Raw Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of overnight soaked cashews
• 3-4 tbsps coconut oil
• 2-3 tbsps rice malt syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• Handful of dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Crust:

• 1 cup of walnuts
• Handful of dates
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 tbsps dried coconut

Method:

We are going to start with the crust by mixing all the crust ingredients, except for the coconut, in a food processor until you have a fine/crumbly texture. Using a spring form, sprinkle with bottom with the coconut. Press the mixture down evenly into the bottom of the spring form. Freeze for about 10 mins.
The next step is to prepare the filling of the cake, by simply combining all the ingredients, except the dark chocolate chips, into a food processor until you have a smooth texture. Pour the mixture on top of the crust and freeze overnight. 

Enjoy xx

For any enquiries, contact me on:
samanthapurvis@hotmail.com

Cauliflower Pizza

CAULIFLOWER PIZZA

Ingredients:

• 1 Cauliflower (florets only not using the stem)
• 2 eggs
• 1 can of diced tomatoes 
• 1 handful of parmesan
• 1 handful of mozzarella
• Seasoning of your choice
• Pinch of paprika
• Tomatoes and spinach for topping (or any toppings of your choice).
• Cheese cloth

Method:

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Rinse and cut up the cauliflower florets and blend in a food processor until you have a pastey consistency. Transfer to a cheese cloth and squeeze all the liquid out. If you have never used a cheese cloth before, you tube has a heap of videos to help. Cheese cloths usually found in discount stores.

Once you have rid of all the liquid out of the cauliflower, transfer it to a bowl and mix with all the other ingredients, except mozarella and diced tomatoes, leave a little bit of parmesan for later. Once mixed well, transfer to a pre-greased baking sheet and flatten mix down until evenly thin. Bake for about 40 mins. Take pizza out and spread diced tomatoes, spinach, leftover cheeses and any other toppings you wish. Cook for another 20 mins.

Enjoy xx

For any enquiries, contact me on:

samanthapurvis@hotmail.com

2014

For any recipes or questions regarding the above photos, please feel free to email me at samanthapurvis@hotmail.com

Enjoy your weekend, xx

BALANCED BREAKFAST OBSESSION

My best friend Kelly recently introduced me to her amazing home made muesli, which was perfect timing as during summer I love to start my mornings with organic yoghurt, fruit and topped with muesli. The discovery got me searching for healthy and organic muesli and yoghurt on the market, that is also appealing to the taste buds. My search led me to Yousli, a healthy whole food muesli product, and five:am, an organic, affordable and accessible yoghurt. If you are a big yoghurt and muesli fan you must try these products out. However, if you are able to or know someone who can make home made muesli, this is the better option.

Yoghurt to me is a massive dilemma, as a lot of yoghurt available to consumers are full of sugar and additives. In my opinion this is a big NO! Naturally, my passion for healthy eating had me captivated by this dilemma and I began searching for an organic yoghurt that was accessible and affordable. If I had the tools to make my own yoghurt, trust me I would.

Shortly after my search I came across Five:am Yoghurt, thank god. I was over the moon when I found out they sold it at local supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles for about $6.00 for a large tub. The natural flavour contains Organic Milk, Organic Milk Solids, Milk Solids and Live Cultures (good bacteria: probiotics acidophilus and bifidus). The only sugar present is the sugar naturally found in Milk (ie; lactose).

I have been super impressed with Five:am products that I only use their yoghurt to mix with my home-made muesli and abundance of fruit (usually whatever is in season.) I have stayed in my comfort zone for several years, so trying a new muesli was brilliant. I believe highly in the benefits of oats and quinoa and consume them daily to provide myself with the high amounts of fibre and energy I need for my daily activities. Adding sensational super food toppings like fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries) and bananas give extra flavour. This breakfast idea is also great for rushed mornings as it does not take long to prepare at all. After trying Yousli myself, I can confidently suggest the muesli to anyone with special dietary requirements as they offer gluten-free and nut-free options. Muesli is also a good way for anyone to increase their daily intake of fibre and whole grains for breakfast.

Probiotics found in yoghurt help us digest food, make vitamins and even help protect us from harmful pathogens (disease). They are especially important if you have done a course of antibiotics, as antibiotics destroy all the good bacteria in the gut. When I did a course of antibiotics to help get rid of tonsillitis, I made sure I got some probiotics from my local health food store, just to restore the good bacteria that I lost. In saying this, Five:am yoghurt will not disappoint as it has many benefits and will provide your gut with all those wonderful probiotics we love so much. If you enjoy yoghurt and  muesli and it does not upset your tummy then join me in taking this step to improving your digestive health, and discover a new balance breakfast idea.

Web: http://www. fiveam.com.au
         http://www.yousli.com.au
Insta: http://instagram.com/fiveamorganics
         http://instagram.com/yousli
 

The benefits of coconut oil

It is true that coconut oil is a major trend at the moment, however, this amazing oil is only yummy and great to cook with, it also has many health benefits. Studies have shown that coconut oil can increase metabolism by nearly 50%, as it boosts the thyroid gland. It also contains lauric acid (found in mothers milk), this will stimulate and increase immune system.

My favourite benefit of coconut oil is that fact that is does not become oxidized from heat when cooking. Other oils , ie olive oil that contains omega 6 oils are destroyed by heat, however this does not happen to coconut oil, so you are still consuming those amazing omega 6 oils that are super beneficial and our body loves.

So, if you have not yet tried coconut oil, do yourself a favour and go and grab some. You will not be disappointed.

Enjoy xx

Antioxidants - nature's cleaners

Why do we need antioxidants ? Well, when oxidation occurs in the body it damages cell membranes, oxidation is accelerated from stress, smoking, alcohol, sunlight and pollution. The body can cope with some but an overload can become irreversible causing disease. Antioxidants found in certain foods can prevent damage caused by free radicals by destroying them.

Our nutrient antioxidants are vitamins A, C and E, minerals (copper, zinc and selenium), and phytochemicals in plants. I personally do not prefer to use a whole bunch of supplements, I like to get my antioxidants from the natural source. Heres how to find them:

• Vitamin A -  sweet potatoes, carrots and egg yolks
• Vitamin C - oranges, kiwifruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and strawberries.
• Vitamin E - avocados, nuts and seeds
• Copper - seafood, lean meats and nuts
• Zinc - seafood, lean meat and nuts
• Selenium - seafood and lean meat

Also green tea and white tea is an excellent way to receive antioxidants, remember to drink these teas with lemon to boost the antioxidants. All the above info is just an example of some foods that contain antioxidants, and the foods that I eat to receive them.

Enjoy xx

Healthy take-away option

If your ever on the Gold Coast, Aus, make sure you check out Raw Energy in Coolangatta. They create the most amazing healthy meals. I love cooking, however, sometimes all I feel like doing is grabbing a take-away and sitting on the beach. A healthy take-away option is always preferred, that's when places like Raw Energy come in handy.

Today I had a macadamia and lentil patty with an amazing salad on the side.

Yummy xx