i try making raw granola

Raw Granola Recipe

I must confess I am addicted to the Samudra berry granola. It is very delicious. However, at $13.50 for a 250g bag ($15 at some places) it don't come cheap. So I decided to experiment with making my own raw granola. No offense Samudra but I like mine better :)

Ingredients

3/4 cup almond meal
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup shredded coconut
2 tbs oats
1 generous tbs each of sunflower seeds, pepitas and chia seeds
2 fresh dates
1/4 cup cranberries
3 tbs goji berries
50ml agave syrup
Squeeze lemon juice

1. Put cranberries in a bowl with 50ml of boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Place almond meal, protein powder, coconut, oats, seeds and dates in a food processor and blitz until desired texture is formed (i.e. if you like a more chunky granola just blitz it until it's combined.
3. Add remaining ingredients (including the water that the cranberries were soaking in). Blitz until just combined. Mixture should be slightly sticky, not runny and not dry.
4. Place on baking paper on the racks of a dehydrator and dehydrate at 45 degrees for 10 hours.

Notes: You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your taste. Add dried apricots or sultanas. Try using hazelnut meal instead of almond meal. You can use honey instead of agave syrup if you prefer it. You may need adjust the level of liquids in order to get the right texture.

i try instagram

10 Must-have Photos in Your Instagram Arsenal

1. Pet Pic
It's very favourable if your pet is new. Puppy's tend to pull a lot of 'likes' but if all you have is a goldfish that's cool. Just borrow someone else's puppy.

2. Sunset
An absolute instagram staple. You might call this the bread and butter. Make sure you suss out some other sunset shots and make sure yours is more orange/pink/intense. Over water is preferred but not essential. Adding "#nofilter" to your sunset shot is very important. Do not forget.

3. Food Shot
This can be something you have baked (cupcakes, biscuits etc are good options) or it can be some food you've purchased at a restaurant. Make sure you say where you got your goods from because it's important that you share your restaurant choices with the world. Be sparing with your food photos. They get old quickly.

4. The Selfie
Good excuses for selfies include, but are not limited to, the following: new hair cut, some sort of razzle dazzle make-up job, to show some ridiculously amazing sunglasses or because you feel the need to put a photo on instagram and, dangit, there aint nobody or nothing around. You can make your selfie look like it's possibly not a selfie by strategically cutting the arm that is holding the phone out of shot. Noone will know the truth but you.

5. Beverage Shot
It's better if it is an alcoholic beverage like some exotic beer (the name of which you wouldn't be able to pronounce if your life depended on it) or a nice glass of vino because, oh, how you just love a glass of vino on a weeknight darling. Or shots cos you a party animal.

6. Plant Close-up
Rain drops. Rain drops will make your plant shot killeeeeerrrrrrrrr. Doesn't matter what kind of plant it is. If you can get really close to it and it has raindrops on it you are winning. Watch the likes roll in.

7. The Big Leap
Jump off something and get a mate/bystander to take a picture. Again water is preferred in this scenario, but not essential. You want height, you want mid-air, you want flipping. Just keep jumping off stuff till you get the shot! Commitment is key.

8. The View
Get yourself up a mountain or building or something. Snap that view and Instagram it pronto. Are you still here? Shouldn't you be climbing? Go!!

9. Words
Words that you have written down, words someone has spray painted on a wall, words, words, words. It kind of defeats the purpose of a photo but it is a very crucial element of your Instagram arsenal. Make sure they are funny, inspiring and/or motivational. But mostly funny. Yes, go for funny.

10. Beach
Now it needs to sunny. If it's not sunny it better be a crazy-stormy-shit-blowing-everywhere kinda shot. But, really it should be sunny. Blue water too please. White sand preferred. If there is any sort of seaweed, seriously don't even bother. Unless it's a mountain of seaweed. In that case get climbing and get shot number eight sorted. Oh, and don't forget your "no filter" hashtag cos dangit that sky really is that blue!

Follow me on Instagram: @mirandamc

i try the raw kitchen again

Since my initial visit to The Raw Kitchen in Fremantle I have returned numerous times. If you have read my first post on The Raw Kitchen you will know the first visit didn't go so smoothly.

The sister and I visit fairly regularly now and they seem to have got themselves together. We have had nothing but impeccable service on every visit. The food is always consistently good. We have now tried almost everything on the menu except the raw soup. Love getting a mix of the three salads and a piece of pizza ($17.90, pictured). It's always loaded with fresh herbs, veggies and delicious cashew/macadamia nut cheese. Be warned it's very filling!

And, I know the felafel balls ($16.90, pictured) look small but you won't need to go back for seconds. They too are very filling. Nutty little balls of deliciousness.

As good as the cashew cheese is on the nachos we find entree size is more than enough! The spicy 'refried' walnut and pepita corn chips are delicious. The fresh tomato and avocado balances off the spiciness of the chips nicely. Sadly, they do tend to go soggy quite quickly, so grab some utensils. Don't worry they are still yum ($18.50 for entree, pictured).

I must say I am sad they no longer sell the raw florentines. We were told they were too time consuming. Although I do love everything I have tried on the menu (side note: mango lasso = so so so good), it would be nice to see some new additions at some point. Having said that, I will remain a regular regardless.

i try the smiths beach to wyadup walk

When I want to get away from people this is one of my favourite walks/runs to do. The coastal scenery of the south-west in WA is stunning at anytime of year.
This walk is part of the Cape to Cape trail and this particular section starts at Smiths Point in Yallingup, WA. It follows the coast up to a lookout just passed Wyadup Beach. I ran most of the way and it took me about 45 minutes (although I did stop to take a few pictures along the way). If you park near the Canal Rocks Beach Resort you will notice the road continues on past the resort. About 150m up the road you will reach Smiths Point and this sign. This is the start of walk.

Apologies if the sign is no longer there. I should point out that this is not a well worn trail. I have done it many many times and still find myself straying from the path and having to double back. It is rocky, sandy and narrow in places. The signs you want to follow for this trail are these:

So, if you haven't seen one for a little while it may be time to retrace your steps. Towards the beginning of the trail there is a steep escarpment. Most of the rocks on the escarpment are loose and it's worth taking your time. 

You'll follow the coast and eventually the track will open up onto the Wyadup Beach car park. Just before the car park you'll notice a track leading off to the right. This track leads to a spring. The small boardwalk down at the spring is a bit dilapidated but can still be crossed with care. I have filled up water bottles from the running spring and lived to tell the tale. The water has always been crystal clear and deliciously refreshing. However, drink at your own risk.

Once you arrive at the Wyadup Beach carpark veer off to the left, cross over the road and you will see the track continues on the opposite side. The track then goes for another 500m or so before a set of steep steps take you up to the lookout.

At this point I would usually turn back but you can double the walk and keep going to Ingidup Beach. Happy trails.

Follow me on Instagram: @mirandamc

i try organicus

Where: Organicus Kitchen and Pantry, Manly

Who: Dr Gab and I

What I ate: Chickpea, quinoa & vegetable tagine w/ prunes, goji berries & saffron yogurt ($16.50/$24.00, pictured)

The verdict: I have to be honest. It looked like chunky vomit with a dollop of yogurt, and I was worried the generous sprinkling of saffron on top would overpower (and ruin) everything. Turns out Mum was right again: never judge a book by it's cover. The dish was full of flavour and the big chunks of zucchini, pumpkin and carrot were all cooked perfectly. This is my kind of meal, that is, loaded with veggies, not drenched in cheese or oozing oil everywhere. I could feel my body thanking me with every mouthful.

What Dr Gab ate: Zucchini, quinoa, mushroom & walnut veggie burger w/ tzatziki, tomato, rocket & homemade chips w/ truffle salt ($16.50, pictured).

The verdict: There is no graceful way to eat a burger. The challenge was made even harder for Dr Gab due to the tough sour dough. Apart from that Dr Gab was pretty happy. She let me have a bite and it was delicious. The patty was a little on the...er...little side but it was moist and flavoursome. The chips looked a lot better than they actually were. They seemed a little underdone. I don't recall tasting truffle in the salt either.

Overall: The service was friendly and swift. The atmosphere was very casual and cool. Great spot for people watching. Nice little indoor green wall installation and plenty of room for everyone! Doggies welcome too! Definitely worth a visit!

Follow me on Instagram: @mirandamc