Protein Yoghurt Mousse w Muesli & Fruit

This Protein Yoghurt Mousse with Muesli & Fruit is also made extra special thanks to the homegrown berries in our garden at the time of posting. Its currently February and the garden is pumping out strawberries and blackberries at a fast rate. Actually, the blackberries are not ‘in the garden’. They are more a weed asset that I refuse to remove because of the fruit they provide each year. They are strictly under my protection. No weed spray will come near my blackberry bush thank you very much.

A few weeks ago I was on a run on our local aqueduct tract. The aqueduct is no longer in use, but does still provide a well worn dirt track that follows alongside the aqueduct for 30km or more. This particular day I ran past a lady picking berries and my first thoughts were of the signs that go up every year warning that berries are being sprayed. Now usually I’d just keep to myself being the introvert I am, headphones in, staying put in my own world. But I thought ‘No Jessica, do the right thing – stop and let her know’.

So I stopped and said ‘Excuse me, just letting you know these berries are sprayed along the aqueduct so just be careful’. I expected a gracious ‘Thanks so much for letting me know’, but what I got in return was a look of distain like I’d smacked her in face. ‘Oh no, no,‘ she told me like I was a child that needed to be scolded, ‘These are wild raspberries‘, they aren’t blackberries – wild raspberries won’t have been sprayed’. ‘Ok’ I said, and popped my headphones back on, turned around and kept running. As I ran I thought about how the local council would delicately pick apart the blackberry bushes from the wild raspberry bushes with their yearly spray. Absolutely plausible.

Warburton is funny like that. You never quite know what you are going to get. Physically it’s a place with such awe inspiring beauty, deep in a valley that has its own unique energy you feel when you visit. People say the energy here attracts a type of person. I’ve always felt there are layers to the community. The people who visit on weekends to stay in holiday homes and experience the surface layer of Warburton. Then there are those that live here and know their neighbours, know what’s going on in the community on a broader level (don’t mention mountain bike paths) and have coffee at the local Silva cafe. Then there are those truly deep rooted in the community that represent ‘hippy’ like it was made for. You can live in Warburton and have no idea of their gatherings, their secret foraging places, their whisperings, their art. All you know is that someone built tiny fairy homes in the trees on the river walk and you have no idea who, how or why.

I wondered that day which ‘category’ this lady on the aqueduct track fell into. She looked like she came from Warburton (stereotype hippy look) but her rudeness was very uncommon (again stereotypically) of those that live here. Maybe she thought I was a tourist sticking my nose into her local business. I guess I’ll never know.

Maybe its in fact indicative of a wider change. Case in point this morning I went for a run along the caravan park trail that winds along the river (its a gorgeous flat-ish track, something harder to find here). I ran past an older couple I’ve seen a few times on this track saying ‘Morning’ as I ran past. Tumbleweeds. Nothing. No recognition. Another 1km up the track I could see a younger lady running towards me. ‘Morning’ I said as we passed. Tumbleweeds again. I even quickly checked this time to see if she had headphones in. Nope.

Is it just me? Am I the common denominator here? Perhaps I look dodgy in my ‘drug-dealer’ sunglasses endearingly named so by friend. That seems a bit extreme but something is in the water here in Warburton.

What does all of this have to do with this new recipe for Protein Yoghurt Mousse with Muesli & Fruit? Not much really besides sparking my inner thoughts connected to the berries photographed. But I do see this space as a place I can share my inner dialogue with you all. Its easy to get caught up in the pressure of writing for content and SEO, however in a world where we are visiting websites less with everyone wanting instant gratification through social media, I’d prefer you to come here for a deeper read beyond a 90sec soundbite.

I’m curious to hear from you dear reader – let me know in the comments below this recipe if you read blog posts anymore. Do you enjoy the behind the scenes of a recipe evolution? The written thoughts of a slightly unhinged Nutritionist on this day who’s had a little too much summer sun? I’d love to know.

Recipe adaptions & alternatives

As always, here are some suggestions for common modifications:

• Soy yoghurt alternative – you can swap the soy yoghurt for dairy yoghurt if tolerated. You can also swap the soy yoghurt for coconut yoghurt, but please be aware this will be significantly higher in fat and change the macros of the meal increasing the calories overall (see below nutritional panel).
• Dairy free protein powder alternatives – I highly recommend a flavoured dairy free protein powder for this recipe, as otherwise the protein yoghurt mousse can be a little bland. You can flavour the mousse however with some maple syrup and vanilla extract if you want to use unflavoured protein powder. You can also use flavoured whey protein powder if tolerated. Please see this blog post for SIBO friendly protein powders.
• Muesli & Granola options – the world is really your oyster here as far as what you would like to use, however there is a caveat to this. To maintain macronutrient balance you want your granola or muesli to contain complex carbohydrates. Therefore, ensure you brand of choice has some oats, or gluten free grains in the mix. Some recommended options are available in this blog post. You could also make your own muesli like this gluten free pecan & goji berry granola or gluten free vanilla cinnamon granola clusters.

If you have any more questions abut modifying this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below. I am always happy to help out and find a ingredient sub or tweak to make it work for you. Did you know our clinic specialises in gut health nutrition? Learn more here.

Enjoy! x