrigerate immediately.
  6. After 10 minutes remove from fridge and sprinkle on remaining coconut sugar. This will give a beautiful caramel fairy dust effect!
  7. Serve with strawberries!!!

Hello 2013!!!

Posted in Life of Olive by

120104myyear_5656403

Hello Beautiful People!!! I’m back and it’s 2013 – how futuristic! Being January and all I figured that it was time we talk resolutions but before looking at those I’d like to mention the inspirations I’ve drawn upon before making mine. But to do that we need to hop into our Delorean and salute last year…

Bon Voyage 2012!

Exhibit A.

On the 21st December the Mayan long count calendar ticked over and the much-dreaded apocalypse didn’t cause so much as a ripple. And without the threat of earthquakes or freaky unknown planets the Mayan calendar has been largely forgotten. And I probably would have forgotten it too had I not read what the actual meaning is. Carlos Barrios from the World Council of Mayan Elders explains…

 ”This is not a time of apocalypse. It is a time to let go of old patterns. A time to heal the planet. The Mayans do not want people to believe this is the end of the world. They want people to take this very rare opportunity to come together to find balance and work to heal the damage we have done to Mother Earth”

How gorgeous is that? And why the hell did we all jump to the conclusion that led to mass carnage rather than enlightenment?

Exhibit B (E-A-UUUTIFUL)

Last year also brought the best gift I could ever imagine: our beautiful daughter Lucy Madeline arrived in our arms. Here is a picture of her first minute in the world…

Welcome to the world.

Welcome to the world.

For those playing at home… there’s the reason I haven’t blogged in a while! On my Facebook page (follow me here) I was teased for announcing a 2 week break from blogging ‘while getting this whole parenting thing down’. How wrong I was!

It has been such a wonderful and tiring and messy and funny time not to mention bloody emotional! For example I daily often find myself getting a bit teary when the overwhelming enormity of being a mum washes over me. The thought that I have this entire life in my hands and that it’s my job to teach her how to make the best decisions. How to not only get the most from life but also how to give the most! It’s a good sort of pressure though. The pressure that molds you into a much bigger and better person than you thought you could be.  Anyway, I will stop being drippy and try to focus my sleep deprived mind back on resolutions! But before moving on, here’s one more picture of my gorgeous little Goose…

Love.

Love.

Be Positive.  

Both those 2012 experiences got me thinking. Life is short and precious. I want to spend as much time celebrating it rather than complaining about this or worrying about that. I have far too much good in my life to be anything but absolutely off-the-charts chipper. I feel in the past few years I’ve lost a bit of my spark… getting it back is my primary goal this year. Passing that happiness onto Lucy is my resolution for every year after that.

I will be saying this mantra every morning!

I will be saying this mantra every morning!

My Resolutions

I love me a good list but that aside, making resolutions was particularly fun this year with addition of Lucy. She put a gorgeous perspective on everything and all of a sudden the standard “Lose 5kgs” just didn’t cut it! I won’t bore you with all of them but here are a few of my resolutions for this year…

My Lifestyle Transformation

For anyone who has read this blog before, you may have picked up on my mini (okay… major) girl crush on Jess Ainscough aka The Wellness Warrior (cancer surviving, health goddess). She has developed a cult like following of people wanting to emulate her ridiculously clear complexion and positive attitude and hence designed The Lifestyle Transformation Guide (read about it here) telling people exactly how to achieve it!

Back in December I was lucky enough to win one of these health scholarships and I am already feeling better for it. So a major resolution for me is to complete this course and reach my goal by my 27th birthday – April 13! I can’t wait to blog about it… hopefully the proof will be in the organic chia pudding!

I can't wait to pass all my good habits onto Lucy!

I can’t wait to pass all my good habits onto Lucy!
*illustration by Olive on Blonde*

The Blog

I get so much damn enjoyment out of this blog! I can’t tell you how many wonderful people I have met through it – be they readers or fellow bloggers within the online community. Not to mention amazing opportunities. For example, last year I was on a local radio station discussing my plastic free adventures (see that here) and this year I have been asked to run some workshops on raising Eco Babies at the Less Is More Festival (here is my write up of last years!). I love it and I am more inspired than ever to continue with it. I am dreaming big and will hopefully have some big surprises to announce before the year is out!

**If you want to attend the 2013 Less Is More Festival on February 16th, see the Facebook page here for details. 

394966_10151620441950884_2557493_n

Gratitude Jar

As I mentioned before… I am far too lucky to have days where I feel miserable. Enter: The Gratitude Jar. Each of my family members has a jar in the house and every day we are going to write down something that we are grateful for and store it in our jar (obviously we will have to write little Lucy’s notes for her until she is old enough). Additionally, if we see something particularly beautiful or funny that we want to remember… that goes in the jar too. By the end of the year we will have a time capsule of beautiful memories and the fodder for a pretty epic craft project. I am thinking along the lines of this Sustainabilitree from the Hulbert Street Sustainability Fiesta…

People wrote there green dreams on recycled card before pinning them to the Sustainabilitree!

People wrote there green dreams on recycled card before pinning them to the Sustainabilitree!

Turn off the negativity… literally.

News bulletins and websites exhaust me with information that I have absolutely no use for. It fills precious space in my storage-challenged brain which would be much better served with stories of love and kindness. So a simple solution. I got rid of our TV. I have also banned myself from looking at any news websites. I won’t be ignorant… just selective. If I want information I will search for it, rather than being bombarded with things I don’t need to hear. I am sure any major news that I need will find it’s way to me. And if all else fails Mum and Dad will always keep me up to date on any matters of global significance. For example… if it wasn’t for them I would never have heard about this…

Bet this chimp has the best eyesight!!!

Bet this chimp has the best eyesight!!!

Lets be frank… we are all better for having seen that cheeky chimp stealing all his friends carrots? Au Revoir news… I shant miss you.

How about you?

What are some of your goals this year? How are you going to achieve them? I’d love to hear them in the comments.

tumblr_mfvmtyaCkp1qe7g09o1_500