Food – TracysAntics

The Ultimate Nutty Banana Muffin Recipe

Because Banana Bread requires far too much self control

I made these muffins as a ‘lunchbox’ snack, to beat that afternoon lull that we all love.. They are full of only good ingredients & are so delicious. They are also fairly versatile and can be personalized depending on how you are feeling that week.

Ingredients:

1.5 Cups Spelt Flour
3 TBSP Coconut Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder

3 Eggs
3 TBSP Coconut Oil
Splash Vanilla Extract
3 Overripe Mashed Bananas

9 tsps Nut Butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius fan bake.

Mix the Flour, Coconut Sugar & Baking Powder together in a large bowl
– I use a whisk to mix these ingredients together as it distributes them better

In a small pot, heat the coconut oil enough to melt it but don’t let it get to hot and bubble or start spitting.

Mash the bananas and add these into the dry ingredients along with the eggs & vanilla extract.

Lastly mix in the coconut oil. At this point you will be able to tell whether the mixture is too runny or thick. If it is too runny, add in extra flour 1tsp at a time until the mixture gets to the right consistency. If it is too thick, add in milk a little at a time until it gets to the right consistency.

Fill muffin cases half way & add 1 tsp of Nut Butter in before filling the cases to the top.

Bake for 20-25mins or until a fork comes out clean.

These muffins come out fluffy, soft and delicious. To change up the recipe, instead of using nut butter, you could always add in chocolate chips, berries or even just some chopped nuts.

If any of the ingredients in this recipe look unfamiliar or you don’t have them, feel free to comment and I can give you some recommendations for substitutions.

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The Melbourne Brunch Guide | 6 Places You Can’t Miss!

Melbourne does love a Sunday Brunch

Melbourne is well known for being the Australian capital for all things Coffee.. but do you know what goes really well with coffee? Great food! Brunch is my favourite meal for sure mainly because it is only really enjoyed during the weekend and probably only became a thing because people wanted a glorious sleep in. So, here are 6 of my favourite pick for places to go in Inner City Melbourne.

Top Paddock – Richmond.

The Food at this place is incredible. Not even just the range or the taste. The presentation is immaculate (‘Cough, Cough’ the Blueberry & Ricotta Hotcake). There are ‘healthier’ and some more indulgent options depending on how you are feeling, however I would reccomend having a fairly big appetite when going!
The cafe itself has a really beautiful design. Its comfortable and quite open compared to some other options in Melbourne.

Tip – Get in Early! Or you may be waiting a fair while for a table.

Pilar of Salt – South Yarra/ Richmond.

Once again – this is a cafe that if you want a decent table and a short waiting time, get in early! I have been here a few times, early morning and after lunch and it seems no matter the time, theres a chance of waiting! But for a good reason.
Firstly. The coffee at this Cafe is seriously top notch! The cold brew however is def a go to for me as its just, good. Like, really good.
The food here is also pretty bloody good and the menu does cater to a lot, if not all walks of life and it quite veried (Would you like the Pancakes? an Eggs Bene? Or maybe an Hawaiian Poke Bowl?). The atomsphere of the Cafe itself is also really cool both inside and in the back/ outside area. On the way out you must also get one of their delicious treats from the front desk (Drooools).

Tip: Request a place to sit if you are fussy, or you may end up at a very busy and loud share table.

Serotonin Eatery – Burnley.

Are you the type of person who loves Smashed Avo, Vegan Pancakes or a Matcha/ Tumeric/ Cacao Coconut Latte with a Smiley Face like myself? Then you will love this place! As the name would suggest, you walk into this Cafe and you cant help but feel Happy! If it isn’t the Smiley face on the Top of your latte, the Japanese Style share tables will seriously make you go, Wow. This Place is Cool!
The food is all Plant Based, very nutritious and delicious 🙂 Even the names on the Menu make you smile and feel good (Positive Pancakes and Smiling Smashed Avo have to be my favs!)
My Favourite part of this Cafe however has to be the incredible comprehensive list of drinks! Protein Lattes, Coconut Cacao Lattes, Tumeric Lattes’ – ALL THE LATTES. I seriously love it and want to try them all! Even if you arent hungry, just go there for a drink!

Tip – Google map it by street view before you go or you may not find it easily ( like me and end up waaaay down the road).

Oscar Cooper – Prahran.

I have been lucky enough to dine at this cafe a few times and each time I have thoroughly enjoyed it! The atmosphere is really nice. Its cosy and warm in the winter (even when you are seated right by the door) but they also have some outdoor seating options which would be great in Summer! Their Jaffles look amazing and I have been told they certainly are. My fav dish is definitely the buttermilk & banana pancakes (dreamy).

Higher Ground – CBD

This place is #instagramgoals

If you are in Melbourne for a short amount of time and based in the CBD, after a typical Melbourne brunch. This is your place. The menu is pretty great with a wide range of options for everyone (once again has the famous pancake as it is a sister cafe of Top Paddock). The savoury dishes are also good!

I had the Lamb Sausage Roll and although the portion size was smaller, I was still satisfied. The interior of this place is actually just incredible. Its so big with a load of greenery. It IS the place to instagram.
Tip: once again, get in early so you aren’t waiting an hour!

5 and Dime Bagel

This one is a little different to the others and as you can imagine, is Bagel focused. If you like a good bagel. This is where you need to go ( or one of its suppliers). For me this ticks the box of a really good, cheap, on the go (but you can eat in) breakfast or brunch. You do need to get there early during the weekend however its so worth it. SO many options of things to have on and they actually do really great coffee to have with them!
My personal favourites are the Bacon Maple Chipotle or the Smoked Trout!

There are so many more amazing Cafes around Melbourne! This list could really go on forever! Where’s your favourite place? Where do I need to add to my list?

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Roasted Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Soup Recipe

For anyone new here, I will put my hand up… I. Hate. Winter.

For me, there are two good things about Winter. Soup and the fashion (Coats, Scarves, Boots…). You would think that considering I am a winter baby, I would be all about it. but I have come to realise that this definitely not the case!
I can not stand that it is dark by 5pm. It’s cold. It rains a lot. The days just feel shorter. But anyway…

ROASTED SWEET POTATO AND PUMPKIN – SERVES 6

This is probably one of my all time fav winter soups and its super quick and easy to make.

1/2 Whole Pumpkin	Ground Spices (Cumin, Pepper, Salt, Smoked Paprika, Coriander)
1 Large Sweet Potato	2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Carrot	1 Zucchini
2 Onions	2 Vegetable Stock Cubes
2 Garlic Cloves	165mls Coconut Milk (Optional)

Step One: Preheat oven to 180C fan bake & Boil a jug fill of Water	Step Two: Chop Pumpkin and Sweet Potato, spread on a baking tray and drizzle over olive oil and add spices of choice.
Step Three: Cook Pumpkin and Sweet Potato for approx 40mins (turn half way)	Step Four: In a large soup pot, saute Onion, Garlic, Salt & Pepper
Step Five: Grate (or chop) Carrot & Zucchini and add to the soup pot	Step Six: Once the Sweet Potato & Pumpkin have finished roasting in the oven, take out and add to the soup pot
Step Seven: Add in the boiling water along with the 2 stock cubes (If you had fresh herbs such as Rosemary or Thyme, you could add these in here too)	Step Eight: Put a lid on the pot, turn down to a low heat and simmer the soup for 30 minutes to an hour (30 mins if you are in a hurry, longer if you have time).
Step Nine: (Optional) Add in the Coconut Cream.	Step Ten: Once you have taste tested and added more salt and pepper if needed, BLEND. You can do this in an actual blender or with a stick blender (I would recommend option B). WARNING: Blending hot soup can be really dangerous! So if you have time, wait for it to cool down before blending. If you can’t wait, please be careful.

Serve with some fresh sliced bread toasted under a grill and spread with Garlic or topping of choice. If you have some Sesame or Pumpkin Seeds, toast those up and put them on top too!

TIP:

If for some reason you have made the Soup too salty, you can always boil some potatoes to add into the soup – as you may not know this until the end of the process, it would extend the time it takes to make the soup, however, it will save the soup instead of having to start again!

If you try the soup out, let me know how it goes! If its good, share it with Friends and Family – It’s a great excuse to get everyone around on a Sunday for Lunch or as a Starter for Dinner.

NOTE: I am not qualified in Nutrition or anything of the kind (Yet… ;), I just love food and creating recipes!

Healthy Banana Pancakes | Recipe

Because, Who doesn’t love Pancakes?

Serves 2

You will need:

Blender/nutribullet/ magicbullet etc
Large Pan
Small saucepan
Coconut oil / any oil for cooking

Pancake Recipe:

1/2 cup Wholegrain Oats
2 Bananas (ripened – aka has brown spots)
4 Medium sized Eggs (or 3 large)
3 Tbsp Almond milk (or regular/ any other milk)
(Optional) 1 scoop Protein Powder – I use Prana On – Vanilla

Berry Sauce Recipe

Put all ingredients in the small saucepan and let simmer for approx 10 mins or until pancakes are done.

1 cup mixed berries
1/4 cup water
1 tsp Cinnamon
(Optional) Sweeteners

Pancake Instructions

1. Put the Wholegrain Oats into the blender and blend until it turns into flour consistency.

2. Add 1 Banana (mashed), Eggs, Almond milk and Protein Powder if using.

3. Blend until smooth but thick consistency. (May need to add extra Oats if consistency is too thin or extra milk if too thick).

4. Cook for approx 3-4 mins each side (don’t flip until you see the surface producing bubbles).

5.Serve with the Berry Sauce and toppings of choice!

ENJOY!! =D

If you try out this recipe, please take a picture and tag me on Instagram & Twitter @Tracyabbott07 or on my Facebook page @tracysantics.

Protein Balls | Recipe

Snackin’

Bliss balls are an amazing nutritious treat – whether you are living a healthy lifestyle or wanting to try something new. Most bliss balls/ protein balls on the web are very high in fructose/ fruit sugars as they are 78-80% date based. These however, are nut based.

Bliss balls are fantastic because you can pretty much make them out of anything – Nuts, Dried fruits, Coconut etc etc and they are SO easy! (Providing you have a Food Processor/ Blender of some kind)

YOU WILL NEED

1/3 Cup Rolled Oats
2tbsp Chia Seeds
1/2 Cup Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Brazil – You choose!)
3tbsp Nut Butter (I used Almond)
1 Serving of Protein Powder (Optional)
1 Scoop Coconut Greens (or any alternative you may have)
and a swish of almond milk/ any milk depending on consistency.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add Oats, Nuts, Coconut Greens and Protein Powder (if using) to a blender/ food processor and blend until the nuts have ground down and the ingredients have mixed together.

2. Add in the Nut Butter and Chia Seeds and mix again. The mixture should start sticking together at this point. Blend until the mixture has turned into a cookie dough like consistency.

3. Add the milk if mixture is too dry – don’d add to much or it will get very mushy/ too wet.

4. Roll into balls using about a Tbsp and a half of the mixture for each (or more/ less depending on how big you would like them)

5. (Optional) Roll in Cocoa Powder/ Shredded Coconut.

6. Put them in the fridge/ Freezer to harden to the consistency you would like them.

These will last in the fridge for around a week ( if they last that long!) and a great for a mid morning/ mid afternoon pick me up, Pre-workout/post workout snack or even a after dinner treat!

If you try out this recipe, please take a picture and tag me on Instagram & Twitter @Tracyabbott07 or on my Facebook page @tracysantics.
x

Shopping |I-herb Haul

I do confess, I am addicted to I Herb! (www.iherb.com)

This is a site I discovered which sells all sorts of things from healthy food to beauty to cleaning products! A lot of which are Organic.

There were a few things I knew I needed and wanted to repurchase and a few things I really wanted to try out! So this is what I ordered:

The coconut sugar, brown rice pasta and cacao nibs were repurchases, these are fantastic and healthy! I use the coconut sugar as a replacement for normal sugar in many things and the cacao nibs as a treat on top of Greek yoghurt with berries.

The pastas are great! I use them to replace normal pasta and I can not taste the difference!

The tea I have been wanting to try for a while, so I grabbed the mango infused green and also got 3 samples of other teas from the brand to try as well!

As many people who know me well know, I am addicted to YouTube. Shaaanxo had convinced me I needed to get the Real techniques sponge as it is a good Dupe for the Beauty Blender and she also convinced me to get the under eye setting powder which I am excited to try! ( I may do reviews on these products at a later date)

The other things I got were just impulse buys, so I will see how they get on 🙂

Much love

Tracy

Welcome!

IMG_20170805_123339 The idea of starting a blog has been following me around like a bad smell, for months.

I am in my last semester of my undergraduate degree and thought, what the hell, why not. I need a new hobby and this could be a lot of fun.

As I discussed the idea with friends about beginning this blog the top question asked: “What will it be about?”, My answer was simply, everything.

I love things such as beauty, healthy food, Travel and Cooking, Shopping, Books, and other kinds of fun and random things, so this is where I shall begin.

This may possibly turn into a blog about my (and my partners) cat,

27th of Feb – This is what she does at dinner time. Be cute to get the foooods

but I will try my best to keep this from happening. I am hoping to post about once a week, but am not promising anything.

I know from all the blogs I read that there are plenty of blogs like this out there, but maybe mine will end up being a bit different, we shall see.

Now that the introduction is done and dusted, watch this space for a haul which will be posted in the next few days.

Much love,

Tracy