Chocolate brownie is popular with adults and kids alike. But it is usually packed full of fat, sugar and calories. Here is a quick, healthier version adapted from the Healthy Food Guide chocolate brownie. This version uses wholemeal flour which gives an extra nutty flavour and texture that goes well with the walnuts. It has no butter which slashes the saturated fat to almost zero while the walnuts provide a few healthy omega 3 fats. Both the walnuts and wholemeal flour add fibre which hopefully prevents a complete pig-out of this yummy treat! The best thing about this recipe is how quick and easy it is to whip up. Give it a go…

This is my favourite bread to make. It tastes delicious on its own and even better with a hard Parmesan or soft goats cheese.  This loaf which I made a few days ago was not quite up to standard because I used ordinary white flour from the supermarket. It’s much more authentic if you use top quality flour – usually from a health food shop.

This is my adapted version of a recipe by Patricia Wells from her book ‘At home in Provence‘. She has great recipes. You don’t need to use the exact amounts of the dried fruit and nuts – just whatever you prefer. You make the dough in the evening, then leave it overnight in the fridge.

This weekend Aussies and Kiwis have celebrated both Easter and Anzac day.The theme is the same. Jesus sacrificed his life so we can have peace in our heart and the Anzacs – Australia and New Zealand Army Corps – sacrificed their lives so we can have peace in our nation. We have a lot to be grateful for this weekend.

Having braved the rain to watch the Anzac parade march through Sydney city, my husband and son came home ready for a treat. What could be more appropriate than Anzac biscuits? It’s hard to make a healthy biscuit but at least these ones contain rolled oats for a token bit of fibre amongst all that sugar and fat.

The original recipe

Here’s a delicious way to eat fruit and rolled oats! It’s not as healthy as porridge but as far as desserts go it gets a big healthy tick from me! That is so long as you don’t drown it with cream (40% fat). Try a small scoop of ice-cream (about 11% fat) or Greek yoghurt (about 8-10% fat).

• 3 Granny Smith apples, grated (leave skin on)
• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 75g lite dairy spread
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• Place grated apple and berries in a shallow oven dish.
• Mix flour, spices and sugar into a bowl. Rub in dairy spread until crumbly. Add rolled oats.
• Sprinkle mixture over fruit.

Bake at 190C (380F) for 45 minutes until topping is golden brown.