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feeling festive<br />
OUR EXPERT SAYS…<br />
Vegan mince pies<br />
This recipe doesn’t contain any<br />
processed sugars (only natural<br />
sugars from the fruits) and has a<br />
variety of different vitamins and<br />
minerals. It’s a good source of<br />
vitamin E, an antioxidant which<br />
fights free radicals, and protects<br />
our cells from oxidative stress.<br />
Figs contain fibre, a nutrient<br />
which is important to have in our<br />
diets daily – aim for 25 to 30g per<br />
day – as fibre brings satiation and<br />
improves digestion.<br />
SPICY GINGERBREAD<br />
OAT COOKIES<br />
Makes 20<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 100g whole wheat pastry flour,<br />
plus extra for dusting<br />
• 2 tsp baking soda<br />
• 1 tsp ground ginger<br />
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
• ½ tsp ground cloves<br />
• A pinch of salt<br />
• 1 egg<br />
• 100g nut butter (hazelnut/walnut)<br />
• 100g porridge oats<br />
• 50g walnuts, chopped<br />
Method<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and<br />
line two baking trays with<br />
parchment.<br />
2. In a bowl, combine the flour,<br />
baking soda, spices and salt, and<br />
set aside.<br />
3. In a separate bowl, whisk<br />
together the egg and nut<br />
butter. Once mixed, slowly<br />
fold in the oats and chopped<br />
walnuts.<br />
4. Combine both bowls and mix<br />
until a dough-like consistency.<br />
Tip the dough out and knead<br />
briefly before placing in the<br />
fridge covered, for 15 minutes.<br />
5. Lightly dust the worktop with<br />
flour, and roll out the dough<br />
to 1cm in thickness. Cut the<br />
dough with a cookie cutter<br />
and place on a baking tray,<br />
leaving small gaps between the<br />
cookies.<br />
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes or<br />
until lightly golden.<br />
7. Remove from the oven and<br />
leave for 10 minutes, then<br />
transfer to the cooling rack.<br />
When cooled, decorate if you’d<br />
like. Enjoy!<br />
Spicy gingerbread oat cookies<br />
These cookies are a nutrientdense,<br />
dairy-free alternative if<br />
you want a nutritious dessert –<br />
and are suitable for those who are<br />
lactose-intolerant. They contain<br />
zinc, iron, B complex, vitamin E,<br />
potassium, calcium, phosphorus,<br />
magnesium, and selenium –<br />
all necessary nutrients for the<br />
body’s immunity and correct<br />
functioning.<br />
It also contains the ‘good’ fats<br />
– omega 3 and six fatty acids<br />
– which help in the reduction<br />
of LDL (bad cholesterol), and<br />
the increase of HDL (good<br />
cholesterol). Focus on foods<br />
which are lower in saturated fats<br />
and sugars and which contain a<br />
good amount of fibre and protein.<br />
Anna-Maria Volanaki is a sports<br />
nutritionist, sports scientist, and<br />
former athlete specialising in<br />
encouraging people to follow<br />
healthy diets, active lifestyles,<br />
and positive psychology.<br />
happiful.com | 57
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