RAW STRAWBERRY JAM

This is one of those recipes that is an absolute gem of a find and sure to become a long-term favourite of mine, it's so incredibly easy to make with only 3 ingredients needed and such a genius idea to use chia seeds as a thickener. I came across this concept as I needed to create a healthy jelly to add to my ice cream (recipe coming soon) and so I googled raw jam to see if it came up, it was actually a 'thing' already! I'm so glad I stumbled upon this recipe to use as my base, which I then simplified even further.

The beauty of raw chia jam is that it's super duper healthy, there's no preservatives/flavourings/additives or refined sugar added in aand you get the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself.

Chia seeds really do pack a nutritional punch, some of their many benefits include:

- Low in calories
- Rich in Omega-3 and fatty acids
- Loaded with antioxidents
- Packed full of fibre
- High in protein
- Excellent source of calcium

Ingredients:

- 8 strawberries
- 1 tsp agave syrup
- 2 tbsp chia seeds

Method:

Pop everything into a blender at once and blend to achieve the consistency you require. Blend on low for a short amount of time if you'd like a chunky strawberry jam or blend on high for a longer amount to achieve a smooth consistency - this works well as a drizzling sauce for ice cream. Leave to set, forming a thick gel-like consistency for 10 mins before serving.

No blender method:

Mash up the strawberries with the back of a fork then add the chia seeds and agave. Again leave to set for 10 mins before serving.

The great thing about this recipe is you can substitute strawberries for any other kind of fruit you like, I can't wait to start experimenting with different flavours especially now lot's of different fruits will be coming into season. I think from now on I'll be called the crazy jam lady and that's fine by me.

HEALTHY CHIPS

Yes it's true, chips can be healthy - music to my carb loving belly! If like me, you get home from work and crave something stodgy and warm but not too oily or junky, these baked chips are the one for you.

Baked potato chips are also an excellent carb loaded raw till 4 dinner option for anyone transitioning to a raw diet, it's like having a guilty treat your used to eating, without feeling gross and heavy afterwards. I myself am trying to incorporate more healthy foods into my diet and am looking at raw till 4 diets to gain some meal inspiration.

Instructions:

1.) Pre heat your oven to 200c (fan assisted).
2.) Simply cut up 4 baking potatoes into fries (eat as many potatoes as you need if your on raw till 4 otherwise save half or eat them with something else).
3.) Line two oven trays with baking paper (depending on how many potatoes your baking).
4.) Sprinkle on any spices or herbs. I used garlic granules and mixed herbs on mine.
5.) Bake for around 30-40mins, turning over halfway through cooking time.
6.) Serve with healthy condiments (see below) and lettuce leaves for wrapping.

You can beef up (or should that be veg up?) your chips as much as you want, by adding your own spices and herbs like oregano, rosemary, paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, chilli powder etc. Serve with sauces such as chilli, vegan mayo or ketchup - just like regular chips! Obviously you have to choose your condiments wisely - low salt, sugar and fat are the way to go. You can even make your own raw sweet chilli sauce here.

I love to wrap my chips in the lettuce leaves then dip in my ketchup or mayo. Feel free to add your own salad/veggies on the side too.

If you have any raw till 4 eating tips or great healthy vegan/raw food recipes let me know in the comments below! Look forward to sharing my healthy eating journey with you guys!

THE GREEN GRINCH SMOOTHIE

A perfect one for all you raw foodies out there, or if you just fancy a seasonally apt green Grinch smoothie to start your day right. I promise no Grinches were harmed in the making.

This smoothie may be green but it's also sweet, perfect for kids or if your trying to add more greens to your diet but your not quite used to the taste - I know drinking greens is usually something you have to gradually ween yourself on to and the best way to do that is by adding a few fruits to sweeten the mix.

 Look at that colour!

Ingredients (Makes 1 cup):

-  1 large ripe banana

-  2 cups of spinach

-  1.5 cups of unsweetened almond milk

-  0.5 tsp vanilla

-  4 dates pitted and chopped

-  Ice to taste (depending on how cold/solid you like it)

-  Dried fruit to top

Instructions:

Mix everything in a blender until it becomes a smooth puree. You shouldn't be able to see any spinach or dates whirling around!

I found I was still hungry after just one cup so you could always double or even triple the ingredients depending on how much you want to make. Alternatively, pour the smoothie into a bowl (big wooden bowls are ideal) and add your own fruit, chia seeds, flax and protein powder on top, for a superfood smoothie that's nutritionally dense.

THE VITAMIX

Hey Guys!

So first of all, sorry for the looong pause on the blog. I started a new job and some other lame excuses... but I'm back with a bang. That bang being the new love of my life that I've been dying to introduce you to, it's the Grandaddy of all blenders - the Vitamix! (can you tell I'm excited).

We've had it for a few weeks now (we being me and the boyf, yes we're one of those couples) and it's truly life changing. We've already made guacamole, curry sauce, California salsa, spicy pasta sauce, frozen juices and countless smoothies with ease!

There's tons of other things the Vitamix can make that we haven't even tried yet like; ice cream (eek), cocktails (double eek) and soup - which is gonna be soo good come Winter, it even heats it up so you don't have to. Clean up is super easy too, you just pop some washing up liquid in, fill it with water to the top, set the 'Smoothie' setting and it will clean itself!

It is an expensive appliance so it's a bit of an investment but believe me it's worth it. It's so incredibly versatile it's like having 10 different machines in one!

A handy recipe folder is included and it even has a raw food section (perfect for all you raw till 4 peeps) it's in here that I found this beauty of a recipe (below) for raw red pepper hummus - which I paired with courgette rounds, for a delicious and surprisingly filling raw meal. As the courgette rounds are so perfectly bite-sized and individually portioned it would also make an excellent starter or canapé to serve at a dinner party.

Spicy Red Pepper Hummus ingredients: 

• Chickpeas (sprouted overnight)
• Tahini
• Red pepper
• Jalapeño
• Lemon juice
• Miso paste
• Olive oil
• Salt

Fancy fiddly garnish is optional but looks pretty for photos.