Coconut Truffles

I am a real snacker. By mid-morning I need something to nibble on, and not long after lunch I'm reaching for the cupboards too. So I wanted to make some snacks that I can carry with me when I'm out and are quick to make. These little coconut truffles are really easy to whip up and are great for a mid-afternoon snack.

Makes: 10. Time: 10 minutes, plus soaking and chilling.

Ingredients

6 dates, soaked

1 cup of desiccated coconut

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tbsp water

Method

1. Soak the dates for at least an hour in a bowl of water.
2. Add the coconut, dates and maple syrup to a blender.
3. Once these are blended, add the water. If the mixture doesn't quite stick then slowly add more water. Blend until all ingredients become sticky.
4. Spoon out the mixture and squish in the palm of your hand before rolling into a ball. Transfer into a mini case. Do this for each truffle and then place in the freezer for about an hour.
5. Once they have set - enjoy. Store in the fridge.

You can always mix it up a bit and coat them in dark chocolate or vanilla frosting to make them a little sweeter!

Deliciously Ella at Waterstones, Bath

At just 23-years-old, Ella Woodward, is taking over the internet with her raw brownies and quinoa salads. Her blog, Deliciously Ella, has surpassed 17 million hits, (there is now an app too), and she has more than 26,000 Twitter followers, 65,000 Facebook likes, and 250,000 Instagram followers. All that lead to the publication of Ella’s new recipe book, Deliciously Ella: Awesome Ingredients, Incredible Food That You and Your Body Will Love which has just hit the shelves.

Last night Bath’s Waterstones hosted An Evening with Deliciously Ella, compèred by Crumbs editor, Laura Rowe. It was the place to be to find out about more about Ella’s foodie philosophy and ask her your own questions. Lots of glowing-faced, silky haired, healthy foodies squished in the bookshop to listen to Laura in conversation with Ella. Although I couldn't see their faces throughout the interview Ella’s wise words could still be heard. She shared some of her story…

After being diagnosed with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), which left her unable to walk down the street, extremely fatigued and in chronic pain for every other hour, Ella realised she needed to change her lifestyle. Lots of medication and a sugar-laden diet weren't helping – “I used to live on Haribo and Ben&Jerry’s but when I was ill the doctors didn't even ask about my diet.” After reading the best-selling book by Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet, Ella was inspired to give healthy eating a go, she said last night, “I had nothing to lose. Almost overnight I cut out meat, diary, refined sugar, gluten and processed foods. I remember opening up the food section of the book and seeing just kale and cucumber and thinking I can’t live off just that! I’m not a huge fan of salad anyway.” But wasn't it hard giving up all of that straight away? Ella said, “At first I’d go out for dinner with my friends and envy their burger. But now I appreciate why that burger appeals to them but it just doesn't appeal to me.”

So that was when Ella decided to start her blog. She said, “I started the blog for me and not for anyone else – I had to learn how to cook. I wanted to make cooking healthy but interesting.” The blog is now major and people from around the world visit. Not only is the blog successful, it seems this lifestyle change did really work. Ella is now no longer taking medication and leads an active life. “Eating this way is a lifestyle. It’s not a quick two week fix.”“It’s amazing what you can do with vegetables. There are tons and tons of cool things you can make. A plant-based diet doesn't have to be boring. Although, I don’t want people to be put off because they still want to eat meat. Just add the chicken to my curry or sprinkle on some cheese. It doesn't have to be restrictive and it’s down to what you like.”

Her new cookbook sold 32,144 copies in the week ending the 31st January and is the highest first week sales figure for a debut food and drink writer since Nielsen BookScan records began in 1998. When talking about the recipes she told the audience, “the recipes are quick and easy because I want something delicious and filling in half an hour…and I hate washing up! In my recipes I've included ingredients you can use again and again. There aren't any ingredients which you've never heard of and only use once. Not everyone is familiar with almond butter perhaps, but you can use it in lots of my recipes.”

Her main philosophy, it seems, is “Listen to what your body wants and needs and don’t be put off because it’s a recipe book filled with veggie and vegan recipes. I want to create an environment where everyone feels part of it.”

My Green Juice

I've joined the juicing bandwagon as last week I bought myself a hefty juicer! Recently, I've been finding I'm not very hungry at breakfast time but still need energy to keep me going until lunch. So, this is where the green juice comes in! Having a juice is so refreshing and gives me more energy than one might think...It takes just a few minutes and all you have to do is throw the ingredients into the juicer. I thought I'd share my recipe - although it's nothing too special:

Ingredients:

1/2 cucumber 

2 apples

1 stalk of celery

10 spinach leaves

2 tsp of lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla essence

Pinch of cinnamon

Splash of cold water

Put in a juicer and enjoy!

My Nostalgic Thing

Autumn is drawing closer, so me and my bf took advantage of the sunny afternoon and did a spot of blackberry picking! With jumpers tied around waists and old ice-cream containers in hands, we were ready to explore forests and fields in true style (ha.)

There's nothing more nostalgic than venturing outside foraging for blackberries and bringing home your finds to make something yummy. The most popular recipe is of course, blackberry and apple pie but they can be used in jams, ice-cream, trifles and sprinkled on top of oats for breakfast.

I love it because it's free and gets you outside. When me and my brother were little Granny used to take us blackberry picking. We'd come home and watch the crumble turn to a golden colour in the oven ready for Mums arrival. The only downside is the fact your hands end up stained the purple colour of dried, inky blackberry juice if you’re not careful...

Gold Dust Chocolate Brownies...with no butter

You can't go wrong with chocolate brownies but adding edible gold dust and sprinkles makes them even more magical! This recipe uses apple sauce instead of butter (slightly more healthy) so you can feel less guilty about indulging. They are still moist and delicious so give the recipe a go.

 Ingredients:

(Makes 9)

100g wholewheat flour

25g cocoa powder

100g brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 egg

130g apple sauce

1 tsp vanilla essence

Pinch of salt

150g chocolate chips

50g milk chocolate 

Gold edible glitter dust (available from supermarkets)

Sprinkles

Method:

1.Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Grease a 20cm dish (or tray) with a little butter

2. Sift the flour and add the cocoa powder into a bowl. Place the rest of the ingredients in the bowl and mix well. 

3. Place the mixture into the dish or tray and spread out evenly. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes.

4. Leave to cool. Melt the chocolate in a microwave for 20 seconds and drizzle over the brownies. Sprinkle some magic edible gold dust and bright sprinkles over the chocolate. Place in the fridge and wait for the chocolate to set. 

Enjoy!