Tag: healthy

Nutty Dark Chocolate Fudge

Published on by soreiya4 Comments

I love fudge.  It has been a favourite of mine since I was a child, and to this day I still find it difficult to not indulge every chance that I get.  While I’ve heard that it is relatively easy to make, I have never bothered as the store bought versions are always delicious and I don’t have to clean up after.  Recently though, I came across a recipe for hazelnut fudge on Pinterest that piqued my interest as it used coconut milk and maple syrup instead of the usual (and in my opinion heaven sent) condensed milk.  It was super simple to make and the results were quite good.  I decided to adapt the recipe for the holidays and came up with this nutty dark chocolate fudge recipe.  If you are looking for a quick and easy sweet treat this fudge works perfectly.  While it does contain a fair amount of sugar from the chocolate and maple syrup, it is also rich and dense so you don’t need too much to satisfy your sweet tooth.  I chose to use antioxidant rich dark chocolate (70%), almonds and hazelnuts in this recipe but feel free to swap in your favourite nuts and chocolate to make a version that best suits you.  Depending on the chocolate you use, please be mindful of the amount of maple syrup that you add into the fudge – the sweeter the chocolate the less maple syrup required.

Ingredients:

2 cups dark chocolate (min 70%) chunks or chips

1/2 cup canned coconut milk

1/4 cup toasted almond hazelnut butter

5 tsp of maple syrup (if using milk chocolate use 3 – 4 tsp)

pinch of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt

1 cup of toasted and chopped hazelnuts and almonds

Here’s what you do:

  • To toast the hazelnuts and almonds place the nuts on a baking sheet and bake at 350 (F) for approximately 5 – 8 minutes, shake the pan half way through.  Let cool then rough chop in a blender
  • Line a loaf pan with parchment paper
  • In a large pot mix everything but the nuts together and melt over low heat, stirring frequently
  • When the mixture has completely melted and combined gently fold in 3/4 cup of the nuts
  • Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and let cool for approximately 30 minutes , then sprinkle the remainder of the nuts on top
  • Refrigerate the fudge until set (about 2 hours)
  • It’s best to remove the fudge from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cutting into pieces

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!  XXS

 

Wonderful Walnuts

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Nuts have had a bad reputation for many years.  As the fat free craze took hold a few years ago, anything containing fat was demonized and nuts were no exception.  Thankfully, we now live in a different world – a world where healthy fat is embraced in many forms  and nuts have once again become a pantry staple in many households.

I love nuts in all forms but one of my favourites is walnuts.  Rich in healthy fats, vitamins and minerals walnuts boost incredible health, brain and beauty benefits.  As a rich plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids  walnuts are known to help to decrease LDL cholesterol levels in the body and may help to reduce the risk of prostrate and breast cancer.  With a high concentration of the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA , walnuts can help to improve cognitive brain function in adults and help to prevent cognitive decline.  Research has also shown that walnuts help to increase inferential reasoning in young adults. Filled with stress fighting properties, these powerhouse nuts are packed with fibre, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids.

Anti-inflammatory in nature, walnuts are a great source of selenium which helps to treat existing skin damage as well as protecting the skin from UV exposure.  Helpful in treating inflamed skin conditions by oxygenating the blood and boosting circulation so nutrients are circulated well.  By combating free radicals in the body, walnuts can also help to control how fast you age.

Walnuts are a great addition to your diet as there are benefits for everyone.  Just be mindful of your serving size – a handful a day is more then enough to considerably boost your antioxidant intake.  What is your favourite way to include walnuts in your diet – let me know in the comments below.

I hope that you have a great day!

XXS

The Self Care Shower Ritual That You May Be Missing

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Detox is a commonly used word amongst people in the wellness community, and over the past few years it has become a commonly used buzz word in popular culture as well.  It means many things to many people, but essentially it is used to communicate a method to rid toxins – most commonly from the body.  While your body has detox organs that help to eliminate toxins from your body naturally, there are certain things that one can do to help further stimulate this process within the body.

This year I decided to incorporate a new detox ritual into my self care routine, namely dry brushing.  This self care routine has become popular over the past few years, and while I had attempted once or twice prior to this year, 2016 is the year that I committed.  For those of you that don’t know, dry brushing is the process of brushing your skin with a natural bristle brush.  Some of the benefits of dry brushing include:

  • It sweeps away dry skin cells
  • Improves digestion
  • Stimulates the lymph nodes
  • Improves the appearance of cellulite
  • Boosts circulation

It is best to dry brush before you take your shower and many prefer to do it in the morning as they feel energized after.  How to maximize your dry brushing experience:

  • Use a soft but firm natural bristle brush
  • Start dry brushing at your feet and brush upwards to your heart
  • While dry brushing your stomach, brush in a counter clockwise circular motion
  • Use a circular motion when dry brushing your chest – that is where lymph drainage occurs
  • Take your time, spend 3 – 5 minutes dry brushing
  • Enjoy the process, it is a great time to breathe and take some time for yourself while doing something great for your body.

I am so happy that I have added dry brushing into my self care routine.  My skin looks and feels great since I have started.  It forces me to slow down and take a minute for myself while I am brushing.  It is extremely therapeutic and I find myself looking forward to my new self care ritual on a daily basis.

Are there any new self care rituals that you have included in your routine this year?  Let me know in the comments below.

I hope that you have a fabulous day!  XXS

 

My Latest Beauty Obsession

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I love to try out new beauty products, and without a doubt my favourite beauty product in my beauty arsenal are masks. Sheet masks, foam masks, clay masks, DIY masks – I love them all and I try a new one every chance that I get. I consider masking a bit of self love for my skin in my on going quest to be the  glowy-est possible version of myself.  Recently, I treated myself to the new Honey Potion mask from Farmacy, and to say that I am obsessed with this mask is an understatement.  It is fabulous!  Filled with hydrating ingredients and anti oxidants, this mask leaves your skin moisturized, glowing and refreshed.

True to it’s name Honey Potion looks like a jar of honey (just don’t eat it) and when you massage it onto your skin it turns white and begins to warm up.  The warming sensation adds to the spa feel of this mask. Wash it off with warm water after 10 – 15 minutes and enjoy the glow!  As an extra little bonus the spatula that comes with the jar magnetically attaches to the lid – perfect for someone like me who always loses the spatula!

The ingredients in Honey Potion include ultra hydrating honey, propolis and royal jelly all of which makes this mask a must have for winter as cold outdoor temperatures and indoor heating can be incredibly dehydrating and wreck havoc on your skin.

For those of you that are not familiar with the Farmacy brand, it is definitely one that you should check out.  They combine farm grown botanicals with cutting edge technology to produce clean irritant free products.  Plus all of Farmacy’s products are made from naturally derived ingredients and free of parabens, formaldehyde and artificial colourings plus their products are not tested on animals.  Effective clean, green beauty – this mask checks every box and is the perfect addition to my beauty arsenal.

Have you tried any products from Farmacy? What is your favourite beauty product?

I hope that you have a beautiful day!

XXS

Let’s Talk Turmeric

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Superfoods is the buzziest of buzz words in the world of nutrition, and one of the most popular of the bunch is turmeric.  Renowned as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory this brightly hued herb has been used in Asian cultures for centuries.

Turmeric’s popularity has reached new heights over the past few years, but what many people don’t realize is curcumin a polyphenol found in turmeric is the real superhero.  Curcumin has potentially disease reversing properties, in studies it has been observed to regulate inflammation, decrease cancer risk, support detoxification and suppress oxidation that has been associated with high blood pressure and several types of cardiovascular disease.

Many studies and people believe that the benefits of turmeric surpass the effects of certain drugs including anti-depressants such a Prozac, many pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs, diabetes drugs and cholesterol drugs and steroids.

Turmeric is now being studied extensively on it’s potential to improve chronic digestive problems including inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) and Crohn’s disease, arthritis symptoms and cognitive function.

So what does all of this mean for you?  While you should never replace medication with a natural herb without consulting your doctor or a medical professional, turmeric is a great addition to your diet.  Turmeric can easily be added to various dishes and  seasonings and it is also available in pill form for those who prefer to supplement their diets with it.  Two things to remember when including more turmeric in your diet:

  • Turmeric is fat soluble – this means that it dissolves in fat.  Taken without fat, your body will not reap the full potential benefits of it.  This is why turmeric is best taken with meals.
  • Black pepper helps to increase the bioavailability of turmeric by 1000%.

Unless taken in extremely high doses Turmeric has no known side effects.  Potential side effects include:

-nausea

-diarrhea

-increased risk of bleeding

-uterine contractions in pregnant woman (it’s best if pregnant woman avoid supplementation)

-increased menstrual flow

Overall Turmeric is the real deal in the world of superfoods and nutrition but, like everything in life moderation is key.  I love to add turmeric to my eggs, sauces and tea for an extra antioxidant boost.  What is your favourite way to include turmeric in your diet?  Let me know in the comments below

I hope that you have a fabulous day!

XXS