Delicious Green Smoothie

I recently decided to start making my own smoothies for an energy/health boost after the gym or work or to kickstart my day. Juicing has so many health benefits and all individual ingredients have so many health properties themselves so add them all together and you end up with a magic potion for health! Well thats how I'm trying to sell it, but i really do feel much better for drinking them. Green smoothies tend to be best as they are alkalizing to the body and very nutrient rich, which in turn helps your body to work at its best and maintian health. I find them very filling so that equal less snacking, which can only be a good thing!

I am going to start posting different recipes for smoothies to help inspire. One thing though, NEVER be put off by the colour of a smoothie. Looks are most definitely deceiving! I am led to believe the worse it looks, the better it tend s to be for you. Luckily mine tastes fantastic and looks good too ;) Its the only way I'll ever be able to incorporate spinach or kale or any green leaves into my diet as I really cant stand them.

This Smoothie is really healing and cleansing and best of all you dont taste any of the greens :)

Ingredients

Generous handfull of spinach   * The more greens the better, you can always even out the taste with fruit!*
Generous handfull of kale 
7 or 8 small chunks pineapple
2 clemintines (peeled)
Fresh ginger (finely chopped) * I tend to add a small amount as it can be very overpowering*
Juice of a fresh lemon
Juice of a fresh Lime
Coconut water or spring water ( To thin down Mixture)
A Few ice cubes 

NOW BLEND!

Make sure It is completely smooth and there are no bits. I tend to put mine in the fridge for a wee while just to cool down further as i like it chilled. It is much more pleasant to drink!

Helen xX

Chewie Chocolate Chunk Oatie Cookies (Egg Free Recipe)

A delicious sugary sweet oatie cookie which is crisp on the outside and soft and chewie in the middle. This recipe requires no eggs, which is handy for those who may be intolerant or who just dont happen to have any in. I made a few cinnamon spiced ones just as a wee experiment and they turned out fab! Close up pictures to follow.

What You Will Need:

125g Butter
120g Light Brown Sugar
100g Caster Sugar
210g Self Raising Flour
70g Oats
2 Tbsp Golden Syrup
Splash Vanilla Extract
Variations - 1 Tsp Cinnamon Or Chocolate Chunks

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees

Mix both the sugars and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of vanilla extract.

Add 2 tbsp of the golden syrup and mix.

Variation ingredient added here - either the cinnamon or chocolate chunks. Mix.

Add the oats

Sieve in flour and mix with a wooden spoon until it is blended

Roll into small balls and place onto a greased baking tray

Ensure there is enough space between the balls as they will flatten and expand

Bake for around 13 minutes

Leave to cool on wire rack

* Cookies will still be very soft when ready. They will harden up more as they cool, but remember they are meant o have a moist chewie texture*

Cookies with chocolate chunks

Cinnamon Variation

 Happy Baking!

Helen xX

Malteser Truffles & Coconut Truffle Recipe

A no fuss recipe that anyone can throw together in no time at all :)

Malteser Truffles

200g Cream Cheese

350g Icing Sugar

500g Milk or Plain Chocolate (preference)

135g Bag Maltesers 

Splash Vanilla Extract

Cream together the cream cheese and the icing sugar until smooth and add some vanilla extract

Crunch up the matlesers until they are in pieces 

Melt the chocolate in a pan over a low heat 

When the chocolate is melted add the smashed maltesers and mix together

Blend the melted chocolate mix and the cream cheese mix together. stir well.

Put in the fridge for around half an hour for the mixture to stiffen up

Once the mixture is a little more pliable, roll into balls and dip into chocolate strands or chocolate flakes.

Put in the fridge for around an hour to set further more

Coconut Truffles (Using same measurements as above)

Cream together the cream cheese and the icing sugar until smooth and add the vanilla extract

Melt the chocolate in a pan over a low heat

Combine the two mixtures and stir well

Put in the fridge for around half an hour for the mixture to stiffen up

Roll into balls and dip in some desicated coconut and put in the fridge to set

*Truffles are est kept in the fridge for freshness*

The best thing about this recipe is that there are lots of variations you can try out. I think next time I am going to try out a rocky road version and a white chocolate, cherry and biscuit one :D

Happy Baking

Helen xX