A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals

A girl's guide to health, wellness and happiness from model/entrepreneur BFFs Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw.

Growing up is hard for everyone. For girls today, in a world of 24-hour connectivity, it can be harder than ever. A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals is about growing confidence in yourself even while your body changes. It's a guide to smashing your goals and, when you don't, bouncing back and trying again.

Learn to be kind to yourself; stop comparing and judging others. Feel OK with the skin you're in and shake off the bullies. Get stress- and time-management hacks to keep you calm in a super-busy world. Plus killer workouts and delicious healthy recipes for a girl on the go.

Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw are two models turned young entrepreneurs. They are extremely passionate about healthy living, body confidence in young women, and making social media a positive space.

Australian model Steph Claire Smith shot to fame when leading health and fitness publications started sharing her love of (all) food, health and exercise. She gave up a life competing to be the skinniest in New York for a healthier balance back in Australia. Steph now has 1.3 million Instagram followers.

Aussie model and law student Laura Henshaw is Steph's bestie and is a sought-after health and fitness blogger as well as speaker at youth health events. Together, they run Keep It Cleaner, a global online health and fitness community targeted to 14-25-year-olds.

A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals
Murdoch Books
Authors: Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw
ISBN: 9781760523855
RRP: $24.99
Photography: Ren Pidgeon and Cath Muscat

Images and recipes from A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals by Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw

 

Brekkie Cups

Makes 6

Are you a savoury breakfast person? Not into sweet things in the morning, but need something quick and easy on the go? Then our brekkie cups are the perfect treat for you. We love this recipe because you can prepare it the night before, or make a batch on a Sunday evening to last through the first half of the week. This recipe not only makes mornings easier, but is also super-easy with minimal prep needed.

Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
bacon rashers
eggs
handful basil leaves, sliced
handful cherry tomatoes, halved
Tbsp goat's cheese

Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) fan-forced.
Prepare a 6-cup medium-sized muffin tray by brushing all sides with olive oil or lining with baking paper.
Line each cup with a bacon rasher.
Crack one egg into the centre of each bacon-lined cup.
Add an even amount of basil and tomatoes to each cup and then sprinkle goat's cheese evenly over the top.
Place the tray in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes (or until egg is cooked through and bacon crisp). Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Trixy Bikkies

Makes 15
Seriously, what a perfect combination of chocolate, caramel and crunchy biscuit! This is a tribute to one of our absolute fave choccie bars when we were growing up – we just had to create a healthier, refined sugar-free version to make at home. We love whipping these up on special occasions to enjoy with friends and family. They're always a hit.

Ingredients

Caramel Layer
1 cup (160 g) medjool dates, pitted and soaked in warm water
1 Tbsp tahini

Biscuit Layer
½ cup (50 g) almond meal
½ cup (75 g) gluten-free flour
¼ cup (55 g) coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp rice malt syrup

Chocolate Layer
½ cup (110 g) coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp almond butter
¼ cup (90 g) rice malt syrup
½ cup (55 g) raw cacao powder

Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a medium-sized square baking tray with baking paper.
To make the caramel layer, mix the dates and tahini in a blender or food processor, with ½ cup (125 ml) water and sea salt to taste. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and freeze for at least 40 minutes.
To make the biscuit layer, mix together all the ingredients to form a doughy mixture. Roll out the dough into a square about 3 mm thick and line the baking tray. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin.
To make the chocolate layer, melt the coconut oil (if solid) and blend in a food processor or blender with the remaining ingredients until smooth.
Once the biscuit and caramel have both cooled, pour the caramel on top of the biscuit layer in the tray, then pour the chocolate layer on top. Freeze for at least 3–4 hours (or ideally overnight) before slicing into small snack-sized pieces.
Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals
Murdoch Books
Authors: Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw
ISBN: 9781760523855
RRP: $24.99
Photography: Ren Pidgeon and Cath Muscat

Images and recipes from A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals by Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw

Interview with Steph Claire Smith

Question: What inspired you to write A Girl's Guide To Kicking Goals?

Steph Claire Smith: Laura and I consider ourselves really lucky to have grown up having a childhood where we didn't rely on technology as heavily as the current generation. Although in saying that, we also know how easily influenced we were regardless. We wanted to be there for girls all around the world and provide them with the advice we wish we had growing up. After establishing a clear connection with people through our social media channels we thought to ourselves, why not do it through a book as well…. Then 'A Girl's Guide To Kicking Goals' was born!


Question: What advice do you have for those of us who continually compare ourselves to others on social media and real life?

Steph Claire Smith: I always think back to basic biology! It's important to remember we are all made from different genetics and we all live different lives… Therefore we cannot look the same.

If you're continuously comparing yourself to others and looking at yourself in a negative light, you will miss the features that make you, YOU. We are all perfectly imperfect, and if we all looked the same it would be a very boring world! Learn to focus more on the features you love about yourself rather than the ones you dislike, much like you would when you're looking at a girlfriend!


Question: Can you tell us about the recipes featured in A Girl's Guide To Kicking Goals?

Steph Claire Smith: All our recipes are affordable, simple to follow and delicious! Of course as well as being nutritious, they are boyfriend and family approved! We have a few of our old favourites in there, along with some newbies!


Question: What is your best stress hack?

Steph Claire Smith: For Laura it's going for a long run, for me, a walk with my dog or a getaway up the Murray River.


Question: Can you share with us one of the lessons you hope to share through A Girl's Guide To Kicking Goals?

Steph Claire Smith: Happiness should be everyone's goal on their health journey; it shouldn't be a physical goal.

A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals
Murdoch Books
Authors: Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw
ISBN: 9781760523855
RRP: $24.99
Photography: Ren Pidgeon and Cath Muscat
Interview by Brooke Hunter