The Cous is on the loose!

Couscous is probably one of the easiest things you can make in just a few minutes and it's amongst the healthiest grain-based products. 

Equal liquid to cous makes it easy to remember. By adding some simple ingredients, (cooked or fresh), you can pack it full of veggies and fresh herbs. 

It makes a delightful, low effort potluck contribution or can be the staple in your pre-made lunches for the week. I actually do this quite often...managing to bring it Mon-Thurs before I hit my couscous overload maximum. 


Here's what you need:

one bag of couscous. (I typically make 2 cups...this expands to more than 4).  

2 tomatoes

2 gloves of garlic

1 small shallot

1 medium red pepper

1 english cucumber

a handful of flat leaf parsley 

a handfull of fresh mint or cilantro

lemon juice and olive oil to taste

Boil water 1 to 1 ratio of couscous to hot water

Put 1 bag of couscous in a bowl add the water and cover tightly until water is absorbed

Cool in refrigerator

Blanch 2 tomatoes in hot water and peel and seed then dice finely

Blanch 2 cloves garlic in same water and mince

Dice one small shallot

Dice 1 red pepper in same size (small)

Dice 1 English cucumber in small dice if it has a lot of seeds remove and can be peeled if skin is tough

Chop one bunch of flat leaf parsley with a small handful of mint or cilantro

Mix all the ingredients together

Add lemon juice and olive oil to taste, refrigerate over night and adjust flavour next day, with salt and pepper to taste. 

Natural Energy Bars

Natural Energy Bars

I'm not a big fan of protein powder (insert gross face here). In my opinion, it looks and tastes like chalk and I can't pronounce half of what is listed under its "ingredients." 
So I decided I wanted to try and make an alternative to snack on for good energy. 

Here you have it... my alternative. 

They are perfect before or after a workout, and make a fulfilling breakfast on-the-go. These natural energy bars are very easy to make, and you can switch up what is in them with whatever tickles your taste buds!
...cranberries instead of raisins you say, go on with your creative self! 

Just stick to 1 cup - 1.5 cup of each when measuring your proportions. 

All these ingredients are super foods; high in omega 3s, iron, zinc, good fats and protein. 

                                                                                                   Here's what you need:

4 cups - Oats (You will not toast these like the others)

1.5 cups - Raisins 

1.5 cups - Crushed Almonds 

1.5 cups - Peanuts

1.5 cups - Flaked or Shredded coconut

1 cup - Pumpkin Seeds 

1 cup - Sunflower Seeds

1 cup - Sesame Seeds

1.5 cups - Wheat Germ (aids in binding)

Liquids: 

1 cup of Honey OR Maple Syrup

1/2 cup of Brown Sugar (optional)

3/4 cup Olive oil

Prep your baking dish and preheat oven to 350.  I use 2 square brownie pans with parchment paper covering bottom and sides. 

Toast all your ingredients before combining them all in the same bowl (except the oats!). 

It is best to toast the ingredients individually using a small fry pan as they have different toasting times. Pay attention to your heat because a burnt taste will ruin your final product.

Once everything is combined, stir in liquids until everything is well coated. 

Press into baking dish, disperse evenly and firmly pat down so the top is level. You may need a second dish. 

Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins. You'll see it start to bubble mid way, and brown on the top. 

Let cool for one hour and cut into desired size. 

Wrap individually with saran for up to 2 week freshness.