All posts filed under: Breakfast

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Nutty Banana bread with a Twist

Published by Carmen

I have to admit, even I surprised myself with this banana bread. We all know that when we attempt to make things ‘healthy’, especially when it comes to cakes, we tend to lower our expectations to not be quite as indulgent. Well, prepare to be surprised! I definitely won’t be going back to the traditional banana bread from now on that’s for sure. Plus, it’s a one-bowl recipe. Oh yeah. So what do I mean by healthier? Firstly, it is low in sugar whilst also being high in protein and fibre. This is a good combination because it means that we don’t get a big sugar spike (and as a consequence, a sugar low later on). This banana bread is free from refined flours, and instead is a mix of almond meal and whole wheat spelt flour, with some cacao nibs and walnuts thrown in for added crunch and decadence (and health benefits too, of course). Banana’s and pregnancy leg cramps But there’s a bonus to this banana bread. Banana’s are high in potassium and …

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Pomegranate & Persimmon Autumn Salad

Published by Carmen

Persimmon’s are a bit of a forgotten fruit, the kind that some people have never heard of or tasted. They are more often sold in markets and fruit stalls, and totally worth the search! Disguised by their sweetness, you wouldn’t tell that these fruits have one of the highest contents of vitamin C of any fruit. Almost 80% of your daily requirements in one persimmon! These nutritional bombs are also packed with iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus; in much higher quantities than other fruits such as apples and pears. It’s no surprise therefore, that they are appropriately named as ‘food for the gods’ in Latin, but if your up for the search, you can enjoy these godly fruits too. Combine persimmon with pomegranate, already famous for its nutritional qualities, and your body and baby are in for a real treat. But your taste buds are not forgotten either, because this is a delicious combination of sweet and tart flavours, soft and crunchy textures; a sure ‘gift from the gods’! In other words, this combination …

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Rooibos & Cinnamon Poached Pears

Published by Carmen

As the weather turns cooler and the leaves start to turn a beautiful auburn colour, we also start to naturally gravitate towards warm, cooked and soulful meals. Our bodies are still very much in tune with the seasons, despite the supermarket isles tricking us into believing otherwise. That’s not to say we aren’t incredibly fortunate to have all of this produce available to us, but it also means we have lost touch with natures intuitive way of providing us with what we need, when we need it. Most of us are even unaware of what grows seasonally unless we have a veggie garden or go to farmers markets, and even so, I still see mangoes being sold in October in the markets in Holland! So, lets take cucumbers for example (but you could say the same for radishes, lettuce, celery, etc); these grow during the summer months and are about 96% water (the rest being nutrients & fiber). During the summer heat we sweat and loose a lot more water than during the winter, which …

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No knead Spelt & Multiseed Bread

Published by Carmen

Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread. Especially when you’re pregnant and craving carbs like crazy. Bread is one of those real comfort foods that goes with pretty much anything, at any time of day. I will admit that I am a bit of a bread snob, and my favourites are always the crusty and wholesome breads. But let’s be honest, who actually has the time to bake bread? Well, with this recipe, you will. Because it takes all of about 10 minutes. Max. (excluding baking and fermentation time that is). But first, let’s talk about why you should take 10 minutes out of your day to make your own bread. Unfortunately a lot of the supermarket breads are not very nutritious. Sliced bread, even if it is brown (which can sometimes just be dyed brown! not actually be wholemeal-brown), often has extra yeast, sugar and added chemicals to make the dough rise quicker, allowing for little or no fermentation time. Fermentation is normally required to allow for air pockets to develop making the bread …

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Fresh Fig & Feta cheese salad

Published by Carmen

Every year I look forward to figs coming into season at the end of the summer. They are my absolute favorite, deliciously sweet and wonderful, and worth waiting for! They are a rather delicate fruit when ripe, but are very versatile and can be eaten with something savoury (as in this salad), made into jam, as a dessert, or simply on their own. They come in various different colours and sizes,  all delicious. When out of season, they can be very disappointing, so keep this salad in mind between July and September only. Dried figs however are available all year round, so you can still reap their health benefits and enjoy them as a sweet snack any time of year. Figs are well-known to help those suffering with constipation as they are full of fibre, which helps get things moving. For people who aren’t used to a fibre rich diet, figs can act as a bit of a laxative, so if you are one of those people, you may want to have a taster portion …

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Sweet Potato Rösti with Eggs Florentine

Published by Carmen

Rösti is a traditional Swiss dish made solely with grated potatoes, which are then pan fried to make a potato pancake. Somewhat similar to hash browns, but without the onion and less oily. In this dish, I’ve substituted white potato with (mostly) sweet potato, as the latter have a lot less starch and many more nutrients, but are also very tasty. Sweet potatoes are also a healthy alternative for diabetics. By having less starch, their glycemic index is a lot lower; meaning that their sugars are broken down more slowly, therefore not creating blood sugar fluctuations. They also contain more fibre, which will help keep you regular. Eggs florentine are poached eggs served with wilted spinach. As you probably know, eggs are some of the most nutritionally complete foods available. High in protein, B vitamins, selenium and iodine, they will keep you going for longer, and provide you with many essential nutrients. By poaching the eggs and keeping the yolk intact, you reduce the their exposure to oxygen, which turns cholesterol into new substances called …

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Banana, Oat and Almond Smoothie

Published by Carmen

This smoothie is so deliciously indulgent that you’ll think that you’re actually having a milkshake. It is perfect for breakfast on the run, or when you feel like an afternoon treat. It literally takes 2 minutes to make, so there’s no excuse not to make it. We used to make this smoothie at Rose Bakery, a wonderful cafe I used to work at that started in Paris, but is now also in London. This smoothie was very popular, and you’ll know why when you try it. Whenever someone ordered it, I would make a little extra just to I could have some too. As you know, dairy milk is high in calcium, a mineral very much needed during pregnancy for the healthy formation of bones, teeth, nails, as well as the muscles, heart, and nerve development among others. Your need for calcium doubles during pregnancy, and if you don’t get enough to support your baby’s development, your body will remove calcium from your bones, leading to problems later in life such as osteoporosis and brittle bones. I’m …

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Avocado Mango and Kale Smoothie

Published by Carmen

Avocados are the one of the latest fruits to be labeled as a superfood. It is rich in healthy fats, and therefore helps slow down the absorption of carbohytrates to help maintain a stable blood sugar. This smoothie also contains iron, vitamin C, omega 3’s, protein, fibre and lots of vitamins and minerals to keep you well nourished. It is a healthy treat you can enjoy for breakfast or as a snack on the go! It is so quick and easy to prepare, it’ll take you two minutes to make in the morning, and perfect for those days where you may not feel so hungry first thing so you can bring it with you and enjoy it later. Ingredients 1 cup fresh or frozen mango (about 1 large mango ) 1 whole orange peeled and seeded, cut into 1/4s 1 cup of chopped kale 1 banana 12- 15 raw almonds 1/2 avocado 2 tablespoons chia seeds 2 cups water Instructions Combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Enjoy!