If you're looking for a snack that packs a healthy protein punch then Bliss Balls are your answer!

There are a plethora of recipes out there for the perfect bliss ball, but knowing the basics can get you creating the taste combinations that you'll love.

You can even get away with not having a food processor to make these, if you stick to combinations of nut butters, seeds, powders and syrups.  However to really get creative, a food processor is going to be a handy tool.

Here's a few tips for getting your bliss balls to be more bliss and less "balls up".

​1.  Blend the protein (nut and seed portion) of the recipe first then add the dried fruit to make a smooth consistency.

2. Use flavour combinations that you enjoy.  Some I like are Choc-mint or Choc-orange, lemon & macadamia, goji berry & pecan, or date and vanilla makes a lovely caramel flavour.

3.  Go easy on the sweeteners.  Nutritionally, you want the bliss balls provide you with protein predominately.  So keep the sweet flavours to a bare minimum. 

4.  Add a tiny amount of filtered water to the mixture to get it to form a dough.  Roll into balls and cover with desiccated coconut, coconut flour, sesame seeds, or chia seeds.  Or leave as is.  

To book in to the program, please click the Book Now button and choose the Detox and Weight loss Program under the Programs drop down menu.  

As many of you know I have been running a successful Detox and Weight loss program for a few years now.  This program is full of delicious recipes, weekly meal plans, and is divided into 4 specific detox stages.  As part of the program you get a 1 hour Naturopathic assessment, a weekly mentoring session with me and weigh-in on our bio-impedance machine.  I have had great success with this program, not just for weight loss, but also in reducing pain and inflammation, and increasing vitality. But there is something that is bothering me about the program, and I wanted to share it with you.  
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Detoxing has become a dirty word. 

Why? Because it was a big trend about 20 years ago, just like fermented foods and handlebar mustaches are today. Does that make them intrinsically bad? 

What happened is that a bunch of people jumped on the "detox bandwagon" to make some quick bucks from riding the trend and preying on the weight loss market. And some of the products that ensued were, well pretty bad to say the least.

 The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
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Most products or programs in the Ugly and Bad realm focus on two key areas: Starvation and Purging. In the purging group are products like "flush away" "slim tea" "ballerina tea" "bowel cleanse" or "quick cleanse". This category contains nothing more than thinly veiled laxatives. The over use of unnecessary laxatives causes dehydration, microbiome disruption and irritation to the bowel, as well as the very uncomfortable symptom of urgently needing to poo.  (several times day and night)
In the starvation department we have "master cleanse", "lemon detox", "juice cleanse" or Isagenix. These systems call for a heavy restriction on food intake. Not only can this destroy the metabolism, it can unlock a whole lot of toxic fat tissue and cause a toxic overload of the organs. 

Okay, so what about The Good? What is a good detox? One that supports the detoxification processes with herbal medicine and nutrition. One that is tailored by an educated practitioner who cares about your wellbeing. A good detox doesn't require you to starve yourself, eat unnatural food or put up with excruciating symptoms. A good detox leaves you feeling more vital, strong and in touch with your body.

It stuns me that people will pay $$$$$ hundreds of dollars a month to buy a one size fits all supplement program sold by a friend or neighbour, when they could see a tertiary qualified Naturopath for cheaper! It's crazy! What's worse is that these programs are primarily focused on making people into "top sellers" not taking care of people's health. 
Actually, I get a bit mad about it. Because when someone's liver fails from taking dodgy supplements, it's my profession that takes the hit. 

If you are thinking about trying a weight loss program or supplement regime recommended through a friend, ask a few questions before you commit.

•  Does the person selling the product have a tertiary education in Nutrition? 
•  Do they have accredited training in herbal contraindications or possible adverse effects of the products they are selling?  
• Are they a member of a Complementary Medicine Association such as the National Herbalists and Naturopaths Association?
•  Is the program providing support to any underlying issues that you may have?  
•  Are the products approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Australia)?
• And lastly, compare the cost of the products to what is already readily available. 

This goes for supplements recommended to you by your personal trainer, nail technician, or beauty therapist!  

If it sounds too good to be true......maybe it is. 
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So what can you expect from my program?

​When I'm running my detox and weight loss program it's not about body shaming. 
It's not about everyone fitting in to a size 8. It is not about a quick fix or a magic pill or potion to melt away the pounds. 
It is about positive attitudes toward food. It is about feeling better. It is about having more energy. It is about addressing underlying issues. It is about learning to listen to our bodies. It is about the emotional support. It is about feeling strong. 
So if you want a quick fix, a magic pill or a starvation plan, my program is not for you. 
If you want all that other stuff delivered with good-natured humour and earthiness, then I am your Gal 😉

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Makes about 24 mini cheesecakes, aprox 5gm of carbohydrate per cake.

Ingredients:
Base
1 cup almonds
1 cup coconut
3 mejool dates
2 tbs cocao powder
2 tbs coconut oil

Filling
250gm Cream cheese
1/2 cup cream
150gm strawberries
1 tbs gelatine
1/3 cup boiling water
1/4 cup maple syrup

Method: 
Process all the base ingredients in a food processor, press into the bottom of the cake tin- or mini muffin cases (I used reusable silicone muffin cases).  Refrigerate.
Mix the cream cheese and cream in a mixer until smooth.  Dissolve the gelatin in the hot water.  In a blender mix the strawberries, gelatin and maple syrup.  Add that to the cream cheese mixture, mix until smooth.  
Spoon the cream mixture on top of the base.  Refrigerate for about 2 hours. Remove casing and garnish with a slice of strawberry and a mint leaf.