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Cranberry, Apple and Walnut Stuffing (Paleo)

December 12, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

 

stuffing-1

I find Christmas a fairly easy time of year to remain healthy, I eat a fairly high fat diet so I never feel deprived in the way I would have been on a low fat diet.  Historically, I would have justified dieting in January and eating whatever I wanted but eating fat has had the consequence of managing cravings although I certainly indulge in a little refined sugar-free cacao!  Read more about how to staying healthy over Christmas here.

I do remain gluten free and although most of a standard Christmas meal is easy to avoid gluten, I do love stuffing which traditionally is always made with breadcrumbs.  I was lucky enough to find fresh cranberries in Planet Organic the other week, I knew this is what I wanted to make.  Cranberries can be quite sharp when fresh so I’ve combined this recipe with fresh grated apple but you could substitute with dried cranberries if you cant find fresh.

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stuffing-3Cranberries are full of  health benefits, they are very high in antioxidants, higher than blueberries, which protect you against free radicals which help keep your cells from aging prematurely.  They are low in sugar, high in Vitamin C and many other minerals and vitamins.   They are also high in quercetin which is useful at lowering inflammation in the body.

Cranberries have historically been used in studies for the treatment of urinary tract infections for women.   Cranberry extract was found in this study to be as effective as the drug trimethoprim without the side affects that came with the drug.

It has also been shown to have an inhibitory responses to cancer cells causing death induction via apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy.  More studies are needed but this is such a simple food to add for it’s protective mechanisms.

Wishing all my readers the healthiest and happiest of Christmas celebrations!

With love Vanessa x

 

 

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Cranberry, Apple and Walnut Stuffing (Paleo)
Author: Vanessa Woozley
Prep time:  10 mins
Cook time:  35 mins
Total time:  45 mins
Serves: 9
 
Perfect for a Gluten Free Christmas
Ingredients
  • 400g pork sausagemeat
  • 1 cup of fresh cranberries
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 large handful of chopped walnuts
  • A sprig of rosemary
  • 1 apple grated
  • 1 Egg
  • ¼ of a finely grated nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon of all spice
  • Pinch of sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
  1. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl
  2. Mould into balls or stuff into your turkey!
  3. Put balls in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up, this mixture made 9 large stuffing balls.
  4. Cook in the oven in and oven proof dish for 35-40 minutes at 35 degrees until just starting to brown.
3.2.2925

 

Filed Under: Recipes, Sides, Uncategorized

Goji and Coconut Energy Balls

December 2, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

coconut-goji-balls

If you’ve been following my blog you’ll know that I am a big advocate of pure therapeutic- grade essential oils.  I run classes locally and online but if you get the chance to come to one of my classes I nearly always make these…. so after much demand for the recipe I am finally posting it up!  I will be honest, the single 1 drop of cinnamon bark oil* that I use in this recipe transforms the taste.  You can use cinnamon spice but you don’t get the same intensity of flavour.

*Please do not use oils that are not safe for ingestion.

Coconutgojiballs1

While this recipe has no-refined sugar, it does contain quite a few dates so adding cinnamon is a very sensible way to support balancing your blood sugar.  Studies have shown that it cinnamon can lower even fasting blood sugar levels.

Full of healthy saturated fats in the coconut oil and seeds.  Goji berries are one of my favourite berries  cacao nibs which add a lovely nutty texture without actual nuts, therefore they are perfect as lunchbox fillers, an energy food between meals but even as a nibble when hosting a party!

If you’re interested in learning more about pure essential oils, then contact me to join one of my online classes or drop me an email.

 

 

 

 

Save Print
Goji and Coconut Energy Balls
Author: Vanessa Woozley
Prep time:  10 mins
Total time:  10 mins
Serves: 16-20
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup of coconut flakes
  • ½ cup of pumpkin seeds
  • 8 dates
  • 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil
  • ½ cup of goji berries
  • 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or 1 drop of doTERRA cinnamon oil (never more than 1!)
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients into a food processor apart from half of the goji berries and the cacao nibs, blend until the consistency of fine gravel, this may take several minutes depending on the power of the blender
  2. Add the rest of the goji berries and cacao nibs and pulse in to give the energy balls a little texture
  3. Roll the mixture into ping pong size balls or smaller for children and add to the fridge for the coconut oil to harden
  4. Enjoy as a great energy boost when needed or gift to a friend
3.2.2925

 

Filed Under: Adults, Children, Dessert, Nutrition, Uncategorized

Vanessa Woozley

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