Healthy Banana Bread: low in gluten, fat and sugar!

I think the pictures speak for themselves when it comes to the deliciousness of this banana bread. The caramel topping of fig, banana and coconut sugar with crunchy walnuts makes this recipe one of the most amazing pieces of your skinny sweets repertoire. By now I think most of us know traditional banana breads are packed with sugar and wheat, providing little nutrition and skyrocketing your blood sugar. My healthy banana bread is made with spelt flour, which is lower in gluten than regular flours, and made with maple syrup for sweetness. This is comfort food at its best, making you feel instantly happy and nourished.

Healthy Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 large bananas, mashed + 1 banana sliced for topping
• 2 large eggs, whisked lightly
• 1/4 cup macadamia nut oil
• 1/4 of almond milk
• 1 teaspsoon of pure vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of maple syrup
• 4 tablespoons of Natvia sweetener 
• 1 1/2 cup of spelt flour
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• For topping: 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar, 1 tablespoon of almond meal, 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, 2 sliced dried figs and chopped banana

Directions:

1. Oil a brownie tin or loaf tin with coconut oil. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees.
2. Mix together the mashed banana, oil, eggs, milk, vanilla, maple syrup, Natvia and ground spices until combined. Sift in the spelt flour and baking powder. Gently mix the the dry ingredients into the wet and add in the almond flour.
3. Pour the mixture into the tin. Combine the coconut sugar and almond meal in a small bowl. Top the bread with banana, figs, walnuts and sprinkle over coconut sugar and almond meal mix.
4. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes until toasty and cooked through. 
5. Take out of the oven to cool, before slicing to serve.
6. Keep in an airtight container for a few days or individually wrap and store in the freezer for up to two months.

Flaxseed, almond and cranberry bites

Perfect for keeping those hunger pains at bay in between meals, these bites are high in protein and healthy fats, yet free from sugar, meaning this snack will help keep your blood sugar levels stable and make you feel full for longer. They contain flaxseed, which is high in most of the B vitamins, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre and low in carbohydrates. You can buy flaxseed at most groceries stores in the health food section, it looks like ground nuts. Make sure to keep flaxseed in a cool place in your pantry or in the fridge as the mix can expire if not stored correctly. These tasty little bites will keep for several days in the fridge, secured in an airtight container.

Oat Tahini Balls

If you need something sweet to tide you over between meals but don't want to blow your calorie budget, these oat snacks are the perfect solution. These bite-sized sugar-free and high in protein snacks are quick and easy to make. They will keep for a week in an airtight container in the fridge but I think they taste nicest at room temperature; just let them defrost a bit before eating.

Watermelon and Fetta Bites

The perfect party snack, these sweet little bites are refreshing and tangy making a delicious accompaniment to a crisp glass of champagne!

Super Food Kale Chips

What makes Kale so great? A nutritional powerhouse, Kale is a fantastic source of protein and vital nutrients for vegans and vegetarians (plus those meat eaters too!). I like to make kale chips, which taste like a total treat food but are low in fat and ridiculously good for you. Start by peeling off the kale leaves and throwing away the stalks as these are too fibrous to eat. Toss leaves in one tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning (I use my favourite combination of garlic, lemon and paprika salt). Bake in a moderate oven on a lined tray for about 15 minutes, until toasted and dry. Once cool, you can store these chips in a air tight sealed bag for a few days. Read on to find out the top ten reasons why kale is such a great addition to your diet. 

Nut-free Bliss Balls

These bliss balls contain a special ingredient called cacao powder, which is made when chocolate liquor is pressed to remove three quarters of its cocoa butter. The remaining cocoa solids are processed to make fine unsweetened cocoa powder. You can buy cacao powder at speciality shops - it's a useful ingredient to add chocolate flavour to an array of baked goods, much like cocoa powder.

These bite-sized morsels are a great treat or snack in between meals as they are packed with all those 'great for you' ingredients and a good dose of protein to keep your metabolism firing.

Nut-free Bliss Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 cup of dessicated coconut
• 30 ml of authentic maple syrup
• 1/2 cup of cranberries, soaked in hot water and drained, leaving a little water left
• 1/2 cup of goji berries
• 2 tbsp of tahini
• 2 tbsp of sugar-free protein powder in chocolate or vanilla
• 2 tsps of cocoa powder
• sesame seeds, cocoa powder or dessicated coconut to roll

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse to combine - if you are having trouble getting the mixture to come together, add some more coconut.
2. Roll a small spoonful of the mixture into a ball and roll in sesame seeds, cocoa powder or coconut to finish.

Slimming tea recipes

I love tea; it is a fantastic alternative to higher calorie hot drinks like coffee or hot chocolate, and many teas have great health benefits for the body. Making your own iced tea is also a great option as opposed to store-bought iced teas or other sugary beverages. Nicole Scherzinger is a tea fan, as is Guiliana Rancic who uses teas to ward off sugar cravings. I drink green tea all day long, have chamomile tea before bed, and also use peppermint or ginger tea for stomach ailments. In this article are some inventive tea recipes taken from a gorgeous book called 'Tea' written by herb expert Margaret Roberts. She has collected her favourite tea recipes, based on different herbs and their healing properties.

What Giuliana Rancic says she snacks on

There's no wonder why there is a bit of controversy swirling around Giuliana Rancic's obsessive approach to her diet and exercise. She looks undeniably gaunt and thin. Personally, I think she is very underweight and after reading an article she wrote that revealed her daily diet, it was clear that she maintains her low weight by not eating enough calories for her body's needs. Giuliana has defended herself numerous times for her skinny look and has blamed the superficial industry she works in.

Despite what I would call a unhealthy mindset to diet and exercise, Giuliana has launched a new website called Fab, Fit and Fun, where she helps readers with a facet of girly questions, like what to snack on. I don't think that girls should be trying to emulate her look and I am undecided as to how I feel about her promoting a healthy lifestyle when it's questionable whether she represents one. In saying that, I agreed with all the snack suggestions she recently posted on her website so I reposted her ideas and comments below. I'm keen to try the kale chips; has anyone done this at home? Let me know how you feel about Giuliana's new website.


Kale Chips
I am so obsessed with kale. It’s tasty and just really healthy. My fave snack secret is making kale chips at home. It’s super simple — just tear up a head of kale, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Pop it in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 and voilà — you have crispy, crunchy perfection! If you don’t wanna make them you can always buy them at T.J.’s or Whole Foods.


Celery and Light Cream Cheese
This is a fun deviation from hummus that always brings me back to being a little kid. I love the crunch from the celery and the light cream cheese adds protein. Use light veggie or scallion cream cheese for extra flavor.


Lydia’s Bars
My new fave, must-have bars — I carry one with me everywhere! The super delish bars are made with all raw, organic, vegan ingredients so you can always feel good about what you are putting into your body. I love the lemon ginger and tropical flavors.


Berry Parfait
So simple but so good. Simply take low-fat yogurt (I am still all about the Greek Fage) and layer with a variety of berries — strawberries, blueberries, raspberries — anything you want. A perfect breakfast or late night sweet treat.


Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Just because Thanksgiving has passed does not mean you should pass on pumpkin seeds. Packed with antioxidants and fiber, put these babies in a Ziploc and take them on the road.


Hard-Boiled Egg
Protein is a great way to fight hunger and hard-boiled eggs are a perfect source. Many trainers I know recommend buying a carton of eggs at the beginning of the week, hard-boiling them up, and keeping them in the carton to use as a snack throughout the week. I do one whole egg and one egg white per snack.

Haylie Duff's watermelon skewers

Haylie Duff

Watermelon Skewers

Haylie Duff has her own food blog, The Real Girl's Kitchen and she recently wrote an article for the Huffington Post on a healthy vegetarian recipe. Haylie has always been interested in healthy foods and exercise, and her gorgeous sister Hilary Duff often credits her sister to getting her more fit and healthy.

"When I first started thinking of an awesome, healthy, vegetarian recipe for HuffPost High School readers, I had so many ideas that it was difficult to narrow it down to just one dish! There's a couple reasons that every teen should have some go-to healthy recipes on hand: first of all, healthy, home-cooked food can be more delicious than anything you'll get at a restaurant. And secondly, if you have some nutritious, easy recipes in your repertoire, you're almost certain to eat better and to save money.


After school or work, you're tired and it's easy to pick up some fast food on the way home. (Full disclosure: I know this because I am guilty of the same behavior.) But I promise you will feel like a whole new person the minute you cut the junk. I'm not talking about weight loss... I'm talking about brain power, renewed energy, and clear skin. Now that all the holidays are over, let's clean up our acts together!


These watermelon caprese skewers are tasty and healthy -- but there's more. Not only is this a no cooking required snack, but it's also a no clean-up required. I often have days where I feel like making something yummy but don't feel like trashing my kitchen, and the clean-up stands in the way of making something delicious. You'll only need three kitchen items to make these gorgeous kabobs -- a knife, a melon baller, and a cutting board -- which makes for super easy cleaning. If that's not incentive, then I got nothin'."

Watermelon Caprese Skewers

What you need:
1 small seedless watermelon, cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, fresh mint, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, BBQ skewers, a melon baller

How to:
Using a melon baller, scoop some pretty balls of watermelon. That's literally it. Stack your skewers however you fancy them. I alternated flavors but watermelon, tomato, and two mozzarella balls is a good-looking order as well. Once assembled, drizzle some balsamic vinegar across the top and give em' a sprinkle of salt.

This is a great vegetarian option for a BBQ... and if you feel like experimenting a little, throw these babies on the grill before you add the mozzarella. Grilled watermelon is oh-so-tasty.

Love, Haylie (taken from the Huffington Post)

What is edamame and skinny edamame bean dip

Anytime I get Japanese food, I always order edamame beans. A fresh, salty and bright green bowl of these little pods are the perfect dish to share with friends, or to have all to yourself. While this dish may have a tricky name (ed-a-mar-may) they may be best interpreted as green soybeans. They are a much better snack than empty carbs (think chips, pretzels or rice crackers) as they are packed in vitamins, fibre and protein.

Edamame is easy to make at home; simply boil for a few minutes and drain, sprinkling in sea salt. The beans also make a great base for a creamy dip, which packs a healthy punch.

To make this delicious edamame dip (which I found in the latest issue of Women's Health Australia) you need the following ingredients:

1 cup frozen shelled edamame*
2/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

*Sometimes you can't find shelled edamame beans at the grocery store (look where the peas are found). If you can, try your local Asian food store, they will have it in the freezer section. If you do buy edamame beans, check they are shelled for this recipe, otherwise you will have to pop them out of their pods, which could be a little time consuming!

Boil the soybeans in a small saucepan for about 4 minutes. Drain and put into a food processor, adding the basil, oil, lemon and salt. Blend for a minute until smooth. Serve with fresh vegetable sticks (celery, carrot and capsicum, and baked pita chips.) Make baked pita chips by slicing wholemeal pita bread in pieces, spraying with oil and sprinkling in seasoning, and baking in a hot oven for 10 minutes or until browned.

A skinny alternative to potato chips

Put down those chips because I have a much better way to quell your craving! My favourite savoury treat is a little gem called Rice Wheels. But they are not chips you cry?! They taste the same, BUT BETTER! Not only do these little puffed rice snacks taste delicious, they contain a mere 70 calories per packet. The cheese flavour is my favourite but they come in roast chicken, barbeque and burger. Yum! Baked not fried, they are also gluten free. They are called Rice Wheels by Healtheries, I buy mine in Coles - in the organic/health food section.