Detox Tea Ice Lollies - Feat. Indigo Herbs*

It’s officially summer to me now the sun is shining and I can finally dust off my sandals and bikini… well I could dust off my bikini if I felt confident wearing one! How many of us planned to get fit this summer and have fallen off the wagon. I personally put my hands up, but not all hope is lost. When I was contacted by Indigo Herbs to create a recipe using some of their products I knew I had to come up with something delicious and healthy but keep with the summer theme.

Indigo Herbs kindly sent me their Super Cleanse Detox Herbal Tea and Strawberry Tea Infuser. The herbal tea is a warm blend of fennel, liquorice, nettle, dandelion, red clover and ginger. I decided that with these ingredients and a few added extras that I would make some refreshing ice lollies that don’t break the calorie bank!

Ingredients (Makes 4):
Super Cleanse Detox Herbal Tea
Strawberry Tea Infuser
50g Fresh Strawberries
Ice Lolly Moulds
800ml Water

Method:
First, add some of the Super Cleanse Detox Herbal Tea into the Strawberry Tea Infuser and add to a mug of boiling water. Let this brew for about 5 minutes, then add the boiling water to a jug of approximately 800ml worth of cold water and set aside to cool.

Chop some strawberries into small pieces and place a small amount into each lolly mould. Pour your Detox Tea mix into the lolly moulds and set in the freezer to cool for around 4-6 hours.

These ice lollies were easy to make, taste great and super low on calories. They are the perfect treat for this summer if you are trying to look your best. You can also mix up the fruit if you prefer. Try adding mango and kiwi or pineapple chunks instead of the strawberries.

Of course you can also use the Super Cleanse Detox Herbal Tea as it is intended. It contains 100% pure ingredients which is clearly outlined on the packaging and is also vegan. I love that the packaging is simple but contains all the information you need to know. There are clear instructions on the back of the packet explaining how much you need to use and how long to brew the tea for.

Will you be making these refreshing lollies this summer? Let me know what you think. Check out my other Indigo Herbs recipes if you get a moment, I have made Gingerbread Men, Banana Loaf, Tandoori Chicken and Energy Balls.

*I was provided with the items from Indigo Herbs free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Gluten and Dairy Free Chocolate Banana Loaf and Gingerbread Recipes – Feat. Indigo Herbs*

Having previously worked with Indigo Herbs, I couldn’t wait to collaborate with them again in creating a couple of recipes that are gluten and dairy free and made using 100% organic ingredients available at Indigo Herbs. I wanted to make something that will satisfy my sweet tooth but not leave me feeling guilty.

Indigo Herbs make excellent and good quality herbs and superfoods that are available at really affordable prices. I love their products and couldn’t wait to experiment with a recipe using the baking bundle they sent me. The baking bundle has been inspired by the BBC Television programme ‘The Great British Bake Off’. This show has encouraged people to enjoy baking and they featured an alternative ingredients week where the contestants created delicious gluten free and dairy free recipes. All of the products I received are premium quality, organic, dairy free and gluten free.

The first recipe I will be sharing with you is for gluten and dairy free chocolate banana loaf. I came up with this recipe after looking through many cookbooks and online recipes and adapted it to suit the ingredients that I had. If you’re after a recipe for a delicious, not so guilty chocolate banana loaf that is gluten and dairy free, then you’ve come to the right place!

Ingredients:
125g Organic Coconut Flour 
80g Organic Coconut Sugar
2 tbsp Organic Cacao Powder
1 heaped tsp Baking Powder
3 tsp Mixed Spice
3 Bananas, mashed
1 heaped tbsp Organic Banana Powder
75g Organic Pure Raw Virgin Coconut Oil (3 tablespoons)
1 tbsp Organic White Tahini
50g Dried Fruit or Nuts (optional)
Chia Seeds (1 tbsp chia, 2.5 tbsp water)

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and grease your loaf pan or baking tray. I greased mine with a little bit of the Organic Coconut Oil on a clean tissue.

Mash the peeled banana with a fork. When this is mashed, mix in your Coconut Oil, Chia Seeds, White Tahini and Coconut Sugar. You may find it easier to melt the Coconut Oil beforehand, you can do this by placing in in the microwave in a heat proof bowl for 30 seconds. The Coconut Sugar has a low glycemic index so won’t spike your blood sugar levels like regular sugar does. It is made from coconuts which are one of the more nutritious foods on the planet. You can substitute any sugar in a recipe for Coconut Sugar in equal quantities. It has a brown sugar taste and works really well with this banana loaf recipe. Coconut Oil is one of the very few oils that can be heated at a high temperature without converting into trans-fats. It is easily turned into and used as energy unlike most fats coming from other types of oil and is a healthy alternative to butter in your regular banana loaf recipe. The White Tahini which is made from sesame seeds will give this a nutty flavour which tastes great. Mix well until combined.

Next add the Coconut Flour, baking powder, Banana Powder, Raw Cacao and mixed spice, and combine with your wet ingredients. Coconut Flour is gluten free and high in fibre and is a great alternative to plain flour. Cacao is gluten and dairy free and is a raw version of cocoa powder and much better for you as it hasn't been processed.

Add any additional ingredients such as your fruit or nuts if you choose to include those and mix until combined. 

Bake in your greased loaf tin for around 20 minutes, After 20 minutes, cover the top of the tin in foil and bake for a further 40 minutes until golden. Allow to cool before slicing, and enjoy your guilt free treat! It tastes delicious topped with nut butter.

I am so pleased this recipe turned out great. It was sweet and packed full of flavour and great organic ingredients meaning I didn’t feel bad about eating it.

The second recipe is for gluten and dairy free gingerbread men. Of course you can use whatever shaped cookie cutter you like and these will still taste super delicious.

Ingredients:
125g Organic Coconut Flour  (350g plain flour)
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
125g dairy free vegan spread
175g Organic Coconut Sugar (brown sugar)
Chia Seeds (1 tbsp seeds mixed with 2 tbsps water) - 1 egg
1 tbsp Organic Pure Raw Virgin Coconut Oil (4 tbsp golden syrup)

Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and grease 2 baking trays.

Sift together the Coconut Flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon and mix until combined. Add your vegan spread and mix until you get the consistency of breadcrumbs then add the Coconut Sugar . Melt your Coconut Oil and add that with the soaked chia seeds. Mix everything together until your mixture clumps together into dough.

Knead until smooth then roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is around 0.5cm thick. Use your cutters to make whatever shapes you desire and place onto the greased baking trays and then into the oven for around 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown. When cooled, feel free to decorate! Enjoy with a lovely cup of tea.

You can find most of the ingredients that I used in the recipes over on the Indigo Herbs website which I have linked throughout this post.

Will you be trying these recipes?

*I received these ingredients free of charge from Indigo Herbs in exchange for creating a recipe and giving an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.