Develop Your Intuition

The other day I read this lovely quote. It made me stop and think. This is how it went:

“A bird in a tree never fears the branch will break because her faith is not in the branch but in her own wings”

Two thoughts entered my mind. Firstly, how wonderful the quote is; how it boils down to self esteem and confidence in our own ability, and how security and happiness must come from within and be centred in ourselves and not from others or dependent on external factors.

Secondly, the quote made me question when we learn to trust our wings? The answer is simple. We are all born with that trust; deeply rooted in our blueprint. As toddlers we explore the world with little fear until something or someone triggers insecurity and fear. Throughout life, we then reinforce fear every time we experience small set backs in life, and we are taught to trust and rely on external factors and people (our grandparents/parents/teachers at school/friends/pets). “Mummy is so proud of you” rather than “You should be so proud of yourself”. And with the passing of time many of us forget to trust and pride in ourselves – living more for others or for external pats on the back (the big house/big pay check/recognition).

What is interesting is that the likelihood of external factors changing; or people leaving; or being wrong or misguided is high. Let’s face it. If you look around yourself, now, how much of what surrounds you has changed during your life? A lot right? I thought so.

Change is phenomenally important, and at times it can be hard. Change drives new paths, creates opportunity and opens the mind. Change shakes the earth beneath your feet and may leave you empty handed and scared and scarred. This is when you need your wings.

When you find yourself in between; that distinct place where your old self and new self are balancing on a thin wire. This in between space is where change begins. It is where your inner voice will clear its throat, dust itself off and whisper, if it can’t shout, for your wings to open and fly. If you trust it to.

Don’t rush this stage, as tempting as it might be. Turn off the clock watching and the impatience and let your intuition guide you. Trust your wings; they are there and will carry you.

Guilt Free Avocado Chocolate Cake

What would it mean to sink your teeth into a moist, warm piece of chocolate heaven knowing that every bite contains only healthy ingredients? Imagine leaving the dinner table feeling full and not bloated?

This cake is amazing. It is moist, chocolaty, naturally sweet and packed full off great ingredients – and I felt great after eating it (where I usually would feel heavy and, yes, guilty!).

Gluten free, egg free, refined sugar free…. How you ask, will that EVER be tasty? So simple.

Bananas, avocado, cocoa powder, honey or agave syrup, oats (yes, my favourite ingredient in most things), rice flour (or gluten free alternative), coconut flour, coconut oil, vanilla, pinch of salt – and Bob’s your uncle. Enjoy – and please let me know how much you enjoyed it!

Guilt Free Avocado Chocolate Cake

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1.5 ripe bananas
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey (agave syrup/maple syrup can be used instead)
• 1/4 cup (60ml – when dry) coconut oil, melted
• 1 cup (250ml) unsweetened almond milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup (125ml) gluten free flour
• 2 tbsp (125ml) coconut flour
• 1/2 cup (125ml) cocoa powder
• Good pinch of sea salt

1. Pre-heat oven to 175C – grease/line a baking tray – what ever shape you like really.
2. In a large bowl, mush up the bananas and avocado well
3. Add vanilla, honey (or syrup) and melted coconut oil and stir well
4. Pour the almond milk into a cup and add the table spoon of vinegar – let it sit there for a minute or two – then add to the large bowl and stir well
5. Tip in salt, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda as well as the two kinds of flour, oats and cocoa powder. Give it all a really good mix to combine.
6. Pour into your prepared tin/tray and place in the oven – leaving it to cook for roughly 45 minutes – a skewer inserted should come out clean. The cake will crack and that is great. Not a problem.
7. Once cooked leave to cool – and serve with natural yogurt or plain.
8. Scrumptious!

Simplicity of Tomatoes

“Once you have de-seeded the tomatoes then proceed to…..” – do these words make your stomach turn? 🙂

For some reason the de-seeding of tomatoes had become a horrible task in my mind; something cumbersome and difficult. Something to avoid. Any recipe that required this method was, well, adapted…

Then the other day I realised what many of you probably already are aware of; de-seeding tomatoes is so very simple. So simple.

As I sliced open the tomato, the light pink inner flesh revealing itself I took a few minutes to actually observe the tomato – to marvel at how it is composed and to see the intricate details of the flesh, the seeds and the skin. Suddenly the de-seeding process was very clear.

A tomato has clever departments, if you will, and when you slice it in half, or in quarters, you notice pockets within it. Each pocket is full of seeds and you can slip a little finger into each pocket and gently scoop out the seeds. Very pain-free, very quick and beautifully simple.

When I told my daughter, of 10 years, she laughed and said “Did you not know that mum? I always use my tongue and suck them out of the pockets”… Made me smile. Children have an amazing gift; exploring while keeping things simple.

Morale of the story: Slow down and enjoy every element of cooking – especially  exploring and learning about your ingredients.

What was I cooking? A cold tomato salsa – de-seeded and chopped tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, garlic, chilli, olive oil and salt.Cool in fridge and dollop generously either onto   burgers or on grilled ciabatta bread that has been rubbed with fresh garlic. On top of the salsa you can then throw some buffalo mozzarella and scatter some basil. Perfect summer BBQ starter (no pictures as it was all eaten way too quickly!)

Take a look at the tomato pictures below and enjoy the next time you are advised to de-seed a tomato!