CANDY CANE BARK RECIPE

If your not someone who likes to make complicated seasonal treats, this is a recipe for you! It's really basic and simple but definitely still delicious! 

Ingredients:

200g Cooking Chocolate

50g Candy Canes

Method:

1. Melt your chocolate in 30 second intervals, stirring in between.

2. Crush your candy canes either using a hammer and sandwich bag or a mortar and pestle. 

3. Pour your melted chocolate into a lightly greased baking tray and sprinkle your candy cane on top.

I used dark chocolate because I love the combination of bitter and mint but this recipe would taste delicious using white or milk chocolate  

I hope you enjoyed this recipe :)

RUDOLPH BISCUITS RECIPE

Ingredients:

Butternut Snap Biscuits 

Chocolate Writing Frosting 

White large Marshmallows

White small Marshmallows

Pretzels

Jaffas

Method:

1. Use your chocolate writing fudge to squeeze a dot at the bottom of the cookie. Place a large white marshmallow on top.

2. Squeeze another chocolate dot onto the top of the marshmallow to help adhere the jaffa.

3. Use your chocolate writing fudge to draw two dots above the marshmallow. Stick two mini marshmallows on top of these dots. Squeeze another dot on each of the mini marshmallows as eyes. 

4. Take your pretzels that have been cut into half and stick them above the eyes using the writing fudge. 

I hope you enjoyed this Christmas recipe!

Thanks for reading:)

CHRISTMAS ICE RECIPE

Ingredients

300g (3,1/2 cups) dessicated coconut

300g (2 cups) pure icing sugar, sifted

Pinch of cream of tartar

1x390g can sweetened condensed milk

Red and green food colouring

Method

1. Line the base and sides of a 19cm (base measurement) square cake pan with non-stick baking paper. 

2. Comine coconut, sugar and cream of tartar in a bowl. Stir in condensed milk.

3. Divide the mixture among two bowls, adding green colouring into one and red colouring into the other.

4. Put one colour on the bottom of the pan and the other colour on top.

5. Place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to harden then slice it up as desired.

 I hope you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for reading :)

HEALTHY HABITS: KALE CHIPS RECIPE

Ingredients:

Kale

Olive Oil

Sea Salt

Method:

1. Thoroughly wash and dry the kale. Ensure that it is extremely dry otherwise it won't crisp properly.

2. Remove the Kale leaves from the stem and break them up into smaller pieces the size of chips. 

3. Add some olive oil and sea salt then mix it up with your hands in a bowl. 

4. Place the kale pieces on a baking tray covered in baking paper, make sure not to cover them with each other otherwise they won't crisp properly.

5. Bake for about 10-20 minutes on 180 degrees but it does depend on your oven so keep checking them because they burn pretty easily.

Watch my recipe below :)

Click here to read more about Kale, 

Thanks for reading!

HEALTHY HABITS: SUPER FOOD- KALE

 

We often hear about these "super foods" which apparently contain properties which are the key to success in a healthy eating plan. I have decided to join the hype and begin experimenting with these super foods to see what I think about them. I have written about Chia seeds and Goji berries and this time I will be talking about Kale! What they are, how they benefit you, what they taste like, how you eat them and if they are worth it.

What is it?

Kale is a type of cabbage which has usually green or purple leaves.

What are the benefits?

* Diet and Digestion, one cup only has 36 calories and no fat so it's a great diet food. It is also packed with fibre, making it great for digestion.

* Super high in antioxidants because of it's large amounts of carotenoids and flavonoids.

* Anti-inflammatory due to all of their omega-3 fatty acids.

* The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities work together to prevent cancer.

* Lowers cholesterol due to the high fiber content.

* Glucosinolates found in kale aid in the body's detoxification process.

* Contains Vitamin K, A and C.

What does it taste like? How do you eat it?

It tastes very bitter and plant/garden like by itself so the best way to eat it is by mixing it into smoothies, blending it into soups or making chips out of it (watch my recipe here).

Is it worth it?

Kale can get pretty expensive costing $20 a kg but it's fairly light so a bunch usually only comes to $3 or $4. Considering it's so dense in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals it is cheap for what it contains and all of it's benefits. I would say it is definitely worth it!

 

Go out and try some! Don't be discouraged because of the taste because you can mix it into so many different things and not even taste it but still get all of the nutritional benefits.

Thanks for reading!

 

 





HEALTHY HABITS: FEED YOURSELF!

I spend a fair amount of time on instagram and some of the girls I see on there promote these awful diets of cake, chocolate, sausage rolls and chips all because it fits into their "calorie budget" for the day! It has inspired me to blog all about FEEDING YOURSELF! Your body needs nutrition to survive and nutrition is not something you get from cakes and chips. You need to have a balanced diet incorporating fruits, vegetables, protein, wholegrains, seeds and nuts (pretty obvious I thought) so I don't understand how some people survive on these diets of doughnuts and ice cream and I can't imagine what it's doing to them and their health. It's not the junk food that's so horrible because I eat cake, chocolate, ice cream and chips but I eat them as part of a healthy diet alongside fruits and vegetables and as a treat. Living on a junk food diet is almost as bad as the girls who don't eat at all as a diet because both ways your body isn't getting the nutrition it needs and deserves. The message is that "people need to stop worrying about the calories and worry more about what is the food that makes up those calories" because being skinny and unhealthy living on diet coke and chocolate is in a horrible position compared to being fit and healthy living on a balanced diet of fruit and vegetables. When your healthy you are at a lower risk of developing diseases and conditions, you have more energy, your happier and fitter.

The best way to loose weight is to eat, sounds crazy but a plate full of fresh fruit and veggies is more effective in helping you loose weight than an empty plate. If your familiar with the term "starvation mode", it's a state that your body goes into when it thinks it's starving and what it does is when you do finally eat it takes all of that food and stores it as fat compared to when you eat normally your body just takes what it needs and burns the rest off. Our bodies still think in a "hunter and gatherer" mentality where our body assumes that if it's not getting food there isn't any or there is a famine and once it does get food after starving it stores it all in case there isn't going to be anymore food for another long period. So in short, not eating makes you fat.

Don't limit or count calories, as long as your eating well and healthy foods you shouldn't have to worry about counting everything that goes into your body. Especially because calories don't take into consideration nutritional values like protein, carbohydrates, fats etc. For example, for 250 calories you could eat a chocolate bar or a yoghurt, apple, egg and some nuts. Which is going to fill you up more? It's pretty obvious which is the better lifestyle choice.

You are what you eat and drink! I think the picture really sends the message but basically if you eat crap, your going to feel like crap and if you eat healthy your going to feel healthy. It's as simple as that, how you feel and look depends on what you eat and drink.

I'm sure most of you understand all of this but I just really wanted to contribute my part to the "Feed Yourself" revolution because it's something I really believe in. If you are living an unhealthy lifestyle, it's never too late to change and start making small steps in the right direction! 

"There is no diet that will do what eating healthy does"

Thanks for reading :)

HEALTHY HABITS: WHAT I EAT IN A DAY

The best way to know what I'm eating day-to-day is to follow me on instagram! I always post food photos of my meals pretty much everyday so if your really interested follow me there, my username is "JordyDanielle".  Otherwise here is a basic idea of the types of foods I eat most days when I'm not eating out for meals (if you want to know what I eat at fast food places then click here).

Breakfast
1. 2 egg whites onion omlette, half a piece of toast with natural peanut butter and yoghurt.
2. 2 egg whites, avocado on toast, sauteed spinach and tomato slices.
3. 2 egg whites onion and tomato omlette with avocado toast.
4. Mango, banana, carrot and celery smoothie.
5. Rock melon and blueberries.
6. Fruit Parfait (read my recipe here).
7. 2 scrambles egg whites and chia seeds (read about them here) on wholemeal toast with a side of strawberries and kiwi fruit.

Lunch
1. Capsicum, baby carrot, tomato and green leaf mix salad topped with Greek yoghurt.
2. Chicken, capsicum, radish and green leaf mix salad.
3. Tomato, lettuce, carrot and cheese salad wrap.
4. Avocado, tomato and spinach salad with Chobani Greek yoghurt and iced tea.
5. Greek Salad (green leaf mix, Spanish onion, cherry tomatoes, olives and feta cheese).
6. Garden Salad (cos lettuce, carrot, tomato and cheddar cheese).
7. Asian Salad (green leaf mix, crunchy noodles and sweet chilli sauce).
8. Sushi! Any type of sushi (that isn't seafood) is great for lunch!

Dinner
1. Nachos (corn chips, red onion, guacamole, Greek yoghurt and salsa).
2. Poached egg with a Greek salad (green leaf mix, Spanish onion and tomato).
3. Soup (chickpeas, celery, carrot and leek). Watch the recipe here.
4. Cos lettuce, boiled potatoes, vegetarian bacon, boiled egg and mustard.
5. Burritos and tacos with beans, lettuce, tomato, capsicum and guacamole.
6. Roasted herbed potatoes with grilled chicken and salad.
7. Grilled chicken salad with chickpeas, spinach, tomato and radish.
8. Homemade hummus, mashes pumpkin, fried cabbage and grilled chicken wrap.

Snacks 
1. Corn thins with avocado and tomato with a side of cucumber.
2. Apple, kiwi fruit, tomato and blueberries.
3. Apple, kiwi fruit and yoghurt.
4. Fruit salad (grapes, watermelon, banana and grapefruit) and salad (carrot, cucumber, celery and croutons).
5. Kiwi Fruit and Strawberries.
6. Fruit salad (watermelon, pineapple, kiwi fruit and strawberry).
7. Cruskits with cucumber, avocado and tomato.
8. Pear, Apple, Orange and Strawberries with yoghurt.

HEALTHY HABITS: WHAT I EAT AT FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS

I'm someone who eats out a lot and it can sometimes be hard to make healthy food choices when it comes to ordering from fast food restaurants. I have found that the best way to deal with this is research the food from the place you are going to check which are the healthiest options. Most fast food restaurants have nutritional facts on their website if you go have a look and that is always the best way to determine what you should order. This is crucial because a lot of times we don't realise how many calories are in fast food we are eating considering we aren't preparing it ourselves but when we take a look at the nutritional facts, that is when it becomes clear what is the healthier option and what we should steer clear from. Of course it's possible to eat healthy while eating out, you just have to make the right decisions, so this is all about my food choices at fast food restaurants when I am trying to eat a little bit healthier.

Grill'd/Burgers

Burgers don't have to be all bad, especially ones freshly made with quality ingredients like those from Grill'd. I always get the "Simon Says" burger (bottom left) which has grilled chicken, avocado, salad, relish and herbed mayo. It also comes with cheese and bacon but I always ask to have it without those because they are just unnecessary calories that I don't even like anyway. I also always get a snack sized chips just to control the portion a bit more and choose the wholemeal over the white roll. I also love getting the healthy sides like olives and nuts (seen above right).

Montezumas/Mexican 
Mexican food doesn't have to be all bad, full of cheese, fatty meat and sour cream! When I go out for Mexican I always get an enchilada which sounds pretty fattening right?! But no, I actually ask for it without sour cream and with minimal cheese (you still need some cheese to stick it all together but the amount they use without you asking for less is ridiculous). Another huge thing which actually makes a big difference is getting a vegetarian enchilada and that means instead of meat they use beans (much healthier for you). Sometimes I get tacos instead but I find there are too many carbs for such a small amount of protein because you don't get as many fillings in a taco as you do in an enchilada.

Japanese
Japanese food is generally pretty healthy as they usually have a wide variety of salads and vegetables. Some of my favourite things to eat from Japanese restaurants are steamed vegetables (super healthy for you), edamame (soy beans, also super healthy), salads (pictured above right is a potato salad), tempura (slightly unhealthy because it's deep fried but still vegetables) and of course nori rolls!

Fancy

I'm talking the really expensive, fancy resteraunts where you don't even really understand what the menu is saying..best bet is to go with a lean piece of meat like chicken or even beef that has some vegetables on the side. A nice hearty meal without all of the carbohydrates you would get from a pasta dish. 

Nandos 

I rotate between two different things at Nandos, the chicken wrap and the chicken pita. With both I always ask for no mayo and when I get a pita, I ask for extra salad! I do prefer the wrap to the pita though because there is less bread.

Tavern 

Tavern food is the best and it's always so tempting to get delicious fatty wedges with sour cream or a big steak with mashed potatoes but I always stop myself because I know I will regret it and I end up getting a salad. I love their tuscan vegetable salad and their Caesar salad, I always allow myself the sauce, cheese and bacon but you could totally ask for it without to make it even healthier.

Pancake Manor
If you ever go to Pancake Manor (or any other pancake place) I recommend choosing crepes over pancakes and that's just because they are much better for you as they have a higher nutritional value unlike sugar coated pancakes. Also try to get the salad on the side instead of chips. I always end up ordering Mushroom Crepes with a Garden Salad on the side and it's super satisfying and delicious but sometimes if I have a sweet tooth I let myself share pancakes with my boyfriend.

Takeaway Sushi Places

Sushi in general is pretty healthy for you but some options are healthier than others. For example, I try to avoid crumbed then deep fried chicken (usually called crispy chicken, honey chicken, tempura chicken and chicken schnitzel) and opt for the healthier alternative of breast chicken which is usually sweet chilli chicken with cucumber or chicken and avocado. Most of the time though I don't choose the rolls with any meat in it and look for the salad/vegetarian options because salad is of course much lower in calories than meat and they usually don't have any sauces which may contain hidden calories. The raw fish and seafood options are probably much option but I personally cannot stomach any sort of sea food at all so never get those.

Subway 

I always get the chicken breast schnitzel on multi-grain bread with all the salads and marinara sauce. The chicken breast schnitzel is much healthier than a lot of the other options (like the meatball sub) because it is a breast piece of chicken (lots of protein) and only has a thin layer of tempura around it (compared to some of their other deep fried chicken options). By choosing a multi-grain bun over white gives you much more nutrition and is always the healthier choice. I like to get all of the salads because it adds more nutrition and fills you up and I never get mayonnaise just because it's so many extra calories but I really enjoy marinara sauce which is low in calories but still makes the sandwich really delicious and moist. I also never get cheese because I am not someone who really enjoys cheese anyway but it does take out a lot of extra calories considering they are full fat slices of cheese.

Sushi Train
Similar to what I said about takeaway sushi places, sushi is generally pretty healthy for you with all of the nutritional benefits from the seaweed and vegetables. That being said, sushi can contain a lot of mayonaise and unhealthy sauces not to mention a lot of the stuff is deep fried. I try my hardest to stay away from these things but at Sushi Train most of the chicken is deep fried so the healthiest options are edamame (soy beans), agedashi tofu (crispy tofu in miso soup) and simple vegetable rolls like avocado or cucumber, even teriyaki chicken. I do probably overindulge in the deep fried dishes like chicken and avocado, chicken, egg and lettuce as well as tempura and even those rolls with little deep fried crumbs on them. Still, I don't consider sushi train to be anywhere near as unhealthy as most takeaway places and burger joints considering all of the nutritional values you get out of a lot of the ingredients.

Cafes

Most cafes have a salad option and I always choose that over a pasta dish or burger. The best kinds of salads are when they have lean grilled chicken in them compared to a deep fried schnitzel or something. I also try and avoid cheese in my salad and much prefer leafy greens to something like iceberg lettuce. Although those delicious looking sweet treats look to die for, definitely skip those though despite how tempting they are!
Italian
Okay so Italian food is known for having food with super high amounts of carbohydrates in it but there are healthy options. I love getting Italian Caesar salads, bruschetta and sometimes even pizza. Everything in moderation is okay and won't hurt you but generally I go for the bruschetta as a starter and the salad as the main.  Another tip is to drink coke zero instead of normal coke as it doesn't have any sugar in it and therefore has next to no calories.

Noodle Box
The two dishes I love from Noodle Box are Pad Thai and the Nasi Box (Rice and vegetables). I get replace the meat in the Pad Thai with tofu and the meat in the Nasi Box with extra cashews.

There are some places I avoid and those are KFC and Red Rooster. This is because I had a friend who worked at KFC and the stories I heard of how the food is cooked and just the whole concept of chicken deep fried until it's nothing really makes me sick so I avoid both of those fast food places completely. I also avoid Indian because it always makes me feel really sick as the sauces are very high in butter and oil. I try to avoid Hungry Jacks and McDonalds although I occasionally enjoy the rare Whopper or Big Mac but generally I just don't think the food is good enough quality and skip it. I actually used to be a McDonalds addict so writing this is even surprising myself haha.

Okay, phew, this actually took a lot of effort to write but I really wanted to let you guys know that it's completely okay to eat out and I'm proof of this. I try and eat healthy as much as possible and I still really enjoy eating out and don't find that it negatively affects my diet at all! It's all about portion control and choosing the right thing on the menu. I think the main thing for me is that I avoid meat and cheese in my dishes and always replace it with more veggies and I always opt for a healthier bread, lighter sauce or a salad instead of chips. Just little things like that really do make a difference. 

Thank you so much for reading!

HEALTHY HABITS: SUPPLEMENTS/VITAMINS I USE

We all know that our daily food provides us with nutrients such as calcium, iron, Vitamin C, magnesium and protein but a lot of the time, especially when on a diet and eating less than usual, we may need some help reaching the required amount of such nutrients. Supplements help enure we are getting the proper nutrition that we need each day therefore they are great to incorporate into your everyday routine.

MULTIVITAMIN (once daily)

I'm talking about a multivitamin first because this really is the basic essential of all supplements and everyone should be taking a good whole food multivitamin on a daily basis. This makes sure that we are getting all of the necessary nutrients from complete whole food sources as the body requires. Although a multivitamin isn't necessary if you have a good diet full of super foods (such as goji berries, chia seeds) and other natural sources, it's still recommended to take one on a daily basis for added protection and benefit. I suggest choosing one that is aimed specifically towards your needs. I'm just about to turn 17 so I still take a "teenage"multivitamin but there's one for every type of person and they all do a similar thing but vary slightly depending what your wanting it for.

FLAXSEED OIL (6 daily; 3 in morning, 3 at night)

This rich source of healing compounds come in both capsule and liquid form, full of flaxseed oil and it's essential fatty acids. These are particularly valuable because the body needs them to function properly and can't manufacture them on its own. They keep healthy cell membranes working efficiently while healing damaged ones. Flaxseed oil is also an excellent source of omega-3s similar to those found in fish which reduce the risk of heart disease and many other ailments. They ALSO lower cholesterol, counter inflammation, treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn and rosacea, minimize never damage, reduce cancer risk AND they have also been linked to weight loss.

MAGNESIUM (1 daily)

Magnesium is an essential mineral for staying healthy and is required for more than 300 biochemical reactions int he body! This handy supplement regulates body temperature, detoxifies, helps produce energy, helps form healthy bones and teeth, improves bone mineral density, improves calcium, helps PMS, prevents the risk of coronary disease, regulates high blood pressure, treats diabetes, migraines, insomnia and depression. I use i because I take this supplement for the relaxing benefits because I have a tendency to get overwhelmed and stressed over not only school work but other little things so I feel like this helps me with that. I also really like the fact that it detoxifies and helps have healthy bones and teeth.

VITAMIN C (2 daily; 1 morning and 1 night)

We all know how great oranges are for your health due to all of the anti-oxidants and so this supplement probably doesn't come as a surprise. Vitamin C is crucial to have in our bodies for many reasons, particularly to strengthen the immune system and when sick it reduces the severity and duration of a cold. You need two of these a day because Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that can not be stored in organs and fatty tissues so it is quickly used up and eliminated from the body within six hours which makes taking one both morning and night important.

IRON (when required)

I don't eat a lot of meat so sometimes I can lack iron in my system which makes me very tired and weak. If I find myself feeling like this, I will sometimes take an iron tablet to give me more iron in my system and therefore more energy. This is something that you have to think about if you need. For example, if you eat meat nearly every day then you can probably survive on the iron from that whereas if you only eat meat one every week or so, you may need this to assist you with your iron levels.

ECHINACEA (when required)

This is a supplement with similar benefits to Vitamin C as it's main role is to strengthen your immune system and help prevent sickness but it can also shorten the symptoms and severity of a sickness. I don't take this every day because I don't feel like it's necessary but if I feel like I'm getting sick then I will and most of the time it helps fight off the cold and I never end up getting sick! It's the coolest thing! I definitely recommend having a bottle of Echinacea on hand whether it be liquid (and you mix it with water) or capsules.

So those are all of the supplements and vitamins I take! Of course this all depends on what your body requires and which supplements and vitamins you feel like you need but I hope this was helpful!

HEALTHY HABITS: SNACK IDEAS!

So I know not many of my recipes are actually healthy but I am someone who tries to eat well and it's often requested for me to do health/fitness related videos so I have finally posted my first one all about "Healthy Snack Ideas". Watch the video to find out the kind of healthy foods I like to snack on!

HALLOWEEN CAKE POPS

Halloween is quickly approaching and I thought it would be fun to do a recipe for those who are hosting parties and want Halloween themed food! Everyone loves a cake pop so I thought it would be fun to create some themed ones for this scary season!

Ingredients:

* Pre made cake
* Frosting
* Candy Melts
* Bat and Pumpkin Sprinkles
* Coloured Sugar

I get my Candy Melts in Australia from a shop called Matchbox.
I purchased my coloured sugar and sprinkles from eBay, the seller is archangel0400.

Method:

1. Turn the pre-made cake into crumbs and add frosting to create a thick cake mixture.
2. Roll the mixture evenly into balls and place them in the fridge for an hour or if your impatient the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Just as your cake pops are about to come out of the fridge, melt the candy melts.
4. Dip your stick into the melted candy mixture and then into a cake ball and cover the cake ball in the melted candy mixture.
5. While the mixture is still wet, roll them in your orange coloured sugar and bat/pumpkin sprinkles.
6. Leave them standing up right by sticking them into a shoe box to harden.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope this was helpful if maybe your hosting a Halloween party this year and were looking for treat ideas!

 

HEALTHY HABITS: SUPER FOOD- GOJI BERRIES

We often hear about these "super foods" which apparently contain properties which are the key to success in a healthy eating plan. I have decided to join the hype and begin experimenting with these super foods to see what I think about them. This time I will be talking about Goji Berries! What they are, how they benefit you, what they taste like, how you eat them and if they are worth it.

What are they?

Also known as Chinese Wolfberry, they are berries that grow on vines.

What are the benefits?

* 21 minerals
* Super high in Vitamin C and A
*  Complete Protein (18 amino acids)
* Super high in Antioxidants with a score of 25, 300 compared to blueberries that are 2400

What do they taste like? How do you eat them?

Most people find that they taste like cherries but to me they are a bit more bitter than that. You can enjoy them straight from the bag or mixed in with trail mix that you can check out my recipe for if you click here. You can add them to smoothies, salads or cake/biscuit/muffin batters.

Are they worth it?

They can get quite pricy costing $8 for a small pack at the supermarket but considering they are higher in antioxidants than blueberries which cost the same amount; I think they are definitley worth it when it comes to nutrition!

APPLE PANCAKES

This recipe is for apple pancakes that are delicious, healthy and perfect for breakfast or dessert!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup self-raising flour, sifted

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

2 granny smith apples, peeled and grated

Canola oil cooking spray

1 kiwifruit, peeled and thinly sliced

Frozen yoghurt or icecream

Vanilla yoghurt

Method:

1. Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add egg and milk. Whisk until smooth. Stir in apples.

2. Heat a non-stick frying pan over low heat and spray with oil. Pour 1/4 cup of the pancake batter into a pan. Gently spread the mixture out with the back of a spoon into a 10cm round. Cook the pancakes for 2 minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface then turn over to cook on the other side. 

3. Serve with kiwi fruit, yoghurt and ice cream.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and try it out for yourself some time.