When SIMPLE is BEST: Vanilla xo

When it comes to sweet treat 'flavours' these days, we are SO spoilt for choice at every turn; at every supermarket, every cake shop, ice cream stand etc.  Like at today's exotic coffee shop visit with friends, the menu boasted hot chocolates flavoured with hazelnut, mint, caramel, rose, chilli etc the list goes on!  And then there are the gelato stands that spoil us with every tastebud tantaliser imaginable, from the popular classics like pistachio, hazelnut and chocolate, to the inventive flavours like 'Ferrero Rocher' or 'green tea'.  

But do we still remember the joys of the humble vanilla bean?  It's a classic, simple and reliable flavour that is sometimes all we need instead of the over complicated choices out there.  I don't know about you, but as a kid when there was a choice between chocolate, strawberry or vanilla flavoured ice-cream, I ALWAYS chose vanilla.  And when spoilt for choice on a fudge shop visit.... vanilla fudge suited me best.  Vanilla is so subtley sweet, so gentle on the taste buds, so dreamy, so comforting, honest and pure.  As I type this I am remembering my last creme bulee moment where my spoon scraped away every last speckle of the vanilla pods at the the bottom of the ramekin.  Bliss xo

So while I'm still riding this wave of 'healthy desserts', this time I went simple and sweet with yummy and chewy bliss balls with a generous hit of vanilla extract.  Again, even bliss balls these days have so many flavour options... with the addition of dates, apricots, peanut butter, cinnamon, cocoa, ginger etc.  But yep... this one is simply vanilla and I LOVE IT.  Enjoy xo

Vanilla Bliss Balls (adapted from All Recipes) (makes 10 - 12 balls)      

Ingredient:

1 1/4 cup almond meal

3/4 cup desiccated coconut

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

pinch of salt

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

extra coconut for coating

Instructions:

Mix together in a bowl the dry ingredients.  Stir in the wet ingredients.  Then roll dough into small 1 tablespoon worth balls and roll in extra coconut.  Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.  Yum xo

      

Getting to know Tristan and yoga

Meet Tristan....... he's someone who I like to think of as the 'humble, quiet achiever' that has come so far in his yoga practice since his first class in September last year.  Like he said, the hypo, music pumping gym environment isn't for everyone, and like SO many other people, stumbling into the world of yoga by accident was a true blessing.  In Tristan's case, a back injury led him to go to his first class and since then he hasn't looked back.  When you find something good, that rewards you with BOTH physical and mental strength it's always worth sticking to it.... just like Tristan.  The results are well worth the journey!  Enjoy getting to know Tristan and his perspective on yoga xo  

When and where did you first start yoga?

I started yoga in September 2011 at the Baulkham Hills Yoga School, Sydney.

Why did you start yoga?

I had injured my back at work (I am an ICU nurse) and I didn't feel like going to the gym to strengthen it as I found the gym environment didn't suit me.

What do you think yoga aims to achieve?

Body, mind and life balance.

What do you find most rewarding in yoga?

The most rewarding aspects I've found with yoga are the clarity in which I find myself, particularly when I'm regularly practicing.  I find I have a clearer mind to focus on the important things.  The strength I now have through yoga has also been great especially for work, I feel more stable when I have to move heavier patients.  

What do you find most challenging in yoga?

What I find most challenging in yoga is usually during Shavasana.  I find it hard to switch my mind off.  But it's happened a few times and it's been SO good.  So I need lots of mental training!  Oh and the handstands.... still working on my upper body strength!

What are 3 reasons you would recommend yoga to others?

It clears and de-clutters the mind.  It makes you feel more balanced.  It's a more wholesome lifestyle for getting fit.

What are 3 words that describe how you feel after yoga?

Zen, Clear, Strong.

What makes you smile?

Food!

What's your ideal way to spend a Sunday?

Brunch with the Sunday paper.  Then heading to the beach.

What's your best holiday to date?

I've travelled a fair bit, but I LOVE New York and Spain.

What's something that a lot of people don't know about you?

I paint and am interested in photography.

Because..... xo

Last Friday, my sweet Friend sent these words to me on my phone... and I LOVE them xo

I love the the raw truth that spills out from these words.  Being boldly honest with yourself and recognising it ALL, your flaws, mistakes, fears or moments of hate or sadness which you wish you never had.... are actually beautiful blessings xo  TRUE Strength and TRUE Beauty comes from looking at yourself in the mirror and being honest with yourself.  Hugs.

From: http://www.facebook.com/followyourdreamstoachieve

Chewy Comfort: Molasses Spice Cookies

If you love gingerbread and you find comfort in chewy soft cookies... you will definitely be baking these amazing golden goodies just about every single week.

This recipe had been pasted in my recipe scrapbook for years, sadly being ignored... but on a quiet Sunday when I was itching to get baking in the kitchen I decided to spontaneously give it a whirl.  And it was SO worth it!  The perfect combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and all spice with a generous hit of rich molasses makes it so moorish without it being sickly sweet.  It certainly isn't your average B grade cookie...it's my current top cookie of the moment which I can't resist sharing with everybody.  It's unique spicyness and chewy texture offers lots of comfort on a cold winters day.... even more satisfying when dipped into a steaming hot mug of milk.  Enjoy xo

Molasses Spice Cookies* (From Simply Recipes) Makes about 20 large cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups plain flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon all spice

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3/4 cups unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup raw sugar (plus extra 1/3 cup)

1/3 cup molasses

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 190 degrees celsius.

Mix in a bowl the sifted flour, baking powder, ginger, all spice, cinnamon, cloves and salt.

Beat the butter for about 2 minutes, then add the brown sugar and 1/2 cup of raw sugar and beat until pale and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, egg and molasses and beat in until just combined.

Fold in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients a little at a time using a spatula.

Once the dough is formed, get about 2 tablespoons worth of dough at a time to form a round ball (almost 2 inches in diameter) and then roll into the extra 1/3 cup of raw sugar to coat it on the outside.  Place onto a baking tray atleast 2 inches apart and bake for about 11 - 13 minutes.  They will still feel soft but that's ok... once cooled to room temperature they will be perfectly chewy.

* Simply Recipes "Molasses Spice Cookies"

REAL honey nut bars

It amazes me how many 'HONEY' nut bars sold at the supermarket and health food stores contain sugar.  Flip over the wrapper and you'll most likely find processed sugar as one of the top ingredients listed.  Don't get me wrong.... I LOVE getting my hit of sugar too (macaroons, creme bulee, chocolate.... yum).  But when I'm specifically in a health kick mood and want a quick snack with natural basic ingredients I struggle finding something authentic! 

So here's my sweet, chewy recipe for my own version of REAL honey and nut bars.  Can get your fingers a little sticky because of the generous amounts of honey in it, but that's part of the fun of knowing you're enjoying something REAL, NATURAL and SIMPLY good for your body.  Finger lickin good!

Saya's REAL honey nut bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup honey

1 cup granulated dry roasted peanuts*

1 1/2 cups granulated dry roasted almonds*

1 handful of dry roasted almond chunks (I just made rustic chunks by putting them in a ziplock bag and hitting them for half a minute with a wooden spoon - great chef skills)

1 heaped tablespoon of cinnamon

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

* I used a food processor for the granulated nuts.  I just processed them enough so they still had a bit of bite.  Like the size of small beads(see pics below).  It's fine too if there is a little bit of a powdery consistency mixed in with the granulated nuts.

Instructions:

Roughly tuck in baking paper into a square shallow dish leaving a generous amount of baking paper spilling over the side.  When I say generous, I mean long enough so the baking paper spills over the sides of the dish to double it's measurements.

In a saucepan over a low to medium heat, melt the honey, salt, vanilla extract and cinnamon together.  Once it comes to a simmer, stir for a minute and make sure everything is dissolved together making a dark brown sauce.  Add all the granulated nuts (almonds and peanuts) and the almond chunks and stir in.  Then immediately remove from the heat and pour mixture into a shallow square dish lined with baking paper.  Using a wooden spoon spread mixture around base of the dish as pictured below.

Then fold over the long part of the baking paper to cover the nut base and press down firmly using your hands (make sure the mixture isn't too hot).

Now leave it to rest (I like stacking books on top to keep it firm as it sets to room temperature). 

Then once cooled refrigerate for a few hours.  Then you're ready to slice and chew and enjoy xo

NOTE: I LOVE generous amounts of cinnamon but if this is too strong for you just add a teaspoon instead.  Or you could always omit the cinnamon and add 1/4 cup of desiccated coconut for a creamier taste xo