Good morning Everyone!

I thought I would share with you my yummy breakfast this morning!

Simple, wholesome and utterly delicious......

Yoghurt, grape nuts, linseeds, cacao nibs and an array of fruits with my all time favourite fruit Persimmon....

Persimmons are not the most easily found fruit in the UK, but if you do ever see it at the green grocers or supermarkets, I cannot recommend it more! They go fab in fruit salads, on top of banana pancakes, or simply just to have a good munch on their own! It looks most like a large orange tomato; it has a firm texture and a sweet flavour, which I sometimes think is a bit like honey!

Greek yoghurt is surprisingly high in protein, helping to keep you fuller for longer compared to normal yoghurts. If you like a creamy flavour, by all means go for the 'full-fat' option; this too will help to keep you fuller as it takes the body longer to break down the fats within the body. Greek yoghurt tends to be quite thick which is one of the reasons it is so satisfying!

Despite what you may think, Greek yoghurt contains more of those 'good bacteria' that we get told to eat by those 'Activia' adverts on the tele, than regular yoghurt. Greek yoghurt is said to contain up to six strands of these probiotics with regular yoghurt only containing about two; and these probiotics really do help if consumed in the right quantities!! In your digestive tract, your  body contains over 200 types of bacteria; the consumption of these probiotics helps your body to keep a healthy balance of this bacteria consequently improving your immunity, aiding in the body's digestion, as well as notably reducing the likelihood of yeast infections in women. So when next in the supermarket staring down at the yoghurt isle for inspiration: look to Greece.

For the crunchy toppings I went for a generous sprinkle of crunchy Grape Nuts, Golden linseeds and Cacao nibs. Grape nuts have grown in popularity in the UK and can be found in most well-stocked supermarkets! They are super crunchy giving any bowl of cereal or yoghurt a bit of texture, not to mention a bit of fibre! They are a slow-release carbohydrate, again being a great option to add to your breakfast routine to keep you going 'til lunch. Golden linseeds are too a great source of fibre as well as those all-important Omega-3's and essential fatty acids to keep our bodys functioning to their optimum. I finished it all off by scattering some Cacao nibs on top. These are almost like little dark chocolate chips, giving your bowl a hint of chocolate flavour; What's more, they are packed full of antioxidants and flavonoids to help keep your insides healthy!

Ingredients:

1/2 pear

handful of raspberries

1/2 persimmon

handful of blueberries

Greek yoghurt

Grape nuts cereal

Golden Linseeds

Cacao nibs

Directions:

Put a few large tablespoons of greek yoghurt in a small bowl.
Chop your pear and persimmon up into small cubes.
Sprinkle on top of the yoghurt with your blueberries and raspberries.
Pour over some Grape nuts, golden linseeds and cacao nibs and serve!

Enjoy!!

SuperFood Maca and Cinnamon Banana pancakes

As it's pancake day, it is the PERFECT time of year to post my favourite pancakes! Anyone who knows me well enough, will know I will probably have some version of this pancake every other day for breakfast; so it is about time I post them on here!  

These pancakes are super easy to make and are great healthy treat to begin your day. They are high in protein, helping to keep you fuller for longer, and provide you with bunches of energy to keep you going all day long! 

Both Maca and Cinnamon are extremely beneficial in their consumption, not to mention give the flavour of the pancakes a little something extra...

Cinnamon is a great digestive aid and works with insulin in the body to metabolize sugar. It has antiseptic properties, and is beneficial to the kidneys, lungs and heart. 

Maca is a super food that has been around for around 3,000 years, and has been used medicinally in South America for centuries. Grown in the most harshest conditions in the peruvian Andes, Maca contains an abundance of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, polynutrients and essential fatty acids. Maca is an 'adoptogen', meaning in the most simplistic terms that it helps the body to adapt to changes and stress. 

Maca bought from the shops, starts as a root, is then dried and turned into powder. It is said to have the ability to increase energy and stamina, increase libido, help oxygenate the blood, balance hormonal production, and support neurotransmitter production. The flavour of Maca is sort of sweet, with a hint of malt flavouring; some describe it to be a bit like butterscotch but in large quantities it can be quite overpowering! As suggested on the back of the packet, Maca should be consumed, like anything, in moderation; they suggest 1-2 teaspoons a day. You should be able to find it in most health food stores and can easily be bought online.... even EBAY sell it!! Note, try to buy it organic, also check it is pure Maca root as some are sold with other ingredients added!

The riper the bananas, the better......as this gives them a sweeter more banana-ry flavour!!

It should be said that if you cannot find the Maca root powder, these banana pancakes are just as good without... you'll just be missing out on all of those fab health benefits mentioned above!! I do appreciate it is an ingredient that is not the most readily available.... 

I normally vary my toppings on these pancakes. Today, I simply went for what yummy things I had in my fridge: Strawberries, natural yoghurt, a Clementine, cocoa nibs (another great super food!), lemon juice and some pumpkin seeds. This tends to change most times I make these, depending on what I have to offer in the fridge. Below I have listed a few things that really do go great!

Ingredients: 

(makes 2 medium sized pancakes)

2 whole eggs

1 egg white

1 medium rip banana

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp Maca

Tbsp linseeds

Toppings suggestions:

Any fruit

lemon juice

natural/greek yoghurt

grated dark chocolate

honey

seeds

peanut butter

chocolate spread

Maple syrup

Ice cream

Directions:

In a bowl add all of your ingredients.

Begin to mash your banana with a fork. You can either do this before you add the eggs etc or after, either way is fine! Whisk all the ingredients well! The more you whisk, the 'fluffier' they will be. The extra egg white helps to give them a 'less dense' texture. Eventually you want to get quite a liquid mixture, but any banana chunks isn't such a problem. I took a photo of my mixture so you can see what it's like. Ultimately, the banana chunks with cook within the mixture and soften... you won't notice at all!

In a non-stick pan, wipe round some oil with kitchen paper, and sprinkle in some linseeds. 

Turn the hob onto a medium heat and pour in half of you mixture. 

Wait until it is completely set before flipping. It really is a waiting game.... It should only take a few minutes.  Flip and cook for another few 30 seconds and serve on your plate!! Repeat this step for the second pancake.

Nows the time to fill up on all your toppings! Go wild guys! Below are some photos of what I ended up with... 

Strawberries, natural yoghurt, 1 clementine, and cacao nibs....

Squeeze over a wedge of lemon.....

And finally, I sprinkled over some toasted pumpkin seeds...... Yum!