CAROB or DARK CHOCOLATE GLUTEN FREE COOKIES

I've made this recipe five times over the past week, in an attempt to get the ingredients and their amounts exactly right. I have also served these cookies to many people over this time period, but the person who has most enjoyed these cookies is my fiancee! He has put in a request for these cookies to be baked every single week from now on. If you do not like the idea of caffeine in your cookies, opt for the carob option. If you feel cheated eating a cookie without chocolate in it, add dark chocolate chips, carob chocolate chips or cacao nibs. If you do not eat eggs, replace the 1 egg with 2 extra tablespoons of coconut oil. The only problem you will face with these cookies is just eating one at a time! 

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup real maple syrup (not flavoured)
• 1/3 cup carob buttons or dark chocolate or cacao nibs 
• 3/4 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon bi-carb of soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 free range egg
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, in liquid form 
• pinch of sea salt

Baking

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius and line a baking tray with baking paper. 

2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir well to combine. 

3. Shape the dough into 12 even sized balls, then flatten with your hand or a fork on the prepared baking tray. 

4. Bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees, then lower the heat to 160 degrees for 5 minutes. 

5. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely - this is the hardest step of all! 

Makes / 10 / 12
Total Baking time / 25 minutes 

ACTRESS ELIZABETH HURLEY ROCKS A BIKINI AT 50 THANKS TO PILATES

Just when you thought Elizabeth Hurley couldn't get any hotter she releases her own bikini line and photographs herself in one of her designs looking more fit than ever! The actress showed off her toned and taut body in an Instagram post (see top 2 photos) which made us ask the question; is she seriously 50 years of age?!

Hurley admits that whilst she doesn't like to exercise, she makes sure that she keeps moving everyday. “I don’t do a lot of set exercise, but I’m very active and run around all day,” Hurley told Healthy Living. “I try to run, even though I hate running. I love Pilates and yoga. I am extremely active, though, and don’t sit still for long.” 

Liz reveals that it takes two to tango and besides being very active, she also follows a strict healthy eating plan. The super-fit model controls her portion sizes, eats organic meat & produce and tries to rarely drink alcohol or eat processed foods.

“If my jeans feel tight I try to cut back a bit, and if I stay home in the evening I’ll eat a very light dinner,” said Hurley. “I rarely skip breakfast and always eat lunch but the lighter my evening meal, the better. I eat pretty normally but avoid processed and junk foods."

Elizabeth added: “A healthy diet will stop you from feeling run-down if, like me, you’re super-stressed. I have my own organic farm so [I] eat only my own meat and vegetables.”

Want to turn back your body clock and have a super fit body like Liz? At Premium Pilates studio you can choose from four different Pilates classes; Equipment Pilates, Matwork Pilates, Barre Pilates and Stretch classes. We work with you to help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be. Come try the form of exercise that leans the body whilst toning and strengthening! Call us on 0402 680 724, visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com or email us at inquiries@premiumpilatesstudio.com today! 

Images by http://www.celebrityhealthfitness.com/31735/elizabeth-hurley-50-rocks-hot-bikini-body-lizs-diet-weight-loss-beauty-and-workout-tips/, http://img.allw.mn/content/celebs/2013/02/8_liz-hurleys-safety-pin-dress.jpg and http://spanish.fansshare.com/gallery/photos/11634118/coug-elizabeth-hurley-body/?loadimage, elizabethhurley.com. 

THYME TURKEY with ROAST PUMPKIN

I love cooking with turkey as I actually like the taste more than chicken. I found a wonderful butcher at Greenslopes- Rock N Roll Butcher- that sells turkey steaks at a very reasonable price. This meal was created as I was walking my big kelpie; I tend to get my best cooking ideas when I am walking him, so we walk together everyday! 

Ingredients

• baking paper 
• 450g turkey steak, fat removed and cut into even pieces
• 1 heaped tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 heaped tablespoon lemon thyme or thyme leaves, fresh or dried, stems discarded 
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 
• 400g pumpkin, deseeded, peeled and chopped into even 3cm pieces
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• a generous pinch of ground black pepper
• 1/2 a leek, white part only, finely chopped
• 4 handfuls of mixed lettuce, washed and roughly torn/chopped 

Cooking 

1. Preheat a fan forced oven to 220 degrees celsius. Line a medium to large baking tray with baking paper. 

2. Combine the turkey, mustard, thyme, vinegar and 1 teaspoon oil in a medium bowl, stirring well. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. 

3. Once the turkey is marinating, toss 1 teaspoon oil, pumpkin pieces, maple syrup and pepper in a medium bowl. Place in a single layer on the prepared baking tray and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender and / or just starting to become golden. 

4. Once the turkey had marinated for 8 minutes, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil in a medium frypan over medium-low heat and swirl to coat the pan. Add the leek and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant and just starting to become golden. Remove from heat and add the turkey to the pan, keeping the heat over medium-low. Cook the turkey for 4 minutes, stirring often, then turn off the heat, cover the pan and leave the turkey to sit in the pan for 5 minutes. After this time pick the biggest few pieces of turkey and cut them in half, checking that the turkey is white and no longer pink. If it is still slightly pink, cook for another minute. 

5. Toss the cooked turkey, leek, pumpkin and lettuce in a large serving bowl. Serve with extra thyme leaves, if desired. 

Serves / 4 

Total Preparation & Cooking time / around 40 minutes 

FIFI BOX LOST 15 KILOS with PILATES and HEALTHY EATING

Australian radio broadcaster and television presenter Fifi Box was spotted leaving a Melbourne Pilates studio last Saturday looking toned and trim. Box, 38, has worked hard to maintain her post-baby body this year and credits her hourglass physique to regular Pilates workout classes and a healthy eating plan. 

Fifi reveals that her motivation to improve her health and fitness was none other than her daughter, Trixie. Box set herself a challenge in 2014 to shed the extra kilos she was carrying for her daughter. In a recent interview, Box revealed; "I'm fitter, stronger and lighter than I've ever been. It's given me a spring in my step and also, what I really wanted out of all of this, the energy to be a fit and healthy mum and to have that energy for Trixie."

The former sugar 'addict' and 'yo-yo dieter' has followed the New Atkins nutritional program since late 2014 and says that this, along with consistent exercise, has made a big impact on her weight loss. Fifi's commitment to her fitness has also changed the way she feels about her body. "I just want people to know that I'm really confident in my body and myself, and it's a great place to be". 

What has made Box so successful with her weight loss is the fact that she has maintained her healthy lifestyle months after losing her post baby weight. She understands that health is a long term commitment, not just a quick solution. 

Looking to feel happier about your post-baby body? Want to try a form of exercise that is low impact but high reward? Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724, visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com or email us at inquiries@premiumpilatesstudio.com. We have specific postnatal classes for 'Mums & Bubs' as well as prenatal options for the expecting mother. 

Images by http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3257111/Fifi-Box-maintains-impressive-post-baby-physique-leaves-regular-Pilates-workout-Melbourne.html#ixzz3nwqJwJun, http://gossipdavid.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/fifi_box_this_weeks_who_480_19leiiv-19leik4.jpg,