Millionaire shortbread was one of the few things I couldn’t resist in a cake shop but since being gluten free I’ve struggled to find a vegan version that isn’t overly sweet or whose base isn’t cloyingly stodgy. So I put my thinking cap on and came up with this delicious alternative. My innocent shortbread has all the hall marks of the original but none of the sins. Packed with nuts, coconut oil ...
Read MoreI love the oriental blend of Chinese five spice. I first encountered it in sweet treats when I made Gwyneth Paltrow’s muffins in her first healthy living book for Goop. They were delicious and I’ve been experimenting with it ever since. This is a really healthy treat packed with healthy spices – cinnamon, star anise, fennel, cloves and Sichuan pepper. I love that you get to choose what goes into ...
Read MoreWhen I first started easting clean I switched a few of the basics which I knew were filled with rubbish and mayo was one of them. I used to make a delicious cashew mayo and then I suddenly started reacting to cashews. Ahhh. They are in so many healthy recipes I’d created. Once I started experimenting with aquafaba things changed and this creamy, tangy vegan mayo is the result. 5 minutes, 6 ...
Read MoreThis bar was inspired by a mum of one of my daughter’s friends. They both row together and after a big race or a regatta they are seriously in need of some high density nutrition and this bar packs a real punch. Not one if you’re trying to lose a few pounds but a super nutritious treat for after a big workout or HIT session. Dry Ingredients 180g gluten free oats 60g oat flour (oats ground into ...
Read MoreI was teaching a group of women from MIBA (Mums In Business Association) my top tips on blogging recently and mentioned that I was waiting for my favourite brands (Sweaty Betty, Whitworths, Lucy Bee, etc) to get in touch and ask me to blog for them when completely out of the blue Whitworths messaged me to ask if I’d like to be one of their Christmas Contributors. Would I ever! Not only did I get ...
Read MoreMy latest invention, taking the gorgeous Arbonne Vanilla Protein , which I already adore, to another level my giving it a natural caramel taste. This is such a decadent breakfast and makes a perfect smoothie bowl. You can combine the two flavours, as I have done here, to just make a single flavour caramel or chocolate bowl instead. For me the discovery Arbonne’s gluten free, plant based protein ...
Read MoreI was having a conversation with a mum from the rowing club about the virtues of homemade nut and seed bars and she mentioned she had a lovely recipe her teenage son adored. Me being me I got the ingredients together without really reading the full recipe and got started. I realised I didn’t have the vegan butter alternative it suggested so thought I’d improvise with oil and oat milk to create my ...
Read MoreI was thinking about healthy savoury recipes I could make for snacking on while I’m in the middle of my 30 days to healthy living pan. I’ve pretty much given up sugar and so wanted some savoury snacks that would replace what I’d normally reach for when I have one of those standing at the fridge thinking what can I snack on moments! Here’s a great alternative to the classic hummus. Now you can ...
Read MoreI’ve been leading and participating in (on the grounds that I can then feel their pain - except that by day three I feel so fantastic I wonder why I don’t eat like this all year round) one of my 30 days to healthy living groups. One of the guiding principles is to balance the blood sugar as maintaining normal blood sugar levels is a very important part of avoiding long-term health issues, ...
Read MoreIn preparation for the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 29th Septemebe this year I’m preparing some delicious bakes as super treats for guests. Last year one of my neighbours came along thinking that with her allergies there would be nothing she could eat! As she said “I doubt I can eat anything but I’m here to support a good cause and a coffee always tastes better with friends ...
Read MoreSo these tasty little bars have turned out to be a big hit. I don’t think Mr H had ever eaten peanut better until he met me but some 20 years later, while his obsession with the stuff isn’t quite as big as mine, he does still love it! These are a tasty treat and packed with healthy fats, protein and vitamins. Enjoy Ingredients For the biscuit base ½ cup Arbonne vanilla protein powder ½ cup ...
Read MoreWhen I first posted the negative side of the kids favourite spread Nutella I had mums clamouring for me to devise an alternative recipe. Well months later,and tasting after tasting I can honestly say I have cracked it (excuse the pun!). My own daughter has been the guinea pig for my batch testing and when I gave her the jar with a spoonful of this on it she beamed and exclaimed – mummy you’ve ...
Read MoreThese Vegan, Gluten Free, and Raw Hazelnut Truffles first fell into my lap when I was surfing Instagram and my friend Patrycja from the blissful plate had just posted a batch she’d made earlier that day. They looked so delicious that I just had to get busy and start making them. Having been cutting back on my sugar for nearly 4 years I had a play with the quantities as I no longer have the sweet ...
Read MoreInspired 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 MoreYou know how much hummus we go through in the Hutchinson household. So much in fact that I’m always looking for new ways to spice up a batch so when I saw Dr Rupy’s spiced beetroot side dish I felt the need to experiment with it and create hummus from it too. Here’s my take on it. You can eat the beetroot as a side dish once it’s cooked so if you have more than 300g beetroot and want to make ...
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 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 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 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 MoreNew Year is the time that many wannabe fitness enthusiasts get their gym shoes on and take out a gym subscription only to fall by the way side by mid-month. But for the hardened gym fanatic it’s sometimes just as difficult to get going post New Year. You know the feeling; your leggings feel a little tighter round your waist and thighs (and you thought lycra was forgiving); when your heart races a ...
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’re 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 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 MoreEver had that sinking feeling when you put your trainers on post holiday and head back to the gym? You know the feeling; when your leggings feel a little tighter round your waist and thighs (and you thought lycra was super stretchy); when your heart races a little faster at just the thought of the stair stepper and you haven’t actually chosen a programme yet; when hovering at the vending machine ...
Read MoreI came back from 10 days of glorious sunshine in Italy to a wet and cold UK summer! Burr… where did the beautiful weather I left behind go too. I even lit the wood burner on Monday evening it was so chilly! I also returned home to a lavender hedge which is nearly over but for a few fresh flowers. Not wanting my lavender to go to waste I’ve been cooking up some treats in the form of these luscious ...
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 MoreDo you ever get that 3pm slump when you need a little boost and a simple Energy Fizz Stick alone won't do? I love to have some healthy treats in the fridge for just such emergencies. Homemade Energy Balls are a great snack to have on the go, pre a workout or in my desk draw. They keep me going and ensure I dont reach for the really unhealthy stuff that's in the vending machine. Raw Dried Cherry ...
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 MoreI have a new healthy treat in my lunch box this week! I’m always looking for healthy, low or no sugar snacks which I can eat when I feel the need for a quick pick me when out and about or on the go. Sometimes a homemade bar wrapped in foil or in a plastic container just doesn’t cut it and you need a more portable bar. If you do have the time to make your own, here’s my go-to recipe for protein ...
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 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 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 MoreIf your celebrations got a little out of hand last night then it might be a good idea to give your digestive system a little rest and help your body to alkalize and detoxify. Drink an Alkalizing green drink One of the easiest things you can do is to start your day with something that is alkaline, detoxifying, very nourishing, easily digested and easy to make. A green smoothie is ideal. Either mix ...
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 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 ...
Read MoreIf you’re just starting out on a wholefoods, clean eating programme there’s a vast amount of information out there and you’re probably super confused. It really can seem like a minefield. It’s simpler than it looks though, especially when you discover guilt free snacking! I know what you’re thinking. This is going to be one of those posts filled with ingredients you’ve never heard of from unknown ...
Read MoreHydration is so important for maintaining your energy levels. I stay hydrated by drinking two plus litres of filtered water through the day. I find I often reach for a snack thinking I’m hungry when I feel tired but I’m actually dehydrated so it’s good to make sure you’re drinking enough to stop yourself from eating when you don’t need to. I’ve noticed that I can often reduce the onset of a ...
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