If you’re anything like me then you wake up craving something sweet. Granola is usually my morning ritual, but sometimes I like to mix it up with something a little more indulgent – when I want breakfast to remind me its the weekend! I have two super simple recipes for when you want to treat yourself on those lazy mornings – made without gluten, refined sugar or dairy. In fact both of these are great additions to your diet so don’t feel like you can only save them for special occasions!
Cacao Oatmeal
Ingredients (Serves 1):
Oatmeal:
2 tbsp cacao (I use Navitas Organics)
1/2 cup gluten free old fashioned rolled oats (I use Bobs Redmill)
1 cup water
Splash of oat milk (I use Oatly)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (I use Simply Organic Foods)
1/2 tsp coconut sugar (I use Big Tree Farms)
Topping:
banana, sliced
Unsweetened coconut flakes (I use Organic Great Value @Walmart)
Goji berries (I use Navitas Organics)
Hemp seeds (I use Manitoba Harvest)
Method:
- Heat the oats and water in a pan until it starts to boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and add a splash of oat milk, vanilla extract and coconut sugar.
- Set the timer for 7 minutes, stirring frequently.
- After 5 minutes add the cacao and cook for a remaining 2 minutes.
- You might want to add a little more water/oat milk depending on your preferred consistency.
- Top with banana, coconut flakes, goji berries and a scattering of hemp seeds. By all means experiment with other fruit and seeds. Berries work wonderfully with cacao.
This is such a great way of getting your chocolate fix without any of the unhealthy ingredients found in a bar. If you prefer milk chocolate over dark you might need a little more coconut sugar, but the sweetness of the banana should offset any bitterness. Health-wise – raw cacao is the best way to enjoy the taste of chocolate – I talk about the benefits of this superfood on my Coconut Cacao Cookies blog – If you need more healthy treats in your life (don’t we all!) please check it out.
Baked almond pancakes
It was a shortage of oats that led me to the creation of these circles of joy. As long as you have eggs, flour, cinnamon and fruit you always have options! Almond is my absolute favorite gluten free flour to bake with – as well as having great taste & texture (sweet & light), its hard to go wrong – measures don’t need to be exact like other flours such as coconut so its great for baking freestyle! Almonds also have an excellent nutrition profile. High protein, low carb (with some fiber) and rich in monounsaturated fat provides the best combination for maintaining a healthy weight. Part of the problem with bakes goods (aside from being laden with sugar and unhealthy fats) is the refined glutenous flour (wheat, spelt, rye) that is used. These tend to be high in simple carbs, contain little fiber and lack protein. This only causes pounds to be added to your waistline and offers little nutritional value. Almond flour is simply made from whole nuts and allows you to enjoy treating yourself without disrupting blood sugar or your gut. Almonds are particularly high in vitamin E and manganese so you will benefit from a dose of antioxidants and more effective metabolism of glucose and amino acids. Dairy free? Almond flour will also offer some much needed calcium.
Ingredients (Serves 2):
1 cup super fine almond flour (I use Bobs redmill)
1 tbsp unrefined coconut oil (refined if you dislike the taste of coconut)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 large eggs, whisked
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup blueberries
Chia seeds
Hemp seeds
Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 350F
- Mix almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, eggs and baking soda in a large bowl until you reach a smooth consistency.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and create your best circles – I made five (three for me and two for hubs!). Cook for 15 minutes.
- A few minutes before your pancakes are ready, heat the blueberries in a pan with a splash of water.
- Using a spatula transfer your perfect pancakes to your plate (trying not to claim all five), drizzle the warm blubs and finish with a scattering of hemp & chia seeds. It doesn’t get any easier – or healthier – to indulge in homemade pancakes.
Sinlessly sweet!
enjoy!
