Good Food Friday Treats :: cleansers apple crumble

Hayley was so excited to make and snap this one - she called seventy eleven times to tell me so! I don't blame her really...

Cleansers will welcome this one as it comes as a sweet treat for your weekend. Apples are starting to make their way into the grocers - they are delicious and are the all round wonder food being full of antioxidents, canter fighting properties, good for your heart and assist in weight loss. What are you waiting for? Just beware - Hayley will be over in an instant if you do whip it up tonight!

cleansers apple crumble

4 apples

2 peaches

1 cup of rolled oats

1/2 cup of crasins (or sultanas)

1/2 cup of walnuts/almonds (or nuts of your choice)

1/4 sunflower seeds

pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.

Peel apples and cut into chunks.

Place in a saucepan with 1 cup of water and bring to the boil.

Once boiling, gently simmer for approx 15 - 20 minutes or until the apples are soft.

Remove from heat and set aside. Strain liquid but keep for later use.

In a bowl combine dry ingredients.

In a baking dish, place apples in the bottom to cover the dish. Sprinkle dry ingredients on top. Once done, pour 1/2 cup of the left over juice over the top of the dry ingredients and place in the oven - cook for 15-20 minutes, checking regularly or until the top is golden brown.

Enjoy!

*Those cleansing - If you're stuck for dinner tonight (because I've shared a dessert rather than a main) you can't go past a big tray of roast veggies - get in it whatever you can; pumpkin, potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, onion. The list is endless!

shiitake and barley soup

Since the weather has turned slightly cooler - so must the food. This will warm you good and proper!

I could look at these food images all day! Thank you Hayley.

shiitake and barley soup

8 dried shiitake mushrooms
1tbs oil/coconut oil
4 spring onions chopped
2 garlic cloves crushed
1 celery stick, diced
1 carrot, diced
250g fresh shiitake mushrooms chopped
2lt of veggie stock
200gm of pearl barley

Place dried mushrooms in a bowl with hot water. Soak for 30 minutes. Once soaked, squeeze out the liquid from the mushrooms and slice thinly.

Heat oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add spring onions, garlic, celery, carrot and fresh mushrooms. Cook for a few minutes, stirring, until softened. Add stock and barley and 125ml of water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and summer for about 40 minutes, until the barley is tender.

Plate up and enjoy!

we quit sugar! talking with Jo Foster

THIS is the lovely Jo Foster positively glowing sans sugar!

I would be kidding if I didn't say it's been a huge month for me. Inspired by the lovely Sarah Wilson, I made the decision to quit sugar at the beginning of Febuary. I also started Feb fast. At the time I wasn't sure how I was going manage without dark chocolate, but now I couldn't be laughing at myself more. The month has been nothing short of wonderful! For me, the big shift was in my state of mental clarity – it has been amazing. My brain feels like it is working at a new level. In addition - my skin is really clear and I have lost a few kilo's along the way.

I asked Jo – who works with Sarah Wilson to share how she has been going since she gave sugar the boot. Here is our conversation:

Why quit sugar? I can tell you are a leader not a follower so what was your motivation?

I actually spent a lot of last year refining and tweaking my eating habits, and had been feeling for a few months that I needed to step it up another notch. Giving up sugar was "THE NOTCH", but I was really hesitant to take that leap.... Then the lovely Sarah Wilson declared that she was going to do the no sugar as well, and, well, I'm a girl, we like to do things with friends, so I figured if I was ever going to actually do it, I might as well do it with Sarah. Also, she forced me... ha :) I think I was about 85% convinced when I read David Gillespie's "Sweet Poison", and then that was it. I was on board. And I'm not one for doing anything half heartedly - once I'm in, I'M IN!

What changes have you noticed - are you hotter already? No seriously have you noticed changes in your body? Mind? Tastebuds?

Ha, yeah, I'm super hot now! No, I wish! I have noticed my taste buds changing, and my sense of smell! Our vanilla fridge wipe(which I used to love) smells sickly sweet to me now, as do some sauces that my friend's cook with. I am finding I am loving the taste of my natural yoghurt - which was really 'tart' a few weeks ago. I'm finding it quite sweet now that I'm not eating anything really sugary. I thought I was pretty sharp mentally(don't laugh!) but I feel really alert. There's a much brighter sense of clarity - I feel like all of my senses are heightened. I've been off sugar for three weeks(started Friday 28th Jan) and I've lost a kilo as well - which is a miracle, as I've been eating LOTS of cheese to curb my sugary cravings!

Will you go back? No! I feel really good. And I'm really aware of how bad sugar(fructose) is for me, so I couldn't possibly justify ranting on about it, only to embrace it all over again... I'm of the persuasion that once you know something, you're responsible for what you know(yeah, ouch!), and even if I don't like what I know about sugar, I know too much to let myself go sugar crazy again. Sigh, the responsibility of being a grown up hey.... Having said that, I'm sure there'll be days down the track where I take a slice of cake(ahhhh, CAKE!) offered at a birthday party, but I'm ever hopeful that I will only have a bite or two, and not want any more. (is that even possible!?) As I said, ever hopeful!

Advice to others thinking about quitting sugar - even if for a short period of time? Try it! What have you got to lose! Other than a crazy addiction you don't need! My advice - you've got to do it cold turkey. When we interviewed Gillespie, he said this, and it really impacted me. He said that a smoker doesn't make the effort to quit, and then just allow themselves a cigarette a day. That's not helpful to the process at all. I think the same applies here. If I'd been allowing myself a 'little' sugar every day, I'm never truly free of that addiction am I? And cold turkey will be quicker. And more intense, YES, but, it will be quicker!

Favorite food replacing sugar - At the moment I'm addicted to haloumi! And avocado. I keep driving to my favourite bookshop/cafe in Bondi, and ordering their smoked chicken salad, with EXTRA HALOUMI. It's delicious. And it completely satisfies. I have no sugary cravings if I have a bit of haloumi! Haloumi is the new Cadburys!

Last one - I think you're on feb fast? How did you feel combining the two? I am doing FebFast! I'm not actually a big drinker - maybe a couple of glasses of wine in a week... so it wasn't too bad. Although, once I stopped the sugar, there have been a few nights I've stared longingly at the bottles of wine in our kitchen! In hindsight, doing both at the same time has been really good. The no alcohol is probably also helping with the mental clarity!

Quitting sugar might not be at the top of your list of things to do for 2011 - but I hope you feel encouraged by seeing how wonderful both Jo and I feel without it. We have unfortunately become so 'addicted' to sugar, refined foods, caffeine and alcohol many of us panic at the idea of going without it – just like I did a month ago. For me the bottom line is that these things are ok in moderation - but they really aren't doing our body any favours. When we eat sugar, we want more. The cycle continues and we continue to attempt to fill up on sugar when really we would be better to fill up on whole foods.

Sugar fueled foods don't supply us with adequate nutrients - our body tells us we are dissatisfied, as it's nutritional needs haven't been met and so we eat more - more sugar. Swapping sugary foods for wholesome alternatives means that your body is getting all the vitamins and minerals it wants . In turn, you aren't left looking for more food because you feel satisfied.

Saying no to sugar has really shown me how strongly sugar impacts my well being – as a fertility expert, this has given me new insights. Your fertility relies strongly on good nutrition and choices so be encouraged to choose wisely.

tomato and basil risotto

and as promised... another beauty! Enjoy.

another beautiful image by Hayley Blease

tomato and basil risotto

3 tomatoes

1 Lt veg stock

2 tbs oil

2 garlic cloves

1 leak trimmed and sliced

325g brown rice

handful of basil leaves

extra oil to drizzle

Cut tomatoes in half and remove the pulp. Dice and set asside.

Place stock into a saucepan and put over a low heat. In another pan, place in oil over a medium heat. Add garlic and leak and cook for a few minutes until soft. Add the rice and cook for a further minutes until coated.

Add 50-60 ml of the hot stock to the rice, stirring constantly until liquid has been absorbed. Continue doing this until all the stock is used.

Stir in the tomtatoes and basil.

Drizzle with oil and serve.

*cook brown rice partially before and freeze in fridge - in zip lock bags. When ready to use, it takes half the time to cook.

Cleansing Eats :: Coconut Dahl

I promise you with recipes this good - you won't ever feel like your missing out!

Awesomse image by Hayley Blease

Coconut Dahl

3 tbs coconut oil (or similar)

1 onions, diced.

1 deseeded green chilli chopped (optional)

1/4 tsp tumeric

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tomato chopped

225g red lentils split

250ml coconut milk

Basil leaves to serve

Heat oil in a saucepan and place over medium heat.

Add the diced onions and chilli and cook until softened.

Stur in tumeric and cumin and cook until aromatic (approx one minute)

Increase heat and add lentils, cocont milk, tomato and 750ml of water. Bring to bil and then reduce to a low simmer, stirring often. Cook for 25 - 30 minutes until lentils are soft and mushy. Season to taste.

Top with Basil and serve.

Just like I said - this is just one of many awesome recipes I'm sharing this week. This simple dahl can take the fuss out of cooking the family meal for us cleansers - just add some baked chicken and the whole tribe will be happy!

D - Day. End of Summer Body Cleanse :: Nat's pumpkin curry

Today see's the first day of the End of Summer Cleanse. If you aren't familiar with this - it is a program that I have been chatting about here on the blog, which sets you up for a week of cleaning out every corner of your body.

As promised, over the next 7 days you will see many new recipes pop up on the blog for those participating. If you aren't joining in on the cleanse - these recipes can still make their way to your table! Be inspired by health food and clean vegan eating. It might not be your cup of tea but I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, even if only for one day to see what you and your body is capable of. Watch how your body responds. Of course initially it takes a great dose of willpower, but as each day rolls on, it gets easier and easier. By day 7 - you're in a habit of it and I can bet my last dollar that a large handful of you won't be ready to finish cleansing. Cutting out specific foods that are literally toxic to our system does wonderful things to our inner workings - and of course increase fertility considerably.

Whatever reason you have stopped by the blog today, cleansing or not, this recipe is a mighty wonderful Monday night healthy treat. You've seen it on here before - it is a beauty!

Pumpkin & Veggie Thai Curry with Rice

*Cleansers note - today, day 1 is the hardest as your body adjusts and 'withdraws' from sugar, caffeine and refined foods. Keep up the water - drinking one glass hourly at minimum. You may experience headaches as your body detoxifies - know it's normal and not harmful. An early night may be on the cards tonight.

Good Food Friday Treats :: Gowings' Byron love cake

This week I've asked Sam Gowling - therapeutic chef (and some) to share her current favourite recipe for Good Food Friday Treats. Treat is an understatement with this recipe, but more on that in a tick. Sam will be here in a few weeks for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival - details are at the bottom of the page. Sam knows a thing or two about the importance of good food and healthy eating. This recipe is a winner and in the week of Valentine's Day - this cake is a beauty!

"This gluten free indulgence has been such a crowd pleaser and each time it gets better and better. It's the perfect treat after a long day in the surf, or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Baker beware! It is very, very high in sugar so please enjoy sparingly. I'll be demonstrating this at my exclusive Surf Spa Food event in the forthcoming Melbourne Food and Wine Festival on March 7th."

Gowings' Byron love cake

360 gm (3 cups) almond meal
220 gm (1 cup) raw sugar
220 gm (1 cup) brown sugar
120 gm unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs, lightly beaten
250 gm Greek-style yoghurt, plus extra to serve
1 tbsp freshly grated nutmeg
45 gm (¼ cup) Pistachios

1 Preheat oven to 180C. Combine almond meal, sugars, butter and 1 tsp salt in a bowl, then rub with fingertips until coarse crumbs form. Spoon half the mixture into a lightly buttered and baking paper-lined 26cm-diameter springform pan, gently pressing to evenly cover base

2 Add egg, yoghurt and nutmeg to remaining crumble mixture and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Pour over prepared base, smooth top, scatter pistachios around edge and bake until golden (30-35 minutes.) Cool completely in pan on a wire rack to room temperature, then serve with extra yoghurt. The cake will keep in an airtight container for up to a week

Serves 8 - 10
Cooking Time Prep time 15 mins, cook 35 mins (plus cooling)

SURF SPA FOOD EVENT Monday 7th March 2011. South Melbourne Market 6.30pm.
Join me for a transformational journey into her world of Conscious Cuisine.
What: Surf Spa Food

When: 7 March
Time: 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Where: South Melbourne Market, Corner Cecil and Coventry Streets, South Melbourne
Cost: $110.00
Bookings: 02 6685 5400 / 0411 852 387
Surf Spa Food Tickets sold here:
http://www.samanthagowing.com/category/surffood