DIY Christmas Mugs with GF Chewy Choc Chip Cookies

You will think Christmas has come early when you taste these GF CHEWY Choc Chip Cookies. I made these for my daughters teachers and my neighbors last year and it was genially easy and fun to do.
I took large mugs from the store and bought plastic inserts to put the cookies in. This year I found some with lids!

Then took my permanent sharpie pen and wrote my message "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" then sign your families name on the back. You can be super creative and have fun with it! One of my neighbors said she get complaints on hers all the time!

Supplies:
mugs
permanent sharpie pens
plastic inserts to go in the mug
nice bow, ribbon or string for decorating

To make the cookies:
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup of almond flour
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup choc chips
1/2 cup butter *or coconut oil
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions
Preheat 180C
line cookie sheet with parchment paper
Mix everything except chocolate chips then add choc chips last then fold them in
Use a teaspoon to scoop out the mixture into the cookie sheet.
Bake 6-10 minutes. just a little golden on top
You don't want to over cook these. They might not appear to be finished as early as 6 minutes, but if you take them out and let them cool. You'll find it makes them very chewy! YuMMM
Let them cool down..... Should be Nice and soft.


Creating the cups:
Preheat oven on 180C.  Write your design on your mugs. When your finished put your cups in the oven for 30 minutes to seal in the sharpie design.
*Not dishwasher proof


P.S. I been told to leave plenty out for Santa

"Happy Holiday's"

Raw Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Raw Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
V, GF

makes 18 cakes


 Ingredients

Crust
1 cup of dates soaked in hot water
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup raw walnuts
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice
pinch of sea salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Filling
2 cups raw cashews
3 tbs of raw honey
1 1/2 cups of pumpkin puree
1 cup of dates soaked in hot water
2 tbs of extra virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
pinch of sea salt

Directions
Crust
Drain dates. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or hight speed blender until combines. The texture should be sticky like dough.
In a silicone cup cakes moulds put large spoonful into each cup cake mould and press firmly down.

Filling
Drain dates. Combine all ingredients into a food processor or high speed blender starting with cashews first, then adding remaining ingredients. A high speed blender words better for a fluffier filling. Put filling on top of the crust. Put into freezer and leave 3+ hours. Take out of freezer and store in freezer zip lock bags. Put in fridge 30-hour before eating. Top with cream, cinnamon, nuts or all of them! Enjoy

Pumpkin Hazelnut Chai

I'm a CHAI FIEND...... I LOVE my CHAI! I this doesn't put you in the Christmas Spirit I don't know what will!

Ingredients
1 tbsp hazelnut butter
1 tbsp pumpkin spice
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 tsp black tea or 1 tea bag
270 g coconut milk or milk of choice
* optional 1 piece of ginger root 1"

Directions
Put all ingredients in food processor or blender for 1 minute or until smooth. Transfer to sauce pan and heat for couple minutes. Use a tea strainer to strain mixture. Poor into a cuppa, sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin Spice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp ground cloves

If you want to make your own from whole spice

2 cinnamon stick

1 nutmeg

1 tbs ground ginger

1 tbsp of whole cloves

Put in a food processor and keep in airtight container.

Hazelnut Butter

Hazelnut Butter

1 cup of Hazelnuts

1-4 tbs of oil.  You could use macadamia, olive, walnut are nice.

 

Put Hazelnuts in Food processor and blend for 1 minute and scrape down the sides. Do this 2 more times then slowly add oil to get to desired consistency. I like mine on the thicker side. Like a spread.

Put in an airtight container. Will last 3-4 weeks.

Pumpkin Pizza

I haven't met anyone that hasn't liked this pizza. Guaranteed success with everyone in the family!

a whole butternut pumpkin with give you about 12 whole slices
shredded tasty or mozzarella cheese
pizza Sauce
toppings of choice

Preheat oven at 180C.
Peel the pumpkin
Cut the end with no seeds very thinly across the pumpkin to make round pieces.
Put in oven for 8 minutes on each side or until the pumpkin is soft.
Take out of the oven and turn on the grill/broil mode on the oven.
Put pizza sauce, cheese and toppings on pizza.
Put back in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Take out of the oven put on a plate and serve hot!
Sweet & Salty! YUM

Golden Paste

Turmeric - Golden Paste

1   3 inch turmeric root
1   1 inch ginger root
1   tsp lemon juice
1   tsp apple cider vinegar
1   tsp black pepper
1   tsp chile flakes
3   tsp turmeric powder
1   tbs butter
1   cup creem cheese (click to see how easy it is to make)
1   tsp honey
1   tbs EVOO

chop garlic set aside
chop turmeric, ginger
heat butter turmeric root, turmeric powder, ginger root, apple cider vinegar, for 10 minutes. Add olive oil, raw chopped garlic, honey & lemon juice. Fold together. Put in a glass jar and keep in the fridge for 1-3 weeks.

Homemade Cream Cheese

How can it be so easy?

You need :
One liter container of full fat organic plain yogurt
Nut bag or thin dish towel
Medium bowl
string or spoon

You need to:
Lay the nut bag over a bowl and put yogurt into nut bag.

Pull the ends of the nut bag and secure with rubber band or tie a knot with a spoon in the middle to hang from the bowl.

Leave to drip into the bowl for 12 hours. Make sure the nut bag does not touch the liquid whey.

Whey will keep in a glass jar in the fridge for 6 months. What is left is the cream cheese.

Put it in a glass container and keep in the fridge.

Use the whey to make other fermented recipes.

"Golden Chai Latte"

This is my go to every morning when I wake up. It blows my mind how many health benefits it has!

Here is a special blend I make:

Turmeric Powder - Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Control Weight
Turmeric Root
Cinnamon - Kill Bacteria, Halt fungal infections, Kill viral infections
Black Pepper - Improve digestion, Promote intestinal health
Sodium Bicarbonate - Relieves heartburn, Indigestion
Matcha - EGCg, Boosts metabolism, Detoxifies, Calms, Rich in chlorophyll, Vitamin C,                            
                      Selenium, Chromium, Zinc and Magnesium.
Fennel - High fibre, Lower total Cholesterol in blood
Vanilla - Antioxidants
Star Anise - Antioxidant, Anti-fungal, Antibacterial, Joint pain, Coughs
Ginger Root- Alleviate indigestion
Cloves - Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory
Cardamon - Digestion, Depression

Blend all ingredients in a food processor and store in a airtight container.

To make:
Put 1-2 teaspoons turmeric mixture

in teapot with hot coconut milk. Strain and pour into tea cup.
or
Put ingredients in Vitamix or Thermomix heat up the milk and add 1-2 teaspoons turmeric mixture. Add fresh ginger and turmeric and blend on high for 30 seconds. Strain and pour.

Creamy Delicious Coconut Milk

Coconuts are rich in fibre, vitamin C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6. Minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous.


1.  first you have to open the coconut. http://lovepeacehollyom.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/how-to-open-young-coconut.html

2.  spoon out all the flesh with a spoon.

3.  put the flesh in high speed processor or blender

4.  add 3/4 cup of water per large coconut

5.  pour the mixture through a nut bag and SQUEEZE it all out

6.  pour a glass of creamy delicious coconut milk....... Enjoy!

Bone Broth

This has got to be the easiest thing to make in the kitchen and it has so many yummy health benefits to add to your active life.



Health Benefits of Bone Broth
1.  Bone Broth Boosts Immunity
Amino acids in bone broth, like arginine, glutamine, and cysteine, have been shown to boost immunity.
2.  Bone Broth Alleviates The Common Cold And Bronchitis
UClA professor Irwin Ziment found chicken soup naturally contains the amino acid cysteine, which chemically resembles the bronchitis drug acetylcysteine.
3.  Bone Broth Fights Inflammation
Studies show amino acids reduce inflammation and L-hlutamine reduces gut inflammation.
3. Bone Broth Improves Hydration
Bone broth can rehydrate and replace electrolytes.
4.  Can release joint pain
5.  Can help normalize stomach acid

Ingredients:

2 kg  Organic, grass fed beef bones

3  carrots

3  celery stalks

3  onions halved

2 tsp salt

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 

Cover with filtered water and set on high for 24 hours. Use a strainer to separate the liquid and the bones. Pour into cup cake molds and put into freezer. Remove and store in the freezer in a airtight container.

*You can also add bay leaf, parsley, garlic, rosemary, and other herbs of your choice.      

  

Sunny Bliss Balls

"Good Morning Sunshine!"

These heathy snacks are a go to in my family! Great for school lunch boxes, picnics and with cup of tea!

Ingredients:
100-120 g   sunflower butter
25 g   rolled oats
40 g   desiccated coconut
30 g   cacao nibs
20 g   dark chocolate chips
10 g   sesame seeds
1 tsp  extra virgin coconut oil
2 tsp  honey or to taste
25 g   puffed quinoa

Directions:
Combine all ingredients by hand except the puffed quinoa, leave that for the end so it doesn't get broken.

NO Nut Butter

Would you like a health snack for your kid's lunchbox? Most school's won't allow to bring nuts and nut butters to school because of all the allergies kids are have these days.
Sunflower butter is a no nut butter that your child will enjoy instead of traditional peanut butter.
This recipe so easy to make and last for couple weeks in refrigerator.

Sunflower Butter Recipe 
200 g sunflower seeds
10 g ground linseed/flaxseed* optional
60 g olive oil

Directions:
Put sunflower seeds in food processor or high power blender. Grind until it becomes powder. Add linseed powder, salt and combine. Last add in your olive oil slowly until smooth or desired consistency.
*Adding ground linseed will give the sunflower the omega 3

Benefits

• High in Protein.
• Loaded with Vitamin E.
• Loaded with Magnesium. 

Morning High Smoothie

Get your family off to running start with this super food smoothie!

1     young coconut juice
2     frozen bananas
1     cup of frozen organic strawberries
1/2  cup nut butter of your choice
3     tbs of cacao powder
2     tbs of L.S.A.
2     tbs of acai powder
2     tbs green superfoods of your choice*
2     tbs maca powder

Blend in blender until smooth!

*  some suggestions are:  spirulina, chlorella, alfalfa, organic green vegetables
~  Big people can add shot of matcha or coffee!
                                                                                                   

Natural Coconut Pudding

Do you want to be Naughty or Nice? I little bit of both......... right??? This healthy desert will make you feel like your being naughty without the guilt!

Flesh of two young coconuts
1/2 cup of young coconut water or coconut milk
2 tbsp of cacao powder
2 tbsp of honey or to taste - I usually put in less but a know some people like it sweeter
1 tsp of vanilla

Blender all ingredients for 2 minutes, scrape down sides and blend again until smooth.
chill for couple hours and serve!


If you need help opening your coconut check this out!
http://sproutingyogis.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/how-to-open-young-coconut.html

Acai Smoothie

Super Powerful Acai Smoothie

The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry is an Amazonian superfood packed full of powerful antioxidants as well as many other key nutrients to help support general health and wellbeing. 

Seriously Good and Good for YOU!

Ingredients:

1 frozen packet of Acai or 2 tbsp of powder
1 frozen bananna
1 young coconut water or 1 cup of *coconut milk
1/4 cup of frozen organic blueberries
1/4 cup of frozen organic strawberries
1/2 cup kale
2 drops of cardamom essential oil boots the antioxidants in blueberries
2 drops of cinnamon essential oil or to taste
1 tsp of vanilla

Directions:
Add everything to food processor or blender on high for two minutes and enjoy


*If substituting coconut milk I prefer organic coco quench from in the long life milk section

* Need help opening a coconut?
Check this out: http://sproutingyogis.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/how-to-open-young-coconut.html


https://nutritionfacts.org/2014/12/23/boosting-anti-cancer-immunity-with-berries/

How to Open a Young Coconut.... A healthy natural drink!

I have used coconut water as a drink or use it in my smoothies and recipes. It's naturally sweet and healthy!

* Yogis love to use it when fasting
* It's low in calories (around 42 calories for one coconut)
* Contains Potassium
* Contains Magnesium
* Contains Copper
* Contains Cytokinins (Science has confirmed it to slow down cancerous cells).
* Contains Antioxidants
* Natural Diuretic

* It was used in WWII to hydrate soldiers!


          I have tried everything to try to get a coconut open. 
          Endless attempts I found this one to work the best!

Solid Meat Cleaver works well. You can find them at Kmart $6

I find it was easier in the beginning to mark the coconut where you want to put your hole. 

Use the bottom point to go into the middle of the line your on. Be sure use both hands on the knife. 

Never put your hand on the coconut. You need a lot of force to break through the outside of the coconut.

Open the coconut with the blade.

Pour into a glass and enjoy!

After you pour the water out scrape the insides out with a spoon and eat the flesh or use it in different recipes!

What? Easy Healthy Chocolate Bars

Easy Goji, blueberry & Cacao Bars

Ingredients 
5 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
2 tbsp coconut butter
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
2 tbsp rice-malt syrup
pinch sea salt
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup of dried blueberries
1/4 cup of dried goji berries

Directions
Gently melt coconut oil and coconut butter in saucepan. I use my Thermomix.
Sift and stir in raw cacao powder and blend in rice-malt syrup, salt, chia, seeds, blueberries and goji berries. If using Thermomix use speed 5 until mixed well.

Put baking sheet in bottom of small square tin or porcelain dish. Freeze for hour or until hard and cut into bit size bars.

* You could easily put in pistachios, almond pieces, cashews, or cranberries. I made this nut free option to put in my daughters lunch box. Won't she be surprised!

*GF
*V
*VG

Make your own Hand Sanitizer

When I became a mother I wanted to do the right thing. I would sanitize my hands every nappy change, after going to the bathroom, petting the family dog. I was obsessed. 

I have just one word “Triclosan” Look it up and see how scary it is!
Little did I know all the nasties involved!

Almost every hand sanitizer has it in it. It’s also called be different names.

• Alternative names quick Irgasan DP-300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac, Cloxifenolum. It also has a close cousin called triclocarban. ...

• Triclosan is restricted or banned in many countries, including the EU, but is not by the FDA.

• For more information, check out these sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 

Web MD.

No one said you have to go without. Just make one without the nasties.

Hand Sanitizer

Ingredients

5 tbsp aloe vera gel

4 tbsp distilled water

1/2 tsp vitamin E oil

5 drops orange Essential Oil

3 drops clove EO

3 drops of cinnamon EO

3 drops eucalyptus EO

3 drops rosemary EO

         Combine all ingredients in a squeezable container. Shake well and you are ready to clean your hands anywhere, anytime without stripping your body’s natural acid protection barrier.

Bo-na-na fo fan-na, Banana Bread

3 over-ripe bananas
5 tbsp organic honey
6 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 tsp cinnamon = 1 drop of cinnamon essential oil
1/2 tsp bicarb

Preheat 190 C.

Mash bananas in bowl and stir through honey, coconut oil, vanilla, and egg. Add coconut flour, sea salt, and cinnamon and bicarb and stir.

Spoon in cup cake wraps

Watch for 20-30 minutes

*The banana bread will not rise much as it has no wheat flour

*GF
*V

DIY Dishwasher Tables

1 cup  borax

1/2 cup epson salt

1 cup washing soda

2 drops of lemon essential oil

8 drops of lavender essential oil

1/2 cup lemon juice

Directions:

Combine borax, Epsom salts, lemon oil, lavender oil, washing soda, in a bowl until well combined.

Add small amounts of lemon juice at a time until mixture is damp but not soaked, you want it to hold together and not be crumbly.

Press mixture firmly into ice cube tray or rubber cup cake tins. 

Allow to dry for at least 3-4 hours before removing.

Store your homemade dishwasher tablets in an airtight container or mason jar.

*In the rinse compartment of the dishwasher you can use vinegar for a healthier option