Sneaky Aduki Bean brownies

Yep you read right! Adzuki beans, pronounced add do key beans, they are super nutritious containing loads of protein and fibre not to mention vitamins and minerals, plus almost no fat. I really love cooking savoury recipes with them but for fusspot kids they are easily hidden in this delicious choc brownie....

So here it is...

Ingredients;

• 2 cups of cooked Adzuki beans ( I pick threw and discard any bad beans, soak for an hr, then cook for 1 hr )
• 1/2 cup organic coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup pitted dates
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 heaped dessert spoons of organic raw Cacao
• 2 heaped dessert spoons of natural, organic peanut butter ( I buy ones that only have organic peanuts in the ingredients ;) )
• 2 eggs ( organic ) - or *chia gel if vegan
• 3 dessert spoons of organic virgin, cold pressed coconut oil 
• 1/4 cup of good quality high cocoa dark chocolate buttons or chips- I use 80% or more cocoa as this is very low in sugar
• 1/4 cup of nuts ( optional, I like macadamias )

How to;

1. Preheat oven to 180, degrees Celsius.
2. Put all ingredients except chocolate and nuts into blender or food processor and blend until smooth and combined. You may need to stop and scape sides a few times.
3. Grease brownie tray with coconut oil and line with baking paper, and pour in batter.
4. Once batter in in tray, evenly distribute choc chips/buttons and nuts and push into batter, use a spatula or knife to smooth so they are hidden.
5. Bake in oven for about 15mins, keeping a close eye as they can dry out if over cooked.
6. Once cooked, leave in tray to cool for 10 mins before turning out to slice.
7. Store in sealed container in fridge.

I love these, and only took me 2 goes to perfect this recipe. I find it very quick and easy to prepare and Mason loved his "chocolate cake" he thought it was a real treat!.... I thought it was a better meal then the sandwich he had for dinner. ENJOY XXX

Best Ever Banana, Coconut & Choc Ice Cream

I don't think the title of this post is an exaggeration at all and quite frankly I think I'm kind of a genius ... This sticky, sweet and indulgent ice cream is a world away from the supermarket bought ice creams because not only is it dairy free it is also cane sugar free and packed with yummy nutrients for the little ones (and big ones!). 

I have a heap of other ideas for different variations and flavours floating around in my head and will be testing them out over the next few weeks, but lets start with this one which despite its name is, in my option, a cross between banana and sticky date pudding flavour, YUM!

Ingredients;

• 4  small/medium frozen bananas ( I peel and chop ripe bananas and store in zip lock bag or sealed container in freezer for these such occasions )
• 1 cup of pitted dates
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 dessert spoons of hemp seeds (optional for added nutrients) 
• 1 cup of coconut cream
• 2 dessert spoons of raw cacao powder

The how to;

1. Throw your chopped frozen banana into blender and blitz (you may need to add gradually if your blender is not powerful enough)
2. Once things are starting to happen add the the dates and continue. I prefer to leave a few little pieces of date for texture.
3. Next in go the hemp seeds, or you could add in any mild tasting nut or seed if you wish to hide more nutrients, I personally find hemp seeds work perfectly.
4. Now pour in the coconut cream, vanilla and add cacao. If your blender is struggling in step 1-2 just add the liquids as it will help move things along.
5. Once all combined and gooey and smooth pour into a container ( the bigger the surface area the faster it sets) cover and pop in freezer.
6. Your best bet is to check on it every 30 or so mins and give it a bit of a stir. The time will depend on how you like to eat your Ice cream- personally I like it on the softer side and find about 2 hrs perfect. But again that depends on container used and personal preference.

ENJOY xx

Mummy "icccee creeeam....."

Mason has be asking (whinging) for ice cream all day today so when we get home tomorrow I'm going to make him my yummy choc,banana & coconut ice cream. And yes it's cane suger and dairy free! Yum x

Breakfast at 'Paleo Cafe' Mornington...YUMMY GUILT FREE!

Well we decided to head to Portsea for the night and I couldn't go past going via Mornington to enjoy a healthy yummy breakkie at Paleo Cafe.

The chain of cafes opened in 2011 and began from the founders passion to eat and live Paleo. If your wondering what I'm talking about when I say 'Paleo'...

The Paleo Lifestyle is built on a foundation of eating lean proteins, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, fish oil and grass fed meat...Follows of this diet beleive...Paleo Lifestyle is the healthiest way that you can eat and live - See more at: http://www.paleo-cafe.com.au/about-us.php#sthash.4s2h63WU.dpuf  

Credit to  http://www.paleo-cafe.com.au/

This place has such a great feel, and the best part, I think,  is not having to navigate threw what we should and shouldn't eat, because its all good for you ( if you agree with the Paleo lifestyle )

Mason had the kids banana pancakes with Berries and coconut cream, I had a Mediterranean omelette, hubby had eggs and avocado on toast and Harrison grabbed at what ever he could reach! 

It goes without saying I tasted the pancakes for the purpose of this blog, they were delicious. I'm pretty sure they were made with coconut flour as this is what I use but forgot to ask - I will find out and update.

I had my usual green juice after breakkie and decided to get mason a matching one to mummy, his was just apple and coconut water- it lasted 5 minutes and so did the bad of freeze dried bananas he inhaled. 

Love this place we will defiantly be back

xx

Yummo Avo & Chocolate mini Cupcakes.

I whipped up a batch of these little chocolate treats this afternoon and they are almost all gone already! These babies are dairy, egg and cane sugar free but taste like a very naughty chocolate cake ;)
I would gladly serve these up to Mason for his afternoon tea any day of the week -  in fact i did and he ate 4! As I'm sure you would all agree (particularly those with fussy eaters like mine) seeing your kiddies eat healthy food and knowing they are putting wholesome nourishment into their little bodies is a very rewarding feeling :)

Firstly- anyone who knows me well and has seen me cook, or been given a recipe by me would know I'm not one for measurements and I would generally follow the 'look & taste' approach, a little of this, a handful of that... So today I went out and bought myself measuring cups ;) so here we go...

Ingredients ;

Wet stuff;

• 2 dessert spoons of Organic Virgin cold pressed Coconut oil
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of Organic full fat coconut cream
• 3 dessert spoons of Organic Maple syrup 
• 2/3 of a ripe avocado

Dry stuff;

• 1 cup of wholemeal plain flour
• 1 dessert spoon of Maca powder
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp of bicarbonate 
• 1/2 cup of Organic coconut sugar
• 2 dessert spoons of raw Cacao powder.                        

The how to;

1. Chop the avocado roughly and throw into your blender along with all of the 'wet ingredients' and the coconut sugar. Blend up until all lumps are gone and mixture is well combined.
2. Sift all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl making sure they are all well combined.
   
   
   
   
3. Pour in the liquid mixture and using a spatula combine well. The cake mixture appears quite doughy but if too dry more coconut cream can be added.
4. Place cases in tray and divide cake batter between them before popping into a pre heated oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
5. Keep an eye on cakes as cooking time will vary depending on size, however I like to make mini ones which only require about 8-10 mins.

To Frost or not to frost;

Well that's completely up to you and your kiddies taste buds. Personally I don't bother because Mason is so picky he probably won't eat it anyway, but I did make a test batch Incase anyone's interested, it is as follows...

1. Into the blender throw 1 banana and remaining avocado along with a dessert spoon of coconut oil and 3 dessert spoons of coconut sugar. (If you would prefer choc frosting or think it might appeal more to you little ones add 1 dessert spoon of raw cacao powder)
2. Blend very well until no lumps are left, spoon into a icing bag and pop into freezer or fridge until ready to pipe on. ( if you are planing on taking awhile then I would suggest the fridge as you don't want it to freeze).
3. Pipe on and watch them get gobbled up! :)
   

Paleo Cafe

Paleo Cafe
Click above to view the deliciously healthy menu!

Excited to be heading here for breakfast Monday :) will defiantly post some yummy pics :)

The Birth of The Green Cupcake

My name is Emma and I'm a mummy to 2 beautiful little men, Mason 2.5 years and Harrison 8 months. They are my world and I love being a mum and watching them grow and learn. 
Although I've been a vegetarian since I was a young child I defiantly haven't always been an angel when I comes to food. 
Then out of the blue Mason, at about 1.5 years old decided he wanted to become the worlds fussiest eater - basically surviving on peanut butter sandwiches, biscuits, cakes, and packaged treats... So mainly carbs, fats and and very long list of ingredients that aren't exactly whole and healthful foods.
It was around this time he developed chronic chest infections, chronic eczema,  weight loss, delayed development and anaemia. After many appointments at the Royal Children's, far too many dollars spent on medications, vitamins, formulas and creams one day I decided enough was enough!

I started brainstorming what foods Mason needed to help him with his anaemia, skin, immunity and growth. Then it was a matter of getting as many of these ingredients into his favourite foods / only foods he would eat...

The food processor was pulled from its hiding spot and hasn't moved off the bench since. Every day I would create a new sneaky recipe and it wasn't long before I was sharing this passion with anyone who would listen.

Since starting my recipe collection Mason has developed a new appreciation for foods he never liked before- and still doesn't realise he likes ;) he has climbed from below the 1Oth percentile to the 25th, he has had a huge improvement in his eczema and...knock on wood not had any medications in months :)

I love to share my passion for healthy food and share the word on what a difference cutting out processed, package food can make for you and your kids.
I believe that by teaching our children about where food comes from and what REAL food is we can help them grow into healthy, educated foodies.
I hope you and your little ones enjoy my recipes as much as my family do :). 

Love Em xoxo