Here is a lovely treat for Easter that is gluten free, lactose free and no added sugar…..sound too good to be true? Try this healthy treat rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fibre this Easter.  A tasty ball of goodness.

1 1/2 cups of pitted prunes
1 cup of walnuts
1/2 cup of coconut (extra to coat balls in)
half a juice of an orange

Place first 3 ingredients into food processer and blend – slowly add juice until mixture forms into a ball.  Roll small balls and coat with extra coconut.

For those with nut allergies you can swap the walnuts with puffed rice.

Enjoy!

Garlic has been extensively researched and the findings are very positive.  They have found that garlic has the ability to:

• Reduce raised cholesterol levels
• Reduce/inhibit plaque deposits in the arteries
• Reduce raised blood pressure
• Has antioxidant properties
• Reduce inflammation
• Has potent antibiotic effects
• Regulate unstable blood sugar levels
• Ward off vampires (still waiting on confirmation for this one!)

Garlic is also rich in manganese, vitamin  C, vitamin B6 and selenium. 

Unfortunately, it is not as simple as having a garlic pizza daily to get the health benefits.  The main problem is that once you cook garlic it begins to lose the good stuff.  Raw is better and garlic must be chopped or crushed to release the health promoting sulphides.

This can of course be a challenge to some, so here a few ways to up your daily garlic intake.  Add raw chopped/crushed garlic to: 

• Homemade dips i.e. hummus, eggplant, beetroot
• Add once a meal is cooked and stir through
• Rub over toast with fresh tomato
• Sprinkle over homemade pizzas once out of the oven
• Add to salad or steamed vegetables

This scarlet red, tart and tangy berry gained its scientific credit back in 1994 when a study found cranberry juice was able to reduce urinary tract infections in females by 42%.  Since then more and more studies have been conducted with all the same results appearing.

The multi actions of this little super berry in urinary tract infections include:

• Acidifies the urine
• Antibacterial properties
• Reduces ability of E.coli bacteria to adhere to the walls of the urinary tract

Cranberry juice or a cranberry supplement can be used as prevention for people who are susceptible to this infection and can also be useful when an infection occurs.

With continuing research they are finding the health benefits of cranberries are continually increasing.  Cranberries have the ability to:

• Antibiotic activity against E.coli bacteria strains
• Antiviral activity against viruses
• Fight against the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2)
• Probiotic activity in our gut (good bacteria)
• Anti-cancer properties

Cranberries are rich in Vitamin C, dietary fibre (when eating the berry) and antioxidants.  Grab a punnet of cranberries today and add them to your muesli, fruit salad or mix with yoghurt.