LATE POST: New love of reading!

I never thought the day would come.. The day I finished reading a whole book! Not just any book but an amazing novel! I can't tell you how many times I have started reading a book and never finished it. I have a stash of unread books sitting under my bed side table waiting to be read. I normally collect and read cookbooks and wellness articles it's my hobby and guilty pleasure. And when I do read I read them before bed. I find it calms and relaxes my mind, bringing me to the present moment and focusing on the words. Anyway back to the book I fully read! (You can tell I'm proud of myself). Last weekend during Easter mum, my sister and I headed up the sunsunshine coast for a short getaway to lay in the sun, swim in the beach, realax, nourish and replenish ourselves from the busy stressful city life. Previous to the trip I found myself in a book store where I found not 1 but three books I was eager to read! I went cray and spend around $70 on books! This is really rare for me as I normally spend my extra cash on cafe dates and clothes. I bought Sarah Wilson's new cookbook "quit sugar for life", gabby bernsteins "spirit junkie" and john greens "the fault in our stars!". Ok so two out of three of these are wellness/ motivational books, the kinda books I normally buy, both amazing and I absolutely love! But the other was an actual novel which I would neve ever choose. It attracted to me because I had heard that is going to be movie... and WOW it is the most amazing book I have ever read.. it legitimately made me cry!!! please I recommend you read this book especially before it comes out in the cinemas... as the movie never does the book justice!!

Loving.. my new love of books

love you all
Maddy xx

WHATS HAPPENING in my life?

Hi everyone! long time no speak! These last couple of months have been crazy busy! Uni is awesome but lots of work, the school is filled with such like minded and passionate people! such amazing and knowledgeable teachers and everyone is so supportive and helpful! IM LOVING IT!

well apart from uni, over the easter break I went to Noosa for a weekend with the fam and spent the time relaxing by the beach, climbing mountains, visiting markets, eating delicious food, and just clearing my mind ! I love getting away from the busy Brisbane city, and the beach feels like my second home! As well as that, I turned the big 18 a couple of weeks ago and spent the day/ evening catching up with close family and friends, eating awesome food and I even had my first drink! SANGRIAAAAA!!

Last week was even more exciting, as my sister, my friend Dem and myself won a competition with Adidas which included a night in Sydney, a personal training session with Isabelle Cornish (FROM PUPERTY BLUES!!) & $500 worth of Adidas clothing each! It was seriously AMAZING and so much fun, and I will treasure those memories for the rest of my life. I will post pictures and more information on the trip soon!

Well this week Im on Study break which means I should be studying but instead I'm finding everyway possible to not be.. I've been super sick with a horrible cold so I've been in bed most of the time.  I'm drinking tons of lemon/ginger/honey tea, juices and raw garlic to help boost my immune system and help fight off this cold!

The next couple of months are exciting.. my family from NZ are all coming over to visit! I cant wait to see them as we only get to see them once every 1-2 years. In September Ive also planned a trip to Melbourne, my fav city in Australia, where I will spend the week shopping, eating and discovering new places !

I must write on the blog more often.. Ive forgotten how much I love to write and I guess life has just gotten in the way of that. Ive also promised myself to start getting more creative and experimental in the kitchen! So stay tuned, as I will start to post more recipes, health tips etc.. in the next couple of weeks!

Love you all
xoxoxo

Maddy Lahey

THE BEST RAW CARAMEL SNICKERS SLICE EVER!

Hi beautiful souls! This afternoon I got home from being out all day and was really craving something chocolaty, dense and sweet for afternoon tea. I wanted to make cacao/nut balls but only had 2 dates left in the fridge, so I fiddled around with the thew ingredients that I had and came up with an unintentional snickers slice! It tasted exactly like snickers it was insane, then even better I remembered I had some Loving Earth raw caramel chocolate left in the fridge and decided to melt that and layer it on top of the slice <3 absolutely bloody delicious! Unfortunately I didn't measure anything out so I'm just gonna guess but feel free to tweak the ingredients to your taste, this ones super easy!

makes 2-4 small slices (just double to make more!

Ingredients
2 dates
a handful or two of mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, Brazil, hazelnuts)
2-3 Tbsp of Hulled Tahini
1 heaping tsp of Raw Honey
1-2 tbsp of Cacao Powder

For Topping : 4 Squares of Loving Earth Raw caramel chocolate (like below)






Method:
Simply process nuts in a processor until chopped, combine all other ingredients and process till well blended. Get a small rectangular/square container and layer some foil or baking paper inside and with the snickers mixture press down (1 cm thick) and make a square/rectangular brownie shape. Place mixture in the freezer.
Then for the caramel simply melt the caramel chocolate on the stove with a little coconut oil (optional) not for long otherwise it will melt. Then spread the caramel on top the slice in the freezer and let set for about an hour.

Hope you guys enjoy!,

Maddy
xxxx

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY + RAW chocolate decadent avocado mousse!

Happy Valentines Day beautiful souls! Today is a day to share or express your love to your family, friends and your loved ones! You don't need to buy chocolates, flowers or fancy expensive gifts to gain your love for someone, just tell them how much they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them in your life. Or maybe even go out to the movies, go out for dinner or even better cook a beautiful meal from love to share with that someone special. So I hope your day is filled with love and happiness and that you continue to share this connection and love everyday. Here's my favourite chocolate dessert recipe that I almost have at least once a week, personally I always feel so happy and love within myself after eating it! ITS AMAZING AND SO EASY!!

RAW CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE (serves 2)

Ingredients

1 Avocado
2 Tbsp Coconut oil
4 Tbsp Cacao powder
2 Tbsp Raw Honey, Coconut Nectar, Maple Syrup or sweetener of choice.


Method
Simply combine all ingredients in a food processor and whip until fully mixed through.
Add or take away the amount of ingredients to suit your taste buds, you may not like as much cacao as it can be quite strong for some people, but I find it gives that real decedent chocolate taste.

Once processed scoop into small bowls or tea cups and place in the freezer for a couple of minutes, top with fresh berries and desiccated coconut. MMMM delish Im getting hungry just thinking about it!

New Segment - Tasty Tuesdays!!!

Hi everyone, I've decided that instead of a foodie Friday I have replaced it with Tasty Tuesdays just to mix it up a bit ;) so this week I have experimented with Mung Bean fettuccine an amazing pasta in which the only ingrediants is pure mung beans! you can find this product in almost all health food stores and they suppliers also sell a variety of gluten free pastas such as chickpea, black bean and azuki bean pasta. I love the mung bean as it has a nice texture that works well with a lot of pasta dishes.

Roast vegetable mung bean fettuccine 

Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free 

Ingrediants  

1/2 a packet of mung bean pasta

2 zuchinni sliced diagonally 

1 eggplant chopped into cubes 

1/2 cup pumpkin chopped into cubes

2 small red onions sliced

1/2 cup mushrooms sliced

Tomato Marinara

4 tomatos chopped into chunks 

2-3 garlic cloves

1 brown onion

1/4 cup of chopped oregano

Olive oil

First combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, oregano and oil onto a pan and roast in a 220 degrees oven for 45- 60 mins. Once roasted remove and let cool for 5-10 mins. Place all ingrediants in a blender (vitamix), food processer or stick blender and blend until everything is combined. Set sauce aside.

For the vegetables simply combine with olive oil and let roast for around 20-40 mins until thoroughly cooked. 

Follow instructions on pasta packet and cook pasta.

Once all components are done simply combine the pasta, roast vegetables and marinara in a bowl and serve with fresh spinach or herbs. And Bellissimo! A delicious bht helathy Italian inspired dinner! 

The Power of LOVE

When I was on my walk this morning, I admired an old couple walking together side by side, hand in hand and oozing with pure love. I then thought these soul mates have been through so much together and yet they still have that compassionate love for each other even when their on a morning walk.

COMING BACK TO LOVE! is one of my mottos for 2014, I've decided that whenever Im in a negative or good situation or deciding on something, I ask myself..

Am I acting from a place of  LOVE or FEAR?

In everything we think and do there are only two positions that we are intending and acting on.
Fear or Love?

All out intentions and actions that are FEAR based serve to accumulate power over others.
Whereas..
All out intentions and actions that are LOVE based serve to love with power.

FOR EXAMPLE

When you are at work, school or even in your own home, Do you try and do everything on your own insisting you don't need help? Do you try hard to control things rather then getting input and taking advice? or Do you hold onto things/information rather than sharing it? If so, you are acting out of FEAR.

When you open up and share to the world your talents, passion, knowledge or wisdom. When you do things because you want to and LOVE them. And when you make a decision you are 100% confident and proud about. You are acting from a place of LOVE.


So I encourage you to start acknowledging your everyday jobs, actions and situations and analyse yourself if you are acting from a place of LOVE or FEAR? and things will start to become for clearer and flowing in your life.

Every human thought word or deed is based in one emotion or the other. You have no choice about this because There is nothing else from which to choose. But - you have free choice about which one of these to select.”
~Neale Donald Walsch





Cheers to Health,
Maddy Lahey xx

What a week! + Foodie Friday - VEGAN COCO-NUTTY GRANOLA

Happy Friday everyone! This week has gone so quick and has been both extremely busy and exciting! I have been interested in studying in the Natural Health field for a couple of years now and have been researching, reading and figuring out which course and what school would best suit me and that will help me achieve my dream. 

Last weekend I visited an Open Day at Endeavour College of Natural Health in Brisbane with my close friend Demi (happylittleveganmite). We had both been wanting to apply for this college for some time as the school offers a variety of natural health courses which seem to appeal to me! 
After visiting the open day I just knew Endeavour was the perfect place for me, the lecturers, the classrooms, the lessons, everything! just seemed right. I met with Cathy, the enrolment advisor today to talk about an enrolling into A Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional Medicine). She guided me through timetables, booklists, VET FEE Help and everything to suit my learning needs at Endeavour.  Hopefully by this time in 3 weeks I will be walking through the doors of Endeavour, and starting my journey as a Nutritional medicine practitioner. This is my passion and I cannot wait to start to learn everything to regarding health and food! 

Other then that I have had so much fun this week, on Tuesday night I went to an amazing dinner party at Demi's and met some amazing girls who all share a passion for animals, health and wellbeing. On Wednesday I went to the first Jan Powers Farmers Markets in the city and visited all the stalls I had been missing over the Christmas break. And on Friday I ventured out to Maleny with Demi and my family, where we had an amazing lunch at The Kind Living Cafe. And on the way home we stopped off at an amazing fruit & veg shop on the side of the road.

SO.. so far its been an amazing week filled with fun, friendship and future opportunities! 

I decided to start a Foodie Friday where I will share with you a yummy recipe from either myself or someone else! This week I have shared my favourite muesli in the whole world! I have adjusted the recipe from other mueslis to suit my taste buds and has been an awesome hit with my friends and family. 

Feel free to change or adjust the ingredients to suit what YOU like. I don't measure the ingredients so this is just an estimate, be creative and enjoy :)

MADDYS YUMMY COCO-NUTTY GRANOLA  

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups Gluten Free Oats 
• 2-3 cups Chopped mixed nuts such as almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts (whatever you like) 
• 1 cup Pepitas/pumpkin seeds 
• 1 cup coconut flakes 
• 1-2 tbsp coconut nectar
• 1/4 cup Coconut oil 
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla bean/ extract

Method:

1.  Heat oven to 180 degrees.

2.  On a baking tray or bowl mix all ingredients together until well combined. Bake in oven until lightly brown, you may want to flip over muesli halfway in-between baking to cook through each side.

3.  Once cooked let cool for 20 mins until transferring into a container.

4.  Serve with yummy coconut yogurt sheeps yogurt or your choice of milk with berries, banana, papaya and any fruit you like!