Black Bean Brownies Recipe

These 'BB Brownies' are taken from the Hemsley + Hemsley cookbook, they're a super-healthy alternative to brownies, being made mostly of the protein-rich black beans.

 I found them really easy to make but they're not very sweet so I've tweaked the recipe to include more maple syrup but maybe it would benefit from a dash of agave or even some organic chocolate chunks. 

They're filling, guilt-fee and hit the spot, though, so well worth a try. 

ingredients

2 x 400g tins cooked black beans, drained 

4 medium eggs 

230g unsalted butter 

85g unsweetened cocoa powder 

175ml maple syrup 

2 tbsp vanilla extract 

130g chopped walnuts, soaked and dried

Preheat the oven to 170°C. Makes nine to 16

method

First soak your walnuts for 10 mins, drain and then put in preheated oven for about 5 mins to dry out. Then rinse and drain your beans.

In a blender mix together the eggs, beans, cocoa, maple syrup and vanilla. Then melt your butter, leave to cool and mix into the bean mixture very slowly. Add the walnuts, leaving some to sprinkle on top.

Bake for 40-45mins until the surface cracks.

Serve with a nice cuppa.

Super Green Smoothie Recipe by Hemsley + Hemsley

I first tried this amazing smoothie recipe at a talk by the gorgeous Hemsley + Hemsley sisters and have since found it’s a go-to for a quick, filling nutrient boost.  So I thought I’d share it with you, I've tweaked theirs slightly to make it a bit simpler to make.

The benefits of this recipe are its alkalising, hydrating, cleansing, antioxidant-rich and easy to digest – the raw foods contains loads of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, undamaged by heat. Plus the leafy greens in it are among the most nutrient-dense foods in the world.

Also a tip I got from the Hemsley girls is to chew it well, yes, even chew smoothies, it aids digestion and makes you feel fuller.

Ingredients
1 apple
2 sticks of celery
Half a cucumber
70g spinach or kale
Half an avocado
1 inch ginger root
Handful Parsley
Squeeze of lemon
Water – add for desired consistency
1 teaspoon of super green powder (chlorella, spirulina etc)

You'll need a strong blender 

January Beauty Favourites

1/ Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
Around this time of year I get extremely chapped lips... and hands and nose, and sometimes my hairline. It's a mixture of cycling, harsh central heating and fierce winds. Very annoying but this miracle balm works wonders, you can use it for anything and everything (even on your hair) but it's forte is soothing dry and chapped delicate skin. Some people don't like the distinctive scent (I do) but you can now get it fragrance free. Anyway, this product is cult for a reason - get some in your makeup bag.


2/ Molton Brown Pink Pepperpot Bodywash
I've recently taken a liking to baths when a few years ago I probably didn't have a bath from one year to the next - maybe it's getting older but I need something to soothe these old bones and a luxurious soak always hits the spot. Molton Brown, hands down, do the best bath products, they're really gentle on skin and smell fab. This Pink Pepperpot fragrance is just the best - a mix between spicy and fresh - plus you can use it as a showergel too.


3/ Diptyque Epice Candle 
Diptyque candles have become essentials rather than luxuries to me in the last few years - I stress out if I have less than two on the go (ironic really as the purpose of scented candles is to destress, no?). They make any room feel like a palace and are crucial to my afore-mentioned relaxing baths. This limited edition Epice scent is a delight - I get warm, spicy cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and amber - basically all the good stuff you want on a winter's night.