ginger and apple puree in glass jars displayed with apples

Apple & Ginger Puree – Adrenal Healing Snack

Lovely Apple Puree with a Sweet Kick

Do you like apple puree but thought it could do with a bit of a re-vamp? Then here it is! This apple puree comes with a special warming ginger kick plus deliciously added sweetness from some succulent dried medjool dates. A super healthy go-to-snack when you need that little pick me up but don’t want to grab that naughty chocolate bar. Apple puree is also a great winter-warming snack for your kids or delicious as an after dinner or lunch dessert that won’t leave you feeling guilty.

Adrenal Healing ?

This Apple Puree is not only delicious it’s also good for your Adrenals & Your happy Hormones

The combination of ingredients in this puree delivers the right balance of glucose (apple), sodium (celery) and potassium (date) that your body needs in order to prevent blood sugar dips that force your adrenals to fill in and release adrenaline. Eating the right kind of snacks every few hours helps to restore your adrenals and brings your stress hormones back into balance. Click here for more info on adrenal snacks and adrenal health.

Dates are not only packed with potassium. Dates also contain phyto-hormones that resemble oxytocin, the ‘tend and befriend hormone’. Chewing dates slowly can thus calm you down and cheer you up in stressful situations. Date sugars also contain more complex carbohydrates than other fruits. These complex carbohydrates take longer to digest. Because of this they release their energy more slowly into your body and curb your appetite longer than simple sugars.

ayurveda

Feeling Vata: This is a very good snack for you, feel free to eat it a few times during the day. Especially if you are very Vata or if you’re adrenals are exhausted (adrenal fatigue, etc.). If you feel very Vata you can omit the celery and replace with half a sweet potatoe (cooked). Soak your dates before cooking.

Feeling Pitta:  This snack works well for you. Leave it as it is, but ensure the apple is sweet and not sour and the dates have been soaked prior to using

Feeling Kapha: Dates can aggravate an already heavy Kapha. Simply make this recipe without the dates.

Healing Recipe

Apple & Ginger Puree – Adrenal Healing Snack

ginger and apple puree in glass jars displayed with apples

Apple & Ginger Puree – Adrenal Healing Snack

Do you like apple puree but thought it could do with a bit of a re-vamp? Then here it is! This apple puree comes with a warming ginger kick and a very delicious sweetness from the added dates. A super healthy go-to-snack when you need that little pick me up but don’t want to grab that naughty chocolate bar. Apple puree is also a great winter-warming snack for your kids or delicious as an after dinner or lunch dessert that won’t leave you feeling guilty.
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium apple chopped
  • 1 thumb size knob of fresh ginger chopped
  • 2 medium dates chopped
  • half a teapsoon of cinnamon optional
  • half a stalk of celery chopped
  • 1 tsbp of maple syrup optional
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Add the chopped apple to a heavy bottom sauce-pan and turn to medium to high heat. Add one or two tablespoons of water and start cooking.
  • Add the chopped dates.
  • Add the chopped celery stalk.
  • Cook on medium to high heat with a lid on between 10 – 15 minutes until the apples are well cooked and a bit mushy.
  • Once cooked turn off the heat and let cool down for a few minutes.
  • Add the apples, dates & celery mix to a high-speed blender. Add the chopped ginger.
  • Add the lemon juice.
  • Blend on high-speed until you have a creamy mix.
  • Optional: add a spoonful of maple syrup for some added sweetness.
  • Optional: add half a teaspoon of cinammon.

Notes

Store in an air-tight glass jar. Keeps in the fridge for a few days. 
Keyword apple, celery, dates, dessert, ginger, puree, snack, sweets

Bombtastically Sweet Yet Healthy Smoothie Goodness green smoothie in a clear glass jar with straw held by a beautiful girl in a summer dress

Bombtastically Sweet Yet Healthy Smoothie Goodness

This green smoothie will land in your mouth like a bomb and you will be so pleased it did! It tastes so good you’ll wonder what’s the catch.
Well, let me tell you there ain’t one. Just happy cleansing veggies, sweet fruity energy for your liver and absolutely no nasties! Turn it up, get stuck in and ENJOY your green Godess of Love.

I love this smoothie as a great mid-day pick-me up when I’m having that afternoon slump. Instead of a coffee I’ll make myself this yummy potion and BAM, I am revived and ready to get on cracking with my day.


Key ingredients:

Dates: high in potassium, vitamin A and fibre, dates boost energy naturally. Use dates during the day as great pick me up instead of greabbing a coffee or caffeinated tea. Great for people with anemia, a handful of dates a day can help: only a handful contains around 1mg of this necessary mineral.

Celery: celery and celery juice like in this smoothie has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Plus its super high mineral content is a super-bug cleanser, cleansing through your digestive tract like its no tomorrow. Whilst at the same time providing healing to the sensitive lining of your digestive tract.

Spirulina: spirulina is my go to natural multi-vitamin. It’s more nutrient dense than any other plant on the planet boosting a variety of vitamins and minerals. It’s also brim packed with protein and B12, which makes it a great food for anyone on a vegetarian and especially vegan diet. On top of that spirulina is a great detoxifier, cleansing your body of nasty heavy metals and even radiation. Organic hawain grown spirulina is the best quality you should look out for.

ayurveda scales balance vata pitta kapha

Vata: This smoothie is great for you, just make sure you soak the dates and that you stew your fruits properly.

Pitta: Enjoy this smoothie but leave out the following ingredients: banana and spinach. Simply use more mango and more leafy greens of your choice instead.

Kapha: You can enjoy this smoothie but leave out the banana and the dates. If very heavy in kapha omit the mango also You can use two apples instead of just one, and load up on double the greens.

Weekly Recipe

Bombtastically Sweet – Yet Healthy Smoothie Godess

Yield: 1 Large Glass

Bombtastically Sweet - Yet Healthy Smoothie Godess

Bombtastically Sweet - Yet Healthy Smoothie Godess

This green smoothie will land in your mouth like a bomb and you will be so pleased it did; and it tastes so good you'll wonder what's the catch.... well, let me tell you there ain't one. Just happy cleansing veggies, sweet fruity energy for your liver and absolutely no nasties! Turn it up, get stuck in and ENJOY your green Godess of Love.

I love this smoothie as a great mid-day pick-me up when I'm having that afternoon slump. Instead of a coffee I'll make myself this yummy potion and BAM, I am revived and ready to get on cracking with my day.

Ingredients

  • 1 x large banana (or 2 small ones), chopped
  • 2 x dates (soaked in water for at least 8 hours), chopped
  • half a mango (I usually have sliced frozen mango from the supermarket in the freezer, and use a good handful of cubes), chopped
  • half an apple, chopped
  • 2 x celery stalks
  • handful of spinach
  • handful of leafy greens that I have at hand (lettuce, lambs lettuce, kale, spinach, etc.)
  • handful of fresh coriander leaves
  • 1 x teaspoon spirulina powder (or 3-4 tablets)
  • 1 x tablespoon good quality organic barley grass powder
  • 2 x tablespoons of shredded coconut 
  • 1 x thumb-nail size pice of ginger
  • 1 x teaspoon full of raw honey
  • half a teaspoon of date syrup
  • sprinkle of sea salt
  • optional: dash of cinnamon
  • optional: dash of ground cardamom

Instructions

  1. Start by adding the chopped banana, the mango pieces, the dates and the chopped apple to a heavy bottom sauce pan. Add a little water to cover the bottom. Cover and cook on low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes or until all the fruit is cooked through, especially the apple.
  2. Once the fruit pieces are cooked through, take them from the pan and add to a high-speed blender or a smoothie maker and blend on high.
  3. Then add all the remaining ingredients (these stay all raw, only the fruit gets cooked) to the cooked fruit mix in the blender, again blend on high and Voila - ready is your greeny godess smoothie.
  4. Serve in a nice, large glass, drizzle with some date syrup: ENJOY!

warm amaranth breakfast bowl with apples and raisins

Warming Amaranth Bowl With Apples & Raisins

If oats, millet and Co. are not for you, or you simply want a bit of a change to your morning breakfast routine, try out some amaranth porridge for breakfast. It’s light and dry nature makes it an ideal grain for the Kapha dosha.
Amaranth ‘s astringent taste helps to dry up excess dampness and mucus in Kapha’s system. This benefits the lungs and respiratory system. Amaranth is completly gluten free. It also has a cooling effect on hot Pitta types. Vata’s should avoid Amaranth as it’s too light for already light and airy Vata.
Amaranth is very high in protein (30% more protein than rice), and contains four times as much calcium as wheat. It is also high in magnesium and manganese. Amaranth’s astringent taste is often balanced with oily, sweet, sour and salty ingredients. Vata’s can try this breakfast by adding plenty of coconut or olive oil, and adding sweet fruits, and salt for example.

Feeling Vata: you can try if this recipee works for you by adding coconut oil or olive oil, adding more salt and adding plenty of soaked raisins, figs or dates, and more of the sweet apple. Or simply cook this recipee but use oats instead of the amaranth.

Feeling Pitta: this is a great breakfast for you as amaranth is pacifying for Pittas. Raisins and sweet apples work well for you too, so it’s a WINNER!

Feeling Kapha: amaranth’s astringent nature is a superb psydo-grain for Kapha’s as it drys up excess mucus and helps remove Kapha’s excess dampness. Apples and raisins are fine for you too.

Weekly Recipe

Warming Amaranth Bowl with Apples & Raisins

Yield: 1 Bowl

Warming Amaranth Bowl with Apples & Raisins

warm amaranth breakfast bowl with apples and raisins

If oats, millet and Co. are not for you, or you simply want a bit of a change to your morning breakfast routine, try out some amaranth porridge for breakfast. It's light and dry nature makes it an ideal grain for the Kapha dosha.
Amaranth 's astringent taste helps to dry up excess dampness and mucus in Kapha's system. This benefits the lungs and respiratory system. Amaranth is completly gluten free. It also has a cooling effect on hot Pitta types. Vata's should avoid Amaranth as it's too light for already light and airy Vata.
Amaranth is very high in protein (30% more protein than rice), and contains four times as much calcium as wheat. It is also high in magnesium and manganese. Amaranth's astringent taste is often balanced with oily, sweet, sour and salty ingredients. Vata's can try this breakfast by adding plenty of coconut or olive oil, and adding sweet fruits, and salt for example.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 x cup amaranth, soaked in water over night
  • 1 x full apple, diced
  • 1/2 x teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/4 x cup raisins, soaked over night
  • 1/4 x teaspoon salt
  • 1 x cup of water
  • maple syrup to serve
  • fresh figs or other fruit to garnish

Instructions

  1. Chop the apple into small pieces.
  2. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of water in a medium sized sauce pan.
  3. Add the cardamom and cinnamom and mix well with the water.
  4. Then add all remaining ingredients (apart from the water) and mix well, whilst still heating on a medium heat.
  5. Then add the water and bring to the boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the amaranth becomes light and fluffy. Keep stirring every now and then, as amaranth can stick and burn quickly at the bottom of the pan!
  6. Serve with extra cinnamon, maple syrup, and garnish with fresh figs or other stewed or fresh fruit.


warming detox smoothie

Cleansing & Warming Smoothie-Bowl

This smoothie bowl will warm you up nicely in the morning, giving your digestion a nice, gentle start to the day whilst at the same time cleansing your system of built-up toxins and filling you up with a great dose of antioxidants.

warming detox smoothie

It might come as a suprise to you to stew and lightly cook the fruits in this smoothie first. After all, we’re so used to consuming smoothies and morning fruits raw and uncooked. Now trust me when I say that you will love this smoothie so much after you’ve eaten it a few times in the morning, you probably don’t want to go back to raw smoothies ever again! Especially if you have sensitive digestion or food allergies where many things can set you off and can trigger you, eating a cooked breakfast in the morning is a godsent. It gives your body the chance to warm up nicely, giving your digestion a gentle kick-start to the day, rather than dumping ice-cold fruits and juices from the fridge directly into your system. Think of your body like an engine of a car, it has to warm up first before it can start going. So does your body. Also, cooking food gently before you’re eating it helps your body to digest foods faster as it doesn’t need to invest so much energy to break them down. This in turn frees up more energy to be used elsewhere in your system: to fight inflammation, to heal, and to give you more energy during your day. Ayurveda really favors cooked over cold breakfasts, and especially for Vata and Kapha types, a cooked breakfast is a must.

Spirulina: super nutrient dense, I call Spirulina the best ‘natural Multi-Vit & Multi-Mineral’ available from the plant world today. High in B-Vitamins, Vit C, E and K, plus high in Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Potassium and Zinc, what’s not to like. It’s also high in plant protein, so great for vegans and vegetarians that are keen to up their protein intake naturally. Spirulina also has the capability to draw out heavy-metal toxins from our tissues, liver and brain and is thus a great all-round morning addition to any breakfast smoothie.

Wheatgrass Juice: also very rich in vitamins and minerals, wheatgrass has the added benefit of being super high in chlorophyll. This makes it a great detoxifying agent and can therefor protect against abnormal cell growth also known as cancer. Also, wheatgrass has been shown to boost levels of glutathione, the body’s primary antioxidant. Glutathione is used by the liver in all of its detox duties.

Atlantic Dulse Flakes: super high in anti-oxidants, dulse flakes make a great anti-inflammatory, fighting disease causing free-radicals. Studies have also shown that dulse (and also kelp) can reduce toxic heavy metals and also clear radioactivity from the body.

Coriander (Cilantro): is a powerful anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. In Aryurveda coriander is hailed for its cooling effects on the digestive tract, for calming the immune-system and rashes, and for being a mild diuretic that clears inflammation from the urinary tract. Even though it acts as being slightly drying, it does not aggravate the Vata constitution, and pacifies (calms) all the three doshas.


ayurveda

Feeling Vata: add more fresh ginger and try adding warming spices such as cinnamon and or cardamom to your smoothie.

Feeling Pitta: ease off on the ginger, and instead try adding more cooling herbs such as fresh mint and more coriander to your smoothie.

Feeling Kapha: give your metabolism that extra boost by adding a pinch or two of cayenne pepper, and experiment with adding some bitter greens such as dandelion to your smoothie.

Weekly Recipe

Cleansing & Warming Smoothie Bowl

Yield: serves one

Cleansing & Warming Smoothie Bowl

cleansing warm smoothie bowl

This smoothie bowl will warm you up nicely in the morning, giving your digestion a nice, gentle start to the day whilst at the same time cleansing your system of built-up toxins and filling you up with a great dose of antioxidants.

Ingredients

  • 2 x ripe bananas, chopped
  • 2 x handfulls of wild blueberries (I usually buy these frozen from the organic store and always have some in the freezer)
  • 1 x apple, chopped (optional)
  • half a mango, chopped (optional)
  • 1 x teaspoon of fresh ginger, minced (optional)
  • half a teaspoon atlantic dulse flakes (if you don't like the taste of atlantic dulse you can simply buy some dulse flakes encapsulated and take them alongside the smoothie)
  • one orange, peeled
  • 1 x teaspoon spirulina powder (if you don't like the taste of spirulina buy spirulina tablets and take them with your smoothie)
  • 1 x teaspoon wheatgrass or barleygrass juice powder
  • 1 x teaspoon fresh or dried coriander
  • optional: for additional sweetness you can add a teaspoon of raw honey.

Instructions

  1. Add a little bit of water to a heavy bottom sauce pan
  2. Add the banana, apple (if using) & mango (if using) and the minced fresh ginger to the pan, cover and simmer on low heat for about 5-10 minutes, so that the fruits are stewing nicely and slowly and don't get overcooked or burned.
  3. When the fruits are stewed enough, take them off the heat.
  4. Pout the cooked fruit and ginger mix into a high-speed blender.
  5. Add the peeled orange, the dulse flakes, spirulina, wheatgrass and coriander.
  6. Blend all until smooth.
  7. If you need extra sweetness you can add the raw honey to your smoothie.

Notes

If not on a cleanse or detox programme, you can give your smoothie bowl some nice toppings such as your favourite gluten free granola, chopped roasted coconut flakes, roasted pumpkin, etc. Let your creative mind run wild. Just ensure your toppings are roasted or slightly steamed and not cold from the fridge, especially if you're a Vata or Kapha type.