Inspired by a friend’s chocolate banana bread she posted on FaceBook recently I have created my own vegan, gluten and refined sugar free version which pulls together inspiration from a couple of recipes I’ve been playing with over the last few months. If you’re anything like us, you’ll always have the odd over ripe banana in the fruit bowl. I freeze them into chunks and add them to cakes like ...
Read MoreI was off to a business network yesterday and wanted to take a sweet treat which was almost sugar free to show just how delicious eating sugar free can be. I’ve been eating what I call ‘clean’ – mostly plant based and wholefoods - for almost 4 years and it has quite literally changed my life. I no longer have the debilitating headaches I used to suffer with, my brain fog and lethargy have lifted ...
Read MoreYou ’ ve probably all worked out that we all love oats in this house. Being gluten intolerant I ’ ve found it important to create interesting breakfasts to keep me away from pining for toaste and crappy cereal. This month has been all about oats as it ’ s cold on a Saturday morning when Miss H takes to the rowing lake and getting something warm inside her (and me if I ’ m using the time she ’ s ...
Read MoreThis was a delicious experiment when we had some unexpectedly huge prawns delivered in our fish box from Fish For Thought . We love the ethos of this company and get pretty much all our fish delivered fresh from them. Use friends and family at the till for a discount. Although made with prawns this dish will work just as well with white fish cut into bite size chunks, monkfish is particularly ...
Read MoreYou know how it is. You have a favourite recipe that you make week in and week out for months and then something changes and you forget all about it. Well that’s what happened to these delicious energy balls. I simply stopped making them – no idea why as I love them, I’d just forgotten all about them. I remembered them this morning and cooked up a batch (technically there’s no real cooking ...
Read MoreWe love these tasty seedy crackers straight from the tin but they are equally nice with a spicy topping. You can experiment with the flavours but I’ve found the sweetness of the molasses and the fiery nature of the chilli work really well. Ingredients 125g quinoa flakes 50ml rapeseed oil 250g pumpkin seeds 130g sunflower seeds 50g linseeds 3-4 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary ¼ tsp salt 1 – 4 ...
Read MoreI got into Matcha last year after discovering Matcha Latte (made with almond or coconut milk). It made a refreshing change from peppermint tea when I wanted a warm drink that felt more indulgent than a herbal tea. Having given up caffeine 4 years ago I don’t miss the taste or the ritual of it (or the headaches I used to suffer) but I do sometimes miss the warmth of a creamy drink. These protein ...
Read MoreI’ve been experimenting with overnight oats for a while but I think it’s important to get the flavours right and add some texture too or all you end up with is a mushy goo. If that’s been your experience too, give these three delicious flavours a try – they have become staples in our household. The brilliant things about Overnight Oats is that they’re so easy to make, all you need to do is throw ...
Read MoreWhat do you do with all those unused root vegetables at the end of the week? My favourite option is to turn them into nutritious soup. This is one of my favourites. You can add pretty much anything you have to hand but I have a tied and tested recipe which seems to work well with a few tweaks here and there is we have a glut of spinach or chard etc Give it a go and let me know your favourite ...
Read MoreSometimes a good old Sunday Roast is just what you fancy. This was an experiment which was a huge success. Expect to see the chickpea stuffing coming up in many guises as I experiment with stuffing chicken breasts with a meditarean version too. I love roast vegetables and while Miss H has been reticent of late this was a real hit - possbly because there wasn't a roasted courgette in sight! You ...
Read MoreI love a home made granola where I know what’s gone into it and how much healthier it is than the shop brought stuff. This is the king of Granolas. It’s gluten free and made with coconut so is great for those who are oat intolerant too. Coconut is a fantastic source of good fat and helps you metabolise bad fat. Cocao, the purest form of chocolate without any added sugars is packed with anti- ...
Read MoreI love what I do. One of my clients recently said to me "It's like I've been transformed, just like a butterfly, and am emerging into the light. I've grown wings and am about to fly. I feel so different and it's all thanks to you". Who wouldn't love what they did when they got to work with people on major transformations which had them feeling this good. I love working with clients and ...
Read MoreI love a green juice mid-morning or mid-afternoon if I’m feeling like I need a break in the office or am just back from a dog walk. They seem to pick me up and provide a spring to my step. All that green goodness is a real energy boost. Although I’ve added so many greens I like to get a scoop of the Arbonne Greens Balance in there too as it has a broad spectrum of fruits and veg in it so you’re ...
Read MoreI’ve been experimenting with gluten free American style pancakes for ages. The mixture was either too thick to cook all the way through or so runny it became a flat pancake rather than a fluffy American style. These are pretty much perfect in every way. Packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, due to the addition of a plant based protein powder, they are super delicious. They make a perfect ...
Read MoreWhen I first suggested these as a brunch snack Mr H looked a little perplexed. I don’t know what he was expecting but they turned out much better than either of us anticipated. They are little dollops of yummy-ness on a plate. I like to serve them with a green salad, salad leaves or watercress, when in season. Half a sliced avocado and a poached egg on top really complete the dish. You could of ...
Read MoreIt’s that time of year. I am scanning the US sites with envy as I see all the amazing halloween displays and goodies to buy. Here in the UK we’ve a little late to join the Halloween party but I’ve been carving pumpkins for years and love the buzz of trick or treating on a cold October night, though I do struggle to give trick or treaters all that sugar as I see it as the enemy on so many levels. ...
Read MoreI love beetroot but no one else in the Hutchinson house will touch it. I’ve tried adding it to smoothies, chocolate brownies, soups but they still detect it so I’ve now given up and have to eat a whole bunch to myself. Shame! This beetroot hummus recipe came out of necessity. I had cooked some beetroot that had arrived in our organic box but had far more than I needed so was wondering what to do ...
Read MoreOh these little bars of heaven are oh so good. When I first made them they were devoured within minutes so if I want to keep them for more than a few days I have to double the batch ingredients (which fits in my tin better too) and pop them in the freezer, ideally with a label no one can read but me! They are super easy to make and because they are 'no bake' you could even get your kids making ...
Read MoreI love a refined sugar free protein bar that is also gluten free and these are just one of my best inventions. Not only are they packed with protein and super foods but they are super tasty – they’ll keep for a week in an airtight container (if you’re lucky) – they never last that long in our house! Give them a try and let me know what you think. Ingredients ½ cup quinoa flakes ½ cup gluten free ...
Read MoreI use this gluten free flour recipe for everything from thickening gravies and sauces to home baking. It’s a perfect combination which I love and it seems to work just like normal flour in almost all of my recipes. Ingredients 125g Brown rice flour 125g Sweet white sorghum flour 175g Tapioca flour 175g Cornflour 175g Potato starch 75g buckwheat flour Directions Mix all the flours together and ...
Read MoreSometimes you need cake that really feels indulgent. I've loved watching The Great British Bake Off over the years but i'm mostly left feeling hungry and disappointed that so many of the gluten free alterntives to traditional cakes are so dense, tasteless or packed with refined sugar. This was a superb exeriement that i undertook after I had a can of pineapple pieces left over from a birthday ...
Read MoreI’m a great one for saving ingredients then doing nothing with them so when I spotted 3 unripe bananas in the fruit bowl and I already had a freezer full of frozen banana pieces ready to make smoothies I thought I’d better use them up immediately or they’d be making compost in the wormery by next week. I have to say I’ve triumphed with this recipe. It is a beautiful, light, moist cake which you’d ...
Read MorePancakes always give a breakfast the feeling of having a treat but now you can feel good about it too. Packed with energy, these chia and flaxseed super soulfood pancakes really pack a punch. They are filled with healthy omega 3, fibre and protein. It’s quite literally rocket fuel for a plantpowered diet. Ingredients For the flaxseed egg 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed 6 tablespoons filtered water ...
Read MoreIngredients 2 tbsp coconut oil 2 onions, chopped ½ tsp each ground cinnamon, coriander and cumin 2 large courgettes, cut into chunks about 2cm 2 large tomatoes chopped ·400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 4 tbsp raisins 425ml vegetable stock 300g frozen peas chopped coriander, to serve For quinoa 100g quinoa 300ml hot vegetable tock Handful of fresh herbs chopped - i love to use corriander, ...
Read MoreI just love a plant based smoothie for breakfast or lunch. They fill me up, satisfy my hunger for hours and are packed with plant based protein, vitamins, minerals and probiotics. For me a smoothie used to be fruit and veggies alone but I was always starving a couple of hours later. Then I discovered Arbonne Protein powder and i've never looked back. I use a combination of their flavoured protein ...
Read MoreWhen it comes to eating healthy lunches when I’m busy my ‘Go To’ is a favourite shake. I love the way a Vegan protein shake fills me up, satisfies my hunger and helps me stay energised all afternoon and into the evening. But I sometimes feel that talking about healthy shakes isn’t for everyone. For those of you who still want a healthy lunch and who prefer to have a breakfast shake here’s a few ...
Read MoreIs Cauliflower Pizza really as good as the hype? I've read a lot about Cauliflower Pizza and to be honest I was a bit sceptical. Miss H loves Pizza. She's a teenager so despite our healthy living lifestyle if given a choice she would opt for a pizza as a treat every time. Perhaps because I’ve probably always been gluten intolerant but never realised it or had it diagnosed I’ve never been a big ...
Read MoreWhen it calls for a really super quick supper I can prep before I go out of the door In the morning, or even the night before, and have on the table in less than 10 minutes these are my go to favourites. We all love Salmon in our house and it’s so good for you too. It’s a high source of protein, one of the body’s building blocks, is packed with omega 3 fatty acids as well as being full of ...
Read MorePan-fried gurnard with broad bean, spinach and mint stew Many moons ago, before we adopted a healthy wholefoods lifestyle, we used to have a similar dish to this from a top UK chef which called for a whole pack of butter and mashed potato. It was delicious but not something we ate often as we knew, even then, that it wasn’t really doing us any good. We’re real foodies in our house so the supper ...
Read MoreWhen Breakfast needs to be ‘on the go’ these are my 'go to' Jars! Sometimes there simply isn’t time to sit down with the family for breakfast and that’s when a healthy wholefoods diet is key to success, well it is for me anyway. I can simply mix a quick and nutritious shake and drink it on the go. But how about when you need more than that? That’s when my latest invention is perfect. The ...
Read MoreWant to eat a more Plant based diet? Here’s a few great ways to start. Plant-based foods are becoming more and more popular in people's diets today. More and more individuals are looking for ways they can include aspects of the plant-based lifestyle in their own everyday lives, even if they don’t want to go completely vegan. This is certainly true for me and my family. I eat a pretty much vegan ...
Read MoreThis chocolate brownie jar is an easy (and last minute) gift idea, that’s perfect for all occasions – birthdays, mother’s day, and thankyous. It goes down a treat each and every time and it’s a super simple gift that everyone can enjoy! You will need: 1 mason jar Label to decorate Wooden spoon optional INGREDIENTS: Dry: ¾ cup oat flour ½ cup almond flour 2 tbsp cornflower 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/ ...
Read MoreShow how much you care with these Healthy mother’s Day breakfast recipes to get the day started right! Mother’s day is fast approaching so if you’re planning a day of treats why not start with a healthy Mother’s Day breakfast tray. Here’s my favourite breakfast recipes to kick start her day and ensure she is energised for all the fabulous activities you have planned for her. BUCKWHEAT CREPES ...
Read MoreThis vegan chilli is gluten free and packed full of protein! As a family we make an effort to eat vegan two or three days a week but with a very sporty teenager in the house I like to know we’re keeping up with our protein intake too. When I was vegetarian in my early 20s and 30s I had such a low protein diet that over time I became quite ill. I was living on carbohydrates and sugar and it really ...
Read MoreI made this new gluten free carrot cake recipe for Mr H’s birthday and it went down so well I think it will become a monthly treat. It’s gluten free of course and also dairy and refined sugar free so would even double as a snack on our 30 days to healthy living programme. We’ve created our own gluten free flour blend - recipe below - which I’ve used here but you can just as easily use a gluten ...
Read MoreEasy to make nutritious snacks ideas to keep your healthy eating on track! One of the things that has kept me on track with my new ‘healthy’ way of eating is to have plenty of healthy snacks at the ready when I feel the munchies coming on. I always concentrate on the things I can eat rather than fixating about the things I can’t. There are far more positives to eating a healthy wholefoods diet ...
Read MoreJanuary is my favourite time to detox. I get straight back into clean eating almost as soon as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st - and I love it. When I’m eating clean I love the way my body begins to feel again, how much energy I have and how quickly I fall asleep. My skin starts to glow (to be honest I’m always getting comments about how my skin glows but that’s a whole other blog ) ...
Read MoreClose your eyes and you really do think you’re eating cheesecake! This Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie is the most delicious thing, you might not quite believe it counts as a clean eating breakfast and it’s so filling there’s never any need to snack before lunch! Ingredients 5-6 ice cubes 1 serving Arbonne Essentials Vanilla Protein powder 1 scoop Arbonne Fibre plus 3/4 – 1 cup unsweetened almond ...
Read MoreI love hearty soups especially in the winter. I usually order a squash box at the beginning of the season from Riverford Organic Farms and they will last me for months. I store them in a cold dark place (the garage works for me) and they seem to last and last. Butternut squash are always in plentiful supply in our organic box too so I often use just them as the basis of a great soup. Here you can ...
Read MoreI’ve really struggled to find a good substitute for ‘normal’ bread and naan breads etc and then I came across this recipe from Tom Kerridge in his new book Tom Kerridge’s Dopamine Diet... Dopamine is a natural happy drug found in all sorts of foods and eating this way is now a way of life for Tom. It’s a similar philosophy to the clean eating philosophy I teach and it works. Tom’s lost 13 stone ...
Read MoreWe eat a lot of fish, even when we’re not eating clean and even Miss H loves it! Sea bass has such a fresh flavour that it goes really well with fennel and lemon. I love dishes that are quick and simple to prepare and cook and for me a one dish meal is a real win win which is why I love this. Simple to prep, put it all into the pan and leave it to cook while you chill with friends or family. I ...
Read MoreIt’s sometimes really difficult to be good and stay off the wheat and sugar at this time of year. Having a few healthy treats in the fridge or cupboard for when the munchies strike or to divert your focus when the Quality Street start to circulate will help. Here’s a few of my favourites: Ali’s Coconut Lemon Meltaway Snowballs I love having tiny treats available for when the munchies strike and ...
Read MoreThis is my go to recipe when I have a Vegan friend coming for ‘kitchen table’ supper. That makes me sound really posh, as if we had supper at a different table to the kitchen table quite often. We don’t. We used to have a separate dining room but, to be honest, it rarely got used to dining and when it did I felt the pressure to put on a four course spread with fancy napkins and all the trimmings ...
Read MoreI love soup and it’s a super filling soup for the coldest of days. Lentils are really healthy and a great source of protein so I often add them to salad, soups and make them into pates. The soup is especially good if you’re not much of a cook or just want something really quick and simple but that tastes delicious too. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1kg carrots peeled and chopped 120g red ...
Read MoreMiss H has a chocolate habit. She rows 5 times a week so she can afford to have it but I still don’t want her eating cheap chocolate and ending up diabetic like Olympic Rower Steve Redgrave. I often make a batch of these delicious raw chocolate bites to keep her going. At this time of year they are great in her rowing bag but in the summer it’s a no-no as they melt too quickly and are best eaten ...
Read MoreThese little balls are so easy to make and mouth-wateringly delicious. You simply put everything in a bowl, mix for a little, roll them into a ball shape and they are ready to eat in a matter of minutes. Children will love making them with you too. They are raw, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, refined sugar free, and even paleo-friendly? But what I really love is that they are ...
Read MoreI made these as a treat when our Danish friends and neighbours came round for coffee last year and they are the one of those treats that gets asked for again and again. She has the recipe now but more often than not I get asked to make them! Sadly they are about to move to London so I can see me having to take batches down to them…It’s a hard life but someone has to do it and any excuse for a day ...
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