“I find inspiration for all my flavours when thinking back to my childhood treats,” says Simone Leigh Barnes-Anderson, owner of Simpleigh-Raw vegan treats. “The challenge is how to recreate these childhood treats in a healthier, more nourishing way!” She has developed a number of childhood treats with a healthy twist – all gluten free, refined sugar free and vegan. Raspberry bounty bars, lemon cheesecakes, banoffee pies and peanut butter brownies – now don’t they sound divine! Visit Simone’s Instagram page @simpleigh_raw and you’ll be greeted by a colourful collage of her delightful creations.

 

BOTANISTRY recently collaborated with Simpleigh-Raw, and Simone created some delicious raw treats, bakes and daily recipes using BOTANISTRY Ayurvedic supplement powders. Made from organic plant ingredients, the powders provide natural flavour and colour as well as health benefits when taken daily. We love seeing the interesting and healthy ways our BOTANISTRY Blends are being incorporated into food and drink every day.

 

Simone made mini Date & Ginger Loaves and Peanut Butter Jelly Cups with ACTIVE CORALS. This potent anti-inflammatory supplement powder contains Ceylon Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ashwagandha, Clove and Black Pepper to support muscle and joint mobility and recovery. It gives a warming cinnamon flavour and pairs perfectly with dates, chocolate, berries and nut butters, as in the case of these recipes. Try Simone’s Peanut Butter Jelly Cups recipe here – ideal as a mid-morning munchie or after-school snack.

 

Using BOOSTING AMBERS, Simone developed a bright yellow and zesty Ginger Slice. Did you know that Ginger has traditionally been used to combat nausea? BOOSTING AMBERS is an energising blend of organic herbs and spices. Containing organic Turmeric, Lime, Ginger, Lemongrass and Black Pepper, it is formulated to help support immune health and energy levels. Another good idea is adding BOOSTING AMBERS to scrambled tofu – giving a golden hue and additional nutrients. Watch the video of Simone’s scrambled tofu meal here.

 

We cannot get enough of the beautiful flavour pairing Simone created with our GLOWING GREENS skin supplement for her Minty Choc Bars – try the recipe here. GLOWING GREENS contains the antioxidant-rich herbs & spices of Moringa, Peppermint, Green Tea, Curry Leaf and Black Pepper. These botanical ingredients have been purposefully selected for their function to support skin health.

 

Simone began her plant-based journey seven years ago. “As soon as I made the decision to go vegan, I discovered a passion for cooking with wholefoods and creating raw treats. From there, I knew it was what I wanted to do as a career,” she explains about the birth of Simpleigh-Raw. “I started because I wanted to show people how eating a wholefood diet could still be just as delicious and full of flavour.”

 

The early days involved Simone selling raw vegan slices down at local markets in Whanganui where she grew up. The Simpleigh-Raw range has since grown to include a variety of treats, cakes and also granola – all gluten free, refined sugar free and vegan. They are available online via her website too. She even retailed limited edition bundles of raw treat boxes with a canister of BOTANISTRY Ayurvedic supplement powder. See easy ways to use these all-natural supplements in wholesome recipes here.

 

Why is refined sugar bad for you? Sugar is acidic and upsets the pH balance of cells and tissues, leading to metabolic stress. Eating a diet high in refined sugar is bad news and can lead to chronic inflammation in the body. It has been linked to: Tooth decay, allergies, increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, neurological problems and cardiovascular challenges. Furthermore, research studies have shown excess sugar intake to decrease the body’s immune response. This is because yeast and bacteria feed off the sugars and can suppress the immune system. Having wholefood treats that are free from refined sugar – like those from Simpleigh-Raw – are certainly a better alternative to highly processed sugary treats. While reducing the consumption of refined sugar, it is also helpful to add anti-inflammatory foods and those high in antioxidants to your diet, including organic health supplements containing herbs & spices.

 

When not experimenting with flavours for her raw treats, Simone’s favourite dishes to make are nourish bowls. They’re packed full of wholegrains, fresh veggies and some kind of roasted vegetable. Try her Chickpea & Cauliflower Nourish Bowl recipe using BOOSTING AMBERS here. It’s fibre-filled, micronutrient-rich and immunity-boosting, the perfect bowl for lunch or dinner. Simone also made a breakfast Rise & Shine Chia Bowl with BOOSTING AMBERS – a great way to start the day. The earthy citrus flavour works well with bananas, fruit, nuts and coconut.

 

To other artisanal businesses, Simone says: “If I could give anyone else a tip that is trying to start or run their own small business, it would be to sit down and make a list of your values and what is most important to you. Do not let anyone sway you from this. Make sure you are always happy and confident in your products. This will keep you motivated along the way.”

 

To find out more, visit the Simpleigh-Raw website here.