The UK has seen such a gorgeous and long summer, that I still get shocked each time I walk outside nowadays.

I forgot what it’s like to be cold and my lordy it is coooold!

Winter is well and truly here, or so it seems, and right around this time is when I dust off the printed versions of my eBooks ‘Nourished- Comforting raw foods for winter‘ and ‘Festive- The best raw food Christmas recipes‘.

I wanted to share with you a recipe from Nourished, which is the most perfect side to any meal, just like mashed potatoes, except there’s not a potato in sight. There’s also no starch. Or dairy. Or anything cooked or processed for that matter. Instead though you get a beautiful combination of nourishing seasonal ingredients to keep you balanced, comforted and immunised this winter.

Oh and I thought I’ll compile a few other recipes, that were a big hit during last frosty season and share with you below. You’ll be happy to know that no dehydrator is required for any of them.

There are also some epic recipes, that have been featured on the blog recently but not yet in my newsletters. Keep scrolling for the round-up from our four most recent Masters of the Month…

CREAMY RAW FOOD MASH

1 head of cauliflower, chopped

1 cup cashews, soaked
¾ cup warm water
¼ cup olive oil
4 tbsp nutritional yeast
3 tbsp manuka honey
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste

-First blend the cashews and water to make a creamy paste.
-Add the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.
-Serve as a side dish or with ‘Never Miss Meat’ Stroganov recipe (pg. 48 of Nourished) or Mushroom Jus (pg.16 of Festive).

APPLE & CINNAMON CHIA PUDDING

2 cups nut milk
1-2 apples, peeled and deseeded
3 pitted dates
2 tbsp chia seeds
½ -1 tsp cinnamon
Optional sprinkles: bee pollen, raw honey, goji berries, chopped fruit, fresh berries, cacao nibs, figs, etc.

For instructions, go to the original post here>>  

GINGER HEATERS

10 inch ginger root

2 apples

small bunch of mint leaves

For instructions, go to the original post here>>  

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

3 cups butternut squash/ pumpkin
1 cup pure water
1 golden sweet apple
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp tahini
1/2 inch ginger root
1/2 red chilli, deseeded
2 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp fresh thyme
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp salt pinch pepper
optional: fresh thyme, pumpkin cubes and seeds to garnish

For instructions, go to the original post here>>  

NATIVE SUPERFOODS' PROTEIN BALLS

1/2 cup almonds

1 cup walnuts

1 tbsp cacao nibs

10 pitted medjool dates

3 tbsp almond butter

2 tbsp virgin coconut oil1 teaspoon vanilla paste or vanilla powder

2 tsp spirulina powder

1 – 2 tsp water

1/2 cup shredded coconut to coat

For instructions, go to the original post here>>

FOOD MATTERS' SKIN BEAUTY SALAD

2 handfuls of young rocket
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 carrot 2 radishes
2 small cucumbers
1 small red onion
3 limes, juiced
1 avocado
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tsp raw honey
1 handful fresh herbs
¼ tsp sea salt

 For instructions, go to the original post here>>

TARA STILES' GREEN DREAM SMOOTHIE

1 handful of spinach

1 banana

1 cup of almond milk

For instructions, go to the original post here>>

DELICIOUSLY ELLA'S GLUTEN FREE ENERGY BALLS

1 cup medjool dates
3/4 cup almonds
3/4 cup walnuts or any other nut
2 Tbsp chia seeds
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp hemp protein powder
1 Tbsp raw cacao powder
For instructions, go to the original post here>>

I’ve come to a conclusion that if you live in New York, you are automatically cool. Marie Forleo lives in NYC. Gabrielle Bernstein lives there. Sex and the City ladies. My own sister! And the NYC girl I was lucky enough to meet recently definitely confirms my assumption.

Tara Stiles is the founder and owner of Strala, the movement system that ignites freedom. Strala is the first branded yoga program to be available at major gym chains and thousands are teaching it. She partners with W Hotels and guests staying there get to learn yoga and and healthy recipes from this gorgeous, inspiration and cool expert.

Tara is the author of top-selling books, including Slim Calm Sexy Yoga, Yoga Cures and the most recent, Make Your Own Rules Diet. She is a Reebok ambassador and supports The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, President Clinton’s initiative to combat childhood obesity, bringing Strala classes to 20,000+ participating schools.

Meet our December’s Master of the Month…

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

It super depends on where in the world I am and what the day ahead is looking like. Today I’m in Maldives leading an event at W. Schedule was filled with yoga, scuba and swimming. I needed some good fuel so I had a pretty hearty breakfast of juice, fruit, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a scrambled egg. Had some snacks of nuts and fruit during the day, and lets be honest, and ice cream sandwich! Lunch was a light salad and dinner was a big plate of veggies and some spicy south east asian tapas with coconut sorbet. If I’m in NYC and regular schedule with Strala and office hours, I eat a bit lighter in the morning, a smoothie and have a big salad or veggie sandwich for lunch and a nourishing dinner like quinoa and veggies or a hearty soup and bread. Dessert always, something fresh and delicious like almond butter fudge or sorbet.

WHAT (OR WHO INSPIRES YOU TO EAT WELL AND STAY HEALTHY?

For me, energy is everything. I eat well so I can feel fantastic and do all the things I want to do every day. It’s all about feeling for me.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

Pizza and ice cream. I enjoy both a ton but avoid getting into a habit of having it often. That way it becomes a treat and doesn’t make me feel sick the morning after.

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… getting your body moving and paying attention to how you feel.

Staying healthy while travelling is… making healthy choices but still enjoying yourself.

Detoxing is… unplugging from self induced stress.

Immunising is… self care.

WHAT’S THE NICEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER SAID TO YOU?

I love the way you make me feel.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

Generous and kind.

IF YOU GOT TO KEEP ONLY 3 OF YOUR BELONGINGS: 1 THING FROM YOUR KITCHEN, 1 THING FROM YOUR GARDEN AND 1 THING FROM YOUR BOOKSHELF- WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Vitamix.
Lime tree.
Siddhartha.

IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY FOR 3 GUESTS (DEAD OR ALIVE)- WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE?

Mom and both grandmas. All their recipes. Grandma’s veggie soup, potato salad, and a billion country sides.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

Sensitization to how we feel and being in touch with our intuition happens when we are clear physically and mentally. Eating mostly plants aligns us with the natural state that we are. Eating away from nature is unnatural and is a cause of a lot of stress and tension in the body and mind.

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Our Master of The Month shares her favourite raw food recipe…

GREEN DREAM
Serves 1

1 handful of spinach
1 banana
1 cup of almond milk
blend
enjoy!

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For Tara's most recent book 'Make your own rules diet', buy it on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk . For more on Tara Stiles, her coolness, class schedule and recipes, go to http://tarastiles.com/