Little Vegan Santas

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It's nearly end of November and December is on it's way. Christmas markets are already welcoming their guests with hot beverages such as mulled wine (called "Glühwein" in Switzerland), hot chestnuts and other delicacies. I really love the cosy atmosphere in December with magical lights, beautiful fragrances of mandarines and spices, warming teas and cosy hours with friends and family. Obviously, December as the last month of the year is also a time where overall a lot is going on, most of us are running from one place to the other to get everything done and organised before the new year. However, it's very important to take a break from all of that even if it's for a very short time. I usually take this breaks to do something good for me and my surrounding. I love walking outside in nature, reading a book, listening to some music, having coffee and tea with good friends and doing sports or yoga. Or how about baking a few handsome Little Vegan Santas?

On December 6 we celebrate "Santa's Day" in Switzerland. On this particular day, "Samichlaus" and his companion "Schmutzli" emerge from their cottage in the woods to visit children at their homes. In comparison to the American version, where Santa is flying on a reindeer-pulled sleight, our Santa walks through the snow with his dear donkey. When Santa visits the children, they are expected to make a promise to behave better in the upcoming year and recite a poem. In return, "Samichlaus" and "Schmutzli" will leave a bag full of peanuts, walnuts, mandarines, ginger breads, chocolates and of course Santas made out of bread called "Grittibänz". Based on this tradition, Swiss bakeries always sell "Santas" during this time of the year and especially on Santa's Day.

My Little Vegan Santas are made easily and the perfect match to your favourite cup of tea and juicy mandarines. On top of that, they are vegan and a bit healthier than the usual Santas bought somewhere. For these Santas I used spelt flour (Type 630) because I love spelt a lot and you should try it too. Of course you can also use any other flour. Sometimes I also mix different types of spelt flour to have a slightly darker, more whole-grain-dough, but it depends on whatever you like. Additionaly I use coconut oil in this recipe, because of its healthy properties. As an alternative you can always use plant-based margarine, but please watch out not to buy the ones with palm oil on the ingredient list (Thanks!). But honestly, there is no reason to change this lovely ingredient in my recipe.

These little beautiful Santas were coming right from the oven. Can you imagine this incredible smell?

Little Vegan Santas

Ingredients
500g spelt flour (Type 630)
300ml soy milk (or other plant-based milk)
60g coconut oil, melted (alternative: plant-based margarine)
2 tsp himalayan sea salt
2 tsp coconut blossom sugar
20g fresh yeast

Coating:
a pinch of turmeric
some extra soymilk
dried fruits (raisins, cranberries etc.)
sugar crystals

Put the flour into a big bowl, add the coconut blossom sugar, salt and mix. Melt the coconut oil. Meanwhile dissolve the fresh yeast in the soy milk. If everything is ready, pour the coconut oil and soy milk with the dissolved yeast into the prepared bowl. Then with your clean hands knead the dough until smooth for at least 5 minutes – with a lot of love. The longer you knead, the better it will be in the end. After this exercise, put the dough back into your bowl and cover with a damp (not wet!) and warm towel. Place the dough somewhere warm, maybe in your bathroom and let it rest for about 2 hours until dough doubles in its original size.
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Mix a pinch of turmeric with some soymilk. After that, separate the dough into four eqaul-sized parts. Then use your imagination and creativity and form little beautiful Santas, using scissors to form the arms and legs. As a next step, use a brush to cover the Santas with the prepared coating (turmeric & soymilk) and decorate with dried fruits and sugar crystals. Put Santas in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until dough is golden brown.
Cool Santas on a rack for a bit and serve immediately while still a bit warm.
Enjoy with love!

(Makes: 4 Santas; Preparation time: 30min; Resting time: 2 hours; Baking time: 20-25min)

On Santa's Day these Little Vegan Santas are best with some mandarines and nuts, a cup of tea and a couple of good friends – what a combination. Enjoy with love!

And remember: it's very important to take a break from stressful moments in every day life – even if it's for a very short time. So happy baking and relax.

Lots of love, Fabienne.

Clean Green Glow Juice

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Goodbye rainy days, hello summer!

In celebration of this wonderful sunny day I share with you my absolute favourite juice at the moment. This Clean Green Glow Juice is the perfect cleanse to say goodbye to the grey and rainy days. Refresh your body with this elixir to kick off the summer to shine and glow everyday. 

While the juice bursts of goodness, at the same time it refreshes your body and opens your mind for everything new to come. This Clean Green Glow Juice washes out all the toxins stored in your body and restores your cells to be all fresh and prepared for great summer adventures.

To get the best results for your juices I recommend investing in a "slow juicer" because the advantages are just outstanding and more than worth this once-a-lifetime-investment. As the word says, it juices your fruits and vegetables slowly, which means all the nutrients won't get damaged and remain in its original shape. Additionally, the final juice will contain its nutrients up to 48 hours after juicing. This is especially great when you want to prepare some juice for the following day. But don't worry if you don't have a slow juicer, juicing with an ordinary juicer is absolutely fine as well. As with a lot of things, there is always space for improvements as time goes by and your expectations might grow. 

Apples: Apples are high in fiver and vitamin C. Apples are high in polyphenols, which function as antioxidants, which are found in both the skin of the apples as well as in the meat. So be aware to always eat the skin of your organic apples. Apples may mitigate the effects of asthma, Alzheimer's disease, assisting with weight management, bone health and much more. Often called a "miracle food" or a "nutritional powerhouse" an apple a day really may keep the doctor away. 

Lemons: Although lemons have a very acidic taste, they are the most alkaline-forming foods, which makes them great for balancing a highly acidic condition in the body. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C which helps you fight a flu or cold. Additionally your liver loves lemons because it's a wonderful stimulant and a dissolvent of toxins in your body. A great way to keep your liver at its best is besides adding lemons to your juices, adding fresh lemon juice to a glass of warm water in the morning as a liver detoxifier. 

Fennel: Fennel contains vitamins A and C, which protect your body from free radicals damaging your cells. This pale green bulb works as a great digestive relief, maintains proper body functions and prevents inflammation and cancer.

Ginger: Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat colds and digestive problems, today this spice is commonly used for its healing powers in a wide range. Researchers have found that daily ginger consumption reduces muscle pain caused by exercise. Moreover, it helps reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart attacks and thrombotic strokes.

Turmeric: This small little root is one of the planets most powerful healers. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions such as heart disease and obesity. The medical properties of this spice are due to the presence of the antioxidant curcumin. Curcumin may also help preserve memory and the risk of Alzheimer's disease. It's no wonder, that India has the lowest incidence of Alzheimer's in the world. To get the most out of turmeric I recommend you buy the whole root and freshly grate them into your juice. Last but not least, it's very important that you add a small amount of freshly ground pepper into your juice. Otherwise, your liver won't be able to absorb any nutrients from the turmeric, which would be a pity. And trust me, you won't taste the pepper. 

Wheatgrass Powder: This trendy green grass called wheatgrass is another powerful ingredient. It has twice the amount of Vitamin A as carrots and is higher in Vitamin C than oranges. It contains the full spectrum of B vitamins, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium in a balanced ratio. Furthermore, wheatgrass is a complete source of protein, supplying all of the essential amino acids, which is especially good for active people who train a lot. The protein found in wheatgrass is in the form of poly peptides, simpler and shorter chains of amino acids that the body uses more efficiently in the blood stream and tissues. Additionally, wheatgrass is also a powerful detoxifier, especially of the liver and blood. It helps neutralize toxins and environmental pollutants and cleanses the whole body of any toxins that may be stored in the body.

Clean Green Glow Juice

Ingredients
4 apples
2 lemon
1 fennel
2 cm cube of fresh ginger
2 tsp wheatgrass powder (or: fresh if available)
freshly grated turmeric
little bit of freshly ground pepper

Simply cut the apples, lemons, fennel, ginger and wheatgrass (if fresh) and put them in your blender. Blend.
Add wheatgrass powder if you don't have the fresh wheatgrass, great the turmeric, ground pepper and mix everything. Enjoy!

(Makes: 2; Preparation time: 10min)

Enjoy this energising juice and while cleaning your body embrace the sun and cheer with me to this wonderful beginning of warm and sunny days!

By the way, did you know that sunlight is the easiest and healthiest way to get sufficient vitamin D?

Happy juicing my friends!
With lots of love, Fabienne.