The perfect summer cake to be enjoyed for breakfast, coffee/tea time or to bring with you on a picnic and amaze your friends!
vegan | gluten free | refined sugar free
Since apricots are in season now and we have plenty of them in the garden, I created this delicious plant based summer cake: easy, beautiful and healthy.
Mix together first all the dried ingredients and all the wet ingredients separately, than combine all together.
Pour the batter in a baking form with baking paper, put the halved apricots over the batter, add coconut flakes and a sprinkle of coconut sugar on top and bake at 180 degree for 50 min.
Decorate with fresh edible flowers (like chamomile, daisy and calendula) and enjoy with a cup of your favorite elixir! 💫
CACAO – Intuition: This superfood is a bean that makes chocolate but in it’s raw form, it stimulates your intuition. Cacao has minerals and antioxidants as well which can help strengthen your immune system. Dark chocolate also contains magnesium, which helps you de-stress, and it also stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, which make you feel good and heighten your mood.
BLUEBERRIES – Focus:Any purple plant will help open your third eye. Studies show that blueberries boost “concentration and memory” for up to five hours because “the antioxidants in blueberries stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain – and keep the mind fresh. Blueberries also contain a “cocktail of anti-oxidants” that have been shown to boost focus releasing dopamine – that’s our motivation neurotransmitter.
WALNUTS – Cognition: Walnuts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Walnuts also possess more polyphenolic compounds than any other type of nut. Both omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols are considered critical brain foods that may counteract oxidative stress and inflammation, two drivers of cognitive decline. Hence, walnuts could beneficially influence cognition.
HE SHOU WU – Receptivity: This adaptogenic herb is also seen as a spirit tonic: it may help bring out your inner creativity and make you feel more receptive and intuitive.
Prep. Time: 30 min, Refrigeration time: min 2 hours or overnight
200 g Dark chocolate 85 % (better if sweetened with coconut sugar) – Or make your own (melting on a double boiler 1 cup caco butter, 1 caco raw cacao powder, half a cup coconut oil and 3 tbsp of maple syrup)
Rose petals
INSTRUCTIONS
CRUST: Pour the nuts into a food processor & pulse a few times. Add in your dates and the rest of the ingredients and blend until it’s sticky. Press it into a baking pan and place into the freezer until your filling is ready.
FILLING: Place the blueberries it into a blender and blend until smooth. In a pan, lightly boil your coconut cream, maple syrup and blueberry cream. Take off heat, immediately add your agar agar and stir to combine. Let it sit for a few minutes and then pour over your crust layer. Freeze for 2 hours or overnight. After 30 minutes, when the cream starts to become solid add a few walnuts and cacao nibs on the surface and put back in the freezer. After 2 hours or the morning after, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler, and pour the melted chocolate over the blueberry layer, saving some chocolate for the decorations. Put back in the fridge for about 1 hour. Cut into bars, drizzle over the leftover melted chocolate + decorate with rose petals!
Serve your brain boosting treats straight from the fridge, enjoy cold and tap into your creative power! They keep 5 days in the fridge or longer in the freezer.
The most delicious pink granola to surprise your breakfast guest or just to treat yourself.
ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS / Roses are soothing and therapeutic for the body, mind and spirit. They don’t just taste and smell delicious, but they are also antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and a great supportive tonic for the heart.
Prep time: 10 minutes / Baking Time: 12 minutes / Quantity: 1 big jar
BEET & ROSE GRANOLA
vegan, gluten free, sugar free
INGREDIENTS
DRY INGREDIENTS
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup buckwheat groats
1/2 cup puffed amaranth
1 cup coconut chips
1 cup roughly chopped pecans 1/4 cup chia seeds
1/3 cup freeze dried raspberry
1/4 cup cacao nibs
1/4 cup dried rose petals
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp reishi powder (optional)
4 tbsp beet powder
pinch of pink salt
WET INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp rose water
PROCEDURE
Preheat the oven 160 degree.
Mix together the wet ingredients and the spice mix (ginger, cinnamon, cacao, reishi and beet powder).
Combine the dry ingredients (except the cacao nibs, freeze dried raspberry and rose petals).
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and still will with your fingers until all is well coated.
Bake in a tray for 12 minutes stirring halfway (for extra clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer).
Once cooled add the raspberry, cacao nibs and rose petals! Enjoy in plant based milk and get ready for pinkie dreams 🌸🌹💫
Surprise your guests (or just yourself) with these beautiful moon cheesecakes with the delicate flavors of rose and pistachios. They are vegan, sugar free and gluten free. Made just with real whole food.
Food is more than just fuel — it’s also pleasure, celebration and sharing magic moments with our loved ones. And why avoiding desserts when you can have these beautiful, delicious and nourishing cheesecakes that are made just with whole food?
Pistachios and rose water are a beautiful classic duo that makes an appearance in many Middle Eastern desserts. These wonderful flavors combine perfectly in this recipe, which is super easy to make but will delight both your palate and your eyes!
ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS / Rose water is really good both used externally in your beauty routine (for example as a toner) or internally in your food and drinks. It hydrates the skin from the inside out, leaving it looking plump and healthy. It has anti-aging properties, to help with skin aging by reducing wrinkles, lightening dark spots and tightening pores and works as a mood enhancer, to relieve depression or stress.
Pistachionutsare not only tasty to eat but also super healthy, they contain healthy fats and are a good source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They also contain an incredible amount of vitamin B6, whose properties support healthy brain development and immune and nervous system functions.
Be creative!
You can adapt this recipe and play with different nuts for the base and different cheesecake flavors! Have fun, give them a try and leave a comment with your own favorite combo!
You can find these beautiful moon silicone molds on etsy. Here´s the link!
PISTACHIOS AND ROSE
MATCHA AND VANILLA
Prep. Time: 30 min, Refrigeration Time 6 hours I Makes 6 mini cheesecakes
115 g cashew nuts, pre-soaked (at least 8 h) and strained
3 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tsp beetroot powder (you can find it online or in the health food stores)
1 tsp rose water
1/8 tsp raw ground bourbon vanilla bean
a pinch pink Himalayan salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Process all crust ingredients into a sticky crumble in a food processor
Transfer the dough into 6 little tart pans and press down into a crust along the base and edges
Put them in the freezer while preparing the cream
Blend all cheesecake cream ingredients together into a smooth mixture in a high-speed blender.
Pour the mixture into your beautiful 6 moon silicone molds. (If you don´t have these silicone molds you can just pour the cream over the crust in your tart pans.)
Freeze for 6 hours or overnight.
The morning after remove the cheesecake crust from your tart pans and put them on a nice plate. Remove the cream layer from the moon mold and top each crust with a little moon.
Thaw out on the counter a little before eating for a creamier texture. Enoy mindfully and store leftovers in the freezer!
For when you want to smell amazing … for yourself!
I love scents and perfumes so much, they make us feel special and amazing and can also support our emotions. However unfortunately most of the perfumes we find in the commerce contain a lot of synthetic substances and toxic chemicals used to keep the smell longer on our skin, like phthalates (also used to make plastic) that pass from the skin into our blood and disrupt our hormonal balance. That’s why I started buying perfumes made only with pure essential oils, like those made by ABEL (my favorite one is Golden Neroli) or making my own perfumes with essential oils, like this wonderful HAIR PERFUME, which I love. It´s super easy to make, give it a try and let me know!
If you want healthy hair, you need a healthy scalp. This perfume doesn´t only smell amazing but it also a real treat for the scalp, promoting hair growth and balancing the production of sebum, thanks to the essentials oils in it.
ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS / Geranium essential oil is a balancing and sensual oil. The scent of geranium can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, fatigue, and tension, enhance concentration, improve cognitive function, and balance the emotions as well as the hormones.Geranium essential oil can regulate dryness, excess oil, and the production of sebum. To improve hair growth, a healthy scalp is key. Since geranium balances secretions around the hair follicles, it’s an effective agent for hair growth.
Rosemary essential oil has an uplifting and energizing aroma and can do wonders for your hair. Rosemary is a great choice for hair growth and hair thickness because the essential oil can repair, stimulate, and regulate cells. That means it can help to reduce or balance oily discharge at the hair follicles.A clinical review published in BMJ found that when massaged into the scalp daily, rosemary may help with hair growth. In addition, a 2015 study published in SKINmed Journal found rosemary may help protect against hair loss.
Ylang Ylang and Jasmine essential oils will make the perfume smells luxurious. Ylang ylang can help alleviating anxiety, lowering blood pressure in some people and has a calming effect beneficial for relaxation and for conditions such as headache.Ylang Ylang oil is loaded with organic components that promote the appearance of healthy hair, making them looking healthy and strong. To protect your hair from looking beat by the summer heat, massage Ylang Ylang into your scalp to increase the appearance of healthy, shiny hair.Jasmine essential oil has an uplifting scent and it is the perfect way to uplift mood. Emotionally, Jasmine promotes feelings of joy, peace, and self-confidence. Applying Jasmine in the morning will help provide a positive outlook on the day and leave you feeling uplifted and confident.
This fudge was a staple in my freezer the whole summer and it is one of my favorite treats!
Inspired by the beautiful creations of @_marieloeffler_ this summer I experimented many versions of homemade fudge … so easy and so delicious ✨ The basic recipe is always pretty much the same, but you can switch ingredients and customize the flavors as you wish playing with different spices, nuts, seeds and fruits. You can easily turn this beauty into a medicinal treat by adding herbs and adaptogens, like ashwagandha and reishi.
I always use raw cacao powder for my recipes. This recipe will work even with normal cocoa powder (even if the taste of raw cacao is sooo much better), but I strongly recommend investing in a good quality raw cacao to absorb all its nutritional benefits. Raw cacao is the perfect way to satisfy your craving for chocolate without overloading your body with refined sugar.
RAW CACAO vs COCOA: Raw cacao, not to be confused for cocoa, is made by cold-pressing raw cacao beans ensuring that no nutrients are lost by heat treating. Unlike cocoa which has been roasted and heavily processed, raw cacao maintains its high nutritional profile making it a superfood loaded with magnesium (known as an “anti-stress vitamin” for its soothing power) and flavonoids (a group of phytonutrients found in almost all fruits and vegetables that are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits). Raw cacao also contains neurotransmitters, such as Anandamide, which increase levels of specific chemicals in our brain that help to elevate mood and to promote a positive outlook. Eating cacao causes the brain to release these ”feel good” chemicals (AKA endorphins) that provide us a general feeling of well-being and help to reduce depression.
ABOUT ADAPTOGENS / Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb classified as an adaptogen, meaning that it can help your body manage stress.It is one of the rasayana herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, meaning that it´s an herb that promotes youth and longevity and alleviates suffering. Interestingly, ashwagandha´s botanical name is somnifera, which means “restful sleep”. Not only will this root get you ready to face modern life´s stressors, but it will also improve stamina and sexual health.When taken regularly, ashwagandha can help increase vitality, energy and endurance. It has the ability to regulate the stress hormone cortisol and helps stabilize the whole hormonal system, especially the functioning of the thyroid and adrenals. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or exhausted ashwagandha´s ability to support normal energy levels and sleep can come in handy.*
*Cautions: Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy. It may interfere with the effectiveness of any immunosuppressive therapy. As always if you are on medication, ask your doctor or health care practioners before starting to take any herbal supplements.
Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil is a product that’s derived from cannabis. It’s a type of cannabinoid, which are the chemicals naturally found in marijuana plants. Even though it comes from marijuana plants, CBD doesn’t create a “high” effect or any form of intoxication — that’s caused by another cannabinoid, known as THC. When taken regularly, CBD oil helps to regulate cortisol, a stress hormone, improving our sleep quality and also helps to relax our muscles. CBD helps relieve headaches and reduces migraine symptoms and it helps also to reduce overall inflammation in the body, that´s why it is often used to treat acne (CBD inhibits the production of sebum, and, importantly, has an anti-inflammatory effect on the glands that produce it.) I love adding it to my warm potions (like cacao) in the evening!
Play around trying also different variations of this fudge, like the one you can find here below. Be creative and have fun!
Strawberries and roasted hazelnuts fudge with hazelnut butter
Heat almond butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, maple syrup and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over low heat. It is important to stir constantly so that it does not burn.
When everything has melted, take the pot off the cooker and add the other ingredients: cacao powder, ashwagandha, vanilla, and 15 drops of CBD oil. Mix until there are no more lumps.
Line a baking dish (also possible in a Tupperware or silicone mold – ca. 20 x 15 cm) with baking paper, pour in the cream and decorate with roasted buckwheat, hemp seeds, cacao nibs edible flowers and raspberries.
Store the fudge in your freezer for at least one hour, before it can be taken out of the baking dish and cut into pieces.
Enjoy the fudge straight from the freezer or let it thaw for 15/20 minutes to get a better” fudgy” consistency before eating!
These healthy cookie dough balls are an easy and delicious snack that everyone will love.
Who doesn’t love cookies? And who doesn´t love to snack the raw cookie dough while preparing them? These cookie dough balls are healthy,filled with cashew and oats, sweetened with honey or maple syrup, and only five ingredients total so you don´t have to feel guilty when snacking them! Plus they are super simple to make and you can make them ahead of time to have for the entire week.
All you need is a mixer, about five minutes, and some refrigeration time and you’ve got yourself the best little healthy cookie dough balls ever.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
Cashews are low in sugar and rich in fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant protein. They’re also a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese — nutrients important for energy production, brain health, immunity, and bone health.
Oats are rich in complex carbs and fiber, but also higher in protein and good fat than most other grains. They are very high in many vitamins (B1, B5, B6, B3) and minerals. Oats contain many powerful antioxidants, including avenanthramides that help reduce blood pressure and provide other benefits. They are also high in the soluble fiber beta-glucan, which has numerous benefits. It helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, promotes healthy gut bacteria and increases feelings of fullness.
Cacao nibs are small pieces of crushed cacao beans that have a bitter, chocolatey flavor. Raw cacao nibs (from unroasted cacao beans) are loaded with nutrients and powerful plant compounds that have been shown to benefit health in many ways. Unlike many chocolate products, cacao nibs are naturally low in sugar. They’re also a good source of fiber, protein, healthy fats and many minerals, including zinc, magnesium (known as an “anti-stress vitamin” for its soothing power), phosphorus and manganese (vital for healthy bones), iron and copper (needed for producing red blood cells that supply oxygen to your body). Additionally, cacao nibs are packed with potent plant compounds, including flavonoid antioxidants, a group of phytonutrients found in almost all fruits and vegetables that are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.
These energy balls and other variations are always part of my HYGGEFOOD BOX. So if you are too busy to prepare them, but you still want to indulge in these delicious treats and you live in Nuremberg give them a try and order your box here!
Prep. Time: 30 minutes I Makes 12-15 balls
COOKIE DOUGH BALLS
INGREDIENTS
100 g cashews
50 g oat flakes or oat flour (gluten-free if you are gluten intolerant)
3 tbsp raw honey or maple syrup if you are vegan
3 tbsp raw cacao nibs
1 tbsp water
1/2 teaspoon bourbon vanilla powder
a pinch of pink Himalayan salt
ISTRUCTIONS
Put the cashews and oats in a food processor and process until ground into a fine meal.
Add all the other ingredients except for the cacao nibs and process until you get a uniform sticky mixture.
Transfer to a bowl, add the cacao nibs and combine everything.
Form small balls with your hands and let them cool in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Ready to enjoy and share with your friends!
For my dad´s birthday, I decided to create a special perfume. It has the perfect combination of fresh and deep woody smell and it´s easy to make if you have these few essential oils! Give it a try, I´m sure your dads or friends will love it!
I love scents and perfumes so much, they make us feel special and amazing and can also support our emotions. However unfortunately most of the perfumes we find in the commerce contain a lot of synthetic substances and toxic chemicals used to keep the smell longer on our skin, like phthalates (also used to make plastic) that pass from the skin into our blood and disrupt our hormonal balance. That’s why I started buying perfumes made only with pure essential oils or making my own perfumes with essential oils, like this one for my dad.
I suggest preparing this perfume at least one week in advance before gifting it, in order to give the time to the different essential oils to combine together and create an amazing scent!
ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS / Cedarwood essential oil has a warm, woody scent, commonly used in cologne and aftershaves. It is a grounding oil that can promote emotional balance and holds calming and grounding properties for both the mind and body. The warm, herbaceous aroma of Cedarwood oil can also help evoke feelings of wellness, confidence and self-esteem.Neroli essential oilhas a fresh and floral aroma, a scent that gives us energy and positive aura. It brings clarity, keeps away fears and problems.Bergamot essential oilwith both calming and uplifting abilities can dissipate anxious feelings while simultaneously providing cleansing and purifying benefits. Bergamot is the most delicate of the citrus plants, requiring special climate and soil in order to thrive. We Italians have used Bergamot oil for years to reduce feelings of stress and to soothe and rejuvenate skin.
+ jojoba oil to fill the bottle (or fractionated coconut oil)
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the essential oils to the roller bottle (starting from the cedarwood, then the neroli and at last bergamot) and then top off with a carrier oil, like jojoba oil, which has a pretty neutral smell and absorbs easily into the skin.
APPLICATION
Apply on the wrist, chest, and neck. The scent will last a few hours, reapply as needed.
A delicious healthy summer snack pimped with maca for hormonal balance and mucuna for a mood boost.
These mini magnum will be your new favorite summer treat. Since I made them the first time, I always have some of them in my freezer for when I crave something sweet, healthy and delicious! They are rich in healthy fats, magnesium, antioxidants and can be powered with adaptogens! Easy to make and great to store in the freezer for any time you want a quick and healthy snack or to bring to the next BBQ or birthday party, they are a real showstopper and everyone will love them.
For the chocolate coating you can use your favorite chocolate bar (I always recommend dark chocolate without white sugar) or create your own chocolate by melting in a double boiler about coconut oil or cocoa butter and raw cocoa and adding a tablespoon of maple syrup and a pinch of Himalayan salt.
I always use raw cacao powder for my recipes. This recipe will work even with normal cocoa powder, but I strongly recommend investing in a good quality raw cacao to absorb all its nutritional benefits. Raw cacao is the perfect way to satisfy your craving for chocolate without overloading your body with refined sugar.
ABOUT ADAPTOGENS / Maca is a starchy tuber from South America, widely used – now as a powder – as an aphrodisiac, mood & energy booster and hormone stabilizer. Maca comes in red, black and cream. Red is best for women, black for men and cream can be used by all. It has a distinct caramel or malt-like flavor. Ashwagandha has been a go-to medicinal root for thousands of years in the Ayurveda practice. When taken regularly, it can help to increase vitality, energy, endurance and has the ability to regulate the stress hormone cortisol, making it a powerful antidote against our busy modern life and promote a restful sleep.Mucuna pruriens is a climbing vine native to Africa and Asia. A legume, often called “the velvet bean” because of its hairy and leathery pods. Many indigenous cultures eat the beans as a good source of protein and because of its uplifting mood benefits. It is also used in Ayurveda as a powerful aphrodisiac and pain reliever. In fact, its seed contains a compound called L-dopa, which is a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical in the brain that affects emotions, movements, and sensations of pleasure and pain. With increase dopamine signaling comes a mood boost, an aphrodisiac effect and a sensation of well-being in general.
RAW CACAO vs COCOA: Raw cacao, not to be confused for cocoa, is made by cold-pressing raw cacao beans ensuring that no nutrients are lost by heat treating. Unlike cocoa which has been roasted and heavily processed, raw cacao maintains its high nutritional profile making it a superfood loaded with magnesium (known as an “anti-stress vitamin” for its soothing power) and flavonoids (a group of phytonutrients found in almost all fruits and vegetables that are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits). Raw cacao also contains neurotransmitters, such as Anandamide, which increase levels of specific chemicals in our brain that help to elevate mood and to promote a positive outlook. Eating cacao causes the brain to release these ”feel good” chemicals (AKA endorphins) that provide us a general feeling of well-being and help to reduce depression.
Some of the combinations I love:
You can adapt this recipe with all the nut butters and topping you want, but these are my two favourite combinations. Give them a try or leave a comment with your own favorite combi!
MACADAMIA NUT BUTTER, topped with pistachios and rose petals
PEANUT BUTTER, topped with roasted peanut and pink Himalayan sea salt
Prep. Time: 30 min, Cook Time 3 hours I Makes 4 mini magnum
VEGAN MINI MAGNUM
plant-based, refined sugar and dairy-free
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE ICECREAM
150 ml coconut cream (put a can of coconut milk in the fridge overnight and use just the solid part on top)
Add the wooden sticks and place the filled molds into the freezer for about 2/3 hours until the ice cream is firm.
In the meantime prepare the chocolate shell by melting your favorite chocolate bar in a double boiler or making your own chocolate. To make your own chocolate prepare a double boiler and add in a bowl over boiling water the coconut oil or cacao butter, the raw cacao powder, and the maple syrup. Mix well, until a cream is obtained. When you get a nice chocolate cream, remove from the heat and pour it in a glass.
Before removing the Ice creams from the freezer, prepare everything you need for decoration: for example, rose petals and nuts in pieces.
Remove the mini magnum from the freezer and dip each ice cream into the chocolate, top with crushed nuts if desired and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer to dry. Make sure to let them defrost for about 3-5 minutes at room temperature before eating!
A basic balm recipe for keeping lips plumped and hydrated
This recipe is super easy to make for yourself or as a present for your friends. Lip Bals are a good way to introduce non-toxic homemade natural beauty products into your daily routine. This balm is wonderful for any time of the day and can be customized for every season with different carrier oils and essential oils.
You can use any carrier oil you want, also coconut oil, but my two favorites are apricot kernel oil or macadamia oil. These two oils are perfect for moisturizing and nurturing your lips: they soften and protect your lips from being dry and cracked and sink easily into your skin.
As a butter, you can decide to use only shea butter and the balm will be amazing anyway, but I love to mix it with cacao butter for an extra hydration boost! High concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins make shea butter and cacao butter ideal cosmetic ingredients for hydrating, softening skin and improving elasticity.
1 heaped tablespoon apricot kernel oil or macadamia oil
1 teaspoon beewax or vegan wax
10 – 15 drops essential oils (For a summer citrus lip balm I used 2 drops of grapefruit, 4 drops of bergamot, 1 drop of lemongrass. Other combinations I love: Lemon – peppermint; Lavender – Ylang Ylang)
for a tinted Lip Balm you can add 1 teaspoon of organic beetroot powder
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients except the essential oils in a pot or better a glass bowl over hot water, let them melt on medium heat while stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat and wait a bit until it starts cooling down.
Add essential oils and mix (for a tinted Lip Balm you can add 1 teaspoon of organic beetroot powder)
