For those of you with a sweet tooth like myself, this easy recipe is perfect for a healthier alternative to chocolate.  It’s free from refined sugar and contains numerous health benefits from all of the natural ingredients including powerful antioxidants from the goji berries and raw cacao.  Just make sure you don’t eat more it all in one go as unfortunately it’s not calorie free 😉 It’s so simple to make too, you just need a good blender.

You will need:

• 50g raw cacao
• 100g almond butter (I like www.pipandnut.com )
• 100g coconut oil (slightly melted – I like www.chilondon.com )
• 100g raw honey
• Handful of goji berries
• 1tsp of vanilla extract

Put the coconut oil, almond butter and raw cacao into a blender and mix until smooth.

Add the honey and vanilla extract and blend for another 30 seconds.

Stir in the goji berries by hand.

Line a square baking tin with greaseproof paper and pour in the mixture.  It will be a runny texture but this will set.

Place in a freezer for around 30-60 minutes.

Once set, take out the freezer and leave for 5 minutes, then cut the chocolate into squares.

Keep in the fridge – these will last for over a week if you can resist not eating them all 😉

Turmeric is a great way to increase your levels of antioxidants and boost your nutrition.

This spice is definitely one of my top 5 most nutritious ‘foods’. It is a power house of nutrients and can be used in so many dishes.

Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, has so many health benefits; it helps to protect cells against free radical damage which can damage DNA, increasing the risk of disease such as cancer and heart disease. It can help boost the immune system, lower cholesterol and help balance blood sugar but one of its key properties is as an anti-inflammatory and pain killer.  Several studies have shown that curcumin is as effective as some anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects!

If you suffer with any inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, joint pain or any diseases where inflammation is present (heart disease, endometriosis, period pains, IBS, Alzheimer’s and even cancer) then add turmeric to your diet. Many experts believe curcumin is a number one supplement when it comes to cancer.

In fact, even if you’re healthy add this spice to your diet as it will help fight against disease and premature ageing.

Here are a few more ideas of how to add turmeric powder to your diet:

• Add to curry dishes – this is often the primary ingredient used in many traditional curries.
• Mix in to homemade hummus for that extra boost of nutrition.
• Sprinkle over homemade sweet potato wedges with some paprika
• Add to stews and soups – as long as you don’t go overboard you won’t taste it.

And if you don’t fancy eating it, make a face mask! Mix together a few teaspoons of goats yogurt, some turmeric powder and raw honey until it forms a paste. Spread over your face and leave for 10-15 minutes, the therapeutic properties will soak into your skin 🙂

These raw chocolate bars are so easy to make, they only take 5 minutes to prepare and taste delicious.  They contain natural sugars, protein and good fats so make a good balanced snack and they are also rich in nutrients such as magnesium, iron, zinc, B vitamins and antioxidants.

You will need:

• 200g cashews
• 200g dates
• 2-3 tbsp of melted coconut oil
• 40g raw cacao powder
• 40g cacao nibs

Put the cashews into a food processor and blend until ground.

Add the dates, cacao powder and melted coconut oil and blend until it clumps together.  If it is not sticking together, then add more coconut oil.

Add the cacao nibs and pulse until the mixture is combined.

Line a square baking tray with baking paper and spread the mixture into the tin and flatten.

Put into the freezer for at least 20 minutes until firm and then cut into squares.

These can be kept in the refrigerator but they are best straight out the freezer as they are nice and cold and crunchy. 🙂

Feeling sluggish and like your insides need a clean?

Try this juice – it may sound unappealing but it tastes surprisingly light and fresh and your insides will love you for it!

All ingredients are great for nurturing the liver and wheatgrass is rich in numerous properties helping to boost the immune system.  Give it a go!

You will need:

• 100g of broccoli
• 2 apples
• 1 courgette
• 1 tsp wheatgrass
• Juice of half a lemon
• Some ice

Juice the apples, broccoli and courgette. Add the wheatgrass and lemon juice and stir/blend until smooth. Pour over some ice 🙂

This is one of my favourite winter warmers.  It’s perfect to have on a cold night and naturally boosts the immune system with its healing properties of garlic and ginger. 

Garlic has been used for centuries to ward off viruses, bacteria and fungal infections and is known as one of nature’s anti-biotics.  Ginger also has many medicinal properties including antiviral, antibacterial and anti-parasitic.  It is great for reducing nausea and stomach upsets due to its anti-spasmodic effect and is a powerful anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis.

 You will need:

• 1 medium size butternut squash, chopped into pieces
• 1 leek, sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp of coconut oil
• Inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 litre of vegetable stock

Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan and add the leek and butternut squash.  Sauté for a few minutes and then add the ginger, garlic and a small bit of stock.  Sauté the ingredients until the leek is soft. 

Add the rest of the stock and bring to the boil.

Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the butternut squash is cooked.

Remove from the heat and blend until smooth.