Showing posts with label private chef. Show all posts
Showing posts with label private chef. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

The MOST perfect chocolate muffin EVER. Damn.

These RBN cacao muffins are the bomb & make a great breakfast or snack.  Why #cacao and not #cocoa the difference you ask? 

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Cacao: One of the purest form of chocolate we can consume.  Raw and less processed than cocao powder.  Excellent source of vitamins, fiber, carbs and protein.  Choose 75% or higher to reap the benefits of this superfood!

Cocoa: Prepared in a similar way, yet heated so we lose some of the vitamin/mineral potency and content.  If you choose to buy, make sure it is pure and not mixed with oils or sugars. 

 

  RBN Loco-Choco Muffins 

(Yields 6 large or 8/10 small) *Gluten-Free & Vegetarian

 


Dreamy and delicious cacao nibs!
What you'll need:
1 egg (organic, free-range, local if able)
1 banana* (1/2 cup apple sauce)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (1/4 bean)
1/4 c coconut/flax/hemp oil (raw, cold-pressed, organic)
1-2 tbsp honey (raw) or maple syrup
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Blend.

In a separate bowl: Sift.

1 c gluten-free, AP flour**
1/4 c cacao powder/cocao if need be.
1/2 tsp baking soda (aluminum free)
1/2 c cacao nibs

 





What to do:  Preheat oven to 350.  Mix wet ingredients into dry.  Pour into muffin pan/liners - 3/4 full.  Cook for 20 or until cooked through.  Variations: Add nuts, melt chocolate and dip tops OR stuff a piece of dark salted choc on top/middle! MMM


Another version - With dark choc chunks on top for more of a "cupcake" feel!


RBN Tips: * Ripe bananas are the best for baking.  Don't throw them out, store in freezer for baking.  Let defrost in a bowl of hot water - voila!

**Can use sprouted flour if gluten isn't a concern!


I added some VitaGrains from Innotech Nutrition


The perfect bfast, snack or dessert!




Sign up for our RachelBies Nutrition Newsletters for more recipes, articles, tips & more!

 

Giveaway FEVER next blog .... ooooh stay tuned!

 

xox rbn




Tuesday, July 14, 2015

FoodiePages.ca & RachelBies Nutrition Collaboration Announcement!

Happy Bastille Day to my viewers in France (and thanks for your support!) - As a French Canadian girl (1/2), I always like to acknowledge French traditions - be it in a #vivelaFrance or #labelleprovince manner! I'm currently doing a cleansing few weeks (two weddings last week & two more in two weeks) so NO fromage or poutine pour moi!

     Anyways... ANNOUNCEMENT time!



When FoodiePages.ca emailed me to work & partner up for some fun collaborations - I jumped at the opportunity!  

About FoodiePages.ca:

Founder & CEOErin Maynes created FP's to be a great online presence - where you could connect with farmers, markets & wineries and buy directly from Canada's best small-scale & regional producers.  FoodiePages stands for good food - natural, local & delicious (which falls in line PERFECTLY with what RBN's motto is)!

Our first collab is MY most favourite things to do with local people - #recipe development!  

Our first star ingredient is something that all chefs/nutritionists/foodies naturally turn to to add flavour, layers & aroma to our meals.  Nutritionally its part of the allium fam-jam (onions and such) & is great for heart health, blood pressure, improves iron metabolism and is affectionately referred to as "the stinking rose"!

Garlic! Ail! Aglio! Knoflook!

When you roast garlic - the intense flavours disappear and are replaced with sweet and salty tinges!
Nutritional Powerhouses & one of my FAVOURITE go-to ingredients!

My job was to create a recipe highlighting the wonders of garlic! Hmmm. A bit of a new challenge as we naturally lean to it as a supporting character - but with a bit of trial and error, can easily become THE STAR.

 Roasted garlic, sweet potato & white kidney bean hummus!


What you'll need:

 1/2 c soaked & cooked white beans (black & chickpea would work too)
1 large sweet potato
2 heads of garlic
1/2 fresh lemon
2 tsp tahini (nut butter works too)
1/2 c extra virgin olive oil
sea salt & pepper
chili peppers (optional)
2 tsp fresh cilantro
1 tsp cumin

What to do:

Preheat oven to 375. Peel sweet potato & cut into quarters. Cut tops of garlic, place in a foil wrapper with olive oil. Roast for 25-30 minutes until soft and sweet. Potatoes - Toss in olive oil and s & pRoast until soft, 45-60 minutes.  Once everything has cooled down, throw all ingredients into food processor/blender/vitamix.  Blend with small increments of evoo until smooth.  Can use a bit of the water used to cook beans too!  Blend until desired texture - I like it so it coats veg/crackers without being too thin.  Season with extra spice or acidity!  Finish with fresh herbs a drizzle of your best olive oil!  Serve with crudites, sweet potato chips, crackers or use as sub on your sandwiches/pizza.  

Heart health, delicious and oh so colourful!!!  Drool worthy, non?

Variations:
1. Boil the sweet potatoes for a less "roasted" flavour.  Sub in your favourite squash or pumpkin.
2. For a fall hummus - add cayenne, ginger & cinnamon as your spices.  Curry would work amazing too.
3.  Finish with some goat cheese or feta for a zing!
4. Smear roasted garlic on crackers/toast with some cheese!
5. Toss in pasta with some roasted veggies & herbs.

Nutritional breakdown: Source of magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium & copper.  Reduces inflammation, protects our heart & chalk full of anti-oxidants!

Add garlic to all your meals, dressings and soups to add an extra dash of nutrients & flavours to your day!

Thanks to FoodiePages.ca and cannot wait to loop you all in on our other upcoming projects!!

Tweet us @rachelbies with your version & pics of this recipe!

Email us for consults, culinary collaborations, meal plans & food deliveries at rachelbiesnutrition.com!

love rbn
xox 

LOCAL LOVE TO FOODIEPAGES!!!





Monday, March 23, 2015

Lemon Ginger & Turmeric Tea .....PLUS a Giveaway!!!

It's a beautiful ( but cold) day here in Toronto and I woke up needing an extra little boost of nutrition to jump start my morning..

Decided to glam up my usual hot lemon water (you all should be drinking this!) ...turmeric is a staple spice that holds many health properties & turns everything that golden yellow - which is a pretty start the the day.

Super easy & takes 5 minutes.

Lemon, Ginger & Turmeric Tea

(serves 2) 

This just oozes happiness...


What you'll need:
1 lemon*
1 inch of fresh ginger*
1 tsp of turmeric (ground)*
1 tsp raw honey*
2 cups of hot water

What to do:
Boil water.  Squeeze 1/2 lemon into each mug. Add 2-3 slices of ginger. Pour hot water until 3/4 full.  Stir in turmeric and honey.  Finish with ice cubes or room temp water.  Stir again and drink 30-45 minutes before your coffee-tea & breakfast.

 

Why should you drink this?

  • Puts your body in an alkaline state - which is ideal & prevents infection and disease.
  • Raw honey & turmeric - anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial & high in anti-oxidants!
  • Helps digestion
  • A natural liver flush (which we all need!)
  • Immune system boost
  • Happy & healthy skin!
  • Freshens breath
  • Energy boost
  • Is delicious and a great habit to add to your morning routine, all these benefits for 5 minutes of work!  Oh so worth it!
 

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 GIVEAWAY!


Win 2 tickets to THE GREEN LIVING SHOW this wknd in Toronto!

3 Ways to enter & win!

1. Comment on one of our recent posts!

2. Follow me & tweet to @rachelbies why you want to go this year!

3. Follow me & instagram thehealthybies  who you want to see this year!

ENTER NOW

*Contest end Thursday March 26th, 6pm*


Happy Monday Everyone!  Don't forget to enter
xox
rbn