Tag: Paleo

Gluten Free Anzac Biscuits

Gluten Free Anzac Biscuits

Posted on by Nice Asana Wellbeing

Gluten Free Anzac Biscuits

With it being Anzac day it seemed only fitting to serve up this traditional treat and family favourite. I’ve combined both rolled oats and quinoa flakes for a super low GI snack to keep you fuller for longer. Quinoa is a complete protein source, containing all the essential amino acids (or building blocks) the body requires for healing. The oats are great for digestive health as they act like little brushes, scrubbing the lining of the digestive tract, as well as help to lower blood cholesterol.

Makes 15-20 bickies (depending on generosity of baker) 😉

  • ¾ cup quinoa flakes (this is a seed not a grain and therefore appropriate for a paleo lifestyle)
  • ¾ cup rolled oats (if preferred you can omit oats and use 1 ½ cups quinoa flakes for a paleo alternative)
  • 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
  • 1/2 cup whole almonds, medium ground in food processor
  • 2  1/2 Tbls ghee (or coconut oil for non-dairy folks)
  • 2-3 Tbls maple syrup or natural sweetener of choice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbls water

 

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 150 C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. In a medium bowl combine quinoa, oats, coconut and almonds and stir to combine.
  3. Melt together the ghee, maple syrup, vanilla and water in a small jug and poor into the dry mixture. Stir to combine. This is quite a dry mixture so don’t be alarmed. It will come together when rolling into balls in your hands.
  4. Roll the mixture into ~20 small balls and place on prepared tray. Flatten each ball, leaving room between the biscuits.
  5. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
  6. Best served with a calming cup of milky tea and a good book.

Storage: if you have more self-control than I these bickies will keep fresh for 5 days in a sealed container.

Kombucha - Why & How?

Kombucha – Why & How?

Posted on by Nice Asana Wellbeing

Kombucha – recipe below

“I’m sorry, did you say it’s made from some kind of magic mushroom which you want me to ingest and supposedly it’s going to rid me of all my pain and woes …. is this legal?”

Recently I became the proud mum of a baby scoby (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), the fungus that is required for the production of kombucha. Mmm delish..!

What is kombucha and why should you care?

Kombucha is a fermented drink made from sweetened black tea and the above-mentioned scoby. You can buy it for a pretty penny at health food stores but it’s super easy to make at home once you have obtained a scoby baby (from a farmers market or your best hippy friend!) and you will save a lot of money.

Taste:

Depending on how long you allow your brew to ferment it can taste like anything from delicious apple cider to a very sour fizzy vinegar. Brewing for 7-10 days will leave you will a tasty, yet effective drink. However, either way, it is incredible to gut health and repair.

Health benefits:

The way kombucha works is that it restores balance or equilibrium to the body so that it may heal itself. This means that the effects will differ from person to person. To some the effects will be significant, while others may just enjoy the taste as a healthy soft-drink alternative.

Every batch of homebrewed kombucha will contain a different number of enzymes, probiotics and certain amino acids and vitamins. However, each batch helps to benefit digestive functioning, aid liver detoxification and improve overall PH of the body. There in lies the magic of kombucha!

When all these areas are working efficiently the body is able to come back into balance.

Typical improvements:

  • Increased immunity due to anti bacterial and antioxidant capacity.
  • Improved metabolism and digestive health, relieving symptoms of IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders, due to probiotics and beneficial enzymes.
  • Relieves candida and yeast overgrowth with the help of probiotics.
  • Increased energy / reduced fatigue due to antioxidant content.
  • Reduced headache due to natural analgesics.
  • Reduced joint and muscle pain, including arthritis, due to glucosamine content.
  • Improves detoxification and elimination, reducing pancreatic load and liver burden.
  • Anti-carcinogenic due to improved detoxification.
  • May also relieve fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety.

Kombucha

Recipe

You will need

  • 1 3 litre capacity glass jar or bowl with a wide opening. Sterilize with boiling water and allow to air dry.
  • a muslin cloth
  • Elastic or string to secure the cloth over the jar

Ingredients

  • 8 cups water
  • 1 cup white or cane sugar is best. Don’t freak out you little health nerd you! See below for why this is essential*
  • 4 black teabags
  • 1 cup of kombucha starter
  • 1 scoby (buy from a farmers market or get off an awesome hippy friend!)

Note: This is the basic recipe. As you become more comfortable with it you can start experimenting with different flavours. Try adding 1-2 teabags of your favourite herbal tea or a nob of grated fresh ginger.

 

Preparation

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot and stir in the cup of sugar to dissolve.

2. Once boiled, take it off the heat and add the tea bags. Leave it to brew for 15-20 minutes.

3. Remove the teabags and allow the brew to cool completely. This is very important as any heat may kill your poor scoby. If you have the time you may leave it to cool slowly, otherwise cool it rapidly over an ice bath in the sink.

4. Once cool add tea mixture to the sterilized jar. Pour in the starter kombucha.

5. With clean hands or tongs that have been sterilized with boiling water, carefully add your scoby. It may float, sink or be in between.

6. Cover with muslin and secure with string. Store in a dark place at room temperature. Leave for 7-10 days until your scoby grows another baby scoby on the surface.

Depending on the climate this process can vary in length. In temperamental Melbourne it takes about 10 days for a new scoby to form. Then it is ready for bottling! The longer you leave it the less sweet it will be and less sugar will remain.

Storage:

7. Pour into sterilized bottles and jars. Store the bottles in a cupboard rather than the fridge to maintain optimum fizz. This will also allow the fermentation process to continue. If you are not drinking it often just open the bottles and release the gas every few days so they don’t explode! If you prefer to drink it cold simply place a bottle in the fridge for a few hours or the night before you want to have it.

Passing on the kombucha love:

8. Both the new and old scoby can be used to make another batch. Just combine the scoby with 1 cup of kombucha in a sterilized jar and either pass on to a friend or store until you are ready to make another batch.

* The sugar is to feed you scoby and help your kombucha become big and strong so that you can reap the rewards.  It is a necessary part of the fermentation process and will not work without it. Don’t fret, when fermentation is complete you will be left with approximately 1-2g sugar per cup of kombucha. If I put that in perspective for you 1 cup of fresh carrot juice has about 13g and fruit juices and soft drink and much higher still, and they don’t contain the good stuff! The longer you ferment the less sugar will remain. However, the flavour will become more sour the longer you wait.

Enjoy your magic mushrooms! Peace out man.

Photography by Yasemin Erdodu

Kangaroo Saag Curry

Kangaroo Saag Curry

Posted on by Nice Asana Wellbeing

Kangaroo Saag Curry

This kangaroo & spinach curry is incredibly rich in iron as well as an array of healing spices making this a great disease fighter and immune booster.

I love roo because it is incredibly low in saturated fat and in most cases chemical free and organic. Furthermore they are much more ethically farmed (happy roos = happy you’s) and are more sustainable than other meat choices.

Vego option: Swap out the roo for firm tofu. This becomes like a dairy-free saag paneer style curry and is also delicious.

 

Serves 4

  • 500gkangaroo (or firm tofu), thickly cubed
  • 1medium brown onion, finely chopped
  • 2green chillies, finely chopped
  • 2crushed garlic cloves
  • 1 1/2 Tblsmustard seeds
  • 3 Tblsghee or coconut oil
  • 1packet frozen spinach or 500g fresh English spinach – washed and chopped
  • 1 Tblsfresh grated ginger
  • 1 tspturmeric powder (fresh is even better if you can get it)
  • 1 Tblscoriander powder
  • 5cardamom pods, crushed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 Tblscoconut cream
  • 1 Tblsgaram masala

To Serve:

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice
  • extra coconut cream to drizzle
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 sprig fresh mint, finely chopped

 

Preparation

1. Heat the ghee on medium heat in a large heavy-based saucepan. Add the mustard seeds and fry until the seeds begin to pop or become fragrant. Add the Garlic and fry for another minute.

2. Add the kangaroo cubes and lightly brown, about 5 minutes. (If using tofu simply continue to step 3 as the tofu will come in at the last step).

3. Add the ginger, chillies and salt to the kangaroo. Continue to cook the kangaroo for a few more minutes until evenly browned on each side.

4. Add the onions and saute until translucent. Add turmeric (great anti carcinogenic!) and garam masala and stir for 1 minute.

5. Add the spinach, cardamom, coriander and stir.

6. Take the pot off the heat and add the coconut cream, stir and return to the heat. Cook on low heat with the lid on for 2 hours. Check the meat and cook until tender. Kangaroo is extremely lean so it will take longer than a regular lamb or beef curry. If using tofu add it 15 minutes prior to serving to heat through thoroughly.

Serve with cooked quinoa, a drizzle of coconut cream, lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh mint.

Paleo Fennel Seed Bread

Paleo Fennel Seed Bread

Posted on by Nice Asana Wellbeing

Paleo Fennel Seed Bread

I love having a fall back paleo bread for those lazy Sunday’s when all I want is a big plate of poachies on toast. Let’s face it, an eggy breakie is just not the same without something to mop up the yolk!

The fennel in this bread gives it a warming component that is great for digestion.

 

  • 1 cup almond meal
  • ¾ cup flax meal (also known as linseed meal)
  • pinch of salt
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 3 free range eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 Tbls coconut oil, melted
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1-2 Tbls whole fennel seeds

 

Preparation

1. Preheat over at 180C (350 F). Grease a 23 x 13 cm loaf tin or French stick tin as seen below. Line with baking paper.

2. In a large bowl combine almond meal, flax meal, salt, baking powder, baking soda and fennel seeds.

3. Make a well in the center and add eggs, water and honey. Add the melted coconut oil last as it will turn solid on contact with the cool mix. Whisk together immediately to allow even distribution.

4. Pour into desired loaf tin.

– Regular 23 x 13 cm loaf tin: bake for 30-35 minutes – using loaf tin.

– French stick loaf tin: this batter will make 2 medium loaves or one longer loaf and bake for 25 minutes.

5. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Serving suggestions: The fennel in this bread gives it a savoury flavour that makes it great with soup (try my carrot, ginger & coconut soup) or as a sandwich.

 

 

It's My Jam! Homemade Nectarine Jam, to be exact.

It’s My Jam! Homemade Nectarine Jam, to be exact.

Posted on by Nice Asana Wellbeing

Nectarine Jam

NOTE: This recipe can be made with any other stone fruit.

I was lucky enough to score myself a giant 2kg bag of beautifully juicy nectarines recently and have been experimenting with all kinds of recipes since. Here is a simple yet salivatingly delicious jam recipe that can be used simply as that; on toast for breakie or with a side of Greek yogurt for a light desert…I enjoy just spooning it out from the jar, but then, some would say I lack all self control when it comes to sweet things!

Health Benefits of Nectarines:

Nectarines are rich in vitamins and minerals and very low in calories, so they are a great little snack to keep you going between meals. As with any orange coloured fruit or veg they contain high levels of beta carotene, which helps keep your vitamin A levels in check and benefits bone, reproductive and eye health (think about carrots helping you see in the dark)! Vitamin A also builds and maintains healthy skin, teeth, bone, tissue, and mucous membranes. They are also rich in vitamin C and lutein for a great dose of antioxidants. This can help improve immune function and protect against oxidative damage from pollution, stress and chemicals, which in turn can lead to chronic diseases, such as cancer.

 

Approximatley 9 (~850 g) nectarines or any stone fruit, thickly chopped and stones removed. Do not peel as the peel with provide the pectin to help the jam set. Please note that if stone fruit are not in season you may use tinned but you will have to add extra pectin as these are usually peeled.

150 – 200 mls raw honey, adjust to taste as some fruits may be sweeter than others. Vegans can replace with sweetener of choice.

1 vanilla pod, scraped and cut in 2 (optional use of other flavourings such as cinnamon, star anise or your fave spices!)

1/2  a lemon. Reserve juice and some peel as this contains extra pectin to help the jam set.

1 splosh brandy (about 1-2 Tbls depending on taste). Optional.

 

Preparation

  1. Sterilize 1 large or 2 medium jars. I simply drench them in boiling water and allow them to air dry while I cook away.
  2. In a medium-large saucepan combine nectarines, 150 grams of honey, vanilla seeds and pod (or additional flavourings if adding), lemon juice, peel and brandy.
  3. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, tasting as you go along and adding more honey if needed.
  4. I’m rustic (hem hem, lazy) so I leave the vanilla pod and lemon peel in but you may scoop them out here if you are worried about chomping into them later. You will see them as you spread the jam so it is easy enough to remove as you go.
  5. Transfer to sterilized jars. Allow to cool completely and store in the refrigerator.

Serving suggestions: Serve on toast for breakie, with crackers and sharp cheese as part of a platter (yum!) or on top of Greek yogurt.