AN APPLE A DAY...

Does it keep the doctor away??? Whilst juicing an apple this morning, this little rhyme popped into my head, and it got me thinking... So I thought - it was time to investigate!

And here is what you will find in your next humble apple:

• Boron - This nutrient supports strong bones and a healthy brain.
• Pectin - Pectin is a form of soluble fiber than lowers both blood pressure and glucose levels. It can also lower the levels of the "bad" cholesterol in the body, referred to as LDL. As a source of fibre, Pectin helps maintain the health of the digestive system. 
• Ursolic Acid - Found in the apple peel, this acid helps to keep a toned and slender body by increasing muscle growth by up to 15% and reducing body fat by half.
• Quercetin - A flavonoid, this nutrient shows promise for reducing the risk of various cancers, including cancers in the lungs and breast. Quercetin may also reduce free radical damage. Free radicals develop when atoms in the body's cells have unpaired electrons, which can lead to damage to different parts of the cell, including DNA. Quercetin may neutralize free radical damage, which has been implicated in a variety of age-related health problems, including Alzheimer's disease.
• Vitamin C - Found in lots of common fruit, Vitamin C maintain overall good health in the body by increasing immunity.
• Phytonutrients - Apples are rich in a number of types of Phytonutrients, including vitamins A and E and Beta Carotene. These compounds fight damage from free radicals and can have a incredible affect on overall health and in fighting disease such as heart disease and Asthma.

So the next time you much into a juicy apple, remember the helping hand you are giving your body! As one of the most commonly found, easily accessible and affordable fruits in the world, its time the apple had a little credit!

Maca Mint Choc Smoothie- The Perfect Afternoon Pick-Me-Up!

If you are anything like me, by the time 2:30 hits I am checking my clock every 5 minutes and fighting an urge to slip into bad habits involving vending machines or microwaves...


It is for this reason I have started making this delicious new raw food smoothie to fight my mid-day boredom and junk food cravings.  I found this living recipe online the other day and have been making it every day since- taking myself to smoothie heaven. YUM!

Servings: Approximately 8oz of delicious, nutrient-packed, smoothie goodness

Ingredients:

*organic when possible

1 cup almond milk 

1 banana (frozen for creamy texture)

2 tbs. cacao powder

11/2 tbs. cacao nibs

1 tsp. maca powder

Approx 10 mint leaves, or more if you like it super minty

3-4 ice cubes

Directions:

1. Add ice cubes to your Bio Chef blender or living food processor first, followed by the rest of the ingredients.

2. Blend for approximately 60 seconds depending on the power of your blender. It shouldn't completely blend the cacao nibs you want to keep a bit of a crunch.

3. Pour into cup.

4. Garnish on top with 1/2tbsp of cacao nibs for extra crunch and 2 mint leaves.

5. Sit. Relax. Enjoy. Allow yourself to feel distracted without guilt for 10 minutes and feel the worries of your day slip away.

Why is this Living Food Smoothie Recipe So Good For You?

Aside from the fact that it gives you a break from staring at your computer screen or cleaning your house or it takes you away from the stresses of your day, it is also packed with HEAPS of living food enzymes, nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and it just tastes amazing.

The maca powder is a magic Peruvian superfood. It contains 60 micronutrients, 18 amino acids, 20 fatty acids and is high in iron, potassium, magnesium and b vitamins. 

Cacao, also known as theobroma cacao, which literally translates to "food of the gods", is a vital source of goodness. Cacao is one of the highest sources of Vitamin C as well as one of the highest antioxidant foods in the world. It is the highest natural form of magnesium, chromium, iron and manganese. Additionally, cacao releases the brain chemical, anandamide, which gives us that "warm-fuzzy" effect. No wonder this smoothie is so enjoyable! Mint has a very soothing effect on the mind and body. Its medicinal properties help to relieve headaches and nausea and give an overall relaxing effect. 

The maca mint chip smoothie is a one-way ticket to afternoon delight! With the added bonus of powerful super foods, rich vitamins and minerals. After one glass of this smoothie you will be feeling faster, stronger and ready to tackle the rest of your day.

WINTER WARMER

It seems sunny Byron Bay is turning cold and rainy. Which means one thing....SOUP TIME! There is nothing better that being cuddled up on the couch on a cold and rainy winters day, with a cup of steaming soup. In that mug of soup is pure comfort and nourishment. So we have complied a couple of perfect winter soup recipes with inspiration from the pouring rain outside the window...

Of course, there is the conventional stove top method of cooking soup, but we find it much easier to simply blend all our ingredients in our Bio Chef Blender, the perfect Food Processor and hot soup maker! Simply blend on high for about 4 minutes, and voilaaa - STEAMING HOT SOUP! Could not be easier...

Look at this tasty recipe from Scandie Food, for the most delicious Potato & Leek Soup:

(serves 4)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 brown onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 big leek, finely chopped 

5-6 medium sized potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

water or vegetables stock

pinch of good quality salt

freshly ground black pepper

 Conventional Method: 

1. Heat the oil in a large pot and add the onions and leeks. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the herbs, potatoes and enough water or vegetable stock to cover all the vegetables. 

2. Bring the mixture to boil, then leave to simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the vegetables are really tender. Finally add nutritional yeast and season the soup with a pinch of salt and pepper. Puree the soup in a blender until creamy. Serve with sourdough croutons pan-fried in olive oil until golden brown. 

Blender Method:

1. Half quantities of both leek and onion, as the Bio Chef Blender will accentuate the flavours of both quite a lot. 

2. Combine all ingredients in the Bio Chef Professional Food Blender and blender on high for 4 minutes. The blades will create friction heat which will heat your ingredients until the soup is steaming hot! 

 Images from Scandie Food

MEXICANAAAA...

Mexican food seems to be unfortunately stereotyped as greasy, meaty and cheesy cuisine, laden with all the bad things!

At the heart of authentic Mexican Food is bright colours, fresh crisp veggies and powerful flavours such a jalapenos and lime. It's time we took a step back and begun to cook Mexican food the way it was intended - FRESH & HEALTHY! With a powerfully rich culture it is time to embrace the unique flavours of MEXICO! And why can't it be fresh and healthy...?



RAW GUACAMOLE

Ingredients:

2 avocados
Pinch of salt & pepper
1 tomato

Place all ingredients into your Bio Chef Blender and pulse for 30 seconds for chunky texture.

RAW AVOCADO & CORN SALAD

2 firm large ripe avocados, halved, stones removed, peeled, finely chopped
1 x 410g can corn kernels, drained
3 shallots, ends trimmed, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander
2 tbs fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well to serve.

CHIHUAHUA RICE

1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeno chillies
1 brown onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 yellow capsicum, finely chopped
200g green beans, cut into 3cm lengths
400g can lentils, drained, rinsed
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

1. Cook rice following packet directions. Cool. Stir with a fork to separate grains.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add garlic, chillies, onion, carrot and capsicum. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until vegetables are just tender.
3. Add beans and lentils. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until beans are tender and lentils heated through. Stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper
4. Add vegetable mixture to rice. Stir gently to combine. Serve. 

GRANNY'S TOMATO SAUCE

• 1 large red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• ½ a bulb of fennel, trimmed and roughly chopped
• 1 stick of celery, trimmed and roughly chopped
• olive oil
• a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
• ½ a fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
• a bunch of fresh basil, leaves picked, stalks chopped
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 2 cloves
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• sea salt
• 500g amazing cherry or plum tomatoes, halved plus 500g tinned plum tomatoes, chopped
or
• 1kg yellow, orange or green tomatoes, chopped
• 200ml red wine vinegar
• 70g soft brown sugar

method


Place all the vegetables in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan with a big splash of olive oil and the ginger, garlic, chilli, basil stalks, coriander seeds and cloves. Season with the pepper and a good pinch of salt.

Cook gently over a low heat for 10 to 15 minutes until softened, stirring every so often. Add all the tomatoes and 350ml of cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer gently until the sauce reduces by half.

Add the basil leaves, then whiz the sauce in a food processor or with a Biochef blender and push it through a sieve twice, to make it smooth and shiny. Put the sauce into a clean pan and add the vinegar and the sugar. Place the sauce on the heat and simmer until it reduces and thickens to the consistency of tomato ketchup. At this point, correct the seasoning to taste.

Spoon the ketchup through a sterilized funnel into sterilized bottles, then seal tightly and place in a cool dark place or the fridge until needed – it should keep for six months