recipes

At The Health Boost, we are foodies and passionate about good food to be enjoyed with our friends and family. And who doesn't enjoy a nice cookie! As always, we try and keep it free from nasties and rich in the good stuff. Including lavender flowers into the cookie dough has transformed those little thumb print cookies into real taste buds adventures. Don't get bored, be bold with food !

Mar 4

Mar 4 raw cacao, orange & turmeric power balls

With all the talk and noise about snacking or not snacking, government guidelines not always suitable for all, what to do? As busy mums to active sporty kids, we prefer to make sure that if our children need to refuel between meals, we make nutrient dense homemade snacks available. These energy balls are nut-free too, so can be taken to school or the local sports club. And for those who like a strong boost, add extra turmeric, go on!!

Feb 22

Feb 22 polenta fish fingers

Recipes, Mains

These are a healthy and gluten free alternative to the frozen fish finger. By making them yourself you can be confident on the quality of the fish and ensure there's no added nasties. Many fish fingers from supermarkets are coated in unhealthy oils, which have no place in our diet. Serve with a side of sweet potato fries and a couple of green vegetables as a perfect balanced meal. If your child is suspicious of 'green bits' then leave the parsley out!

Feb 18

Feb 18 vegan coconut & orange slice

At The Health Boost, Kat and I aim to thrive on a balanced lifestyle including lots of good real food, being as active as possible in the time we have, so treats do feature there somewhere. This is one of those treats! Delicious, nutritious and a little naughty! Coconut is a bit of favourite ingredient of mine and luckily it offers many health benefits aside from tasting delicious.

Dec 10

Dec 10 Christmas energy balls

I started experimenting with raw food a while back now and always find new inspiration for energy balls, adjusting flavours and ingredients to suit seasons, moods and hectic family diaries. In order to satisfy that festive spiced biscuit craving and still provide the much needed post workout fuel or after-school sport these cranberry and mixed spice balls do the trick. And the level of spice can be adjusted to suit younger or more mature eaters equally.

Oct 20

Oct 20 Gluten free no flour zesty muffins

Because life is all about balance and enjoying real good food, I decided to give the classic muffin a little Health Boost twist. The kids requested two different flavours – Lemon and poppyseed and choc-orange. I accepted the challenge and this recipe is for 12 light and fluffy muffins – 6 of each flavour. I have used ground almonds instead of flour and raw honey as the sweetener.

Sep 14

Sep 14 nuts & seeds energy snacks

Healthy snack bars are very hard to find and can sometimes be deemed healthy or advertised as such but beware! When possible, we try and make a batch on a Saturday or Sunday to get us through the hectic schedule of after school sport. Packed with essential fats and protein, gluten free and with no refined sugar, they will keep you going steadily for longer.

Jul 10

Jul 10 mocha energy shot

These energy balls were inspired by, or should I say, commissioned by my Sweaty Betty team mates! They have been designed to be free from most of what we try to avoid or reduce and full of the flavour of that much loved coffee shot! They are a perfect made ahead item and were a massive instant hit at our Monthly meeting!

Jul 7

Jul 7 French cherry & almond clafoutis

Reworking childhood recipes with a healthier twist is one of my favourite kitchen challenge. I strongly believe in enjoying old fashioned foods. French classics such as clafoutis are delicious, seasonal and the opposite of fussy. Try this no refined sugar, gluten and dairy free version and share with the family this summer!

Jun 10

Jun 10 matcha & mint energy bars

Healthy energy snacks are an every day necessity in our house. As a busy working active mum of two sporty energetic kids, even with all the organisation in the world, refuelling sometime has to happen in the car between school and evening activities, for them and for me! So I have become quite creative with my flavours to keep things fun. With mint in abundance in my garden, I was inspired.

Jun 3

Jun 3 avocado & cacao smoothie bowl

Recipes, Juices and smoothies

Who does not like a smoothie? The super healthy green ones, the beautiful looking purple ones, the candy coloured berry ones and summery yellow ones... but what about the one that looks just like a chocolate pudding ? Still healthy and amazingly balanced and nutritious for a supercharged breakfast before exams or a big workout! An all round winner for the whole family.

May 20

May 20 nutty banana lollies

Who doesn't love an ice lolly? These are dairy free and with none of the additives or nasties found in commercial ice cream. We've been getting through quite a few while perfecting the recipe and they are going down a storm!

May 6

May 6 raspberry and chia pots

Breakfast and brunch, Recipes

These little chia pots are so easy to make and are an ideal quick breakfast or even a pudding. My son likes one for breakfast and he mixes with some homemade granola or even just some nuts and seeds.

May 5

May 5 French black olive summer tapenade

Dips and sauces, Recipes

As days get longer and the summer approaches, not fast enough may I add, we start longing for relaxed alfresco eating ideas. What better than to look at classic Mediterranean dips and starters? One of my favourites from childhood summers spent on the French Riviera is Tapenade. It's so easy to make...

Apr 8

Apr 8 banana & date bread

We've had to do a lot of testing, and then obviously eating, to get this banana bread right. We were determined to make a banana bread with zero refined sugar – not even maple syrup or honey. We used only naturally sweet bananas and dates to sweeten. All five THB children declared it a winner, which we can tell you is a hard task indeed!

Apr 3

Apr 3 watercress pesto

Dips and sauces, Recipes

Dips and sauces prepared in advanced can make a world of difference at the end of a hectic day with the kids or at work. This pesto is made with watercress because it is currently in season but could be made with kale, spinach, parsley or basil. And isn't that colour just amazingly inviting?

Mar 21

Mar 21 raw cocojacks

Remember those “Bounty Bars”? Are you still in love with them? Well, as we try to refrain from all refined sugars and aim to adapt and tweak old classics and offer healthier version, we decided to have a go!
If you wonder where the name comes from, it was named by one of The Health Boost children after I told him it was half coconut, half oats (flapjacks).

Mar 3

Mar 3 creamy roasted tomato soup

Recipes, Soups and salads

This soup is so easy to make and a real family favourite in the Autumn when the days get colder. It’s my daughter’s favourite soup and a great way to add veggies into a reluctant vegetable eater’s diet. It’s creamy from the butterbeans so is dairy free, as well as including protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Mar 3

Mar 3 French "spice bread", pain d'épices