A Weekend In Paris

Last weekend we hopped across the channel to Paris to visit David, who's over there living a very Parisian lifestyle. We travelled high up his spiral staircase to find his little apartment, from which you can just spot the top of the Eiffel Tower. 

Some may say Paris is for lovers (and sure, they are alota couples around the place) but Paris is also a pretty good place for friends ... and food, lots of food.

Choco-Banana Milkshake

Whoever first decided to bung a banana in the freezer is a pretty clever guy. It makes making ice cream, smoothies and shakes so quick and simple, as well as eliminating the need for any dairy products to be added. If you've got any bananas getting over ripe and forgotten in the fruit bowl, chop 'em up, pop 'em in a zip lock bag and forget about them in the freezer until you want to use them.

Granola Bars

I've made it pretty clear how important I think breakfast is, but unfortunately I don't always have the time or energy to have pancakes and bacon every morning. This is probably a good thing, or I may be considerably larger than I am. Anyway, no matter what I will always make sure I have something in the mornings. Normally a nice big bowl of granola or muesli with lost of fruit and soy yogurt, but when I have to set off early and can't face anything before leaving the house, I take something for the road. This is where the trusted granola bar comes into play (and, of course, my morning banana.)

Vegan Brownie Muffins with Almond Butter Filling

When eating these it's hard to believe that they are dairy, wheat and refined sugar free. The majority of the sweetness comes from my homemade date syrup, which couldn't be easier to make, and the rest from just a little maple syrup.

They are super chocolatey rich, with the gooey almond butter filling giving them a peanut-butter-cup sorta taste, which is always going to be a good thing in my books.

Homemade Date Syrup

Date Syrup is so easy to make and is an amazing natural sweetener. All it takes is dates and water and you're set to go. It's delicious used just like you would maple syrup to top pancakes, french toast, bacon etc... or for baking recipes. It's cheaper, lower in calories and higher in fibre but just as sweet :)

PBJ Thumb Print Cookies

Soft, chewy Peanut Butter Cookies with a little well of even more PB and Jam in the centre. Little mouthfulls of two of my favourite things, without any dairy or wheat. Serve warm with a cold glass of almond milk.

Chocolate Coconut Cake

This cake is seriously good, its dense and chocolately, but still light and not too sweet. The recipe is a one bowl wonder and couldn't be easier to follow. The frosting tops the whole things off, complimenting it beautifully and making it into one big Bounty Bar of a cake. Delicious.

But a cake is never just a cake, is it? If all you're here for is the recipe for this one, I suggest scrolling a mile down the page to get to it as I do love to tell a good story and have a slight tendency to ramble. Although, if you have a bit of time and like to laugh at the misfortunes of others, this recipe is good enough to wait for. Before I digress even further I will begin The Story Behind The Cake.