This time of year in New Zealand (late summer), tomatoes are plentiful and cheap. Tomatoes and basil are an old match made in heaven. I brought a bag of mixed heirloom tomatoes from my local, Waihi Beach farmgate deli and came up with this little treat for an entree on a hot, late summer’s day…

INGREDIENTS
A handful of tomatoes per person (the smaller varieties), cut in half
100g goat feta, chopped
1 tablespoon of chives, chopped

FOR THE DRESSING
3 large basil leaves, finely chopped
3 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 small clove of garlic, minced

Place all the dressing ingredients in a screw top jar and shake.

ASSEMBLE
Place the tomatoes and feta into serving dishes, spoon over dressing, garnish with chives.

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Carrying on in the healthy, raw, gluten free theme I decided to give these cardamom truffles a whirl. Cardamom is a favourite spice of mine and has several health benefits such as aiding digestion. It’s also anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. So in other words it’s a fully loaded, power packed little pod! Combined with orange zest and manuka honey in this recipe adds a lovely spicy-sweet taste explosion.

RECIPE
1 1/2 cups of natural almonds
1 cup of pitted dates
1 teaspoon of fresh ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon of melted Manuka honey
Zest of one orange
Pinch of salt

Process the almonds and dates in a blender or processor until well ground and mixed. Add to a bowl with all the other ingredients and mix well. With wet hands (prevents everything sticking) roll tablespoons of mix into balls, roll in coconut if you wish, refrigerate or freeze. Eat with a cup of cardamom tea!

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I have worked with the Bestow Beauty company for several years now in the graphic design and marketing capacity. I relish my time with both the products and the people plus all the marvellous things I have learnt over the years about skin health. I now sell the 3 Bestow products as follows:

Bestow Beauty Oil $36.50
Bestow Beauty Powder $45.00
Bestow Be Cleansed $49.50

If you would like to order any of these please message me (P+P is not included in the above prices).

Janine Tait, director of Bestow and myself are now working on a Bestow Cooking Journal which will be available early December. If you would like to be notified as soon as it is available please click here.

This morning I thought I would try a green smoothie with avocado, I’ve read a few recipes lately for this and haven’t really been able to get my head around it to be honest. Avocado in a smoothie?? Are you sure? Anyway today was the day to bite the avocado bullet. The result was actually suprisingly good, creamy good!

Blend together:
250ml Coconut Water
1/2 medium sized avocado flesh
small handful of fresh kale leaves
1 tbsp pure maple syrup or honey or a dash of stevia to sweeten
1 tbsp Bestow Be Cleansed
1/2 tbsp Bestow Beauty Powder
A few ice cubes

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In the food blogging world there is some amazing people living their passion. I recently was told about Belinda from My Healing Kitchen, she’s another fellow foodie from Cambridge NZ. Please checkout her awesomeness and like her facebook page. My Healing Kitchen is dedicated to conscious living & healthy eating and also does the most awesome friday night take-outs, this is one of her recipes, I added in some natural almonds because they’re my favourite nut, you could add in whatever healthy treats you like.

Line a dinner plate with baking paper. Scatter some frozen raspberries, roughly chopped almonds, coconut chips or threads over the dinner plate.

Melt 1/3 cup coconut oil then mix in 3 tbsp maple syrup (100% pure) and 2 tbsp cacao or carob powder. Pour over your berries/almonds/coconut.

Set in the freezer for half an hour, break up and enjoy!

The post Raw chocolate bark appeared first on The huia tree.

The only reason they’re not quite raw chocolate balls is because the only coconut I had in the house for rolling them in was lightly toasted! Everything else about them is raw, sugar free and gluten free and continues the better-health path I am currently on. These are easy to make and I used the leftover almond pulp from the previous recipe when I made almond milk.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole natural almonds soaked in 1 cup of water for several hours (or use left over almond pulp from making almond milk)
1 cup pitted dates soaked in warm water for 15mins (use medjool dates if your budget allows)
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup dessicated coconut or coconut chips
2 tbsp raw honey or organic maple syrup
1/3 cup of goji berries/cocoa nib mix (optional)

METHOD
Drain the water from the almonds and the dates then add all ingredients in a food process until thick and smooth. If the mix seems too dry then just add a little water to get the right consistency 9similar to very thick icing). Scrape the food processor contents into a bowl and place in the fridge for an hour. Roll into balls and roll in the extra dessicated coconut. Freeze or refrigerate. These make a great, healthy, chocolate snack when you need an energy boost.

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