
Sara Kidd

Bolster your mental health during the depths of winter by resisting the urge to hibernate indoors.
In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, finding moments of stillness and calm can be challenging. In an attempt to find a little peace...
If you haven’t quite got your cycle phases figured out, you’re not alone. But it’s time to tune in to your body’s rhythms - so that you...
One month. No meat. What a difference it can make! Here’s why we should all give No Meat May a go this year.
Great food photos can have us drooling over dishes we’ve never even tasted. Here’s how to take your food photography to the next level.
Learn when to consider a vegan and gluten-free diet (and when you probably shouldn’t). Plus, discover four popular plant-based meals and how...
Time for an eco spring clean? Here are seven simple swaps for the conscious consumer
Aromatic and flavourful is what comes to mind with this refreshing noodle dish from Sports Nutritionist and Vegan Easy ambassador, Caitlin Adler.
For me, this recipe is risotto perfection. Creamy arborio rice, a hint of garlic and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes – and what’s more, it’s...
You always knew it was Christmas when Mum assembled a tower of white fluffy meringues, layers of cream, and fresh fruits. Rest assured, when...
Simple but delicious, this cashew cream can be used in place of thickened dairy cream in many recipes.
These overnight chia pudding pots are quick to prepare, packed with nutrition, and delicious – a fantastic way to start your day.
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
Your cake bakes will rise to the occasion with these vegan and gluten-free baking tips.
We all remember those days when gluten-free meant eating something with the texture and taste of a brick covered in cinnamon dust. Thankfully we’ve come a long way since then, and now have the knowledge and power to create gluten-free goodness for everyone to enjoy.
Here are my top tips to get you started.
It’s the smaller the better with gluten-free baking. I always recommend making cakes no larger than 15 centimetres or smaller. I find that the smaller the cake, the better the bake.
For example, I love using buckwheat flour but I find mixing it with walnut meal gives it a better texture. My ratio is 1:⅓. So, I would use 1 cup of buckwheat flour with ⅓ cup walnut meal.
Use extra vanilla when baking. It will help balance out those nutty flavours that can be present in gluten-free baking.
I always use melted veggie shortening as the main fat source for my cakes as it adds extra moisture.
Use 25 percent more raising agents (bicarbonate of soda or baking powder) if you’re converting a recipe to gluten-free. Don’t worry about over mixing your batter as there is no gluten to over-develop.
If you’re converting a recipe to gluten-free, experiment with adjusting the temperature of your oven to be about 10°C lower.
Don’t be afraid to under bake your cake slightly. You want to retain extra moisture in your cake as gluten-free cakes can be a little dry. I usually bake them for 5 minutes less and test they are ready with a skewer. If the skewer still has a few crumbs and a tiny bit of moisture on it, then it’s ready to come out of the oven.
***
Nobody should miss out on chocolate cake, and my gluten-free chocolate cake recipe makes sure no-one has to! This one’s a tried and true crowd pleaser that you’ll return to again and again.
Lead image: Konstantin2017 on Shutterstock
The science is in. Shifting to a plant-based food system is essential to avoid climate and ecological breakdown. And now we have a roadmap to...
Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...
Eco period products have risen in popularity – they’re sustainable, affordable, healthy, and convenient. Here’s what you need to know so...
There is a link between the climate crisis and what’s on our plates. The hard facts are astounding, as is the difference a plant-based change...
Love yourself by saying yes to desserts made from feel-good ingredients, including a sprinkling of #selfworth, #lettinggo, #ease&flow, and...
Wholefoods may just save your life, and at the very least, they will deliver a host of health benefits. Here’s what you need to know to get...
We know we’d benefit from it, but we just can’t do it! Here are five ways to find your flow state through a more active form of meditation.
If you haven’t tried sweet pizza before, it’s time to fix that! In this recipe, homemade pizza bases are smothered with sweet bechamel, and...
Healthy, satisfying and flavoursome, this pad kee mao is vibrant Thai food at its best.
This Indonesian fried noodle dish can be found at both high-end restaurants and street food vendors in the region – it’s a popular dish for...
The star of the dish is the cashew cream. Be sure to push the veggies down so they are covered before baking. The magic happens when they soak up...
You don’t need animal products to make lusciously creamy and satisfying dishes. You don’t even need oil! This wholefood, plant-based...
Smashed avocado on toast is perhaps the most popular breakfast or brunch item out there, and as much as we love the mighty avo, it generally has...
Ramen is an all-time favourite Japanese dish, full of flavour and nutrition. The secret ingredient to our vegan eggs is black salt. Known as kala...
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
Nobody should miss out on to-die-for chocolate brownies, and Sara Kidd’s vegan and GF recipe guarantees no-one has to!