Happy New Year and a Raw Choc recipe

Wow.

It has been ages since I've done a post. Sorry bout that. ekk.
I'll do a quick update for you.
Life has been fairly much the same, netball season finished, I started a business called 'The Organic Unbakery' where I make raw paleo treats that are gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free and egg free. So that, along with the hectic schedule of having a 4 year old and 1 year old, has prevented me from dedicating much time to the blog. my bad, sorry.
Pip's off to school this year, so I'm hoping I might have a bit more time to dedicate to the blog. Hoping....

So this year I have some big goals to achieve, both personally and business wise. I'm looking forward to being more creative, finding balance in my life and learning a ton of new information in the world of health and nutrition.

 Here's a couple of pics of my creations from The Organic Unbakery.

and my little cherubs...

Best share a recipe with you while you're here!

Raw Chocolate

Ingredients

1/2 cup cacao butter

1/2 cup cacao powder

1/4 cup of maple syrup (more or less to taste)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder

pinch of salt 

You will need-

Pot of simmering water

Heat proof bowl

Spatula

Chocolate moulds or pattie cases (whatever you want your chocolate to go in)

Method

Gently melt together the cacao butter and maple syrup It's just as easy to pop a heat proof bowl over a small pot of just simmering water. (I use my thermomix on 37 degree spd 2 until melted so it's still 'raw')
once melted, stir in the cacao powder, vanilla and salt.
pour into moulds and pop in the freezer to set.

I like to add in some nuts and coconut for a bit of crunch.
Hope you enjoy!
Clair

THE easiest pancakes you will ever make!

Quick and Simple breakfast right here- Banana pancakes with only 2 ingredients.
And did I mention they are DELICIOUS! Your kids will LOVE them!!
Top with some good quality coconut cream and nuts and you have a delicious rounded meal to start your day.
Full of protein, good fats and carbohydrates to nourish and fuel your body.

Recipe:

1 Banana

2 eggs

1 egg white

Method:

Pop all ingredients in a blender and whizz until bubbly.

Over a low heat, melt a little coconut oil in a pan and drop in 3-4 tablespoons of mixture.

Flip once it starts to bubble.

This mix makes about 3 pancakes.

Remember not to have your pan too hot as the natural sugar in the banana will burn very easily.

Top with whatever you like- I have used coconut cream, organic maple syrup, walnuts and some bee pollen.

You could top with berries, coyo, more banana, or a raw chocolate avo mousse for a special occasion. 

Perfect gluten free, dairy free, paleo friendly meal.

AND I'm very excited for my lovely friend Jodie (you may remember her as a guest blog post here)

She launched her cookbook 'One Nourished Life' yesterday- I cannot recommend this book enough- it is full of delicious recipes and ideas on how to live a nourished, happy, healthy, vibrant life. It features easy to follow recipes, meal plans, exercise ideas, how to stock your pantry and notes on sustainable living and creating a vegetable patch your neighbours will envy!

Follow her on Instagram here and repost to win a copy of her book and some delicious Soma Bites. You can order her book online at www.onenourishedlife.com or pop into Anytime Fitness Horsham to pick up your copy!

Raw chocolate nut truffles

Sorry I've been a bit M.I.A on here lately!
I'm still alive, and still living and loving my paleo lifestyle- although, if you ever come to my house, do not expect to see a clean kitchen! I'm always cooking (which I love) but I don't love the mess! Oh well, you can't have everything!

Here's a recipe I threw together today for on of my most favourite things to eat! Raw chocolate nut truffles. It's pretty much a combination of everything I love!
They are sweet and satisfying, plus full of great fat, vitamins and minerals. Just try not to eat the entire mixture before rolling- like everything- moderation is the key ;)

Recipe mades approx 14 little balls
1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup macadamia nuts
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup walnuts

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 tablesp cacao powder (extra for dusting on top)
1 tablesp desiccated coconut
1 tablesp cacao nibs
1 teaspoon mable syrup
1 tablespoon chia seeds
pinch sea salt

Blitz everything in food processor until sticks together when pressed.
Roll into 14 little balls (approx a heaped teaspoon each ball)
Put in fridge to set.

Back into running and my chocolate protein smoothie

Today I went for my first run in nearly 9 months. It's been just over 5 weeks since Jimmy was born (naturally) and I've been busting to have a little jog each time I take the kids for a walk in the pram. Cue pelvic floor exercises!!
After I had Pippa I took up running, and completed my first half marathon when she was about 15 months old. I love running. It is my version of meditation, and I get such a high after a good jog.

I wasn't allowed to run throughout my 2nd pregnancy due to a possible incompetent cervix (I had surgery to remove about 1/3 of my cervix due to grade 3 precancerous cells just before falling pregnant- get your pap tests ladies- they save lives!!). I got the all clear to exercise at 25 weeks, but by then I was too big to consider taking up running again. I really didn't care, I was just happy to have made it to 25 weeks with no trouble!

Yesterday while on our walk I tried a couple of little jogs to see how it felt, and while pushing two kids in a pram was bloody tough (about 20+kgs to push) the jogging felt really good (if it was only for about 50m at a time). So today I decided to head off on my own. It was a beautiful, sunny winters day, perfect conditions for a light jog. I've just downloaded the Lorna Jane app, so I thought I'd trial it instead of my old run keeper.
After a little warm up, off I went. And surprised myself how far I went! I managed nearly 4km, at a nice leisurely pace and a couple of stops thanks to a pesky shoelace. I was puffing but surprisingly i didn't die in the ass at the 1km mark!
Hopefully I can get out of bed tomorrow!

After every run I always refuel my muscles and aid recovery with protein- today, in the form of a shake. I thought I'd mix it up- and because I'm breast feeding I'm burning extra calories, so I added in extra nutrients to fuel my milk supply (protein is great for milk production).

This smoothie would be perfect for breakfast (or any meal really!) It's sweet, chocolatly and packed with protein, healthy fats, fibre and lots of super foods.
 Recipe
1 scoop of protein powder (I use plain whey protein isolate)
1/4 avocado
1 cup almond milk (of fluid of choice)
1 table spoon raw cacao powder
1 teaspoon maca powder (optional)
1 teaspoon chia seeds
3 madjool dates (pitted)
4 walnuts
2 tablespoons of greek yoghurt (optional)
Whizz in blender top with cacao nibs and bees pollen for yummy crunch!

My two best creations

Here's a pic of my gorgeous two kidlets Pippa and Jimmy. Jimmy joined us not even 2 weeks ago and is settling in well! He's a typical boy- eats, grunts, farts and sleeps!