Monthly Archives: June 2014

Spicy Wraps – Grain & Gluten Free.

29 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by in All recipes, Lunch

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Living Primal style is mostly a no brainer, yes you do get strange looks and mutterings from friends and colleagues as you pour cream on everything. But that’s not really a problem is it?  However many of you will agree that when you don’t eat grains it’s darn hard to find something to wrap your lunch stuff around. This spicy wrap sorts out the problem nicely and in addition, like all primal/paleo food, has a number of healthy bonus points to add to it.

The recipe uses plantain bananas.  Larger than normal bananas they are used in cooking in many tropical areas in a similar way to potatoes.  As they are very starchy they are perfect to bind together in a spicy wrap. 

Plantains and for that matter green bananas have some very interesting health benefits as they are a fantastic source of Resistant Starch (RS). In essence, RS is indigestible and it travels through us pretty unscathed. When it reaches the colon however, our gut bugs (colonic flora) eat it up. Marks Daily Apple nicely describes RS as top-shelf food for our colon bugs. This makes for a truck load of very happy good bugs!

Add to all of the above and with a big thanks to Paleo Secret for the original recipe, these wraps are awesomely simple to throw together.  In no time at all you can stuff them with your favourite fillings and feast on their deliciousness.   

 

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Lemon Ginger Tea

24 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in All recipes, Drinks, More or Less!

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It’s winter here in New Zealand dark, damp and rather chilly.  Add to that I have a cold. You know, headache, sore throat and a teny, tiny cough.  I’m rugged up warm at home hoping to beat this in one day and save my work colleagues from my germs!

Coincidentally, I have a a tree full of lovely lemons.  For the first time in about six years the tree is totally laden. Maybe the reason is that this year it has shared its section of our yard with our rescue chickens. But that’s another story.  

So what’s is the best thing for a sore throat when you have lovely fresh lemons? You make some soothing Lemon Ginger tea.

 

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Lemon Ginger Tea

  • Servings: 1
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

1 lemon – organic, Meyer, or any you have on hand
Ginger – about a large thumb sized piece
1 tsp honey, or to taste, preferably raw
1 1/2 cups water

  • Peel lemon and juice.
  • Peel ginger and slice.
  • In a pot place lemon rind and juice, ginger, honey and water.
  • Bring to the boil.
  • Simmer for around 10 minutes until it is reduced slightly.
  • Strain into a cup and taste for sweetness.

Take your Lemon Ginger tea and climb back into a warm bed.

 

Coconut Chocolate Squares

22 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by in All recipes, Bliss Balls, Sweets & Treats

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If you love coconut and chocolate then these easy to make, yummy treats are for you. They taste a bit like Bounty Bars, but they are way more healthier because there is no processed sugar. The sweetness comes from dates. But what about the chocolate you say?  Yes, it does use chocolate, but you know that’s good for you!  Use the best you can find and enjoy every bite.  My favourite is Green & Black’s Organic Dark 85%.

Choc coconut squares new

Special thanks goes to Shine on Raw, her recipe does not use chocolate so if you would like to try a different mix  to coat these treats then head over there.  

coconut squares cut

Coconut Chocolate Squares

  • Servings: too many not to share
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

12 medjool dates, quartered, pits removed
1/2 cup water
3 cups desiccated coconut
50 g ground cashew or macadamia nuts
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 tsp pure vanilla essence
pinch of salt
200g Dark Chocolate, 85% (or 70% if you prefer)

  • Soak prepared dates in water for at least 20 minutes to soften.
  • Process dates and water, oil and vanilla essence until they become a smooth paste
  • Add coconut and cashews previously mixed
  • Continue to process until well combined – you may need to scrape the sides down a couple of times.
  • Remove from processor and shape into a large square, place this onto a tray then cut into smaller squares.
  • Or if you prefer round truffle shapes instead then roll the mixture into balls.
  • Place in the fridge for at least two hours, then place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Coating

  • Break chocolate into a bowl and microwave on medium high a minute at a time, stirring each time.
  • Once melted dip each cold coconut square into the chocolate using two forks.
  • Place onto cooking/parchment paper to set.
  • Store in the fridge.

These can be really morish because they are so tasty, so remember that they are treats and save them for very special occasions or to share with very special people.