Archive | October, 2012

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Brownies (Gluten & Dairy Free)

25 Oct

For me, time in the kitchen is quite relaxing.  It’s almost like therapy really.  A time where I can zone out and forget about the worry’s of the day.  It’s also a chance to whip up some wholesome goodness for myself and the family, which they always seem to enjoy.

Over the years my culinary skills have developed quite a bit through experimentation and the guidance of my beautiful mother.  We all know that mom’s know best, and this is especially true when it comes to baking.  Some of my fondest childhood memories involve my mom, grandma and I in the kitchen making treats.  More specifically brownies.  It was love at first bite with all that ooey gooey chocolately goodness.

Nothing can put a smile on your face quite like milk and a brownie.

Except if you have food intolerances…

But I’m here to save the day!!!! These brownies are free from gluten, grains, dairy and soy.  There are no funky gums or a million different flours. Just simple ingredients that make for happy tummies and taste buds.

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Brownies

(Gluten free, Grain free, Dairy free, Soy Free, Low FODMAP)

Serves 12

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup blanched almond meal
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tbsp cinnamon, ground
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup cooked sweet potato*
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 6 egg whites
  • Olive oil cooking spray

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
  2. Prepare brownies: Combine almond meal, cocoa powder, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a food processor, combine sweet potato, maple syrup, oil, vanilla and egg yolk. Purée until combined and smooth.
  3. Gradually mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients, until just combined; do not over-mix.
  4. In a separate dry bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form. Then, using a rubber spatula, gently fold egg whites into batter.
  5. Lightly spray sides of baking pan (9 x 9 x 2-inch) with cooking spray.  Pour batter into pan and place into oven. Bake for about 16 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and allow brownies to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  6. Loosen brownie and turn slab out onto a cutting board or platter. Cut into 12 pieces and serve when cool.
  7. Leftovers may be kept refrigerated in a resealable container for up to 2 days.

*Note: I used a 275g raw sweet potato and cooked it in the microwave to get approximately one cup of cooked flesh.  A medium/largish sweet potato should be fine, just measure the cooked flesh to ensure you have enough.

Nutrition (1/12th recipe): Calories: 149, Total fat: 8g, Sat. fat: 1.1g, Total carb: 16.9g, fibre: 3g, sugars: 9.9g, Protein: 5.2g

Being gluten or dairy free doesn’t mean you should miss out! These brownies are dense, fudgey and totally delicious.  So make a batch, and indulge because…

Nothing can make you smile quite like a glass of almond milk and a gluten free brownie.

Do you enjoy ‘kitchen therapy?’  What’s your favourite thing to bake or cook?

Is morning cardio better for fat loss?

8 Oct

Fact or fiction: Exercising first thing in the morning will burn more fat.

This is another tricky one, so let’s look at the facts.  Exercising first thing in the morning, in a fasted state will mean that your body uses a greater percent of fat for energy (as opposed to carbohydrate).  Sounds like a winner, right?  Well yes and no. Let me explain…

Our bodies are complex machines and the type of energy we use for exercise (fat, carbs, and even a bit of protein) depends on a huge number of factors, such as intensity, duration, level of fitness, and general diet.  In general we tend to use fat for fuel during lower intensity exercise and shift towards burning carbs as intensity increases.  But what we burn during exercise is of little importance really!  If fat loss is the goal, it is more important to think about the total amount of energy we burn, not just during the one hour of exercise, but after as well!

So what is the best way to do this then?  Well I’m not going to suggest that there is one right answer, but I’ll give you a few different strategies:

  • If you are strapped for time, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) is a great way to zap fat.  Compared to steady-state exercise, studies have shown that HIIT results in a greater reduction in fat mass and total body mass.  You can learn more about the benefits in this article by Charles Poliquin.
  • Eat a light meal before exercise (check out some of my recipes for ideas).  Having some fuel in your system will let you exercise longer and harder, meaning you burn more calories.  It also prevents protein breakdown (occurs at a much greater rate during fasted exercise) which is particularly important for those wanting to maximise muscle mass.
  • Incorporate resistance training into your exercise routine.  Muscle is an active tissue and needs more energy to function compared to fat.  Having more muscle means you burn greater amounts of energy, even at rest!

Bottom line here is that nothing beats a healthy lifestyle.  The media can give a very one sided story about the latest diet,  or fitness fad, so it’s important to be a detective and learn the facts.  You’ll soon realise that no quick-fix translates into long-term health.  Keep it simple: be active, eat healthy, and enjoy a long and prosperous life!

What fitness or diet fads have you tried?
Want me to dispel some other myths or facts? Let me know your nagging fitness, nutrition or lifestyle questions!!!
 

Low FODMAP delicious

3 Oct

Being creative in the kitchen can be tough when you have a lot of food intolerances, but that doesn’t mean you have to succumb to a menu of plain chicken and rice!  The key to success is to adapt recipes and use friendly ingredients to create a healthy, balanced meal that still packs loads of flavour.  If you need some inspiration check out my latest pinterest board Low FODMAP delicious.  All the recipes have notes to help you make these dishes fructose friendly and Low FODMAP.  You can also check out my sweet and savoury boards for other ideas, or hit up my recipe page.  Time to tantalise those taste buds!

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