Healthy Snacks | Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle https://brendajanschek.com Tue, 29 Nov 2022 02:58:23 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.15 Quick Feta and Olive Dip https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/quick-feta-and-olive-dip/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/quick-feta-and-olive-dip/#respond Tue, 16 Nov 2021 06:03:28 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=21399 My daughter likes to message me her food requests from school and the other day she had a desperate need for olive dip and Jatz crackers! The craving wasn’t random, it was triggered by what one of her friends was eating for lunch that day and which got my daughter salivating! As you can imagine my mind went directly to ‘how can I recreate the healthy version of this’ mode, but understanding that true cravings need to be met otherwise they don’t go away, I bought her them from the supermarket as a once of and boy did she enjoy […]

The post Quick Feta and Olive Dip first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> My daughter likes to message me her food requests from school and the other day she had a desperate need for olive dip and Jatz crackers!

The craving wasn’t random, it was triggered by what one of her friends was eating for lunch that day and which got my daughter salivating!

As you can imagine my mind went directly to ‘how can I recreate the healthy version of this’ mode, but understanding that true cravings need to be met otherwise they don’t go away, I bought her them from the supermarket as a once of and boy did she enjoy it!

Since then I took to task to recreate the dip and it’s darn delicious! I toasted up some Lebanese bread with za’atar spread as a crunchy dipping alternative to the Jatz crackers.

Home-made dips take 5 minutes to make and aren’t full of processed oils, preservatives, sugar, and numbers like most store-bought ones.  And remember, if you have a picky eater, studies show they are more likely to eat their veggies if paired with a dip! Give it a go!

Other dip recipes you might like…

Homemade Hummus
Roast Pumpkin Dip
Lunchbox Friendly Pesto

For 40 more scrumptious sweet and savoury recipes which are nut and refined-sugar free grab your copy of my Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes recipe book here. 

Print

Quick Feta and Olive Dip

Prep Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 180 g (1 packet) feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 100 g cream cheese
  • 55 g (1/3 cup) extra virgin olive oil
  • 120 g (1 cup) pitted black kalamata olives
  • 2 tbsp parsley, leaves removed, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tspn dried oregano

Instructions

  • Put parsley into the food processor and finely chop.
  • Add olives and process until blended.
  • Add yoghurt, cream cheese, olive oil, and oregano, blend until smooth.
  • Chill and serve with crudite, toasted Lebanese bread and/or crackers.

THERMOMIX INSTRUCTIONS

  • Pop parsley into the TMX bowl & chop 5 sec, speed 8-9, scrape down sides of bowl and repeat 5 seconds.
  • Add the olives and blend 3-sec speed 7, scrape sides of bowl if needed for a more few sec at speed 7.
  • Add yoghurt, cream cheese, and olive oil, blend 10 - sec, speed 7. If too thick pour in a little more oil or yoghurt. Scrape down sides again if needed and and blend 3-sec, speed 5.
    Serve with your favourite crackers or vegetable sticks.

If you make this recipe please do take photos and send them to me.

If you share them on instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek. Otherwise feel free to pm me your photos via Facebook. I get a total kick out of seeing you bring my recipes to life. 

Bren x

 

The post Quick Feta and Olive Dip first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/quick-feta-and-olive-dip/feed/ 0 Lebanese Meat Pizza (Lahembajin) https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/lebanese-meat-pizza-lahembajin/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/lebanese-meat-pizza-lahembajin/#respond Thu, 21 Oct 2021 05:57:20 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=21346 There are so many Middle Eastern recipes I was brought up eating and which hold lots of memories for me.  At our grand family gatherings, a great effort was always to entertain warmly and joyously, and always with lots of food! Lahembajin (Middle Eastern meat pizza) is one of those foods which signify gathering together to me and reminds me of the weekly parties my parents and relatives would hold when they migrated to Australia. There was always an abundance of food, music, and dancing! These meat pizzas are easy to serve and share with family and friends so I […]

The post Lebanese Meat Pizza (Lahembajin) first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> There are so many Middle Eastern recipes I was brought up eating and which hold lots of memories for me.  At our grand family gatherings, a great effort was always to entertain warmly and joyously, and always with lots of food!

Lahembajin (Middle Eastern meat pizza) is one of those foods which signify gathering together to me and reminds me of the weekly parties my parents and relatives would hold when they migrated to Australia. There was always an abundance of food, music, and dancing!

These meat pizzas are easy to serve and share with family and friends so I decided to recreate them and boy, did they go like hotcakes!

Don’t be fooled by the length of the recipe below, it really is simple to make. It looks long because I’ve included Thermomix instructions as well as traditional instructions for the pizza dough.  Noting, I just used a basic pizza dough recipe for the base which can be found in the Everyday Thermomix Cookbook

Print

Lebanese Meat Pizza (Lahembajin)

Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 9

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 500 grams white all-purpose flour or unbleached plain flour
  • 280 grams warm water
  • 2 teaspoons dry instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Meat Topping Ingredients

  • 250 grams lamb mince
  • 250 grams beef mince
  • 1 brown onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 large red capsicum, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 500 grams passatta
  • 100 grams tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
  • 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
  • 1.5 teaspoons thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano or dried mint

Instructions

Dough Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix together yeast with 1 cup warm water and allow to proove for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, oil and remaining warm water plus the yeast preparation. Mix together with your hands and knead until a smooth, soft dough forms, adding more water or flour if needed. Form it into a ball and place into a bowl. Cover with a clean towel and place in a warm location until dough rises to double the size (can take 1-2hrs).
  • Once the dough is ready, on a lightly floured surface, form the dough into golf ball size balls (approxiately 9 in total) Roll out balls thinly into circles (mine are never perfect!) should be around 19 cm in diameter. Place on baking tray.

Thermomix Dough Instructions

  • Place water and yeast in the mixing bowl and heat 1min/37/speed 1.
  • Add all remaining ingredients and mix 6 sec/speed 6 then knead for one and a half minutes.
  • Form a ball out of the dough and transfer it to a bowl. Cover with a tea towel and allow to prove for 1-2 hours in a warm place if possible.
  • Once the dough is ready, on a lightly floured surface, form the dough into golf ball size balls (approximately 9 in total) Roll out balls thinly into circles (mine are never perfect!) should be around 19 cm in diameter. Place on baking tray.

Meat Topping Instructions

  • Line 2 baking trays with baking paper and preheat oven to 220 degrees celcisus.
  • In a medium bowl mix the meat toppings together and pop into the fridge until the dough is ready.
  • Place 1.5-2 tablespoons meat mixture on top of the dough circles and spread it evenly across the whole surface.
  • Bake for 10-15minutes or until meat is cooked and dough is slightly golden.

If you make this recipe and share on Instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek.

Otherwise, feel free to pm me your photos via Facebook.

While you’re here you may like to check out my recipe ebook, Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes.

It’s packed with 40 delicious nut-free, refined sugar-free sweet and savoury recipes which have all been kid-tested and approved! 

Other Middle Eastern recipes you might like are…

Mjaddra (lentils and rice)

Middle Eastern Spiced Chickpea Rice

Bren x

The post Lebanese Meat Pizza (Lahembajin) first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/lebanese-meat-pizza-lahembajin/feed/ 0 Healthy Chocolate Banana Protein Ice Cream https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/healthy-chocolate-banana-protein-ice-cream/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/healthy-chocolate-banana-protein-ice-cream/#respond Fri, 01 Oct 2021 06:30:43 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=21298 Both my teens are athletes and have requested extra protein in their meals in general, even in their healthy treats. I’m so proud of how delicious my new recipe for Healthy Chocolate Banana Protein Ice cream tastes using just 6 ingredients. My son agreed and said that it tasted somewhere between ice cream and mousse! Lately, my son, in particular, has become very disciplined when it comes to sweet foods and I’ve been making more and more low-sugar, high protein sweet options for him and he is thrilled to have this as a tasty high protein option to have for […]

The post Healthy Chocolate Banana Protein Ice Cream first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> Both my teens are athletes and have requested extra protein in their meals in general, even in their healthy treats.

I’m so proud of how delicious my new recipe for Healthy Chocolate Banana Protein Ice cream tastes using just 6 ingredients. My son agreed and said that it tasted somewhere between ice cream and mousse!

Lately, my son, in particular, has become very disciplined when it comes to sweet foods and I’ve been making more and more low-sugar, high protein sweet options for him and he is thrilled to have this as a tasty high protein option to have for dessert or a snack.

The natural sweetness from fresh bananas combined with milk of choice makes a delicious and simple ice cream swap that also makes a perfect breakfast option, especially for the athletes in the house, providing a good balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats for sustained and longer-lasting energy.

I recommend eating it straight after it’s made for the best consistency, if you put it in the freezer, just make sure you pull it out 20mins-30 before serving as it needs to soften.

Are you following me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest?

DEALING WITH FUSSY EATING? WE CREATED THE FUSSY EATING BUNDLE TO HELP AS MANY PARENTS AS POSSIBLE INSTIL POSITIVE EATING HABITS IN THEIR CHILDREN AND PROVIDE LIFELONG JOYFUL A RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD, THUS CREATING PEACEFUL, STRESS-FREE MEALTIMES. FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Print

Healthy Chocolate Banana Protein Ice Cream

Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 3

Equipment

  • High Powered Blender

Ingredients

  • 2 large frozen bananas, peeled and sliced
  • 1 tbsp cacao powder
  • 1 tbsp protein powder, chocolate or vanilla flavoured
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/8 cup almond milk or milk of choice, add a bit extra if the mixture is too thick but you don't want it too loose either. Aim for a soft serve consistency
  • 1 tspn cinnamon powder, optional

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a high powered blender and blitz on high until well combined.
  • Eat immediately or store in freezer.

Notes

Have a little taste and add a little maple syrup if needed.
This is best served immediately as soft-serve ice cream. If you want to eat it later store it in the freezer but remove from the freezer 20-30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften. 

 

If you know someone who could use some healthy treat inspiration, please share this recipe with them!

And please take photos and send them to me, or if you share them on Instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek

You might also like this Mango Sorbet or this Berry Smoothie Bowl.

The post Healthy Chocolate Banana Protein Ice Cream first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/healthy-chocolate-banana-protein-ice-cream/feed/ 0 Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Biscuits https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/dark-chocolate-dipped-orange-biscuits/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/dark-chocolate-dipped-orange-biscuits/#respond Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:03:35 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=21057 Dark chocolate and fresh orange are a match made in heaven When my husband notified me that we needed to use up the oranges in our fruit bowl I knew straight away I wanted to make these biscuits! The flavour is divine, the hint of orange from the zest and fresh juice marries perfectly with the slight sweetness and bitterness of the dark chocolate ( though my son insists milk chocolate would be better). I had some extra melted chocolate so I decided to use it up by covering some entire biscuits and let’s just say you might want to […]

The post Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Biscuits first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> Dark chocolate and fresh orange are a match made in heaven

When my husband notified me that we needed to use up the oranges in our fruit bowl I knew straight away I wanted to make these biscuits!

The flavour is divine, the hint of orange from the zest and fresh juice marries perfectly with the slight sweetness and bitterness of the dark chocolate ( though my son insists milk chocolate would be better). I had some extra melted chocolate so I decided to use it up by covering some entire biscuits and let’s just say you might want to accidentally have some extra chocolate too!

Are you following me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest?

 

Print

Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Biscuits

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 18

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white spelt flour you can use unbleached plain flour also
  • 1 cup wholemeal spelt flour you can use white spelt flour or unbleached plain flour also
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 125 grams unsalted butter, room temperature and softened
  • 1/2 cup rapadura or coconut sugar or castor sugar if that's what you've got
  • 1 small egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large orange, zested
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 125 grams dark chocolate I use 70% but if you find it too bitter, you can use a lighter dark chocolate.

Instructions

  • Line 2 trays with unbleached baking paper
  • Combine the flours and baking powder in a small bowl
  • In a separate large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with electric beaters until pale and creamy - around 2 minutes
  • Beat in the egg, vanilla, orange juice and zest, then fold in the flour mixture until just combined
  • Pop the dough into the fridge for 20-30 minutes
  • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees fan forced
  • Roll 1 heaped tablespoon of mixture at a time into balls, place on tray and flatten biscuits lightly. I fit 9 on each tray evenly spaced out.
  • Bake for approx 15 minutes or until the biscuits are lightly golden, then allow to cool on tray for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While biscuits are cooling melt dark chocolate in a small saucepan on very low heat (or use bain marie method), stirring frequently. Dip one side of the cooled biscuits into the melted chocolate then place back onto the wire rack until chocolate sets.
  • Store in air tight jar for up to a week. Can be frozen.

Here are some other delicious biscuit recipes you’ll love!

Ginger Biscuits

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies 

Peanut and Choc Chip Biscuits 

Chai, Date and Sesame Biscuits 

 

The post Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Biscuits first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/dark-chocolate-dipped-orange-biscuits/feed/ 0 Banana Energy Balls https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/banana-energy-balls/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/banana-energy-balls/#respond Wed, 09 Jun 2021 04:43:08 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=20991 These banana bliss balls make for a naturally sweet and healthy snack. All you need to do is toss everything into a food processor, roll it into balls, and pop in the fridge! Healthy fats, fibre and protein are all packed into these bite-sized treats which need no baking and take only 10 minutes to make! These are perfect to give to your kids when they need a quick energy-boost or for when you might be feeling that mid-afternoon slump. It’s no secret, I’m a fan of the energy ball, you might already have a favourite recipe from my blog […]

The post Banana Energy Balls first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> These banana bliss balls make for a naturally sweet and healthy snack. All you need to do is toss everything into a food processor, roll it into balls, and pop in the fridge!

Healthy fats, fibre and protein are all packed into these bite-sized treats which need no baking and take only 10 minutes to make!

These are perfect to give to your kids when they need a quick energy-boost or for when you might be feeling that mid-afternoon slump.

It’s no secret, I’m a fan of the energy ball, you might already have a favourite recipe from my blog like Cookie Dough Energy Balls, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Balls, No Bake Peanut Butter Balls, or perhaps my Raw Cacao Balls?

Print

Banana Bliss Balls

Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 16

Ingredients

  • 1.5 large ripe bananas
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup desiccated coconut plus extra for rolling
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tspn ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup macadamias or cashews or mix of both
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup, raw honey or brown rice syrup
  • small pinch sea salt
  • dark chocolate chips optional but recommended

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into high speed food processor/Thermomix and blend in high speed until combined and mixture starts to clump together. 
  • Roll into balls, press around 3 dark chocolate chips into each ball, rolls in coconut to coat.
  • Store in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.

If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration, take a look at my new recipe ebook which is getting rave reviews, Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes.

It’s packed with 40 delicious nut-free, refined sugar free sweet and savoury recipes which have all been kid-tested and approved!

If you make this recipe please do take photos and send them to me.

If you share them on instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek. Otherwise feel free to pm me your photos via Facebook. I get a total kick out of seeing you bring my recipes to life.

The post Banana Energy Balls first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/banana-energy-balls/feed/ 0 Ginger Biscuits https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/ginger-biscuits/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/ginger-biscuits/#respond Tue, 13 Apr 2021 01:09:50 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=20458 It is always good to have a few quick and easy recipes available, and this recipe for ginger biscuits is certainly one that we’ve been using again and again. These have a lovely strong gingery flavour with a darkness and hint of exoticness from the molasses and they really do go so well with a cup of tea in the winter time. I’m obsessed with ginger and use it in so many of my recipes and if you read my post 3 Quickies with Ginger Plus 2 Recipes you’ll know why you should be obsessed with ginger too! Here’s my […]

The post Ginger Biscuits first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> It is always good to have a few quick and easy recipes available, and this recipe for ginger biscuits is certainly one that we’ve been using again and again.

These have a lovely strong gingery flavour with a darkness and hint of exoticness from the molasses and they really do go so well with a cup of tea in the winter time.

I’m obsessed with ginger and use it in so many of my recipes and if you read my post 3 Quickies with Ginger Plus 2 Recipes you’ll know why you should be obsessed with ginger too! Here’s my recipe for Ginger Snap Cookie Shapes if you’re after a fresher, lighter biscuit.

Are you following me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest?

And please SIGN UP TO MY FREE NEWSLETTER HERE to receive free recipe updates and special offers delivered to your inbox.

Print

Ginger Biscuits

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 25

Ingredients

  • 250 grams butter
  • 180 grams rapadura or coconut sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 2 tbsps ground ginger
  • 2 tsps ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp bicarb soda
  • pinch sea salt
  • 380 grams wholemeal spelt flour or any flour of your choice

Instructions

  • Place the butter, sugar, maple syrup, molasses, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg into your Thermomix bowl and cook for 8 minutes, 60 degrees, speed 2.
  • Add the bicarbonate of soda, salt and flour and mix for 20 seconds, speed 8.
  • Knead for 2 minutes and allow mixture to cool for a few minutes.
  • While it's cooling preheat your oven to 180 degrees and line two baking trays with paper.
     
  • Using a tablespoon, scoop up and roll into balls. Place onto your baking trays and lightly flatten with a fork and bake for 11 minutes. Check cookies and if not too golden cook for a further 2-5 minutes.
  • Allow the ginger biscuits to cool in the oven if you want them to go hard, or on the trays for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Store in airtight container for up to 7 days. Can freeze. 

I hope you enjoy these Ginger Biscuits. If you try the recipe I’d love it if you could post a comment for me.

Bren x

The post Ginger Biscuits first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/ginger-biscuits/feed/ 0 Chocolate Porridge https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/chocolate-porridge/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/chocolate-porridge/#respond Mon, 04 Jan 2021 23:54:37 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=20300 Feel like a rich, slightly decadent breakfast that’s still simple and healthy? This Chocolate Porridge is made with rolled oats and cacao and is rich, creamy and delicious and guaranteed to hit the spot. Not too sweet, easy and quick to make, great for snack leftovers or breakfast the next day, and full of nutritious ingredients packed full of fibre, magnesium, whole grains, and antioxidants. I make mine vegan and dairy-free by using almond milk and I just love it with a teaspoon of peanut butter swirled in at the end, then topped with lots of different textures like berries, […]

The post Chocolate Porridge first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> Feel like a rich, slightly decadent breakfast that’s still simple and healthy?

This Chocolate Porridge is made with rolled oats and cacao and is rich, creamy and delicious and guaranteed to hit the spot. Not too sweet, easy and quick to make, great for snack leftovers or breakfast the next day, and full of nutritious ingredients packed full of fibre, magnesium, whole grains, and antioxidants.

I make mine vegan and dairy-free by using almond milk and I just love it with a teaspoon of peanut butter swirled in at the end, then topped with lots of different textures like berries, banana, coconut flakes, nuts and seeds and buckinis ….The options are endless!

Print

Chocolate Porridge

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 2 cups your choice of milk I used almond milk
  • 1/2 cup filtered water
  • pinch sea salt
  • 2 tbsp raw cacao mixed with 2 tablespoons hot water
  • 1.5 tbsp maple syrup or you can use rapadura or coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tspn vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Pour the milk and 1/2 cup water into a saucepan. Add the oats and sea salt and bring to boil. Reduce to a light simmer and stir occasionally for 5 minutes.
  • Whilst this is cooking, add the cacoa powder and 2 tablespoons hot water into a small bowl and mix to create a smooth paste.
  • Add the cacoa paste, maple syrup and vanilla extract, to the oats. Mix well to combine and keep simmering for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally so the porridge doesn't stick to the bottom of the saucepan. Take off the heat but leave covered for a few more minutes to achieve more creaminess.

Notes

If the porridge is too thick for you liking just add extra liquid, a little at a time.
Adjust sweetener as necessary to suit your tastebuds.
You can also add in half a mashed banana for extra, natural sweetness in the last 5 minutes.
See my comments above for my favourite healthy topping ideas. 
This porridge is even tastier the next day so be sure to make extra for leftovers! 

If you make this recipe and share on instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek.

Otherwise feel free to pm me your photos via Facebook.

If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration, take a look at my recipe ebook getting rave reviews, Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes.

It’s packed with 40 delicious nut-free, refined sugar free sweet and savoury recipes which have all been kid-tested and approved!

Other breakfast recipes you might like:

Berry Smoothie Bowl

Strawberry and Coconut Crumble 

Golden Honey and Ricotta Wraps

 

The post Chocolate Porridge first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/chocolate-porridge/feed/ 0 Easy Thermomix Brownies https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/easy-thermomix-brownies/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/easy-thermomix-brownies/#respond Thu, 24 Sep 2020 07:21:28 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=20155 What makes these brownies healthier than your average brownie? These brownies have less sugar, no refined sugar and lovely wholemeal spelt flour making it a delicious, healthy option to satisfy those chocolate cravings. As I write this I’m smack bang in the middle of home renovations and drowning in a sea of decision making which has stifled my creativity in the kitchen. Until a craving for brownies hit that is. For a moment I contemplated making my Hot Chocolate Cake with Honeyed Cream or Double Chocolate Banana Slab Cake, but something told me only a brownie would hit the spot. […]

The post Easy Thermomix Brownies first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> What makes these brownies healthier than your average brownie?

These brownies have less sugar, no refined sugar and lovely wholemeal spelt flour making it a delicious, healthy option to satisfy those chocolate cravings.

As I write this I’m smack bang in the middle of home renovations and drowning in a sea of decision making which has stifled my creativity in the kitchen. Until a craving for brownies hit that is. For a moment I contemplated making my Hot Chocolate Cake with Honeyed Cream or Double Chocolate Banana Slab Cake, but something told me only a brownie would hit the spot.

I took the shortest route possible by throwing together a Thermomix version. Truth be known, I don’t use my Thermomix that much, but I do find it handy for quick desserts like these!

Many of the ingredients in this recipe can be sourced from my one-stop-favourite, organic wholefoods online store, The Wholefood Collective. They go to great lengths to ensure everything they source is amazing quality, they stock all my favorite products and I don’t even have to leave the house! Oh and the cherry on the cake is they donate profits to improve food security for vulnerable Aussies.

Here are some of the ingredients you’ll need:

Cacao Powder
Whole Spelt Flour 
Rapadura Sugar
Salt

If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration take a look at my ebook, Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes. It’s packed with 40 delicious nut-free, refined sugar free sweet and savoury recipes which have all been kid-tested and approved and take the guess work out of what delicious, healthy food to make your kids for lunch!

Print

Easy Thermomix Brownies

Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes

Equipment

  • Thermomix

Ingredients

  • 150 grams unsalted butter
  • 220 grams brown, rapadura or coconut sugar
  • 75 grams cacao powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 75 grams white or wholemeal spelt flour or mix of both
  • pinch sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 170°C and line a 20cm square baking tin with baking paper with some overhang so you can remove easily once cooked.
  • Place the butter, sugar and cocoa powder into the Thermomix bowl and heat for 3 mins/70/speed 2.
  • Add vanilla essence and eggs and mix for 35 secs/speed 4. Scrape down sides.
  • Add flour and salt and mix for 4 sec/speed 5. Scrape down the sides of bowl tand mix again for 3 sec/speed 5.
  • Pour mixture into prepared tin. Cook for 25-30 mins. Check consistency with toothpick at 20 minutes. Remember to undercook slightly to avoid a cakey texture as the brownie will continue to cook whilst cooling and resting.
  • Leave to cool completely in the tin before cutting up into squares.

 

If you make this recipe and share on instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek.

Otherwise feel free to pm me your photos via Facebook.

The Wholefood Collective

  • Free Breakfast Recipe eBook

    As far as breakfast cereal goes, I always say, “you may as well eat the box’, it’s probably more nutritious than what’s inside! Here are 5 things to think about before you reach for the boxed cereal in the supermarket.
    Download Now
The post Easy Thermomix Brownies first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/easy-thermomix-brownies/feed/ 0 Berry Smoothie Bowl https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/smoothie-bowl/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/smoothie-bowl/#respond Mon, 07 Sep 2020 02:59:25 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=20104 Smoothie bowls are on high rotation in my household. But are they actually healthy for you? Delicious and creamy. Sweet, satisfying, and quick! How healthy are these bowls really? Smoothie bowls are fruit-based which means while it’s all-natural sugar they can contain far more servings of fruit than you’d typically eat in one sitting. In its blended form, the fructose hits the bloodstream quickly and all at once. All that fructose can spike insulin and get you riding the blood sugar roller coaster. And because smoothie bowls are carbohydrate-based you can end up hungry again very soon after. The trick […]

The post Berry Smoothie Bowl first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> Smoothie bowls are on high rotation in my household. But are they actually healthy for you?

Delicious and creamy. Sweet, satisfying, and quick! How healthy are these bowls really?

Smoothie bowls are fruit-based which means while it’s all-natural sugar they can contain far more servings of fruit than you’d typically eat in one sitting. In its blended form, the fructose hits the bloodstream quickly and all at once. All that fructose can spike insulin and get you riding the blood sugar roller coaster.

And because smoothie bowls are carbohydrate-based you can end up hungry again very soon after.

The trick is to make sure there is enough protein, fat, and fibre to balance out the carbs and get a slower release and stable breakdown in the body.  This is why I always recommend including things like nuts, seeds, yogurt, and protein powder to slow down that fast release.

Smoothie bowls topped with lots of fruit are popular and make the bowl look very pretty and Instagram worthy but I try to limit the fruit toppings for more fat and protein-based toppings like nuts, seeds coconut flakes or shreds and my homemade granola.

The same goes for your regular ol’ smoothies like this Choc-Banana Nut Butter Smoothie and Ginger Mint and Green Apple Smoothie. 

In the recipe below you’ll see how I make my smoothie bowls with one of our favourite combinations.

Print

Berry Smoothie Bowl

Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Author Brenda Janschek

Ingredients

  • 1 cup your favourite frozen berries or you can replace berries for frozen mango
  • 1 banana, frozen and sliced
  • ¼ cup mixed raw cashews and chia seeds or macadamias and almonds work well too
  • 2 tbsp natural or Greek yoghurt
  • 1 scoop protein powder optional
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1/4 cup milk of choice add extra if needed

Toppings

  • 2-3 tbsp homemade granola
  • 1 tbsp coconut flakes or shredded coconut
  • fruit sliced paw paw, banana, berries or your fruit of choice (optional)
  • 1 tsp chia seeds
  • 1 tbs peanut butter optional

Instructions

  • Blend up nuts and seeds until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend on low until smooth
  • Serve into bowls with toppings

If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration take a look at my ebook, Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes. It’s packed with 40 delicious nut-free, refined sugar free sweet and savoury recipes which have all been kid-tested and approved and take the guess work out of what delicious, healthy food to make your kids for lunch!

If you make this recipe and share on instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek.

Otherwise feel free to pm me your photos via Facebook.

Other recipes you might like are Anti-oxidant Smoothie and Super Smoothie. 

  • Free Breakfast Recipe eBook

    As far as breakfast cereal goes, I always say, “you may as well eat the box’, it’s probably more nutritious than what’s inside! Here are 5 things to think about before you reach for the boxed cereal in the supermarket.
    Download Now
The post Berry Smoothie Bowl first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/smoothie-bowl/feed/ 0 Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Balls https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/chocolate-peanut-butter-bliss-balls/ https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/chocolate-peanut-butter-bliss-balls/#respond Wed, 29 Jul 2020 23:32:05 +0000 https://brendajanschek.com/?post_type=ra-recipe&p=20033 These these bite-sized, gluten-free, fudge-y balls with just 6 simple ingredients are the bomb! The recipe is filled with nutritious ingredients including mood-boosting cocoa powder and protein packed peanut butter. Plus, they are naturally sweetened with medjool dates instead of refined sugar. Bliss balls always make the perfect healthy treat for when those sugar cravings hit. They’re a great snack for on-the-go and the perfect pick-me-up for anyone in the family who needs a nice boost of slow burning energy. We’ve always got a batch of bliss balls going like these 5 minute apple and cinnamon bliss balls, Cookie Dough […]

The post Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Balls first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> These these bite-sized, gluten-free, fudge-y balls with just 6 simple ingredients are the bomb!

The recipe is filled with nutritious ingredients including mood-boosting cocoa powder and protein packed peanut butter. Plus, they are naturally sweetened with medjool dates instead of refined sugar. Bliss balls always make the perfect healthy treat for when those sugar cravings hit. They’re a great snack for on-the-go and the perfect pick-me-up for anyone in the family who needs a nice boost of slow burning energy.

We’ve always got a batch of bliss balls going like these 5 minute apple and cinnamon bliss balls, Cookie Dough Energy Balls, Chocolate Orange Truffles and now these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Balls will be on high request because the kids have declared them their fave.

If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration take a look at my ebook, Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes. It’s packed with 40 delicious nut-free, refined sugar free sweet and savoury recipes which have all been kid-tested and approved and take the guess work out of what delicious, healthy food to make your kids for lunch!

Print

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Balls

Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 125 grams Medjool dates, pitted
  • 2 tablespoons Cacao powder
  • 2 tablespoons Peanut butter
  • 3/4 cup Mixed nuts and seeds I used pepitas, chia seeds, brazil nuts, almonds, hazelnuts and cashews
  • 1/2 cup Desiccated coconut plus extra for rolling
  • 1-2 tablespoons Brown rice syrup or maple syrup (optional) dates may provide enough sweetness

Instructions

  • Pop all ingredients into a food processor and blend until all the ingredients clump together. Scoop around a tablespoon at a time and roll into a ball and roll in desiccated coconut if desired or leave plain. Should make around 12 balls. Store in the fridge.

Notes

I always double the recipe for bliss balls because they keep so well in the freezer. If you double this recipes then it becomes easy to add more variety of nuts and seeds too. 

If you make this recipe and share on instagram, remember to tag me @brendajanschek.

Otherwise feel free to pm me your photos via Facebook.

 

The post Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Balls first appeared on Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle.]]> https://brendajanschek.com/recipe/chocolate-peanut-butter-bliss-balls/feed/ 0