We’re turning one! A little over a year ago this food blog was born. It all started with an idea that it would be so much more fun to cook, photograph and blog about the food I cook in my own kitchen and the type of food I recommend to my clients. Getting a brand new website built last year brought it’s own challenges but has it been worth it? Oh yes. And I hope you think so too.
I’m delighted to have so many people stopping by here each month, a few 1000 of yous now (!) And even more people over on Instagram. Heading for 10K now. This time there was about 500. How things change. So many things has happen this year. So many opportunities opening up. Guest blogging, cooking demos, online programmes (in the pipeline) and new friends. I’m so grateful.
Anyway. To celebrate Straightforward Nutrition’s blog first blogiversary I have teamed up with Waifair.co.uk to give one lucky reader here the opportunity participate in a Giveaway on the blog.
If you want to be in the draw to be given a £150 voucher to spend on kitchen appliances over on their site, this is what you need to do:
I believe sharing is caring and that we can all learn from each other to lead healthier and happier lives, so to be in the draw Leave a comment below, on this post, about the ONE Change you have made to help you live a healthier life. This could be anything from a change in habit or mindset to making shopping lists /menu plans or what ever it is that you have changed in order to live a healthier life and that you found made a profound difference.
I can’t wait to hear what brilliant changes you have all made! Please note the draw will close on Nov 20th. So do drop us a line before then.
**N.B Unfortunately this competition is only open to Irish & UK residents. I hope I will get an opportunity to run another giveaway in the future for the rest of you.**
I was tossing with the idea of making something savory as to celebrate with but somehow I just felt it would look a little weird sticking a small flag on a slice of pizza… Maybe next year!
These little lemony paleo muffins were actually featured as the recipe of the month on my old website, a long way back. And there wasn’t a pretty picture to go with it then either so what better excuse to make them again. If you like lemons, poppy seeds and want to bake something Paleo and gluten free, chances are you will like these muffins.
As far as gluten free go and baking with almond flour these are very easy and does not have an ingredients list the length of your arm, which is so often the case with gluten free baking. Gluten free baking is an art in itself, and I with confidence, hold my hand up, declaring it’s one I have yet to master. You really need to know what you are doing and, cooks like me which often just “add a little of this” and “a little of that” do better when strictly adhering to someone elses tried and tested recipe.
Almonds are a great source of potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and vitamin E. They are also a good source of unsaturated fatty acids as well as protein. If you make your own almond meal from whole almonds, leaving the skin on, you will get plenty of fibre too.
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Makes 8 small muffins (they are seriously filling so no need to stuff yourself)
2 eggs
1/4 cup of oil of your choice – I normally use a nice fruity olive oil but I’d imagine melted coconut oil would work well too.
3 tbsp of clear runny honey – Local & Organic preferably
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 tbsp of lemon juice
2 1/2 cups of almond flour – 250g of whole almonds will yield this amount when ground
2 tsp poppyseeds
1/2 tsp of baking powder
A pinch of salt
Lemon zest of one lemon, finely grated
Preheat your oven to 180C. Place eight small muffin cases in a muffin tray. Or use an ordinary baking tray if you don’t have one.
Start by separating the egg yolks from the egg whites. Leave the yolks in one bowl and the egg whites in another one. In the bowl with the egg yolks, add honey, lemon juice, oil and vanilla extract and mix together well. Add in your dry ingredients and mix until you have a stiff batter.
Now proceed to whisk your egg whites until stiff peaks are formed. I normally do this by hand as it is such a small amount. Try using a large bowl so you can get plenty of air in . Or use electric whisks and spare yourself a work out. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Taking care to make sure it gets well blended but try not to be too heavy handed as the air from the egg whites is what will make your muffins nice and fluffy.
Spoon the batter into the muffin cases, filling them to about 2/3. Bake for about 20 min in the oven. After 10 min place a sheet of tinfoil loosely on top to prevent the muffins from burning while they finish baking. They are ready once a scewer comes out clean. Keep a close eye as they get too dry very easily if left in for too long.
Place the muffins on a wire rack and allow too cool completely before tucking in. Any leftover muffins will keep for up to a week if kept in a cool dry place in an airtight container.
Don’t forget to leave a comment below about The One Change you have made to make it easier to live a healthier life, to be in the draw for £150 to spend on some useful kitchen appliances to make you cooking easier!
And thank you for stopping by over the past 12 months 🙂
I’ve stopped buying processed food & embraced cooking from scratch
That’s such a great move Nicola! Well done you 🙂
Yum! The biggest and best change I made was introducing live foods to my diet. It’s also fun keeping kefir grains and kombucha and I’m now set to try my own fermented veggies.
Wow Paula! Impressive. I’m only just getting into it myself. There may be some kefir recipes appearing in weeks to come…
Thanks for posting 🙂
/Linn
started cooking everything from scratch. no more processed foods thanks to Linn and her help
Delighted to hear it! I’m so proud of you for all the hard work and commitments you have made to yourself and your health over the past few months 🙂
I am on my 2nd year as a Nutritional Therapist, ( but already qualified as a Nutrition and Health coach) because I want to help people with their nutritional needs.
I am actually sharing your website with my clients too.
Also, the personal biggest change is giving up wheat.
Thank you Morena for your kind words. I hope your studies are going well and that you are enjoying it.
Studying nutrition is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And even if you never go on to help other, but I’m sure you will, it is an amazing investment in your own health from which you will reap the reward for years to come.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
/Linn
Being more mindful of what I’m eating, especially thinking of keeping blood sugars balanced, trying new recipes and I’ve just got some kefir!
I couldn’t agree with you more on all of those. So important!
learning about the hugely beneficial effect seaweed has on our health, using it to treat an iodine deficiency, and in turn experimenting with it and making all sorts of fab new dishes with it, dilisk and nettle humus anyone.
Sounds really exciting Oonagh. It’s been ages since I had some seaweed. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
I stopped using sugar, after getting used to the unfamiliar territory I have also stopped /limited buying processed foods. I have started to exercise and eat whole foods. Getting the kids on board is hardest but I am persistent 🙂
Hands down to you for taking the step! Your body will thank you every day. I hope you are reaping the rewards of your efforts now.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Thanks to your cooking demo I now eat quinoa several times a week and prepare the majority of our meals from scratch.
Glad to hear it Becky!
I make sure to get get enough rest when I need it!
So important Carole, yet most of us simply don’t! Thanks for sharing and for the reminder:)
I am a health coach in training! I have always been interest in healthy food in a prevous clife i worked as a chef .about 20 years ago i was told to go off gluten/wheat and cows milk .milk was easy to give up as i never liked it ,but gluten /wheat was really hard there was not much choice a could hardly eat out.it was very hard to get gluten free products ,and it was just as hard to get gluten free flours etc to do your own baking .well i fell of the wagon about two years in! fast forward 10 years and i came down with chronic fatigue so out when the wheat /gluten ,processed food ,sodas ,most sugar. I would say i am down to at least 80% clean food . I cook everything from fresh ingredients . I experiment with gluten free, grain free.sugar free baking . The thing I think made the most benifit was eating more raw food salad ,juciing ,and smoothies using my nuti-bullet
Congrats on your studies Aoife! Sounds like you have been on quiet a journey over the past 20 years. I’m glad to hear that you are doing well now though.
I have a nutri-bullet too and I love it. Amazing way to make perfect smoothies every time. Thanks for sharing your story 🙂
/Linn
Those muffins sound great! Must try them!
Oh please do Avril. Let me know how you got on too.
I would like to eliminate sugar from my diet have tried but failing at every attempt any helpful tips to help me please
Hi Clairessa,
Sugar can be as addictive as any other drug. Having a good strategy in place, i.e being organised and preparing food, helps. Also eating in a way which will support blood sugars from roller coasting all day long helps reduce hunger pangs and minimise cravings.
Adding cinnamon to your diet can help balance blood sugars too.
If you need some more specific advice, please feel free to drop me an email. Thanks.
/Linn