Food for the Soul: Delicious Healthy Eating!

 So, it’s winter, and flu season is upon us! Get out the Vitamin C and Echinacea and rug up! (says me who looks like Rudolf today and spreading my germs around the office - apparently I was too late on the Vitamin C bandwagon)

We all know that nothing beats off a winter cold quicker then a bowl of homemade chicken soup (it’s good for the soul). And we know that winter is the easiest time of year to push your healthy eating to the side and enjoy some comfort food.

Most of us are craving hot meals to warm us from the inside out. If you’re like me, the first thing I think of is a big bowl of hot soup for lunch with a crusty bread roll (sorry Andrea I love bread) and mug of steamy hot chocolate in the evening (and probably a Tim Tam to go with that!).

I for one am not into diets (or healthy eating really) but I have to say, that I have stumbled across some DELICIOUS winter recipes that have definitely curbed my comfort food craving and satisfied my taste buds! 

You don't have to stick with the traditional bowl of chicken soup (although it is delicious) so I have found a soup recipe that is a little heartier with lots of gusto and even a recipe for a 100% healthy sweet treat (keep scrolling down for that one!

And before you roll your eyes at ‘healthy eating’, be assured that the recipes I am going to suggest are VERY filling and VERY delicious! (I have tried them myself)

From Taste.com

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 3 leeks, finely sliced
• 2 teaspoons oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 rashers bacon, diced finely
• 1 large potato, chopped
• 1 large carrot, halved and sliced
• 1 (400g) tin tomato pieces
• 1/3 cup red lentils
• 1 packet french onion soup
• 1 litre water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Heat oil add leeks, garlic and bacon cook for 5 minutes on low heat until leeks are soft.
2. Add potato, carrot, undrained tomatoes, lentils, soup mix and water. Bring to the boil and the simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
3. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with crusty bread or rolls. YUMMMMMM!

 I know what I will be cooking up this weekend to get rid of my flu!

Now, a sweet treat that's 100% good for you and all natural. Pffft you say?! Well... let me tell you this is no lie...

KEEP READING!

I found this recipe on The Rawtarian: http://www.therawtarian.com/raw-chocolates-recipe  

and it is YUM!

  Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup coconut oil
• 3/4 cup agave nectar
• 1 cup raw cacao powder  
• *Optional: 1/3 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. If coconut oil is hard/solid place it oil in a bowl. Then place bowl inside a BIGGER bowl that is filled with hot water so that it will melt. Don't mix them together, though! You just want to liquify the pure coconut oil for use in this raw chocolates recipe.
2. Mix all raw chocolates recipe ingredients together in a blender or with a whisk until smooth.
3. Place chocolate mixture in chocolate molds to be set in the freezer or pour into a small glass baking dish to set in the fridge until set.
4. If not using molds, then cut into bars instead.

For other suggestions go onto their website and see flavour options to try with your chocolate.

So now you can indulge on yummy food guilt free this winter!

Tell me what you think of the recipes or upload one of yours for us to try!

Have a great weekend!