This wellness Wednesday we are shifting perspective!

Especially at this point of the year! We are all tired, locked down, anxious and have been through a lot in the last few months! It can be difficult to look at the last few weeks of 2021 and want to try and make them great. 

Luckily for us, our food and wellness fairy godmother, Izelle Hoffman is here to cheer us up and give us a perspective shift!

She also shared one of her five star recipes with us, for good health and happiness! 

Salted caramel date and pecan pie

Prep time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1 large tart 6-8

Crust

250 g almond flour

2 Tbsp raw honey

1 Tbsp water

1 tsp Oryx desert salt

1 tsp caramel essence

Filling

600 g fresh pitted Medjool dates

2 cups hot water

4 tsp caramel essence

2 tsp vanilla essence

2 tsp Oryx desert salt

½ tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for garnishing

½ tsp ground nutmeg

1 heaped Tbsp almond butter

300 g pecan nuts, plus extra for garnishing

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Combine all of the ingredients for the crust in a mixing bowl, then tip into a 23cm pie dish, spread out evenly and press down firmly.
3. Spray a large saucepan with non-stick cooking spray and place over medium heat.
4. Add the dates, hot water, caramel essence, vanilla essence, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook until the dates are soft and most of the water has evaporated. Remove from the heat, mash to an even texture and stir in the almond butter. Lastly, mix in the pecan nuts. (You can decide if you want to break up the pecan nuts into smaller pieces or keep them whole.)
5. Spoon the filling into the pie crust and spread out evenly. 
6. Garnish with the extra whole pecan nuts and cinnamon before baking for 20 minutes.
7. Allow to cool before refrigerating. This is best served after a day in the fridge.

Why do we make use of these ingredients:

Almonds

Whether in the form of milk, flour, butter or flakes, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. They boost the immune system, help repair damaged skin, help prevent cancer, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and have alkalising properties. They are also a source of vitamin E, magnesium and high-quality protein.

Pecan nuts 

Pecans contain various nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins, are anti-inflammatory, support the immune system and promote healthy digestion.

Oryx Desert 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? Sundried 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 antifungal, 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.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, lowers blood sugar levels and has a powerful anti-diabetic effect. It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial.

Dates

Dates are rich in selenium, manganese, copper and magnesium, all of which are required to keep bones healthy and prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. 

Bicarbonate of soda

You will find this in my pantry as well as in the bathroom next to my toothbrush. Bicarbonate of soda alkalises the body, and so drinking half a teaspoon dissolved in water before I go to bed at night helps neutralise the acidity build-up of the day. It also provides relief from colds and flu, and supports healthy detoxification

Did you know?: How lack of sleep can make you drunk!

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

Catch up with Danny's JacPod channel and all of her podcasts here: