I am having a craze for recipes that fit in with the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD). The SCD is a lifesaver for so many people with Crohn’s and colitis that I had to start including some of the recipes here and eating them at home sometimes. This bread is really lovely and very easy to make. Just tried it at the weekend with home-made baked beans for breakfast and a piece of fruit to follow. Naturally I also smothered it in my home-made buttery spread for bread but you could use normal butter or ghee (clarified butter). Wish I could say the recipe is my own, but I found it in the wonderful SC diet cookbook. I did reduce the (I thought) excessive amount of salt from the original recipe and it still tasted great. This bread is suitable for a grain-free ketogenic diet as well – AND IS TOTALLY DELICIOUS AND SATISFYING.
900g (2lb) loaf tin
2 large eggs (if they are tiny, you could use 4)
230ml (1 cup) home made kefir or home-made natural yoghurt (see SC diet website)
28g clarified butter or ghee or (if you are not dairy sensitive) normal butter, melted
½ level teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan salt
1 rounded teaspoon baking soda (“bread soda” is another name for this)
½ teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper
385g almond flour (ground almonds are fine. The finer ground the better – I whizzed mine in the food processor for a bit before adding the other ingredients)
12g (1/4 cup) chopped chives (do use these, they give a fab flavour – if you don’t have any you could use the green parts of spring onions chopped up finely)
14g finely chopped, dry, sun-dried tomatoes (with no additives if you are on SC diet)
1. Preheat oven to 170C (fan oven) or 195C otherwise. Grease and bottom line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin with baking parchment.
2. Blend together all ingredients in a food processor then pour into the tin.
3. Bake in the oven for 45-55 mins until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.
4. The bread, once cool, should keep well in a self seal bag or airtight container in the fridge for at least 5 days.
Why this is better for you: Some people need to follow a grain-free diet in order to stay well. This recipe is just the thing to satisfy the longing for bread. This bread would be brilliant for anybody needing a low carbohydrate diet (e.g. people with diabetes, or people following a ketogenic diet to manage cancer). Being baked, its naturally not quite as healthy as eating the nuts (almonds) raw. But what the hey, sometimes you just want bread. Because the bread is very low in carbohydrates (sugars) its a great substitute for the wheaten bread that can cause such huge dips in energy after lunch. And of course its low GI and studies show low GI eating helps skin and hair health too. You might wonder why I mention “dairy-free” when the recipe contains ghee/clarified butter – this is because when you clarify butter you remove the lactose (milk sugar) and casein (problematic milk protein) and so it becomes hypoallergenic. Great news for anyone who is dairy sensitive. If you have a true dairy allergy (throat swelling, anaphylactic shock) you will of course still want to steer clear of any contact with dairy products whatsoever, even during food preparation for others.
This dish is inspired by the flavours of Greece – fresh white fish, lemons, garlic and oregano. I saw a prepack product and thought “wouldn’t it be nice to make the fresh version”. It only takes a few minutes to get in the oven and is bursting with flavour and freshness. We enjoyed it with steamed leeks, courgettes and carrots sprinkled with some extra virgin olive oil.
For two:
Lemon, garlic, oregano for fish
2 x 160g sea bream or sea bass fillets
1/2 cup (about 100ml) white wine (or 4 tbs water and 1 dsp lemon juice)
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil or (if you want dairy) a knob of butter
Zest of 1 small lemon (organic or scrubbed with soapy water and rinsed)
1 clove garlic, crushed or finely sliced/chopped
Handful fresh oregano (about 5 x 12cm sprigs), stalks removed (if you don’t have fresh oregano you could use fresh tarragon or 1 tbs of chopped thyme leaves)
Freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 200C
2. Lay the 2 pieces of fish skin side down in a small roasting tin or ovenproof dish. 3. Pour over the wine (or water with lemon juice), the olive oil or butter and sprinkle on the lemon zest and garlic and a few good grinds of black pepper.
4. Chop the oregano. Reserve half for later and sprinkle half over the fish.
5. Cover the dish with tinfoil and seal the edges. Or use a close-fitting lid. The idea is that the fish steams in the liquid and stays succulent, rather than roasting and drying out. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
6. Serve sprinkled with the remaining chopped oregano.
Serve with:
Any green vegetable. We like steamed leeks and broccoli. And optionally some carrots or carrot mash.
Why this is great for you: Oregano and garlic can help supercharge your health and vitality. They both act against overgrowths of disease-causing bacteria and yeasts in your gut. The bacteria that live in your gut outnumber the cells of your body 10 to one and they have a massive impact on mental and physical health. Not having enough good bacteria, or an overgrowth of bad is a major factor in skin conditions and digestive troubles. If you take antibiotics, eat food with glyphosate (herbicide) residues, or eat a high carbohydrate diet, your gut bacteria will not be all they should be. Garlic and oregano can help start to set things right. Garlic, oregano and lemons also contain anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory compounds that protect your brain and your joints and slow down the accumulation of wrinkles. Unprocessed white fish is a good source of high-quality protein. Protein is needed for helping us eliminate natural and man-made toxins. If you team the protein up with (more than half your plate) greens and multicoloured veg you have a winning formula for energy and vitality.
You’ll already know my recipe for creamy cauliflower mash from this blog but I’m discovering even more ways to use this versatile vegetable. My latest discovery is cauliflower “rice”. It’s really simple to make and only takes 5 minutes to cook. We substitute it for rice with our curries and chillies. Yum – and you don’t feel drowsy afterwards. You can rice lots of cauliflower at the same time and store it uncooked in self seal bags/airtight containers in the freezer. To use, simply empty into the steamer (no need to thaw, just break it up with your hands) and steam away. As the title implies, broccoli works just as well for making “rice”. You can even buy frozen broccoli rice in some supermarkets.
There are two methods for cooking this. One using a steamer, one using a pan.
For 4 large servings (steamed version)
1 large head cauliflower (about 750g)
Freshly ground black pepper
A pinch of Atlantic sea salt/Himalayan salt
Small knob (level tsp) virgin coconut oil or a splash of extra virgin olive oil
You will also need a food processor and a steamer or pan.
Break the cauliflower into large florets and discard the large stalks (any more than around 2cm thick).
In the food processor, pulse until the cauliflower particles are the size of grains of rice.
Steamer version:
Place in a steamer over boiling water. Steam for 3-4 minutes until softened. Drain well, stir in the oil and pinch of salt.
Frying-pan version (richer, more flavoursome):
Follow steps 1-2 then heat a frying pan or heavy bottomed saucepan on a medium heat.
Add a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil, avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil and a splash of water (around 1 tbs). Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often (otherwise it sticks and burns). If its too dry and is catching add a little more water.
Why this is amazing for you: The advantage of cauliflower over rice is cauliflower doesn’t flood your body with more carbohydrates than you need. Carbohydrates are foods made up mostly of sugars. Potatoes, grains (even wholegrains!), fruit juices, certain fruits and of course sugar and honey are all high carbohydrate foods. Switching to a moderate or low carbohydrate eating style is particularly useful if you want to resolve digestive problems or skin issues. High carbohydrate eating styles make every health condition worse. Reducing your carbohydrate foods can even slow or stop hair loss. A good guideline for a moderate carbohydrate diet is for bread, potatoes, rice or pasta to make up no more than ¼ of your plate at lunch and your evening meal. Cauliflower is not high in carbohydrates so makes a brilliant substitute for the normal potatoes or rice.
Cauliflower contains sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which help reduce excessive oestrogens in your body. Research proves these have activity against prostate, breast and other hormone driven cancers. Di-indolyl-methane (DIM) in cauliflower and broccoli is anti-bacterial, anti viral and helps balance your immune system.
This is a great breakfast (or any meal) and is super fast. The kippers are left to stand in boiling water for a few minutes while you grill the courgettes and tomatoes, simple…
I like to remove the skin of the kipper before cooking because otherwise it causes the fish to curl up unattractively. But if you don’t care about that, don’t bother. You could also have the lovely vegetables more simply with a small smoked mackerel or trout fillet – no need for the pan of water.
1 small kipper (smoked herring) fillet, skin removed with a sharp knife
1 medium courgette, sliced lengthways into strips around ½ cm thick
2 medium tomatoes, halved, woody bit removed
Extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoons dried oregano
Freshly ground black pepper
1. Boil the kettle. While the kettle is heating up place a small pan on a medium heat to warm before putting in the kipper and pouring on enough boiling water to cover. Take off the heat and leave to poach in the hot water for about 3 minutes.
2. Meanwhile heat the grill. Place the courgettes and tomatoes on a baking sheet or on the grill rack and cook until just softened. You are not looking for everything to be squishy, just heated through and softened slightly.
3. Arrange on a plate, sprinkle with olive oil to taste and scatter the dried oregano over the tomatoes.
4. Serve with the kipper.
Why this is good for you: Kippers are smoked herrings. Because herrings are a wild cold water fish, they are rich in essential omega 3 fats you need for healthy skin and hair. Omega 3 helps prevent your blood from clotting too much and this helps bring more blood and nutrients to the whole of your body. Oregano, even dried, is high in antioxidants (provided you store it away from light and air) and has anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-microbial properties against bad bacteria in your gut. “Bad” bacteria and yeast are a major cause of skin problems and weight issues. They can be lowered, and good bacteria encouraged, by what you eat every day. Tomatoes and courgettes are a rich source of beneficial fibre and (more) antioxidants, which protect our bodies from inflammation and delay the ageing process. This breakfast is very light on carbohydrates (sugars) and free from grains so its super-healthy.
A blob of this will turn your just-grilled or baked fish or chicken and some steamed vegetables into a feast. It’s also lovely on a plain oatcake with (if you eat dairy) a few crumbled pieces of goat/sheep feta cheese on top. You could also stir it into humous, to make it extra fancy. Once of the things I love about these home-made pestos is they last a LOT longer than if you just leave the fresh herbs in the fridge. The garlic and virgin olive oil in this one help preserve the mint. My batch lasted 10 days in the fridge. Don’t forget to cover the pesto in a layer of olive oil in the jar – this stops the air from making it go brown. If you prefer, use all walnuts, or a mixture of seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower, to make the pesto.
30g almonds
15g walnuts
1 clove garlic, crushed
40g mint leaves (about 1 big bag)
20g parsley, stalks removed
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for covering
1. Blitz everything together in a mini food processor until it’s as smooth as you like it. Personally I prefer it a bit “rustic” so I often blitz everything except the nuts, until smooth, and only add the nuts at the end, to retain a rough texture. If it’s too thick for your liking, add a bit more olive oil.
2. Decant into a clean screw top glass jar. If you are not going to use this straight away, add a layer of olive oil on top to stop everything going brown. Store in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Why this is good for you: Mint helps soothe your digestive system and reduce gas (flatulence!). It suppresses pathogenic (disease-causing bacteria) in your gut and also in your mouth (for fresher breath). Garlic has similar anti-bacterial properties and preferentially encourages good bacteria to multiply. This is all good news for anybody who wants to get their digestive system into tiptop shape, who has skin problems, or who has any inflammatory conditions. Garlic also helps support good liver function which is a cornerstone of having good skin. Raw extra virgin olive oil is a rich source of vitamin E. Vitamin E “recycles” vitamin C as an antioxidant in your body, making it more effective. Vitamin E is natures moisturiser and skin smoother. It also helps reduce your tendency to allergies such as allergic dermatitis, hives, hay fever or food sensitivities. Vitamin E helps keep your skin younger longer too.
This bread is soft and moist and really filling. It’s such a huge treat when you are off grains! Because its high in protein and fibre (unlike normal breads) you don’t need to eat it with extra protein in order to avoid blood sugar dips and energy crashes. Enjoy it with my special buttery spread for bread, with virgin coconut oil or organic butter (or clarified butter for dairy intolerant people). If you want to increase your energy levels, use the coconut oil as a spread instead of butter (unlike butter, the MCT fraction of coconut oil – about 50% – goes straight into energy production)
Dry ingredients:
100g milled flax seeds. Flax is another name for linseed.
20g ground almonds
½ level tsp Atlantic sea salt or Himalayan salt (NOT ordinary table salt which contains harmful additives)
1 level tsp bicarbonate of soda (also called bread soda)
Plus, if you have it, one of the following
2 tsp dried oregano and 1 level tsp of paprika
1 level tsp Ceylon cinnamon and/or ½ level tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp each ground cumin and coriander
Finely grated rind of organic lemon
Wet ingredients:
2 eggs
1/3 cup (approx. 80ml) water, home made dairy kefir or non-dairy kefir*
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1. Turn on the oven to 150C (or 140C for fan)
2. Mix together all the dry ingredients. In a separate larger bowl whisk or beat together the wet ingredients.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix together well.
4. Line a 1lb/450g loaf tin (around 15 x 94 x 74cm) with greased parchment or greaseproof paper, pour in the mix and bake for 50-60 mins.
[If you only have a 2lb loaf tin (around 23 x 13 x 7cm) you can still use it but reduce the baking time to around 40 minutes. The resulting loaf will be half the normal height].
5. The loaf is done when a needle or knife inserted into the thickest part of the bread comes out clean. Remove from oven, remove paper and cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate if you intend keeping it for more than 1-2 days.
Variation
For a deliciously moist courgette flax loaf reduce the amount of kefir/water to 50ml and add 1 medium courgette, finely grated, to the dry ingredients.
*In my tags for this recipe I say this bread is dairy-free, so how come kefir is allowed, when its usually made from milk? This is because, if you make your own kefir properly at home, the problematic milk protein (casein) and lactose (milk sugar) have been broken down by the fermentation process. Kefir “grains” hydrolyse (break down) casein, and digest lactose, turning it into lactic acid. Good news all round, if you are recovering form dairy intolerance. Kefir also contains over 20 different types of beneficial bacteria to help heal digestive issues. Unsweetened non-dairy kefir can be a good option for shop-bought.
Why this is better for you You may wonder why I mention kefir in a “dairy-free recipe”. Kefir is tolerated by people with dairy intolerance because provided it is properly made (at home) it contains no lactose and no casein. Lactose is the milk sugar that’s problematic in lactose intolerance. Most yoghurts still contain lactose because they are not properly (fully) fermented. Yoghurt you make at home will not contain lactose. Casein is the milk protein that dairy intolerant people react to. Kefir grains “hydrolyse” (digest) casein, leaving you able to eat kefir but not yoghurt, cheese, milk which all still contain casein. This loaf avoids grains completely so its really low in carbohydrates. If you are gluten intolerant or want to follow low GI, ketogenic, stoneage or paleo eating plana, it fits right in. Research shows that if you want to maintain good skin, digestion and keep mentally sharp then low grain low carbohydrate way of eating is really important for you. Flaxseeds are a really rich source of soluble fibre, which feeds good bacteria in your gut which helps your skin, your digestion, and even your brain function!! I would recommend having this bread now and again, rather then every day. This is because heating reduces the levels of beneficial oils in the ground flaxseeds. All nuts and seeds have more benefits when you eat them raw or soaked, rather then cooked.It’s still a million times better than sliced pan though!
This is gorgeous and super fast. I love this on a weekday when I come in late, hungry and don’t feel like spending more than 15 minutes cooking dinner. It works beautifully for small fillets/darnes of chicken, hake, salmon, or cod and I have used it for lamb chops too. Yum! Make up more then you need and store in an airtight jar somewhere dark, so it keeps its precious volatile oils and flavours.
For two:
1/2 tsp chilli powder (or a whole teaspoon if you use very mild chilli)
1 tsp Himalayan or Atlantic Sea Salt
½ tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp dried thyme
1 tbs each of:
Coarsely ground black pepper
Dried basil
Dried oregano
Ground coriander
2 x small (100g) chicken fillets, 130g-150g darnes/fillets of salmon/white fish or 4 lamb centre loin chops
For cooking:
Juice of 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon (or a little olive oil if you don’t have lemon)
Mix everything well and store in an airtight jar away from light and heat until ready to use.
When you want to cook the meat or fish, pour some of the spice blend onto a plate. Rub with a little lemon juice on your meat/fish. Dip/roll the meat or fish in the spice mix until totally coated on all sides.
Cook in the oven on an oaked baking sheet or under the grill.
Oven: 1/2 an hour at 180C for small chicken fillets, 15 minutes for fish fillets
Grill: Around 7 minutes each side for chicken or around 3-4 minutes each side for fillets or darnes of salmon, hake or cod.Serve with:
2-3 cups steamed broccoli, green beans, runner beans or peas per person, dressed with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a knob of coconut oil.
A large mixed salad of green leaves, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumber or courgettes, dressed with one of my salad dressings from this blog.
Why this is good for you: Herbs and spices are a fantastic way to get even more taste and vitality into your day. They are antioxidant, anti inflammatory, heal the digestive system (chillies can help heal ulcers!) and keep you younger longer by holding back the ageing process. Many help alleviate skin conditions by supporting your liver function. Black pepper contains piperine, a substance that increases your ability to absorb vitamins and minerals in the meal. Herbs and spices contain tens or hundreds of times more antioxidants than fruit and vegetables, weight for weight. Vegetables (and small amounts of fruit) are still a powerhouse for wellness but don’t forget the herbs and spices.
We had this for dinner last night – what a lovely change after all the festive overindulgence….
This recipe is great with fillets of lemon sole or monkfish. You could also use cod or hake though these do have a tendancy to break up more easily (so don’t stir during cooking or they will go to mush). Thai Curry paste from Western companies like Sharwoods is less hot then that from Asian shops so choose whatever you prefer. This recipe is also good made with shelled king prawns which can be cooked from frozen (but don’t cook for more than a few minutes or they will become tough!).
For two:
2 medium white fish fillets (about 130-150g each), skinned and cut into bite sized cubes
1 large onion, roughly chopped or a bunch of spring onions, cut in 2cm lengths
200g frozen peas (for alternative, using courgettes, see below)
2 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
2-3 teaspoons Thai green curry paste (or yellow/red if you don’t have green)
1 small tin coconut milk (165ml tin from Asian shops/good supermarkets)
Juice of 1 small lime (or use the juice of half a lemon)
2-3 heaped tablespoons chopped fresh coriander if you have it
Optional: 1 dsp of Thai fish sauce
1. In a wide bottomed saucepan or frying pan on a medium heat mix the coconut milk, curry paste, and fish sauce if using, and stir until smooth
2. Add the onion and cook, covered, till softened (about 8-10 mins for white onions, about 3 minutes for spring onions).
3. Add the garlic, peas (breaking the lumps up), courgette if using, and fish to the mix in the pan and stir well to coat everything in sauce. If the mixture looks a little less saucy then you would like or looks like drying out, add a tablespoon of water (the fish will give off liquid during the cooking too).
4. Cover with a lid or a plate simmer for about 5 minutes until the fish is opaque.
5. Squeeze over the lime (or lemon) juice, and sprinkle on the coriander.
Serve with:
Low carb or SC Diet: https://annacollins.ie/cauliflower-rice/
OR
Grains (not suitable for SC Diet):
Brown basmati or long-grain rice cooked with ½ teaspoon of turmeric to give a beautiful golden colour.
100% buckwheat noodles (Health stores/Asian shops)
Variation:
We ran out of peas the other night and used a couple of large courgettes instead. Sliced into 1cm disks and added 5 mins after the onions, they are delicious too.
Ketogenic diet option:
Avoid using the peas and instead use courgettes, and don’t use rice or noodles instead. As a cheat, you could use “zero” or “slim” noodles from Asian shops or health stores, which are made from konjac. Konjac helps feed good bacteria in your gut, which can aid weight loss. Konjac is not absorbed or digested by your body, so they effectively have zero calories!!
Why this is good for you: Herbs, spices (in curry paste) and garlic give a huge boost to your health, helping detoxification, reducing inflammation and delaying ageing (great news for any of us over 30!). If you want beautiful, clear skin and a healthy digestive system, cooking daily with herbs, garlic and spices is a winner. All green vegetables are rich in magnesium, which also helps us to relax, sleep well and feel upbeat. Coconut milk is high in good fats called medium chain triglycerides which are great for energy, being burned off by your body instead of being stored in fat cells. Coconut also contains lauric acid and caprylic acid, both of which help prevent excessive yeasts and “bad” bacteria in your gut. Coriander helps bind (and safely remove) toxins in your digestive system, especially mercury which you ingest (every time you eat) if you have old-fashioned silver-coloured dental fillings. Cooking at low temperatures like this (100C or less), instead of frying or roasting, keeps more nutrients in your food too.
This is a nice, comforting weekday recipe and is great value too. It freezes well to give you a stash of ready meals.
Indian lentil dhal
For 3 See “larder & shopping” section for unusual ingredients
1 rounded dsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1 pint boiling water (or water leftover from steaming vegetables)
1 tsp Dr Coy’s Vegetable Bouillon (for SC Diet). Otherwise Kallo low salt veg stock cube (optional) or 1level tsp Vecon vegetable bouillon
28g creamed coconut, grated or chopped up – or 2 tbs thick tinned full fat coconut milk
Black pepper
1 level tsp (teaspoon) turmeric
1 rounded tsp garam masala (from Asian shops or make your own by grinding 25 g each of cardamom seeds, cloves, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns in a coffee grinder or mini food processor to a fine powder)
225g/1 cup/230ml red lentils
Optional: a handful of fresh (rinsed and destalked) coriander leaves to garnish
Put onions, oil, 1 tsp water into a saucepan, cover and sweat 5 mins until onions are softened.
Add spices, garlic, cook 2 mins. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the mixture is dry.
Stir in the lentils, cook 1 min, add the boiling water. NB Don’t add stock cube or salt-containing vegetable bouillon before lentils are cooked or they will toughen and take forever.
Bring to the boil, cover and cook on a gentle heat for 20 mins or until soft.
Meanwhile dissolve the veg stock cube or bouillon if using in a little boiling water. Stir the chopped/grated coconut or thick coconut milk and the dissolved stock cube (if using) into the cooked lentils until dissolved. The mixture should be soft but not sloppy.
Season to taste, adding more water if you want the mix thinner.
Scatter over the coriander leaves if using
Serve with:
At least 1/2 a plateful steamed greens and other vegetables per person (e.g. shredded cabbage, broccoli florets, mange tout peas, sugar snaps, green beans and cauliflower, sliced carrots or sliced/diced turnips) and optionally (if you’re NOT on SC Diet) a little brown rice
Why this recipe is good for you: Spices and herbs lower inflammation and delay the onset of wrinkles! Soluble fibre in lentils and beans feeds good gut bacteria needed for a healthy immune system, good digestive and bowel function and hormonal balance. This type of fibre lowers cholesterol, and helps eliminate used hormones and toxins by sticking to them in the gut, carrying them safely out through the bowels. Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides that go to help energy production rather then being stored in your body as fat. These medium chain triglycerides are also helpful for brain function, especially for anyone experiencing age-related memory decline. Lentils and brown rice are also rich in B vitamins needed for energy production, libido, stress control and mood. Deficiency of B vitamins is common if you are stressed or regularly eat refined foods, stimulants or drink excess alcohol.
These are a simple-to-make confection from Sarah Jane White, whose book, The Extra Virgin Kitchen, is a favourite of mine. I made them today and they turned out a totally delicious treat that’s bright green. As the author says, they are idiot-proof. Although you are supposed to freeze them I didn’t bother and just chilled them down to harden them a bit. Yum!
If you are gluten-free, remember that vanilla “essence” can contain gluten while vanilla extract (made from actual vanilla) is gluten-free.
Buy matcha green tea powder in Asian shops or health stores.
Makes 16
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or a generous pinch of vanilla powder)
3 level teaspoons matcha green tea powder
125g desiccated coconut
2 tbs coconut flour
Pinch sea salt/Himalayan salt
3 rounded tbs coconut oil
2-4 level tbs honey
Pinch dried ground turmeric
Quick squeeze fresh lemon juice (2 dessertspoons, give or take)
Food processor
Line a flat plate or baking sheet with greaseproof paper.
Add the ingredients to the food processor and blitz for 30 seconds, or until the mix starts to form a ball.
The next thing you want to do is shape the dough using 2 dessertspoons or small soup spoons. Scoop out a small spoonful of dough and form it into a mini macaroon or madeleine shape using both spoons. As Sarah Jane suggests, you could also use one of those special metric tablespoon you can buy from kitchen suppliers, to give a professional looking shape.
Freeze the macaroons until they are solid, then transfer to your fridge.
Why these are good for you: Green tea has health benefits as they are laden with antioxidant catechins. Green tea promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut which are helpful for clear skin, super-efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients. Good bacteria are also responsible for helping remove toxic chemicals and used-up hormones from your body quickly and safely. Green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that can be super-helpful for reducing stress or anxiety. Coconut oil is a great source of medium chain triglycerides. These help feed your brain and also supply ready energy to your body without being converted to fat! Lemon juice has antioxidant properties and helps boost liver function, to help rid you of all those natural and man-made toxins your body works to get rid of every minute of every hour.
