Do It Yourself

As a bride to be and on a very tight budget I’m very much swayed these days to patching things up rather than buying new and reinventing old things to bring new life into them.  Where my food is concerned I have also reigned in my budget and with many health foods which I love, but don’t consider essentials I have turned to making my own.

Of course, I love, love, LOVE natural fruit and nut bars, but on a budget and still wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle I have put them on the treat list for now.  At the moment I am running quite low on snack bars I decided to make some of my own.

In the past I have regularly made the amazing and delicious snackage phenomenon that are fudge babies of different variations:

Tropical Fruit Baby’s

On Monday I decided to make some Chocolate Orange Protein Truffles in homage to the chocolate orange Nakd bar- one of my faves!

Ingredients (makes 8 truffles)

• 1 cup of dates

• 1/3 cup of raisins

• 1/4 cup of walnuts

• 2 tbsp. of vegan chocolate protein powder

• 1/2 tsp. of Sicilian orange extract

First roughly chop the dates in to smaller pieces and place in a food processor along with all of the other ingredients.  Blitz all of the ingredients until then are well combined and resemble small bread crumbs.  Then take heaped tablespoon potions and roll in to balls.

I wrapped mine in cling film and left them to firm up in the fridge where I left some for later in the week and stashed the remainder in the freezer for a rainy day.

I used these natural dates which needed stoning as it was all I had in my cupboards, but I think any variety will do.  For me personally I think the best way to approach DIY foods, especially on a budget is just to experiment with store cupboard ingredients that you already have at home rather than going to buy more (unless you have to!).  In terms of the nuts used I would usually opt for cashews or almonds but again I am all out and the walnuts work great as an alternative.

Other DIY foods that I love, but cannot go without would include:

Homemade hummus:

Raw Chocolate Covered Tropical Bites

Soup:

Coconut Spiced Vegetable Soup

After realising that my food processor is actually better than I gave it credit for nut butters have also been another DIY favourite of mine from  walnuts, macadamia nuts an walnuts.  You can even get adventurous by adding spices and dried fruits to make a whole range of different nut butters of your choice.

Another DIY favourite of mine is making almond milk at home, which is great on cereal and in teas. You can also make homemade milk all using the same method* from seeds and whatever nut you have at hand.  I am hoping to make a homemade spiced hazelnut milk some time soon.

I do like to get in the kitchen and make things from scratch where my very limited culinary abilities allow.  I think it gives a kind of satisfying edge when you are eating your own homemade goods with the knowledge that you made it yourself.  Also, they are a far sight cheaper than shop bought items, which makes foods like this very budget friendly.

If you are looking for some budget savvy meal then check out my previous Budget Busting Meals series where I created some affordable meals that were also healthy and delicious!

Coming up on the blog tomorrow I have a little giveaway for all of you DIY foodie Goddesses’ WATCH THIS SPACE!

Are you all for doing it yourself or would much prefer to just buy from the supermarkets?

Do you have and DIY food recipes that you would like to share?

Tagged as: Chocolate Orange Protein Truffles, Tropical Fruit Baby's