Spiced Christmas Cake and Mulled Apple Juice.

1. 
   
   
   I made these recently for my Christmas Kirtan and Cake event in my new Yoga Studio. As I didn't know who was coming I wanted to have a cake that was vegan, gluten free and nut free so everyone could have some regardless of their dietary requirements. Of course I wanted something seasonal too and so these were the perfect choice.
2. 
   If you're not vegan, gluten intolerant or have a nut allergy you can use whole milk, butter, plain flour or ground almonds. I'll leave that up to you. 
3. I served this with some warm mulled 'cider' which was the perfect addition on a cold, winter's night. Both recipes below.

Cakes:

Ingredients:

115g treacle / molasses

115g golden syrup

115g butter or butter alternative

275ml full fat coconut milk or whole milk

115g dark brown sugar

225g gluten-free / plain flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 inch fresh ginger grated

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp mixed spice 

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees / gas mark 4

Heat the milk, sugar, butter, golden syrup and molasses gently in a pan on a low heat until it has combined fully and is runny. Don't let it boil. 

Add the grated fresh ginger, stir well and set aside.

Mix the flour, baking powder, mixed spice, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix well. It should be the consistency of heavy cream.

Add the mixture to lined cases, 3/4 full.

Bake in a pre-heated oven for 12-15 minutes until they are cooked through.

Set aside to cool on a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar or drizzle with icing.

Enjoy!

Mulled 'Cider':

2L of pressed Apple Juice 

1 cinnamon stick 

2 star anise 

8 cardamom pods

2 oranges in wedges 

4-5 cloves in each wedge

Allow to heat in a pan on a low heat or in a slow cooker.

Serve warm with good company!

1. 
   

Autumnal Spiced Fruit Buns - Gluten and Dairy Free

Apple and Blackberry cake recipe:

There is an abundance of apples and blackberries at the moment. I aim to eat seasonally and locally, not to mention it's free food! Zero air miles, zero carbon footprint and as fresh as can be. From tree to cake in under an hour.

Ingredients:
Makes 12
4 free range, organic eggs beaten
1/2 cup of cane sugar/honey/maple syrup
200g (1 and 1/4 cups) of ground almonds or other gluten free flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
2 dashes of Olive oil
Teaspoon of cinnamon
Teaspoon of nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Chopped apples and blackberries 

Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees/gas mark 4
Mix eggs, oil and sugar together well.
Add in flour, salt, baking powder and spices.
Line a baking tray and fill the bottom of each case with mixture.
Sprinkle in chopped seasonal fruit
Cover with mixture so cases are about 3/4 full
Bake for 15 mins at 180 degrees/gas mark 4
Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy!

Dietary Information:
These buns are gluten free, high in protein (for a cake!), dairy free, vegetarian.

Storage Instructions:
If they last you can keep these in the fridge for a day or two.

Protein Balls - low in sugar

I made these Protein balls for my Food and Yoga Trail in Cork City recently (more details here) and they went down a storm. Many protein ball recipes contain artificial or refined protein powder and are often high in natural sugars using dates and sweeteners. So I wanted to create ones that were high in protein naturally and sweetened naturally. 

As always I didn't follow a specific recipe just made it up as I went along but below is what I've figured to be the best combination.

Ingredients:
1.5 cups of Irish, Organic Oats
2 heaped tablespoons of chia seeds
3 heaped tablespoons of milled flax seeds
3 heaped tablespoons of local, organic honey
3 heaped tablespoons of nut butter
3 heaped tablespoons of roasted buckwheat
3 heaped tablespoons of Cacao nibs
Some oat milk/water to get consistency

Method:
Put all of the above in a bowl and mix well. 
Roll into balls and place in the fridge. I've found it helpful to wet the hands slightly to make this easier.
Optional to dip in dark chocolate or sprinkle. You could also roll them in coconut or other chopped seeds/nuts when wet.

Prep Time:
These take just a few minutes to measure and mix the ingredients and then some time to roll into balls. 

Dietary Information:
These are naturally gluten free, sugar free, vegan (use agave syrup instead of honey), raw and tasty I swear!
The flax, chia and nut butter are high in proteins.

Storage Instructions:
These will keep well in the fridge and so handy for a snack or treat on the go, that's if they last!
Enjoy!

Float your way to ultimate bliss!

If you've been following this blog for a while now you will know I only promote things I truly believe in and use myself. I have never run a competition or paid for likes as I want to keep this as honest, open and true as possible. You can read more about how hesitant I was about starting a blog in my first ever post HERE.

So you can trust me when I say you HAVE to try this FLOAT experience in Penrose Warf, Cork. It was pure bliss and the ultimate way to nourish your body, mind and soul in only 1 hour. In this hectic world we live in we need to find efficient and effective ways to repair, heal, de-stress and relax and this sure does all that and more. You can find out all about it on their website here, Facebook page or Instagram page. Here's what they have to say.

Flotation Therapy is essentially a way of achieving deep relaxation by spending an hour or more lying quietly in darkness, suspended in a warm solution of Epsom salt. Float tanks are also known as isolation tanks, sensory deprivation tanks & REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) chambers.

I can honestly say from start to finish the whole experience was just so comfortable and relaxing. The rooms are large and comfortable so if you don't like small spaces it is not an issue. The process has been designed for ultimate enjoyment for you the customer and at very affordable prices too!

I could go on and on about the benefits (listed below) and how much I enjoyed it but just book a session and see for yourself. I promise you won't regret it and tell them Jeanie sent you!

Take some time out this week for you. If you don't look after yourself you can't look after others. Simple.

These are just a few of the conditions known to be improved by floating:

• Stress relief
• Muscular pain
• Rheumatism
• Chronic pain
• Fatigue
• Fertility
• High blood pressure
• Migraines
• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Depression
• Pre-menstrual tension
• Post-natal depression

Notella - A Nutella alternative

You may have seen lots of articles in the press of late about how Nutella is potentially Carcinogenic (cancer causing). If you missed it read more HERE.

Whether the claims are true or not the fact is Nutella contains Palm Oil. This is a highly processed, unnatural and cheap oil that is used in many processed foods. Cheaper than olive oil and other natural fats, vast areas of rain forests in South America and Asia have been destroyed so multi billion dollar corporations can get even cheaper ingredients to make even unhealthier foods. Cancer or not AVOID PALM OIL like the plague. Even if it says 'Sustain-ably sourced Palm Oil' it just means they replant the trees but still wildlife and natural habitats are being destroyed.

Palm oil or not Nutella is so laden with sugar it should be avoided regardless. I myself have been known to eat it by the spoon full, spread it thickly on crackers, pancakes and bread as a treat and we all know once the jar is open...it needs to be finished. Even though judging by the sugar content I don't think this spread would ever go off. Even decades later!

So this news lead me to think about how you could make a more natural, just as tasty substitute without breaking the bank. Here it is my Notella recipe. Simple, quick and tastes so good. You can make a batch in advance and keep it in the fridge if you like the texture hard or at room temperature if you want it more spreadable.

Now don't be fooled this recipe should also be treated as just that, a treat. Try not to eat this by the spoonful (this is where I struggle!) as it is high in fats (good fats but still high!) and calories. However, I would want this over Nutella any day!

Ingredients:

2 heaped tea spoons of Nut butter of choice (I use Merian as it is Palm Oil free!)

1 dash of Olive Oil/Coconut Oil/Oil of choice (try and always get cold pressed, extra virgin oils)

1 teaspoon of honey (more if you don't mind the calories and want it sweeter), use Mayple Syrup to make it vegan

4 squares of 85% + Coco chocolate.

Method:

Using a small pan on a very low heat add the dash or oil (if you want a thicker consistency don't us any oil, providing you have a non stick pan). Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well until the chocolate is fully melted. 

Transfer into a clean jar or eat directly from the pot (No I have never done this I swear...)

Prep time:

1 minute to gather ingredients

Cooking time:

2-3 minutes to melt and stir

Dietary Information:

Refined Sugar free

Dairy free (if you use high % chocolate)

Gluten Free

Wheat Free

Vegetarian

Vegan

Paleo (if you don't use peanut butter)

Dark Chocolate is high in antioxidants and good fats

Local, organic honey can lessen effects of hayfever 

Nuts are high in EFA (essential fatty acids)

Better than Nutella!

Storage Instructions:

If it lasts then it can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge or at room temperature ready for spreading! I don't think this will ever last the time it would take it to go off!

So there you have it Jeanies! Hopefully you have been inspired to check ingredients on the packets of processed foods you eat (If it's in a packet and has ingredients then yes it is processed!) and avoid any more suffering for forests, wildlife, local people, extra weight from eating this sugary goodness and also potential carcinogenic effects.

Golden Milk - The key to staying healthy this Winter

As the evenings are drawing in and the weather begins to change it's time to journey inwards and begin to look after yourself a bit more. Begin to spend more time indoors, eat more comforting foods to warm us from the inside out and get cosy in front of the fire with your loved ones. 

This is my go to concoction to not only make you feel warm and settled inside but to also stave off all those nasty colds, flus and tummy bugs that surface this season. A cup of this every night, or even every second night and I promise you, you will feel on top of the world. The benefits are huge and I've listed them below. 

Ingredients:

One cup of milk (Cow's/Goat's/Almond/Oat etc)

1 teaspoon of Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric

1/2 teaspoon of Dried Ginger

1 teaspoon of Honey

Optional: 1 teaspoon of Matcha Green Tea

Method:

Pour one cup of milk into a saucepan and heat on a low heat. Do not allow this to boil and froth.

Add in the dried ingredients and stir well. 

Once it is just about to boil remove from the heat and add in the honey. Stir well to dissolve.

Serve in your favourite mug in front of the fire under a blanket!

Note - you may need to stir it periodically throughout drinking. 

Dietary Information:

Vegetarian

Vegan (if you use alternative milk and no honey)

Gluten Free

Wheat Free

Refined Sugar Free

BENEFITS! 

The benefits of this milk mixture are immense:

Ginger is good for digestion issues, nausea, natural anti-inflammatory and boosts the immune system. 

Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory with amazing healing and cancer fighting benefits, it boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol and stabilises blood pressure. You can find more on the benefits in my post HERE

Cinnamon helps to stabilise your blood sugar and burn fat more effectively.

Matcha Green Tea is high in anti-oxidants (repair damage to the body), promotes calmness and relaxation, increases energy levels and boosts the immune system. 

Don't let the colour put you off. Have a sip and enjoy the sweet, milky goodness. I have come to really enjoy this drink although it did take me a good few cups to get used to the taste and texture. 

Touch wood it has been 2 years since I have been to the doctor or bought or taken any medication. I haven't been ill or out of work as I'm confident it is because I look after my body and make sure my immunity is boosted to the highest degree. This drink being part of that routine! Stay healthy my Jeanies and get that immunity sorted before you fall ill!

5 simple steps to survive a Hangover this festive season.

The Cure. We all are searching for that elusive cure to prevent the day after the night before being absolutely ruined! How many days have I spent in a stupor, glued to the couch, eating more salty snacks than is humanly possible and ruining all the good work I've done all week! I shudder to think!

But is there really a cure? Prevention is the best cure they say and in a way I have to agree. I regularly don't drink and in fact I often have as good a night out not drinking than when I do drink. I never judge someone for not drinking and support people's choice to be adults and drink if they want and don't if they don't!

I am all for having a relaxed, social time, not limiting yourself or restricting yourself, especially over the festive season. But there are lots of things you can do to ease the hangover that doesn't involve complete abstinence!

I for one can no longer drink the way I used to and so for me these preventative measures are tried and tested and get me through the next day!

All the symptoms of a hangover are either dehydration (as alcohol is a diuretic) or mild poisoning from all the sugar and alcohol. So re-hydration and detoxing is the name of the game for me. I've listed some steps here on how you can best achieve these.

1) Water Water Water!

It's not good enough to drink lots of water the next day. Start early and the day you are going to be having drinks get as much water into you as possible. This way the body will already be hydrated and can process the alcohol as it is entering your system. Trust me on this one it will make the world of difference. I usually try and drink a litre while I am getting ready.

You can read more about adequate hydration on my post HERE

2) Water Water Water!

No this isn't a typo. Number 2 is water again! That's how important it is. I find if you drink one glass of water for every one drink of alcohol throughout the night then not only will you spend less money and drink less you will feel so much better the next day! Every time you go to the bar ask for your drink and a glass of water and either drink them together or one after the other!

3) Water Water Water!

Again not a typo! Re-hydration the next morning is also key. It's all about preparation. Keep some water next to your bed for when you wake in case it is so bad that you can't leave the duvet! Do this the night before as you are getting ready to go out as let's face it 'drunk you' may not remember when you stumble in that nigh/morning!

4) Oil Pulling - Detox

Wondering why you have a fuzzy mouth when you wake up? That's those blasted toxins that your liver just couldn't handle. You need to get them out as soon as possible or you will just swallow them back down into your gut to make you feel even worse! I can honestly say I haven't had a killer hangover since I started Oil Pulling. Actually I have felt the benefits throughout my daily life, booze or no booze! This is not something to try on the morning of a hangover but something to master at least a week before. Start slow with maybe 1-2 minutes and build up each day. It is the first thing I do every morning and my skin, hair, nails, digestive system and overall health has improved so much! I go into more detail on how you do this HERE

5) Work out that Liver!

As much as moving or exercise might seem like the last thing you want to do these super detoxifying and liver boosting yoga postures will help eliminate those toxins in your system faster than you can say Cirrhosis! It should take only 10-20 minutes and it will mean you'll be able to enjoy being a couch potato so much more! You can see full pictures and descriptions HERE

So there you have it guys. 5 simple steps to ensure you don't lose a whole day of your life (if not 2!) and survive that night of merriment!

Happy Boozing my Jeanies!