Saturday, May 3, 2014

Chocolate Date Bliss Balls

I only discovered bliss balls a few months ago, but I've made them several times since and they've become a regular snack in my household. My sister (who hates dates with a passion) actually loves these and always gets excited when she finds some in the fridge.

This recipe is very versatile and is extremely quick to make - they also taste amazing and the best thing is that they're 100% healthy as they're made from all natural ingredients.

Now, I've got to admit - it was SO HARD trying to take a photo of these this morning - the wind was so strong and they just kept rolling all over the plate!




Ingredients

6 dates, pitted
1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp peanut butter (or any nut butter you prefer)
2 tbsp pepita seeds
2 tbsp chia seeds
2-3 tbsp maple syrup or agave


Method

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or high speed blender and blend until combined.
Using a tablespoon, scoop out some of the mixture and use your hands to roll into a ball.
You can roll the balls in some cocoa, coconut, chia seeds, etc or just leave them plain.
Enjoy!





I like to store these in the fridge - they don't last very long in my house though!

If you make these, don't forget to tag me on instagram - @healthandhappinesss :)

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Ice Cream for Breakfast?!?!

I've been meaning to make banana 'ice cream' for agesss because it's such a simple but healthy dessert that you can have for breakfast (!!!) and it's extremely delicious and honestly tastes like an ice cream sundae. I've put 'ice cream' in quotations because this recipe is dairy free and completely vegan!

I know a lot of people already know how to make banana 'ice cream', but I thought I'd give it my own twist and show you my favourite way to enjoy it.


CHOCOLATE BANANA 'ICE CREAM'



Ingredients
2 frozen bananas (make sure they are ripe before you freeze them)
2 tbsp coconut milk
A drop of vanilla extract
1 tbsp cocoa powder


Method:
Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
You can also use a high speed blender, but you may need to add more liquid for it to blend well.

Then simply scoop into a bowl, top with whatever toppings you like and enjoy! 
I topped mine with dried mulberries, some cinnamon pana vegan chocolate and frozen raspberries.





Other variations include (using the 2 frozen bananas and 2 tbsp coconut milk as a base):
  • Berry Ice Cream - add in approx 1 cup of frozen berries and 1-2 tsp sugar (I use coconut sugar)
  • Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream - add in 1-2 tsp cinnamon (depending on how much cinnamon you like) and 2 dates
  • Passion Mango Ice Cream - add approx 2 frozen mango cheeks and the pulp of 3 passionfruits


For those of you who have never tried banana 'ice cream', I recommend you do so asap because it is life changing and delicious (okay, maybe not life changing but definitely extremely delicious). It is also a really simple recipe which can be adapted and changed depending on the type of ingredients you have at hand. And yes, YOU CAN HAVE THIS FOR BREAKFAST (because essentially, it is just like a smoothie but 1000000 times better). 

If end up making this, don't forget to tag me on instagram - @healthandhappinesss or tag #healthandhappinesss as I'd love to see your creations!


Alessandra xx

Friday, April 11, 2014

Vegan Banana Bread

I've been watching a ton of vegan/vegetarian/health documentaries recently since my half yearly exams finished. It's really opened my mind to different ways of eating, especially the benefits of plant based diets.

These documentaries (such as Earthlings, Food Inc, Forks Over Knives, Fat Sick and Nearly Dead - these are just a few that I've watched) have made me realise that I want to make a difference in this world, I want to co-exist with the environment. 

Nevertheless, I guess this post is somewhat fitting - I've got a recipe for vegan banana bread! (Note: this recipe is adapted from The Healthy Maven :) ) 


INGREDIENTS

4 ripe bananas
2 cups of wholewheat flour
1/3 cup almond meal or LSA mix
1 tsp cinnamon (or more if you'd like)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 applesauce mixed with 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil (or vegan butter)
1/4 maple syrup
1/2 almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract


METHOD
  1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius
  2. Combine flour, almond meal, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt, then set aside.
  3. Mash bananas in a separate bowl, adding applesauce, oil, maple syrup, almond milk and vanilla extract.
  4. Mix all ingredients together, then scoop mixture into a lined bread tin.
  5. Bake for 60 minutes, then leave to cool for about 10 minutes.
  6. Enjoy! (ps - this banana bread tastes awesome toasted with some peanut butter)





More food/health/life posts are to come soon :)

Alessandra x

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Introduction + Smoothie Recipes!

So, I started this blog about a month ago, and I've been putting off making a first post because I didn't really know how to begin.
Blogs make me nervous because I feel like sometimes it gets hard to put my thoughts into a blog post, you know what I mean?

Either way, I'm thinking it's time to give you all a little background on me:


My name is Alessandra, I'm 17 and I'm from Sydney, Australia.
You can find me on instagram - @healthandhappinesss for daily food posts!
I love all things creative - art, music and photography.
I also love all things food (obviously).
I play guitar and occasionally write some songs.
I'm left handed.
I love love love peanut butter.
I have a bit of a ring and lipstick obsession!





Okay, so I guess now its the part you've all been waiting for - Smoothie Recipes!
I usually have a smoothie for breakfast most days, along with some peanut butter on toast or muesli. Below are some of my go to smoothies - they're quick and easy and can be adapted to suit the ingredients that you have at home. I have also included some suggestions of other smoothies you may like to try. Note: I use a sunbeam blender to make all my smoothies, and each recipe will make approximately one smoothie (depending on how much liquid you add).



SMOOTHIE #1 - Tropical Fruits



Ingredients:
1 frozen mango (or 2 mango cheeks)
Approx. half a small pineapple
1 banana
1 cup coconut milk
Handful of ice






SMOOTHIE #2 - Choc-Banana Shake



Ingredients:
1 banana
2 dates
1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
A drop of vanilla essence
1 cup non dairy milk of your choice (I used almond)






SMOOTHIE #3 - Summer Crusher


Ingredients:
2 oranges
1 cup watermelon
2 passionfruits
Handful of ice
1 cup water (you can use coconut water, orange juice, whatever you like)





MORE SMOOTHIE SUGGESTIONS:

Berry Smoothie: 1 cup frozen berries, 1 cup non dairy milk (I use soy for this), 1 banana
Green Smoothie: 1 banana, half a small pineapple, handful of baby spinach, 1 cup water
Vanilla Banana & Date Smoothie: 2 bananas, 2 dates, a few drops of vanilla essence, 1 1/2 cups non dairy milk (I use soy for this)


I hope these recipes were helpful/provided some inspiration. Once you get the hang of smoothie making, the possibilities are endless! Remember to tag me on instagram (@healthandhappinesss) if you do make any of these smoothies, as I'd love to see your creations. Spread this post around, and if you have any feedback/comments/suggestions for future blog posts, leave them in the comments below! 

Alessandra xx