Pesto Veggie Stack

31 08 2012

This is a great high protein lunch, snack or dinner and you can load as many veggies in here as you like. Mushrooms would be a great addition and you can use sweet potato instead of pumpkin if you prefer.

Now let’s talk about eggs…. In a world full of misinformation about nutrition, most people mistakenly think that the egg yolk is the worst part of the egg, when in fact, the YOLK IS THE HEALTHIEST PART OF THE EGG! By throwing out the yolk and only eating egg whites, you’re essentially throwing out the most nutrient dense, antioxidant-rich, vitamin and mineral loaded portion of the egg. Yolks contain more than 90% of the calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, B6, folate, and B12, and panthothenic acid of the egg. In addition, the yolks contain ALL of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the egg, as well as ALL of the essential fatty acids (EFAs). In fact, the egg whites are almost devoid of nutrition compared to the yolks. Even the protein in egg whites isn’t as powerful without the yolks to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more bio-available. Keep in mind, even though this seems like a lot of eggs, this makes about 8 serves so you are not eating a dozen eggs at once. I eat about 3-4 whole eggs a day normally so don’t have a freak out.

12 eggs
1 head broccoli
200g pumpkin
Red capsicum
2 carrots, grated
1/4 cup Pesto

Preheat your oven to 170C. Slice the broccoli into pieces about 1cm thick (it doesn’t matter if some pieces are a bit bigger or smaller), do the same with the pumpkin and the capsicum. Whisk the eggs together with the pesto and add the grated carrots. Layer the broccoli and pumpkin on top of each other on a baking dish, once it is all used, pour the egg mixture over the top and place the sliced capsicum on the top. Bake for about 35-45 mins or until cooked. Slice and serve. This freezes well and make a great lunch or high protein snack.

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Broccoli & Basil Soup

29 08 2012

Broccoli has a strong, positive impact on our body’s detoxification system, it is also a rich source of fiber, Vitamin C, beta carotene, folate, as well as a variety of other important nutrients. Broccoli has fantastic anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in our bodies, it is low carbohydrate and helps support a healthy digestive system. Basil has been shown to have some great antibacterial properties. This soup is very low in carbohydrates, high in fibre and a great source of nutrients.

1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
500g broccoli, chopped
500g cauliflower, chopped
Bunch basil, including stems
1.5L Chicken Bone Broth (use veggie stock if you are vegan or vegetarian)
1 avocado, chopped
Salt & pepper to taste

Pop everything except the basil and avocado in your slow cooker or a big pot and let it simmer for a few hours until the veggies are nice and soft. Add the basil and avocado and blitz with a stick mixer or food processor until smooth. You are ready to eat! It is pretty delicious with a nice big dollop of natural yoghurt :)

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Chicken Bone Broth

29 08 2012

The benefits of broths made on bones are plentiful! As the bones cook in the water, minerals and other nutrients are released from the bones and into the water. Homemade broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other trace minerals that are really easily absorbed when we eat it. Bone broth contains glucosamine and chondroiton – these are useful in the treatment of arthritis and joint pain. This broth also contains loads of collagen, which is the building block of cells to bones, ligaments, cartilage and the brain. Read more about the health benefits of bone broth HERE.

4 chicken frames, roasted
2 L water
2 tbs apple cider vinegar
2 sticks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 bay leaves
Chunk ginger, chopped
Salt & pepper to taste

Take the roasted chicken frames and rest of the ingredients, chuck it all in the slow cooker, turn it on, go to bed/work. The longer you leave it, the more nutrients will end up in your broth. Strain the liquid through a sieve. Done, magic. You can do this in a big pot instead, just pop everything in the pot, let it simmer for at least 6 hours. (I generally leave mine for 24-48hrs just topping it up occasionally with more water.) Strain through a sieve. This can be frozen if you like as well.

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Sweet Potato Pancakes

26 08 2012

Sunday morning sleep in and pancake extravaganza! How good….. Would have been better if I didn’t read the clock wrong and think that it was 7.30 when it was in fact 6.30am….Sleep-in Fail.

Sweet potato is a rich source of flavonoid anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that are essential for optimal health. These pancakes are similar to the Muscle Fuel Pancakes as they are high in protein and have no added sugar. They are not made on white flour so you will not feel like you have a chunk of play-doh in your guts after eating them :)

250g roasted sweet potato (about 1 lge sweet potato)
3 eggs
1/2 cup almond meal
1 cup coconut milk (or milk of your choice)
1/2 cup flavourless protein powder
2 tbsp nut butter (or coconut oil)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Pinch salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
OPTIONAL- stevia or honey to taste

In a food processor mix all ingredients until smooth. Spoon into a hot pan and cook like regular pancakes. We ate ours with some natural yoghurt, fresh chopped strawberries and raspberry purée.

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Coconut Blondies

25 08 2012

You may have tried the Black Bean Brownies, well these are the blonde version. I don’t think they are dumber but they do possibly have more fun.

Canellini beans are rich in fibre and B vitamins, especially folate. Flax meal is very high in omega 3′s which helps prevent heart disease and lower blood pressure. Flaxseeds have more antioxidants than blueberries!

1 can canellini beans, drained and rinsed well
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup coconut butter (you can use a nut butter instead)
1/4 flaxseed meal (you could substitute for oatmeal or almond meal)
Pinch salt
6 fresh dates, pitted
Stevia to taste (you can use a few tablespoons of maple syrup, agave or honey instead)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 tsp vanilla extract or powder or the beans of 1 vanilla pod

Preheat oven to 160C. Combine all ingredients except shredded coconut in the food processor and blitz until smooth. Press into a baking paper lined tin, I used a loaf tin to get thicker blondies, but you can use a square cake tin if you like, I’d probably double the recipe though so they are not thin & dry. Sprinkle the shredded coconut on top and press into the batter so it sticks. Bake for about 30mins. Allow to cool then cut into squares and store in the fridge or freezer.

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