These Bliss Balls are a great treat, satisfying the sweet tooth without any added sugar! they are also packed with protein, low GI and taste great of course!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried fruit
• 1/2 cup macadamias
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 3/4 cup amaranth
• 2 tbsp unhulled tahini
• 1 tsp chlorella or spirulina powder
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• Coconut or sesame seeds, for rolling

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, place dried fruit and enough hot water just to cover. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
2. In a food processor, place macadamia nuts ans sunflower seeds. Process until fine,with a crumb like consistency. Remove from processor and set aside.
3. Place the soaked dried fruit in the food processor, but keep the water aside, adding just a few drops. Process into a paste.
4. Add the tahini, chlorella and chia seeds and process until combined.
5. Add amaranth and crushed nuts and seeds into the food processor. On the lowest speed, mix until combined. If the mix is too dry add a little of the fruit water. if it looks too wet add some more amaranth.
6. Once combined remove blades from processor.
7. Place dessicated coconut or sesame seeds in a small bowl. Using your hands, roll a small amount of the mix between your palms into a ball. Coat with coconut.
8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wholemeal spelt flour
• 1/2 cup white spelt flour
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarb soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup rice bran or macadamia oil
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup organic plain yoghurt
• 3 small, or 2 large eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius, and grease or line a 12 hole muffin tin.
2. In a large bowl, place all dry ingredients – flour, oats, baking powder, bicarb, cinnamon and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, honey, yoghurt and oil.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Spoon into greased muffin pan, top with rolled oats if desired.
6. Place in oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
7. Take out of oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire cooling rack.

Enjoy!

Change is in the air

Pineapples are loaded with vitamin C, manganese, B1 and B6. As well as this they are high in fibre and contain a digestive enzymes called bromelain, so have a beneficial effect on the digestive system.

The bromelain is highly concentrated in the core of the pineapple, so be sure not to throw it away! Bromelain has been found to be highly antiinflammatory, antiallergic and can help to improve immune function.

Some common disorders that pineapple may benefit include:

• Indigestion
• Arthritis
• Allergies
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Coeliac Disease
• Autoimmune disease

Pineapple can be enjoyed on its own, in a fruit salad, freshly juiced or in a smoothie. Why not cut up some pineapple and take it to work with you?

Have you ever been told to eat your greens? There is good reasoning behind your parents getting you to eat the green stuff – it is one of the highest nutrient sources that we can get in our diets, and has amazing health giving properties. By greens, I refer to the leafy variety, which includes spinach, silverbeet, rocket, kale, lettuce (but not iceberg), watercress, or anything else that is of the leafy green variety.

There are not many people who are getting in their daily requirements of green leafy foods. Leafy greens are quite different in composition to green vegetables, so although broccoli, zucchini and beans are still good for us they do not make up our daily requirement of leafy greens.

Studies have shown that the antioxidant and mineral composition of leafy greens are far superior to that of regular fruit and vegetables. This means that a high intake of greens can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, premature aging and many other conditions.

Small studies have found that simply by integrating green smoothies (see recipe below) into your daily diet, changes can be seen in your energy, mood and digestion within days.

By eating a variety of green leafy vegetables every day you can ensure you are getting good amounts of iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, B vitamins and boron, along with a great amount of chlorophyll and fibre.

Green leafy vegetables are one of the most alkaline forming foods available. Being alkaline forming means that they help to reduce inflammation in the body, so can benefit anyone with inflammatory conditions including arthritis, autoimmune disease, endometriosis, psoriasis, acne, allergies, asthma, ulcerative colitis and headaches.

Click here to read more about acid/alkaline diets

The challenge is to get these health benefits we not only need to eat a lot of greens every day but we also need to digest them. Without proper chewing (into a paste) green leafy vegetables do not release all of their nutrients, so you may be missing out on some of the benefit.

Salads are great, but ensure that you chew them very well. The easiest way to get high amounts of greens into your diet is with a green smoothie.

A recent study involving 40,834 Australian adults has proved an indisputable link between sleep deprivation and obesity. In the study it was found that middle age adults who slept less than 7 hours a night had a much higher incidence of obesity than those that slept for more than 7 hours.

This study highlights the importance of addressing sleep in the treatment of obesity.A naturopathic approach to weight loss includes addressing your sleep for maximum results.

Magee et al 2009, Sleep duration and obesity in middle-aged Australian adults, Obesity.