Hillside Health

Blueberry Breakfast Bar 🫐
Only 4 whole healthy ingredients go into make these morning bites;
2 cups sprouted oats
1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter
Two large bananas
1/2 cup organic blueberries
Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.
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Cheaper ~ and much better-for-you than anything boxed. Plus the easiest baking you’ll ever do! Inspired by 💙 Mine weren’t perfect to look at but they tasted really good with a natural sweetness from the banana. You pay so much more for the c**p to be taken out (and even then there is usually some cane sugar added that you really don’t need!) ~ so it’s certainly worth making them yourself. Perfect for kids and they last for a few days in the fridge 👌

3 Summer Side Faves
(that are super easy to prepare)
💚 basil pesto olive orzo ~ elevate with a bottom layer of dark leafy greens
💚 grape & celery slaw with maple mustard apple cider vinaigrette (let some chopped red onion soak in the dressing) ~ elevate with chopped walnuts
💚 Greek salad ~ elevate with arugula micro greens (& true feta from a sheep!)

8 months🤰🏼
The first picture sums up an attempt to capture my boy bonding with my bump. Where is Bear!? 😂
Arguably the hardest two year old to photograph & true to his name, forever exploring the wilderness 🐻🥰

Arriving August 2023 👶
Like so many my journey to motherhood was less than straightforward ~ so at almost 40 I feel incredibly grateful I’ll see my beautiful Bear become a big brother 🥰

The Best Brownie Recipe 🤎
Made with better-for-you ingredients with every bit of satisfaction. These rich & fudgy squares are as good as they get! They were also incredibly easy to make ~ even with a wild toddler obsessed with a whisk. I took the recipe from ~ after he claimed they were the best in the world (with hundreds of brownie lovers agreeing) but cut the sweetener to one cup ~ and opted for unrefined coconut sugar. Here’s the only brownie recipe you’ll ever need in life (& it’s gluten free!);
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup raw cacao (sieved)
1 3/4 cup sugar of choice (one cup of coconut was sweet enough!)
Pinch of sea salt
5 tbsp butter (grass fed, softened) ~ a little more than half a stick
3 large eggs (organic pastured)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cups chocolate chips (I used dark sugar free)
In separate bowls combine dry and wet ingredients ~ then slowly stir the dry into the wet. Include the chocolate chips last. Transfer gooey mixture to an 8x8 baking tin lined with parchment paper ~ even out and smooth with a spatula. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes.
Needless to say I have created a chocolate addict! Bear can’t get enough ~ but of course he had to settle for a small portion. As for mama ~ no comment 🐷

Home Salads ~ Cheaper Healthier and often Faster than a take out 💚 Just requires a bit of organisation upfront. I always have organic pasture raised eggs in the fridge for some deliciously easy protein and since discovering a brand that genuinely makes a clean pre-made dressing i’m all over these heavenly jars. I’ve posted lots of homemade drizzles, but when short on time it’s great having a convenient option (without the junk!) that tastes delicious
If you can’t access this brand you can always mix extra virgin olive oil, balsamic (2:1 ratio), a splash of orange juice and pinch of dried oregano to dress those gorgeous greens👌

Bowls like this ❤️
Never underestimate the falafel! When made with just chick peas, garlic, herbs & spices they are super healthy ~ packed with fiber and a good source of protein if you’re skipping the meat. I’m so glad I found a brand (stocked at Whole Foods) that makes them as they should be ~ using only simple whole ingredients (no canola oil or unnecessary fillers) .valley.falafel 👌
When baking pass on the processed vegetable oil and opt for olive or avo instead. At last a conveniently clean falafel from the freezer! Even if you can’t access this particular brand you know exactly what to look for ☺️

Sunshine & Pasta ❤️ This salad is just perfect for a vibrant & satisfying bowl on a gorgeous Spring afternoon. A few simple ways it has been upgraded from a traditional cold pasta plate;
☀️ tri-coloured pasta from Italy made with spinach & tomato
☀️ layered with a medley of super greens
☀️ the sweetest tomatoes on the vine ~ sugar bombs
☀️ baby crisp cucumber
☀️ dairy free clean authentic pesto (olive oil, basil, cashew nuts, sea salt & pine nuts ~ no junk ingredients :)
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That strawberry~feta combo ❤️🤍with a conveniently clean dressing 👌

Finally a pre-made jar you can feel good about! 🫶 Oh and don’t forget to go organic on the strawberries since they top the dirty dozen. My faves are always
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A little goat cheese & feta goes a long way 🤍
Balance over Restriction
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Tabbouleh Salad ~ I forgot just how good it is with all the greens and a dollop of hummus 😍 I added organic nitrate free chicken breast slices (365 brand at Whole Foods) for some convenient protein. A wonderful pre-Spring lunch!
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My two loves ❤️❤️ Brownie & Bear

What we know is healthy ~ versus less colourful comfort bowls 👇
Your plate doesn’t always need to look like the rainbow ~ there’s nothing like a crock pot meal during winter and beef chuck slow cooked for 8 hours is my fave! Upgrade your stew with organic grass fed meat and a good quality bone broth (highly recommend Bonafide and Kettle & Fire) ~ intensity the flavour with a ton of fresh garlic and generous tbsp of Worcester sauce 🔥 Don’t forget the oregano, thyme, rosemary, San Marzano paste & a decent splash of full bodied red🍷

Two simple diet hacks 🔥
🥗 Always top a salad with a protein (& ideally a fat too! 🥑)
🥚 Include two boiled pastured eggs at breakfast ~ the perfect side for pecan butter sprouted toast 😍
Adding food to your diet is the key to healthy long term habits & balance ~ NOT taking it away 💫

ELEVATE rather than ELIMINATE 💫 January is often a month of restriction ~ but in reality the most basic meals like oatmeal and toast ~ often deemed as a sugar bomb and ultra processed ~ can be much better-for-you with a few extras & tweaks. Transform your bowl with cinnamon, chia & h**p seeds, pecan butter, organic berries sweetened with smashed banana. No honey or maple needed. Switch out the sandwich for loaded toast and upgrade with sprouted or sourdough bread (checking for no added sugar) topped with a fat AND protein ~ making half the plate dark leafy greens ~ not forgetting the micro ones! All of a sudden you’ve added a ton of whole foods to your breakfast & lunch ~ and not needed to give up the carbs. This philosophy has really worked for me ❤️

Micro Greens 💚
You can garnish any meal but I especially recommend topping sprouted toast and brightening mushroom eggs 😍
The mini’s are easier to eat, higher in nutrients & more flavourful than their fully grown counterparts. Punchy peppery arugula is my go to
Nutritional upgrades are often super simple. You don’t need to waste your money on gummies.
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A little lunch inspo 😋
🍽 Roasted veg quinoa bowls (leftover from dinner ~ pair with boiled eggs & feta/goat cheese)
🍽 Everything eggs (garlic mushrooms are a must!). Sauté any veg you have left in the fridge and stir in whisked pastured egg. It’s that simple! Top with arugula and use Italian/herbs de Provence for deliciously easy seasoning
🍽 Grass Fed chilli ~ layer the bowl with baby kale and upgrade with avo & h**p
🍽 Roasted chicken & roasted garlic hummus greens (ditch the store bought salad dressing for hummus (made with olive oil), tahini or guac ~ or simply dress with EVOO, balsamic, a squeeze of citrus & oregano
🍽 Cut the bread consumption in half and create more balance by devouring a toast salad combo
🍽 Have some healthy convenience in the fridge ~ my favourite is the macro bowl
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The best things in life are free 🎃
Bonding over veg with my (not so little) pumpkin 🧡

The one without the added sugar
I love a bottle of fruity gingery fizz for a boost of energy and all the probiotics. Luckily I found a brand that is sweet enough already without adding a ton of cane sugar into the mix. Fermented tea never sounds that appealing but all the flavours (especially lemon berry & tangerine dream) are so refreshing ~ and best served in a wine glass 🍷

Chia Pecan Butter Pudding 🖤🤍
The easiest breakfast that is creamy dreamy delicious packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber & antioxidants.
Serves 2:
1 cup milk (I used oat)
4 tbsp chia seeds
(Mix well in a mason jar and refrigerate overnight)
Top with blueberries, raspberries blackberries, pecan butter & h**p seeds. Super Food. Super Simple. Organic berries of choice are & the most incredible nut butter
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Coconut Curry 🥥🍠 Two Ways
In reality there are twenty two ways (& more) to make this cleansing one pot family fave ~ but what I love most about homemade is the addition of sweet potato & my favourite greens. It’s impossible to get this combo at your local Indian. Leftovers are perfect the next day tossed with fresh spinach, arugula, boiled egg, avo & h**p seed. In my humble opinion, the perfect Fall salad! Warm, protein packed, high in fat, fiber & antioxidants while being gluten, dairy & grain free 🧡
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Pecan Oat Bakes 🤎
A healthier take on traditional cookies ~ which means you need 5 of course!
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Free from dairy, gluten & unrefined sugar with some healthy fats and plenty of fiber you really should be waking up to these. Well they’re at least justified with your morning coffee! You could always add chocolate chips if they’re not quite sweet enough ☺️

Fall Feels with Roast Cauli & Beet
Don’t forget the rosemary and to generously drizzle with lemon tahini 🌿💛

Somebody’s happy they doubled their age 💙

Toast Tuesday ❤️ If only I could limit to one day per week! Actually topped with protein 🥚 & some healthy fats 🥑 🫒 you don’t need to worry if it’s becoming a habit ~ especially when you spread & load on sourdough! Or my favourite sprouted spelt ~ higher in nutrients (fiber & vitamins) with a teeny list of ingredients (no sugar or additives) & often easier to digest (less starch, lower gluten).
Not all toast is created equally! Who wants a bite?
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Protein Packed Weekend Brunch!
Egg based veggie bowls (stirred in whisked egg or omelette style ~ no stir!) ~ topped with avo & h**p are the perfect solution for lower carb & higher fat 🥑 My faves are garlic, mushroom, tomato, spinach, chick pea, feta with all the Italian herbs & EVOO! Shish*to peppers are a nice addition ~ finished with sriracha! They aren’t the prettiest ~ but these bowls are gorgeous in taste 🍳
Compare eggs you have out to ones you make at home. You’ll notice the difference for sure. Pastured (a natural diet) means richer tasting eggs and a more vibrant yolk. This is because they are higher in nutrients ~ that means more vitamins, antioxidants & omega 3! Control over quality ingredients is key ~ remember it’s always the cheaper conventional egg when you eat out
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Pumpkin Chia Pecan Oatmeal 🎃 It’s not quite October but couldn’t resist a bowl this morning 🧡
Such a great way to get in an am vegetable, increase fiber content and benefit from all those immune supporting nutrients. I sweetened with a little maple & Ceylon cinnamon ~ topped with almond butter, h**p & bluebs ~ primarily for maximum satisfaction ~ but some antioxidants & healthy fats are a welcomed bonus!
Easy 🎃
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