Yummy Smoothie, Chia pudding & Overnight Oats Jar

It may seem like making a healthy, quick (and maybe even visually stimulating) breakfast is a difficult or time consuming task, but honestly that is not the case at all! Its actually easier than you might think.I'll show you how to make this delicious breakfast jar of nutritional goodness in no time. This layered breakfast jar has a layer of overnight oats, chia seed pudding and yummy berry smoothie. To add deliciousness and extra nutrition it is topped with fresh fruits, raw cacao nibs and desiccated coconut! No cooking required here which is awesome.

Ingredients

• ½ cup almond milk (for oats)
• 1 cup almond milk (for chia pudding)
• 1 cup almond milk (for smoothie)
• 1 banana
• vanilla extract
  
• 3 table spoons of chia seeds
• ½ cup raw rolled oats
• ½ cup fresh raspberries
• 3 strawberries
• 1 kiwifruit
• extra fruit for topping (e.g blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• raw cacao nibs (optional)
• desiccated coconut (optional)
• a dollop or two of organic yogurt (or vegan coyo yoghurt)

Method:

Mix one cup of almond milk with 3 tablespoons of chia seeds in a small bowl. Add vanilla extract to taste (about 1 teaspoon for me) and a little yogurt or coyo if you like a thicker pudding. Cover and place in your fridge. Next mix half a cup of almond milk with your rolled oats. Again add your vanilla as desired (you can add sweetener if you feel the need), cover and place in the fridge. Leave both overnight to set.

In the morning place your banana, raspberries, almond milk, two of your strawberries and a dash of vanilla into your blender. If using, also add your yogurt or vegan coyo! Blend together. Get your fruit ready, peel your kiwifruit and slice your strawberry.
Fetch your oats and chia pudding from the fridge. Pour your oats at the bottom of your jar or bowl (whatever you like) and then your chia seed pudding. Layer your kiwi and strawberry slices along the edges of your jar/ bowl. Pour in your fresh berry smoothie. Now the easiest part, add your toppings!
Just add whatever berries or other fruits you like on top. Sprinkle on your cacao nibs and coconut and you're done!
Now you are ready to devour your beautiful, healthy breakfast jar! Don't be afraid to play around with ingredients, there is so much you can do. Try exotic fruits, nuts, cocoa oats... whatever you want, just have fun. Hope you try this out sometime, its reeeally good.

Yummy Kinderpunsch ( non-alcoholic Punch)

Hi everyone, so I thought I'd share a personal favourite with you all, a super quick (and easy recipe) for an authentic German tasting Kinderpunsch! In other words a fruity non-alcoholic punch. Don't let the idea of "non-alcohol" put you off by any means, it is truly delicious for both adults and children alike. Its often a child friendly alternative to mulled wine at German Christmas Markets, so hopefully you can imagine how aromatic and inviting this punch really is. Warming, spicy, fruity and oh so good on chilly Autumn days. It is a real treat, and hardly any work to prepare, so whether you just want a batch for yourself or are making a batch for a gathering of guests you won't have to stress yourself out to get it done, which is always a relief.

I took a couple of last minute photographs and sadly my best shot has one of the orange slices sinking (It was sliced just a little too thick, aw)!

Ingredients:

• 2 blood oranges, sliced (one for decoration)
• 2 large oranges, juiced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 pint apple juice
• 3 teabags of berry flavor tea ( The perfect flavor tea is cranberry & raspberry. So look for those flavors if you can!!)
• 6 whole cloves  (or 2 pinches ground cloves)
• ½ pint water
• honey to taste

Method:

Heat the water with the teabags in a large sauce pan and allow to boil until the water is strongly colored by the berry tea, and the fragrance is very strong!
Remove the teabags from the pot. Add the apple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, cloves and the blood orange slices from 1 of the oranges.
Let the mixture simmer for about 5-6 minutes, but don't allow to boil!
Taste test at this point and add the honey to sweeten or leave as is if you prefer. I added 3 tablespoons honey.
Strain the mixture twice into another large pan and then pour into your punch bowl or straight into individual cups. Add the left over blood orange slices to the punch bowl for decoration. I hope you give the recipe a ago. 

For me personally, a warm mug of this is heavenly for one of those many chilly, drearily cold days when you want to snuggle up indoors and keep yourself toasty. Reading a good book while it is drizzling outside is my idea of a perfect relaxing time, or doing some artwork to some soothing music for creative flows. These times are what I call ideal for a drink like this. Of course I hope you try it for yourselves, so you can make your own minds up about it. ;)

Notes:

”If you can't find a mixed tea flavor of cranberry & raspberry you can find a plain cranberry tea and add 2 bags of that with 1 bag of another berry tea flavor!
If you can't find cranberry tea at all, just add some Cranberry juice! Juice from concentrate is best, by any will work. Two cups worth should do it, or add more if you prefer. :)”