Welcome to my crazy world of real food cooking ...

Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants. -- Michael Pollan

I wish I could take credit for that because I think it sums up how we should eat. Simply -- eat stuff that really is food, instead of stuff that is food like substance. The supermarket is almost entirely food-like-substances, and, my friends, you should probably never ever eat them.

Fortunately, there is a world of deliciousness out there, and it can all be had in a way that not only doesn't harm your health, but in a way that benefits you hugely.

I think it's important to eat stuff that satisfies you, that keeps your blood sugar stable, and that gives you stuff your body really needs to run optimally.

But baby, it's gotta taste good.

I really like getting experimental in the kitchen. I love cooking, I love layering flavours, and I love coming up with really super yummy food. I have very strong opinions about what constitutes food, and there are a lot of things I won't touch in the kitchen. Bottom line? Pretty much everything I make is ridiculously good for you even if it tastes decadent. Although there are occasional big fat cheats ... but even those stick to real food, my friends.

For food that is usual gluten free, usually free of cane sugar, usually super low on the glycemic index, full of protein, fiber, flavour, and excellent energy, join me and Alice down the rabbit hole.

Every recipe on this blog is my own original effort and idea, so please pass 'em on, giving credit where credit is due.

Many thanks, and come back often. I'm really glad you are here!

:)

Thursday, 21 August 2014

Chocolate Energy Balls -- lunchbox ready









Guilt free chocolate? You bet. This clever little concoction of cacao, ground up seeds, coconut, and dates gives all the illusion of delectable chocolatey goodness with none of the negatives. This well balanced combination will fuel you well whilst keeping your blood sugar stable. No drawbacks to these ones, friends.


For some reason, my child suddenly asked if we had any chocolate balls. The last time we made them was in the spring, so I'm not sure where he thought they might have been hiding. They just don't last that long in this house. So, we had no choice but to get busy in the kitchen. This time around, however, I tweaked the recipe. No nuts. Sunflower seeds and hemp hearts. And some chia. And half the usual amount of cacao. Which meant I could skip the stevia. Which means the flavour is a little more ... pure. So, here's a fabulous little snack that could go in the lunch box since there are no nuts. I rolled them in shredded coconut so they wouldn't stick ... pretty great. I one-two punch of high octane energy food to fuel your child without empty calories or preservatives, and super full of deliciousness. A perfect little pick 'em up when they need it. These are incredibly yummy.



ingredients:

1/2 cup hemp hearts  (1 cup)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup shredded coconut

1/4 cup ground chia

1/2  cup raw cacao
1/2 tsp sea salt
1  tbsp ground vanilla

1 1/2 cups pitted honey dates

1 or 2 tbsp vanilla extract or water

directions:

1. combine the hemp hearts, sunflower seeds, coconut, raw cacao, sea salt, stevia powder, and ground vanilla in a food processor, and process until as homogeneous as possible
2. add the honey dates and the vanilla and pulse and then process until it starts to form a 'dough'. Don't stop processing until this happens!! If you need to add more water for this to happen, add it just a bit at a time.
3. roll the dough into small balls.
4. if desired, roll the balls into shredded coconut to make them not as sticky on the outside.

As my child asked me yesterday: "What's brown and sticky?" Answer: A stick. Not these.


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