Natural Always

While it's getting colder outside, colorful leaves fall from the trees and days getting shorter, we definitely need to make sure to still feel at our best. On Sundays I usually treat myself with relaxation and a lot of things supporting my well-being and especially refuelling my energy for the upcoming week. Sunday mornings are made for slow starts into the day such as doing some yoga which is very relaxing and energising at the same time. My favourite breakfast on mornings like these is a bowl of Creamy Coconut-Chia-Porridge, which warms body and soul all at once. This easily and quickly made breakfast is full of goodness and can be topped and changed with whatever ingredients you have handy. I love to cuddle into my warm and comfy pullovers and blankets with a cup of tea, a nice read, some candles and this delicious bowl of porridge. Besides the cold weather, there are so many good things about cold winter days – especially on Sundays. How do you spend your Sunday mornings?

Creamy Coconut-Chia-Porridge

Ingredients
30g rolled-oats (optional: gluten-free)
200ml filtered water
4 tbsp coconut milk (or: soy-, almond-, hazelnut-, oat milk)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 ripe banana, sliced
some pinches of spices (cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla powder – as much as you like)
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp raw cacao powder (optional)
1 tsp maple syrup (or not vegan option: raw honey)

Toppings: cacao nibs, bee pollen, desiccated coconut, fresh berries & fruits, goji berries, crushed nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts) & seeds (hemp, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame), freshly grated turmeric

Try out: The combination of raw cacao-powder in the porridge mixture with freshly sliced pears and raw cacao nibs on top is heavenly delicious. Try it out as soon as possible! :)

Put the oats in a pan, add the water, coconut milk, chia seeds, sliced banana and spices. Stir under medium-high heat until everything is combined well. Cook for about 10 minutes until mixture begins to thicken and liquid is absorbed well. Add the coconut oil and almonds butter as a finish, stir to combine it well. If you prefer a chocolatey finish, add a teaspoon of raw cacao powder and stir well. For more sweetness add a teaspoon maple syrup. Take pan away from heat. Pour mixture into your breakfast bowl and add your favourite toppings. Serve, enjoy and relax!

(Makes: 1; Preparation time: 15min)

I wish you all a wonderful and relaxing Sunday.

Lots of love,
Fabienne.

Did you know where the word “breakfast” is coming from? The word literally refers to breaking the fasting period, as it’s the first meal taken after a night’s sleep. As the body needs energy to powerfully start into the new day after resting, it’s very important to eat breakfast every morning. Skipping breakfast means not fuelling your body for performance, which automatically results in lack of energy and concentration and discomfort. Nourish your body in the morning, when new energy is most needed. Eating breakfast is also one of the best and fastest ways to boost your metabolism and to avoid over-eating during the day. A great way to prevent you running out of the house without eating breakfast is to plan your meal the night before you’re going to bed. Your breakfast should be healthy, nutritious and delicious in order to perform, glance and shine at your best during the whole day.

And here’s exactly where the Good-For-You Granola steps in. This Good-For-You Granola saves you the morning, when you don't have enough time to prepare or just want something simple and delicious. Grab the jar of goodness, fresh milk, smile and you start perfectly and full of energy into the new day. This delicious granola is vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and only packed with ingredients which are truly good for you.

You don't need more than 15 minutes to prepare and another 15 minutes to bake everything. The only thing you need to do for this masterpiece is putting all the ingredients together and mix, put them in the oven, add the dried superfoods after roasting and let them cool or still enjoy while warm. It's so simple and easy.

Goji berries: In Chinese medicine these superfood is known as the secret to strengthening the immune system and longevity. Goji berries contain 18 amino acids, including the eight essential ones, and an incredible amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants help lessen the damage caused by free radicals. Superfoods are obviously quite pricey, but it’s totally worth it from what you get out of these superheroes. Only a small amount can provide you with a huge shot of nutrients.

Mulberries: Dried mulberries are a great source of protein, vitamin C and K, iron and fiber. Moreover, they’re a great source of antioxidants and support the immune system.

Hemp Seeds: contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids and are a great alternative for vegans and vegetarians as this tiny seeds contain a very high amount of quality protein. (If you are interested in how to use this protein source in a very efficient way check out my "Powerful and Energizing Protein Bars".)

Walnuts: are a wonderful wholefood packed with nutrients needed to maintain good health, including protein, healthy unsaturated fats, and important vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. Not only because of their "brain-shaped" appearance, but also because of their excellent source of omega-3 fats they are called "brainfood". In order to function properly, our brain cells need these healthy fats. As omega-3 fats can't be produced by our body we need to make sure to guarantee a regular flow of these into our body. Eating walnuts can improve your cognitive function and memory. Moreover, walnuts are rich in antioxidants which have anti-cancerous properties and help support the immune system.

Good-For-You Granola

Basic Ingredients
275g gluten-free rolled oats
100g buckwheat
2 tbsp chia seeds
100g almonds, roughly chopped
75g walnuts, roughly chopped
20g cashews, roughly chopped
60g quinoa
60g pumpkin seeds
40g sunflower seeds
10g hemp seeds
30g coconut flakes
1 tsp spices (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, clove)
Liquits For Roasting
6 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
5 tbsp maple syrup (alternatives: apple, agave or date syrup)
Dried superfoods (after roasting)
80g mix (unsweetened: goji berries, aronia, mulberries, evtl. cranberries/raisins)
4 tbsp edible dried flowers

(Makes: 1 big jar; Preparation time: 15min; Baking time: 15min)
Note: Pay attention, you should only add the dried superfoods after roasting the basic ingredients, otherwise they will get burnt.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Combine all the basic ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the liquid ingredients over and use your hands to toss until everything is well mixed and the dry ingredients are coated. Spread the granola mixture out in the baking tray and roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon a couple of times during roasting to keep it from getting burned.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool before adding the dried superfoods. Add some extra spices if needed.

Store the granola in a sealed glass jar at room temperature. Keeps for at least a month. Enjoy!

To top everything my next post will be my first video where I show you how to do your own nut milk. Trust me, it will be so easy and heavenly delicious!

Stay healthy and perform, glance and shine at your best during the whole day!
With lots of love, Fabienne.