Salted Caramel Cupcakes (VG, Refined Sugar Free, Natural)

Healthy & Nourishing Salted Caramel Cupcakes

Vegan, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free
Quick & Simple

Makes 6 (Prep 10 minutes, Bake 15 minutes)

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All this week I am sharing my ultimate healthy caramel recipes with you. I love sharing healthy alternatives to traditional 'junk food,' like Jules Arons Ultimate Banana Bread & my Baked Vegan Doughnuts.

Since going dairy free, I have really missed my caramel. Its so creamy and sweet, and there really is nothing like an indulgent caramel treat now and again. 

But Emily, you write a health food blog? How can I have caramel and cake when I'm trying to eat healthily?

Have no fear, you can eat healthily and still enjoy an indulgent cake; the best bit being it tastes incredible and you dont have to feel guilty at all, because everything in them is nourishing your body and doing you the world of good.

What swaps have you made to make these healthy?

Swap 1: Tahini rather than Butter. Tahini gives these cakes and incredible, subtle nutty flavour. Its dairy free, gluten free, and natural filled with vitamin E and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5 and B15. as well as being an amazing source of calcium so if you are dairy free like me its an essential!

Swap 2: Oat Flour. This one is for all my gluten free people out there. Gluten isn't digestible and even if you aren't celiac it can cause digestive issues. To avoid any problems oat flour is used.

Swap 3: Using aquafaba rather than eggs. This is an ethical swap and one you dont have to make although its great if you are trying to loose weight as aquafaba is really low in calories. Its perfect for binding your cakes and helping them to rise. 

So now we know the health benefits lets get into the recipe! 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Tahini
• 100g Aquafaba
• 150g Oat Flour
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 cup Agave Nectar 
• 150 g dates
• 50g cashew butter
• 6 tbsp almond milk
• 150g Coconut cream 

Method:

1. Pre heat oven to 180 degree centigrade.
2. Add your flour, & baking soda to a bowl.
3. Whisk the aquafaba until doubled in size and frothy.
4. Add your tahini, agave, vanilla and whisked aquafaba, to your dry ingredients and fold in.
5. Spoon into 6 muffin cases and bake for 15 minutes.
6. Whilst baking add your dates, cashew butter and milk to a blender. 
7. Blend until smooth (if your blender is less power full, blend and then use a liquidizer to get a creamy consistency).
8. Remove cakes from the oven.
9. Whisk up your coconut cream whilst the cakes cool.
10. Using a piping end make holes into the cake to halfway down.
11. Pipe in the caramel mix.
12. Once all cakes are filled, pipe over the coconut cream, into swirls.
13. Top with your favorite cake topping! I used cherries, ginger, cinnamon, and date love hearts!

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Comment your favorite cake flavour down below! 

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Simple Chocolate Popcorn Bars (VG, GF, Refined Sugar Free)

Simple Vegan Gluten Free Popcorn Bars by Glow Steady 

Quick, Simple, Healthy 

If you have found yourself on this page, then you are probably a sweet lover like me, and looking for a super healthy and delicious recipe which you can quickly make at home, and you have definitely come to the right place.

Today's post is a Healthy, Vegan, and Gluten Free recipe from the blog Glow Steady, written by the lovely Sophie! Both being plant based foodies, we decided to put each others recipes to the test, and as you will see we both opted for chocolate based recipes (we aren't chocoholics or anything!). If you want to find out how sophie got on with my healthy chocolate orange digestives click here .

These Chocolate Popcorn Bars are delicious, simple to make, plus super healthy and natural; no nasties here! They are well worth a try and I am so excited to share Sophie's incredible recipe with you all.

What You Will Need:

• Half a cup popcorn kernels
• 1tsp sunflower oil
• 100g pitted dates
• 75g whole raw almonds
• 100g dark chocolate
• 1 tsp maca powder (optional)

To make this recipe even easier, or if you are worried about burning your popcorn, you can always buy pre-popped popcorn from the shops. I did this using half of a sharing popcorn pack; it worked perfectly!

Method:

1. Line a baking dish with grease proof paper.
2. First, we’re going to pop the popcorn so heat the oil in a small saucepan on a medium heat. Then add the popcorn and leave the lid on. You should hear it starting to pop after about a minute. It will take about 5 minutes in total. Shake the pan frequently to ensure it isn’t burning. Leave aside for 30 seconds to a minute after removing from heat before removing the lid. After removing the lid, stir in the maca powder if using.
3. While you’re waiting for the popcorn to pop, put the dates and almonds in a food processor and pulse for 30-45 seconds until crumbly.
4. In a large mixing bowl combine the date and almond mixture with the popcorn.
5. Now it’s time to melt the chocolate. Place chocolate in a large bowl over a pan of boiling water. Make sure the bowl and water aren’t touching then wait for chocolate to melt.
6. Once chocolate is melted, pour the chocolate over the other ingredients in the mixing bowl. Make sure the popcorn is fully coated.
7. Now press the mixture into the baking dish, try to spread it as evenly as possible.
8. Place dish in fridge and allow to set for two hours before serving

For more incredible recipes from Sophie's blog click here

My Thoughts:

This is the easiest recipe to whip up ever. You just need a food processor to blend the dates and almonds and you are away. I think they are the perfect healthy alternative to a rocky road, with the same chewy but crunchy textures created by the dates and the popcorn. I'm a huge fan of anything chocolatey and these definitely hit the spot! The only problem is they are way too more-ish!

Let me know if you try making these! 

Whats your favorite healthy snack? 

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The Ultimate Banana Bread (VG, GF, Refined Sugar Free)

Fresh & Pure, Nourish & Glow

How to Make the Ultimate Banana Bread and Recipe Book Review

GF, VG, Natural 

I'm a huge fan of any recipe that involves bananas as you can see from this extensive list of banana recipes on my blog! 

Banana Bread is a sweet bread made from; mashed bananas, a form of flour, sweetener and fat. Combining all food groups, it can be eaten as a super healthy and nutritious, snack, breakfast or brunch.

Jules Aron has just produced Two of the most beautiful natural recipe books you could find; Fresh and Pure based on natural beauty recipes and Nourish and Glow providing over 70 holistic recipes to make you look and feel fantastic from the inside out. 

Published on March 6th they combine everything you could ever need to know about holistic beauty, living and recipes, in the most beautifully displayed pages and cover. 

If you were at a loss for something to buy your mum for mothers day then these should definitely be on your radar & I cant wait to hear what everyone thinks of them!

Jules is amazing, and I am so grateful to have received these books; getting the opportunity to create and pour over the recipes she has created.

I decided to show you just how amazing these recipes are by making Jules' Banana Bread. It is the simplest recipe and combines delicious whole foods for a filling and healthy snack, breakfast or brunch option. 

What you will need:

1/4 cup Coconut Oil

4 bananas

1/4 maple syrup

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 1/2 cups Gluten Free Oat Flour 

(Blitz up oats using a good food processor, to make your own)

3/4 cup almond meal

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

To Make:

1. Pre heat oven to 350f, grease an 8 inch loaf pan, with coconut oil and set to side.
2. Mash Bananas and combine with coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla in a blender.
3. Transfer into a medium bowl and add flour, almond meal, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Whisk together and add to your pre prepared tin.
5. Bake for 60-70 minutes- or until a knife come out clean.
6. Allow to cool before tucking in!

Let me know what you love to have on your banana bread, in the comments. I love mine toasted and covered in agave lemon zest and coconut!

Tried this recipe? Share it with me on any of my social media:

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 About the books:

I am a huge fan of recipe books and was so over the moon to receive these two beautiful hardback copies in my blogger mail. They are stitched hard backs with beautiful golden font, and I know you arent supposed to jusge a book by its cover but these are truly stunning.

Inside the high quality continues, in page after page of beautiful imagery, font and easy to read and follow recipes. I've honestly had my nose in these since I received them and Jules and the team at Contry Man Press have done an amazing job! 

I cant recommend them enough. 

Why Not Try:

 Banana Bread Breakfast Bowl:

I love combining recipes to create one super yummy dish! 

For a perfect brunch option add; my Green Goddess Granola, coconut cream, cranberries, and banana bread to a bowl . Top with desiccated coconut and lemon zest for a super yummy, healthy, and energizing brunch.

7. Ultimate Healthy Breakfast Recipe Ideas

HEALTHY BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH RECIPE IDEAS
Vegan, Gluten Free

So you are looking for food thats quick to make and delicious to eat? 

Look no further, these super quick to make and healthy brunch, snack, or dessert recipes are the ultimate indulgence as well as being good for you.

They are all designed to nourish your body with a mix of healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants and slow release carbs-the essential building blocks for maintaining a healthy weight. 

Recipes in this post:

Green Goddess Granola

Unicorn Smoothie Bowl

The Ultimate Vegan Pancake Recipe

Super fruit Berry Breakfast Bowl

The Perfect Sunday Morning Pancakes

Caramelized Pear & Cashew Loaded Toast **Bonus Recipe**

Simply click on the heading of each recipe to find out how to make it!

**BONUS RECIPE Below**

1. GREEN GODDESS GRANOLA

If you are looking for a savory start to your morning then this Granola Recipe is definitely for you. The perfect mix of sweet chewy dates, crunchy cashew oat clusters and crispy kale, this recipe can be made in advance stored and taken out whenever that hunger hits. 

2. UNICORN SMOOTHIE BOWL

This one is for those of us who still live as though we are children. Its actually the perfect way of getting kids to eat their fruit and as its so easy to make its an essential for busy mums.

3. THE ULTIMATE VEGAN PANCAKE RECIPE

These pancakes are DELICIOUS, I honestly can't tell you how good they are-please give them a go you will fall in love with them as much as I have. They are the perfect mix of fluffy and crispy, soaked in agave, and topped with fruit or nuts they are the ultimate vegan pancake.

4. THE PERFECT SUNDAY MORNING PANCAKES (GF, DF, VG)

These deliciously sweet oaty pancakes contain Banana an essential form of potassium and carbohydrate. The oats are a form of fiber, preventing fast absorption of sugar into the blood stream and the nutty topping is an essential form of fat that will satiate you and keep your hunger at bay. 

5. SUPER FRUIT BERRY BREAKFAST BOWL

Berries are an amazing source of anti-oxident they remove free radicles in the body which damage cells-so its really important to get them in your diet! 

6. BERRY DELICIOUS OVERNIGHT OATS

Oats are a perfect slow release carbohydrate, they bind with the sugar in the fruit preventing any nasty sugar spikes keeping you fuller for longer! 

**BONUS RECIPE** 

7. CARAMELIZED PEAR & CASHEW LOADED TOAST 

 This is a bonus recipe just for this post and its a complete winner. The caramelized pear is a naturally sweet and warming addition to crunchy granola and seeded bread, with a drizzle of agave. Its totally healthy, filling and delicious.

Serves 1, Time 10 Mins

What You Will Need:

2 pieces Seeded Bread

1 Pear Cut into 1/4

1 tbsp Cashew Butter

1/4 Almond Milk

1 tbsp Agave Syrup

Agave syrup (optional)

Cinnamon (optional)

Method:

Take a saute/frying pan, and place over a medium heat.

Add your cashew butter,agave syrup, and almond milk and mix to combine in a bowl.

Add to the saute pan and place in your pears. 

Cover the pears in the mix and allow to crisp slightly and begin to turn brown. 

Once they are softened and browned remove from heat.

Plave your bread in a toaster and toast.

Add your pear to the toast, drizzle in agave, and sprinkle with cinnamon. 

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The Ultimate Vegan Pancake Recipe

HEALTHY 3 INGREDIENT PANCAKES 

PLUS TOPPING IDEAS
BERRY COCONUT, CARAMELIZED PECAN, LEMON AND COCONUT SUGAR

Happy Monday! 

Today as its my favorite day of the year tomorrow, I had to upload a pancake recipe! These pancakes are DELICIOUS, I honestly can't tell you how good they are-please give them a go you will fall in love with them as much as I have. They are the perfect mix of fluffy and crispy, soaked in agave, and topped with fruit or nuts they are the ultimate vegan pancake.

Comment below with your favorite pancake topping. 

.

Makes 3-4 pancakes: Time 10 minutes 

Method:

1. Firstly add your Aquafaba, and Agave Syrup to a bowl and mix well.
2. Add the wet ingredients to the dry-this will help prevent lumps!
3. Heat your pan to a medium to high heat and spray with oil-(this is optional but it helps prevent sticking! I use spray coconut oil) 
4. Ladle on your mixture and wait until its appearance changes to a less glossy one all over.
5. Use a spatular going round the edges to help lift the pancakes and flip
6. Cook on the other side for a minute and place on a plate.

Topping Ideas:

See above for ideas to top your pancakes-I love the simple lemon and sugar with berries between my pancakes, but the caramelized pecans are also delicious! 

SHARE THIS RECIPE WITH SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A QUICK EASY RECIPE THIS PANCAKE DAY!

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3 Quick Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Nutty Sourdough Toast, Over Night Oats, & Strawberry Buddah Bowl
THE HEALTHY WAY TO START YOUR DAY 

Welcome to this weeks Sunday Morning post! 

Today I am sharing my favorite vegan breakfast and brunch recipes, to give you some inspiration for a healthy but delicious start to your day. When I was really poorly finding nutritious breakfasts that appealed to me was really difficult. This can be the same if you are trying to loose weight, or if you are dashing around on your way to work. 

I have come up with ... recipes that are delicious, nourishing and filling and you couldn't even tell they were super healthy-they feel like a naughty treat!  

The Science Behind Breakfast 

Breakfast means-breaking your fast. This means when you eat breakfast you are telling your bodies metabolism to start burning calories, when you skip this meal your body will begin conserving energy unsure of when its next meal will be, preventing fat loss. 

Having this meal means you are kick starting your metabolism, getting in essential nutrients to be used throughout the day and increasing your brains ability to function. Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, and with these insanely tasty you wont miss it again!

1. Nut Butter on Sourdough 

This bread is easier to digest due to long fermentation which reduces phytates that bind to essential nutrients, meaning you get more when you eat this type of bread. 

Personally my favorites are peanut butter and Apple and Pumpkin seed and Banana-

What You Will Need:

2 Slices Sourdough

Just pick your favorite nut butter (1 TBSP is the perfect portion) and spread all over sourdough. 

Top with your favorite fruit for some added nutrients.  

 

2. BERRY DELICIOUS OVER NIGHT OATS

Oats are a perfect slow release carb, they bind with the sugar in the fruit preventing any nasty sugar spikes keeping you fuller for longer! 

 For this recipe you will need:

1 or 2 sachets strawberry and banana Quaker oats (substitute for 50g porridge oats if you can get hold of the sachets)

Handful Frozen Berries

Cup of Almond Milk 

Simply place all ingredients in a jar, place in the fridge and pick up and eat the next morning! So so simple! 

3. Strawberry Buddha Bowl

Berries are an amazing source of anti-oxidents they remove free radicles in the body which damage cells-so its really important to get them in your diet! 

What you will need:

• 1.5 cups Frozen berries
• 1 cup Almond Milk
• 25g oats
• seeds

You will need a food processor for this one (I have linked a couple above, I personally use the Kenwood blender and find it amazing-I've had it for 3 years and its still going strong!) 

Add the frozen berries almond milk and oats to the food processor. Blitz it up until it is smooth. Pour into a bowl and to with seeds, oats, and berries. I added two little chocolate oat hearts-Recipe coming soon! 

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Healthy DIY Takeaway- Pizza

EAT YOUR FAVORITE TAKEAWAY EVERYDAY

#HappyHealthyMe

280 Calories per portion 

Its a well known fact that Pizza isn't the lowest calorie option out there, and its more than fine to indulge in your favorite Pizza take out from time to time. But when it comes to everyday, you should still be eating the food you love, without the guilt and health impact of the takeaway variety. The key to maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is developing healthy habits. I have a post on how to create a healthy habit tracker here-if that is something that is of interest to you.

#HappyHealthyMe. Every Monday I will be uploading a healthy version of your favorite takeaway meal, comment below and let me know which you would like to see me make next. 

Today I was requested by @subtlejamie on twitter to make a healthy version of Pizza so that is what I have done! If you do try this then share a picture with me on any of the following 

Twitter Instagram Facebook Google+ Bloglovin Pinterest 

Eat Junk:Stay Lean-When Uneducated YouTubers Spread The WRONG Message

So I was recently in the depths of you tube, as sadly I often am, and came across this video named 'Eat Junk Stay Lean'.

Sorry WHAT?

Autumnal Apple, Pear and Ginger Crumble Recipe (Vegan)

Suffering with a severe milk allergy and slow stomach emptying, I know how difficult it can be to find recipes that cater for dietary needs. I came up with this dairy free recipe that can also be made gluten free with the use of gluten free flour, rather than standard.
I hope you enjoy trying this recipe!
Share your results with me on any of the platforms below...I cant wait to see your pictures!

Method:
Pre heat the oven to 180c

Peel the apples and pears (approx 600g)
Chop into bite sized chunks
Add the fruit to a medium sized saucepan, with 3 tbsp water and simmer over a medium heat until mushy.
Using a small grate on a grater, grate the ginger into the fruit mix and stir together.

For the topping:
Add the flour, sugar, linseed, coconut jam and margarine to a mixing bowl and crumble through your fingers until a breadcrumb consistency is achieved.

Place the fruit into a baking dish and crumble the flour mix on top, bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden.

*

What's your favorite autumnal pudding? 

Check out my Recipe Instagram-voguevegetarian

Get Fit Quick-Lucy Wyndham-read

Lifestyle

If you want to get fit quick, and more importantly healthily, at home without spending a single penny...then Lucy Whyndham Read is your girl.

Her workouts cover every fitness level, and come in all varieties. Whether you want; 4 minutes HIIT, home cardio, or a walking workout, this girl has your back.

I often look at how intensely I want to work out and go through her videos and make a playlist of those I want to complete that day, sometimes its a couple of HIIT workouts, sometimes cardio followed by toning and sometimes I just want a walking workout.

Not only are her workouts QUICK, FUN, and EFFECTIVE, they also come with positive life advise and affirmations to keep you motivated and inspired.

Lucy has a variety of e-books available which go hand in hand with her channel, advising on 80/20 recipes and fitness tips.

I have been following her workouts for well over a year now and they are honestly amazing. I haven't been paid to say a word of this, I just want to share this amazing channel and help others as much as it has helped me.

Have you seen Lucy's channel before? What are your fitness goals?

Vegan Banana and Custard Cake

124 calories

This vegan banana and custard cake is an absolute gem, and I would highly recommend trying it out if you have some spare time and fancy a bake!

What you will need:

Dark brown Muscovado Sugar-50g

Self Raising Flour-150g

Custard Powder-50g for cake 

25g for icing 

Sunflower Spread-25g

Vegan egg-2

Spice-1tsp

Banana-2 medium 

Baking Powder-1 tsp

Icing sugar-60g 

Method:

Pre heat oven to 180 

Mix together all the dry ingredients.

Combine all the wet ingredients

Mix together the dry and wet ingredients until combined

Grease a cake pan and pour ingredients in.

Place in oven for 20 minutes 

Mix together icing sugar and 25g custard powder

Wait for cake to cool and add icing sugar on top.