

Hot cross buns – mmm…I love the cinamony taste with the chewiness of the raisins in them. In India we only got them during Easter. In Australia, to my delight, we got them all year round! Who would’ve thought!
When I turned towards healthy gluten, we got the spelt ones and they are superb. But I wanted to make my own version.
I’ve been making this paleo bread for a while now – https://paleoglutenfree.com/recipes/healthy-5-minute-gluten-free-paleo-bread/
It is gluten free and so delectable, it tastes like a rich, satisfying cake. It is so easy to make as well. Double whammy. This recipe also doesn’t have any processed sugar. I’ve added local raw honey in this recipe instead of maple syrup, but you can add any sweetener you want.
Yesterday, I decided to make a double batch of this bread, with half of it going towards an experiment with hot cross cupcakes.
I added some ginger powder, cinnamon, sultanas and almost forgot the orange oil…when my little girl reminded me of it. So I put around a large drop of orange oil in each one and mixed it up. They turned out great.


Eggs – High in omega 3s, eggs are great for your overall health, including your heart. You need to choose the right kind of eggs to help though.
Eggs contain selenium, vitamins A, D, B2 and B12 and is high in protein. It is good for your liver and brain, it helps to loose weight and can also help your eyes!
Choose organic as the vitamins and omega 3 levels can sharply decrease according to what the hens are fed. With certified organic, you can be sure that the chickens are fed organic food.
‘Pasture raised’, ‘free-range’, etc. are all terms that might confuse the average shopper. Labelling laws allow these terms even if the chickens don’t spend too much time outdoors! So don’t be fooled.
Flaxseeds – are wonderful sources of omega-3 and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which reduces the risk of heart disease, it is full of fiber and are loaded with minerals and vitamins.
Flaxseeds (or linseeds) are an amazing little powerhouse – it contains phytoestrogen which plays a very important role in balancing hormones and reducing menopause symptoms.
It is anti-inflammatory, anti viral, anti bacterical and an antioxidant. So it helps to reduce inflammation in the body, prevents viral infections, kills harmful bacteria and fights free radicals.
With flaxseeds, you need to grind them just before use as this form is easier to digest. Also, the exposure to heat, light and oxygen oxidizes its wonderful nutrient properties. Use it within 24 hours of grinding.
ACV – ACV or apple cider vinegar has been used for thousands of years in various ways. It is fermented so has a high probiotic content. It is considered antifungal, anti bacterial and anti viral. It prevents cancer, helps weight loss, helps to lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Honey – is another ancient remedy used topically and internally for a variety of issues. It prevents infections in wounds, burns, ulcers and it is antibacterial.
The bee pollen and propolis in honey works to reduce allergies, boosts your immunity, helps reduce colds, soothes sore throats…and so, so much more.
Make sure you choose raw, local honey to get the most benefits.
Who wants some good health this Easter?!
Healthy gluten free, dairy free hot cross cupcakes
Ingredients
Basic batter
- 1 cup almond flour
- 3/4 cup arrowroot flour (tapioca starch)
- 1/2 cup golden milled flax meal
- 1/3 cup coconut oil solid
- 4 medium eggs
- 1/4 cup water room temperature
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsps baking powder
Cupcake mix recipe
- 2 tsps cinnamon powder
- 1/8 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp all spice
- 1 tsp orange oil
- 1/2 cup raisins add more if required
Icing recipe
- 1 cup cashew nuts soaked in hot water for around 5 minutes
- 2 tsps gelatin use agar agar if you are vegan / vegetarian
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170ºC
- Soak the cashew nuts for the icing in hot water (add the gelatin towards the end of the soaking time)
Basic batter
- Add all the ingredents in a high-speed blender and blend till smooth
Cupcake mix recipe
- In a dry bowl, mix all the dry spices together, mix and add this to the basic batter
- Add the orange oil and raisins as well. Stir till combined
- Place cupcake liners in a couple of large muffin trays
- Spoon the batter 3/4th of the way to the top of the liners
- Put the muffin trays in the oven and cook for around 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean when pricked into the cupcake
Icing method
- While the cupcakes are cooking, you can make the cashew icing
- Add the soaked cashew mix in a high speed blender and blend till smooth. You would have to scrape the sides down a few times. Or you could use a smaller blender jar.
- Put this in a piping bag and keep in the fridge to set till the cupcakes are done
- Once the cupcakes are done, you can ice them anyway you like
REFERENCES
Bloedon LT, Szapary PO. Flaxseed and cardiovascular risk. Nutr Rev. 2004;62(1):18-27.
Di Y, Jones J, Mansell K, et al. Influence of Flaxseed Lignan Supplementation to Older Adults on Biochemical and Functional Outcome Measures of Inflammation. J Am Coll Nutr. 2017;36(8):646–653. doi:10.1080/07315724.2017.1342213
Cetisli NE, Saruhan A, Kivcak B. The effects of flaxseed on menopausal symptoms and quality of life. Holist Nurs Pract. 2015 May-Jun;29(3):151-7. PMID: 25882265
*Abe et al: Generation of antitumor active neutral medium-sized alpha-glycan in apple vinegar fermen- tation. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2007 Sep;71(9):2124-9
Bouderbala H, Kaddouri H, Kheroua O, Saidi D. Effet anti-obésogène du vinaigre de cidre de pomme chez le rat soumis à un régime hyperlipidique [Anti-obesogenic effect of apple cider vinegar in rats subjected to a high fat diet]. Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris). 2016;65(3):208–213. doi:10.1016/j.ancard.2016.04.004
Brighenti F, Castellani G, Benini L, et al. Effect of neutralized and native vinegar on blood glucose and acetate responses to a mixed meal in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1995;49(4):242–247
Al-Waili NS, Salom K, Butler G, Al Ghamdi AA. Honey and microbial infections: a review supporting the use of honey for microbial control. J Med Food. 2011;14(10):1079–1096. doi:10.1089/jmf.2010.0161
*Ishikawa et al: Inhibitory effect of honeybee-collected pollen on mast cell degranulation in vivo and invitro. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2002 Feb;9(1):22-30
*Medeiros et al: Anti-allergic effect of bee pollen phenolic extract and myricetin in ovalbumin-sensitized mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2008 Sep 2;119(1):41-6
*Shinmei et al: Effect of Brazilian propolis on sneezing and nasal rubbing in experimental allergic rhinitis of mice. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2009;31(4):688-93
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