No Sugar, High Protein Carrot Cake

After success last week making some Apple Cinnamon Brekkie Bars using Protein Pancake Mix I used my imagination and made this carrot cake! It is awesome if I do say so myself... it is filling and fragrant, and without any added sugar!

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 cups Protein Pancake Mix
• 3 medium Carrots, grated
• 1 cup Sultanas
• 1/2 cup chopped Dates
• 3/4 cup Walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup Pepitas
• 1 cup Almond Meal
• 4 Eggs
• 1tbsp Olive Oil (or oil of your choice)
• 1 1/4 cups Milk (I use full cream organic milk, but you can substitute with the milk of your choice)
• 1 cup Shredded Coconut
• 1/2 cup Kapai Puku Seed of Life
• 2 tsp Mixed Spice
• 1 tsp Cinnamon

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees celsius.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Using your (clean) hands, combine everything together.
3. Pour and spread the mixture into a slice tin lined with baking paper.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown on top - it may need longer, depending on how firmly it sets near the middle of the pan.
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool before slicing.
6. Enjoy!

I cut up the slab and store it in the fridge and freezer, warming it up in the microwave before eating (say, 30-40sec) makes it truly delicious!

You could also bake in a muffin tin or in patty cases (for less time, but I am yet to test) so they can be eaten on the run!

Kapai Puku - The Seed of Life

I was in Harris Farm the other week and as usual there were loads of food samples to try (this is certainly what gets Mark through the door!) I normally avoid all of the free cheeses and breads, but I enjoyed tasting a yoghurt sample with these 'Kapai Puku' seeds mixed in.

Well I enjoyed it so much I bought a pack of these seeds - and they were 15 bucks, for a while I was worried I had been ripped off! But they have proven to be so versatile, and I've really enjoyed mixing them in yoghurt, adding to cereal, even omelettes or stewed fruit.

Then I double checked the numbers and I realised just how great these seeds are!

Some of the benefits of this product include:
* Rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.
* Rich in fibre
* Contains silica – that is essential for healthy smooth supple skin, healthy hair and strong nails. Silica is present in almost every tissue of the body and is essential for cell growth.
* Contains B Complex vitamins (B1 – Thiamine, B2 – Riboflavin, B3 – Niacin, B6 – Pyridoxine) are extremely important for the health of the nervous system. They are not stored in the body in any great quantity and need to be supplied daily by the diet.
* An excellent source of vitamin E, the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals that would otherwise damage fat-containing structures and molecules, (eg. cell membranes, brain cells, and cholesterol).
* High in Zinc, Calcium, and Phosphorus.

NUMBERS (per 50g serve)
Protein 8.2g
Fat 13.3g (saturated 1.7g)
Carbs 18.9g
Fibre 8.4g

You can also order the product online.