Cumin-Spiced Sweet Potato Crisps with Lemon Tahini Dip

29398480_UnknownOne afternoon, I was craving crisps, as I do every once in a while. Yes, I know, I’m supposed to be a juice nut and a health nut, but I’m human!  About twice a year I indulge, and then remember why I don’t eat them: they give me indigestion and I always want more!

Normally, though, I toast some sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds with some buckwheat and add tamari to make them salty*. That usually does the trick. It’s the salt and the crunch I’m craving not the actual potato bit.

This particular afternoon, I decided to make some sweet potato crisps. I’ve had sweet potato chips and wedges often, but never crisps. And in all the decades I’ve had a food processor, I’ve never used the slicing attachment – no, really – so I thought I’d give it a go. I couldn’t believe how quick it was and how thin they were. Honestly, all these years, we’ve sliced by hand and it took a split second to do one sweet potato, which produced more than enough crisps for one person.

The surprising thing is that they are so filling and satisfying, unlike commercial potato crisps which always leave me craving more. I actually didn’t require any dinner afterwards, but then, I probably ate a few too many!

Sweet potatoes contain tons of Vitamin A, in the form of beta-carotene, essential for good eye health, are good sources of Vitamin C, B vitamins, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Potassium and dietary fibre.

Sweet Potato Crisps:

I melted a little coconut oil, rubbed it into the sweet potato slices, spread them on a baking tray, and sprinkled cumin, black pepper and pink Himalayan salt over them.

They went in the oven at about 190C (fan oven) for about 20 mins (turning a couple of times) until crisp – some were a bit charred, but my husband ate them, that’s how he has his toast! You have to keep your eye on them, I got distracted by the cycling on tv!

Lemon Tahni Dip:

This is very approximate because it’s a question of adding, tasting, adding a bit more!

So, about 3 heaped tbsps Tahini (sesame paste)

Juice of half a small Lemon

A little Water

Black Pepper

Pink Himalayan Salt to taste

Blend until it’s the required consistency, adding a little more of anything you think it needs. I use a small chopper/grinder for this rather than the big blender, it’s only a small amount and you waste a lot in the blender.

Serve in a pretty Chinese rice dish (optional!).

Enjoy!

*See Quick, Plain & Simple, Savoury Vegan Snacks (Gluten-Free Too!)

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Jason Vale’s 5lbs in 5 Days Big Juice Challenge With Free Recipes & Support!

imageFrom the 4th – 8th September 2017, Jason Vale (aka the the Juicemaster) is holding a free Big Juice Challenge using his 5lbs in 5 Days programme, which is available free if you join up via Big Juice Challenge (the photo is just for illustration, you don’t get physical products, it’s all online).

You will receive free shopping lists, juice recipes, coaching videos and can join in with his Facebook group to ask questions, compare results and so on. Jason is very hands on with his support and encouragement, filming daily videos, answering questions, reading out progress tweets etc. And it’s all FREE! (If this one’s a little too short notice, he does them about 3 or 4 times a year, so watch out for the next one).

(If you want more information and support, you can buy an inexpensive app and/or the book, which is great for getting into the whys and wherefores of juicing for health, how the food and diet industries work and is an easy, often humorous read to keep you on the straight and narrow).

What’s more, the Retro Cold Press Juicer is currently on offer with £100 off the RRP.

I have done this challenge and several of his others many times, in fact I’ve just completed this one a little early as it conflicts with family birthdays. I’ve experienced many improvements in several health issues (read about my first juicing experiences  Juicing: How to Begin or Do As I Say, Not As I Did! ).

My weight levelled out soon after I began juicing nearly 4 years ago and varies by about 5lbs depending on the season, how many birthday celebrations we’ve had etc. I don’t do much exercise due to a back injury, but I still manage to lose 4-5 lbs each time.

For me, the weight loss is incidental, it keeps me where I’m healthiest, but more importantly, the week of juices and blends helps reset my body, calms me down, forces me to take a break and take care of myself and to reassess my lifestyle. I do these programmes about 3 or 4 times a year, once each season basically. The rest of the time I have at least one juice a day and eat healthily and yes I still do have treats.

For those unsure about whether you can make it through 5 days of juicing, this is what you have to look forward to on Day Three:

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Berry Banana Crunch! It is one of the most delicious blended juices and one of the most popular. It comprises 2 apples, juiced, blended with 1/2 a banana, 2 handfuls of mixed berries (fresh or frozen), 2 Tbsps live yogurt, 1 Tbsp mixed seeds, ice cubes. What’s not to like!

If anyone asks you where your protein/calcium/fibre/fats etc. are on a juice ‘diet’ ‘cleanse’  whatever, here it is:

This smoothie has it all: protein, potassium, calcium, magnesium, probiotics, b vitamins, antioxidants, fibre, healthy omega oils and so much more.

There’s a Sweet Beet Smoothie on the fifth day too which also has berries in it, Turbo with a Kick! on the first day is one of my favourite juices, it has pineapple and ginger in it which gives it a zing. It’s not all kale and spinach – though there is a fair amount! – all the juices are carefully balanced for nutrients and flavour especially to appeal to beginners.

I am a long term juicer, so I don’t have quite so much fruit in my juices now, the idea is to ease back over time as you get used to it.

I’ve compiled a list of links to my posts which provide information and support for juicing newbies, beginning with juicers and blenders and on to tips for juicing success, find them in Juicing Posts: Advice, Reviews, Tips & Tricks in the Menu at the top of this post. I also have posts where you can follow my progress through a 5lbs in 5 Days programme and also a SuperJuiceMe! 14 day challenge – again, you’ll find them in the Menu.

Here are just a few that might help:

My Top 20 Tips for Juicing – updated to 25!

Are You in Need of a Juice Boost?

What To Do If You Feel Hungry on a Juice Plan or Don’t Need To Lose a Lot of Weight

 Which Juicer? – Where to Begin?

Juicemaster Retro Super Fast Juicer: Review

Super Juicing: I Feel Good! Now What? 11 Tips on How To Maintain Your Juicy Success

Also, Aldi frequently have well-reviewed juicers on special offer, a good buy for a beginner.

All information in these posts is for guidance only and based on my own experience or research. Please consult a doctor before embarking on a juice programme, especially if doing so for the first time, and do your own research.

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Monday Meditation – A Stroll Around Hodnet Hall Gardens

On the recommendation of 29400512_Unknowna new friend, we recently visited the beautiful gardens at Hodnet Hall, a sprawling, centuries-old estate in Shropshire. It has so many trails, gardens, lakes, magnificent trees, waterfalls – there is always something else to discover around the corner.

It is such a tranquil place, we went on a fine though at times overcast August Sunday and often felt like we were the only people there. It is not a flashy place at all, no amusements, almost no signage (you are handed a map of the trails on arrival), no ice cream vans, no litter, no overhyped overtired children, no gift shop. Instead, young children were happily roaming about, enjoying the freedom and fresh air, often accompanied by grandparents, sometimes extended families; there were young couples, elderly couples and those who were obviously regular visitors to historic houses and/or serious walkers. But as you can see in the photos, we were barely aware of anyone else, such is the design of the estate.

The grounds are structured so that there are many separate parts to the whole, where you can sit or walk through areas of parkland or woodland, waterways or flower gardens and barely hear a sound but for the birds, ducks or swans and the gentle lapping of water. There are wooded glens, wooden bridges and walkways over the water – one looked decidedly like the hangout of the local troll!

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There is a sixteenth century timbered building that has become the tearooms but used to be the stable block of the original mansion. Its interior is not for the faint-hearted i.e. me! The walls are covered in the heads of African game, including a huge water buffalo, and there is even a fully stuffed lion and tiger, just standing there to left and right of the entrance! No vegan food here!

But back to the start:

The small pay booth by the entrance gates is manned by a lovely elderly gentleman called Tony, who is so welcoming and knowledgeable, and always happy to chat.

The driveway into the gardens is flanked by beautiful multihued hydrangeas, they grow throughout the grounds in indivdual gardens and along the paths: blue, purple, all shades of pink, white, so many I could have spent all visit just photographing hydrangeas and little else!

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The current house is Victorian and was built when the family decided to move across the grounds to a higher, less damp position, but it was renovated in the 1960s. These steps lead down to one of the lakes:

The middle photo is of the other side of the house to where the main drive leads. Unfortunately the house is roped off, only the gardens are open to the public.

The bottom picture is the stone garden, a separate circular and sheltered spot where you can sit and just listen to birdsong.

The lakes are stunning. There are 5 of them, in varying sizes and settings. Some are quite wild and dark, set in almost rainforest-like conditions, one has pike, one has waterfalls, some more restful with swans and lily pads.

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There are some interesting structures and sculptures too. 

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The structure top left is the old smoke house – it has a seat in it these days.  The building below it is a 16th Century dovecote, a symbol of financial and social success. Pigeons would nest there and the young squabs taken before they could fly, destined for the dining table and regarded as a rich man’s delicacy. Below is the tithebarn or threshing barn from the same period:

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But this was my favourite view, we sat here for a very long time in quiet contemplation – my camera had given up when the battery died so I had to take this with my iPhone and it turned out to be my favourite. I leave it here for you to enjoy:

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Note there are no photos of big game!

(See also my post on the beautiful St Luke’s Village Church next door to the Hall).

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Vegan Gluten-Free Burger (and Sausage) Recipes for National Burger Day!

Here are some burger recipes posted previously, in case you’d like to join in or want a healthier burger or a meat alternative this holiday weekend – always supposing the weather will co-operate, but given its track record on Bank Holidays, we won’t hold our breath! Whatever you’re doing and whoever you’re with, I hope you have a lovely time.

Ps Apologies for no trendy, gravity-defying burger towers with skewers stuck in them, I refuse – how *do* people eat them like that, and in public, too! We found it impossible to eat with any kind of decorum when we went for my Vegan Birthday Burgers!

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Vegan Black Bean & Walnut Veggie Burger

Spicy Chickpea & Coriander Veggie Burgers (vegan & gluten-free)

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Nutty Bean & Beetroot Veggie Burgers with Quinoa & Redcurrants

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Vegan Tiger Nut & Peanut Chilli-Burger

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… you could also use these recipes and make them into burger shape rather than sausages, they’re really good – the ginger ones are my favourite!

Vegan ‘Cheesy’ Almond, Leek & Herb Sausages

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Vegan Leek, Carrot & Ginger Sausages

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Copyright: Chris McGowan

Vegan Dairy-Free Curried Cauliflower Soup with Sweetcorn

29398608_UnknownCauliflower is my favourite vegetable, but for some reason it doesn’t appear regularly on the family food order, so I find myself making a special request when I realise we haven’t had it for some time. Our local Waitrose isn’t too hot on organic foods and there’s no farmers’ market, so if we forget to include cauliflower in our weekly Ocado order, we have to wait another week.

Cauliflower is high in Vitamin C and a good source of protein, B Vitamins, Omega Oils, Vitamin K (for good bone health), Magnesium, Iron and many other minerals.

I am always thinking of new ways to eat this versatile veg and recently tried a curried cauliflower soup which turned out really well.

This recipe made enough for a large bowl for one as a main meal or two small bowls as a starter. It was ready in next to no time and is simple to make.

Not too spicy.

And the secret ingredient? Peanut butter! I love peanut butter and will use any excuse to include it.

Ingredients

(Organic where possible).

1 Heaped Tsp Coconut Oil

1 Small Onion, chopped

Approx. One third of a medium organic Cauliflower, washed and chopped, including any stalk

One and a Half Cups Sweetcorn, fresh or frozen – reserve the half cup until the end

1 Heaped Tsp Curry Powder

1/2 Vegetable Stock Cube

A Good Squeeze of Tomato Purée

Approx. 500mls Boiling Water

Heaped Tsp of Smooth Peanut Butter

Black Pepper & Pink Himalayan Salt

*

Melt the coconut oil until it is hot but not smoking.

Add the onion, stirfry for a few seconds, add the cauliflower and sweat for a few minutes with the lid on over a low heat.

Add the curry powder and stir well.

Add 1 Cup of the sweetcorn, dissolve the stock cube and tomato purée in the water and add to the pan.

Add a few twists of black pepper.

Replace the lid and simmer gently on a low heat until the veg is cooked.

When it is nearly cooked, lightly steam the remaining sweetcorn or cook gently in a little simmering water for a couple of minutes and strain. Set aside.

Blend the soup with a stick blender until most of it is quite smooth but leaving some unblended bits for bite, if liked.

Stir the peanut butter in well, adjust the seasoning, add the remaining cooked sweetcorn and serve.

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You might also like to try Fruity Vegetable Curry with Lemony Almond Cauliflower ‘Rice’ or ‘Couscous’

See also: Warming Sweet Potato & Ginger Soup

Zesty Orange Squash Soup – Yes, Really!

Cumin and Have Some Soup!

Vegan, Gluten-Free Carrot, Beetroot & Basil Soup

Sweet & Sour Vegetable Soup

Thick and Chunky Winter Soup with Green Lentils

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Monday Meditation: Stunning Stained Glass in a World-Reknowned Medieval Shrewsbury Church

As some of you will know, I recently had a birthday outing to Shrewsbury (see Vegan Birthday Burgers at O’Joy Wellness Bistro, Shrewsbury – Review). When we had finished lunch, we were so stuffed and had been sitting so long, we needed air and exercise. The skies were heavy and grey, it didn’t look too promising. However, close by the bistro in the town centre stand three medieval churches. We randomly chose to take a look at the redundant Anglican Church of St Mary The Virgin, not knowing anything about it, but once inside it took my breath away. It has the most stunning stained glass windows I have ever seen, which are apparently world-reknowned: it is said that there is no other collection like it.

The Norman Gothic style church dates from Saxon times and has additions dating from the twelfth century onwards. At over 500 years old, the spire atop the tower is reputedly the third tallest in the country, in fact it is so high I couldn’t get it all in the one shot. Unfortunately, the weather was really taking a turn for the worst, the light was awful for taking photographs. I had also forgotten to take my camera so these were taken with my iPhone.

 

I’ve borrowed a photo from Wikipaedia of the exterior and spire to illustrate its entirety:

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These beautiful wooden doors welcome you into the most overwhelmingly imposing building, with sweeping stone arches, a huge ancient carved stone pulpit, a dark wooden organ gallery.

However, you are immediately drawn to the enormous and detailed panels of brightly-hued stained glass in the famous fourteenth century ‘Jesse’ window*, with its panels of portraits of Old Testament Kings and Prophets, as well as a medieval cartoon strip of the life of St Bernard. Much of the glass was originally used for a Franciscan church, then moved to nearby St Chads after the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry Vlll.  It was rescued after the church went up in flames and reused to dramatic effect here. The rest of the glass came from various parts of Europe.

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The photos really don’t do it justice, the light streaming through the intensely-coloured glass left me lost for words. I couldn’t get the right angle to include it all in the best light. The Trinity Chapel on the right, first created in the 1300s, also has brilliantly-lit stained glass panels. These are bolder and more dramatic.

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The aisles and chapels have beautiful Victorian tiled floors and the ceilings have intricate fifteenth century oak carvings of animals, angels and birds, that are so high up you have to use the handheld mirrors provided to view their reflection.

 

I found the whole experience humbling. It was awe-inspiring. I am not a religious person, I just love historic buildings including churches and this was one of the most affecting that I’ve visited. I constantly marvel at the craftmanship, creativity, ingenuity and sheer hard work that went in to building these churches, often not just over decades but centuries too. They survive fire, flood, hell and damnation – in the form of Henry Vlll’s distruction of these fine buildings – and are still here for us to enjoy and to sit in peaceful contemplation. I feel the presence of all those who have gathered here before me, and it is an opportunity to feel close to my dad and my brother who both passed away at this time of year.**

This church is now under the care of The Churches Conservation Trust.

Visiting old churches and ruins is my favourite thing to do, Shrewsbury and the surrounding area is awash with them – there will be further posts I’m sure – and all in all I had a very enjoyable day. The weather even held off until we made it back to the car – just – before the deluge arrived!

* A ‘Jesse’ window refers to an artistic rendering of the biblical family tree starting with Jesse of Bethlehem, father of King David.

To read about other historical visits, please see:

A Nursery, a Ruin and a Baby Cow

Wroxeter – A Roman City on A Beautiful Summer’s Day.

William Penny Brookes, Father of The Modern Olympics!

Magnificent Trees, Olympic Medallists, A Czar & Some Sheep!

For more photos of buildings in a Shrewsbury:

Some Fine Tudor Buildings – And Albert’s Shed!

**To read about my dad, please see:

You Were So Much More Than Your Job: A Tribute to My Dad For Father’s Day

Two poems:

My Dad Walked Straight and Tall Like A Soldier

Hand in Hand: A Poem for Father’s Day

and my brother:

Sweetpeas For Dave

Thank you!

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine – Paint a Rock & Give a Smile to Someone Who Needs It!

 B4B53D6F-9C92-4C30-920B-75FB1D18287AMany of you know that I have a long-term back problem, but perhaps not how serious it is. The warmer weather helps and today we ventured out for a walk along the former railway line, now turned Sustrans bike track. Unfortunately, I was enjoying myself so much that I pushed my body too far and my back seized up by the side of the canal where I had wanted to look at the brightly-coloured barges. I was in a bit of a pickle and knew I couldn’t turn around and go back, nor could I see a bench to perch on while I worked out how get out of this predicament.

I was wondering how on earth I would make it back to the car when I looked up and saw on a ledge a small rock painted with the words: ‘Staffs Smilesstones, please share a pic on FB then rehide me’ with the name of the family who had put it there. It did indeed make me smile, it was such a surprise, sitting there at my eyeline, waiting for me to look up and smile.

This smile and its subsequent break into laughter helped me relax enough to make it to where I needed to go – a nearby pub where I waited while my husband walked back to fetch the car.

When I got back home, and after a few hours’ rest, I looked up Staffs Smilestones and they have a page on Facebook, full of photos of young children with painted stones and cute happy faces, finding and re-hiding the rocks all over Staffordshire for the pure joy of giving someone a smile. I joined their group and will be painting my own rocks very soon.

I am sitting here with a heat pad on my back, having taken some Arnica and smoothed on some Arnica cream, about to go to bed, but wanted to share this story with you.

Here’s a calming photo of a barge drifting along the canal for your Friday night meditation 💜 I love the reflections in the water.

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I’ll be writing a fuller post with lots of photos of our walk when I’m up to it. Oh, and we didn’t get lost!

This story was first shared on Terry’s blog

Copyright: Chris McGowan

BackPacks with School Supplies for Impoverished Children via Mary’s Meals

29401648_UnknownThis backpack filled with school supplies is all ready to be collected by our Abel & Cole driver and sent on to Mary’s Meals who will transport and distribute all the donations to impoverished schoolchildren in Malawi.

Mary’s Meals was started by two Scottish brothers during the Bosnian conflict when they collected food supplies for those affected. The initiative evolved into a non-profit charity that helps provide nourishing meals for children in areas of conflict, disaster zones and poverty.

Kitchens are built and equipped near schools using local resources where possible, while school staff and parents make and serve one nourishing meal a day to the children. This in turn enables them to attend school and receive an education while also being guaranteed one hot meal a day.

They are currently helping one and a quarter million children worldwide.

It costs £13.50 to feed a child one meal a day for a year.

Many children in this country support this charity, raising funds and awareness. One young blogger, Martha at Never Seconds , has taken the charity to heart after writing reviews of her school meals and has been recognised by Jamie Oliver amd others , receiving awards for her efforts in campaigning for healthy school meals for all children.

The backpacks don’t have to be new, they can be redundant or discarded, outgrown, and you can fill them with spare supplies. I have so many coloured pencils from generations of children who have drawn and coloured in our house that I am sending some along with some notebooks, drawing paper, erasers and a ruler.

Skirts, polo shirts, shorts, sandals and flip flops, a bar of soap, toothbrush and toothpaste and a small ball can be sent too, but not toys or sweets. 

It takes hardly any effort or money but means so much to the children who receive them. 

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Ducks Crossing! In Which We Take a Break from House Refurbishment

We had been cooped up for so long with all the work being done in the house and having the drive resurfaced: the parquet floor* took 9 days instead of 4, the drive had been delayed and went from taking 5 days to 11 days due to the rainy weather and we were also decorating the kitchen and lounge! The middle Sunday, however, turned into a fine day and I was feeling like a caged animal, so we took a short drive to one of my favourite places: Lilleshall National Sports Centre, where the  gardens and magnificent trees never cease to uplift and inspire.

Here are some photos from that afternoon’s breath of fresh air:

 

 Then, on the way out, along the long drive with its line of conifers, old farmhouse cottages and where we often see squirrels, a badger, pheasant and rabbits, here was a flock of ducks waiting to cross the road. We slowed to a stop so I could take a photo, and waited as they regarded us, assessed the situation and eventually decided it was safe to cross. Tentatively, the first one stepped out, looked at us then carried on, while the others had a little huddle to discuss whether he was wise or insane and then slowly followed his lead in a long line.

 

 Three cars were stopped either side of the road until they reached safety and proceded on to the lake a few hundred metres away. It made my day.

See also: Magnificent Trees, Olympic Medallists, A Czar & Some Sheep! for the history and more beautiful photos of Lilleshall

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If you like country estates, you’ll love this! for a different seasonal view.

*The Tour de France & A Parquet Tour de Force!

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Vegan Mixed Bean Salad While the Kitchen’s Under Wraps!

29134960_UnknownLast week, the kitchen was covered in dust sheets and all the appliances – juicers, blenders, pans, etc. – were scattered about in other rooms. HB had been painting the ceiling, walls and doors all day, the windows were closed because the Men in Orange were laying smelly tarmac on the drive and it was quite a hot sticky day too, so a quick, cool salad was in order for dinner at the end of a long day.

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The bottom layer of this nutritionally power-packed salald bowl is a combination of leaves: romaine, rocket, watercress and spinach – did you know romaine and rocket contain protein? Watercress and spinach are a good source of iron and Vitamin C, too. Vitamin C aids the absorption of iron in the body.

Layered over the leaves are chopped celery and cucumber, then celery leaves, chopped spring onion (a prebiotic for gut health), more protein and B vitamins in homegrown mung bean sprouts*, and topped off with basil leaves, which we grow on our kitchen windowsill. Basil is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and rich in anti-oxidants.

Alongside, we have half a can of mixed beans, rinsed well – another source of protein and B vitamins, as well as dietary fibre.

The whole salad is then dressed with tamari and olive oil dressing, and sprinkled with raw hemp seeds* and plenty of black pepper. Hemp seeds are high in protein and a good source of healthy omega oils.

HB had a large baked potato with his!

*See also Shelled Hemp Seeds: Superfood or Psychogenic?!

Sprouting for Health, Energy and the Environment!

Crunchy & Satisfying Black Bean, Red Grape & Hemp Seed Salad

Mixed Beans with Avocado, Pomegranate & Wilted Spinach

Rocket (Arugula) Salad with Sweetcorn, Walnut Slaw, Crisp Red Apple & Lemon Tahini Dressing

Oh-So-Chocolatey Hemp Seed Coins

Copyright: Chris McGowan