fbpx

Golden Gut Nice Cream + VIDEO

I scream, you scream we all scream for Golden Nice Cream! Get ready for my golden take on the creamiest of desserts. 

I really like ice-cream… and by that I mean, I loooove ice-cream.

There’s just something so comforting about a creamy scoop of your favourite soft serve. Kids love it, adults love it, grandparents love it, everyone loves ice-cream!

However, our old, plain vanilla ice-cream is getting a little boring. So, I believe it’s time to step it up a notch, or as we like to call it around here, it’s time to SUPERCHARGE it... Bring in the Golden Nice Cream!

I know what you’re wondering, why the nice cream?

Well, this recipe is made extra nice because of the golden ingredients. They’re all completely natural, delicious and good for you! It's from my latest book Supercharge Your Gut.

Let’s start off with the star of the show, my Golden Gut Blend. A gorgeous blend that helps improve nutrient absorption and is high in anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, helping us fight off infection and disease. I like to think of it like fairy dust… seriously, I suggest sprinkling it on absolutely everything.

Bananas are another key ingredient in our nice cream. Not only are they absolutely, positively delicious, they’re also high in potassium, helping to look after our heart health. Bananas are rich in fibre, speeding up our digestion and keeping our guts smiling. They’re also full of magnesium which assists in reducing our muscles from aching. So yes, this is my permission for you to eat ice-cream as your new pre or post-workout snack. You’re welcome.

One of banana’s best partners in crime, nut butter, had to have an inclusion here too. I don’t know about you, but I have a serious nut-butter addiction. It’s so real. I'm personally loving cashew butter but feel free to use any nut butter you like! If you have an issue with nuts, you could try tahini or any other type of seed butter. 

This Golden Nice Cream is rich in so many vitamins and minerals. It’ll help boost your energy, add a glow to your skin and keep your gut happy and healthy! Watch just how I make it in the demo and check out the recipe below.

Golden Nice Cream

Serves 1

Ingredients: 

Directions:

  • Place the frozen banana in a high-speed blender. Add the golden gut blend, coconut milk and your choice of sweetener. Whiz until smooth.
  • Serve immediately, topped with fresh banana and an extra sprinkling of golden gut blend.

Crispy Salmon Cutlets with Hemped-up Pumpkin & Rocket Salad with Hemp & Lemon Dressing

It’s incredibly easy to get lost in the crazy world of social media and completely lose sight when it comes to healthy eating. While celebrities and supermodels promote insane diets, unhealthy skinny teas, sugar-laden ‘protein’ bars and more, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to navigate a reliable source of information and the best way to achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

If you want my opinion, the best way to do that is to eat real food and love your gut.

Which brings me to my next point – protein.

While some people rave on and on about how you need "x" amount of protein to build muscles, become lean, pick up buildings, etc. it’s important to note that you don’t need to eat meat for every single meal to get enough protein. There are plenty of sources of plant-based protein that can be enjoyed by everyone, not just your hippie vegan friends.

So, without further ado, it’s time to pass the spotlight onto the product of the moment – hemp seeds.

Before I go on, I think it’s important to clarify a few things about our hemp-y friends. Hemp seeds aren’t the smelly stuff your neighbours have been smoking and it won’t impair your state of mind either. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that hemp isn’t the same. Hemp seeds are the fruit of the hemp plant, and only contains trace (<.5%) amounts of the psychoactive element THC so it won’t affect your state of mind.

The Thompson’s Hemp Range contains proteins full of amino acids, including the essential amino acids that our bodies are unable to produce. They’re also high in essential fatty acids, dietary fibre and boost energy. Plus, they’ve got a delicious nutty taste and super satisfying crunch.  I love that they’re a low allergy food and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

If you’re loving the idea of hemp but unsure where to begin, as always, I’ve got a delicious recipe up my sleeve! I’ve created crispy salmon cutlets with hemped-up protein and a rocket salad with a hemp and lemon dressing. It’s super simple but sure to satisfy every single one of your cravings. I love the sweetness of the pumpkin, the crunch of the hemp seeds and the zing of the lemon & hemp oil dressing.

Pumpkin’s aren’t just good for Halloween! Pumpkins are packed full of fibre, antioxidants and minerals. They can also help boost our immunity and reduce inflammation. Undoubtedly, the best way to enjoy pumpkin is baked in the oven. I love when it comes out sweet, toasty and ultimately, delicious.

Of course, this dish wouldn’t be complete without some salmon. Salmon is a serious wonder-fish. It’s high in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins for energy and protein. It’s one of the most nutritious foods on the planet - it can even promote eye, skin and heart health!

I’ve combined these three wonderful ingredients, pumpkin, salmon and hemp, to create the ultimate dinner or lunch to impress. Make it for yourself, your family, your friends or even your special someone and they’ll be blown away with your cooking abilities and new-found knowledge on all things hemp!

Are you ready to get hemp-y?

You can find the new Thompson’s range at pharmacies and health food stores across Australia.

Crispy Salmon Cutlets with Hemped-up Pumpkin and rocket salad with a hemp and lemon dressing

Serves 2

Ingredients:

For salad:

  • 1/4 pumpkin chopped into squares
  • 1 tbs olive oil 
  • 2 cups rocket leaves
  • 1 cucumber peeled and slices
  • 2 tbs Thompson's hemp seeds
  • 2 tbs pine nuts

Method:

  • Heat oven to 175 degrees Celsius
  • Lay pumpkin on a baking tray and cover with olive oil then bake for about 30 mins till crispy 
  • Five minutes before the pumpkin is roasted warm oil in heavy frying pan and add salmon, cooking until crispy then turning over to crisp up the other side
  • Once cooked set aside and arrange salad ingredients between two plates, make dressing and drizzle salad with dressing. 
  • Top salad with Thompson hemp seeds and pine nuts. 

For Dressing:

Method:

  • In a small bowl mix dressing ingredients with a fork until combined 
  • Pour over salad and enjoy

Thompson’s Hemp Foods Review

Ready for a riddle?

What’s got all three Omega fatty acids, comes in three different forms, often feels misunderstood and is sure to put a smile on your dial?

Hemp seeds, of course.

Hemp food holds a wonderful source of nutrients that can be used as a healthy snack, added to salads, smoothies, granolas and more.

Thompson’s have just released their line of Hemp Products and I’m so excited to share them with you.

The line includes hemp seeds, hemp wholefood powder (chocolate & unflavoured) and hemp seed oil (for all your salad dressing dreams).

Hemp seeds are a plant-based protein that contains amino acids, including the essential amino acids that our bodies are unable to produce naturally. That’s pretty good when it comes to plant-based protein! Hemp seeds are also rich in essential fatty acids. It’s also high in dietary fibre which means it’s great for supporting the digestive system, keeping it regular. 

For all my sniffle buddies out there, Thompson's Hemp Products are low allergy and suitable for vegans, meat-eater’s, Keto and Paleo enthusiasts, dairy-free and glutards alike.

Let’s start with the seeds. Thompson’s Hemp Seeds are the most nutritious part of the hemp plant. They naturally contain a whole load of essential fatty acids, protein and fibre, and can boost energy. You can sprinkle them on top of soups, salads, smoothies, curries and all your favourite dishes. The seeds are available in a 225g (RRP $15.45) and 450g (RRP $27.25) pack and serving size is 15g per day (1 heaped tablespoon). 


Throw out your tummy-troubling whey and soy protein powders and say hello to hemp-y goodness.  Thompson’s Hemp Wholefood Powder is rich in both plant-based protein and dietary fibre. It comes in two flavours – chocolate and natural so, you can pick whichever one suits your taste buds. If you’re anything like me though, you’ll choose chocolate. Chocolate always wins. Always. I love adding Thompson's Hemp Wholefood Powder  to my smoothies, breakfast bowls and baking (or raw-ing… you know, raw dessert making). The powder is available in a 450g standing pouch in chocolate (RRP $32.95) and unflavoured (RRP $29.95). Serving size is 30g a day. 


If you’re looking for a new salad dressing, you may want to add some Thompson’s Hemp Seed Oil drizzle to your life. It’s extremely rich in essential fatty acids (79% Omega 3 & 6) and has a delicious nutty flavour so it works well with everything. Thompson's Hemp Seed Oil can be drizzled onto your favourite salads, stir-fries, used to coat veggies after oven roasting and can even be added to your own home-made dips!  It comes in a 200mL bottle (RRP $18.15) and serving size is 10mL per day. 


Thompson’s Hemp Products are now available at pharmacies and health food stores! I’ve been waiting for the day that this nutrient-dense food would be available to the public and now it’s finally here. Oh, no, I’m not crying… something just flew into my eye. I promise.

If you're looking for more ways to add hemp to your life, be sure to check out their Instagram and Facebook pages too! 

Why I love my FMTV (Food Matters TV)

What do you get when you film a whole lot of health-loving, grooving and inspiring people and put these videos into one platform?

Food Matters Australia's FMTV, of course!

It’s basically the Netflix of the health world. Don't fight me on this.

I can honestly say that Food Matters Australia changed my life in more ways than you can imagine.

After being diagnosed with a non specific auto-immune disease and fibromyalgia a few years ago, I was accustomed to being in pain, feeling lethargic and depressed. I was prescribed to a cocktail of steroids, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Suffice to say, I wasn't feeling too flash hot. I just knew there was more to this; something in me (hello gut instinct!) saying there was something else I could try to keep the inflammatory symptoms under control.  I was waiting for my sign from the universe... and just like that, there it was.

(more…)

Valentine’s Day Mocha + Banana Smoothie Bowl

There are two types of people in this world; those who eagerly count down the days till the 14th of February and those who want to pop every heart-shaped balloon in site.

Don't get me wrong, I love Valentine's Day but sometimes... sometimes it can get a bit too much. We make reservations for the fanciest of restaurants, we prepare ourselves for the pure wonder of it all and then we land up getting a little disappointed when it's not the exact fairytale we've dreamed of...

Every.

Single.

Year.

Do we never learn?

Let's simplify Valentine's Day this year. We can all agree that Valentine's day is a day about love - whether it's with yourself, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, partner, friend, dog, neighbour, neighbour’s dog, it's time to spread the love!

And in true Supercharged Food fashion, the way we’re going to spread some luuuurve today is with food. What better way to start the day than with showing your love with some breakfast in bed?

If you or your love of choice think that starting the day feeling both happy and energised is a foreign myth unless you’ve had your morning cuppa joe, or, if you can’t make words or look anyone in the eye until you've had your first sip of creamy coffee in the a.m., this one is especially for you.

Let’s take that espresso shot, throw it into the blender and espresso some love with a mega morning smoothie!

My delicious Mocha and Banana Smoothie Bowl recipe is from my latest book Supercharge Your Gut, and it’s every bit as good as it sounds.

This delicious smoothie made with real coffee (which you can substitute for dandelion tea if you’re *gasp* not a coffee lover), raw cacao, chia seeds, hazelnuts and blissful bananas feels a little like monkey magic. This bowl will give you a natural hit of everyone’s favourite hormone, dopamine – the happy one (if you know what I mean ;-)!)  Plus, it tastes like chocolate. If anyone ever tells you that you can’t have chocolate for breakfast, they’re wrong and you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life!

(more…)

Turmeric Scrambled Eggs + Supercharge Your Gut

Forget avocado and toast, Harry and Meghan and every female's love-affair with Hugh Jackman after seeing the Greatest Showman, and say hello to another power couple; my 2-day Supercharge Your Gut Program and Supercharge Your Gut book. I know this is a big statement to make but I'm making it: they're bound to be your favourite conscious coupling for 2018 (book-pun totally intended). 

I'm so excited to be officially launching my 2-day Supercharge Your Gut Program alongside my brand new Supercharge Your Gut Book and can't wait to bring you along for the adventure.

Hey Lee, what’s your Supercharge Your Gut Program?

I thought you’d never ask!

My 2-day SYG Program is an uncomplicated online gut health program that's designed specifically for you – yes, you! It'll help restore and maintain your inner health so that you can experience complete wellness from head-to-toe, gain more energy and vitality, lose weight and feel healthier. Plus you'll have alot less of any uncomfortable gut symptoms.

The great part about it is that you only need to commit two days a week to maintain a healthy gut. It’s not time-consuming or a complicated drawn out program, just a super easy couple of days a week to implement into your weekly routine.

The SYG program provides step-by-step guidance on how to improve and maintain a healthy gut with delicious food to achieve enduring results. An the good news is that it's really affordable. For just $10 a week or $35 a month you can have your tumeric scrambled eggs and cancel anytime!

If you're not yet convinced, here are just two of the many testimonials we've received: 

Danielle C says: It's been an eventful body ride with ups and downs to which 8.6 kilo was dropped 1.8% body fat lost, many new habits have formed and a clearer happy tummy is proven for no tummy aces YAY!  It's the longest I've gone without booze for over a year! 
Natural foods taste incredibly sweet to me now. What a relief to cut out sugar!! It's encouraged at least 3-4 people around me to improve their diet. I can now know the correct way to fast for two days a week. So many delicious recipes that will stay in my food regime! 

Kaaren says: I realised that although my family do have a good diet (whole foods, grains fruit, veggies, not much junk food) we weren't having "enough" of  the good stuff. I started your program in September this year, my 11 year old daughter even asking me what was different about this diet. My reply was "this is how I grew up, eating all these foods  (the ratatouille reminded me of what my mum used to make) and this is how we are supposed to be eating",  however with our busy life I had forgotten what to do. I now feel fantastic and have reignited my passion for food and rarely have any side effects. 

When you sign up you’ll receive a welcome pack, two days of recipes and meal ideas delivered to your inbox, additional gut-loving recipes adapted to meet your specific needs, web videos and daily expert advice to keep you on track and encouraged.

You’ll also receive guided mediations that can be listened to where and whenever you need them. These are great to help you unwind and relax. I like to listen to them before I go to sleep as they send me into a very deep sleep. They truly instil positive, constructive messages to help relax and unwind your body and mind. Speaking of the body, I’ve also included a whole lot of yoga poses that are key for digestion. These will help alleviate symptoms such as bloating and constipation.

Oh, that does sound great... and what's this book you speak of?

Well, if you're ready to further your insight into all things gut health, this is the book for you. Supercharge Your Gut, the follow-up to the best-selling book Heal Your Gut is here, and it’s going to change your life forever. Get ready to sink your teeth into the latest gut research, over 100 gut-loving recipes and explore the ins and outs of our most influential body part.  Supercharge Your Gut offers a two day a week maintenance program that’ll set your gut health up for life.

Prebiotic Baked Tray from Supercharge Your Gut

Mocha and Banana Smoothie Bowl from Supercharge Your Gut

In a really easy-to-digest format, you'll discover just how to care for and improve your immune system, hormones, sleep, nervous system and more! Learn all about SIBO, histamines and that FODMAP diet that Claire is constantly going on about at work.

If you're ready to totally transform the way you feel from head-to-gut-to-toe, these two tools are exactly what you need.

And just incase you need more convincing, I'm going to share with you a delicious recipe from my latest and greatest, Supercharge Your Gut.

My turmeric scrambled eggs are perfect for easy breakfasts, late summer dinners and everything in between. Plus, if this recipe is anything to go by, you’ll find that the recipes in both the program and the book are equally nourishing, tasty, simple to make and easily digestible. All recipes are gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar-free and include wholefood ingredients that can be found in your local supermarket or healthy grocer. I've included recipes for delicious, nutritious, easily digestible meals like nutrient-packed smoothies, soothing soups, healing broths, comforting mashes, bowls, crockpot meals and stews, easy to digest dinner dishes and desserts that'll nourish your body and leave you satiated.

Make a two-day commitment to the health of your gut and you'll be surprised at how good you can feel.  I hope you will join me in making your gut healthy and happy today via the program or grab a copy of Supercharge Your Gut.

If you're not yet convinced, you'll have to give my delicious Turmeric Scrambled Eggs a whirl, they're scrumdidiliumptious.

Turmeric Scrambled Eggs

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Method:

Sauté garlic and onion in frying pan until translucent.
Add in eggs, and stir and then add tamari and spices.
Cook for about 5-7 minutes continuously stirring.
Sprinkle with nutritional yeast and torn basil to serve.

Golden Gut Mango Cheesecake

Does anyone else have a love affair with cheesecake?

It combines two of my favourite things – cheese and cake.

And it makes for one delicious dessert.

But, for my friends who are cutting down on processed foods, gluten, dairy, sugar and eggs, cheesecake is probably one of the foods you avoid like the plague.

Until now!

I’ve created a cheesecake with my Golden Gut Blend that’s a perfect afternoon treat or delightful dessert for summer. It’s a raw, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free cheesecake that is absolutely delicious.

Before you give me that attitude and roll your eyes at the idea of a cheese-less cheesecake, sometimes, you've just got to trust me. I think I can even say I like this more than regular cheesecake. And quite frankly, so does my stomach (sorry for the TMI!).

Don't be the friend who brings the unpalatable raw dessert to your dinner party. Bring this instead!

I’ve included sweet, juicy mangoes because they’re finally in season here in the Southern Hemisphere. I’m a little bit in love with them. Seriously. If you get a good one, don’t let that man-go. If you were to check my search history, “How many mangoes can I eat until I turn into a mango?” may come up. I promise I was asking for a friend… If you’re a lover of all things mango too, check out my Supercharged Banana and Mango Smoothie

This cheesecake combines two of my favourite goodies into one delicious recipe. My Golden Gut Mango Cheesecake is a recipe you’re going to luuuuurve.

The best part?

(more…)

IBS Formula Review

Are you tired of wasting your hard earned money on health products that don’t actually work?.  It’s the same thing every time; You get so optimistic and excited about a brand-new product, but after only a few days, become disappointed and experience the exact same symptoms, or even worse ones!

If you’re ready to transform the way you feel and the way your bowels move, it’s time to bring IBS Formula into your life!

With IBS Formula, a GMO-free, vegan and gluten-free treatment formula that offers natural relief from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, you can finally heal your IBS symptoms for good. It’s estimated that as many as 1 in 4 people world-wide suffer from IBS but this magical formula can help by balancing the flora within the digestive system that often causes abnormal intestinal spasms that irritate the bowels during IBS.

The holistic herbal and plant-based ingredients aid in digestion, detoxifying the body, eliminating waste and easing gut discomfort! It can also assist in curing both constipation and diarrhoea and relieve gas and bloating. In fact, most people have seen positive results within the first 2 days of treatment!

IBS Formula combines digestive aids and naturally-occurring foods which provide real relief from IBS symptoms. Both Acai and Chlorella play a role in this antioxidant-rich blend which gives it some of its healing properties. It’s proven to increase stamina, improve weight balance, reduce toxins in the body and of course, get rid of those nasty IBS symptoms for good. It’s seriously life-changing and costs less than $1/day.

If you’re interested – jump to this website here and let me know if you love it as much as I do!

Apple Cider Gummy Bears + Booktopia Supercharge Your Gut Special Offer

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I have a passion for healtha-fying traditional recipes and making them kid-friendly. In fact, I’ve got a whole book dedicated to it called Supercharged Food for Kids.

If you’re trying to add more apple cider vinegar to yours, your kids or your neighbour’s diet, but can’t stand the taste, you may want to give my gummies a whirl. They're one of the many delicious recipes from my latest book, Supercharge Your Gut. 

It was great being able to drop into Booktopia HQ yesterday and sign hundreds of books, it's safe to say I may have writers cramp for a few days but I have picked up some brand new calligraphy skills to add to my resume!

If you can't wait to get your hands on a copy, the wonderful people at Booktopia are stocking these signed copies which are available right now at the special price of only $27.95. You can pick one up here.

Now that we’re done with a little shameless plug, it’s time to get down to business. And by business, I mean Apple Cider Gummy Bears Business. It's serious stuff, you know!

Apple cider vinegar is seriously good for our health. It can help tackle colds and flus, tame troubled tummies, ease a scratchy throat, control blood sugar levels and even boost weight loss. It has beautiful probiotic enzymes to help balance gut bacteria, improve nutrient assimilation and balance pH levels.

When I’m talking about apple cider vinegar, I mean the real thing. NOT the sweetened and sparkly apple ciders kids are drinking these days. The REAL variety of apple cider vinegar is unfiltered and contains the ‘mother’ of all ingredients – the mother! Most  apple cider vinegars out there have had this crucial ingredient removed and are heavily processed, so make sure you find one that’s got it all intact like this one here.

I'll be the first to admit it, while apple cider vinegar sounds great for our health, it isn't usually the most palatable of ingredients to kids (and pretty much everyone else out there too... if your friend says they LOVE apple cider vinegar, they're probably lying). This is why I’ve combined it with a gut-healing guru, gelatine, and some natural apple juice to make these gummies yummy and good for the tummy!

Gelatine does all the heavy lifting when it comes to gut health! It helps to seal the lining of the gut that's often been opened by various factors such as poor diet and stress. Gelatine can also improve the strength of our digestive system and enhance the secretion of gastric acids to help us break down food, making it easier for us to absorb all the nutrients we're eating! If you're trying to improve your bowel movements (sorry for the possible TMI), gelatine is your gut ninja as it absorbs water which keeps the digestive tract running with fluid and so, promotes good intestinal transit time and healthy bowel movements. Woo-Poo! 

If you're ready to have some seriously devoted healthy gummy fans, you have to give my Apple Cider Gummy Bears a try.

Apple Cider Gummy Bears

Makes about 12

Ingredients:

  • 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) apple juice (no added sugar)
  • 60 ml (2 fl oz/164 cup) apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons powdered gelatine

Method:

  • In a small saucepan, warm the apple juice and vinegar over medium heat.
  • When it starts to bubble, remove from the heat.
  • Sprinkle the gelatine on top and whisk briskly until dissolved. Strain.
  • Pour into teddy bear moulds, or other moulds of your choice, or into a small lined baking tin.
  • Refrigerate for 1–2 hours, or until set.
  • Turn out of the moulds, or cut into small squares to serve. The gummies will keep in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for 1–2 weeks.

SUPERCHARGED TIP:

For my vegetarian friends, you can now have you gummies and eat them too! To make Aloe Vera Gummies, replace the gelatine with aloe vera juice.

For Vegetarian Gummies, simply heat up 350 ml (12 fl oz) aloe vera juice in a saucepan, add 1/2 tsp agar-agar powder and stir to dissolve. Agar agar is a flavorless gelling agent, derived from cooked and pressed seaweed.

Continue stirring for a couple of minutes. When the mixture starts to boil, remove from the heat, add some liquid stevia, vanilla extract, chopped mint or whatever spice you like — even berries would be nice!

Pour into an ice-cube tray. Top with shredded coconut if you like, then refrigerate for about 1 hour, or until set.

Light Up Your Summer Table with Four Seasonal Salads

It’s beginning to look a lot like summer,

Everywhere you go! 

Imagine your ideal holiday period.

Are you cuddled up by the fire with your special someone, or perhaps caravanning by the beach with family, tripping overseas in a foreign kitchen, or maybe even camping in the bush?  You may even be lying on the grass at your annual picnic?

Wherever you are, there’s one thing we all can agree on – it’s spending time with your special ones that matters the most… and the food. Okay, maybe two things we can all agree on then.

While festive feasting in Australia may not look like steaming hot chocolates, roads studded with fairy lights and snowflakes, stuffed chooks and bellies filled with pudding, holiday season is still holiday season! While it’s a little too hot for full roasts and mashed potatoes here in Australia, we can still celebrate the season with fresh produce and delicious salads – what could be better?

I’ve created four delicious salad recipes you can make wherever your festivities may take you. Just make sure that when you do enjoy these beauties, you’re enjoying them with your special people.

The only Kale and Strawberry and Avocado Salad you'll need this holiday season.

What do you get when you combine sweetness, bitterness and bright colours?

My Kale and Strawberry Salad, of course!

This totally good-for-you salad is filled with veggies, berries and healthy fats which make a nutrient-dense meal suitable for anyone.

Our forest friend, kale, delivers protein, fibre and impressive amounts of vitamin A and C, making it a powerful antioxidant.

Kale’s dynamic partner in crime (and by crime, I mean tasting good because there’s literally nothing harmful about this salad!), strawberries, are full of vitamin C that’ll help boost immunity and even keep wrinkles at bay! 

The combination of the green and the pink make this salad almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

Seeing as this salad is simple and easy to make, it means you’ll have more time to spend with your friends and family this holiday season. You’re welcome.

This welcoming dish brings a touch of summer to your table. and right down to the dressing is a total knockout that'll blow your mind!

Who knew healthy could taste so good?

Kale, Strawberry and Avocado Salad with Speedy Jam Jar Dressing

Serves 2-3


Ingredients:

Speedy Jam Jar Dressing


Method

  • In a large bowl place lemon juice and olive oil and stir then massage it into kale leaves adding a pinch or two of sea salt. Keep massaging until leaves are soft and dark green
  • Add remaining ingredients and toss
  • To make the dressing whisk all ingredients together

Fig and Goats Cheese (Yum!)

Get ready for an ultimate platter that’ll make you forget all about your run-of-the-mill, sad garden salad.

This Fig and Goats Cheese Platter will wow your guests and make you change the way you think about cooking altogether. This throw-together salad is so simple that it just might work!

I can’t believe it when I hear people say they dislike the taste of figs! Who can possibly deny themselves the pleasure of lusciously sweet and summery figs that have a chewy flesh, smooth skin and crunchy seeded centre? My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Figs are high in potassium that’ll help lower blood pressure. They’re also high in fibre to get things moving on your insides, which is essential with all the over-eating we tend to do around the holiday season! Or you can always try my Love Your Gut powder to remove the junk from your trunk.

Another summer fruit that’s ready to finally get in the spotlight, peaches, are tantalizing for our tastebuds and high in antioxidants which help reduce our disease risk.

Now that we’ve got our fruit sorted, we need to find an edge. This is where Goat’s cheese comes in. Goat’s cheese is high in calcium and essential fatty acids and can be much easier to digest than other cheeses. It’s also known to cause less inflammation in the body than regular dairy and helps aid nutrient absorption. Goat to love that!

Combine these three ingredients with antioxidant-rich greens and one delicious dressing and you’ve got one heck of a platter! Grab the recipe here. 

 Teacup Watermelon Salad

 

As a foodie, there’s something about the changing of season that always brings me joy. I love to see what each season provides me and, form recipes that celebrate produce of the season. While in winter we tend to crave soups and stews, summer provides us with a need for hydrating and fresh produce. Namely, watermelon.

To me, summer just yells watermelon. There’s nothing that adds more bliss to a hot summer day than eating the right piece of sweet and juicy watermelon. While you can enjoy watermelon just on its own, I love putting it into a good watermelon salad. If you’ve never tried watermelon in a salad, you’re in for a treat with this recipe! This salad comes from my book Fast Your Way to Wellness which is full of summer recipes that are as good for your waistline as they are for your soul! It’s perfect for sustaining abounding energy and a healthy weight year-round. 

I’m not sure which genius thought it would be a good idea to combine watermelon with cheese and mint, but whoever it was, I owe them! This interesting collaboration knocks your socks off and keeps you coming back for seconds every time.

While the sweet juiciness of watermelon comes through, it’s balanced by the bite of the crumbled Goat's cheese and cooling zing of fresh mint.

Watermelons are about 92 percent water, making every bite perfectly hydrating! They're also rich in vitamin A, B6 and C, as well as beauty-boosting antioxidants that’ll keep your skin glowing all summer long.

This dainty teacup salad can bring joy on warm days as a refreshing snack, light meal or even dessert.

I’ve dressed this bad-boy with a zesty mixture of lemon and lime, with floral notes of coriander of course, creamy sheep’s milk yoghurt.

Check out the recipe here.

Vegan Caesar Salad

I've taken an alternative approach to your summer menus and created a #meatlessmonday extravaganza! If you’re looking to cater for vegetarians, flexitarians or vegans, you’re definitely going to want to try this one!

While meatless meals are great for our digestion and can make us feel lighter than other ones, often times, meat-free dishes, like faux soy meats, are full of processed ingredients and chemicals that make the whole vegetarian thing not so good after all!

When cooking without meat, be sure to use fresh and natural ingredients. Also remember to include a source of protein, such as beans, seeds, tofu or tempeh.

What’s tempeh, you ask?

Tempeh is made of fermented, cooked soybeans, meaning it’s less processed than tofu and high in protein and fibre. This makes it easier for us to digest and richer in probiotics which are key to increasing our gut microflora; an aspect of health that tends to go out the window in holiday season. Probiotics help break down sugars, control harmful bacteria and improve our immune system so we can enjoy summer and the holidays sniffle-free.

Tempeh has a slightly earthy and sweet taste and is firm and chewy in texture.

My Vegan Caesar salad, made with tofu’s lesser known tempeh, is the perfect Christmas dish. This delicious Caesar salad is so good, you’ll be looking forward to Mondays from now on!

Check it out here.

Enjoy these four seasonal salads and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Lee xo 

Port Douglas Cottages and Lodge + Travel Guide

Welcome to Paradise!

If you’re looking for a holiday that feels akin to a home away from home, make your way to Port Douglas. I’d call it a DIY retreat; there’s plenty of delicious food markets, interesting tours, nature and yoga sessions. You'll come back feeling super refreshed and relaxed.

I stayed at the beautiful Port Douglas Cottage and I could not recommend it highly enough. It’s basically what you'd get if Notting Hill and a luxe beach-house had a baby.  It's absolutely magical. The cottage is beautifully furnished, clean and only a few minutes’ walk away from restaurants, shops and the beach. It’s relaxing, cute and totally not over the top, which means it ticks all my accommodation boxes.

The happiest bedroom you'll ever see

The best room in the house - the kitchen!

Some places just exude warmth, openness and happiness and this is one of those places. The bedroom was absolutely beach chic and included robes (I don’t know what it is but I love walking around the house on holiday in a fluffy robe – is anyone else the same?). The kitchen was light and felt like the center of the home; as it should be. There were also beautiful flowers everywhere that always brought a smile to my face.

Simple seasonal salad by the pool

My highlight was undoubtedly the private pool. That pool and I now share some seriously special memories!

The cottage is perfect for families, couples and solo travellers like myself. Graeme, the owner, was super lovely, friendly and accommodating too – what a bonus! I’m counting down the days till I can go back to Port Douglas and stay in the cottage again.  

Breakfast at the Little Larder

If you’re looking for some great restaurants in Port Douglas, these are some of my favourites:

Dinner at Salsa

Seabean Tapas

My top seven things to do in Port Douglas include:

  1. Get yourself a picnic blanket, pack your lunch and meet the locals while watching the beautiful sunset down at The Point in Rex Smeal Park
  2. No trip to Port Douglas is complete without going on a tour of the Daintree. I loved seeing the crocodiles and seeing swallows and native birds when birdwatching. Check out my review of the tours I went on below!

The Daintree River

3. Go to the jungle juice “hippie market”. Trust me. If you’re a spiced chai fan, like myself, and your mouth waters at the thought of almond falafels, you'll be in heaven. Make sure to stop by Kuranda markets to try it all!

4. While we’re talking about markets, don’t miss the Mossman Market on Saturday morning.

5. Get the train to Kuranda, to experience one of the most unique rail journeys in Australia. Get ready to bear witness to traditional Australian culture and deepen your knowledge of the Dreamtime legend of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. The carriages date back to the early 1900’s so you know you’re in for a real treat. It’s even better than Harry Potter. It’s more than just a train-ride, it’s an educational experience not to be missed. Explore the spectacular views, look at the marvellous tunnels and visit Freshwater station.

Kuranda Railway

Oh, and definitely come back via the Sky rail. It’s a must-do. It’s a skyrail committed to environmentally-friendly tourism, protecting the environment and providing guests with an opportunity to challenge, learn and grow. You’ll glide just a few metres above the gorgeous world-heritage protected rainforest, see the real beauty behind the ancient tropics and learn all about one of the most diverse areas on earth! You’ll see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rainforest. It’s a full-body experience.6. Eat lunch at Salsa in Port Douglas. Delicious.

7. Walk the lighthouse and do the heritage walk around the town. It's absolutely beautiful and so calming.

Being the homeboy that I am, the best part of the day was always coming back home to my little cottage. I would buy lots of delicious fruit during the day and dream of coming back to snack and lounge around by the pool. It felt like my home centre and the place where I could truly unwind.

If you’re a full-on yoga-lover like me, be sure to check out Deep Yoga Studio. It’s been voted as the number #1 yoga studio in Port Douglas and it has my Supercharged tick of approval. It’s a peaceful and beautiful studio with highly-skilled teachers who personalise classes phenomenally.  It’s super close to town and just five minutes from the beach – yoga and swim anyone?  They have a range of classes to suit everyone including dynamic and energising classes, introspective yin-style classes, warmer yoga classes and Pilates. If that doesn’t get you excited, they also have a massage retreat, sento bath and steamroom/sauna!

You can enjoy a 60 minute session in their Soaking Pool, combined steamroom/infrared sauna, followed by their Relaxation Studio. Any place which has a room called a Relaxation Studio is a place I want to be! They have cocoons (how cool is that?!), mats, massage balls,  band mats and more!

TOURS:

Daintree Discovery Tours

  • This tour well and truly has it all. Be whisked away along the beautiful Mossman gorge, experience a Daintree River Cruise, take Instagram pics (we all have our priorities) of the panoramic views of the Daintree river, walk the beach of Cape Tribulation and more! You can choose between a half-day or full-day tour depending on your preferences and personal schedule. I chose the morning tour and was not disappointed!  Grant Knight, will pick you up from your accomodation, (he is was one of the best tour guides I’ve had!) He's a legend of a guy and so passionate about everything he spoke about. The itinerary's pieced together beautifully and I was interested and engaged the whole time. Who needs to listen to the sounds of the Amazonian rainforest on an app when you can witness it in person?! Driving through the Daintree was magical. We saw crocs, snakes and birds.

Scarface the crocodile

  • Get ready to fall in love (see what I did there?) with these beautiful waterfalls. You can feed the fish and turtles, swim in this unique environment or just sit back and enjoy the wonderful view.
  • If you’re looking for a tour like no other, be sure to check out Brett’s Kuranda Day Tours. Brett picks you up from your accommodation and takes you on a lovely 7.5-hour tour of your choice, so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! He’s friendly, funny, extremely helpful and knowledgable – what else can you ask for in a tour guide? He takes you through Kuranda via the Skyrail where you can see the beautiful village craft markets. You then travel up through the rainforest via the Kuranda Scenic Railway where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views and arrive in beautiful Palm Cove. At the end of the tour, Brett drops you back at your accommodation or a restaurant and you say bye after a fabulous day together! If you’re in for a food-venture (like me, always), you may want to check out his Outback Tasting Adventures. Enjoy a delicious range of food (and maybe a cheeky glass of wine), with beautiful backdrops of lush scenery and explore growing crops and dairyland. You’ll learn all about bananas, mangoes, avocadoes, macadamia nuts and more and taste them for yourself! If you’re a night-owl, Brett also takes night tours to Tjapukai. It’s a quick yet, luxe trip which involves delicious welcome drink and canapes, a live Didgeridoo tour, a sacred corroboree of the Aboriginal dreamtime, a lake-side fire ceremony, tropical dining and a fireside farewell. If you’re interested, be sure to call Brett at these numbers: 07 40985 059 or 0418 909 818, click on the links above or check out his Facebook page here.

To learn more about Port Douglas and experience it for yourself at the beautiful Port Douglas Cottage, click this link here.

Golden Gut Granola Clusters

Are you looking for an excuse to skip breakfast?

This is not it.

In fact, this recipe will make you go to sleep dreaming of breakfast, longing to wake up and get your chew on. 

This delicious and simple recipe is perfect for eating during the week when you don't have a lot of time but it's also great on the weekend when you want to have a relaxed breakfast in the garden. It's basically granola for every occasion. 

The other great thing about this recipe is that you only need to make it once for it to travel a really long way. That is, depending on your self-control.. portion control, people!

While most of the store-bought packaged granolas are high in sugars, fat and filled with unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients, this homemade granola only contains ingredients that are beneficial for your body and wellbeing.

Oats are such an amazing way to start the day. They’re rich in important vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants which work to improve healthy gut bacteria, control blood sugar levels, ease digestion and increase feelings of fullness.

Incorporating nuts and seeds in this recipe works because they not only get the thumbs up for  taste, they also come with a range of amazing health benefits too! Almonds, pumpkin seeds and linseeds are all a tasty source of protein, dietary fibre, healthy fats like Omega 3, and essential nutrients like Vitamin E. These work to give you a healthy boost of energy and can also help to reduce hunger pangs and promote healthy weight-loss.

Combining these ingredients with my Golden Gut blend is the perfect way to set you up for glowing gut health. Because the blend contains diatomaceous earth and the wonderful spice turmeric, it's packed with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial properties and can even help improve nutrient absorption, digestion and regulation. With a high amount of absorbable iron and a variety of vitamins and minerals, the blend is the perfect addition to this oat and nut granola, to add an energy kick, boost brain function and the immune system. You can watch a video about diatomaceous earth here.

Not only does using coconut oil make this recipe bond beautifully, using a healthy saturated fat together with turmeric makes it easier for your body to absorb and make the most of the benefits of this golden spice.

Enjoy these golden crunchy clusters any time of the day in a variety of ways!

Let me know how you go with making them and if you love them as much as I do.

Golden Granola Clusters

Makes 1L jar

Ingredients:

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius and line a large tray with baking paper.

In a large bowl mix the oats, coconut, almonds and seeds.

Warm the coconut oil in a small saucepan and add 3 tablespoons honey, Golden Gut, nutmeg and salt. Stir until thoroughly combined then pour over the oat mixture.

Mix and rub the spiced oil into the oats, nuts and seeds. Once the mixture is evenly coated, spread onto the baking tray. Make sure it is levelled across the pan, and then you can create some small clusters if you like. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey across to finish.

Bake for 25 – 30 mins or until lightly brown and golden on top. Shake the tray one or two times while cooking.

When finished baking, let cool completely on a wire rack. The cooling process should be at least 30 – 45 mins and is crucial in order to crisp the granola. Once cooled, break into clusters.

Store the granola in an airtight jar or container.

For breakfast serve with cold coconut milk and bananas, or over a smoothie bowl or sheep’s milk yoghurt with fresh berries.

Enjoy straight out of the jar as a yummy snack or crumble over roasted pears or my Golden Gut-time ice cream for desert!

Free supercharged recipes delivered to your inbox!

When you register for our newsletter you'll also receive a FREE gut health recipe ebook.