Gluten free fruit mince pies

Fruit mince filling

280g brown sugar

200g raisins

2 granny smith apples coarsely grated

Chicken liver pate

6 eschalots
100ml dry white wine and 100ml of port
600g of unsalted butter
900g organic chicken livers
1 egg

Protein-Energy Slice

Ingredients: 

250g nuts

100g shredded coconut

150g organic cocoa butter

4 tablespoons organic coconut oil

2 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder

1 teaspoon of vanilla powder

2 tablespoons of agave syrup (optional)

Crunchy artichoke and parsley salad

Artichokes are now in season and what better way to eat them than raw and crunchy with a little olive oil and lemon.

Baked Crumbed Sardines

I finally found some sardines at the fish markets last week. I went around 7am so the market was very busy with fishermen off loading the catch of the day. The only customers were me and two Italian men wearing suits and with the most Godfather-like hair styles. They didn't quite look the part but neither did I! They looked very serious as they were selecting their fish. I imagine that they would taking it home to their Italian wives to be cooked for them for lunch.

Sardines are a great source of omega 3 and calcium. Heavy metals aren't such a problem in little fish like sardines either.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

3x 125g block of 70% lindtt chocolate
10 organic eggs
1/2 cup of rapadura/brown sugar
250g of organic unsalted butter
pinch of salt

1.  Preheat over to 180 degrees
2. Separate eggs, putting whites in bowl for whipping and saving reds in small bowl for later
3. Whip whites until the hold firm peaks
4. Melt butter and chocolate in a bowl over pan of simmering water. Careful the the bottom of bowl doesn't touch water and burn the chocolate. 
5. Whip yolks with rapadura/brown sugar until pale and frothy. 
6. Add in butter and chocolate mix to yolk and sugar and mix well. 
7. Fold in eggs whites slowly. 
8. Grease a 20cm spring form pan and put mixture in.
9. Cook for 1 hour  (may still be slightly moist in the middle but serve hot and it is like a self saucing cake) 

Serve with lots of fresh raw cream

Avoiding colds and the flu this winter

Here are six ways to avoid getting sick or beating the flu this winter: 

Anzac Biscuits

Today being Anzac day, I thought I'd make Anzac biscuits...

Leek and Bacon Quiche with spelt short crust pastry

For the pastry:
150g of unsalted organic butter (cold) and cut into small cubes
300g organic Spelt flour (wholemeal is best but white is fine)
pinch of salt
30ml of water

Eveleigh Markets

Activated almonds, ricotta, and lemon cake

Ingredients: 

500g ricotta

6 organic eggs separtated

1 cup of rapadura

3 tablespoons of buckwheat flour
250g of activated almonds

juice and rind of 4 lemons

250g organic butter @ room temperature

Chocolate Polenta Cake

200 gm unsalted organic butter (at room temperature)
1 cup cup of rapadura /agave
1 1/2 cup almond meal
7 tsp cocoa powder
4 organic eggs, beaten
10 table spoons yellow polenta
1/2 tsp baking powder

Easter Long Weekend

I spent this Easter long weekend in the country, at my partner's parents place. It is the most magic place. We really do have the best of both worlds, the beach and the country side.

Easter Saturday dinner was 8 hour lamb and brussel sprouts cooked in butter, followed by a traditional Russian Easter cake. The Easter cake had ricotta, cream cheese, sultanas, and lemon rind in it.  Of course, Sunday there was an Easter egg hunt with lots of yummy Swiss chocolate eggs.

Nearby there is a diary which we visit every afternoon at 4pm to collect fresh raw milk. This is always the highlight of my stay down there as I really feel like I have a connection and control over the source of my food. We are almost self sufficient there in terms of food.

We are planning to get away from Sydney as much as we can to unwind and eat amazing fresh foods.

Protein Shake

Spelt Banana Bread

This is a recipe which I make for a friends 2 year old son who is a bit of a fussy eater. This version of banana bread is really healthy as I sweeten with molasses, it is full of iron, essential fatty acids from the almond meal and walnuts and potassium from the bananas. 

Slimey Capsicum

This is a really delicous way to make a capsicum salad. My boyfriends mum is the creator and she calls it Slimey's.

Where to shop and markets...

Markets
This is my favourite market. I go there every Saturday at 9am straight after training. They have the freshest, season produce, plus lots of pasture raised meats. http://www.eveleighmarket.com.au/farmers.html

Quick fixes

I have come across quite a few scary websites. I'm not mentioning names but the quick fix detox diets that are out there are crazy. Detoxes and diets offering a range of results from weight loss, to boosting immunity, to fertility!

Update on cleanse

Some of you have been asking for updates on my cleanse. I am feeling amazing, as if I have been reborn. Still taking my herbs, have one day left of them. Digestion is perfect and have lots of energy this is probably due to increase ability to absorb nutrients.

I have had a few moments of failure. I had a wedding to go to where I had 2 glasses of wine. I know this doesn't seem like much but the hang over was horrible. I have made up my mind, I am no longer going to drink except for the occasional with friends or to celebrate a special occasion.

I have started craving porridge. I have allowed myself to have it once a week but I use regular whole rolled organic oats (not quick oats), soak them over night and cook in Cleopatra's milk on a low heat in the morning. I add a pinch of salt for taste and a bit of rapadura. Delicious : )

I am official finishing the cleanse next Saturday. I am looking forward to a weekend in the country side, with freshly picked organic vegetables and lots of time to rest and digest. I plan not to go back to eating refined sugars, soy (not even soy sauce)and carbohydrates. I will cook my own sweets and desserts when I feel like them. I never want to eat non organic eggs, milk or meats. I know sometimes it is hard ie eating out but I will do my best. Of course I will take lots of photos and update you on a fabulous long weekend of eating and resting.

Happy Easter
Brit x

Myths and Truths about nutrition

Myths and Truths About Nutrition

Myth: Heart disease in America is caused by consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat from animal products.