Drinks and smoothies Iced Coffee
September 7, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy

GLUTEN-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE, REFINED SUGAR-FREE, SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD), PALEO I’m always saying that drinks can be a difficult aspect of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). I was never a huge fan of fizzy drinks but I would enjoy a cold glass of Coca Cola on a rare occasion. I was partial to some orange juice with my breakfast the odd day. Little did I know how much pesky sugar was added. SCD doesn’t allow many drinks that you can buy in the shop – either alcoholic or non. That means us SCD-ers have to get a bit inventive. Enter,…

Print Recipe
 Iced Coffee
A delicious dairy-free iced coffee drink free of refined sugar. Paleo-friendly and suitable for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 serving Italian espresso, decaf* *Decaffeinated only by a natural method
  • 1/2 cup (112 ml) Coconut milk*
  • To taste Raw honey
  • Ice cubes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 serving Italian espresso, decaf* *Decaffeinated only by a natural method
  • 1/2 cup (112 ml) Coconut milk*
  • To taste Raw honey
  • Ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Make an espresso in the traditional Italian way on the hob. Alternatively, you can use filtered coffee but I have never tried this.*
  2. All the coffee to cool to room temperature and for best results, chill for a further 30 minutes. Mix the cooled coffee with coconut milk and add honey if desired. Add a few ice cubes and enjoy!
Recipe Notes

*NOTE: Instant coffee is not allowed on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).

Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Lemon Iced Tea
July 15, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy

  GLUTEN-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE, REFINED SUGAR-FREE, SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD), PALEO I always struggle with drinks of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). I love water, don’t get me wrong. However, during the recent Irish heatwave I was craving a refreshing drink. When sugary drinks and juices are off limits, it can be difficult. I was craving something a little different. Lemon iced tea to the rescue! I often drank it from a can during hot summers spent  in Italy. Of course, those ones were very much SCD illegal so I set out to create my own version. We are a nation…

Print Recipe
 Lemon Iced Tea
A delicious and refreshing lemon iced tea infused with mint. This recipe is free from refined sugar, Paleo and Specific Carbohydrate Diet-friendly.
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 litres (6 1/2 cups) Water
  • 4 Good quality tea bags
  • 2 Organic lemons
  • Few sprigs Fresh mint
  • To taste Raw honey
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 litres (6 1/2 cups) Water
  • 4 Good quality tea bags
  • 2 Organic lemons
  • Few sprigs Fresh mint
  • To taste Raw honey
Instructions
  1. Boil the water and add to the teabags in a large saucepan. Allow to cool to room temperature then add three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Place in the fridge overnight.
  2. Serve in glasses with lemon slices, fresh mint sprigs. Drizzle with raw honey and mix well if desired.
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Strawberry Probiotic Smoothie
June 13, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy

GLUTEN-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, REFINED SUGAR-FREE, SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD) This strawberry probiotic smoothie is one of my family’s favourites. We eat as seasonally as possible so finding ourselves with an abundance of strawberries at the moments means lots of delicious smoothies. Strawberries pack a real punch when it comes to flavour and nutritional value. Surprisingly, they contain more vitamin C than oranges per cup. SCD probiotic yoghurt is one of my favourite aspects of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It can be daunting at first to make it but opens up a world of possibilities in terms of recipes once mastered. That,…

Print Recipe
 Strawberry Probiotic Smoothie
A delicious, probiotic smoothie packed with vitamins and good bacteria to heal the gut. Suitable for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (245g) SCD Yoghurt
  • 2 Frozen bananas
  • 1 cup (200g) Fresh strawberries
  • 1 Ripe avocado
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (245g) SCD Yoghurt
  • 2 Frozen bananas
  • 1 cup (200g) Fresh strawberries
  • 1 Ripe avocado
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Hazelnut Milk
April 13, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy 1Comment

DAIRY-FREE, REFINED SUGAR-FREE, PALEO & SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD) I love a good dairy-free milk and this hazelnut milk is honestly so delicious. I made this thicker than my usual almond milk recipe and it worked out great. My love affair with hazelnuts began at a young age. They are one of my favourite nuts. I usually have a big batch of blanched hazelnuts in the freezer ready to pull out to make this milk or to put in desserts. Hazelnut milk is the perfect base for a dairy-free smoothie and a great way to start your day. I love…

Print Recipe
 Hazelnut Milk
A delicious non-dairy milk: nutritious and great is smoothies! Naturally sweetened so free of refined sugar this is also Paleo and suitable for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).
Prep Time 5 minutes plus soacking time
Servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (300g) Blanched hazelnuts, soaked overnight
  • 4 cups (940ml) Water
  • 3 Medjool dates, halved and pitted
Prep Time 5 minutes plus soacking time
Servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (300g) Blanched hazelnuts, soaked overnight
  • 4 cups (940ml) Water
  • 3 Medjool dates, halved and pitted
Instructions
  1. Drain the soaked hazelnuts and add to a powerful blender with the water and dates. Blend for a few minutes on high until you achieve a smooth milk.
  2. Pour through a nut milk bag into a glass bottle with a lid. Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Blueberry and Banana Smoothie
January 31, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy

DAIRY-FREE, REFINED SUGAR-FREE, PALEO, SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD). I don’t have smoothies everyday but they are my perfect treat if I need a pick-me-up. Yesterday was just one of those days for me. The housework seemed endless, my little girl was sick and the weather was so terrible we couldn’t even venture outside. This Blueberry and Banana Smoothie came to save the day. I made a double batch yesterday afternoon: enough for me and my daughter to share and then took the leftovers to work this morning. My daughter loves smoothies. It seems though that the colour of the smoothie…

Print Recipe
 Blueberry and Banana Smoothie
A delicious dairy and refined sugar-free smoothie packed with healthy fats and some superfood goodness!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 Frozen ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup (112ml) Coconut milk*
  • 1/2 cup (112ml) Coconut water*
  • 1/2 cup (5-6 cubes) Ice cubes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 Frozen ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup (112ml) Coconut milk*
  • 1/2 cup (112ml) Coconut water*
  • 1/2 cup (5-6 cubes) Ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Mix all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Best enjoyed immediately.
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Almond butter bliss smoothie
January 11, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy

DAIRY & REFINED SUGAR-FREE. SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD) & PALEO This almond butter bliss smoothie is one of my current favourites. I make it in the morning or sometimes the night before and bring it to work . This really kick-starts my day. Although this smoothie is dairy and refined sugar-free, I can assure you that you certainly won’t feel deprived. It amazes me often now when I think of how I dreaded giving up gluten, grains and refined sugar. I really thought I was going to be so miserable. Nothing could be further from the truth. This blog would never…

Print Recipe
 Almond butter bliss smoothie
A delicious, nutrient-dense dairy-free smoothie to give you a healthy morning boost!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Coconut milk* *Make sure there are no added illegals
  • 1 Frozen ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons Almond butter
  • 6-7 Ice cubes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Coconut milk* *Make sure there are no added illegals
  • 1 Frozen ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons Almond butter
  • 6-7 Ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Mix all the ingredients, blend and drink or enjoy as a smoothie bowl.
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Green Dairy-free Smoothie
January 4, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy

DAIRY-FREE, REFINED SUGAR-FREE, SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD) & PALEO.  There’s nothing like this green dairy free smoothie to make you feel you’re being healthy. This smoothie is definitely healthy with coconut water, spinach and blueberries. There are lots of new brands of coconut water cropping up in the supermarket these days but beware of additives. Check the labels very carefully. I found this brand, FOCO, in our local Asian wholesale store and it is 100% coconut water. This smoothie is refreshing and great if you are looking for something light and a change from coconut and almond milks. Perfect for…

Print Recipe
 Green Dairy-free Smoothie
A delicious, healthy green smoothie to boost start your day.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (470ml) Coconut water* *Make sure there are no additives
  • 1 cup (45g) Fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 1 cup (2 bananas) Frozen bananas
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Blueberries
  • 3-4 Ice cubes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (470ml) Coconut water* *Make sure there are no additives
  • 1 cup (45g) Fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 1 cup (2 bananas) Frozen bananas
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Blueberries
  • 3-4 Ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Mix everything well in a blender.
  2. Enjoy!
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Dairy-free Superfood Smoothie Bowl
January 3, 2017 MariaCantillonMurphy

DAIRY-FREE, REFINED SUGAR-FREE, SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD) & PALEO.  Weekend breakfasts means a: Dairy-free Superfood Smoothie Bowl for me! Coconut milk is my new favourite smoothie base especially since we found a great wholesale supplier of a premium version with no added nasty ingredients. I love almond and cashew milk too but they require some overnight soaking whereas coconut milk can make instant smoothies. It’s great for those mornings on the go when you don’t have time for eggs and bacon. You can make this smoothie and blend completely or make a smoothie bowl and leave some avocado and blueberries out and…

Print Recipe
 Dairy-free Superfood Smoothie Bowl
A delicious dairy-free smoothie packed with powerful superfoods for a healthy start to the day.
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (235ml) Coconut milk* *No added gums or preservatives
  • 1 Ripe banana
  • 1/2 Ripe avocado
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Blueberries/strawberries (or a mix of both)
  • 5 Ice cubes
  • Small amount (to garnish) Desiccated coconut (optional)
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (235ml) Coconut milk* *No added gums or preservatives
  • 1 Ripe banana
  • 1/2 Ripe avocado
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Blueberries/strawberries (or a mix of both)
  • 5 Ice cubes
  • Small amount (to garnish) Desiccated coconut (optional)
Instructions
  1. For a regular smoothie, mix all the ingredients in a powerful blender. To enjoy as a smoothie bowl, blend together the ingredients but reserve some blueberries, strawberries and some avocado for decorating. Serve with some extra desiccated coconut on top and enjoy with a spoon!
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Banana & Date Dairy-free Smoothie
December 5, 2016 MariaCantillonMurphy

  FREE FROM: DAIRY & REFINED SUGAR. PALEO-FRIENDLY & SCD I’ve been pretty much living on this smoothie lately since my Crohn’s disease is flaring up. It’s been hard to face big meals due to massive amounts of nausea so smoothies are a great way to bulk up on calories. This is easy on the tummy and so delicious too! I use a premium coconut milk with absolutely no additives. The only ingredient is 100% coconut milk. It is expensive compared to the stuff in the supermarket but so worth the extra price. Luckily, we found a local Asian wholesaler who…

Print Recipe
 Banana & Date Dairy-free Smoothie
A delicious and healthy dairy-free smoothie packed with goodness.
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (240ml) Coconut milk* *No additives. See photo above.
  • 1 Ripe banana
  • 10 Organic small dates*, halved and pitted *If you are using Medjool dates then 5-6 would be enough.
  • 1/2 cup (5-6 cubes) Ice cubes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (240ml) Coconut milk* *No additives. See photo above.
  • 1 Ripe banana
  • 10 Organic small dates*, halved and pitted *If you are using Medjool dates then 5-6 would be enough.
  • 1/2 cup (5-6 cubes) Ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Place the coconut milk, ripe banana and dates in a powerful blender and leave to soak for up to 30 minutes. This will make the dates blend better.
  2. Add the ice and blend to desired consistency.
Share this Recipe
Read More
Drinks and smoothies Chai tea with cashew milk
October 8, 2016 MariaCantillonMurphy

I still remember my first time tasting Chai tea. I was studying in St. Andrew’s, Scotland for a masters degree and my friends there introduced me to it. You’d think I would have been used to cold weather coming from Ireland, but the winds blowing in from the North Sea were biting and so much chillier than I had ever felt. Chai tea was to become a daily drink for me as the spices warmed me up when regular tea just couldn’t. Drinks can be a difficult aspect of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) as we’re not allowed too many herbals…

Print Recipe
 Homemade chai tea with cashew milk
A delicious spicy, Indian tea: perfect to warm you up on a winter's day.
Prep Time 5-6 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup (177ml) Water
  • 4 Green cardamom pods, smashed
  • 1-2 pieces Fresh ginger, sliced thinly
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • 1 Star anise
  • 3/4 cup (177ml) Homemade cashew/almond mlik
  • 1 Tea bag* *or equivalent in loose tea leaves
Prep Time 5-6 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup (177ml) Water
  • 4 Green cardamom pods, smashed
  • 1-2 pieces Fresh ginger, sliced thinly
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • 1 Star anise
  • 3/4 cup (177ml) Homemade cashew/almond mlik
  • 1 Tea bag* *or equivalent in loose tea leaves
Instructions
  1. Combine the spices and water in a saucepan on a medium heat.
  2. Bring the boil then simmer for a few extra minutes.
  3. Add the tea bag/tea leaves and the cashew/almond milk.
  4. Let the mixture infuse for a further 2-3 minutes then strain through a nut milk bag, discarding the spices.
Recipe Notes
  1. I used a Clipper black tea bag-an unbleached tea bag which tastes delicious.
  2. I don't sweeten this but you can use raw honey if you wish.
Share this Recipe
Read More