It's Tuesday and that means some mindful living tips!

This week its a vibrant red for her chosen ingredient! The pimento pepper! 

Used in her famous chicken meatballs, this recipe is great for picnics, quick snacks, and even making a healthy sub sandwich! Even better - if you make some 'plain' ones they're the perfect treat for your furry friend! 

Speaking of these furry friends, this week Izelle and I are chatting about the time we spent together at Border Collie Rescue, walking and playing with the rescue dogs! 

Listen here:

Chicken meatballs

• A Perfect addition to any snack platter!

Prep time: 10 minutes

Baking time: 17–18 minutes

Servings: 16–18 meatballs

1 kg chicken mince

1 large red salad onion, diced

1 medium red bell pepper or 2 medium pimiento peppers, diced (keep the seeds)

1 tsp crushed garlic

2 tsp onion powder

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp raw honey

1 tsp Oryx desert salt

½ tsp ground black pepper

handful of chopped fresh basil

1 large egg, whisked

1 tsp sesame seeds

½ tsp raw honey

½ tsp olive oil

1 tsp sesame seeds to sprinkle over the meatballs before they go into the oven

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C and spray an ovenproof dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken mince, onion, bell or pimiento peppers and reserved seeds.
3. Add the garlic, onion powder, soy sauce, 1 Tbsp honey, salt, black pepper and chopped fresh basil. Mix well.
4. Add the egg and mix well.
5. Roll the mixture into balls and place in the greased dish. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and drizzle with the ½ tsp honey and olive oil. Return to the oven for another 2–3 minutes.
7. Allow to cool before placing in an airtight container and storing in the fridge to use when needed.

Why we are using the following ingredients:

Oryx Salt

What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sun-dried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Raw Honey

Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and anti-fungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Olive Oil

We all have our reasons why we prefer certain oils, but without a doubt my oil base of choice is olive oil, specifically for its amazing health benefits. Olive oil helps reduce inflammation and prevent osteoporosis, and is essential for bone health because it assists in the absorption of calcium and the mineralisation of bones, all of which are qualities I look for in a product, given my hip dysplasia and related joint pain.

Onion

Onions are a natural antibiotic and antiseptic, so are a big YES, especially in winter. They purify the blood, regulate blood sugar levels and improve digestion. They are also anti-inflammatory. In addition to fresh onions, in my pantry you will find dried onion powder and flakes.

Ground Black Pepper

Why do we add pepper to our food? When I ask this during cooking demonstrations, I always get the most interesting answers, but mostly people cannot tell me why they add pepper to their meals. My reason? It increases nutrient absorption and improves digestion, so you can get the most out of every meal, every time.

Garlic

Antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory, garlic assists in detoxification and boosting the metabolism, and is a natural dewormer that kills parasites. I use both black and white fresh garlic, and keep dried garlic powder and flakes in my pantry.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are anti-inflammatory and high in protein. They improve bone health, prevent osteoporosis and aid digestion. 

Peppers

Sweet peppers are anti-inflammatory, loaded with antioxidants and a great source of immune system-boosting vitamin E. I always have pimiento and bell peppers in my fridge.

Another one ingredient challenge: What's in your fridge?

You can buy your copy of the award winning 'Mindful Eating' cookbook here!

You can catch more of Danny's podcasts via your favorite streaming service using these links: