Sun butter

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Nut-free option

I am one of those unfortunate people that is allergic to not only peanuts but also tree nuts. When it comes to food options, not having nuts on the menu can be challenging at times, and frustrated at others. There are so many foods I would love to try or eat regularly but won’t get the chance thanks to nuts. Not eating nuts doesn’t have to be the end of the world; there are always replacements and alternatives that mean you can have a nut-free option. This recipe is my attempt to create a nut-free version of a usually nut packed recipe.

My version of peanut butter

I often feel a little cheated when it comes to nuts; because of them there is a huge amount of foods I don’t get to eat, and nut butters are on the list. As nut allergies are common alternatives are available but not always well known. Sun butter is a nice alternative as sunflower seeds have a slightly nutty taste and are packed with nice fats. The downside is that it can be hard to find and much more expensive than the nut versions. 

Make your own

If you are like us and you try to avoid mass-produced processed foods, the best option is to make your own. When you make your own, you get to control which ingredients you use and how much or how sweet you want it to be. Once you have a go at making your own and you realise how easy it is you will never go back to store-bought again. After a little trial and error, I came up with this recipe. This sun butter is simple to make, easy to store and can be used in lots of different ways.

Sun butter recipe 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • 2 tbsp. oil
  • 1 tsp. salt
Lightly toast the sunflower seeds
Lightly toast the sunflower seeds
Process the seeds until they become a little powdery, this takes about a minute
Process the seeds until they become a little powdery, this takes about a minute
Process the seeds until they become a little powdery, this takes about a minute
Process the seeds until they become a little powdery, this takes about a minute
If you have used a spice mill move the seed powder to a food processor.
If you have used a spice mill move the seed powder to a food processor.
Continue to blend the seeds
Continue to blend the seeds
Continue to blend the seeds
Continue to blend the seeds
Scraping the sides of the processor down when needed.
Add the oil part way through processing and continue blendingAdd the oil part way through processing and continue blending
It takes about 15 minutes to get to a buttery consistency
It takes about 15 minutes to get to a buttery consistency
Sun butter ready for the fridge
Sun butter ready for the fridge

Sun butter

  • Servings: 30
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

This homemade sunflower seed butter is my perfect alternative to peanut butter



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • 2 tbsp. oil
  • 1 tsp. salt

Directions

    . Lightly toast the sunflower seeds over a medium heat for about 5 minutes.
  1. Remove seeds from the heat and place them in a food processor or spice mill some with salt.
  2. Process the seeds until they become a little powdery, this takes about a minute.
  3. If you have used a spice mill move the seed powder to a food processor.
  4. Continue to blend the seeds, scraping the sides of the processor down when needed.
  5. Add the oil part way through processing and continue blending.
  6. It takes about 15 minutes to get to a buttery consistency.
  7. Depending on if you want chunky or smooth you may need to add more oil or blend a little longer

Nutrition

Per Serving: 50 calories; 4 g fat; 2.5 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein

Equipment 

  • Frying pan
  • Spatula
  • Food processor
  • Jar

Try this with

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Broccoli tots

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Revisiting family favourites

I’ve been revisiting recipes that have been some of my old school recipes and family favourites that were our staples when we got started as clean eaters. I first posted this recipe in 2015, at that time, the kids were fussy, vegetables had to be hidden and disguised, and there was no potential for intense flavours or spice. 

Times (thankfully) have changed, the kids have grown (like man-sized grown), and they now enjoy a wide range of foods. Things like vegetables are enjoyed, spice and chilli are consumed without complaint, and new ingredients are tried without tantrums.

As the kids have grown my recipes have changes organically to meet their palates and preferences, I’ve updated this recipe because of that, but fear not, all I have done is make it a little bit better.

Broccoli tots fresh from the oven
Broccoli tots fresh from the oven

Eat your greens

I think that this recipe is responsible for the total broccoli love that the youngest person in our house feels. As the former ‘will only eat white food’ member of the family it gives me great pleasure to watch these tots last seconds on his plate; truth be told they are a massive hit with everyone.

Worth the effort

These tots are a little messy to make and can take some time, but they are worth the effort. If you are looking for a new way to get some vegetables into the kids, they are worth a try. 

Broccoli tots recipe

Broccoli tots ingredients
Broccoli tots ingredients

Ingredients

  • 340g broccoli florets 
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 egg white 
  • 1/2 cup spring onion, finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • salt and pepper to taste
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.
With one of the teaspoons scoop up a heaping portion of the mixture.
With one of the teaspoons scoop up a heaping portion of the mixture.
Taking the second spoon, push the portion off the first spoon.
Taking the second spoon, push the portion off the first spoon.
Repeat the transfer of the portion from one spoon to the other gently smoothing the mixture into an oval shape
Repeat the transfer of the portion from one spoon to the other gently smoothing the mixture into an oval shape
Now you have a quenelle.
Now you have a quenelle.
Place the tots on the baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.
Place the tots on the baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.
Broccoli tots fresh from the oven
Broccoli tots fresh from the oven

Broccoli tots

  • Servings: 8 (5 tots)
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

These tots last seconds on the plate; truth be told they are a huge hit with everyone. They are a little messy and can take some time to make, but they are worth the effort.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 340g broccoli florets
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 cup spring onion, finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. To cook the broccoli florets, steam them over boiling water for 3 minutes.
  2. Set the steamed broccoli to one side to cool slightly.
  3. Chop the steamed broccoli: you want a fine chop consistency. 
  4. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/ 400 degrees F
  5. Line a baking tray with some baking paper or a silicone liner. or a silicone liner. 
  6. In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. There are two ways to make the tots the simple oval or the Quenelle.
  8. Simple oval Simple oval
  9. Take a tablespoon and scoop a heaped spoon portion of the mixture.
  10. Roll the mixture into an oval using your hands. 
  11. If the mixture sticks to your hands, you can use a little water to help.
  12. Quenelle
  13. Take two teaspoons.
  14. With one of the teaspoons scoop up a heaping portion of the mixture.
  15. Taking the second spoon, push the portion off the first spoon.
  16. Repeat the transfer of the portion from one spoon to the other gently smoothing the mixture into an oval shape.
  17. Place the tots on the baking tray.
  18. Bake for 15 minutes, turning halfway through. 
  19. They are ready when they are golden brown.
  20. Serve and eat while they are hot.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 72 calories; 4 g fat; 2 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein

Equipment

  • Measuring cups
  • Scales
  • Vegetable steamer
  • Saucepan
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking tray
  • Baking paper/silicone liner
  • Spoons
  • Fork

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Welcome to fight club

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Don’t worry it is not the kind of fight club you are thinking of, it is just what we call our lunch time workouts, thankfully there is no blood (yet) but there is plenty of sweat and tears (usually from the laughing).

Fight club is all about getting us away from our desks, out of the office and getting moving for 15-20 minutes, we don’t have any equipment or special gear, we just make use of the space we have.

The general idea is to go hard and push a little bit further every time.  We aim for 3 sessions a week as a minimum and 5 at a maximum.  Our workouts are usually high-intensity interval training sessions; we throw in something different like sprints or ladders every now and then to keep things interesting.

Welcome to fight club

We have a few rules a fight club

  • Go hard. You only cheat yourself if you don’t
  • Stop before you puke. This is usually a good sign you are going too hard or you ate too much before you came to fight club.
  • Learn to love the suck. The suck is your friend and means you are doing it right (see rule one).
  • Every day is ab day. It is easy to remember and awesome when you start to see the change for yourself.

Each week I will be posting a summary of our fight club workouts if you are looking for something to do or workouts to use for your own fight club you can use our fight club for inspiration.

Fried potatoes

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Revisiting family favourites

I’ve been revisiting recipes that have been some of my old school recipes and family favourites that were our staples when we got started as clean eaters. I first posted this recipe in 2015, at that time, the kids were fussy, vegetables had to be hidden and disguised, and there was no potential for intense flavours or spice. 

Times (thankfully) have changed, the kids have grown (like man-sized grown), and they now enjoy a wide range of foods. Things like vegetables are enjoyed, spice and chilli are consumed without complaint, and new ingredients are tried without tantrums. As the kids have grown my recipes have changes organically to meet their palates and preferences, I’ve updated this recipe because of that, but fear not, all I have done is make it a little bit better.

Fried potatoes and black coffee for breakfast
Fried potatoes and black coffee for breakfast

In a small town not so far away

One of my favourite things about living in New Zealand is the road trips we get to go on and the fantastic places we discover along the way. On our first road trip to the Coromandel, we made a pit stop in the tiny town of Thames for some breakfast. While driving up and down, we came across a great place called Café Melbourne. Tucked away down the main street, it is in this funky looking building that is old on the inside and industrial on the inside. They had great coffee, a fantastic menu and a beautiful little courtyard to sit and enjoy the sunshine. We were spoiled for choice with the menu; in the end, I ordered their Fried potatoes. I loved their fried potatoes so much I decided to I would make my own version when we got home.

Fried potatoes recipe

Fried potato ingredients
Fried potato ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 chorizo sausage diced
  • 250g sweet potatoes diced
  • 150g cherry tomatoes halved
  • 4 eggs, poached
  • 250g rocket
  • 1 tbsp. Coconut oil
  • Chipotle salsa

Fried potatoes

  • Servings: 2
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Spicy sweet potatoes with perfectly poached eggs to make a perfect brunch.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1 chorizo sausage diced
  • 250g sweet potatoes diced
  • 150g cherry tomatoes halved
  • 4 eggs, poached
  • 250g rocket
  • 1 tbsp. Coconut oil
  • Chipotle salsa

Directions

  1. Over a medium heat melt the coconut oil in a large frying pan, add the sweet potatoes to the pan and fry them off until they soften.
  2. When the sweet potatoes start to brown on the edges add the chorizo to the pan, cook it for about 10 minutes.
  3. While the sausage is cooking off, bring a pan of water to the boil for the poached eggs, when the water is at a rolling boil turn off the heat and crack in the eggs.
  4. When the sausage and potato are cooked serve, them with the fresh Rocket leaves, tomatoes and chipotle salsa on the side, top the potato and sausage mix with the poached eggs.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 456 calories; 25 g fat; 32 g carbohydrates; 23 g protein

Equipment

  • Frying pan x2
  • Wooden spoon
  • Slotted spoon
  • Scales
  • Measuring spoons
  • Knife
  • Chopping board

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Soufflé

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Master the basics

Eating clean gets a lot easier once you have mastered a few essential recipes. This recipe is basic, not like basic unicorn basic, more like beard and flannel basic. Back to the point (which isn’t Unstable unicorns), having basic skills and recipes in your arsenal means you will never be left with only UberEats as your weeknight options. Once you master this recipe, the possibilities are endless.

Time for a secret

I’m going to tell you something, and it may be hard to believe, but I promise you it’s true. 

A Soufflé is easy to make.

Honestly, it is. I was like many people and thought a Soufflé would be impossible to get right. It’s not, truth be told, it is so easy it’s ridiculous. This soufflé is so simple to make I am more than happy to crack them out for breakfast on the weekend. They look impressive and taste amazing; the bonus is that you can customise them, and it doesn’t impact the basic recipe.

If you want to make something to impressive for breakfast, this is a winner.

Souffle recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 egg whites
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 2 cups cheese, grated

Instructions

Separate the eggs into two large bowls. 

Make sure to use a large bowl for the egg whites and good sized one for the yolks.

Beat the egg whites until they are stiff peaks; I would recommend using an electric whisk if you have one.

Beat the egg yolks and mix in the cheese. 

If you are adding any vegetables, this would be the time to put them in.

Take one third of the egg whites, mix and beat it into the egg yolks. 

You don’t have to be gentle at this point; you want to mix in the egg whites, so you have a nice smooth egg mix.

Now is the time to be gentle when folding in the rest of the egg whites.

Add in small amounts, and work in whites in gently you want to keep as much air as possible in the mix.

Grease 4 ramekins and spoon the mixture into them. 

Take care not to get any of the mix up the sides, as this will burn when you cook it.

Bake at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. 

Don’t open the oven if you can help it. 

The time they take to cook can vary depending on what other ingredients you have included.

Serve them straight from the oven.

Souffle

  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

“If



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 6 egg whites
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 2 cups cheese, grated

Directions

  1. Separate the eggs into two large bowls. 
  2. Make sure to use a large bowl for the egg whites and good sized one for the yolks.
  3. Beat the egg whites until they are stiff peaks; I would recommend using an electric whisk if you have one.
  4. Beat the egg yolks and mix in the cheese. 
  5. If you are adding any vegetables, this would be the time to put them in.
  6. Take one third of the egg whites, mix and beat it into the egg yolks. 
  7. You don’t have to be gentle at this point; you want to mix in the egg whites, so you have a nice smooth egg mix.
  8. Now is the time to be gentle when folding in the rest of the egg whites.
  9. Add in small amounts, and work in whites in gently you want to keep as much air as possible in the mix.
  10. Grease 4 ramekins and spoon the mixture into them. 
  11. Take care not to get any of the mix up the sides, as this will burn when you cook it.
  12. Bake at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. 
  13. Don’t open the oven if you can help it. 
  14. The time they take to cook can vary depending on what other ingredients you have included.
  15. Serve them straight from the oven.

Nutrition

Per Serving:272 calories; 21 g fat; 2 g carbohydrates; 18 g protein

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl x2
  • Electric whisk
  • Spatula
  • Ramekin x4

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Fight club – May 9

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Movement every day

Movement is an integral part of my day. Keeping active is how I manage my physical and mental health while navigating this busy world we live in.  

Any post I share is about my experience and activity; I am not here to tell you what to do. If you are interested in doing this kind or any type of training or movement programme, I highly recommend that you seek advice and support from a professional.

Movement every day

Monday 

Warm-up 

3 rounds 

50 seconds activity 

10 seconds rest 

  • Push-ups 
  • Handstand hold 
  • Hollow rocks

Cool down and stretch 

Tuesday 

Warm-up 

3 rounds 

30 seconds activity 

10 seconds rest 

  • Jumping squats 
  • Skaters 
  • Plank 
  • Dying bugs 
  • Boxers sit-ups 
  • Lunges 

Cool down and stretch 

Wednesday 

Warm-up 

3 rounds 

  • Walking lunges 40 Reps
  • Push-ups 15 Reps
  • Mountain climbers 20 Reps

Cool down and stretch 

Thursday 

Warm-up 

6 rounds 

20 seconds activity 

10 seconds rest 

  • Plank 
  • Bow and arrow 
  • Push-ups 

Cool down and stretch 

Friday

Warm-up 

25 second hold 

3 cycles 

  • Child’s pose 
  • Cat pose 
  • Cow pose 
  • Downward dog 
  • Chair pose 
  • Mountain pose 
  • Forward bend 
  • Halfway hold
  • Plank 
  • Cobra 
  • Downward dog 
  • Chair pose 
  • Forward bend 
  • Mountain pose 

Cool down and stretch 

Fight club

Workout disclaimer   

I share my workouts to show what I do, not to tell you what to do.  

I post my workouts with a percentage of my max rather than stating what weights or speeds I use. Everyone is different and has different levels of fitness and capability. Your body is yours alone if you want to start working out, I recommend spending some time with a personal trainer who can put you on the right path.  

When working out with weights, remember your one-rep max is yours alone, finding the weights that are right for you is important. If you decide to try out a workout, find out what weights you should be using first.