Recipe: Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten Free & Vegan)

Combining traditional gingerbread flavours and rich chocolate, this Easy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies Recipe will become a new family fave - and it's gluten free, egg free and vegan too! Makes a small batch that is perfect for Christmas gifting. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....... especially in our home!

You see, once November rolls around, I decide it's officially a-okay to begin celebrating Christmas. The cookies baking in my oven are most likely Christmas cookies, Alexa is playing Christmas radio, the Christmas decorations start appearing and we are in full on holiday mode.

So I thought I'd kick off November's recipes with a Christmas themed one - and what better recipe that one that combines Christmas spices AND chocolate!

I love gingerbread cookies, but chocolate gingerbread cookies are next level delicious. 

Filled with all of the traditional spices but with a sweet chocolate kick, these are one of my favourite Christmas cookies - and they're so easy to make!

The recipe makes a smallish batch, but be warned that you might find yourself doubling or tripling the measurements because these cookies will disappear before your eyes!

Don't love gingerbread or cinnamon and ginger spices? You can make chocolate cookies by leaving the cinnamon and ginger out altogether. Instead of a spicy kick, you'll have a sweet chocolate cookie that kids and adults will adore.

I keep things simple by drizzling these with chocolate, but you could easily decorate them with icing, sprinkles or whatever takes your fancy.

So let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Recipe: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars (GF + Vegan)

Gluten free and vegan, this Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe is so easy to make and packed full of nutritious ingredients like ground flaxseed, oatmeal and coconut oil. Perfect for breastfeeding mamas.

With what looks like 5, maybe 6 weeks until our sweet boy arrives, I've been busy cooking and baking all the things to stash in the freezer for after he is born.

If you open our freezer at the moment, you'll find it jam packed with meals ready for quick and easy options once we get home from the hospital - as well as alllll the snacks! 

This Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe is one of our favourite snacks as it's jam packed full of nutrients, but sweet enough to feel like a treat.

Being gluten free (if you are oat tolerant*), vegan, egg free and dairy free, it also means it's the perfect treat to share - and if you're a pregnant or breastfeeding mama, it's packed full of milk friendly ingredients.

So let me share it with you! >> 

Recipe: Air Fryer Cheezy Herb and Garlic Roasted Chickpeas (Gluten Free & Vegan!)

Crunchy and delicious, this Air Fryer Cheezy Herb and Garlic Roasted Chickpeas Recipe is the perfect healthy crunchy snack. Nutritional yeast adds a nutrient kick and cheesy taste to this gluten free, vegan, low fat and grain free snack.

What's one thing you'll always find in your pantry? 

At our house, you're always guaranteed to find canned beans, canned tomatoes and chips. Canned tomatoes and beans because we're always using them in recipes - and chips because Jesse cannot go a day or two without them 😅

But sometimes you want a healthier snack than chips - and that's where this recipe comes in. 

Even my chip addict of a husband loves them and they're jam packed full of nutrition. What's not to love?!

So let me share them with you! >> 

Recipe: Chocolate Coconut Bliss Balls (Gluten Free & Vegan)

A healthy chocolate treat, this Raw Chocolate Coconut Bliss Balls Recipe is like a healthy coconut rough or bounty bar without any of the added sugar. Gluten free, vegan, grain free, egg free and paleo friendly.

I'm one of those people who doesn't know how anyone could "forget to eat". 

You know the people, 2pm rolls around and they realise they've not eaten a single thing all day long.

That is not me. 

As soon as I'm awake, you'll find me sleepily making my way down to the kitchen, flicking the kettle on and grabbing some breakfast - and as Jesse will tell you, I don't really stop eating until I go to sleep 😜

Having healthy snacks on hand is a must from me, meaning that I can always have something nutritious to grab and snack on - and bliss balls are one of my favourite healthy snacks.

Easy to customise with flavours you love, these bites take just a few minutes to make and can be kept in the fridge or freezer for a quick snack.

So let me share the recipe with you >> 

Recipe: Apricot and Date Triple C Bliss Balls (Gluten Free & Vegan)

Apricots, Dates, Cashews, Chia Seeds and Coconut combine to create these delicious bliss balls that are raw, vegan, paleo, gluten free, grain free and refined sugar free. A great healthy snack recipe.

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Generally speaking, you'll find me making different on-the-go snacks so I can quickly grab something on my way out the door.

But living in Sydney lockdown? You'll find me filling my fridge with these same snacks so that we always have healthy and nutrient packed options close at hand.

Because let's be real, when you're stuck at home and there's chips and candy and junk food, you've got to make sure the healthy stuff is just as easy. 

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These Apricot and Date Triple C Bliss Balls are my current fave.... so much so that I don't think the name does them justice.

As well as apricots and dates, these bites are filled with cashews, coconut and chia seeds. All of these ingredients together create a taste and texture sensation and a healthy treat that feels indulgent.

Who needs candy when you can enjoy nature's candy instead?

Let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Recipe: Curried Quinoa Side Dish with Chickpeas

With just enough spice and packed full of nutrition, this Curried Quinoa and Chickpeas Side Dish is gluten free, vegan, healthy and seriously delicious. A great meal prep recipe to make ahead for lunch or dinner during a busy week.

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Life has been a little bit crazy lately.

Work has been crazy busy, we're in the final planning stages for our first floor renovations, I've been busy choosing finishes and going from one side of Sydney to the other searching for items, our kitchen design changed for the 4th time and we're trying to keep up with friends and family.

It's kind of left me feeling like I've been chasing my tail. So whilst last week it was great that I had HelloFresh and didn't think about dinner, I've been making big batches of make ahead lunches to freeze for busy days or a quick dinner when I don't feel like cooking.

And this is my new favourite!

Let me tell you about it >> 

Recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa (Gluten Free & Vegan)

Full of Mediterranean flavour and made in minutes, this Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Recipe is full of vegetables and healthy ingredients but so delicious even the fussiest kid will love it! A real family favourite that is gluten free, vegan, nut free, dairy free and so easy.

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Life has been busy lately.

We're back to hectic work schedules, our free time is full of appointments with kitchen and tradespeople to work out our first stage of renos, our weekends are full of gardening and projects and we're trying to squeeze in time for family and friends too.

For me, busy times call for smart meal choices - so I've been making lots of quick and easy meals that can be made in big batches and frozen for an even quicker lunch or dinner later on.

This has been one of those meals that I can't get enough of. It's quick, easy and packed full of flavour.

So let me tell you more about it >> 

Recipe: Healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie (Or Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte!)

It's pumpkin spice season and this Healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe is the perfect year-round treat to make at home. Gluten free with vegan and dairy free options, it's a smoothie everyone will love. Also includes the option to turn it into a Homemade Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte for the coffee lovers! Who needs Starbucks with this healthy copycat recipe?!

Hello there! Long time no speak, huh? 

I've been a little bit absent lately because our life has been like a bit of a rollercoaster. We've had the lowest of lows, the highest of highs and I should hopefully be telling you all about it soon (and then you'll understand my absense!) but I am back and planning on staying back.. and I've got the perfect recipe to kick things off.

You see, right now it's pumpkin spice season in the US and usually we're either counting down the days until a trip or exploring somewhere in the US - but with COVID, that's not going to happen.

Instead of moping about missing a vacation this year, I decided I'd bring pumpkin spice season to Sydney.... only with the weather warming up, I just wasn't feeling a latte.

So I grabbed some ingredients out of the freezer, whipped some cream and made myself my very own Healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe.

It's so simple to make but impressive enough to share with friends (who needs Starbucks!) and you can even tweak it to make it vegan or add a shot of coffee for an iced pumpkin spice latte.

So let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Recipe: Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free & Vegan Options)

Gluten Free Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - The BEST soft and chewy cookies recipe plus dried blueberries and white chocolate chips. These tasty cookies are sure to be a hit and can be made gluten free or vegan with dairy free and egg free options also included. Super easy to make and absolutely foolproof, this GF cookie recipe will become a family favourite.

Have you found yourself in a bit of a slump lately? Because I know I have.

I've been feeling pretty blah lately. Maybe it's busyness or maybe it's the state of the world, but my creativity has tanked for anything not work related and I've barely picked up a spatula to cook anything but dinner.

But I think I found the solution to that.

You see, sometimes you just need a cookie...

These cookies were inspired by a packet of dried blueberries I had sitting in the pantry. I'd bought them on a whim and hadn't used them - but when they were sitting on the shelf next to the white chocolate chips, I knew exactly what I needed to make.

This cookie recipe is perfect for when you're feeling a little bit blah. Your creativity has tanked, your motivation is lacking - but you really feel like baking something (or maybe someone's asked you to bring dessert). 

With just a few minutes of your time, you'll have a big batch of delicious cookies that required minimal effort and zero fuss - and no chilling needed.

So let me share the recipe with you >> 

Recipe: Easy Italian Bean Salad (Vegan)

Easy Gluten Free Italian Bean Salad Recipe - The easiest salad recipe, this impressive side dish is perfect for sharing with friends. Enjoyed warm or cold, this salad includes four bean mix (or whatever beans you have on hand), celery, garlic, onion, chilli, bell pepper/capsicum, tomatoes, parsley and more. Simple, easy, healthy and SO delicious! Gluten free, vegan, nut free, clean eating friendly and grain free.

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I am all about simple and easy recipes, and this Italian Bean Salad definitely ticks those boxes. 

Impressive enough to share with friends but easy enough to enjoy for lunch or a weekday meal, I’ve been making up a batch on the weekends for a quick and easy lunch during the week.

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It’s packed full of flavour and nutrients and tastes anything but healthy.

Gluten free and vegan, it’s also the perfect recipe to shares with friends as it can be adapted to suit just about anyone’s dietary needs. 

So let me share the recipe with you >> 

Recipe: Soft and Chewy White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies (Gluten Free with Vegan Options)

Gluten Free White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies Recipe - The BEST soft and chewy cookies recipe, these Macadamia White Chocolate Chip Cookies are just like subway except they’re gluten free with vegan, dairy free and egg free options. Super easy to make and absolutely foolproof, this GF cookie recipe will become a family favourite.

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If I ever opened up a bakery, I think it would have to specialise in cookies.

Cookies are probably my all time favourite thing to bake and share with friends - and they're actually the first thing I ever baked for Jesse.

I feel like cookies are one of those things that everyone seems to love. Often times you'll hear people say they hate cake or they don't like frosting - but you rarely hear someone say they don't like cookies.

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These cookies have been adapted from our all time favourite cookie recipe - The Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe - but they can be made to suit everyone, vegan or not. 

Whether you use a real egg or a flax egg, these cookies are the perfect consistency. With crisp, chewy edges and a deliciously soft centre, they're the perfect canvas to play with flavour.

White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies were always one of my favourite cookies - so I decided I needed the perfect White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie Recipe for the blog - and here it is!

So let me share it with you >> 

Recipe: 4 Ingredient Coconut Cookies (Gluten Free, Paleo & Vegan)

Easy 4 Ingredient Coconut Cookies Recipe - Homemade cookies just don’t get easier than this. A simple twist on coconut macaroons, this healthy cookie recipe is gluten free, paleo, vegan, sugar free and clean eating friendly.

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I can’t be the only one who has their moments where they just want a freshly baked cookie.

You know, when you feel like something sweet - but the smell of freshly baked cookies is in your head and you just need to make something NOW? 

Just me? Err…. okaaaay then.

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Well, anyway. Regardless of whether that cookie craving strikes you or not, these cookies may just be the simplest cookie recipe you’ll ever come across.

All you need is four ingredients, about 20 minutes of your time and then you’ll have a delicious batch of homemade cookies ready to devour.

So let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Recipe: Cashew Cookie Dough Bliss Balls (Gluten Free, Paleo & Vegan)

Easy Cashew Cookie Dough Bliss Balls Recipe (Paleo, Gluten Free and Vegan) - A perfect healthy snack, these cookie dough bliss balls are allergy friendly and perfect for kids and adults. Chocolate chips make them feel decadent, but they’re secretly healthy and require just 4 ingredients to make them. The perfect meal prep recipe and healthy dessert option.

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We are currently on vacation at Disneyland in California, USA - but I didn’t want you to miss out on new recipes while we were away, so I’ve been busy creating a whole lot of deliciousness to share whilst we’re away from home!

These Cashew Cookie Dough Bliss Balls Recipe are one of those recipes - and I was actually eating them yesterday on the plane ride here! 

They’re the perfect quick and easy snack that’s healthy, delicious and seriously easy to make. 

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Bliss balls are one of my go-to snacks because you can take them pretty much everywhere and they don’t need to be refrigerated (though we store ours in the fridge so they last as long as possible!)

Better still, they’re the perfect recipe to make your own. Don’t have cashews? Swap them for almonds? Feel like something different? Swap the dates for raisins and add cinnamon for a cinnamon raisin cookie dough inspired treat.

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best - and this recipe is certainly simple as it requires just 4 ingredients and less than 15 minutes of your time!

So let me share the recipe with you >> 

Recipe: Easy Tomato Basil Rice (Gluten Free & Vegan)

Easy One Pot Tomato Basil Rice Recipe - This gluten free and vegan side dish is so easy to make. A copycat version of Uncle Ben’s Tomato Basil Rice, this delicious side dish is healthy, gluten free, low fat, sugar free and clean eating friendly. A great meal prep recipe and lunch or dinner addition.

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I don’t know about you, but I often find myself at about 3pm, struggling to work out what to make for dinner.

No one tells you when you’re a kid that when you grow up, you’ll spend 35938423498237492835982 hours of your life thinking about and then cooking dinner.

I try not to cook the same things over and over again because they get boring fast, so I am always coming up with new quick and easy dinner ideas.

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Quick and easy is key here, because after a day of work, there is no way I’m spending more than 30 minutes cooking dinner because all I want to do is sit and relax 😛 

This Tomato Basil Rice makes a great dinner side, or even a lunch option. Whether you serve it with grilled chicken or fish, a nice steak or your favourite veggies, the options are pretty much endless - but always delicious. 

So let me share the recipe with you >> 

Recipe: Copycat Larabar Coconut Chocolate Chip Bliss Balls

Copycat Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabar Bliss Balls Recipe - The perfect healthy snack, this copycat LÄRABAR recipe turns a store-bought treat into delicious homemade bliss balls that are gluten free, dairy free, paleo, vegan, grain free, refined sugar free and raw.

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Sometimes the simplest recipes become your favourite - and this is definitely one of those recipes. 

Bliss Balls are one of my favourite healthy snacks to have on hand - and they're also one of my favourite healthy desserts to share with friends. Not only are they super simple to make, they're seriously delicious - and I've found that even the pickiest eaters love them. 

I first made this recipe when we were having friends over for lunch who had a variety of different dietary needs and I needed a simple (but healthy and allergy friendly!) dessert that everyone could enjoy.

So, I made a few batches of different bliss ball flavours (including this one), put together a fruit platter, added some chocolate and the bliss balls and everyone dug in!

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Regardless of whether you're gluten free, dairy free, vegan, paleo or grain free, these are sure to be a hit in your house too. 

Made in minutes, these bliss balls can be made in a big batch and kept in the fridge or freezer so you always have an easy snack or dessert on hand. 

So let me share the recipe with you! >>