Ellie Bullen on Staying Healthy While Traveling & Her Spiced Maple Granola Recipe

Ellie Bullen is a magical food enchantress, travel goddess and lifestyle maven inspiring 400,000 people weekly.

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Interview: Maranda Pleasant

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Instagram: @elsas_wholesomelife

elsaswholesomelife.com

Q: You live a magical life. What inspires you?

A: I am inspired by everything around me. Living by the sea in a beautiful part of the world yet always wanting to explore and see more of it. Eating healthy food and feeling inspired to share that with others through recipes and imagery and being surrounded by creative and motivating people.

Q: What are a few of your favorite experiences? Any recommendations?

A: I just went away and stayed at a little Airbnb south of Sydney, Australia, in a little town called Milton. I spent the weekend on a beautifully designed property sitting by the fire, cooking good food, and relaxing. It really reminded me how important it is to take time away from your busy life just to relax and enjoy good company.

Q: Travel essentials? We imagine that you travel lightly, but what are your must-haves?

A: Must haves are a good skin moisturizer, and a bikini, because beach is always on the cards.

Q: How do you stay centered and healthy on the road?

A: When travelling, I like to try do as much of my own cooking as I can. While it’s so great to experience other cultures, I also love buying local ingredients and cooking my own healthy food.

Q: Why is travel so important for the soul?

A: I think travel is really important because you learn so much, not just knowledge, but you learn things about yourself, other cultures, and common sense. You also learn to appreciate the world and how diverse and amazing it is as well as realizing how lucky you are to live where you do.

Q: Your fav smoothie ingredients?

A: Bananas, spinach, berries, and almond milk. Sometimes I even blend through some peanut butter and it tastes amazing!

RECIPE:

Spiced Maple Roasted Granola

Ingredients

200 g pecans 2 cup buckwheat groats 4 tbsp linseed/ flaxseed 4 tbsp sesame seeds

2 tbsp oil (1 tbsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp olive oil) 1⁄4 cup 100% maple syrup 1-2 tsp cinnamon powder 1⁄2 tsp cardamom powder Pinch of sea salt Optional extra: 8-10 drops orange essential oil, or 2 tbsp grated orange rind

How to make It

1. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F, fan-forced.

2. Combine the nuts, buckwheat, seeds, salt, and spices in a large bowl, pour over the oil and maple, add orange oil/rind if you choose, and toss so that it is evenly coated.

3. Line a baking tray with baking paper and transfer contents of the bowl to the tray.

4. Bake in the oven for approximately 25 minutes.

5. Check on them at 15-20 minutes, turn them over so that the bottom gets cooked too.

6. Set aside on a bench to cool for 5-10 minutes, then serve fresh with some coconut yoghurt and fresh fruit, or store in a sealed jar. I keep mine in a jar in the fridge for extra freshness.