Hi there, how has your week been so far? If you’ve joined me recently, or reached out to say hello since my appearance with Trinny Woodall, I’m truly touched to know I’ve ignited a fire within you to find out more about your overall health 

To celebrate, I’ve created a very powerful anti-inflammatory elixir – upon request from many of you experiencing joint pain and inflammation

Your body is an amazing machine, it only needs the smallest of encouragement to begin to soothe and heal naturally. So the goodness in this elixir includes:
Tart Cherries – contain the highest anti-inflammatory content of any food (). Cherry juice reduces inflammation in your blood vessels by up to 50%!

Pineapple – contains bromelain, a ‘systemic oral enzyme’ used to treat pain and problems like arthritis. Bromelain may also help your body fight cancer by dissolving ‘fibrin’ (cancer cells hide under fibrin to escape detection, cheeky little buggers!). When fibrin is dissolved, cancer cells become uncloaked and easily detected by your immune system 

Spinach – attacks inflammation from every angle! Rich in carotenoids + vitamins C, E, and K, that protect your body from pro-inflammatory substances.

Parsley – great protection from rheumatoid arthritis thanks to its SUPER high chlorophyll and Vitamin C content.

Cacao – contains ‘flavanols’ which work fast to reduce inflammation and blood clotting.

Water – enough said!

☄️Turmeric – an amazing anti-inflammatory, best taken with pepper (see my latest Insta story re: why!)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – the source of its distinctive aftertaste (called ‘Oleocanthal’) has similar effects as synthetic (more harsh) forms of pain relief like ibuprofen 

JUST in time for 4th July, I lovingly share my latest gluten free, plant-based recipe  If you saw insta stories earlier today, you’d know the key ingredient within these fluffy, moist muffins is EGGPLANT (‘aubergine’ in Brit-speak)

Before you turn away in disgust (I see you!) give me a few insta secs to explain why I used this not-so-popular veggie…beyond the fact my husband detests it which creates a fire of desire to convert his disdain into admiration! Even though eggplant is a funny, slightly un-sexy-looking veggie, it’s such a wonderful veggie to include in your diet. A few key reasons: 

Nasunin – a rare type of antioxidant housed within eggplant helps your body fight free radical damage.

Manganese – has a profound effect on your body’s ability to form healthy bones thanks to its impact on bone mineralization and metabolism.

Vitamin B6 & B1 – two vitamins vital for a healthy metabolism. Vit B6 helps create amino acids are critical for numerous bodily functions – not enough and you can experience all kinds of inflammation.

Convinced? If not, take a chance and be adventurous anyway! Make these muffins, marvel at the fact they DON’T taste like eggplant & enjoy all the healthy benefits…

Red, White, Blue (& Brown) ‘Merican Muffins

 

Print

Author: Danielle Shine

Recipe type: Savoury Snacks

Ingredients

• 370g steamed eggplant – drained of excess water
• 100g dark chocolate – I used 70%
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 10 medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup gluten free flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven 200C/400F
2. Steam eggplant & place in strainer. Push to release water – you want a big ol’ lump of gooey-ness. Weigh out 370g. Place in food processor with dates & flour.
3. Melt dark choc & coconut oil together, add to processor. Blend until everything is well combined. Stop & scrape down sides, then scoop mixture into an oiled/floured/lined muffin tin.
4. Bake for 8 mins at 200C/400F & reduce heat to 180C/356F for another 5 mins. Remove from oven, leave to cool 15 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool further.
5. Enjoy with/without healthy frosting
6. Celebrate your INDEPENDENCE!

3.5.3226

YUMMO! I’m currently enjoying a VERY yummy, nourishing breakfast, whipped up with what little ingredients I have in my pantry at the moment. Because it tastes SO good, I’m sharing it with you, in case you’re stuck in a breakfast rut & want to try something new 

When it comes to breakfast, you’re literally breaking(your)fast, so it’s important to eat foods that are delicious, filling, nourishing and 100% gut-friendly! My super simple recipe combines all of these elements PLUS a good dose of:
✨potassium

✨omega 3 fatty acids

✨beta carotene

✨protein

✨vitamin B6

✨vitamin C

✨dietary fibre

➕PLUS ➕

✨a super important gut-friendly ingredient called ‘resistant starch‘ which stimulates the good bacteria in your gut, helping to maintain a healthy balance of the good guys to keep everything – including optimal pooping  in check! It may also help maintain healthy weight.

Where does the magical resistant starch come from? The plantain of course!  If you’re unsure of what a plantain is, don’t stress – you can almost always find one (or ten!) at your local asian market. Look for a banana with black splotches all over its skin – this is what a perfectly ripe plantain looks like  . Plantains begin green and are super hard to cut into. As they age, they soften which is the type needed for this recipe.

This yumminess is great hot or cold – if you’re making & storing overnight, add more liquid in the morning to create a perfect porridge texture 

Even after you get your gut garden sorted, it’s important to be aware there may be days/times in future when you eat something that’s a little iffy, or experience a stressful situation which can directly result in the dreaded bloated belly.

Meditation & deep breathing exercises are fantastic de-bloating devices when bloating is caused by stress. Don’t forget your gut is your second, most important brain when it comes to your emotions and mental health!

But when your bloating is food related?

On rare occasions when I eat out – even after I ask the waiter to tweak ingredients to suit my dietary needs – I find I react quite badly when the overall quality of food is poor, the chef hasn’t made any of my requested changes (because: ego) and/or the meal includes highly processed, cheap ingredients and rancid oils the restaurant chooses to use (and not tell their customers about) 

SIDE NOTE: similar to most conventional medicine doctors, did you know most chefs have zero nutritional training/knowledge which means they don’t always have your best health interests at heart. Sad but true.

In situations when I’m hit with a case of bloated belly, I go straight to the juice recipe below which I created to support breakdown and elimination of all the bad bits stuck in your system.

I hope it provides you with all you need – great in the fridge for up to 3 days, just shake it well before serving 

Before you drink:

take a deep breath in for 4 counts
.
hold for 4 counts
.
breathe out for 4 counts
.
hold for 4 counts
.
REPEAT until you feel centred and calm, then drink & de-bloat 

Brussel sprout haters, LISTEN UP! This dish was just given the thumbs up by a VERY picky eater! Last year, I was enlisted by a private client to create delicious, nutritious meals using “anything but green vegetables.” When I delved further (because: WTF – ‘what the food?’) I was told her seven-year-old son had a strong aversion to foods coloured green 

Long story short, no matter what she tried over the years (even dying broccoli & celery purple!) he wouldn’t swallow a morsel ‍♂️ Out of sheer desperation, she began looking for someone to help – enter ME! So far, in the last 2 months, this little boy has embraced: zucchini, broccoli, celery & spinach. Today, however, was the BEST DAY EVER because I just got the call to say hedeclared he “LOVES CHEF SHINE’S BRUSSEL SPROUTS!”

To say I’m thrilled would be an understatement – I feel as though I’ve won the lottery. And because I’m on such a natural foods high, I jumped on insta to share this recipe with you, perfect as a side or snack on its own. Obvs, you know how great Brussels are, but just in case:

They were initially bred from wild cabbage to improve digestion.
.
Full of vitamins, antioxidants & naturally-occurring sulphur, essential to the functioning of your cardiovascular, muscular & central nervous system.
.
Naturally anti-inflammatory thanks to their glucosinolate & Vitamin K

Oh happy day my friend! Fridays are no longer FRYdays for my brain after making the switch from conventional headphones to these Defender Shield ones  After a little research, I discovered these earplugs are designed to deliver the clearest sound via hollow air tubes that contain NO metal conductors

In other words: no metal conductors = no chance for EMF radiation. The hollow air tubes also increase space to create better quality noise – totally makes ALL my media sound SO much clearer 

Putting my new coconut bowl to the test, filling it with one of my fav b’fast smoothies I make when I feel like a sweet start to the day. Try this the next time you crave processed, crappy sweet stuff, it will satisfy you in the most health-supportive, poop-tastic way 

I used wild blueberries, gifted to me by a friend who likes to forage for his food – they’re slightly darker in colour which is why this smoothie looks a little grey. I heart berries SO much – they have many beautifying benefits for yourskin, packed with antioxidant compounds that neutralize free radicals that cause skin cell damage & premature ageing. They’re also loaded with vitamin C, crucial to a clear complexion.

I’ve thrown in a little flaxseed for optimal pooping (you’re welcome!) followed by some dandelion greens because they:

provide 535% of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, one of the BEST sources of plant-based food that help strengthen bones & limit neuron damage in the brain.

provide 112% of the daily minimum requirement of vitamin A, great for skin, mucus membranes & vision 

are high in fiber, vitamin C, B6 + thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron (crucial for generating red blood cells), potassium (to help regulate heart rate & blood pressure), & manganese.

‘Nuff said? Got it!

Do you do dairy ❓

I don’t these days, mainly because I’m having way more foodie fun experimenting with yummy dairy-free creations like coconut yoghurts, nut milks and nut cheeses! Speaking of…during a delicious lunch with the delightful Julie Montagu (check out her page pronto if you haven’t already!) I enjoyed a wonderful ‘courgetti spaghetti’ dish adorned in the most perfect pine nut parmesan flakes I’d ever seen! 

I didn’t get a chance to ask the wonderful Wild Food Cafe how they created their version of this tasty treat, BUT I did do a little experimenting today to arrive at an equally yummy version via the recipe shared below…make this the next time you need a terrific, cheesy-like topping for your food 

Happy World Vegan Day! I’m sharing this recipe post in celebration of plant-based REAL foods – the only high vibe food that can truly sustain & nourish your insides & outsides every. single. day. while helping you to feel fine. Even though I’m not vegan, I eat largely plants, veggies & fruits on the daily + I passionately promote this way of eating in my role as a professional Natural Foods Chef.

If you’ve been going heavy on the animal-based products lately, let this post inspire you to factor in more plants and veggies! After all, there are SO many things you can do with them – case & point: my dinner tonight:

So easy, so tasty, so affordable, so…give this a go ASAP!

 @nathan_lanham_photography