The season of change is certainly upon us in Melbourne.

The days are becoming shorter and nature is exhibiting an incredible array of colours. This Autumn I encourage you to tap into your innate spirit of adventure.
Step out of your comfort zone – go hiking – walking in nature – camping – discover new parts of your city or town – explore a new bookshop – venture into a local market to seek out new foods – have a delicious cooking adventure.
BE ADVENTUROUS in whatever way you fancy!

Here are some little “adventurous” ideas :

Adventurous Eating!

Autumn is a time to embrace the treasure trove of beautiful foods that nature provides for us.
Try at least three new foods over this Easter break. Rather than over-indulging in too much chocolate, why not balance things out a little and try some delicious figs, pomegranates and quinces?
Be adventurous with your recipes…..search for recipes blogs and sites – and then start cooking!!!
Here is a recipe from a delicious and fun food site that I recently discovered (thanks to Nat – a Naturopath friend of mine!) www.mynewroots.org

Chunky Chocolate Buckwheat Granola
Makes 8 cups
Ingredients:
3 cups / 300g rolled oats (gluten-free if necessary)
1 cup / 200g buckwheat
1 ½ cups / 65g coconut flakes
1 cup /125g hazelnuts (walnuts are also delicious)
¼ cup / 30g chia seeds
½ tsp. fine grain sea salt
¼ cup / 35g coconut sugar
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup cocoa powder (organic, fair-trade if possible)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
2. In a large bowl combine oats, buckwheat, coconut flakes, chia seeds and coconut sugar. Roughly chop nuts and add them to the mix.
3. In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, melt coconut oil. Add honey or maple syrup, vanilla, salt and cocoa powder. Whisk to combine until smooth.
2. Pour liquid ingredients over dry and fold coat.
3. Spread mixture out in an even layer on a lined baking sheet and press firmly with the back of a spatula to ensure that the mixture is compact. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven, flip granola in large chunks, and place back in oven to bake for another 10 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes until toasted and fragrant. The dark colour of the granola makes it hard to tell if it is cooked or not, so go by smell. Another good way to test it is by tasting a hazelnut, which takes the longest to cook – it should taste nutty and pleasantly roasted.

www.mynewroots.org/site/2014/03/chunky-chocolate-buckwheat-granola/

An Actual Outdoor Adventure!

Remember when you were a child – the thrill of taking off on your spokey dokey laden BMX or Repco with your siblings or friends, and exploring the world around you with a great deal of curiosity and enthusiasm?!
How long has it been since you last spent some quality time adventuring in nature? Even of you aren’t into camping you can still head off on a day walk or hike. Gather an adventure companion or companions, pack a bag full of delicious Autumnal foods and off you go!!! (The Chunky Chocolate Buckwheat Granola would make a perfect hiking snack!)
Adventure in its various guises is excellent for our health. When we go adventuring we are connected to our innate sense of wonder. We are usually anchored in the present moment and focused on the world around us, or on the task at hand.

And now I’d like to finish my blog with a couple of adventure related quotes from the incredible Roald Dahl:

“Matilda said, “Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable…”
Roald Dahl
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
Roald Dahl

Happy Autumnal Adventuring!

Gabriella

PS: Easter indulgence note to self!!!!
If you do happen to consume a little too much chocolate this Easter, then try making this Digestion Enhancing Infusion. I’m not including quantities as I encourage you to experiment with flavours and use amounts which appeal to you!
Boil the kettle. Squeeze fresh lemon; grate plenty of ginger (or for an extra anti-oxidant boost add freshly grated turmeric); fresh Mint or Peppermint; fresh Rosemary.
Add all ingredients to your favourite teapot and infuse for at least 15 minutes.
Strain and enjoy!