Do you know what ingredient needs more recognition?

Lime.

While we all praise lemon like the holy grail – drinking it in the morning, squeezing it onto salads and making lemonade with it, it’s poor little sidekick, lime, always gets left behind. He’s literally the middle child of the citrus family.

Lime is so much more than just zest to add to a drink; it can boost your overall complexion, immunity and help cleanse the body.

So, what do you do when life gives you lemons?  Push them to the side and ask for limes instead.

Limes are an extremely good source of Vitamin C, as well as dietary fibre, calcium, iron, potassium, copper, magnesium and phosphorus. They can be consumed orally or used topically to protect the skin from infections. Similar to lemon, limes can even aid the digestion process and relieve constipation.

What’s the best way to celebrate mother nature’s beautiful limey gift?

Lime Tarts.

There’s something about lime tarts that make me really happy. They’re equally creamy and tarty, tangy and sweet, satisfying and crisp with a crumbly texture.

Let’s talk raw chocolate bars.

What once was dubbed a crazy, revolutionary healthy phenomenon has become the new café norm. These days you can buy raw, vegan caramel slices, bliss balls, mint slices and chocolate bars at your local caff! Whilst these products are usually refined-sugar free, too often they contain a whole load of dried fruit, loads of nuts and are heavy on the sweeteners.

Let's talk dried fruit. While fruit is great, being a source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and even water, when it's dried, it becomes smaller in size than it's fresher counterparts making it very easy to overdo it. This can lead to gastrointestinal problems, weight gain and quick sugar highs followed by bigger sugar drops. Consuming raw chocolate treats may mean you end up eating a lot more dried fruit with added preservatives and nuts than you usually would in one sitting, resulting in an overconsumption of calories and maybe even leaving your tummy in trouble.

So, I've come up with a delicious raw treat recipe that's so delicious and so tasty that it’s hard to believe that it’s actually good for you!

You know when you get a craving so strong that you literally don’t feel satisfied until you fill it?  

That’s me and snickers bars.

If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you’ll know I have a little bit (okay, understatement – more like a lot) of a sweet tooth. I loooove anything chocolatey and nut butter-y. And because the blog is all about anti-deprivation, I love creating treat recipes that are healthy and enjoyable, without causing your tummy grief in the process.

My dried fruit-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto-friendly and vegan-friendly Snickers Bars are almost too good to be true. Wow that was a mouthful.

Speaking of a mouthful, these treats are absolutely delicious and will send your tastebuds back to the days of enjoying a taste-bud tingling snickers bar.

We’ve got melt-in-your-mouth nougat, chewy peanut-butter caramel all wrapped up in chocolate. I know, I know. Amazing. 

So where to start with this healthy treat?

Let's start from the base and work upwards. The nougat base is filled with one of the most delicious, creamy nuts ever – macadamia nuts. Although macadamia nuts are high in healthy fats (and in price), they’re packed full of nutrients and a little goes a long way! Macadamias have shown to improve blood sugar levels, improve bone health because they’re packed full of calcium and magnesium and help support gut health, plus they're blended fine to alleviate any tummy troubles.

I’ve combined these nuts with a blend of delicious ingredients including coconut cream, coconut oil, rice malt syrup, vanilla powder, almond meal, peanuts, a pinch of salt and some Love Your Gut Powder. Did we just make gut-friendly nougat? Oh yes, I believe we did!

Once our nougat’s in order, it’s time to make the caramel....because caramel is delicious and makes everything better. EVERYTHING. I’ve created a peanut-butter, cashew caramel for our centre. I want to speak more about it, but I can’t in case I start dribbling all over my keyboard… oops too late. You’ll just have to trust me on this one… it doesn’t taste as good as it sounds; it actually tastes even better. Speaking of peanuts – did you know they’re actually a legume, not a nut? They’re rich in Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect our cells against oxidative damage. 

There are some moments that completely melt you.

Maybe it’s the time you first fell in love, the tantalising aroma of your mother's home cooking, the look your puppy gives you when you’re giving them a belly scratch, the way you feel when you watch the best scene in your favourite movie, or in my case an upcoming Royal Wedding!

Being from the UK, I love anything royal and to celebrate the union of Meghan and Harry, I've concocted a beautiful biscuit recipe that is absolutely delicious and based on a classic. Might I add, this biscuit pairs perfectly with a jolly good cup of tea and creates a moment of bliss when devouring.

Whatever your melting moment is, that feeling of pure enjoyment and ecstasy is something we all should feel more of; and a lot more often. Wouldn't you agree?

If you’re looking to feel that melty feel even when the person you love annoys you, your dog starts to bark, or the baby starts to cry, these are the cookies you need to transport you to a calm and happy place!

Whatever it is, it’s time to take a melting moment cookie out the jar and re-live those happy feels. Better still, make them for someone you love and watch them melt away to a place of pure pleasure and bliss.  They're even the perfect wedding gift! Speaking of wedding gifts, you may just find the perfect one here.

Melting Moments are one of my favourite cookies ever. Whether you like them super soft and delicate or crumbly and crispy, they’re definitely a crowd-favourite. I’ve recreated these cookies with a delicious lemon filling, because while they’re delectable on their own, there’s something extra special about the lemon filling. I know you’ll just love this royal partnership.

So, how do we go about getting that perfectly nostalgic, melty consistency?

Cashew butter is key here! Cashews are packed with vitamins and minerals including Vitamin E, K and B6. They contain high levels of antioxidants which when consumed regularly, can actually protect the eyes from light damage. Cashews in moderation can also be effective when trying to lose weight as they're high in monounsaturated fats. If you're not a fan of nuts, you can swap out the cashew butter for tahini or another seed butter of your choice!

I’ve also included vanilla powder in these cookies because it takes the flavour to the next level. Seriously. Vanilla is another ingredient that is high in antioxidants and just boosts the flavour of just about anything. I know ½ a teaspoon doesn’t seem like a lot but a little goes a long way when it comes to vanilla. 

To make these cookies extra Supercharged, I’ve added some Love Your Gut Powder. Love Your Gut Powder gently cleanses and sweeps away plaque built-up in your gut over time. It’s a gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan powder made of diatomaceous earth, a raw whole-food which helps to cleanse the gut, allowing you to absorb your nutrients more effectively. This magical powder makes a remarkable improvement in digestion, nutrient absorption and waste removal. Who says you can't have your gut-boosting cookie and eat them too? 

In the lead up to the royal nuptials I'd love you to be ready for these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. They are perfection and super easy to make.

If tea is not your bag, these Melting Moments are the perfect accompaniment to a Golden Latte! All you need to do is place 1 cup of milk of your choice, 1 tablespoon of Golden Gut Blend, 1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger, 1 teaspoon of cardamom, 1 star anise and rice malt syrup or stevia to a small sauce pan, heat gently over a medium heat until steaming, let it infuse and whisk briskly until frothy. Strain the spices and pour it into a mug to enjoy! 

If you’re looking a delicious treat to enjoy this royal wedding weekend, why not try out my delicious Melting Moments? 

Melting Moments

Makes: 8 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup cashew butter
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla powder
• 1 tablespoon rice malt syrup (optional) or raw honey

Lemon filling:

• ¼ cup coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons cacao butter
• Zest of one lemon
• ½ tbsp Love Your Gut Powder
• 8 drops liquid stevia

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160℃ and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl and using a wooden spoon, combine cashew butter, egg, vanilla and rice malt syrup if using. You may wish to use your hands if it is not combining properly.
3. Using your hands, carefully shape into 16 cookies and place on the prepared tray. Use a fork to imprint the cookie.
4. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Leave to cool completely before assembling the cookies.
5. To make the lemon filling, gently heat the coconut cream and cacao butter in a small saucepan over a low heat until no lumps remain. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the lemon zest, powder and stevia. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to let it thicken.
6. To assemble, carefully spread the filling on the base of half the cookies and sandwich another cookie on top. These cookies are crumbly so work delicately!

Easter is hoppening soon and you know what that means – chocolate, sleeping in, long weekend celebrations, chocolate, the Easter Bunny, chocolate, oh and did I mention chocolate?

If you’re looking for a new delicious Easter egg to bring to your table or basket, why not try out my Cherry Ripe Easter Eggs?

I know what you're probably thinking - Why Cherry Ripe?

I think it’s safe to say, Cherry Ripe's are sometimes one of the most unpopular chocolates of the bunch - they're the one that are usually left at the bottom of the packet. There’s just something about the combination of dark chocolate and cherry glace that’s usually off-putting, especially to children! I must admit, out of all the chocolates out there, the one I would never choose was the Cherry Ripe. I just never jelled with it 😉

However, seeing that I’m a big believer in giving things a fair go, I decided to give them a second chance.

And you know what? I’m happy I did!

These chocolatey, cherry and coconuty raw, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan-friendly Cherry Ripe Easter Eggs are perfect bite-sized snacking, just in time for Easter! If you were never a cherry ripe fan, but like me, love cherries, coconut and chocolate, you’re in for a real treat.

If you’re someone who usually feels a little bit lethargic, tired or bloated after holiday period, these are the Easter eggs for you! While I love celebrating holidays with good food, it’s very easy to overindulge over the holiday season and feel a little queasy afterwards. Be sure to fill up on good-quality, wholesome food, rather than leaving too much room for dessert! If you fill up on mains, you’re less likely to overindulge when dessert’s ready. However, if you’re looking for a dessert perfect for Easter, these Cherry Ripe Easter Eggs are exactly what you need.

By consuming real, home-made Easter Eggs you can avoid the processed one’s on the shelf, usually packed full of additives, vegetable oils and sugar. Home-made goodies such as these Easter eggs always taste better because you can truly taste the love that is rolled into them! 

The combination of cherries and chocolate makes this recipe extremely high in calcium and Vitamin C. Cherries are bursting with antioxidants and can help reduce bodily inflammation. These Cherry Ripe Easter Eggs also have a little Love Your Gut Powder to help soothe your tummy after some necessary Easter feasting!

The best part about them? No cooking is required! Yes, that’s right – it’s raw! If that’s not an Easter miracle, I don’t know what is. Oh, and they contain cherries – I mean, who wouldn’t be happy with their kids hunting for fruit?

So, go on... I know you want to.

Happy Easter everyone!

Cherry Ripe Easter Eggs

Makes: 12–15 Easter eggs

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons coconut cream
• 2 tbsp Love Your Gut Powder
• 1 tbsp rice malt syrup (optional)
• 1 cup cherries, pitted, frozen

Chocolate Coating

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp cacao butter
• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 10–12 drops liquid stevia or to taste (optional)

Method

1. In the food processor, pulse coconut, coconut oil, coconut cream, powder and rice malt syrup if using until combined. Be careful not to over mix. Add in the frozen cherries and pulse until combined.

2. Using your hands, scoop up about 2 tablespoons worth of mixture, shape into an Easter egg shape and place on a tray. Repeat until you use up all of the mixture. Place in the freezer to set for 2 hours.

3. After about 1 ½ hours, prepare the chocolate coating by melting ingredients together in a small pot over a low heat. Transfer to a bowl, place in the fridge for 15 minutes to let it thicken slightly.

4. To cover in chocolate coating, first prepare a rack over a tray to catch any dripping chocolate. Carefully dip the eggs in the chocolate coating mixture and place on the rack.

Note: You want to work quickly here to prevent the eggs from melting. This is why it’s important your chocolate mixture isn’t too hot but is still melted and has a liquid consistency. You may wish to work in batches. Place back into the freezer as soon as possible to set the chocolate.

5. Store in the fridge in an airtight container.

What's better than eating a mango or banana?

Drinking a mango AND banana!

Switching up your berry smoothie with this healthy gut banana and mango smoothie is sure to put a smile on your face. This mouth-watering and simple smoothie is as easy to whip up as it is to digest.

Bananas can help curb cravings and satisfy your sweet tooth. They're also rich in fiber and really filling. Banana's dynamic smoothie partner, mango, can help benefit your eye, skin, bone and hair health.

This smoothie also contains Love Your Gut powder, which is an all natural food-based ingredient  that'll give your gut that little daily spring clean it craves. It's a naturopathic-grade, organic and fresh water diatomaceous earth that helps to gently detoxify the gut and improve our digestion.

If you don't have all the right ingredients, you can use our Golden Gut blend and just add mango and banana and milk of choice.

 You can also find the recipe to this delicious smoothie here. 

Ps Don't forget to download your FREE Love Your Gut powder eBook here.

When it comes to looking after your gut, one of the most important lessons in gut health is learning how to slow down, take time for yourself and savour every single little moment in your life.  This helps to relax the digestive system and make the digestive process easier.

Today I’m sharing three gut-health secret weapons, my Chamomile and Lavender Tea, a little Cumin Digestive Aid; the perfect liver detox and my delicious Anti-Inflammatory Toddy.

As soon as you wake up and reach for your daily cup of coffee- if you want to improve the health of your gut, why not try making a delicious digestive tea instead?  Certain teas are one of the easiest ways to start the day right and set you up for a good gut day.

Tea can help rejuvenate you, lift your spirits, bring you comfort and soothe an irritated gut or worried mind.  Coffee on the other hand can be acidifying, chemically laden and highly processed, for some people too much coffee can cause pain and irritation in the gut and for others who have it in latte form, the dairy can be hard to digest and lead to symptoms such as bloating and pain.

So much satisfaction can be found from hugging your favorite tea-filled mug with your hands. It’s a ritual you should never take for granted. Engaging in such a ritual helps you reconnect to yourself and digest not only the tea, but the day you’ve had or the one you’re about to embark on!

If you or your digestive system are feeling out of whack, teas and toddys can help hydrate you, relieve tension and settle down anxiety, switching your digestive system over to rest and digest mode; exactly where you need to be for optimum digestion and zero discomfort.

Some of my favorite gut-healing beverages contain the soothing blend of chamomile and lavender.  I’m also sharing my favourite anti-inflammatory warming toddy which contains cinnamon, ginger and turmeric, a pungent household spice with a long history.

If you're feeling time poor and need an instant golden latte or smoothie, my Golden Gut blend is your golden ticket to glowing gut health.  For an iron-rich morning pick me up, Love Your Gut powder can also be stirred into a smoothie or warm drink of choice.  Just taking that extra five minutes in the morning to set yourself up for a good gut day means no more bloating, aching belly, quick dashes to the loo or falling asleep at your desk. 

Particular herbs for the gut, such as chamomile and lavender are natural stress relievers. They’re both lovely herbs to soothe an upset stomach, so they’re great for people who suffer from poor digestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The delicate combination of these two calming herbs will settle your nervous system and simultaneously relax your digestive system.  It can also act as a brilliant tonic for the liver; remember this drink after a big night when you’ve had too much to drink! 

Chamomile settles down the stomach due to its antispasmodic properties. Delving in a bath filled with chamomile can bring a state of calmness to your stomach and your mind. Chamomile’s dynamic partner in relaxation, lavender, slows down the nervous system. If you’re struggling with sleeping issues, spraying some lavender oil on your pillow can help lullaby you softly to sleep.

Chamomile and Lavender Tea

Serves 2

• 2 teaspoons lavender buds
• 2 teaspoons chamomile buds
• 500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) boiling filtered water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Put the lavender and chamomile in a teapot. Pour over the water, then add
the lemon juice. Infuse for 10 minutes, then pour into mugs or glasses (or strain it if you prefer) and serve.

In the cooler months, I often turn to herbal teas to hydrate me. In traditional Ayurveda and Indian style, cumin digestive aid (Jeera Vellam) is consumed like water and sipped throughout the day.

In Hindi, Jeera translates to cumin, while vellam in this context means water. In Ayurveda, India’s 5,000-year-old approach to health, agni, known as digestive fire is kind of like the Western term for metabolism. It helps the body absorb nutrients, eliminate waste, generate warmth, and transform physical matter into energy.

At the start of the day, agni is said to be quite low, and so, it needs an easily digestible meal followed by Jeera Vellam. This beverage is also often consumed after a meal or after celebrations to help aid digestion.

Cumin has been hailed to help us assimilate nutrients and even speed up our metabolism!  Also if you’re in need of a liver detox my Cumin Digestive Aid may just be the answer. It’s filled with antioxidants to help excrete toxins from the body and help regulation.

The longer you allow the cumin seeds to soak in the water (if you have time, overnight is preferable), the more effective this drink can be. It’s my answer to reflux, gas, diarrhea and bloating.

The zing of ginger in this drink complements the earthy aroma of cumin so beautifully, I would love you to try this one and it’s so easy to make with a just a spice from your spice rack and a knob of ginger.

Cumin Digestive Aid (Jeera Vellam)

Serves 4

Drink this shot after eating to improve digestion.

• 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) filtered water
• 1 heaped teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2.5 cm (1 inch) piece of ginger, peeled and cut into thin sticks

Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to
the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and set aside for 2 minutes before straining. Cool
to room temperature and divide between four glasses to serve.

And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for: it’s turmeric toddy time!

My delicious anti-inflammatory toddy is perfumed with healing spices to help soothe the body.

Turmeric is one of the wonder foods we’ve heard so much about lately. The compound curcumin found within turmeric is the reason why. Curcumin is reported to reduce inflammation and pain in the digestive system.

Maybe you’ve tried making turmeric recipes before and you’ve noticed that it says to sprinkle on some black pepper?  Adding black pepper, like I do in this recipe, helps the body absorb and digest the curcumin due to its pungent piperine content. 

Black pepper has a myriad of anti-inflammatory properties too.  It’s an antioxidant that’s anti-bacterial and full of anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Another one of my favorite root herbs, ginger, is also having it’s time in the spotlight.  Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and is good for soothing headaches and aiding stomach upsets.

Turmeric and ginger can pacify the lining of the stomach and soothe the digestive tract. This is why both herbs are often prescribed as digestive aids in traditional medicine.

Some of you may be thinking – this sounds more like an intense shot or some like drinking a curry, but don’t worry.  This is where cinnamon comes in, as it’s great for adding flavor with a subtle sweetness. It’s a healthy sugar-substitute which can be sprinkled over warm beverages, breakfast cereals and desserts.

More than its flavor enhancing ability, this sweet spice can help to ease swelling after injury, lower blood sugar levels and increase immunity.

This healthy tea can be enjoyed by anyone at any time and if you don’t have cashew milk don’t worry you can use any milk you prefer, coconut is nice. By the way if you don't have all the ingredients, an easy way to make this toddy is by using one tablespoon of my Golden Gut Blend in warm milk. It's delicious! and can be used in baking and cooking too.

You’ll find these and many more recipes in my book Heal Your Gut.

Turmeric Toddy

Serves 1

• 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) cashew or coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4  teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4  teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• pinch of vanilla powder
• pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
• 6 drops liquid stevia (optional) or raw honey
• 2 star anise (optional)

Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes or until just warmed. Add the spices, ginger, vanilla and pepper, and then stir to remove any lumps.
Remove from the heat and pour through a fine sieve to remove the grated ginger. Add the sweetener and enjoy warm.

Enjoy these soothing teas for a healthy sparkling gut. 

As you may already know, I'm a raving fan of my Love Your Gut Powder. Among many of it's benefits, the powder helps clean out accumulated build-up of waste, toxins, metals and mucous in the digestive tract as well as improving digestion and increasing nutrient absorption. 

Ever since launching the powder, I've received thousands of questions asking me how I like to incorporate Love Your Gut Powder into my everyday life; my tricks, my tips and my recipes. I thought it was time to finally give the people what they want! This is why I'm excited to launch my FREE Love Your Gut Powder E-Book. This eBook contains 12 gut-loving recipes to help you fall in love with your gut. It includes smoothies, breakfasts, turmeric treats and more!

This coconut yo-gut is just one of the supercharged delicious recipes you'll find in the free eBook. 

This frozen dessert is so delicious you wouldn't know it's good for you! 

Initially, coconut yogurt is made with pressed coconut milk and water. Coconuts are high in fat which is amazing for lowering bad cholesterol levels and helping you lose a few inches on the waist line! Most coconut yoghurts are dairy-free, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the same gut-healing effects as normal yoghurts do.

Coconut yoghurt contains live cultures and bacteria which have a probiotic effect on the body. Probiotics help boost our immune system, improve digestion and assist with various bowel conditions like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Probiotics are also amazing for keeping your gut in check. This is why I just couldn’t resist adding in my Love Your Gut powder into the mix! Double the gut health, double the fun!

To make my frozen coyo easier for you guys, I’ve gotten rid of some of the dirty work. Instead of having to make coconut yoghurt at home, my recipe requires a cup of already made coconut yoghurt. 

While it’s amazing if you have time to make the real thing from the start - not everybody has time to break the coconuts off the tree themselves and spend hours churning away in the kitchen! You are more than welcome to create your own coconut yoghurt for the recipe, but you have the okay from me to buy a good quality brand that you love and have fun with turning it into coconut frozen yo-gut!

There are some great brands of coconut yoghurt that are full of only the good stuff and no nasties. These can be enjoyed by all and will save you hours of slaving away in the kitchen. Just be sure to check the ingredients list before buying and look out for some hidden sugars and additives.  

My frozen coconut yoghurt recipe is high in fat, giving it a creamy texture and much fuller flavour! The bonus beauty of this recipe is that it can be jazzed up enough for a dinner party dessert and tastes just as naughty as the real thing.

Coconut yoghurt is undeniably delicious and having it frozen makes for a perfect treat!

Who is ready to go loco for some frozen coyo?

For more gut-loving recipes, download my FREE eBook here.

Coconut Yo-gut

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 TBSP LYG powder
• 1 cup coconut yoghurt (chilled)
• 1 TSP vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• Pinch cinnamon
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• Edible flowers to decorate

Method:

• Place all ingredients in a blender until smooth
• Scoop into bowl and place in freezer for 15 minutes to firm up
• Remove from freezer, top with berries and decorate with flowers

Enjoy! Lee xo

I don't know about you, but sometimes, when I go to do my weekly grocery shop I'm in such a rush that I'm running around and miss a few vital foods on my list. 

What can I say? I'm only human.

So, I often have to make my embarrassing way back to the shops and, I must admit, get a little distracted and often deviate from my list. Who can walk past brightly-coloured raspberries and not buy them?

I often think to myself, hmmm, did I buy enough zucchini for the week? Are there any avocados left? Do we have enough bananas?

The answer is no. Always no. 

In my house, you can never have enough bananas. I always think we need more. So obviously, I listen to my gut, and buy a few more bananas. 

And that is the story behind why I always end up with one too many bananas.

But anyway, back to food blogging... 

When these potassium-rich fruits start to go a bit brown, don't panic! You can always freeze bananas for a smoothie bowl, or my famous mint choc chip smoothie. 

This time, instead of just freezing my bananas, I experimented with something a little different.

I've used a few extras to create something I’ve been craving of late:

Golden Gut Oatmeal Cookies.

You know when you're drinking a cup of tea (or chai in my case) in the afternoon and you longingly wish for the perfect, crunchy, yet chewy cookie to dunk in your cup? These are the cookies. They're full of the wonderful spices cinnamon, ginger and of course, turmeric (if you can’t tell… it’s my favourite) because of their anti-inflammatory properties and delicious tastes. 

To make adding ALL of these spices, plus my Love Your Gut powder, to recipes, as easy as possible for you and, to add a little bit of bang for your buck, I've created a beautiful product that I'm so excited to share with you. I just knew these cookies would be the perfect way to do it! Because I mean... cookies... hello?. 

I’m using my brand new, golden gut blend to make these cookies as simple to throw together and as good for you as possible! Golden gut is a raw whole food powder that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, low in fat, paleo and vegan. It contains organic food-grade diatomaceous earth naturally de-bittered organic turmeric, certified organic ginger, certified organic cinnamon and certified organic black pepper! It can help improve nutrient absorption, digestion and regulation PLUS it’s full of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties because of my favourite golden spice. It’s basically magical fairy dust, you can read more about it's magical powers and ambidextrous nature in the kitchen here. 

These cookies also contain gluten-free rolled oats which help lower your cholesterol levels, keep your bowels regular and your blood sugar levels low. Instead of regular white flour, we're using almond meal. Almond meal acts as a great alternative to normal flour because it’s gluten-free, low in carbohydrates, high in fibre, rich in good fats and adds a hefty source of plant-based protein.

Lo and behold, I’ve combined my love of sweet foods with my adoration of spice with these golden gut oatmeal cookies.

These cookies are high in fibre, healthy fats, protein and anti-inflammatory properties.  Looks like I'm going to have to keep buying one too many bananas more often... 

Golden Gut Oatmeal Cookies

Makes 12 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups gluten free rolled oats
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1 heaped tbs golden gut blend 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 egg whisked
• 2 bananas mashed
• 4 tbs raw honey or 1/2 tsp stevia powder
• 3 tbs unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

• Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius
• Place baking paper on baking tray 
• Place oats, almond meal, golden gut blend, and sea salt in a bowl and mix
• In a separate bowl add egg, banana, honey, butter and vanilla and stir
• Add wet ingredients to dry and mix with a wooden spoon adding more almond meal if mixture is a little wet.
• Scoop handfuls of dough together and roll into balls
• Place them onto baking sheet then press down with a hand or spatula to make a biscuit shape about 5 cms thick 
• Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 mins until golden (longer if you are making bigger cookies).
• Once ready place on a wire rack to cool.

Give them a try and let me know what you think in the comments section below.

It's time fire-up those kettles into full gear, keep the soup spoon handy and pull the fluffiest blanket out from the back of the cupboard – winter is here!

Winter is a time of hibernation, where we crave comfort foods and warming drinks. But we're usually so busy keeping warm, we tend to spend more time eating, less time cooking and even less time working out - which inevitably adds to that extra winter pudge! (Hello... Love Your Gut powder!)

But it's important to keep in mind that winter is also one of the best times of year to stock up on those essential nutrients and eat healthy.

My winter menu generally rotates between comforting soups, spicy stews, crispy stir fries, perfect porridges and spiced teas - all of which can be packed full of nutritional whole foods. Curries and stews are perfect for packing in your veggies and protein, but the misconception is that these delicious wintery meals take a lot of time to cook.

Enter your new best friend: the slow cooker!

Basically, a slow cooker does all the hard work for you, and they're easy to clean - which I know will have most home cooks cheering! If you're time-poor in the evenings, find some slow-cooker recipes - lamb shanks, curries and stews are perfect - throw the ingredients into the cooker, and it'll be ready for you at dinner time. 

Let's talk about gut health.

I receive hundreds of emails daily and numerous personal clients tell me that they're constantly confused when it comes to the health of their gut. Even though many of them are eating a healthy diet, they continue to experience serious issues with digestion, a lack of energy, debilitating brain fog and annoying skin breakouts.

Do you want to know what I tell them?

You can eat as many chia-seed puddings, green smoothies and raw spinach salads as you like. Eating healthy food doesn't always mean you're absorbing all of the beautiful nutrients from these foods. So no, eating a can of spinach won't always give you instant popping muscles like Popeye (sorry to crush any dreams!).

These foods are great for you BUT in our modern-day world, many people have problems absorbing all the possible nutrients they provide. As a result of pesticides and chemicals, our poor bodies are finding it hard to recognise, differentiate and digest the goodness that comes out of delicious produce. This is where loving your gut, through the use of my powder, kicks into play. 

How long does it take to change a tyre?

I don't know, but what I do know is that it takes only 15 seconds to love your gut!

Incorporating my Love Your Gut powder  into your everyday life is the easiest and quickest way to show your gut some love.

My powder, made from the finest naturopathic-grade Diatomaceous Earth in the world, is rich in absorbable iron, silica and other essential nutrients such as magnesium and calcium. It helps to gently sweep the gut and carefully wipe it clean - like a dentist check-up for your insides (which is way nicer for you than it sounds!).  You can find out more about Diatomaceous Earth in this video here.

Love Your Gut Powder helps you to absorb nutrients by removing built up plaque, allowing you to absorb more from your food and in turn it helps to switch on and improve your digestion.

We source our Diatomaceous Earth from the best source in the world, found in the United States, to ensure that it's the lightest and finest quality around, the Australian version just doesn't cut it when it comes to purity and quality!. 

It's so easy do take too...

All you need to do is put a tablespoon of my Love Your Gut Powder into a glass, mix it with water and drink it down.

And because it's FREEBIE FRIDAY, I also have a whole FREE eBook available full of great gut-healing recipes with my powder to help you on your way.

See how I work my gut-healing magic below. 

So... do you have 15 seconds to spare? Show your gut some love and I want to hear your results!

Let me know, the more information the better, I've heard it all ha! 🙂

Lee xo

There’s something that’s just so nourishing about starting the day with a big bowl of oatmeal. A spoon of porridge on a colder morning is like a warm hug for your insides!  

Oats are amazing for lowering our overall cholesterol levels, especially the ‘bad’ cholesterol known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein). High levels of LDL raise your risk of developing blood clots which can lead to heart diseases. While not all cholesterol is bad, LDL is one we need to look out for. 

They're packed full of soluble fibre, which reduces the absorption of LDL cholesterol in the blood. This means every morning you start your day off with a bowl of porridge, you’re fighting heart and cardiovascular disease!

Oats are one of the yummiest gut-healthy foods out there.  Not only are they delicious, they boost some beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract which can provide serious relief in cases of irritable bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

No bowl of oats is finished without beautiful berries. Berries have proven to help your brain think better and additionally, the antioxidant-rich fruits are great for maintaining control over our muscles – which is so important when it comes to ageing. If you want to get amongst the berry madness, why not try my Supercharged Summer Popsicles or Strawberry Teacakes?

I've combined the magical powers of oats with my Love Your Gut Powder for some extra gut-boosting love. This gutmeal is such an easy way to squeeze in some gut-healing benefits first thing in the morning. My LYG powder is remarkable for detoxification, aiding nutrient absorption and improving hair, skin and nails health. You can read more about the amazing benefits of LYG powder and purchase it here!

Now that’s a winning breakfast!

Gutmeal (Oatmeal with a Gut-Healing Twist)

Ingredients: 

• 1 TBSP LYG powder
• ½ cup of water
• ¼ cup of gluten free oats
• Pinch of  Celtic or Himalayan sea salt
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1/3 cup of mixed berries
• ¼ cup of coconut milk
• Handful chopped mint

Method:

1. Cook oats in water
2. Add sea salt and cinnamon
3. When cooked, stir in the LYG powder
4. Add milk and remove any lumps by stirring through
5. Top with berries and torn mint

Enjoy this tasty breakfast recipe to fill the belly and nourish the mind.