Perfect for those chilly winter mornings this is a beautiful balanced breakfast full of delicious flavours and super food goodness.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup of water
1 cup of coconut milk
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 star anise
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 cup of quinoa
2 tablespoons of honey
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
1 handful of blueberries
1 banana, sliced

DIRECTIONS
Place water, coconut milk, cinnamon, star anise, vanilla and nutmeg in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the quinoa and simmer for approximately 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Stir often to ensure the quinoa doesn’t stick to the bottom of the saucepan. Add the honey and walnuts and stir through.

Pour into four bowls and top with the blueberries and sliced banana.

Serves 4
Preparation 5 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes

For more great recipes by Gold Coast local Caralee Caldwell, check out her page here.

Base
1 cup dried dates
1 cup raw almonds
2 tablespoons cacao powder
½  tablespoon coconut oil
¼ cup sliced almonds

Topping
2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla essence
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup fresh strawberries slices

To Make Base:
In the food processor place the dates, almonds and cacao. Process until fine and crumbly. Add the coconut oil and process further until combined. Add the sliced almonds and mix through and stir through. Line a baking tin or dish with parchment paper and press the mixture into the base of the tin. Place in fridge to set.

To Make Topping:
In a saucepan over a medium heat place the coconut oil and melt. Cut the two cups of strawberries in half and add to the saucepan along with the honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Let simmer over a low heat for five minutes until the mixture looks gooey.

Remove from the heat and let cool. Assemble this dish right before serving by placing the base on a large serving plate, top with the cooled strawberry coulis and then top with the fresh sliced strawberries and a sprinkle of sliced almonds. Cut into bars and serve.

Makes 12

For more great recipes by Gold Coast local Caralee Caldwell, check out her page here.

Takeaway could well be the greatest thing ever invented and if wasn’t so bad for you, you’d probably get it every day right? WELL GUESS WHAT! According to this very article, takeaway food doesn’t have to be bad for you and that could be the greatest news ever not invented.

Here’s a list of the top 9 restaurants offering healthy takeaway options. Happy days.

Raw Energy, Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads
Located on the corner of Marine Parade in Coolangatta is Raw Energy, a healthy food and lifestyle café that started on the Sunshine Coast. Their focus is on fresh food, served fast in a funky environment. Raw Energy’s got you covered, offering anything from healthy smoothies or juices to macadamia and lentil burgers, YUMM!
Where: 110 Marine Pde, Coolangatta 

The Pocket
If you haven’t been there yet, put this one on your ‘to do’ list! The Pocket in Burleigh’s Connor Street is an absolute favourite amongst locals and offers a great range of healthy take away options (with an extensive vegetarian/gluten free menu). The Pocket aims to be a conscientious restaurant serving locally sourced, wholesome food, often using produce grown by owners David and Michelle.
Where: 13 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Marie Anita’s Gluten Free Health Cafe
Marie Anita’s offers a solely gluten free and sugar free menu designed to provide dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and raw alternatives. With the aim to source from local suppliers and to use as much organic produce as possible, Marie Anita’s challenges the image of healthy eating.
Where: 2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Greenhouse Canteen & Bar
A personal favorite is Greenhouse Canteen & Bar, the holy grail of all healthy food. With the motto ‘anything you can do, we can do vegan’ they’re onto something, because they are busy every day of the week. But not to worry, they do take away, too! All produce are sourced from trusted suppliers and farmer’s markets – food is medicine and it should nourish the mind, body and soul. Amen!
Where: 1916 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami and 1/140 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

BSKT Cafe
BSKT Cafe (Biscuit) was founded with the belief that people care about their health. They just needed the right place to deliver these health options in an indulgent and accessible manner.
All products are designed to inspire through nutritional quality, taste and a global conscious. Made from high quality plants and free from refined sugar and anything artificial. All products are hand crafted with love using traditional methods busting the myth Vegan and Paleo products can’t be delicious as well as nutritious.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach

The Shack Superfood Cafe
The name says it all, the Shack Superfood Café in Nobby’s is a health freaks paradise with real and fresh food that tastes great and is nutritious! On offer is quinoa, acai, smoothies and juices, breakfast, takeaway lunch and dinner boxes, plus tea and coffee. If you are looking for a hassle free, convenient and easy takeaway option look no further and go give the team at the Shack a visit.
Where: 2221 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach 

Cardamom Pod
Cardamom Pod in Broadbeach is a vegetarian and plant-based restaurant inspired by the art of creative and tasty cuisine. With an extensive salad bar and delicious hot meal options such as curries or lasagne, Cardamom Pod is the perfect place to get some tasty and healthy takeaway, and word on the street is there are opening one in Brickworks! But be warned, their desserts are out of this world, especially the raw peanut butter cups.
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach 

Govindas
Govindas is without a doubt one of the most popular vegetarian, eco-friendly take-away restaurants on the Gold Coast. They offer a variety of pure vegetarian foods (vegan and gluten free options available) including vegetable dishes, basmati rice, dhal, potato bake, samosas and a variety of salads, desserts and drinks. Veggies are sourced locally and all dishes are prepared daily using the freshest produce. The buffet style approach lets customer create their own meal at reasonable prices. YUM.
Where: James St, Burleigh Heads

Giri Kana Cafe
The Giri Kana Cafe is a fresh take on vegan and vegetarian food, with a wide selection of freshly made vegan / vegetarian items (many organic and gluten free options also), including an extensive dessert menu. Their emphasis is on fresh and wholesome foods, which are good for the body, as well as the mind and spirit – and to this end, food is cooked with love and devotion. Try one of their signature tofu or vegie burgers served on turkish bread or as a gluten free option the Open Burger on rice. All so good!
Where: Cnr of Nind St and Gold Coast Highway, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith