Spelt Blueberry Loaf

Baking to me is a complicated science, one that I really do not understand. I manage to cook savoury meals with an element of creativity and dare I say it, flair, but baking is another matter. Biscuits I manage to cope with, but anything that requires rise is definitely not my forte. Poor Dominic has had to taste test the most horrendous concoctions. The latest being a spelt, chocolate, whole boiled orange cake that quite literally could have been used as a deadly rubber weapon. I have learnt so much whilst trying so desperately hard to be good at baking. For example, coconut oil sucks the air out of a cake so always fold it in at the last minute, banana as a butter substitute will never work with an acidic cake i.e the orange one I speak of before, and that too many eggs can turn a cake into a tyre.

So, when it comes to cake baking I am on the hunt for the much more knowledgeable. Now, in my pre-Lena-sugar-filled-snack-days my go to recipes came from the likes of Delia, Mary Berry, Peyton & Byrne, Hummingbird Bakery and Magnolia Bakery (a book I thankfully loaned to a friend and subsequently can't remember who, otherwise I'm sure I would have more fillings by now!) But when it comes to no sugar bakes I am still discovering those masters. The lovely Melissa over at My Wholefood Life has a wonderful list of treats, and after trying out this little number I'm collating my own list of to what to try next!

Chocolate Spelt Pancakes

A Sunday breakfast is an indulgent breakfast

During the week our breakfasts are pretty basic. Toast with a variety of spreads, a selection of cereals, porridge, smoothie and sometimes if we have time, scrambled eggs. I have always believed that breakfasts on the weekends need to be a little different. They need to be longer affairs, a time for a sit back and a chat with something more on offer for the taste buds. 

Below is my favourite Sunday recipe of the moment. It's a little cheeky chocolate number that when served with strawberries and creme fraiche makes me happy for the rest of the day.

Coconut, Spelt, Blueberry Biscuits

When I grow up I want to be the kind of person who has a biscuit tin

My best friend's weakness is crisps, specifically salt and vinegar crisps. My weakness is biscuits. The buttery goodness just makes me so happy. I can spend quite a long time happily munching my way through a packet of digestives, mixing it up a little so as to keep it interesting. A bit of dunking, a bit of non-dunking, some butter and cheddar on top, a bit of jam, or even cheddar WITH jam!!

Perhaps now is the time to admit that I have a problem with biscuits. Bearing this in mind I am always on the hunt for a 'healthier' alternative. One that satisfies my biscuit craving without the sugar hit that keeps me munching. These little numbers are not only great for me, but I can happily feed them to Lena without worrying she will follow in her mother's footsteps. 

Chia Seed, Apricot and Raisin Mini Muffins

When a toddler refuses all meals, better pack those snacks

Breakfast is my happy time. Lena loves breakfast, so I love breakfast. This is a guaranteed meal for her. Ever since the little dove learnt to sleep through the night (which to be honest wasn't that long ago) she wakes standing in her cot rubbing her tummy excitedly proclaiming 'nom, nom.' 

The remaining meals of the day, however, can range from bad to ugly. Lunch and Dinner are not her happy time. Snacks on the other hand are pure bliss. She goes bounding towards the changing bag, often then dragging it towards me, almost quacking 'NAK!NAK!'

I try to make a few home made treats for her that offer a little more given how little she eats during the set meals of the day. I tend to freeze the muffins below and in the morning pop one into her snack box which then acts as a cooler for the cheese and fruit that is also in the same container. By the time she is ready for her Nak, it has defrosted whilst also ensuring the rest of the box doesn't get mushy in the heat.

Spelt Banana Bread

Cake.... sometimes you just need cake

I find spelt flour an interesting beast. I love the density, texture and depth of flavour it brings to a cake. It is now my preferred flour of choice and the majority of my baking is done using this grain. Plus it means I can eat my cake, or feed it to little Lena, with a smug look of divine wholesomeness on my face because of all the additional health benefits it gives. Not least of all the wonderful stuff like minerals, Vitamin B, Niacin, Riboflavin and fibre... but ultimately because of its low GI which helps stop me turning into a rabid Hulk running into the kitchen for slice number five; my classic response when eating a refined victoria sponge.

Banana, Strawberry, Chia Seed Smoothie

I'm teaching myself that a treat doesn't have to be naughty

Smoothies have never really been my cup of tea. A cup of tea has. As well as a chocolate milkshake with sticky gloop dwelling in the bottom of the glass. The kind of gloop that needs a good old fashioned scraping off with a teaspoon. Preferably the kind of gloop that is the consistency of Nutella.....hmmm naughty gloop.

Therein lies the problem. I am not a slender individual. I was once, for about a year, but the whole experience sort of went by in a whirl that I didn't really stop to look in a mirror and marvel at the wonder of a slim me. I am too addicted to artificial or refined highs. But since having the little Ginger Nut my outlook on food has changed. Although I still battle with my carb-gorging tendencies, I am trying desperately hard to re-frame what it is that I class as a 'treat.' A funsize chocolate bar, not great but ok. A 500g bar of Dairy Milk, bad, very bad. A healthy smoothie with filling Chia seeds and the natural sweetness of a banana and a few strawberries, even better.