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Product review: Olina’s Simply Seed crackers
Olina’s Simply Seed crackers are a new addition to the line of gluten-free line of crackers under the Olina’s Bakehouse brand. These are a great snack for people following a gluten-free and/or low-carb diet. Olina’s Simply Seed crackers Each box contains a plastic tray wrapped in a non-resealable plastic bag. Each pack contains four 20g servings. The currently available flavours are Original, Cracked Pepper, Rosemary, and Herb & Garlic. Similar to Carman’s crackers, Olina’s Simply Seed crackers are gluten-free, vegan, low-carb and low in sugar. They have a good amount of dietary fibre. You can find these crackers at major supermarkets. They are a little more expensive than similar products…
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Recipe: Oven-roasted pork ribs with bourbon BBQ sauce and red cabbage slaw
Oven-roasted pork ribs with bourbon BBQ sauce and red cabbage slaw is an easy meal that requires a little bit of time but not much work. The Mexican-inspired slaw brings brightness to the dish. Unlike most store-bought BBQ sauces, this homemade version is low in sugar and just as tasty. You can make the sauce alcohol-free by omitting the bourbon. The recipe calls for smoked salt but you can use regular salt if you don’t have any. The bourbon and the smoked paprika should contribute enough smokiness to the dish. Finally, you can cook the ribs in a slow cooker if you have one. It should take 7-8 hours in…
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Recipe: Grown-up radicchio salad
I call this grown-up radicchio salad because radicchio is not for everyone. As a general rule, children are more sensitive to the bitter taste, so grown-ups are more likely to appreciate bitter leaves in their meal. This salad is all about contrast and complement. The sweetness of the sultanas mellow down the radicchio’s bitterness. The saltiness of the cheese and the prosciutto counter-balance the sweetness. Finally, the different textures, from the crunchiness of the radicchio to the bite of the pine nuts and the softness of the boiled eggs, complement each other. If you want to up your grown-up game, go ahead and soak the sultanas in pisco or grappa…
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Product review: Carman’s Super Seed & Grain crackers
Carman’s Super Seed & Grain crackers have been a favourite healthy snack in my household for a while. Because they are gluten-free, vegan, low in FODMAPs and carbohydrates, they are a great alternative for a variety of people. Carman’s Super Seed & Grain crackers Each box contains a re-sealable plastic container with 21 crackers. The suggested serving size is 27g or 7 crackers. The currently available flavours are Rosemary & Sea Salt, Pepita & Poppy Seed, Seven Seeds & Cracked Pepper. As mentioned at the top, these crackers are gluten-free, vegan and low-carb. They are also certified low FODMAP by Monash University which means one serve of the crackers is…
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Recipe: Teriyaki-glazed salmon with corn and broccoli
This teriyaki-glazed salmon with corn and broccoli is an easy and healthy meal you can have ready in less than thirty minutes. This dish is packed with protein and omega-3 healthy fats from the salmon and fibre from the vegetables. Salmon also contains vitamin D, among other nutrients. The teriyaki glaze has only 2 ingredients: soy sauce and mirin, which are available in major supermarkets and Asian grocers. I use gluten-free tamari, but any soy sauce will do. I served this dish with cooked basmati rice. Feel free to use a lower carbohydrate substitute (such as cauliflower rice or konjac rice).
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Recipe: Roast pumpkin and lentil salad with lemon and sumac labneh
Roast pumpkin and lentil salad with lemon and sumac labneh is a healthy and filling vegetarian meal to have for lunch or dinner. It can also be served as part of a shared meal. What is labneh? It is a Middle Eastern strained yoghurt that is often used in savoury applications, e.g. as a dip. Its consistency is in between Greek yoghurt and cream cheese. This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian. It can be made vegan by omitting the eggs and using plant-based yoghurt or cheese instead of the labneh. This salad is high in fibre and has a decent amount of protein, both of which will keep you satisfied…
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Product review: Hart & Soul recipe bases
Hart & Soul recipe bases are one of the newest products from the manufacturers of my favourite shelf-stable soups. These recipe bases will help you get dinner on the table in record time. Hart & Soul recipe bases These are the current The Hart & Soul recipe base ranges: Butter Chicken, Green Curry, Moroccan Tagine, Pad Thai, Massaman Curry, Laksa, Nasi Goreng, Panang Curry, Rendang Curry, Tikka Massala, Red Curry, Satay Curry, Stroganoff, Teriyaki Stir Fry. All of them come in 80g sachets that make 3-4 servings, with the exception of the Laksa which makes 2-3 servings. All of the bases are refined sugar free (but not sugar free!), gluten…
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Product review: Activate Foods
Activate Foods is a meal delivery service in NSW offering healthy gluten-free portion-controlled meals for people who don’t have time to cook. Activate Foods Activate Foods is a food delivery service based on the Central Coast of NSW. They deliver to the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle on Mondays. The company works with a dietitian, ensuring appropriate portion sizes and detailed nutrition information. The meals All Activate Foods are gluten-free and menus change slightly week to week. You can choose from a selection of fresh and frozen meals, which include salads, hot meals, soups, breakfast items, snacks, bread and fermented vegetables. Some meals are available in family size trays. Special…
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Product review: Bounce keto low carb bars
Bounce keto low carb bars are a snack alternative for health-conscious active individuals following a keto or low carb diet. Bounce This Australian company started out selling single serve packaged protein balls and now has a wider range of products targeted to active populations. Other product ranges include the aforementioned protein balls (whey and plant-based), brekkie bars and milkshake powders for kids. Bounce keto low carb bars These bars are gluten free, vegan, low in sugar, high in fibre and have some protein (but not a lot). They are also free of artificial flavours, sweeteners and other additives. The fat content comes from nuts and MCT oil (from coconut). Bounce…
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Recipe: Rigatoni a la huancaina
Rigatoni a la huancaina is a cheap Peruvian-inspired meal that can be served as a main or as a side dish. Huancaina is a Peruvian sauce made with aji amarillo (yellow chilli) that is traditionally served with boiled potatoes. Somewhere in time, perhaps around the 80s or 90s, huancaina found its way away from the humble potato and became a dip for yuquitas fritas (cassava chips), Peruvian corn skewered in toothpicks and other finger food (as can be seen in the photo of my recipe for simple huancaina sauce. Around that time, huancaina also became a pasta sauce, typically for spaghetti. It is most often served with some protein such…
