Love yourself by saying yes to desserts made from feel-good ingredients, including a sprinkling of #selfworth, #lettinggo, #ease&flow, and #positivity.
Desserts get a bad rap sometimes. As children, we are told we can only have dessert after eating all our veggies. They’re used as a reward, as a bribe. They are withheld as punishment, they are forbidden, and then at birthdays and special occasions, we overindulge.
But desserts often hold sweet memories too. This is not justification to eat desserts all the time. And just because some of my recipes contain healthy ingredients such as dates or berries doesn’t mean you can eat them all day, every day. But I have chosen ingredients that leave you feeling good, that nurture your body. They won’t lift you up on a refined-sugar high and then send you crashing down afterwards.
There will be times when you feel like reaching for the easier option, the sugar shitstorm. But with better options on hand, you can surrender to your sweet tooth and feel good about it too.
A SWEET LOVE LETTER TO MY BODY
My dear body,
First of all, I’m sorry I have called you fat, I have thought you worthless, I have looked in the mirror and wanted you to be different. I have eaten food but tasted guilt, I have looked for joy but swallowed sadness, I have needed comfort and starved you instead.
From this day on, I wish to enjoy the miracle that is you, my body. I will nourish you with wonderful, delicious food and fill you with the sweetness of life. I will love you gently with desserts inspired by nature, I will celebrate your sweet tooth naturally. And every day, in more and more ways, I will love you.
From Me
The magic ingredients
#COMFORT
A waft of baked delights coming from the kitchen. A sense of softness, security, and sweetness. Home sweet home. “I am exactly where I should be, at this moment now.”
#SELFWORTH
The longest and most delicious romance of your life is your relationship with you. “I was born worthy! My worth is based on my existence – not my achievements.”
#LETTINGGO
We let go to make room for more sweetness. Trusting that what is no longer needed will gently fall away to make room for something greater. Letting go is the art of surrender. “I love letting go!”
#EASE&FLOW
Like liquid gold flowing from a silver spoon, nothing is sweeter than watching the flow of maple syrup. No hindrances or delays, just an elegant stream of sweet energy and momentum. “I am always in the right place at the right time.”
#POSITIVITY
Positivity is celebration of the perfection of life. “My positive focus is an alkaline focus – it supports me in endless ways.”
Mixed berry crumble
This dish is dedicated to all the wonderful mums and nans who have made crumble for their families and friends. Crumble is pure love. You can’t go wrong with a crumble, and this is no exception.
Recipe
Sticky date pudding
Surround yourself with good friends, I say. This sticky date pudding would be nowhere near as epic without a bit of mentoring (and tough love) from my friends. They’ve had a hand in many of my desserts and I’m grateful for their feedback. As I said, surround yourself with good friends.
Recipe
White chocolate and hazelnut cookies
There are two things you need to know about these little bad boys. One: don’t over mix the dough. A gentle fold is all you need. Two: be sensible. Don’t eat them straight out of the oven. You will burn your mouth (fact).
Recipe
Best-ever brownies
This is the perfect plant-based brownie for the brownie connoisseur. Years in the making, and now captured for you to enjoy. It’s as much for those cooking out of a tiny oven in their van as it is for the gourmet chef.
Recipe
Magnum ice creams
I make these ice creams for my vegan friends, and judging by their wide eyes, yums of appreciation, and the way they fight over the last one, I’m pretty sure you’ll love them too. Make your favourite flavour or make them all!
