Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme which helps break down protein - so it is known as a digestive enzyme as it helps us break down foods.  Great for people who tend to get indigestion after meals as it lifts the digestive enzymes in our gut needed to break down foods.  Curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric, which is know n to reduce inflammation.  These days, pretty much everyone has some kind of inflammation - be that aches and pains, too much sugar or meat, rashes, allergies etc -so we could all do with the anti-inflammatory benefits.  If you need another reason, this is delicious too - Think pine-lime splice!

Ingredients:
1 onion (peeled and quartered)
2 cloves of garlic clove (peeled)
1 zucchini (roughly chopped)
2 carrots (no need to peel, but chop into 2 cm bits)
1 apple (cored and seeds removed, no need to peel)
a few sprigs of parsley and or basil
75g sweet potato - (I add whatever vegetables I have in the fridge including brocolli stalks)
500g organic beef or pork mince
1 tablespoon of Thermomix vegetable stock (or 1/2 tsp salt)
1/4 tsp cracked pepper (or to taste)
1 egg
1-2 tablespoons chia (or 1 cup of breadcrumbs - use wholemeal bread and blitz in Thermi or processor)
6 sheets puff pastry - cut in half
egg yolk for glazing
Sesame or chia seeds to sprinkle on top

To make:
Thermomix version:
Pre heat oven to 220 C.
Blitz onion and garlic in Thermomix 3 sec/sp 7,
Add veggies and apple into mixing bowl and chop 5 sec/sp 6, scrape sides and repeat as required.
Pop the mixture into the simmering basket and let sit for a few minutes to drain excess liquid - give it a squash down to help it along.  (This is important or you'll find the liquid comes out in the cooking)
Add mince, vegetable mixture , stock/salt, chia/breadcrumbs and eggs   and mix on reverse 10 sec/sp 4 using the spatula to assist with mixing, repeat for 5 secs if necessary until mixture is combined.

Place strips of mix vertical along the halved sheets of puff pastry. Cut sheets in half and roll into sausage roll shape. Cut into desired size pieces and place on lined baking tray with the seam of the pastry face down.  Baste top with a little milk or egg wash and sprinkle with sesame or chia seeds, or a combination.

Cook in a hot oven (220°C) for approx 20 mins until golden on lined baking trays.

Non Thermomix:
Crush garlic and add to onion in food processor, scrape sides.  
Add vegetables and process until veggies are fine.  Pop into a strainer to remove excess liquid, give it a squash down to help it along.  (This is important or you'll find the liquid comes out in the cooking)
Place mince, vegetable mixture and stock/salt, chia/breadcrumbs and eggs in a bowl and combine well.
Place strips of mix vertical along the halved sheets of puff pastry. Cut sheets in half and roll into sausage roll shape. Cut into desired size pieces and place on lined baking tray with the seam of the pastry face down.  Baste top with a little milk or egg wash and sprinkle with sesame or chia seeds, or a combination.

Cook in a hot oven (220°C) for approx 15-20 mins until golden on lined baking trays.

These are a lovely sweet treat for the lunchbox or for an after school treat.  Apricots are high in soluble fibre, Vitamin C and iron.  Make sure you choose organic sulphite free apricots - they will be brown in colour as they don't contain the preservative sulphite which can trigger asthma and other allergic / sensitivity reactions.
As well as being a lovely vegetable protein and fat source, sunflower seeds are high in B Vitamins including folic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids , antioxidants including vitamin E and minerals  calcium, iron, magnesium & selenium.
Coconut has anti-microbial  anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities, as well as being delicious - again,  choose sulphite free coconut.


Ingredients
200 g dried apricots (Organic Turkish)
150 g dessicated coconut (Plus a bit extra for rolling balls in)
100 g sunflower seeds
50 g Coconut Cream
1 tsp vanilla essence

Method
Thermomix:  Place all ingredients into bowl and mix speed 7 for 15-20 seconds until well combined.
Food processor:  Place all the ingredients in a food processor and and process until well combined.

Roll into balls and coat in coconut, and store in the fridge.